Cities, Wetlands & Waterfalls...

Discover the Highlights of Brazil, from Jaguars to Beaches - From £2,890 Per Person, Excluding International Flights

Day 1
On your arrival into Cuiaba you will be met at the airport by your guide who will transfer you south to Pocone, the start of the Transpantaneira Highway. This is a 145Km long dirt road that goes south through the heart of the Pantanal ending at the Cuiaba River in Jofre. As you enter the Transpantaneira Highway you start to see families of capybaras, pools of caiman and flocks of water birds and raptor; let your wildlife safari begin! Your first lodge is situated about 33Km down the road and as you drive the 7Km from the main road to the lodge you will have the chance to stop and enjoy the many lakes and streams which are packed full of animals.
Overnight: Pouso Alegre – Set on a large cattle ranch. There are 13 rooms with en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. The rooms are housed in three different cottages in the garden. There is a communal dining hall where buffet meals are eaten (D)

Days 2, 3
Spend two full days exploring the area around the ranch. This is one of the best ranches along the Transpantaneira Highway for horse riding; a unique way to explore the area as you are able to get off the road and head deeper into the marshes, forests and grasslands in search of the animals. This ranch is particularly good for capybaras, caiman, anteaters (giant) and armadillos. As night falls the nocturnal animals come out; crab eating fox, tapir and if you are very lucky maned wolf are some of the animals you may be lucky enough to spot. There are several pairs of hyacinth macaws that nest on the ranch, including a pair with a nest in the lodge gardens.
Overnight: Pouso Alegre (B/L/D)

Day 4
This morning enjoy a final activity on the ranch before heading to the very end of the Transpantaneira Highway on the banks of the Cuiaba River.
Overnight: Porto Jofre Hotel – has 28 en-suite bungalows. The communal area has a dining hall and swimming pool (B/L/D)

Days 5, 6
Over the next 2 days you will enjoy boat trips along the Cuiaba River in search of jaguars. This is one of the best areas to view jaguars that are often seen resting on the exposed river banks or swimming across the streams. It is also possible to see otters and other wildlife including capybaras, monkeys and if you are really lucky, tapir.
Overnight: Porto Jofre Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 7
This morning you will be transferred back to Cuiaba in time for your onward flight to Rio de Janeiro.  On arrival in Rio, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located on Copacabana Beach. The rest of your day is yours at leisure.
Overnight: Porto Bay Rio International Hotel – Located on the famous Copacabana Beach, this hotel has a good location and has facilities including a restaurant and a roof-top pool which has views over Copacabana Beach and Corcovado (B)

Day 8
Firstly today, you will visit the historical old centre of Rio, where many original buildings remain.  Rio has quite an interesting history. It was the capital city of Brazil until 1960 and during colonial times, was for a while capital of the entire Portuguese empire.

After your visit to historical Rio, you will be taken to Praia Vermelha, the landing station for the Cable Cars to Sugar Loaf Mountain. The Cable Car is in two stages and moves at quite a quick speed!  On the first stage, you get some stunning birds-eye views of various parts of the city. The second Cable Car, takes slightly longer than the first. From the summit of Sugar Loaf, you get some stunning views across the Rio de Janeiro Bay.

You will also be taken to Corcovado, one of the must-see sights in Rio. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, as is the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands on top of the 700-metre high peak. Access is via a funicular railway, which rises from the district of Santa Teresa. 

After the tour, return to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Overnight: Porto Bay Rio International Hotel (B)

Day 9
Today you will be transferred to the Airport, in time for your onward flight to Iguassu. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure
Overnight: Das Cataratas – This Orient Express owned hotel is the only hotel within the Brazilian National park, offering good access to the Falls.  While there are no Falls view rooms, there are some terraces at the hotel from which viewing is possible.  The hotel has been extensively refurbished, to provide a very high standard of accommodation (B)

Day 10
This morning your guide will meet you at the hotel to take you on a guided tour of the Brazilian side of these world famous waterfalls. There are about 275 different waterfalls dotted around the tropical forests. The Brazilian side of the falls offers a more panoramic view putting into perspective the sheer size of them. Optional activities include helicopter flights over the falls or for the more daring a speedboat ride that goes up underneath the main falls!!
Overnight: Das Cataratas (B)

Day 11
This morning, you will be taken on a guided tour of the Argentinian national park. This side of the falls is very extensive, with many paths taking you to within touching distance of the falls. You will also travel to the furthest point and the largest and most spectacular of all of the cascades – the Devils throat (Garganta del Diablo). From here you can see and feel the force of the falls.  The sound of the water cascading is deafening! After your tour, the rest of your day is free to spend at leisure. You may opt to take a boat trip to get a different perspective of the falls.  There are also some safari trails, allowing you to see the local flora and fauna in the nearby sub-tropical rainforest.
Overnight: Das Cataratas (B)

Day 12
This morning you will be met and transferred back to the Airport in time for your flight home (B)