Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

An Alternative Family Holiday to Brazil
Rio, Jericoacoara & a Private Amazon Cruise

Brazil - Rio - Amazonia - Nordeste

FROM MEGALOPOLIS TO FISHING VILLAGES

Starting from between £4,985 to £6,965 per person for 13 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Move to the rhythm of Rio and revel in the slower pace of the Amazon
  • Your private cruise, a step back in time on the dark waters of Rio Negro
  • Chill out in Buzios, a stylish hippie hideaway on the Atlantic
  • Our services: our smartphone app, good accommodation and Concierge service
A journey to the extremes, to live as a family or with friends, between tropical cities, equatorial forest and Atlantic beach. In Rio there are, the golden beaches of Ipanema and Zona Sul, the museums of the Centro, arty Santa Teresa - which you visit accompanied by one of its inhabitants, along its cobblestone streets and artists' workshops. A tropical night out, which you experience in a big way, from the rooftops of Ipanema to trendy bars in Leblon, from electro bars in the edgy district of Botafogo to samba clubs in Lapa, guided by a Carioca (Rio resident) who helps you discover the latest places to go. Then comes a great change of scenery, in Amazonia, where you cross the waters of the Rio Negro on board a beautiful wooden boat. The cruise begins in Manaus, where the black waters of the Rio Negro meet the silty waters of the Amazon. The river flows over white sandy beaches past solitary indigenous Brazilian hamlets and island archipelagos in lush jungle. Celebrate the slowness: time seems to expand on deck, as you glide along,hammocks swinging gently in the humid heat. After five days of gentle sailing on the smooth waters of the river, you make a gentle return to civilisation in Buzios, a former fishing port made famous in 1964 by Brigitte Bardot, who lived here for a few months and walked barefoot in the sand. From the coves of Armacao and their colourful little houses - a tropical (St) Tropez, to the stylish, family-friendly hippie beaches that you can reach by scooter or beach buggy, three days to unwind, without breaking entirely away from the modern world.


YOUR PRIVATE CRUISE TO THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

You sail on Amazon Ecoboat, a beautiful wooden boat typical of the Amazon basin - a true private boathouse for up to six people - you can sail at the pace of the river and experience the spirit of voyagers of yesteryear. It's an amazing experience in the heart of the equatorial forest, accommodated in cosy privacy and with perfect respect for the ecosystem. The crew at your service is made up of three people: the captain/guide, the second-in-command and the cook, who prepares dishes that combine new flavours. In an environment that you'd think might be saturated with biting insects, the waters of the Rio Negro are renowned for not attracting mosquitoes - worth mentioning! The coastline is narrower than the Amazon River and is suitable for viewing wildlife. As you navigate, you can bathe with pink dolphins, hike through the Amazon forest, fish for piranha, and meet local communities - Meti descendants of Indians and Portuguese - living by the river.
Fortaleza - Ceará - Brazil © Getty Images
Fortaleza - Ceará - Brazil © Getty Images
Tucan - Brazil © Elleon/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Tucan - Brazil © Elleon/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Smail island - Brazil © Droits reservés
Smail island - Brazil © Droits reservés
Mountains view from  a car window - Brazil © Andrea Antunes/Getty Image/iStockphoto
Mountains view from a car window - Brazil © Andrea Antunes/Getty Image/iStockphoto
Jericoacoara - Ceara - Brazil © Droits reservés
Jericoacoara - Ceara - Brazil © Droits reservés
Beach - Brazil © Droits reservés
Beach - Brazil © Droits reservés
Jungle in Brazil © Edson Grandisoli/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jungle in Brazil © Edson Grandisoli/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Forest - Brazil © Droits reservés
Forest - Brazil © Droits reservés
Surfing in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil © Luchino/Stock.adobe.com
Surfing in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil © Luchino/Stock.adobe.com
Corcovado - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil © marchello74/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Corcovado - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil © marchello74/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Fishermen on boat - Brazil © Droits reservés
Fishermen on boat - Brazil © Droits reservés
Jungle ans river - Brazil © Getty Images
Jungle ans river - Brazil © Getty Images
Buzios - Brazil © Franck Camhi/Fotolia
Buzios - Brazil © Franck Camhi/Fotolia

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Transfer and accommodation for three nights in a hotel on Ipanema Beach. From the outside, the property is a tall tower with no particular appeal - but once inside, it is a real charmer. From the spacious and comfortable rooms to the rooftop bar, the views of Rio are magnificent. Access to Ipanema Beach is available, with sun loungers, parasols and showers.

