Begin your tour exploring the highlights of Rio de Janerio, the vibrant city tucked between the densely-forested mountains and the white sand beaches. Visit the mountaintops of Corcovado and Sugarloaf, from which you'll have stunning 360-degree views, and stroll the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Make your way to Manaus, the entrance of the Brazilian Amazon, where you'll embark on the Amazon Clipper for a 4-day voyage. Cruise along the wildlife rich waters of the Rio Negro, one of the Amazon River's largest tributaries. Spend your days exploring by canoe and hiking through the forest while learning about local flora and fauna from your guides.
Highlights
Enjoy marvelous views of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain
Visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain
Look for Amazonian wildlife such as jaguars, scarlet macaws and emerald tree boas
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your hotel in the famous Copacabana neighborhood. A short stroll takes you to Copacabana's iconic beach. The day is free to explore the beachfront plazas.
Meet your guide at the hotel for a half-day visit to Rio de Janeiro’s most popular attraction – the 125 foot statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain that stands over Rio de Janeiro. Begin the ascent of the mountain in a cogwheel train through the lush Tijuca Forest, a national park and the world's largest urban forest. Arrive to the base of the statue where you can truly appreciate the size of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The views from the observation platforms are spectacular and provide insight of how the city of Rio has grown around and up the seemingly inhospitable natural rock features along the coast. Rio spreads out below you, revealing Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, the famous Maracana Stadium, and the luxurious Botafoga Bay. It is impossible to ignore the favelas, Rio's hillside communities.
Return by train and explore the coast with your guide as you drive along Sao Conrado, Ipanema & Copacabana Beaches. Your afternoon is free to relax on the beach, shop in Copacabana's boutiques, or enjoy caipirinha, Brazil's national drink, at a beachfront cafe. Additional activities such as boat or helicopter tours, a visit to a favela, samba lessons, or a trip to the coastal hotspot of Buzios can be arranged.
Sugarloaf Mountain got its name from Portuguese sailors who felt the granite monolith's resembled a traditional block of sugar. Today's tour gives a different perspective of Rio, as you and your guide take a cable car that climbs to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. From the peak, the entire cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city), coastline, and Atlantic Ocean spread out below you. Descend by cable car and do a driving tour of Rio de Janeiro's city center to see the famous Sambadrome, the Teatro Municipal, and the modern-styled Cathedral. Please note that this half-day excursion can be arranged on any day and is a good option in the evenings to enjoy the sunset over Copacabana Beach. The remainder of your day is free to relax, take in the sights of Rio's beaches, or choose an optional excursion during this custom Brazil tour.
Day 4: Fly to Manaus | City Tour
1 Breakfast
Take a morning stroll on the beach or go for a swim before transferring to the airport for your flight to Manaus.
Manaus is the starting point for exciting tours that unveil the Amazon forest. Meet your guide and explore the Amazonas state capital, which is the main financial, corporate and economic center of northern Brazil. It is a historical and port city, located in the middle of the world's largest rainforest. Stroll through the typical neighborhoods to the Manaus floating dock, located in the city center. Make a short stop in the municipal market, watching the banana fair, and fish market before ending in the municipal market.. Visit one of the main tourist attractions of Manaus, the Amazon Theatre, opened on December 31, 1896, being the main Cultural Artistic Heritage of Amazonas state before returning to your hotel.
Day 5: Embark Amazon Clipper
1 Dinner
After a free morning, join your fellow passengers at the meeting point before boarding your boat, Amazon Clipper. Depart upstream on the Rio Negro while enjoying fresh fruit juice and listening to the information about facilities. After a Snack, meet in the leisure room for lectures about Amazon where you will get a good start on understanding Amazon preservation and ecology. After Dinner explore little creeks in your canoes and listen to the sounds of nocturnal animals with the possibility of observing birds, frogs, snakes and caimans.
Day 6: Amazon Cruise
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early this morning, explore the surroundings along the waters edge in canoes while looking for fruit eating birds like parrots and toucans. After breakfast, go for a jungle walk, where you will discover many surprising fragrances from leaves, fruits, woods and animals. Around midday return to the boat and have the opportunity to go for a swim, before lunch. In the Afternoon navigate through the Anavilhanas National Park, one of the world’s largest fresh water archipelagos, a labyrinth of waterways. In the late afternoon take the canoes out and learn more about this wonderful nature park.
Day 7: Amazon Cruise
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Early this morning spend a little time fishing for piranhas and other fish. After breakfast, visit a “Natives Community” where you'll find many of the typical Amazonian fruits like Cupuaçu and Tapereba, palm trees like Açaí, Tucumã and Pupunha. Learn about the preparation of manioc flour and the health and education situation of the children. After lunch, land on one of the white sandy beaches to swim in the dark water. Exploring by canoe and scout for wildlife in the late afternoon. Enjoy dinner this evening while en route toward the Amazon River.
Day 8: Disembark | Depart for home
1 Breakfast
Early this morning explore the Lago Janauary Ecological Park. This area is usually a very good place to observe wildlife and chances to see the “Victoria Regia” the giant water lilies. While having Breakfast the ship will navigate to the “Meeting of the Waters”, the confluence of the world’s two largest rivers, the Amazon and the Negro. Disembark in Manaus and transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Adventure Life seems to be an honest company and has been quite helpful in the planning process. Good about answering questions.
Chris Dralle
1 week ago
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
1 week ago
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
2 weeks ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.