Falls to Rio

Following the stunning coastline south, we come to colonial Paraty, an old pirate town with streets made of stone slabs designed to let the tide wash over and clean them. You have an option to go on a full day boat cruise around the bay with plenty of time to swim in the turquoise waters and eat fresh seafood.

Today, you'll visit Brazil's most populous city, Sâo Paulo, which has a metropolitan population of 19 million. Visit a snake farm and the Latin American Exhibition Centre designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, who also designed Brasília, the country's capital (optional tours). After a hard day of sightseeingy you can relax and perhaps have a meal in the Japanese quarter.

Next, you'll visit the university town of Curitiba where you'll spend the night before having the option to take a scenic train trip to the coast. An overnight bus takes you through the rolling hills of Southern Brazil to the Brazilian town of Foz do Iguaçu, our base for visiting the famous Iguazú Falls - the most magnificent waterfalls in the world. Unlike most other waterfalls that have just one or two cataracts, at Iguazú there are 275 cataracts in a magnificent 3 kilometre long U-shape that we will visit from both the Brazil and Argentinean sides.

On the Brazil side you can see the falls by walking through the rainforest and along catwalks above and below the rushing water or, for a bird's eye view a helicopter flight is on offer (optional). You can also visit the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu (optional), to learn more about the ecological issues faced during the dam's construction. There is also a very interesting bird park nearby. 

Visiting the Argentine side of the falls you can board a speed boat which will take you under the falls soaking you from head to toe, an optional adventure you'll never forget! On the Argentine side you'll also find the famous "Devil's Throat" where a huge arc of water drops with such force that there is always a massive cloud of spray overhead. Please Note: To see Iguazu Falls from the Argentinian side, you may be required to pay a reciprocity fee to enter the country. The cost of this visa will vary depending on your nationality. Your tour ends in Foz do Iguaçu on day 10.