11-Day South Brazil Tour with Iguazu Falls, Rio and Colonial Towns

11 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Embark on an 11-day journey through Brazil's natural wonders and cultural riches, beginning with the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls in Foz do Iguaçu. Experience the...

Duration: 11 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Cities: Belo Horizonte, Florianopolis, Foz do Iguacu, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande, Ouro Prêto, Búzios, Cabo Frio, Arraial do Cabo · Languages: English

Know before you go: Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the flights you need. Just ask.; All participants must book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays, and 24/7 assistance.; 1-2 persons for one room: $1,610; 3-4 persons for two rooms: $3,220; 5-6 persons for three rooms: $4,830; 7-8 persons for four rooms: $6,440; 9-10 persons for five rooms: $8,050; International airfare is available for VIP members only - ask for details.

About Belo Horizonte

Brazil

Belo Horizonte

Artsy and edgy, modern and cutting-edge, this regional capital of Minas Gerais offers plenty for travelers. To make the most of a trip into town, get a local local guide to show you around.

Explore Belo Horizonte Brazil All destinations

What's Included

Lodging
English-speaking tour guides
All ground and water transportation
All activities in the itinerary below
All entry fees
Your own on-call concierge
Breakfasts
Lunches x 2

Not Included

Airfare
Alcohol
Travel insurance
Government-imposed visa fees
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Itinerary

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Day 01

Foz do Iguaçu and the Iguazu Falls

Our tour begins in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, Iguazu Falls. Our tour begins in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, Iguazu Falls. Iguazu Falls literally separate Brazil from its neighbor Argentina and are shared by Iguazu National Park in Argentina and Iguaçu National Park in Brazil. Iguazu Falls literally separate Brazil from its neighbor Argentina and are shared by Iguazu National Park in Argentina and Iguaçu National Park in Brazil. Both parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1987, respectively, and Iguazu Falls form the largest waterfall system in the world. Both parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1987, respectively, and Iguazu Falls form the largest waterfall system in the world. The main attraction of the tour is the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, where visitors will have the opportunity to witness their majestic beauty. The main attraction of the tour is the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, where visitors will have the opportunity to witness their majestic beauty. The tour includes exploration of both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls. The tour includes exploration of both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls. Additionally, Foz do Iguaçu boasts vibrant nightlife in the downtown area, where tour participants can enjoy live bands, refreshing drinks, and energetic dancing in a lively atmosphere. Additionally, Foz do Iguaçu boasts vibrant nightlife in the downtown area, where tour participants can enjoy live bands, refreshing drinks, and energetic dancing in a lively atmosphere.
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Day 02

Argentine Side, Devil's Throat, Boat Ride and Helicopter View

Today we make a day trip to the Argentinean side of the falls. Today we make a day trip to the Argentinean side of the falls. Upon arrival, we take a tourist train to the 'Devil's Throat' circuit. 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. There, we are provided with a guided tour of both the upper and lower circuits. Later, we get wet as we take a boat out to some of the falls. Later, we get wet as we take a boat out to some of the falls. We save the best for last, as the day ends with a helicopter ride over the falls. We save the best for last, as the day ends with a helicopter ride over the falls.
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Day 03

Brazilian Falls, Rainbow Views and Parque das Aves

Before relocating by flight to the city of Florianopolis, we explore the Iguazu area a little more. Before relocating by flight to the city of Florianopolis, we explore the Iguazu area a little more. The morning starts with a guided visit to the Brazilian side of the falls. The morning starts with a guided visit to the Brazilian side of the falls. Hopefully, we will see the rainbow stretching across the falls. Hopefully, we will see the rainbow stretching across the falls. In the afternoon, we head to the natural bird park called Parque das Aves. In the afternoon, we head to the natural bird park called Parque das Aves. Creatures commonly seen there include butterflies, monkeys, toucans, parrots, and yellow-breasted caimans. Creatures commonly seen there include butterflies, monkeys, toucans, parrots, and yellow-breasted caimans.
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Day 04

Southern Florianopolis Beaches, Lagoons and Nightlife

Home to fancy resorts, charming hotels, beach clubs, and a lively nightlife scene - especially at Conceição Lagoon - it is no surprise that Santa Catarina is South Brazil's most visited island. Home to fancy resorts, charming hotels, beach clubs, and a lively nightlife scene - especially 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, and the Morro das Pedras viewpoint. 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, and the Morro das Pedras viewpoint. We also visit the historic village of Ribeirão da Ilha, the channel of Barra da Lagoa and the adjacent beach, Prainha Beach, Praia Mole Beach, Belvedere Beach, Conceição Lagoon, Joaquina Beach, the sand dunes known as the Dunas of Joaquina, and a viewpoint near Conceição Lagoon. We also visit the historic village of Ribeirão da Ilha, the channel of Barra da Lagoa and the adjacent beach, Prainha Beach, Praia Mole Beach, Belvedere Beach, Conceição Lagoon, Joaquina Beach, the sand dunes known as the Dunas of Joaquina, and a viewpoint near Conceição Lagoon.
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Day 05

