Amazon, Lençóis, Salvador, Iguazu, Pantanal & Rio

Six landscapes. Brazil at its fullest.

Begin at an ecolodge on Lake Acajatuba, deep in the Amazon, with rainforest walks, pink river dolphins and sunsets on the floating deck. Continue to the dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses from tranquil Atins. Then the music, colonial architecture and African flavours of Salvador da Bahia; the thunder of Iguazu Falls; three nights of nature in the Pantanal; and, to finish, three nights by the sea in Ipanema. Domestic flights, transfers and stays are seamlessly connected by Create Travel.

Brazil has seven major biomes and strikingly different cultures. This itinerary brings together the Amazon, the northeastern coast, the Atlantic Forest and the Pantanal in one journey.

Nature keeps its own schedule: in the Amazon and the Pantanal no wildlife sightings are guaranteed, and lagoon levels in Lençóis vary from year to year. Activities follow local conditions.

Amazon · Lake Acajatuba

03 NIGHTS · RAINFOREST & RIVERS

Caboclos House Ecolodge, full board. Rainforest walks with local guides, pink river dolphins, boating through flooded forest and the culture of riverside communities.

Lençóis Maranhenses

04 NIGHTS · DUNES & LAGOONS

Two nights in Atins, between the Preguiças River and the ocean, with a 4×4 excursion to Canto do Atins, plus two nights in São Luís, gateway to the park.

Salvador da Bahia

03 NIGHTS · CULTURE & FLAVOURS

Grand Hotel da Barra, by the sea. Pelourinho, Farol da Barra, Bahian cuisine and All Saints Bay, at your own pace.

Iguazu Falls

03 NIGHTS · WATER & FOREST

Viale Cataratas, the Brazilian side of the Falls, Parque das Aves and Macuco Safari, with private transfers and entrance fees included.

Pantanal · Aquidauana

03 NIGHTS · WILDLIFE

Pousada Aguapé, full board with two daily activities: horse riding, boating, walks and 4×4 photographic safari. Not a specialist jaguar itinerary.

Rio de Janeiro

03 NIGHTS · SEA & MOUNTAINS

Sol Ipanema, steps from the beach. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf or simply the seafront promenade: the final chapter follows your rhythm.

July & August: dry season across much of Brazil

Late July and August bring drier days to Iguazu, Rio and the Pantanal, while many Lençóis lagoons still hold water. In the Amazon, rivers begin to fall and river beaches appear. Everything depends on each year's rains, so visits adapt to local conditions.

Your journey, day by day

1 · Manaus → Lake Acajatuba

Transfer from Manaus to Lake Acajatuba and arrival at Caboclos House Ecolodge. Welcome, first encounters with the lake, forest and local communities. Sunset on the floating deck.

2 · The rainforest up close

Guided interpretive walk with local guides. In the afternoon, a 'Cheiro da Floresta' perfume workshop or piranha fishing. After dark, a night outing to observe wildlife.

3 · Wisdom of the forest

Encounter with pink river dolphins and a jungle-survival experience. Casa de Farinha and medicinal plants, or boating on the Ariaú River to a giant samaúma tree. Ending with a workshop and carimbó dancing.

4 · Amazon → São Luís

Check-out and transfer to Manaus. LATAM flights via Fortaleza, arriving in São Luís at 15:40. Night at Brisa Mar São Luís.

5 · São Luís → Barreirinhas → Atins

Early departure (06:30) to Barreirinhas, then a speedboat along the Preguiças River to Atins (12:30). Check in at Pousada Oka Atins.

6 · Canto do Atins by 4×4

4×4 excursion (09:00) across sandy tracks, dunes and lagoons; stops depend on the day's conditions. Night in Atins with breakfast.

7 · Atins → São Luís

Free morning in Atins. Boat to Barreirinhas (13:30) and road transfer back to São Luís (16:30). Night at Brisa Mar.

