Brazil's Archipelagos

We arrive in Rio in the form of a private transfer and straight into the beating heart of the samba rhythm of Brazilian life. Rio is known for its warm, friendly people, beaches, and Carnival, but the city is rich in myriad ways and any trip to Brazil requires Rio to form a strong part of the itinerary.

Situated along the coast and with a string of beautiful beaches (the most famous being the Copacabana) this seaside city has sun, art, culture, and no shortage of fantastic visitor attractions.  Although often thought of as the capital city, Rio has not been the de jure title holder of that honor since 1960, but it is very much the de facto hub of Brazil as far as tourism and outright beauty are concerned. Rio is home to dozens of beaches, all set along the spectacularly lush coast which is home to dozens of tall islands that dot the sea.

Once you’ve settled into your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro, the rest of the day is free to explore some of our favorite local spots. Stroll along the long boulevards next to the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon, and of course, Copacabana while humming the song, ‘Girl from Ipanema’. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of huts selling delicious freshly squeezed juices and coconuts which will refresh you as you soak up the breathtaking cityscape of Rio de Janeiro and realize why the city is known as, ‘The Marvelous City’!
Relax and watch the sunset at the beach before going out for dinner at one of the restaurants along the promenade. We recommend trying one of Brazil’s most famous and traditional dishes, feijoada carioca (stew of beans with beef and pork served with white rice and farofa) washed down with a refreshing caipirinha cocktail or a local beer…Brahma and Skol are our favorites! Following dinner, you can go back to your hotel to relax or go to one of the local samba bars to dance the night away!

Meals (X)

After breakfast, we embark on a trip to visit Corcovado Mountain. To understand the history of Brazil there is nothing better than taking a tour of the old city center of Rio. You will visit the impressive Cinelandia Square which was built in honor of the second president of Brazil, Floriano Peixoto, and features important buildings such as the Rio Opera House, the National Library, and the Fine Arts Museum. Continuing your tour through the historic center, you will also visit Rio’s Chamber of Deputies, the former Imperial Palace, and the ornate Candelaria Church.

Having explored the city from the street level, you will head towards Sugarloaf Mountain where you will take the cable car to its summit. Ascending the famous natural landmark of Sugarloaf Mountain you will be able to enjoy stunning 360-degree views across the sprawling city below, Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach, and up to Christ the Redeemer Statue.

Meals (B)

Today, we head to the Tijuca Forest National Park, one of the largest urban forests in the world, and a rare strand of Atlantic rainforest which is now nearly extinct. This half day tour combines visiting the Tijuca Forest with the Christ the Redeemer Statue that stands on top of Corcovado Hill. You’ll be driven around today in open-top jeeps which is one of the most unique ways to really soak up Rio’s atmosphere and the surroundings. Heading towards the Tijuca National Park which is the world’s largest urban forest and declared a National Park in the 60’s, you’ll be able to see Rio’s highest peak, the Pico da Tijuca where you can enjoy beautiful views over the city. The forest is cool and fresh and with a bit of luck, you will spot some native animals like the toucan and Titi monkeys. You’ll take a short eco-trek, lasting approximately 15-30 minutes, along an easy trail through the forest. Located within the Tijuca National Park is Corcovado Hill, where the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer can be found. In 2007, the statue was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and standing at the base of the 124 ft. tall statue, you’ll be treated to some truly amazing views over the city. After soaking up the views from Corcovado, you’ll travel back to Copacabana in your open-top jeep where you’ll be able to enjoy being surrounded by all the sights and sounds of the marvelous city of Rio. If you are looking for something to do following the tour, we recommend taking a taxi to Sugarloaf Mountain and taking the cable car up to its summit where you can enjoy watching the sunset over Rio from this spectacular location.

Meals (B)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Fernando de Noronha. The best views come from the left-hand side of the plane.

After arriving on Ilha de Fernando de Noronha, the main island (and the only inhabited one), you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel from the airport. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the island to your heart’s content, check out the beautiful white sand beaches, and discover why the islands are known as a cross between Hawaii and the Galapagos.

Meals (B)

Today you have the day at leisure to explore the beaches, bars, and restaurants at your own pace. Swimming and sunbathing are options that never fail on this free day!

If you need any assistance coordinating an additional excursion, please ask your sales specialist.

Meals (B)

Experience the ultimate exploration of Fernando do Noronha with our Ilha Tour, a full-day adventure that covers the entire island in a comfortable 4WD car. This group service is perfect for those seeking to discover the best points of this magnificent island, immersing themselves in its natural beauty, history, and breathtaking landscapes.

