Touch down in Manaus, the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. After clearing immigration, you’ll be welcomed by your local guide who will assist with your transfer. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short city orientation including the Belle Époque splendour of the Teatro Amazonas Opera House and the lively waterfront market, where exotic fruits, spices, and crafts introduce you to the region’s vibrant culture.

From Manaus, journey by boat along the mysterious waterways to your comfortable rainforest lodge. As you glide across the meeting point of the Rio Negro and Solimões River, watch the spectacle of two rivers running side by side without mixing — one dark, one sandy brown — a natural wonder unique to the Amazon basin.

Arrive at your lodge, set amid towering trees and jungle chorus. After a warm welcome, settle into your accommodation and take in your first sensory impressions of the rainforest. Depending on timing, an evening activity may introduce you to nocturnal life in the jungle — from the call of frogs to the flicker of fireflies and, if you’re lucky, the glowing eyes of caimans along the riverbanks.

Wake to the sounds of the Amazon Rainforest — a dawn chorus of parrots, howler monkeys, and cicadas. After breakfast, join your expert naturalist for a guided walk through the jungle trails. Learn about medicinal plants, towering trees, and the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem. Keep your eyes peeled for brightly coloured toucans, macaws, and playful monkeys leaping overhead.

In the afternoon, take to the water on a canoe excursion along black-water creeks, where giant water lilies float serenely and kingfishers dart low across the surface. With luck, you may spot pink river dolphins surfacing in the distance — one of the most iconic wildlife encounters in the Amazon.

Return to your lodge in time for dinner and perhaps an evening talk from your guide, deepening your appreciation for the fragile beauty of the world’s largest rainforest.

This morning, venture deeper into the rainforest waterways on a guided canoe expedition. Glide through hidden channels framed by giant kapok trees, their roots tangled in the riverbanks, while listening to the symphony of the forest. Your guide will point out exotic flora and fauna, from squirrel monkeys swinging through the canopy to camouflaged sloths high above.

After lunch at the lodge, enjoy time to relax in a hammock or swim in the clear black-water streams that are safe from piranhas and caimans. Later, try your hand at traditional piranha fishing — a fun and interactive way to connect with the river’s rhythms.

As night falls, embark on a thrilling nocturnal safari by boat. With torches scanning the riverbanks, look for caimans, nightjars, and other creatures that come alive after dark. The experience of drifting in near-silence under a blanket of stars will be one of the most unforgettable moments of your Amazon adventure.

Bid farewell to the Amazon Rainforest as you return by boat and road to Manaus. Watch the waterways widen and the jungle give way to the city’s riverfront skyline — a final glimpse of black-water creeks, giant lilies, and heron-dotted sandbars before you rejoin Brazil’s vibrant urban rhythm.

Check in for your flight to Rio de Janeiro, the legendary city of granite peaks and golden arcs of sand. On arrival at Galeão (GIG) or Santos Dumont (SDU), you’ll be met and transferred along the bayfront, the mountains of Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf coming into view as the city unfurls between forested hills and the Atlantic.

Settle into the rhythm of Rio. As daylight softens, stroll the mosaic promenade of Copacabana or Ipanema, where beach volleyball, longboard surfers, and sunset joggers animate the shoreline. If energy allows, head to bohemian Lapa to sample live samba beneath its iconic arches — a joyful prelude to tomorrow’s visits to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Begin your day with an early ascent to Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, travelling through the lush Tijuca Forest by train or authorised van. At the summit, step onto the terrace beneath the outstretched arms of the statue and take in sweeping views across Guanabara Bay, the lagoon at Lagoa, the sweep of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the granite silhouettes of Dois Irmãos and Pedra da Gávea. It’s the quintessential Rio de Janeiro panorama—unforgettable in the morning light.

Continue to Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). From Praia Vermelha, glide by cable car to Morro da Urca and then onward to the summit. Boardwalk lookouts frame the city from new angles: ferries crossing the bay, the curve of Botafogo’s beach, tiny surfers etching lines off Arpoador, and planes threading the skyline as they descend to Santos Dumont. On clear days, the Atlantic horizon seems to go on forever.

This afternoon, feel the rhythm of the city at street level. Stroll the mosaic promenade of Copacabana or wander to Ipanema for people-watching, beach culture, and artisan stalls. If you’re nearby at day’s end, the rocks of Arpoador offer a classic Rio sunset as the sky blushes over the ocean—an evocative close to a signature day in the Marvelous City.

Today reveals another side of Rio de Janeiro, where colonial history and bohemian charm meet samba rhythms and street art. Begin with a guided walk through the city’s historic centre. Marvel at the ornate Municipal Theatre, the striking modern silhouette of the Cathedral of St. Sebastian, and the National Library’s neoclassical grandeur. Your guide will share stories of emperors, explorers, and revolutionaries that shaped the soul of this city.

