Family Holidays in Brazil

Detailed Itinerary

Day One – Arrival in Rio

You’ll land in Rio on an evening flight as you begin your family holiday in Brazil! We’ll be there to meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel in the stylish Copacabana area of the city. Your hotel has a rooftop pool and bar area, which is sure to suit all the family! Once you’re settled in, you might want to take a walk along the waterfront or take in an evening meal on your first night here in Rio, and we’d be more than happy to make some suggestions.

Day Two – Jeep tour of Rio

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we’ll pick you for your full day tour of Rio by open-top jeep! We’ll start by driving through Copacabana and Ipanema, on our way up to Tijuca Forest. This Atlantic Rainforest in one of the largest urban forests in the world, and travelling by jeep is the best way to spot wildlife such as parrots and monkeys. The howler monkey has only recently been reintroduced into the forest, so listen out for its distinctive call! We’ll stop at the Chinese Pagoda, which offers stunning views of Rio’s beaches and Guanabara Bay, before continuing on up Mount Corcovado. At the base of the summit we’ll have to disembark and take the stairs or lifts to the very top, where the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue proudly stands overlooking the city. The statue has become one an iconic symbol of Rio, and indeed Brazil, and the views from here are absolutely amazing. It’s the perfect spot for a family photo! We’ll then meet the jeep again and drive back down through Tijuca Forest, heading for the city centre, where we’ll stop for a traditional Brazilian lunch.

This afternoon we’ll continue our ride to Guanabara Bay, and park up at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain. We’ll then take the hair-raising cable cars, first to Urca Hill. Here, at a vantage point of 215 meters, we’ll have beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge, and Corcovado Mountain. A second cable car takes us the all the way to the top of Sugarloaf, from where you can enjoy another amazing view of Rio spread before you, with its hills, beaches, favelas and bays... (B/L)

Day Three – Free Day in Rio

A holiday isn't a holiday if you don't have a chance to relax so today is all yours - you could head to some of Rio's other neighbourhoods, such as Ipanema or the bohemian Leblon area. We highly recommend a visit to the Selaron Steps, another iconic landmark of the city. From here you can take one of the yellow trams up the winding cobbled streets to Santa Teresa. This is one of our favourite parts of Rio, as it’s full of arty shops and typical restaurants, and feels a lot more authentically Brazilian than the rest of the city. (B)

Day Four – Fly to Iguazu

You’ll have time for breakfast at the hotel this morning before we pick you up and take you back to the airport to catch a short flight inland to the town of Foz do Iguacu, on the border with Argentina. We'll be there to meet you and take you to your hotel in this small town, which is the base for visits to the amazing Iguazu Falls. Since you’ll be arriving in the early evening, you will have some time to wander around and soak in the laidback atmosphere of Foz. (B)

Day Five - Tour of Iguazu Falls

This morning we will take you for your first visit to the incredible Iguazu Falls. Higher than Niagara Falls, and wider than Victoria Falls, Iguazu will take your breath away with its spectacular beauty and awesome power. We will visit today from the Brazilian side, where a long walkway along the canyon top allows you to appreciate the true scale of Iguazu from above. You’ll get some fantastic photos, as you work your way along to a viewpoint giving you a panoramic vista of the famous Devil’s Throat, where 14 separate falls combine in a single 350-foot drop, sending spray over 100 feet into the air for a dramatic permanent rainbow. You’ll have some free time this afternoon to enjoy the hotel and explore at your own pace, or why not book another tour! (B)

Day Six - Boat Tour of Iguazu Falls

Today we will cross the border into Argentina for your second visit to Iguazu Falls, this time from the Argentinian side, where a system of walkways project right out into the middle of the waterfall system, allowing you to get close and really feel the power of the waterfalls all around you. Most people feel that this experience trumps even the amazing views of yesterday... After we’ve explored on foot, we’ll head to the San Martin dock where we’ll board the Aventura Natica for a boat ride into the Devil’s Canyon. Remember to pack your raincoats, as you’re going to get soaked! (B/L)

Day Seven - On to Salvador de Bahia

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel this morning, we’ll head back to the airport in Iguazu for your flight up to the northeast coast of Brazil, to the fabulous city of Salvador! The buzzing capital of Bahia was once a colonial metropolis, and the city now has the biggest Afro-Brazilian population in the country. This is a totally different side to Brazil, completely at odds with the modern, touristic feel of Rio. Upon arrival, we’ll take you straight to your hotel, so you can head out for a traditional Bahian dinner! (B)

Day Eight - Tour of the Pelourinho

After breakfast this morning we will pick you up and take you for a tour of Salvador, letting you see the highlights of its colonial Old Town, the Pelourinho, with its brightly-painted and tiled grand houses, churches and squares. This is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs, and try your hand at some friendly bartering with the shopkeepers! You’ll then have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. (B)

Day Nine - Schooner Island Tour

Today we'll take you down to the harbour in Salvador, where you’ll board a traditional boat called a schooner. There will be live music and drinks served onboard, as we set sail into the Baia de Todos os Santos, or ‘All Saints Bay’. It’s a great way to appreciate the beautiful tropical scenery of the area and enjoy the warm weather. We’ll begin with a trip to the Ilha dos Frades, a small island with lush forests and beautiful beaches where you can enjoy a swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters. From here we’ll head on to Itaparica, probably the most famous island in the bay, whose sheltered coves offer great snorkelling and swimming, and where you can also trek some of the trails around the island. We’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on the beach here, followed by some free time to laze in a hammock or take to the water. After a full day out on the bay, we’ll head back to Salvador late this afternoon. (B/L)

Day Ten – On to Praia do Forte

It’s time to leave Salvador behind this morning as we head north to the lovely beach town of Praia do Forte, which will be your home for the next few days. Your hotel is located directly on the beach, so you’re perfectly placed to enjoy the twelve kilometres of golden beaches which make Praia do Forte one of the nicest holiday destinations Brazil has to offer... (B)

Days Eleven to Thirteen - Free Time on the Beach

We’ve left the next few days free for you to enjoy some family time on the beach. Your hotel is close to the village centre, where there are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit. We also recommend visiting the Tamar Sea Turtles project, where you can get up close to some rescued marine wildlife, including a number of sea turtle species, rays and even sharks! The project helps protect the turtles from extinction, and thanks to them this is now the most popular place in the country to experience the hatching season. (B)

Day Fourteen - Last Day on Holiday in Brazil

Most international flights from Salvador depart quite late in the evening, so you should have some free time today to enjoy a final dip in the sea and catch some last-minute sun. We’ll pick you up in the evening and take you back to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight home. (B)

What's Included?

The standard price for this Family Holiday to Peru is £2195 per adult, and £1995 per child which is based on a family of four sharing two double or twin rooms in our standard hotels.

That price includes all your accommodation, internal transport, transfers, tours, guides and entrance fees. It also includes all your meals in the Amazon, lunches in the Sacred Valley, and breakfast every day.

We don't have any "local payments" or sneaky charges: everything you have read about on this itinerary is included in that price. And because everything we do is tailor-made, we don't have fixed departure dates or minimum numbers for our trips. Outside of national holidays or other special events, this price is valid for the whole of 2020.

International flights

So with the exception of a few meals, everything on your holiday is included. What we don't include as standard is your international flights, because with these you have a huge range of options depending on the date you want to travel, the route you want to fly, and your preferred departure airport in the UK.

We aren't tied to any particular airline, and we will be delighted to discuss all options with you, or you can even book the flights yourself if you prefer: it's totally up to you.