Brazil: Waterfalls, Rhythm & Wild Beauty

Bem-vindo ao Brasil! If you're joining us for the pre-trip extension, fly into Rio de Janeiro to begin our adventure. Ideally, arrive on the night of July 12 and stay at the airport hotel, as we'll be leaving from there on an early-morning flight to Iguazu Falls. 

As our plane descends over this spectacular natural wonder, soak up the sweeping views of the lush, verdant rainforest. Once we touchdown, we'll be whisked away via private transfer to the 5* Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, an elegant (pink!) residence that prides itself in being the only hotel within the national park. 

Take the afternoon to unpack and settle in. Perhaps sip a cold cocktail by the pool or take a stroll through the vibrant tropical gardens that surround the hotel.

This evening, we'll gather for dinner at the hotel's acclaimed Y Restaurant, savoring a creative tasting menu of Brazilian cuisine in an al fresco setting. What better way to begin our trip than sharing a meal while we listen to the roar of nearby Iguazu Falls? After the park closes you'll have it all to yourself. 

Enjoy a Brazilian-style breakfast spread filled with local delicacies and fresh coffee before we set off with our female guide for a private tour of the falls. We'll experience Iguazu from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, offering two unique perspectives for a fully immersive adventure. 

Iguazu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the Iguazu River between the Argentine and Brazilian borders. The falls themselves consist of around 275 individual cascades, each reaching up to 269 feet in height. They're touted as one of the most visually appealing collections of falls in the world, and attract almost 2 million tourists each year.  

During our tour, we'll wander the scenic pathways suspended against the rushing water, making our way to dramatic viewpoints as we experience the thick mist and astonishing power of the waterfalls. We'll also hop on a boat ride that will bring us up close to the bottom of the falls. 

Lunch will be served inside the national park, offering a convenient and relaxing break during our tour. 

Upon returning to the hotel, the rest of the evening is yours to relax. Read a book poolside, go for a walk, or maybe pamper yourself with a spa treatment. Our team would be happy to arrange an appointment for you at the hotel's on-site spa. 

Dinner tonight is a feast for the senses. We'll make our way to Rafain for their dinner show. After loading up your plate at their luxe steakhouse-style buffet, settle in for the performance of a lifetime. We'll keep the specifics under wraps, but just know it's a fantastic introduction to Latin American culture in various forms. 

After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to the beautiful national park and head for the airport. After a short flight back to Rio de Janeiro, we'll meet up with the rest of the group for our main trip. 

If you're joining us today for the core trip, welcome to Brazil! Plan to fly into Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG) by 1 pm and grab a taxi to our 4-star, beachside hotel, PortoBay.

Situated right on the iconic Copacabana beach, this hotel will instantly put you at ease after a long day of travel. Revel in the ocean views from your room as you unpack and settle in. We'll have some time to relax by the pool before we gather for a joyful introduction to Brazilian culture. 

Let's jump right in and kick things off with a Carnival Experience and Samba class! Both are quintessential to this colorful country, and the spirit of Rio will shine through as the room fills with laughter. 

For dinner, we're off to Michelin-recommended Ocyá for some of the city's most beloved seafood and Brazilian classics in an elegant setting. 

We'll start the day early to beat the crowds. After breakfast at the hotel, let's head off to see one of the New 7 Wonders of the World: Christ the Redeemer. 

Located at the top of Corcovado Mountain within Tijuca National Park, we'll transfer to the top and spend some time soaking in views of the 125-foot-tall Art Deco statue and the surrounding panoramas of the city.

Continuing to Sugarloaf Mountain, we'll ascend to the summit via cable car as the beauty of the city unfolds below us. At the top, we'll sit down for lunch at Classico Beach Club Urca, a trendy restaurant perched on the side of the mountain, with amazing views.

After riding the cable car back down to sea level, we'll head back to the hotel to freshen up. For dinner, we'll tie on our aprons and join a team of local women chefs for an evening of cocktails and cooking while we prepare an array of traditional Brazilian recipes. 