8 · São Luís → Salvador da Bahia

LATAM flights via Fortaleza, arriving in Salvador at 16:45. Transfer to Grand Hotel da Barra.

9 · Salvador at your pace

A free day to discover the city's architecture, flavours and culture. Optional excursions on request.

10 · Salvador & optional experiences

Another free day. Optional ideas: the historic centre, Pelourinho, Lacerda Elevator and Farol da Barra; coastal beaches; a Bahian culinary experience; a boat trip on All Saints Bay.

11 · Salvador → Iguazu Falls

GOL flights via Rio, arriving in Foz do Iguaçu at 17:30. Transfer to Viale Cataratas.

12 · Brazilian Falls & Parque das Aves

A day for the Brazilian side of the Falls and Parque das Aves, with private transfers and entrance fees included. The order may vary with local conditions.

13 · Iguazu & Macuco Safari

Enjoy Foz at a gentler pace or join the Macuco Safari boat ride towards the falls (ticket included; times reconfirmed locally).

14 · Iguazu → Campo Grande → Pantanal

GOL flight via São Paulo (arriving Campo Grande 09:30). Airport welcome and road transfer to Pousada Aguapé. Dinner and overnight.

15 · The Pantanal up close

Full board and two lodge-scheduled activities: horse riding, boat trips, walks, piranha fishing, 4×4 photographic safari, night outing, carriage ride or ranch life, depending on local conditions.

16 · Landscapes, wildlife & ranch life

Another full-board day with two activities, following the lodge programme and the weather.

17 · Pantanal → Rio de Janeiro

Transfer to Campo Grande and GOL flight via São Paulo, arriving in Rio at 14:45. Check in at Sol Ipanema.

18 · Rio between mountains, city & sea

A free day by the ocean. Optional: Christ the Redeemer and Tijuca National Park; Sugarloaf and Urca; Centro, Santa Teresa and Lapa; beaches.

19 · Rio at your own pace

A last full day to stroll the seafront, take in the views or arrange one more experience.

20 · Until next time, Brazil

Check-out after three nights at Sol Ipanema and airport transfer. End of services.

What is included

• Domestic flights Manaus–São Luís, São Luís–Salvador, Salvador–Foz do Iguaçu, Foz–Campo Grande and Campo Grande–Rio, as per the itinerary.
• 19 nights in the planned accommodation, standard double room; full board in the Amazon and the Pantanal, breakfast elsewhere.
• Amazon activity programme with local guides: walks, pink river dolphins, boating, workshops and a night outing.
• São Luís–Barreirinhas–São Luís transfers and Barreirinhas–Atins boat transfers; 4×4 excursion to Canto do Atins.
• Private transfers in Foz; entrance to the Brazilian Falls, Parque das Aves and Macuco Safari.
• Campo Grande–Pousada Aguapé–Campo Grande transfers and two daily Pantanal activities.
• Airport–hotel–airport transfers as listed in the programme.

Not included in the base price

International flights to Manaus and home from Rio.

Optional excursions in Salvador and Rio.

Meals outside the stated board basis, tips and personal expenses. Ground services are shared unless stated otherwise.

Planned accommodation

Caboclos House Ecolodge · Amazonía · Lago Acajatuba · 3 nights · Full board

Brisa Mar São Luís · São Luís · 2 nights · Breakfast

Pousada Oka Atins · Atins · Lençóis Maranhenses · 2 nights · Breakfast

Grand Hotel da Barra · Salvador · 3 nights · Breakfast

Viale Cataratas · Foz do Iguaçu · 3 nights · Breakfast

Pousada Aguapé · Pantanal · Aquidauana · 3 nights · Full board

Sol Ipanema · Rio de Janeiro · 3 nights · Breakfast

Practical information to prepare your trip

• In the Amazon: lightweight long-sleeved clothing, insect repellent, a hat, a raincoat and binoculars; outings are by boat and short forest walks.
• In the Pantanal: lightweight trousers, comfortable shoes, repellent and a fleece for night outings; binoculars make all the difference.
• In Lençóis you walk barefoot on the sand: rubber flip-flops and swimwear always at hand.
• At the Falls, clothing can get wet: a light raincoat and protection for your phone and camera.
• Money: change currency in the larger cities, as small towns have no exchange offices; cards are widely accepted along the route.