Continue to the hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, known for its cobbled lanes, colonial mansions, and artistic spirit. Pause for coffee in a local café, admire vibrant murals, and soak up the laid-back energy of Rio’s creative heart. A highlight is the colourful Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón), a kaleidoscope of hand-painted tiles from around the world that has become an icon of Brazilian art and passion.

In the afternoon, return to the coast for leisure time. Swim, sunbathe, or simply people-watch along Ipanema or Copacabana Beach, where carioca life plays out in volleyball games, beach bars, and impromptu samba circles. This evening, consider an optional dinner at a traditional churrascaria or a live samba show in Lapa — an unforgettable way to feel the city’s rhythm firsthand.

Transfer to the airport for your flight north to Salvador, the sun-drenched heart of Bahia where rhythm, religion, and heritage converge. On arrival, meet your guide and travel into the pastel-painted streets of Pelourinho — a UNESCO-listed quarter of cobbles, church towers, and baroque façades that hum with capoeira circles and drumbeats at dusk.

Stroll the historic centre as your guide unpacks the stories of Afro-Brazilian traditions, from syncretic Candomblé to Bahia’s percussion-rich music. Soak up the lively squares, artisan ateliers, and viewpoints over All Saints Bay. Sample a classic Bahian street bite — perhaps acarajé — as twilight warms the colonial façades and the city’s rhythms rise for the evening.

Today is yours to enjoy Salvador at a relaxed pace. Begin with a gentle morning wander through the colourful streets of Pelourinho, where pastel façades, ornate churches, and cobbled squares capture the charm of this UNESCO-listed quarter. Pause in shady plazas, browse small artisan shops, and take in the rhythm of street musicians and capoeira performers that bring the neighbourhood to life.

The afternoon is at leisure to soak up Salvador’s laid-back atmosphere. Relax at your hotel, enjoy a leisurely lunch in a traditional Bahian restaurant, or head to the seafront at Farol da Barra for a scenic stroll along the promenade. The Atlantic breeze, colourful fishing boats, and panoramic lighthouse views offer a tranquil contrast to the morning’s heritage walk.

As evening approaches, you may choose to simply unwind or join locals for a sunset gathering by the waterfront. The glow of the setting sun across All Saints Bay is one of Salvador’s most memorable sights — the perfect way to experience Bahia’s easygoing spirit.

After the energy and colour of Salvador, today is dedicated to pure leisure on Bahia’s golden coastline. A short transfer takes you to one of the region’s tranquil beach resorts, where swaying palms, soft sands, and warm Atlantic waters invite you to slow down and unwind. This is Brazil at its most serene — where time stretches and the only agenda is relaxation.

Spend your day basking in the sunshine, swimming in calm turquoise seas, or simply lounging beneath a shaded cabana with a refreshing drink in hand. If you prefer gentle activity, take a stroll along the shore, join an optional yoga session, or watch local fishermen haul in their colourful jangada boats.

As the day draws to a close, enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Atlantic horizon, followed by a relaxed dinner of freshly caught seafood. The soothing sounds of waves lapping the shore will lull you into Bahia’s unhurried rhythm — a true highlight of your Amazon, Rio & Bahia Experience: Brazil’s Rainforest, Culture & Coast journey.

Savour your last full day in Bahia with unhurried hours by the beach. Wake to the sound of waves and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before choosing how to spend your day. Whether it’s reading under swaying palms, dipping into the warm Atlantic waters, or taking a slow walk along the shoreline, today is designed for relaxation and reflection on your journey through Brazil.

For those who wish to add a gentle cultural touch, nearby fishing villages offer colourful markets and welcoming cafés where you can taste local treats and interact with Bahian life at its most authentic. Otherwise, stay within the comfort of your resort and let the day unfold at your own pace.

As evening falls, enjoy a final sunset over the ocean. Raise a glass to the memories made — from the depths of the Amazon to the vibrancy of Rio and the tranquillity of Bahia’s beaches. Tomorrow you’ll begin your journey home, carrying Brazil’s colours, rhythms, and landscapes with you.

Enjoy a final morning in Bahia at leisure. Take one last stroll along the shoreline, savour breakfast with ocean views, or simply relax before your transfer. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have free time for a final dip in the sea or a visit to a nearby artisan market for keepsakes of your Brazilian adventure.

Later, transfer to Salvador International Airport for your overnight flight back to NEW YORK. As you depart, reflect on the extraordinary contrasts experienced on this journey — from the pristine waterways of the Amazon Rainforest and the iconic landscapes of Rio de Janeiro to the golden beaches and Afro-Brazilian soul of Bahia.

Your Amazon, Rio & Bahia Experience: Brazil’s Rainforest, Culture & Coast itinerary concludes, but the spirit of Brazil — its rhythms, colours, and landscapes — will remain with you long after your return home.