Diverse Brazil On a Budget
Tour Introduction
Offering excellent value, our carefully crafted itinerary provides the opportunity to experience much of what makes Brazil such a wonderfully enthralling country in an affordable way. Begin in the northern Pantanal spotting the elusive, powerful and majestic jaguar as well as a cast of hundreds of other mammal and bird species. Head south to mighty Iguacu Falls, wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Then fly eastwards to the coast to explore iconic Rio de Janeiro before finishing with a few days of relaxation on tranquil Ilha Grande with its 107 beautiful beaches. Return home having had the trip of your life with funds to spare.
Full Itinerary
Met on arrival in Sao Paulo. Airport assistance to connect with flight to Cuiaba. Met in Cuiaba and transfer down the Transpantaneira Highway, spotting wildlife en route to the lodge.
Staying at Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Includes Dinner.
Full day of guided activities within the 12,000-hectare, federally protected reserve. Activities include safari drives, hikes and boat trips. Fishing and horse riding are also available. The reserve has good populations of breeding hyacinth macaws, and many other typical Pantanal fauna are seen.
Staying at Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Includes All Meals.
After breakfast depart for jaguar watching on the Cuiaba River. The Cuiaba River and its tributaries have some of the highest densities of jaguars anywhere in their range and the chances of observing them here are extremely good. Small boat guided tour of the river system, with boxed lunch. Return to the lodge in the early evening, watching for wildlife along the way.
Staying at Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Includes All Meals.
Another day of jaguar spotting on the Cuiaba River.
Staying at Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Includes All Meals.
Another day of jaguar spotting on the Cuiaba River.
Staying at Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to Cuiaba airport and fly to Foz do Iguacu. Afternoon to visit the Brazilian side of the mighty Iguacu Falls.
Staying at San Martin Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
A full day to explore and marvel at the Argentinean side of the Iguacu Falls. The collection of falls stretches for over 1.5 miles and there are over 250 different cascades. There is a safe network of walkways and trails enabling visitors to see the most impressive views.
Staying at San Martin Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Morning flight to Rio de Janeiro. In the afternoon enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for a breathtaking view over the famous city.
Staying at Guesthouse Bianca. Includes Breakfast.
Morning excursion to the top of the 710-metre Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca National Park to see the spectacular view of Rio from the famous statue, Christ the Redeemer. Afternoon at leisure.
Staying at Guesthouse Bianca. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer along the Costa Verde and catch the ferry to the island of Ilha Grande.
Staying at Pousada Naturalia. Includes Breakfast.
Day at leisure on the forested Ilha Grande. The island has an interesting past, stunning Atlantic rainforest and boasts 107 beautiful beaches with views across the Bay of Abraao and the Atlantic Ocean.
Staying at Pousada Naturalia. Includes Breakfast.
Another day at leisure.
Staying at Pousada Naturalia. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer back to Rio de Janeiro airport and catch your international flight home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Jaguar Ecological Reserve
Overview
The Jaguar Ecological Reserve is a 1200-hectare federally registered natural heritage reserve (R.P.P.N. – Reserva Particular de Patrimonio Natural) in the heart of the northern Pantanal, about 3.5 hours by road from Cuiaba. The lodge has 15 en suite air-conditioned rooms and a separate lounge/dining area for relaxing. A generator and solar panels provide the property with electricity. The Reserve is owned by a local Pantaneiro family who are passionate about its conservation and determined to preserve it.
Profits from the lodge operation are reinvested to purchase more land for the Reserve with the intention of significantly expanding the conservation area. They also hope to fund a local school for Pantaneiro children. The lodge does not set out to provide luxury accommodation but the owner, Eduardo, is proud to offer a comfortable lodge in a remote yet accessible setting adjacent to the Transpantaneira highway.
A stay at the Reserve lodge can also be combined with a few nights at the Porto Jofre Hotel on the Cuiaba River to search for jaguars: it is also possible to make day trips to the Cuiaba River from the lodge.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Communal area incorporating a dining room, bar and small handicraft shop.
Local Wildlife
Conservation efforts at the Reserve have resulted in a healthy population of highly visible hyacinth macaws. Night drives and day hikes often reveal Brazilian tapir, ocelot, crab-eating fox, racoon and marsh deer. Excursions can be made to the Cuiaba River to look for jaguars and families of giant otters.
Optional Activities
Canoe excursions on the local river, guided trail walks and mammal spotlighting.
