Arrive in Rio de Janeiro for 3 night stay. Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city famous for its breathtaking coastline that includes gorgeous mountains, white sand beaches and stunning rainforests. A laid back beach culture coexists with a busy metropolis making Rio an ever popular tourist destination.
The following day is free until the evening when you will enjoy a special dinner and the Plataforma cultural show. The next day, you are off the explore the fabulous city sites which include the Sambadrome, the very large soccer stadium, the Metropolitan Cathedral shaped like a pyramid and Cinelandia Square, the lively and most popular square in Rio where you will see the Municipal Theatre, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. After this, head to the neighbourhood of Urca, home to Urca Hill which gives you an excellent view of Guanabara Bay and of Corcovado in the distance. Then, it’s on to Sugar Loaf Mountain. You will ascend it by cable car and be rewarded with more stunning views of the city such as downtown Rio, the city airport, Christ the Redeemer in the distance and Copacabana Beach.
The next day, head to the summit of Corcovado Mountain by cog railway where you will not only see the amazingly colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer but also enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the city below. Keep your camera ready for some stunning shots.
Fly on to Iguassu Falls for a 3 night stay. Iguassu Falls are some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. There are numerous islands along the 2.7 km (1.7 mi) edge which divide the falls into various separate waterfalls. Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguassu River, Iguassu Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth. One of the most incredible sights is Devil’s Throat where fourteen falls drop some 107 metres/350 feet with such a strong force that there is always a cloud of spray above. The surrounding parks are equally stunning hosting unique jungle ecosystems that house immense bird and animal life that are just waiting to be explored. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a show at the Rafain Restaurant with a mixture of Brazilian, Paraguayan, and Argentinean music and dance.
The next day is spent on the Brazilian side of the falls. There is an optional Macuco Safari or a helicopter ride above the falls available only on the Brazilian side of the falls and highly recommended. The following day takes you to the Argentinean side of the falls beginning at the Visitor Centre where you board a train which travels along Sendero Verde (Green Trail) finishing at Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) Station. On arrival here, you will walk via the catwalks out and over the river finally reaching Devil's Throat, a 70 metre/228 feet deep point where several branches of the Iguassu River converge. Later return to the train to head back to the Visitor Centre to commence a half hour walk of the Upper Trail Walk, a trail with a low degree of difficulty and no stairs which takes you deep into the jungle and over the precipice of the many falls on the Argentinean side.
Fly next to Manaus for an overnight stay after which board a cruise ship for a 3 night cruise heading down the Solimoes River which links with the Negro River to form the Amazon River a meeting of the waters after which the Amazon River is called by its own name until it reaches the Atlantic coast of Brazil. As you cruise along the Solimoes River you enter the Rio Manacapuru region for a photographic safari. Try your hand at fishing for Piranhas, just bird watch or enjoy a jungle hike. In the evenings, try spotting alligators. Return eventually to Manaus for a final overnight. On your last morning, have a tour of Manaus stopping at the Amazon Theatre, one of the most important monuments left from the rubber boom period. It is in perfect condition after a thorough renovation that left it in its original colours and details. Later, transfer to the airport for departure.