Brazil - the country that is associated with the vastness of the Amazon rainforest, beautiful beaches, Rio de Janeiro, carnival and samba. That's all is all true, but Brazil is much more than that; It's safe to say that Brazil can welcome anyone, it only depends on where you land! In this luxury travel through Brazil's iconic places you will experience the country in all its superlative qualities.
Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world and the largest in South America, covering almost half of the continent's area. The climate ranges from the always warm tropical north through all subtropical variations to the temperate south. Since the 16th century, when the Portuguese began to settle the country, Brazil has exerted a magical attraction on foreigners: first it was the gold, later rubber and coffee, and today it is above all the fiery rhythms and the fascinating exotic that captivate visitors. The largest country in South America is an incredible mix of cultures that can please even the most demanding travel enthusiast!
This luxury round trip through Brazil is the perfect way to experience the cultural highlights of the spectacular South American giant in a luxurious manner. It's going to be an intensive week where you can discover the fascinating cities of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, marvel the Iguassu Falls, and relax on the beach at the Txai Resort. On your luxury tour through Brazil, you will stay in the finest premium hotels and experience Brazil like no other. You can make a helicopter ride to admire Rio from above, or enjoy exquisite dinners in the dream vacation destination of Brazil. Regardless of your choice, Brazil has a "thing" that just catches you. Apart from its scenic views, the Brazilian people are one of the most welcoming, not just because you are in a luxury hotel. In this vacation, you will feel like a "Brasileiro"!
Highlights of this Tour:
- Rio de Janeiro, "The Marvelous City"
- Tijuca Forest
- Corcovado
- Christ the Redeemer
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Lapa Arches
- Sambadrome
- Rio Art Museum
- Caipirinha Tasting (optional)
- Iguassu Falls (Brazil and Argentina)
- Salvador, Bahia: Afro-Brazilian Culture
- City Tour of Salvador
- Corredor da Vitória and Campo Grande (Carnival Venue)
- View of the Bay of All Saints (Bahia de Todos os Santos)
- Pelourinho in Salvador
Brazil's Dream Beaches on Your Luxury Journey in Rio: "A cidade Maravilhosa"
Itinerary for the Luxury Brazil Tour:
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, also worldwide known as "The Marvelous City"
Your luxury tour in Brazil begins with your pickup at the airport and greeting by our local German-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel at Copacabana. Rio de Janeiro impresses with its lush vegetation, deep blue sea, and white beaches—a breathtaking setting. The city is nestled between mountains and the sea, inhabited by the warm-hearted Cariocas, and offers a wealth of cultural and entertainment opportunities, as well as numerous shopping experiences.
Daily, about eight million people and one million cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and scooters share the streets and sidewalks of Rio, which can accommodate only a third of them. Yet this spectacular chaos does not diminish the enthusiasm of the Cariocas. For them, everything is relative—except for the wonder and incomparable beauty of Rio de Janeiro.
Overnight at Hotel Windsor Excelsior 4* or similar (Superior - lateral room)
Copacabana Beach: A truly a luxurious spot in Rio!
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
You leave the hotel and drive to the Cosme Velho station, where you’ll take the cog railway through Tijuca Forest to reach the 728-meter-high Corcovado. The approximately 20-minute ride offers you a magnificent view of the lush tropical vegetation, picturesque beaches, and the city. At the mountain's summit, you disembark and reach the famous Christ the Redeemer statue after a few steps. After enjoying the breathtaking view, return by train to the base. You then drive along Rio’s famous beaches to the Urca district, where you take the cable car that will bring you up to the 390-meter-high Sugarloaf Mountain in two stages. After descending, the route takes you along Guanabara Bay and Flamingo Park towards the city center. Passing the financial and business district, as well as landmarks such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, the Lapa Arches, the Municipal Theater, the National Library, and the Museum of Fine Arts, you reach the Confeitaria Colombo, a restaurant that opened in 1894 and is a significant part of Brazilian history. The last stop on your tour is the Sambadrome, where the world-famous Rio Carnival is celebrated every year.