Savor breakfast overlooking the beach before we set out on a guided tour to explore the bohemian hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa. We'll wander its charming streets lined with colorful facades, artists’ studios, and sweeping views over Rio, offering a glimpse into the city’s creative soul.

Lunch is at Aprazível, an airy Michelin-guide eatery tucked into the lush hillside, where we’ll enjoy exceptional cuisine crafted from organic and biodynamic ingredients in a beautiful garden setting.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Choose to unwind on Ipanema Beach, browse local boutiques, visit art galleries, or soak in the lively rhythm and beauty of this remarkable city. 

Tonight brings one of the culinary highlights of our journey: dinner at Lasai, Rio’s celebrated two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Known for its artistry, innovation, and deep connection to Brazilian ingredients, this extraordinary dining experience offers a memorable taste of Brazil at its very finest.

This morning, we'll depart Rio and journey along Brazil’s spectacular Costa Verde in our private van, admiring the lush Atlantic rainforest as it tumbles toward the sea in one of the country’s most beautiful coastal landscapes. 

As we make the 4-hour drive, we’ll take in ever-changing views of jungle-covered mountains, secluded coves, and charming seaside villages, with a leisurely lunch stop at Restaurant Sambura along the way.

Arriving in Paraty in the afternoon, we’ll have time to settle into the charming Sandi Hotel, a repurposed 18th-century schoolhouse nestled in the heart of Old Town Paraty.

After our drive, let's spend the evening stretching our legs with a guided walking tour of this enchanting colonial town. As we wander Paraty’s cobblestone streets, we’ll discover the rich history and creative vibes that give this UNESCO-listed gem its timeless appeal.

This evening, we'll sit down for dinner at Banana da Terra, one of Paraty’s most adored restaurants, where local ingredients and coastal traditions are elevated to refined, creative cuisine. 

This morning we invite you to enjoy the hotel's beautiful breakfast spread before we meet in the lobby for a walk over to the Old Town pier. Here, we'll board our private boat for a morning cruise around the picturesque bays and beaches of Paraty. 

As we sail away from town on our traditional wooden boat, lie back on a lounger with a refreshing drink in hand and enjoy the sunshine and sea views. Our experienced captain will bring us to some of the most beautiful spots along the coast, giving us time to snorkel, swim, or paddleboard at each stop. What a dream! 

On one of the stops, we'll disembark and sit down for lunch at a seaside restaurant, dining on fresh seafood amongst great company.

This afternoon is yours to relax back at the hotel, stroll through the quaint boutiques in town, or walk to one of the numerous nearby beaches. We would be happy to arrange an appointment for you at the hotel's spa, Shambhala, if you want to pamper yourself a little bit. 

Dinner is on your tonight, either solo or with new friends. Your guide has plenty of restaurant recommendations around Paraty if you need them. 

Savor breakfast before we check out and make our way to our final destination on our Brazilian adventure: São Paulo. It's a 5-hour drive, with stops along the way to get out, stretch your legs, and have lunch. 

We'll arrive in the city in the early afternoon to check in at the Michelin-guide recommended Hotel Unique. Truly living up to its name (you'll see why when we arrive), this modern, boutique hotel strikes the perfect balance between luxe and playful. 

Relax and unwind by the rooftop pool for a while before gathering for drinks at The Wall, maybe indulging in a caipirinha (or two!). 

Dinner is right upstairs on the roof at the trendy Skye Bar. Offering a stunning view of São Paulo's skyline as the sun dips below the horizon, we'll enjoy the French-Brazilian creations of chef Emmanuel Bassoleil. 

After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore São Paulo’s rich cultural and architectural highlights, discovering a city where grand history and bold modernism coexist peacefully around every corner. 

From the striking design of the São Paulo Museum of Art to the soaring Gothic beauty of Sé Cathedral and the ornate elegance of the Municipal Theatre, we’ll experience the layers of creativity and innovation that characterize this dynamic city. 

