Itinerary in brief:
- 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro
- 3 nights in the Pantanal
- 3 nights in Alta Floresta
- 2 nights in Sao Paulo
- 4 nights in Florianopolis
Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
Included: International flight
Day 2: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
On arrival at Rio de Janeiro airport, you will be met and driven by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 3-night stay.
Included: Private transfer, hotel
Day 3: Behind-the-scenes of the carnival tour
Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the complex of Samba City, which is where all the city’s samba schools have their ‘creation’ warehouses, for a fascinating peek behind the scenes at how Rio carnival’s amazing costumes are created!
Your private guide will explain the history of samba and the carnival parade, and they’ll show you around the warehouses seeing all the costumes and parade items – you can even try some on if you fancy! Afterwards, you’ll go for a drink when you can taste your first sip of the national cocktail, Caipirinha whose base is cachaça, a liquor made from sugar cane.
Included: Breakfast, private tour, hotel
Day 4: Corcovado and Sugarloaf with BBQ Lunch
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private driver for a city tour of Rio’s most iconic landmarks, including Sugar Loaf Mountain and the beautiful statue of Christ the Redeemer that towers over Corcovado hill. From the top of both hills, you will have staggering panoramic views over the city and its bays and to round off your sightseeing, we’ve included a delicious, traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch.
Included: Breakfast, private tour, lunch, hotel
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro to the Pantanal
You will be collected at a suitable time today after breakfast for your private transfer to Rio airport for your flight to Cuiaba from where you’ll start your luxury exploration of the Pantanal wetlands.
Once you land, you will be met by the drivers and guides of your Pantanal lodge and taken by shared transfer to Araras Eco Lodge, for 3 nights.
On arrival, you’ll be served a welcome drink and this afternoon, your guide will walk you through the lodge’s surroundings. After dinner, you can join a night walk under the starry skies of the southern hemisphere.
Included: Breakfast, private departure transfer, domestic flight, shared arrival transfer, dinner, lodge
Days 6 & 7: Pantanal
Spend these full two days taking part in the activities that Araras Lodge offers including nature walks and boat trips, all led by knowledgeable, English-speaking guides. They’ll help you spot native creatures including capybaras, tapirs, howler monkeys and toucans, and can explain more about this delicately-balanced habitat.
The lodges also offer horseback rides, photo safaris and more demanding treks, depending on your interests and full board is provided throughout your stay.
Included: Full board, excursions, lodge
Day 8: Pantanal to Alta Floresta
On your last day in the Pantanal, you’ll rise early for a sunrise walk so that you can witness the awakening of nature in this vast wetland. Look out for the stirrings of the giant river otter and caiman, keel-ridged toucans and blue-winged macaws.
You will then be taken by shared transfer to Cuiaba airport for your flight to Alta Floresta, and your time exploring the Amazon. Once you land, you will be met by the drivers and guides of Cristalino Lodge and driven to your accommodation where you’ll spend the next 3 nights.
Included: Breakfast, shared transfers, domestic flight, lunch, dinner, lodge
Days 9 & 10: Cristalino Lodge
Cristalino Lodge is a secluded property on a private reserve extending to almost 30,000 acres in the southern Amazon. It provides several natural habitats and was conceived with the purpose of conserving Brazil’s biological diversity.
Here, we’ve included a full board stay and all activities so you can explore the Amazon in different ways. The lodge offers a wide array of explorations led by some of the best professionals in the field, so you can choose from canoe safaris, hiking in trails, visits to the observation towers, fauna and flora observation and boat trips.
When you’re not actively exploring, you can rest and relax in the beautifully designed bungalows, all of which were built using natural materials to balance comfort with sustainable design. Their restaurant provides indoor and outdoor seating and serves regional Brazilian dishes, while the bar offers impressive views of the surrounding jungle and a cosy reading room.
Included: Full board, activities, lodge
Day 11: Alta Floresta to Sao Paulo
After breakfast, you’ll be collected and driven to Alta Floresta airport by shared transfer for your flight to Sao Paulo. Once you land, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel to check in for a 2-night stay.
Included: Breakfast, shared departure transfer, domestic flight, private arrival transfer, hotel
Day 12: Sao Paulo
You now have a full day to explore Sao Paulo at leisure – from its parks to museums and the neo-gothic Catedral da Sé. The Municipal Market is a good spot to grab a bite – it’s well-known for its baloney sandwich which everyone comes for – so be sure to taste it while you’re here.
Included: Breakfast, hotel
Day 13: Sao Paulo to Florianopolis
Today, you’ll be collected and driven to Sao Paulo airport by private transfer for your flight to Florianopolis. Once you land, you’ll be met and taken by private transfer and taken to the exclusive Ponta Dos Ganchos resort and check in for a 4-night stay.
Included: Breakfast, private transfers, domestic flight, hotel
Days 14 to 16: Ponta Dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort
Ponta Dos Ganchos is the most exclusive resort in Brazil and the perfect stay to round-off your luxury Brazil trip. There are 25 sophisticated bungalows on a private peninsula, lapped by the waters of the Emerald Coast. Here, you’re guaranteed privacy and comfort as well as the highest international standards of service, as certified by the Leading Hotels of the World seal.
Spend your days relaxing on the private sandy beach, and if you’re celebrating a special date, the hotel will offer you options to help you celebrate in style, from ocean-side dining or a meal for two on a secluded beach. We can arrange helicopter transfers if you’re after something memorable to add some glamour to your break!
Included: Breakfast, hotel
Day 17: Depart Florianopolis
You will be collected after breakfast today and driven back o Florianopolis airport by private transfer for your flight back home.
Included: Breakfast, private transfer, international flight
Day 18: Arrive UK
Why not add in a stopover?
