Your Travel Experience with ARRIVAL
Day 1
ARRIVAL
Fly into Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport. Your included airport transfer is waiting. A private vehicle with English-speaking assistance takes you to Hotel Americas Copacabana in the heart of Rio's beach district. The drive from the airport takes approximately 45 minutes. Check in, drop your bags and step outside. Copacabana Beach is moments from the hotel. The first evening is yours. Explore the promenade, drink a caipirinha, fresh coconut water and feel the energy of a Brazilian city settling into night. The ARRIVAL team can recommend where to find samba, good food and the version of Rio that doesn't appear in the guidebook. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Day 1 - 4
Hotel Americas Copacabana (or similar)
A well-located four-star hotel in the heart of Copacabana, walking distance from the beach and within easy reach of Rio's nightlife, restaurants and the transport connections the first three days require. The right base for arriving into Brazil properly and making the most of the city before the trip moves south. Breakfast included from Day 2.
Day 2
Private Rio City Tour, Christ the Redeemer, Historic Centre and Sugarloaf
Rio de Janeiro Private transport and English-speaking guide. Tijuca National Park drive, Christ the Redeemer at the summit of Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car with 360-degree views over the city and bay. Entry fees included.
Day 3
Favela Yoga and Community Experience, Vidigal and the Bromélia Project
Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro Roundtrip transport to Praça do Vidigal. One-hour yoga session with local students in an open-air space overlooking the city. Community breakfast and guided walk through Vidigal with Bromélia Project volunteers.
Day 4 - 6
Pousada do Príncipe (or similar)
A colonial-style property matching the atmosphere of one of Brazil's most beautifully preserved historic towns. Walkable to the cobbled streets, the restaurants, the live music venues and the waterfront that make Paraty one of the most extraordinary places on this itinerary. Breakfast included.
Day 4
Quilombo do Campinho Cultural Lunch
Costa Verde, en route to Paraty A stop at a living Quilombo community on the drive south. Traditional shared lunch and cultural exchange with descendants of enslaved Africans who have maintained this community for generations.
Walking Tour of Paraty Historic Centre
Paraty Guided evening walk through Paraty's UNESCO World Heritage listed colonial streets. Architecture, history and the particular atmosphere of a town that preserved itself beautifully.
Day 5
Saco do Mamanguá Kayaking with Caiçara Community
Paraty region Boat transfer to the fjord, guided kayak through South America's only tropical fjord environment with Caiçara local guides, community-prepared lunch on the water. Physically accessible, culturally significant and visually incredible.
Day 6
Speedboat Transfer to Ilha Grande
Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande Transfer from Paraty to Angra dos Reis port and speedboat to Ilha Grande, the transition from colonial coast to untouched island that marks the tonal shift in the trip.
Day 6 - 8
Pousada Ancoradouro (or similar)
A waterfront property close to the ferry arrival point on an island with no roads, no cars and one of the most intact stretches of Atlantic rainforest in South America. Well-located and the right base for two days of doing whatever Ilha Grande calls you to do. Breakfast included.
Day 7
Free Day on Ilha Grande with Optional Beach and Snorkelling Tours
Ilha Grande: a self-directed day on one of Brazil's most naturally preserved islands. Optional Lopes Mendes Beach excursion and Blue Lagoon snorkelling tour.
Day 8
Flight to Foz do Iguaçu.
Breakfast at the hotel. Boat transfer from Ilha Grande to Porto Real, then ground transfer to Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport. Your domestic flight from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu is included. Flight duration is approximately two hours. On arrival in Foz do Iguaçu your included transfer takes you to Foz Plaza Hotel. Rest and prepare, tomorrow Iguazu begins.
Day 8 - 11
Foz Plaza Hotel (or similar)
A functional, centrally located hotel in the gateway city to Iguazu Falls. Clean, comfortable and within easy reach of both the Brazilian and Argentinian park entrances. The hotel is the base, but the falls are the whole point of these three days. Breakfast included.
Day 9
Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls
Iguaçu National Park, Brazil Private guided half-day tour with English-speaking guide. 1.2-kilometre walking trail alongside more than 275 cascades culminating at Devil's Throat. National park entrance fee included. An optional Macuco Safari boat ride at an additional cost.
Day 10
Argentinian Side of Iguazu Falls
Iguazú National Park, Argentina Full-day private guided tour with border crossing assistance and national park entrance fee included. Ecological train, Upper and Lower Circuits, Devil's Throat platform. Optional Great Adventure boat tour at an additional cost.
Day 11
Departure
Included breakfast at the hotel. Your included private transfer takes you to Foz do Iguaçu Airport for your departure flight. Ten nights. Four cities. One favela rooftop. A tropical fjord. An untouched island. And two sides of the most extraordinary waterfall on earth. Brazil will take a while to leave1 you.