Discover Brazil: Self-Launched Adventure from Rio to the Amazon

Touch down in Rio and soak up the electric atmosphere of one of the world's most vibrant cities. Take the metro or a pre-booked airport transfer (Uber works well from GIG, ~£12) into the city. Check into your hostel or budget hotel in Santa Teresa or Lapa — great neighbourhoods for nightlife, culture and easy access to key sights. Grab a chopp (draft beer) and a plate of arroz e feijão at a local boteco and rest up for the days ahead.

🚌Uber from GIG airport to central Rio (~£12)

🛏El Misti Hostel Rio (Lapa) or Casa Cool Beans (Santa Teresa) — dorm from ~£14/night, private from ~£35/night

• →Arrive at Rio Galeão International Airport (GIG) — take Uber or pre-booked shuttle to accommodation (~£12)
• →Check into hostel in Santa Teresa or Lapa
• →Evening stroll along Lapa Arches and grab dinner at a local boteco

Today hits Rio's two iconic viewpoints. Start early at Sugarloaf Mountain — take the two cable cars to the summit for sweeping views over Copacabana, Guanabara Bay and the Corcovado range. Book tickets online in advance via the official Bondinho Pão de Açúcar site (~£18). After lunch, head to Christ the Redeemer via the scenic Corcovado Train from Cosme Velho station — a classic way to ascend through Atlantic forest to the statue's feet. Book the Trem do Corcovado ticket online (~£17). Allow plenty of time at both sites; the late afternoon light over Rio from Christ the Redeemer is magical.

🚌Metro + Uber between sites (~£5 total)

🛏El Misti Hostel Rio or Casa Cool Beans

• →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car — book online at bondinho.com.br (~£18pp)
• →Lunch in Santa Teresa or Botafogo neighbourhood
• →Christ the Redeemer via Corcovado Train from Cosme Velho (~£17pp) — book via GetYourGuide or direct

Rise early for a guided hike through Tijuca National Park — the world's largest urban rainforest. Book a small-group guided hike via GetYourGuide (~£20pp) covering Taunay Waterfall, Mayrink Chapel and the Cascatinha summit at 525m. Pack water, snacks and insect repellent. After the hike, make your way to the Rodoviária Novo Rio bus station and board a Costa Verde or 1001 bus to Paraty (~£10, 4.5hrs). Buses run multiple times daily. Paraty is a beautifully preserved colonial town backed by jungle mountains and a sparkling bay.

🚌Bus Rio → Paraty (~£10, book at Rodoviária Novo Rio or via clickbus.com.br)

🛏Pousada Arte Urquijo or similar guesthouse in Paraty historic centre — from ~£20–30/night

• →Guided Tijuca National Park hike via GetYourGuide (~£20pp)
• →Swim under Taunay Waterfall
• →Bus from Rio to Paraty — 1001 or Costa Verde lines (~£10, 4.5hrs)

Spend the day exploring Paraty's turquoise coastline and UNESCO-listed colonial streets. From Paraty Pier, join a shared schooner boat tour (~£15pp) departing most mornings — these stop at secluded beaches and natural pools for swimming. Lunch at a waterfront restaurant run by local fishermen. In the afternoon, explore the 18th-century cobblestoned historic centre on foot — streets are intentionally flooded at high tide, a unique spectacle. Don't miss sampling cachaça from a local merchant — look out for artisan brands like Gabriela, infused with cloves and cinnamon.

🚌Walking within Paraty

🛏Pousada Arte Urquijo or similar guesthouse

• →Shared schooner boat tour from Paraty Pier (~£15pp) — book via local agencies on Rua Roberto Silveira
• →Swimming at secluded island beaches
• →Guided walk of Paraty's historic colonial centre (self-led with map or ~£10 local guide)
• →Cachaça tasting at a local merchant

Enjoy a leisurely morning wandering Paraty's streets — pick up local handicrafts, sip fresh coconut water and browse artisan stalls. After midday, catch a bus to São Paulo with 1001 or Reunião (~£15–18, 4–5hrs) from Paraty's small bus terminal. São Paulo is a megacity of world-class food, art and nightlife — drop your bags at your hostel in Vila Madalena or Pinheiros, grab a pastel de feira from a street stall and rest up for tomorrow's early flight.

🚌Bus Paraty → São Paulo (~£15–18)

🛏Bee Hostel São Paulo or Guest Urban (Vila Madalena) — dorm from ~£12, private from ~£30

• →Free morning exploring Paraty — shopping, street food and colonial streets
• →Bus Paraty → São Paulo (~£15–18, 4–5hrs via 1001 or Reunião)

Head to São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) or Congonhas (CGH) airport for your morning flight to Foz do Iguaçu (~1hr 45min). Book with LATAM, Gol or Azul well in advance for budget fares (~£40–70). On arrival, take a city bus or shared shuttle to Iguaçu National Park (~£2 by local bus 120). Entry to the Brazilian side (~£12) includes a free shuttle bus to the various viewpoints. Spend three hours exploring the trails leading to heart-stopping views of the Devil's Throat waterfall. Expect to get soaked — and to be absolutely blown away.