Note: If the cog railway is exceptionally not operating, the round trip will be carried out instead with city-approved vans from and to the Largo do Machado parking lot.
Overnight at Hotel Windsor Excelsior 4* or similar (Superior - lateral room)
Your cable car ride (Bondinho) on Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) during your luxury tour in Brazil
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
The day is at your leisure—you have the option to book the following excursions through our OVERCROSS office on-site:
Option 1: Full-day excursion to Petropolis
Petropolis, the former summer residence of the Brazilian imperial family, was named after the first emperor, Pedro I. The drive takes you through the beautiful mountainous landscape of Serra dos Órgãos until you reach Petropolis at an altitude of 850 meters. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the Imperial Museum, home to the crown jewels.
Note: The excursion can be booked on a private basis, either with or without lunch (drinks are not included). Alternatively, the excursion can be booked as a half-day tour on SIB basis (shared with other international travelers) with an English-speaking guide on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, but only with a minimum of 8 participants.
Option 2: Half-day tour to the Olympic Boulevard including the Museum of Tomorrow and Rio Art Museum (6 hours)
After the demolition of the elevated Perimetral Highway and the construction of a new highway, tunnel, and boulevard, the center of Rio experienced a complete revitalization. Today it is a cultural center with new dining options for locals and tourists. The new coastal promenade "Orla Conde" stretches 3.5 kilometers along Guanabara Bay, offering visitors a previously inaccessible part of the city. Pedestrians and cyclists can relax here and enjoy the new view. The redevelopment of this part of the downtown area is one of the most important legacies of the Olympic Games and is now called "Porto Maravilha" – the marvelous port. After a walk along the "Orla Conde" and the Olympic Boulevard, you will visit the Rio Art Museum (MAR) and the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã), designed by Santiago Calatrava.
Option 3: Grande Rio Samba School and Caipirinha Tasting (2 hours)
This tour takes you through the warehouse of one of the most famous samba schools, Grande Rio, where you can view the magnificent costumes and impressive floats up close. You will learn about the history of samba and the carnival parades, accompanied by images and video material. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to try on one of the spectacular carnival costumes, take photos, and experience the carnival atmosphere. The tour ends with a Caipirinha tasting and a drumming and dance workshop (Afro and Samba)—the perfect preparation for any carnival party.
Notes: Available daily from 09:00 to 16:00 (last admission at 14:00). The price includes a visit to the Grande Rio warehouse, the Caipirinha tasting, and the drumming and dance workshop. Meals, drinks, and optional services not explicitly mentioned are not included.
Hotel accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Windsor Excelsior 4* or similar (Superior - lateral room)
The world-famous Corcovado Mountain and "Christ the Redeemer," Brazil
Day 4: Rio De Janeiro - Foz De Iguazu
Included Services:
- Breakfast
- Transfer from the hotel to Rio de Janeiro airport
- Flight Rio de Janeiro – Iguassu (not included)
- Transfer from Iguassu airport to the hotel
- Visit to the Brazilian waterfalls (2 hours 30 minutes)
Itinerary:
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport and then fly to Iguassu. Upon your arrival in Iguassu, you will be picked up from the airport and taken to your hotel.
Iguassu—the undisputed greatest natural wonder of southern Brazil—awaits you with an impressive series of waterfalls that plunge into a deep gorge at the border of Paraguay and Argentina. A total of 275 waterfalls cascade over a width of about 3 kilometers, creating a constant mist accompanied by a perpetual rainbow. This natural beauty is nestled in a subtropical forest, whose lush vegetation surrounds the untamed spectacle with a mystical aura of the primeval.
You will then visit the Brazilian side of the falls. These are among the most impressive natural wonders of South America, not only because of their size but also due to their pristine location in the tropical rainforest at the tri-border area of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. On the Brazilian side, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view—from a viewing platform near the Devil's Throat, you can admire the falls up close. A narrow walkway leads you to the lower tier of the falls, where you are surrounded by roaring water, mist, and splashing spray. The lush green jungle, uprooted trees, and a semicircular rainbow complete this unforgettable natural experience.
