Itinerary

1. Day 1: Gigantic Waterfalls Splitting 2 Countries

   • Foz do Iguaçu City Tour:

     • Our tour begins in the city of Foz do Iguaçu.
     • The city is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, known as Iguazu Falls.
     • Iguazu Falls literally separate Brazil from its neighbor Argentina.
     • The falls are shared by the Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil).
     • Both parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1987, respectively.
     • Iguazu Falls constitute the largest waterfall system in the world.

   • Exploration of Iguazu Falls:

     • The main attraction of the tour is the breathtaking Iguazu Falls.
     • Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of the falls.
     • The tour includes exploration of both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls.

   • Foz do Iguaçu Nightlife Experience:

     • Additionally, Foz do Iguaçu boasts vibrant nightlife in the downtown area.
     • Tour participants can enjoy live bands, refreshing drinks, and energetic dancing.
     • The downtown area is known for its lively atmosphere and passionate dancers.

2. Day 2: An Aerial View of the Falls, the Devil’s Throat And Confronting the Falls by Boat

   • Today we make a daytrip to the Argentinean side of the falls.
   • Upon arrival, we take a tourist train to the ‘Devil’s Throat’ circuit.
   • There we are provided with a guided tour of both the upper and lower circuits.
   • We later get wet as we take a boat out to some of the falls.
   • We save the best for last. The day ends with a helicopter ride over the falls.

3. Day 3: An Animal Kingdom And a Rainbow Stretching Across the Falls

   • Before relocating by flight to the city of Florianopolis, we explore the Iguazu area some more:
   • The morning starts with a guided visit to the Brazilian side of the falls.
   • Hopefully, we see the rainbow which stretches across the falls.
   • In the afternoon, we head to a natural bird park called Parque Das Aves.
   • Creatures commonly seen there include butterflies, monkeys, toucans, parrots, and yellow-breasted caimans.

4. Day 4: Lagoons, Latin Flare, European Influence And Great Nightlife

   • Home to fancy resorts, charming hotels, beach clubs, and a lively nightlife scene (specifically at Conceição Lagoon), it is no surprise that Santa Catarina is South Brazil’s most visited island. Using its capital, Florianopolis as our base, today we cover:
     • Campeche Central Beach
     • Armação Beach
     • The bridge walk to the island of Ilha das Campanhas
     • Matadeiro Beach
     • Peri Lagoon
     • Caldeirão Beach
     • Morro das Pedras viewpoint
     • A historic village called Ribeirão da Ilha
     • A channel called Barra da Lagoa and the adjacent beach
     • Prainha Beach
     • Praia Mole Beach
     • Belvedere Beach
     • Conceição Lagoon
     • Joaquina Beach
     • Sand dunes called Dunas of Joaquina
     • A viewpoint near Conceição Lagoon.

5. Day 5: Glimmering Beaches, Beach Clubs And Historic Villages

   • Today, we cover the other half of Santa Catarina Island:
   • Canasjure Beach
   • 2 beaches and beach clubs in the town of Jurerê
   • Praia do Forte Beach
   • São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress
   • Cacupé Beach
   • A historic village called Santo Antônio de Lisboa
   • Downtown Florianopolis, including:
     • Street art
     • The cathedral
     • A palace called Cruz e Sousa
     • The public market

6. Day 6: A Colonial Gem of a Town

   • This morning we relocate by flight from Florianopolis to the city of Belo Horizonte.
   • From the airport, we are taken to the colonial town of Mariana.
   • There we are provided with a guided tour.
   • Mariana is the oldest town in the state of Minas Gerais. It was founded on July 16, 1696.
   • Mariana retains the characteristics of a baroque town, with its churches, historic buildings, and museums.
   • After our tour, we are taken to the colonial town of Ouro Preto.
   • This is where we sleep this evening.

7. Day 7: Picturesque Architecture And Cobblestone Streets

   • Before returning to Belo Horizonte for our flight to Rio de Janeiro, we explore Ouro Preto in depth with our tour guide.
   • This former colony owes to the riches once extracted from below it.
   • Now a focal point of arts and education, Ouro Preto was once an important center for mining and government.
   • Fortunately, its history has left it with attractive baroque buildings and a lasting ambience.
   • Although this steep town’s sites are a bit spread out and are otherwise church-centric (23 churches to be exact), there’s something to be said about Ouro Preto being one of Brazil’s most visited urban destinations.
   • The narrow and stone-paved streets generally and the spectacular panorama views of fine architecture especially are enough reasons to come here.
   • Ouro Preto is one of the most authentic Portuguese town settlements not only in Minas Gerais but also in all of Brazil.

8. Day 8: South America's Most Famous City

   • Today, we are provided with a guided tour of what is undoubtedly Brazil’s showcase destination…and rightfully so.
   • Called the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city), Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its spectacular mountainous setting, stunning scenery, tropical rainforest, exotic white-sand beaches complemented by clear waters, water sports activities, plenty of fascinating colonial architecture, chic and carefree people, festive music, and an almost overwhelming nightlife scene.
   • Spend your mornings sightseeing, afternoons tanning, and evenings partying in the Lapa district, where street bands perform to locals who love to sing and celebrate seemingly as no other culture can.
   • As a famous song goes, Rio is a city ‘where music and passion are always in fashion’.
   • Incidentally, lunch is included on today’s tour.

9. Day 9: The Fashionable Hotspot Where People Style And Profile

   • As a day trip from Rio de Janeiro, firstly we are taken to a beach town called Cabo Frio.
   • There we see the beaches of Praia do Forte, Praia das Conchas, and Praia do Peró.
   • We later head to the beach town of Arraial do Cabo, specifically to its dock.
   • We are taken on a boat which visits the beaches of Praia do Forno, Pontal do Atalaia, and Praia Grande.
   • Once the boat tour has finished, we are taken to a beach called Praia dos Anjos, specifically to its lookout point. The views from there are spectacular.
   • Before heading to our final destination for today, a resort town called Buzios, a stop is made along the road so we can get a good view of a beach called Prainha.
   • Upon arrival in Buzios, we are provided with both a driving and walking tour of the area.
   • The shops and restaurants are indeed the highlights.
   • Buzios is the place in Brazil to ‘see and be seen’, with its fashionable scene and good-looking people.
   • We return to Rio de Janeiro in the late evening.

10. Day 10: The So-Called 'Green Coastline'

    • As another day trip from Rio de Janeiro, we are taken along Costa Verde (meaning the ‘Green Coast’).
    • The beaches and islands along the way are quite exotic.
    • Today’s highlights are the islands surrounding a municipality called Angra dos Reis and an island called Ilha Grande.
    • Lunch, a boat ride, and snorkeling are included on today’s tour.

11. Day 11: Our Tour Ends Today

    • Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Rio de Janeiro.