Before you travel

What does the trip cost, and when does it run?

From €5,539 per person, based on two travellers. The journey runs 20 days and 19 nights, from 27 July to 15 August 2027. The 17-day version without the Pantanal starts at €4,128 per person.

Which flights are included?

All domestic flights: Manaus–São Luís, São Luís–Salvador, Salvador–Foz, Foz–Campo Grande and Campo Grande–Rio. International flights to Manaus and home from Rio are not included.

Will I be looked after in English?

Yes. All planning and your written proposal are in English, and we support you on WhatsApp before and during the trip. Local guides speak Portuguese and, in several destinations, English; a dedicated English-speaking tour escort can be quoted subject to availability.

Is this a jaguar safari?

No. The Pantanal on this route is Aquidauana, at Pousada Aguapé, with nature, photographic safari and ranch life. It does not include Porto Jofre's specialist jaguar search, which we can quote separately. No sightings are guaranteed.

Is this a good time to travel?

Late July and August tend to be drier in Iguazu, Rio and the Pantanal, while many Lençóis lagoons still hold water. It depends on each year's rainfall, and we adapt visits to local conditions.

Can I upgrade hotels or change the pace?

Yes. We can choose more charming or luxury stays, private services, extra nights or new destinations such as Bonito or Chapada Diamantina. Each change is quoted according to your choices and availability.

Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?

It depends on your passport. Citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia currently need an electronic visa (e-Visa) before boarding; many European and Latin American passports are visa-exempt for tourism. We confirm the current requirements for your nationality when preparing your proposal and guide you step by step.

Is travel insurance included?

It is not included. We recommend purchasing travel insurance with medical and cancellation coverage from a provider in your country of residence, to protect your investment. We can suggest options, but the policy is contracted directly by the traveller.

We are more than two travellers. Does the price change?

The published base price is calculated for two travellers. Families and groups of friends are welcome: tell us how many people are travelling and your room preferences, and we will send an updated proposal for your group.

Is this a fixed-date group tour?

This journey has published dates and shared services where indicated, but it is not a classic coach group. If you prefer other dates or a fully private arrangement, we design the same route tailor-made with its own quote.

Travellers who already came with us

Real stories, with names and faces, from travellers who trusted Create Travel.

From Mexico to the Pantanal: days to remember

Patrícia Camarena and Alejandro Barrera travelled from Mexico to the Pantanal with Create Travel. After the trip, Patrícia called Marcelo delighted with the choice of Barra Mansa, the hospitality, the guide’s care and the food. They enjoyed wonderful days surrounded by Pantanal landscapes and wildlife.

Seeing a jaguar in its natural habitat was one of the most moving moments of their experience. A genuine encounter on this trip, alongside boat outings, wildlife and golden light on the river. They returned with more than photographs: memories of a warm welcome in a remarkable place.

Patrícia Camarena e Alejandro Barrera · Mexico → Pantanal Sul · August 2026

Editorial account authorised by the travellers. Every journey is unique: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Read the full story (page in Portuguese)

Get to know each destination

Explore the travel guide: Amazon

Explore the travel guide: Lençóis Maranhenses

Explore the travel guide: Salvador & Bahia

Explore the travel guide: Iguazu Falls

Explore the travel guide: Pantanal

Explore the travel guide: Rio de Janeiro

Secure your grand Brazil journey with the Pantanal for 2027.

Combine your journey with Brazil's other remarkable landscapes: Bonito, Jalapão, Chapada Diamantina and beyond. Choose stays with more charm or luxury and shape the itinerary around your way of travelling. Flexibility is complete: we tailor every detail to your preferences and the level of investment you wish to make. Tell us what you have in mind and we will send a personalised proposal in English.