Northern Santa Catarina Island and Downtown Florianopolis

Today, we cover the other half of Santa Catarina Island. Today, we cover the other half of Santa Catarina Island. Our stops include Canasjure Beach, two beaches and beach clubs in the town of Jurerê, Praia do Forte Beach, São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress, Cacupé Beach, and the historic village of Santo Antônio de Lisboa. Our stops include Canasjure Beach, two beaches and beach clubs in the town of Jurerê, Praia do Forte Beach, São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress, Cacupé Beach, and the historic village of Santo Antônio de Lisboa. We also explore downtown Florianopolis, including its street art, the cathedral, the Cruz e Sousa Palace, and the public market. We also explore downtown Florianopolis, including its street art, the cathedral, the Cruz e Sousa Palace, and the public market.
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Day 06

Flight to Belo Horizonte and Guided Tour of Mariana

This morning, we relocate by flight from Florianopolis to the city of Belo Horizonte. 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, where we are provided with a guided tour. From the airport, we are taken to the colonial town of Mariana, where we are provided with a guided tour. Mariana is the oldest town in the state of Minas Gerais and was founded on July 16, 1696. Mariana is the oldest town in the state of Minas Gerais and was founded on July 16, 1696. It retains the characteristics of a baroque town, with its churches, historic buildings, and museums. It 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, where we sleep this evening. After our tour, we are taken to the colonial town of Ouro Preto, where we sleep this evening.
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Day 07

Exploring the Baroque Heritage of Ouro Preto

Before returning to Belo Horizonte for our flight to Rio de Janeiro, we explore Ouro Preto in depth with our tour guide. 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 its existence to the riches once extracted from below it. This former colony owes its existence 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. 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. Fortunately, its history has left it with attractive baroque buildings and a lasting ambience. Although this steep town's sites are somewhat spread out and largely church-centric - with 23 churches, to be exact - there is something to be said about Ouro Preto being one of Brazil's most visited urban destinations. Although this steep town's sites are somewhat spread out and largely church-centric - with 23 churches, to be exact - there is something to be said about Ouro Preto being one of Brazil's most visited urban destinations. The narrow stone-paved streets and the spectacular panorama views of fine architecture are reason enough to come here. The narrow stone-paved streets and the spectacular panorama views of fine architecture are reason enough 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. Ouro Preto is one of the most authentic Portuguese town settlements not only in Minas Gerais but also in all of Brazil.
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Day 08

Rio de Janeiro, the Marvellous City

Today, we are provided with a guided tour of what is undoubtedly Brazil's showcase destination - and rightfully so. Today, we are provided with a guided tour of what is undoubtedly Brazil's showcase destination - and rightfully so. Known as the cidade maravilhosa, 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, fascinating colonial architecture, chic and carefree people, festive music, and an almost overwhelming nightlife scene. Known as the cidade maravilhosa, 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, fascinating colonial architecture, chic and carefree people, festive music, and an almost overwhelming nightlife scene. Spend your morning sightseeing, your afternoon tanning, and your evening partying in the Lapa district, where street bands perform to locals who love to sing and celebrate seemingly as no other culture can. Spend your morning sightseeing, your afternoon tanning, and your evening 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'. 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. Incidentally, lunch is included on today's tour.
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Day 09

Cabo Frio, Arraial do Cabo and Stylish Búzios

As a day trip from Rio de Janeiro, we are first taken to the beach town of Cabo Frio. As a day trip from Rio de Janeiro, we are first taken to the beach town of Cabo Frio. There, we see the beaches of Praia do Forte, Praia das Conchas, and Praia do Peró. 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, where we board a boat that visits Praia do Forno, Pontal do Atalaia, and Praia Grande. We later head to the beach town of Arraial do Cabo, specifically to its dock, where we board a boat that visits Praia do Forno, Pontal do Atalaia, and Praia Grande. Once the boat tour has finished, we are taken to Praia dos Anjos, specifically to its lookout point, where the views are spectacular. Once the boat tour has finished, we are taken to Praia dos Anjos, specifically to its lookout point, where the views are spectacular. Before heading to our final destination for the day, the resort town of Búzios, a stop is made along the road so we can get a good view of Prainha. Before heading to our final destination for the day, the resort town of Búzios, a stop is made along the road so we can get a good view of Prainha. Upon arrival in Búzios, we are provided with both a driving and walking tour of the area. Upon arrival in Búzios, we are provided with both a driving and walking tour of the area. The shops and restaurants are indeed the highlights, and Búzios is the place in Brazil to 'see and be seen', with its fashionable scene and good-looking people. The shops and restaurants are indeed the highlights, and Búzios 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. We return to Rio de Janeiro in the late evening.
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Day 10

Costa Verde, Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande

As another day trip from Rio de Janeiro, we are taken along Costa Verde, meaning the 'Green Coast'. 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. The beaches and islands along the way are quite exotic. Today's highlights are the islands surrounding the municipality of Angra dos Reis and the island of Ilha Grande. Today's highlights are the islands surrounding the municipality of Angra dos Reis and the island of Ilha Grande. Lunch, a boat ride, and snorkeling are included on today's tour. Lunch, a boat ride, and snorkeling are included on today's tour.
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Day 11

Departure from Rio de Janeiro

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

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Foz do Iguaçu, State of Paraná, Brazil · Tour start: Foz do Iguaçu, State of Paraná, Brazil — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.