Brazil's wildlife: Rio, Iguacu, Pantanal & Amazon

You leave Iguaçu today and take an indirect flight to Cuiaba, gateway to the wetlands of the Pantanal. It's a four and half hour flight and on arrival you'll journey on to your accommodation by coach transfer, a three hour drive. If there's time, you may enjoy an afternoon or evening activity to get your first taste of the Pantanal, or you may wish to simply relax after your journey.

Start exploring the Pantanal proper as part of a small group with a guide. This morning you might head out on foot and climb one of the numerous viewing towers to spot wildlife, and also appreciate the sheer size of the wetlands. In the afternoon, you may go kayaking, getting up close to capybara, caiman and other creatures skulking on the banks of the waterways.

The Pantanal is also Brazilian cowboy country, so today you might enjoy a safari on horseback in the early morning, when the wildlife is most active. After a hearty breakfast, you'll relax, enjoy a late lazy lunch and maybe a siesta, avoiding the heat of the day. In the evening, you might head out again - this time in vehicles to try and spot some of the area's more nocturnal creatures.

Take a shared coach transfer back to Cuiaba for your indirect four hour flight to Manaus. Arriving there, you're met by your chauffeur-guide and driven to your accommodation. Relax after your journey or wander around this tropical gateway city to the Amazon. You might like to see its Belle Epoque opera house.

Accompanied by your guide, today you make the 80 km (50 mile) journey to the heart of the Amazon by boat, road and motorized canoe. En route you'll see the phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters, where two rivers combine to signal the start of the Amazon proper. After arriving at your lodge, you're served dinner. Then you set out on a boat trip to spot caiman lurking in the shadows.

A day of activities from your lodge. Wake early for a sunrise tour of the surrounding area, followed by breakfast and a mid-morning reconnaissance tour. After lunch, head out on a fishing trip. Return to the lodge for dinner.

A second day of activities from your lodge. After breakfast, head into the jungle with your guide for a trek, returning to the lodge in time for lunch. Today you might also visit a local village to learn about how local people live in the Amazon. Keep an eye out, while you're on the water, for pink river dolphins.

Today you return to Manaus with your guide accompanying you and catch a four-hour flight south to Rio de Janeiro. On arriving in Rio you're met by your chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after the long journey, ready to start exploring tomorrow.

Enjoy a full day exploring the city with your private chauffeur-guide. Stroll on the city's most famous beaches, Copacabana and Ipanema, before visiting the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and taking the cable-car to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain. The tour lasts around six hours and you're dropped back at your hotel at the end.

Today you're free to explore the city under your own steam. We recommend getting out and seeing some of Rio's lesser-known corners, such as the tranquil Botanical Gardens or the historic and bohemian district of Santa Teresa. If you wish to roam a little further afield, visit the striking Modern Art Museum in Niteroi which resembles a flying saucer.

Take a private transfer to the airport to catch your return flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.