After the tour wraps up, we’ll head to lunch at A Casa do Porco Bar, a field-to-table dining experience that has earned its place among Latin America's 50 best restaurants. 

You choose how to spend this afternoon. Perhaps go shopping for last-minute souvenirs, sip a cafezinho at one of São Paulo's numerous specialty coffee shops, or opt for an appointment in the hotel's massage room.

This evening, we'll sit down for our farewell dinner at Tordesilhas, a fitting celebration of the extraordinary journey we’ve shared. Located in the heart of the charming Jardins neighborhood, their menu is rooted in Brazil’s diverse regional traditions and reimagined with elegance and care. It's sure to be a memorable final toast to the culture, cuisine, and connections that have shaped our time together this week.

All good things must come to an end, and after one last breakfast at the hotel, it's time to say our farewells. We'll provide an airport transfer to São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) depending on your flight time. Safe travels!

If you're joining us for the post-trip extension to Cuiabá, we'll head to the airport for our 2-hour flight. Onward!

Once we touch down in Cuiabá, we'll be whisked away to Pousada Siá Mariana, our elegant, riverside home for the next few nights as we explore the natural wonders of the Pantanal. This sprawling ecological region covers over 81,000 square miles of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay and is the world's largest tropical wetland. 

There are plenty of places around the property to explore and relax this afternoon, from the river-facing pool to the peaceful boardwalk extending over the Cuiabá River. 

As evening falls, we’ll head out for a nocturnal safari, our first chance at spotting some wildlife! Departing a little after 6 pm, we'll be on the lookout for caimans, owls, and other nocturnal animals, a fitting introduction to the Pantanal after dark.

Back at the lodge, we'll savor dinner at their on-site restaurant, toasting to the start of an exciting few days in Pantanal.

We’ll start early this morning for one of the most unforgettable experiences of our journey. A boat ride along the Cuiabá River brings us to the airstrip, where we’ll board a scenic flight over the vast Pantanal wetlands to Porto Jofre, taking in the extraordinary mosaic of waterways, forest, and savanna from above. 

To maximize our time in the field, a light breakfast will be provided before departure, followed by a full breakfast once we've landed. 

After we eat, we’ll set out by speedboat for jaguar tracking along the riverbanks in one of the best places in the world to encounter these elusive cats in the wild. As we navigate the waterways, we may also spot caimans, capybaras, giant otters, and a remarkable diversity of birdlife. 

We’ll return to Pousada Siá Mariana by late afternoon for some well-earned downtime before gathering for dinner at the lodge.

After breakfast, we’ll head out on a morning boat trek along the Cuiabá River, exploring one of the planet’s richest wildlife corridors. Over the course of the morning, we’ll search for caimans, capybaras, tapirs, iguanas, otters, and a variety of birds while gaining a deeper appreciation for this unique wetland ecosystem.

We’ll return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax before the afternoon is yours to choose your own adventure. Maybe opt for horseback riding across the Pantanal plains, a peaceful and immersive way to experience the landscape, or try piranha fishing in Siá Mariana Bay, where you can learn traditional techniques and even sample freshly prepared piranha sashimi. 

In the early evening, we’ll head out again for a sunset boat ride across the bay, watching the sky shift colors over the wetlands before returning for dinner at the lodge.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the farm’s nesting area, an important breeding ground for many of the Pantanal’s bird species and a wonderful opportunity to observe wildlife in a quieter, more intimate setting. Along the way, we may spot tapirs, countless bird species, and perhaps even an anaconda in its natural habitat.

We’ll return for lunch and time to enjoy the lodge’s peaceful setting, surrounded by the water and wildlife of Pantanal. 

In the afternoon, we’ll set out by boat to a protected area known for sightings of the vibrant hyacinth blue macaw, one of the region’s most iconic species. Once we return from exploring this extraordinary ecosystem, we’ll enjoy a final dinner together at the lodge.

After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to the Pantanal and transfer to the airport for our return flight to Rio, carrying with us memories of one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife destinations.