After this impressive tour, return to your hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Belmond das Cataratas 5* or similar (Superior - lateral room)
One of the luxury hotels on your journey through Brazil, the Belmond das Cataratas at the Iguassu Falls
Day 5: Iguassu
After breakfast, you will take an excursion to the Argentine side of the falls. The journey takes you across the Tancredo-Neves Bridge, which spans the Iguassu River and marks the natural border between Brazil and Argentina. After the brief customs formalities at the border, you continue your journey.
While on the Brazilian side you mainly enjoyed the panorama of the falls, the Argentine side offers you the opportunity to walk up close between the individual waterfalls on the lower and upper circuit. The ecological jungle train will take you to the Devil’s Throat station, from where a short walk leads to a spectacular viewpoint that gives you an impressive view into the roaring depths of the Devil’s Throat.
After this unforgettable experience, return to your hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Belmond das Cataratas 5* or similar (Superior - lateral room)
Optional: Helicopter flight over the Iguassu Falls in Brazil
Day 6: Iguassu-Salvador
Included Services:
- Breakfast
- Transfer from the hotel to Iguassu airport
- Flight Iguassu – Salvador (not included)
- Transfer from Salvador airport to the hotel
Itinerary:
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport. Board your flight to Salvador. On arrival in Salvador, you will be picked up from the airport and taken to your hotel.
The former capital of Brazil, Salvador is located in the state of Bahia in the northeast of the country. The city is known for its rich Afro-Brazilian culture, which manifests in its architecture, cuisine, and music. The city center is located on a cliff and is divided into the Cidade Baixa (Lower Town) and Cidade Alta (Upper Town). They are connected by an elevator called Elevador Lacerda, which you will also visit during your tour.
Salvador has a unique atmosphere with lively streets, colorful houses, and numerous churches. The historic center, Pelourinho, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and has since been restored. As the "Black Rome" or "Brazilian Rome," Salvador has a large number of churches—around 365 in total—testifying to its long-standing religious tradition.
You will also explore the vibrant market "Mercado Modelo," where you can find all sorts of local products, crafts, and souvenirs.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Convento do Carmo 4* or similar (Standard room)
Brazilian delicacies on your luxury trip
Day 7: Salvador, Bahia
The historical tour of Salvador centers on colonial Brazil and Afro-Brazilian history. Pelourinho, one of the largest baroque quarters outside of Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is home to centuries-old buildings, churches, and numerous museums. The tour covers both the new and old parts of the city.
Starting in the Barra district, the tour begins with a view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Saint Antonio Fort, the first lighthouse on the American continent. From there, you’ll drive through the traditional districts of Corredor da Vitória and Campo Grande, the latter being a key location during Salvador's carnival. The town square provides an excellent view of the city below and the Bahía de Todos los Santos. You will then proceed to Pelourinho, walking through its narrow stone streets, past some of the country's most significant Brazilian-colonial landmarks. After exploring the district's beautiful churches and buildings, the tour concludes at Terreiro de Jesus Square, where you’ll find the San Francisco Church, renowned for its gilded interior facade and jacaranda wood furnishings.
The afternoon is free.
For the evening, you have the option to book the following through our OVERCROSS office on site:
Optional: Bahia by Night: Dinner & Show
The show features music, dance, and songs from Afro-Brazilian culture, including Macumba rites and capoeira, a dance-fight performed by men. Before the show, a traditional Bahian dinner will be served.
Overnight stay at Hotel Fera Palace 4-5* (superior room)
Meals included: Breakfast
Half-day historical city tour (4 hours)
Return Day 8:
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the return flight to Europe or elsewhere.
If desired, a beach extension can be booked through OVERCROSS on site.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transfer hotel – Salvador airport
This trip is intended as a tour suggestion - we are happy to adapt the luxury trip to Brazil individually to your wishes (extra costs will apply).