Highlights of Brazil
Begin your luxury Brazil adventure in vibrant Rio de Janeiro, famed for the idyllic Copacabana, the annual carnival and Christ the Redeemer statue. Next it’s on to Paraty for culture and cuisine, before heading to the awe-inspiring Iguassu Falls to follow the various wooden walkways through the national park and along the cascading waters. Your final stop is the incredible Amazon where you can explore on foot and by boat.
Trip highlights
- Take a cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain
- Discover the flavours of Brazil on a gastronomic tour through Rio
- View the impressive falls on foot and by boat
- Look out for spectacular bird and wildlife
- Learn about Paraty’s history and legends on a walking tour
- Canoe through an intricate network of Amazonia igapós and igarapés
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Private transfers
- Private tours and experiences
- Full support from your travel designer and concierge
- Help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–4
Three nights in Rio de Janeiro
Spend your days in the ‘Marvellous City’ exploring Rio de Janeiro at your leisure. Brazil’s second-largest city is often mistaken as its capital for the richness of its culture and impactful landmarks. Wander along the colourful streets that host the famous annual carnival and witness the breathtaking views from the top of Corcovado Mountain, just beneath the shade of Christ the Redeemer. Or, stroll the famed Copacabana beach that sets this city apart from any other. With so many diverse sites of significance to visit, such as the stadium of Maracanã and Sugar Loaf Mountain, there’s plenty to fill your time and make your stay in Rio one to remember.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Share a meal
City sites
Brazilian flavours
Cultural exchange over lunch
Experience a unique lunch at Refettorio Gastromotiva in Rio de Janeiro, a groundbreaking social gastronomy initiative by chef David Hertz that transforms surplus food into delicious meals while educating and empowering youth.
Lunch at Refettorio is about more than just eating – it’s about being part of a deeper social and cultural exchange. It is a beautifully designed space where guests often sit at long shared tables that encourage conversation and connection. The menus are planned and prepared by a rotation of guest chefs and culinary students. Ingredients are donated by markets and supermarkets, and creatively repurposed, significantly reducing food waste.
A private tour of Rio de Janeiro
Begin your day with a visit to Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer, a towering statue atop Corcovado Hill offering unparalleled panoramic views of the city, its beaches, lagoon and Sugar Loaf Mountain. This impressive landmark stands as a symbol of Rio’s stunning natural beauty, where mountains meet the sea.
Continue your exploration in the charming, bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa, known for its artistic atmosphere, historic houses and winding streets. Later, you’ll discover the vibrant Selarón Stairs in Lapa, a colourful mosaic artwork spanning hundreds of steps. The day concludes with an ascent of Sugar Loaf Mountain via cable car, rewarding you with breathtaking vistas of Guanabara Bay.
Brazilian food tour
Beyond the tourist hotspots lie bustling street markets and hidden local eateries brimming with the true spirit of the city and its distinctive, exciting, and delicious food scene.
Join your passionate foodie host on a journey through some local favourites. You’ll taste the very best of Brazilian gastronomy, from mouthwatering street food and savoury bar snacks to delicious fruits, refreshing juices and local beers and cocktails. More than just a culinary adventure, your host will also guide you through the city’s street art and points of interest, sharing insights into Rio’s history, contemporary life, and insider tips.
Days 4–6
Exploring Paraty
Set on Brazil’s emerald green Costa Verde, Paraty is a beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town, flanked by lushly forested mountains on one side and jewel-toned ocean on the other. While it may appear laidback, almost sleepy in demeanour, Paraty comes alive with culture. It’s home to a plethora of delicious restaurants and chilled out bars that float live music across the sun-warmed streets.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Walk and taste
On the water
Historical walking tour and cachaça tasting
Paraty boasts a distinct architectural identity, a harmonious 18th-century style defined by irregular sidewalks, thick, ornamented walls and colonial buildings with wrought-iron balconies, all hinting at its Freemasonry past. Today, Paraty is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Historical Monument, remarkably with 65% of its municipality within the Serra da Bocaina National Park, earning it Natural Heritage status as well.
This tour unveils Paraty’s history, legends, and stories of the last century through a walking exploration of its historical center, including key landmarks like the House of Culture and the Matriz church.
Speed boat tour
Paraty Bay, a tranquil haven of exceptional beauty, boasts 65 islands and numerous pristine beaches fringed by lush vegetation, offering ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling in its clear waters.
This five-hour tour provides a private speedboat, captain and English-speaking guide to discover some of these stunning locations, including Comprida Island, renowned as a natural aquarium where you can feed the vibrant fish.
Days 6–8
Two nights at Iguassu Falls
Enjoy this stunning natural wonder of the world, Iguassu Falls, on a range of exciting tours like boat safaris or hikes through the surrounding national park. You can also experience kayaking trips, canopy zip-line adventures, specialist hiking trails and bird watching.
A full day tour of the falls is essential, and this will take part in Argentina, however, the views of the falls from Brazil are spectacular. You’ll enjoy some free time to walk along the paths, surrounded in lush jungle, to see Falls on the Brazilian side.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Explore on foot
On the water
Private falls tour
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for a brief transfer to the Argentinian side of Iguassu Falls, where a walking tour awaits. To reach the stunning viewpoints, you’ll board a gas-propelled train, taking you to the upper falls circuit and the Devil’s Throat, Iguassu’s most spectacular cascade. An 1100-meter elevated walkway over the Iguassu River leads to a magnificent perspective of this powerful waterfall. A strategically placed viewpoint at the platform’s end offers an up-close encounter with the surrounding flora and fauna, allowing you to truly feel the unforgettable energy of the falls.
Later, you’ll explore the lower circuit’s walkways, providing closer views of the Iguassu River and more breathtaking waterfalls and landscapes.
Macuco safari boat ride
An exhilarating macuco ride, located within the Brazilian Iguaçu National Park, is an unmissable experience. An electric-powered wagon will transport you on a scenic three-kilometer journey, followed by a brief 500-meter forest walk to the dock.
From there, board a bi-motor inflatable boat, where you’ll be provided with life vests and protective containers for your cameras and filming equipment before embarking on an upriver journey. As you navigate the canyon and face the rapids at a comfortable pace, admire the stunning scenery of rocks, wildlife, and lush greenery. The highlight is reaching the majestic Devil’s Throat, where the pilot will expertly maneuver the boat for an unforgettable splash through the cascading spray.
Days Days 8–11
Amazon adventure
The last great natural wilderness, the Amazon is a truly awesome location that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. Spend your days and nights here heading out into the lush forest to discover the wildlife that calls this stunning region home. Explore on foot with experienced guides, or head out on the waterways in canoes or luxurious Amazon River cruises as you gain new insight into the Amazon and its inhabitants.
Make it mine
Rivers and forests
Sunrise and sunset
Canoeing and hiking excursions
Immerse yourself in the Amazon’s wonders by canoeing through the intricate network of igapós and igarapés, listening to the symphony of the forest as you paddle along waterways and between trees in two-person canoes, experiencing the ever-changing scenery. Additionally, embark on guided hikes through the firm, dryland forests unaffected by floods, where experienced local guides will share their knowledge of native trees, edible and medicinal plants and essential survival strategies.
Sunrise and night time wildlife viewing
Experience the Amazon’s awakening with an early morning journey to the islands, witnessing the vibrant spectacle of birds in flight as the sun paints the sky with breathtaking colours. As night falls, discover the unique ambiance of the forest illuminated by stars, exploring the igapós by canoe to observe the hidden nocturnal wildlife – birds, sloths, snakes, and alligators – stirring within the sounds of darkness.
Why book with Jacada
Pesonalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