San Martin Hotel
Overview
Just 1.5 km from the international airport and 10 km from the town of Foz do Iguassu, the San Martin Hotel is located next to the main entrance to Iguassu Falls National Park and within walking distance of the bird park and helicopter port.
There are 142 simple but comfortable rooms all with air-conditioning, mini bar, cable TV and safe.
The hotel was built in the English colonial style amid 130,000 square metres of Atlantic rainforest. Among its many attractions are several forest trails to explore, an interesting playground in the forest for children and a football pitch. There is also a large swimming pool with sun beds and a restaurant offering both a la carte and buffet menus as well as a bar.
Other facilities on offer include tennis and volleyball courts, a games room, sauna and massage services. Evening entertainment can take the form of live music in Piano Bar Lapacho and discos.
The hotel is in a great location to visit both the Argentine and Brazilian side of the Iguacu falls. The Parque das Aves (Iguacu Bird Park) is close by for close views of the native birdlife in large aviaries.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
En suite rooms with air-conditioning, mini bar, safe, restaurant, bar, disco, live music entertainment, swimming pool, games room, tennis and volleyball court, and sauna and massage services.
Optional Activities
Excursions to the Brazilian and Argentine side of Iguacu Falls including boat trips to the base of the Devil’s Throat drop.
Guesthouse Bianca
Overview
Built in 1932 and recently fully renovated, the guesthouse is located on a quiet residential street in the heart of the bohemian Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro. There are just 3 rooms, all with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, ceiling fan and free Wi-Fi. Sugarloaf Room has a private balcony with hammock, table and chairs, and beautiful views towards Sugarloaf and Guanabara Bay. Mango Tree Room has a king-size bed and easy access to the beautiful gardens outside, while Corcovado Room has a balcony, hammock, and is well furnished with Brazilian antiques.
On the ground floor guests have their own dining room and kitchenette and outside there is a lush garden with mango, coconut and goiaba trees, bromeliads and orchids. Guido, your host, speaks English, French and Italian and has lived in Rio de Janeiro all his life.
The guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from restaurants, shops, bars, and cafes, and tram stops, colourful streets, museums and castles are all within easy walking distance.
The main attractions of Rio, such as iconic Corcovado mountain, Sugarloaf mountain and the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches (we prefer the latter).
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
En suite, air-conditioned rooms, a kitchenette area for guests to prepare drinks and light meals, free Wi-Fi and hammocks.
Optional Activities
Excursions to some of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic and famous sights such as Sugarloaf mountain, Christ the Redeemer, the Maracana football stadium, the botanical gardens and the Santa Teresa and Lapa districts.
Pousada Naturalia
Overview
Pousada Naturalia is situated within Ilha Grande’s main settlement, Abraão village, just off the coast between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The town centre and a stunning white sand beach are both a short walk away. The pousada’s owners are very environmentally conscious, using solar heating for the water supply to 8 of the rooms and sustainable sources of timber and stone for the construction of the buildings.
There are 4 double rooms, 4 triple rooms and 4 larger rooms capable of accommodating 4 people each. All have an en suite bathroom, air- conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar, safety deposit box and small private verandah with hammocks. All are positioned for great views towards the beautiful turquoise sea.
The helpful, bilingual owner will readily provide information and tips on where to visit and what to do on the island.
Pousada Naturalia is in an excellent location for convenient exploration of the lovely island which possesses many secluded beaches for swimming and snorkelling and miles of pristine Atlantic rainforest to explore.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
En suite air-conditioned rooms, with ceiling fans, mini bar, private veranda and hammocks, and a safe in the rooms. Wi-Fi is available in the dining room and reception area.
Optional Activities
Visit some of Ilha Grande's 107 beaches, explore trails through the rainforest and take sea-kayaking excursions.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
British Airways and Latam have direct flights to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Or fly on Iberia via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam, or Paris via Air France.
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Stay in the historical city of Paraty as an alternative to Ilha Grande.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
The experience at the Pantanal Wildlife Centre & Jaguar Research Centre was outstanding. Our guide Benedicto was first class – he knew all the fauna, especially the birds and clearly loved them and could not wait to show us everything he knew. We saw the Tapirs at the mango tree (twice), coati, too many birds to list all, at pace which was perfect. At the Jaguar Research Centre the staff did an outstanding job and, OK the camp was not luxurious but WHO CARES? when you have a chance to see the jaguar, and we in fact saw seven. ALL of which were fantastic views, not just a blip in the distance.
