Itinerary
- Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. After that, the day is yours to settle in and get comfortable with Rio at your own pace.
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
Pick up happens at 8:00 from your hotel for a full day of sightseeing. You'll take a train through Tijuca Forest to Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain for views across the city, then see Maracana Stadium, the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, and the colorful Selaron Steps. Lunch at a traditional churrascaria comes next, followed by the cable car ride up to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Back at your hotel around 5:30 with the evening free.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Brazilian churrascaria)
Included Activities
- Train ride to Corcovado Mountain through Tijuca Forest
- Visit Christ the Redeemer monument
- Pass by Maracana Stadium
- Visit Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
- Photo stop at Selaron Steps
- Cable car ride to Sugar Loaf Mountain
- Guided sightseeing tour (shared basis)
Landmarks Christ the Redeemer Corcovado Mountain Tijuca Forest Maracana Stadium Cathedral of Saint Sebastian Selaron Steps Sugar Loaf Mountain - Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
You have the entire day to yourself. Relax at Copacabana Beach, use the hotel pools and facilities, or wander around Rio on your own terms. If you want something more structured, optional activities include hiking Pedra Bonita in Tijuca Forest, joining a samba school tour with a class, or taking a 2-hour boat tour around Guanabara Bay.
Optional Activities
- Hiking to Pedra Bonita (private excursion) - hike to 695m summit in Tijuca Forest National Park with panoramic views of Pedra da Gavea, Atlantic Ocean, Rocinha Favela, and Barra da Tijuca
- Carnival Experience (shared excursion) - visit City of Samba, Rio Grande Samba School Factory, learn samba dance, try on authentic costumes, enjoy Brazilian cocktail
- Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay (private transfer, shared excursion) - scenic 2-hour boat tour with stories, landscapes and modern architecture
Landmarks Copacabana Beach Pedra Bonita Tijuca Forest National Park Pedra da Gavea Rocinha Favela City of Samba Rio Grande Samba School Factory Guanabara Bay - Day 4
Rio de Janeiro to Cuiaba (Pantanal)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Cuiaba (you'll need to book this separately, though we can help). Once there, you're taken to your eco-lodge in the Pantanal with a 32km stop along the way to watch for wildlife. A local guide leads you to the Great Egret Lookout tower and shows you the night sky before settling in for your first night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport
- Transfer from Cuiaba airport to eco-lodge in Pantanal
- Introductory walk around eco-lodge area
- Visit Great Egret Lookout observation tower
Landmarks Pantanal Great Egret Lookout 
- Day 5
Pantanal
Start with a drive toward Clarinho River to spot capybaras, giant anteaters, coatis, and birds. Then canoe downstream to see giant river otters and their young. You can fish for piranhas or hang in a hammock if you prefer. Back at the lodge, trek the Howler Monkey Trail and climb an observation tower (listening counts as much as seeing here). After dinner, head out after dark hunting for nocturnal animals including jaguars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive towards Clarinho River with wildlife spotting
- Canoe paddle downstream to giant river otter colony
- Piranha fishing or hammock relaxation on riverbank
- Trek the Howler Monkey Trail
- Climb observation tower
- Nocturnal wildlife search after dark
Landmarks Clarinho River 
- Day 6
Pantanal
You'll ride Pantaneiro horses, bred specifically for these flooded regions and able to feed with their heads underwater. This gets you to remote spots unreachable other ways before heading back for lunch. The afternoon brings a trek on the Rondon Trail to another observation tower where you can see a massive jabiru stork nest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Horseback riding through flooded regions of Pantanal
- Trek the Rondon Trail
- Visit observation tower with jabiru stork nest views
Landmarks Rondon Trail - Day 7
Pantanal
Today offers the best shot at seeing a wild jaguar, since the Pantanal has one of the world's healthiest populations. After breakfast, drive 2.5 hours to the Cuiaba River, a known jaguar area. Spend the day on a boat searching the riverbanks and listening for that distinctive coughing roar. A packed lunch is included. You're back at the lodge around 5:00 for your final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch)
Included Activities
- 6-hour jaguar safari in Pantanal
- Drive to Cuiaba River
- Boat search for jaguars along riverbanks
Landmarks Cuiaba River - Day 8
Pantanal to Cuiaba
If you're up for it, wake early to hear the Pantanal come alive at dawn. After breakfast, leave the lodge and head to Cuiaba airport where your tour ends. From there you can fly to other major Brazilian cities for your trip home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from eco-lodge to Cuiaba airport
Optional Activities
- Early morning at dawn to observe Pantanal awakening