🚌City bus line 120 to Iguaçu National Park (~£2); taxi/Uber from airport (~£8)

🛏Hostel Natura Foz or Pousada El Shaddai — from ~£14 dorm, ~£30 private

• →Flight São Paulo → Foz do Iguaçu — book with LATAM/Gol/Azul (~£40–70pp)
• →Iguaçu National Park — Brazilian side entry (~£12pp)
• →Devil's Throat viewpoint and lower circuit trails
• →Free park shuttle buses between viewpoints

Cross into Argentina today — bring your passport! Local buses run from Foz do Iguaçu's urban terminal to Puerto Iguazú (~£2–3, 30 min), stopping at the border for a stamp. From Puerto Iguazú, another bus runs to Iguazú National Park on the Argentine side (~£2). Entry is ~£10. Ride the free Rainforest Ecological Train to the upper falls and walk the upper and lower circuits for panoramic views of the full waterfall system. For thrill-seekers, book La Gran Aventura boat ride (~£25) directly at the park — it takes you right into the cascade by powerboat. Return to Foz do Iguaçu by afternoon.

🚌Local bus Foz → Puerto Iguazú → Park (~£4–5 total each way)

🛏Hostel Natura Foz or Pousada El Shaddai

• →Border crossing by bus to Puerto Iguazú, Argentina (~£2–3)
• →Bus to Iguazú National Park Argentina side (~£2 + ~£10 entry)
• →Rainforest Ecological Train to Devil's Throat upper viewpoint
• →Upper and lower circuit walks (~3.4km total)
• →Optional: La Gran Aventura powerboat experience (~£25 — book at park)

Take an early flight from Foz do Iguaçu to Manaus — usually connecting via São Paulo (~8hrs total, ~£70–100). Book with LATAM or Gol and check in online. Manaus, the remote capital of the Amazonas state, sits deep in the rainforest and feels like nowhere else on Earth. After arriving, check into a central guesthouse and explore the ornate Teatro Amazonas opera house (exterior free, tours ~£5). Tonight, follow a local's recommendation for riverside fish restaurants — try tambaqui or tucunaré, the local Amazonian staples.

🚌Uber from Manaus airport to centre (~£8)

🛏Hostel Casa do Alemão or Guesthouse Manaus Centro — from ~£14 dorm, ~£30 private

• →Flight Foz do Iguaçu → Manaus via São Paulo (~£70–100, book LATAM/Gol)
• →Settle into accommodation near the historic centre
• →Visit Teatro Amazonas opera house (guided tour ~£5)
• →Dinner at a local riverside restaurant — try regional Amazonian fish dishes

Today you head into the Amazon proper. Book a full-day Amazon tour via GetYourGuide or directly with local operators such as Amazon Emotion or Iguana Tours (~£50–65pp) — these typically include boat travel on the Rio Negro, a stop at the famous Meeting of the Waters (where the black Rio Negro and the sandy-coloured Amazon River run side by side without mixing), a visit to an indigenous Tatuyo community (~45 min cultural experience), and transfer to your jungle lodge. Evening night boat tour on the Rio Negro for caiman and wildlife spotting is usually included. All meals at the lodge are typically included.

🚌Speedboat from Manaus to lodge (~1hr, included in tour package)

🛏Poranduba Lodge or Amazon Tupana Lodge — jungle lodge, meals usually included (~£45–60pp/night)

• →Boat journey along Rio Negro to Meeting of the Waters
• →Indigenous Tatuyo village cultural experience (~45–60 min)
• →Transfer to jungle lodge / community stay on Rio Negro
• →Introductory walk around local community
• →Night boat tour spotting caimans and nocturnal wildlife

Wake before dawn for a short boat ride to catch sunrise over the Rio Negro — one of the most peaceful and breathtaking moments of the entire trip. After breakfast, join a community-led tractor ride through jungle trails, stopping whenever local guides spot birds, insects or animals. Trek through dense vegetation to a jungle spring for a refreshing swim. Lunch at a river-community restaurant — try local fish and fresh Amazonian fruits. The afternoon is spent exploring Anavilhanas National Park by speedboat — one of the largest freshwater archipelagos in the world — with chances to spot river dolphins (botos), toucans, herons and caimans. After dinner, join a night trail through the rainforest with local guides.

🚌Speedboat and tractor within lodge programme (included)

🛏Poranduba Lodge or Amazon Tupana Lodge

• →Pre-dawn sunrise boat ride on Rio Negro
• →Community-led jungle tractor ride with wildlife spotting
• →Jungle walk to natural spring for swimming
• →Lunch at river-community restaurant (local fish and fruits)
• →Speedboat exploration of Anavilhanas National Park
• →River dolphin (boto), caiman and bird watching
• →Night trail through the rainforest with local guides

After a final breakfast at the lodge, your speedboat returns you along the Rio Negro (~1hr 40min) to Manaus, arriving at Mirante Lucia Almeida. From here, take an Uber or pre-arranged transfer (~25 min, ~£8) to Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) for your onward flight. If time allows, pick up some Amazonian produce from the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa — a stunning 19th-century iron market hall filled with local spices, fruits and crafts. Tchau, Brasil!

🚌Speedboat back to Manaus (included in lodge package); Uber to airport (~£8)

• →Final breakfast at jungle lodge
• →Speedboat return to Manaus (~1hr 40min)
• →Optional: browse Mercado Adolpho Lisboa for local produce and souvenirs
• →Transfer to Manaus Airport for onward flight