Join us on this unforgettable journey as we visit the island’s main beaches, natural pools, historic sites, and awe-inspiring lookouts. Feel the thrill of traveling off the beaten path, allowing you to access hidden gems and secluded spots that showcase the true essence of Fernando do Noronha.

Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in beach swims, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and encounter a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life. Immerse yourself in the pristine beauty of the island’s beaches, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the refreshing ocean breeze.

As part of the tour, we will make a stop for lunch at a local establishment (lunch cost not included in the price), allowing you to sample delicious regional cuisine or enjoy your preferred meal. Take this opportunity to refuel and recharge before continuing your adventure.

Meals (B)

Embark on an unforgettable half-day boat tour in Fernando do Noronha, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the secondary islands and witness the breathtaking rock formations of the region. This excursion offers a unique perspective of the area’s natural beauty and is sure to leave you in awe.

Setting off from the coast, you’ll navigate through the pristine waters, reaching the picturesque point of Sapata. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a privileged view of the magnificent rock formations that dot the landscape, showcasing the raw and untouched beauty of the secondary islands.

One of the highlights of this boat tour is the chance to journey across Dolphins’ Bay, where you may encounter these playful marine creatures in their natural habitat. Witness their graceful movements and capture incredible photographs as they swim alongside the boat, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

As part of the excursion, you’ll also have the opportunity to indulge in a 40-minute stop at the stunning Sancho Bay, known for its unparalleled beauty. Here, you can partake in free diving, exploring the vibrant underwater world beneath the crystal-clear waters. Immerse yourself in the serenity of this pristine beach and be captivated by the marine life that inhabits its depths.

Meals (B)

Today you have the day at leisure to explore the beaches, bars, and restaurants at your own pace. Swimming and sunbathing are options that never fail on this free day!

If you need any assistance coordinating an additional excursion, please ask your sales specialist.

Meals (B)

We pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to the jungle city of Manaus.

Manaus is located right in the middle of the world’s largest rainforest and was founded when the Portuguese needed a base from which to defend their claim on the surrounding area from the Dutch who were based in what is now modern-day Suriname. Manaus became known worldwide as a city in the 19th Century with the Rubber Boom, and at the time was amongst the richest cities in the world.

These riches prompted extravagant spending, and a series of one-upmanship from rubber barons left a legacy of marble-clad buildings and huge estates that soon fell into disrepair once the rubber boom ended. Modern-day Manaus is a testament to this fascinating period in South America, and any visit to the Amazon in Brazil should include a stay in Manaus to understand modern-day man’s impact and interaction with the surrounding rainforest.

Meals (X)

AM: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and spend the morning at your leisure, before meeting us this afternoon at the cruise port, for the beginning of your long-awaited Amazon cruise!

The Captain and his crew welcome you aboard where everything has been planned for your well-being, according to your preferences and choices as they have been previously discussed.

PM: Getting together for lunch (or a collation depending on your hour of arrival) with the Captain, you will learn about security guidelines, the journey program, planned stopovers, regional specificities… Then, next stop, the heart of Anavilhanas nature reserve, the “Três Bocas”, for your first boating day: cozily set up in a deck chair or a hammock, you observe the Rio Negro banks. Watch out for swimming dolphins, the elegant flight of blue aras, macaws, cute sloths, and other hosts with feathers, hair, or scales that inhabit this reserve. You will even get closer to them during a kayak ride or a swimming party in the river.

Depending on the season, the captain in an exclusive area that has been chosen for you (a desert beach or a peaceful bay according to the level of river water) for an enchanting evening under a magnificent starry sky.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM/PM: After a charming breakfast listening to the song of aras, macaws, toucans, and all other singing birds of the forest, you will join the Rio Cuieiras. You will embark upon the dinghy for an even more intimate 1-to-1 with the surroundings, reaching out to “caboclos” that cultivate manioc, a precious staple food in Brazil.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM/PM: You slowly sail down the Rio Negro to Jaraqui where natives will guide you through the jungle for a 1-hour educational trek during which the secrets of medicinal Amazonian plants will be revealed to you. On your way (depending on the possibilities offered by the season), you will be at one with the forest during a magical and refreshing swim in some astonishing cascades nestled within an island of luxuriant greenery.

Meals: (B, L, D)

Today we will go in search of the playful pink river dolphins. Probably the most loved of all Amazon river creatures, this is a unique species never joins the sea. You are free to swim with them, and these curious “botos” will welcome you in 30-degree water for a magical, unforgettable encounter. We’ll then visit a “Ribeirinha” community of Acajatuba to learn about their customs and lifestyle.

Afterward, you will disembark in Manaus, ready to head to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: (B, L)