Things to see and do - Visit the Museu de Arte Moderna, built in 1960 by Alfonso Eduardo Reidy, for its perfect architecture - shop for a bikini at Bumbum - chill on Ipanema - observe trends in contemporary art at the Anita Schwartz gallery - see the Maracana Stadium and the huge concrete cone of Sao Sebastiao Cathedral, Rio's twin temples - indulge in churrasco (grilled meat) and feijoada (black bean and meat stew) - go shopping in the bohemian district of Lapa: Portuguese houses in faded colours reinvented as second-hand clothes shops, vintage shops and antique galleries, where splendid mid-century Brazilian furniture is the order of the day - sip Amazonian fruit juice in the cool of a rear courtyard in Leblon, after an afternoon's shopping.

Included in the itinerary - A visit to arty Santa Teresa, accompanied by one of its inhabitant who leads you through its cobblestone streets, where time seems to have stopped in the mid 20th century, and to its artists' workshops. In the evening, you'll meet a Rio local who will take you to expend what energy you have left on the Ipanema rooftops, trendy bars in Leblon, or Lapa's samba clubs.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Manaus, an incredible urban island of two million inhabitants in the heart of the Amazon, which sprang up from nothing at the turn of the last century thanks to the miracle of rubber, and which has retained the traces of its past splendour. Overnight accommodation in one of the city's finest establishments, decorated in Baroque colonial style. The spacious rooms are clean and elegant. The swimming pool is surrounded by lush plants and flowers. The service is excellent.

Things to see - The splendid Opera House, 'Teatro Amazonas', which testifies to the wealth of the rubber tree barons. Its 12,000-piece macacauba and jacaranda precious wood marquetry parquet flooring is a delight. Light macacauba alternates geometrically with dark brown jacaranda to symbolise the encounter of the silty waters of Solimoes River with the dark waves of the Rio Negro.

Boarding the Amazon Ecoboat, a flat-bottomed private houseboat for up to six people. She has a small footprint and a low draught, and glides along the Rio Negro. The boat offers a unique experience on the river, in cozy privacy and perfect respect for the ecosystem. From solar electricity to biodegradable bath products, management on board is strictly ecological. Cabins, showers, living room, observation deck, with solarium, hammocks: it's all very comfortable. The crew is made up of three people: the captain/guide, the second-in-command and the chef who produces small tasty dishes bursting with new flavours.

The trip begins in Manaus where the black waters of the Rio Negro meet the ochre waters of the Amazon. The two streams are so powerful that they don't mix for hundreds of miles. If its waters are ink-coloured - because of their high iron concentration - they are not cloudy and it is possible, in the Rio Negro, to observe the boto, the Amazon dolphin with a long snout, or the tucuxi, the dolphin of the Orinoco. A stop for a walk through the dense forest, a stop on one of the sandy beaches that spread along the river's edge, or the exploration of a tributary by kayak. Meet an indigenous community, go piranha fishing... Life in the Amazon cannot help but be natural, surprising and full of unexpected pleasures.

Landing and private airport transfer. Flight to Rio, and private transfer to the beautiful seaside resort of Buzios. Accommodation for three nights in a beautiful white house with blue shutters and glazed, painted tile facades, in the historic centre of Buzios, a stone's throw from Sant 'Ana's church and the beach. It looks a bit like Greece or Portugal – but in the Tropics. Brazil, with a Mediterranean twist. In the spacious rooms, vintage furniture and the most comfortable bedding. The garden has two swimming pools and lush vegetation.

A small traditional fishing port that became a popular destination on the southern Atlantic coast, the beautiful seaside resort of Buzios is located on a peninsula, has long beaches - 20 in all - and small secret coves. At the weekends, Rio's inhabitants flock here to escape the bustling city and taste the almost 'Saint Tropez of the 60s' atmosphere of Buzios. Choose your beach depending on how you are feeling at the time - relax in the shade of a parasol, swim or (kite) surf - move around by beach buggy, practice your swing, go diving with a guide, read beside the swimming pool, stroll down cobbled streets now home to galleries and designer workshops, dine on the terrace... And repeat the next day.

Private transfer back to Rio then international return flight at the end of the day. Overnight flight, arriving the next day.

Why visit Brazil with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Brazil

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

Based on four persons The estimated cost for this trip starts from £4,985 to £6,965 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost will vary according to several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £5,980 per person.
Included in this suggestion

  • International flights with a scheduled airline
  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge
  • The Rio-Manaus-Rio domestic flight
  • Private transfers airports/hotels/airports
  • Private transfer Rio-Buzios-Rio
  • Three-night stay in Rio in superior double rooms, breakfast included
  • Overnight stay in Manaus in double rooms, breakfast included
  • Four nights, full board, aboard the Amazon Ecoboat
  • Three-night stay in Buzios in superior double rooms with breakfast
  • Half day exploring Arty Santa Teresa with a guide
  • The discovery of Rio by night accompanied by a local
  • Our local Concierge service

100% tailor-made holidays

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Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges