UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE

Day 1 : Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (- / - / -)

On arrival in Rio, a guide and vehicle will be ready and waiting to assist. From here, it is onward to the incredible Fasano hotel, home for the next three nights. The Fasano is a Philippe Starck inspired modern day classic, fitting perfectly into the fashionable neighbourhood of Ipanema where it is located. Opened in 2007, it is a firm favourite with the “in-crowd”, offering modern luxury and stylish comfort, a rooftop sundeck and an infinity pool seemingly overflowing onto Ipanema Beach. The terrace offers fabulous views of the coastline and is a particularly beautiful spot to watch the sun set over the ocean, with the iconic Morro dois Irmãos as backdrop.

After check-in, the rest of the day is best spent at leisure, building up energy for the coming days’ activities.

Day 2 : Exploring Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain (B / L / -)

Today is a full though varied day, witnessing several different sides to the city. During the first part of the tour we will visit Cosme Velho district to board a cog and pinion railway that climbs the steep forested hillside to the peak of Corcovado (Hunchback). On the summit, at an altitude of 710 metres, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the world’s best-known and most-visited monuments. Clad with a soapstone mosaic, the statue is one of Rio’s finest Art Deco monuments; at night the shining landmark is visible from all over the city. As iconic as the statue itself is, the breathtaking views of the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, the Jockey Club and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon are just as memorable.

Located around the base of Corcovado, the dense Tijuca Forest was proclaimed a National Park in the early sixties. After the descent through the forest, there is time for a photo stop at the famous Mário Filho or “Maracanã” stadium, and the nearby Sambódromo, where Rio’s flamboyant Carnival parade takes place. Lunch is served at the prestigious Confeitaria Colombo, known for its opulence, grand décor and sublime food. Suitably nourished, it is on to downtown Rio de Janeiro, home to the contemporary Metropolitan Cathedral with its vast stained-glass windows, and then to Aterro do Flamengo, a tranquil, spacious park with lawns and blossoming trees, and lovely views of Rio and Sugarloaf.

The tour then proceeds through the old neighborhood of Urca towards the base of Sugarloaf, where you take a cable-car for the 215 m climb up Morro da Urca. Now it is time to buckle up and enjoy an unforgettable helicopter flight over many of Rio’s most iconic sights, beaches and landmarks, including Praia de Ipanema, Forte de Copacabana and many more. After this unique experience, another cable car will take you all the way up to summit, some 400 m above sea level, where you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the city – specially at sunset.

Day 3 : Full day boat trip to the Cagarras Islands (B / - / -)

Today, take to the waters on a relaxed boat trip to enjoy some of Rio’s famous landmarks from a different perspective. While on board, there will be plenty of time to dive and swim in the warm coastal waters, enjoying freshly prepared fruit, light snacks and sparkling wine along the way.

In the morning, the support vehicle will be on hand for the drive to Marina da Glória, the starting point for today’s voyage. The boat passes by Sugar Loaf Mountain, the city centre, and many of Rio’s well-known beaches, such as Leblon, Copacabana, and Ipanema. The craft will drop anchor near the Cagarras Islands, an uninhabited archipelago 3 miles off Ipanema Beach, an ideal place to dive and swim (though not to walk, as the islands are property of the Brazilian navy). The journey continues in a loop, taking in the beautiful coastline from a different angle, until returning to the marina.

Once back on dry land, the support vehicle will be waiting to transfer back to the hotel.

Day 4 : From Rio de Janeiro to the Pantanal wetlands (B / L / D)

This morning, a private vehicle will be ready and waiting to take you to the airport in time for the flight to Campo Grande. From here, it is onward to Miranda and the highly respected eco-lodge Refúgio Ecológico Caiman, in the heart of the Pantanal.

The comfortable lodge is staffed with world-class guides known as ‘caimaners’ and in-house ecologists. Each day two excursions are offered, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. At night there are audio-visual presentations and night outings to spot wildlife.

Domestic flight from Rio de Janeiro to Campo Grande

Journey time from Campo Grande Airport to Miranda: approx. 3.5 h (240 km)

Day 5 : Wildlife observation by day and by night (B / - / -)

The early morning and late afternoon are the best hours for wildlife spotting in the Pantanal. After breakfast, set out in Canadian canoes and keep your eyes open for wildlife as you silently row down the river. Apart from aquatic animals, a variety of birdlife can be observed on the river shores.

Back at the lodge, enjoy a delicious regional-style lunch followed by a well-deserved siesta. As the heat starts to ease, take a walk on one of the property’s many trails to further explore the surroundings at your own pace and take in the pristine nature around you. After sunset, a night safari in a specially adapted open-top vehicle will give you the opportunity to spot nocturnal animals, one of the highlights being the countless caimans that inhabit the region. Look out for the glistening reflection of their eyes from the guide’s torch light as you slowly make your way through the darkness!

Day 6 : Full day excursion with the Jaguar observation project (B / L / D)

The Jaguar observation and conservation project Onçafari are dedicated to the ongoing preservation of the Jaguars’ native habitat, and protection of the animals themselves. Today then offers the rare chance to spend the day with the team, seeing first-hand the work that they do, and with any luck spotting one of these elusive big-cats along the way.

During the day, much time will be spent seeking out individually known Jaguars, to check up on their health and progress. This will involve hunting for signs of their presence, clues as to ward their direction of travel, checking the footage on previously set camera traps and even following satellite data emitted from tracking devices on the reserve’s collared Jaguars.

Having spent the day with the team, the second outing will come this evening as the sun begins to set. Typically, this is the best time to spot any predatory wildlife in the area, as it is usually their hunting time, with Jaguars being no exception. As darkness falls, return to the Lodge for a well-earned evening meal.

Day 7 : Making the most of your last day in the Pantanal (B / L / D)

On your last full day in the Pantanal, a photo safari is the perfect way to eternalise the beauty of this unique region and be able to share some of it with your beloved ones at home. With the well-trained eye of a ‘caimaner’, your guide will help you spot all the hidden wildlife and plan the itinerary in order to make sure you get the best lighting at every location.

Day 8 : From the wetlands to the beach, via the city of São Paulo (B / - / -)

This morning a vehicle will be on hand to take you back to Campo Grande airport, in time for the onward flight to São Paulo. . Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Hotel Fasano São Paulo, the very first of restauranteur Rogério Fasano’s world-famous luxury hotels. Located in the fashionable Jardins district, the hotel’s architectural style is inspired by the 1930s and blends a contemporary aesthetic with rich textures and classic details.

Once checked into the hotel, the rest of this day can be spent at leisure, making the most of São Paulo and this one-night stopover. For dinner, try the hotel’s sophisticated “Fasano” restaurant, which is considered one of the best in the city and serves exquisite Italian cuisine accompanied by an impressive wine list.

Domestic flight from Campo Grande to São Paulo

Journey time from Miranda to Campo Grande Airport: approx. 3.5 h (240 km)

Day 9 : Transfer from São Paulo to Itacaré via Ilhéus (B / - / -)

This morning a private vehicle will take you to São Paulo airport in time for the domestic flight to Ilhéus. On arrival in Ilhéus, a car will be waiting to take the scenic coastal drive north, and onto the superb Txai Resort, a destination well worth the effort to get there!

Nestled amid coconut trees and overlooking the stunning Itacarezinho Beach, the Resort boasts luxurious apartments and pools, though is also active in preserving the region’s wildlife and resources, most notably through the Txaitaruga Sea Turtle preservation project.

On arrival, check in and prepare for four nights of pure relaxation and indulgence in one of the most beautiful stretches of Brazilian coastline, in one of its best hotels.

Domestic flight from São Paulo to Ilhéus

Journey time from Ilhéus to Itacaré: approx. 1.5 h (60 km)

Day 10 : Full day at leisure in Itacaré (B / - / -)

Enjoy a day at leisure at the resort or explore some of the most beautiful beaches Brazil’s Northeast Coast has to offer. With three gourmet restaurants, Txai Itacaré is also an excellent place to taste authentic Bahia-style cuisine in a romantic setting.

Day 11 : Relaxation rituals (B / - / -)

Today, it is time for some pampering in the form of a traditional Bahian purification bath; an ancient Afro-Brazilian healing ritual thought to originate from this area. The process is designed to simultaneously instil a deep sense of relaxation and internal cleansing, beginning with a deep submersion in mineral rich water, intended to draw out toxins, while also regenerating the body’s lost nutrients. The next stage is a Reiki session with a trained Reiki Master. This age-old practice is aimed at re-harmonizing vital energy points, and will involve participants lying horizontally, while the Reiki Master moves their hands across the body in deliberate motions, assessing the energy flow and re-ordering where necessary.

The ritual ends with Shirodhara therapy. Thought to originate in Asia, the treatment involves gently pouring a thin, continuous stream of warm oil onto the forehead while lying horizontally. The aim is to clarify mental energy and reduce stress, the perfect antidote from the grind of daily life, and the perfect end to the ritual.

Day 12 : Full day at leisure in Itacaré (B / - / -)

As your trip comes to an end, we recommend that the last day be well spent continuing to unwind on the beach or sipping tropical cocktails by the pool.

Day 13 : Transfer from Itacaré to Ilhéus (B / - / -)

On the last day of the tour, a driver will be on hand at the required time for a transfer from the hotel to the airport, in preparation for onward flights.

Journey time from Itacaré to Ilhéus airport: approx. 1.5 h (60 km)

End of the Tour