Brazil
Birdwatching Retreat, Royal Heritage, Rio de Janeiro City Highlights & Ilha Grande Forest & Beach
Brazil History & Nature - Rio de Janeiro, Forest Retreats, Royal Heritage & Remote Island - Aracari Tour - 12 Night Itinerary
Enjoy birdwatching tours in the Three Peaks National Park close to Rio de Janeiro, visit the elegant summer retreat town of Petropolis, explore Rio De Janeiro in-depth and unwind in the forest and beach at Ilha Grande
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Travel Highlights
- Stay 3-nights in a nature lodge hidden in the forests in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains
- Take excursions and tours with birdwatching guides in the forest spotting endemic species
- Observe the forest from the forest canopy and discover the amazing moth wall
- Explore the historical summer retreat town of Petropolis
- Visit the Imperial Museum and learn about life in 19th century Brazil
- Tour Rio de Janeiro in depth visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado, the Botanical Gardens and the bohemian Santa Theresa district
- Relax on Ilha Grande island and enjoy its virgin rainforest and idyllic beaches
- Hike in coastal Atlantic rainforest to ancient forts or explore remote tropical islands
Tour Route
- Eco-lodge stay in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains - 3 Nights
- Petropolis - 2 Nights
- Rio de Janeiro - 3 Nights
- Ille Grande - 4 Nights
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
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Tour Itinerary
Eco-lodge stay in the Serra dos Órgãos mountains
3 NightsDay 1 - Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 - Arrive in Rio and transfer to your lodge
Day 3 - Birdwatching in the lowland rain forest
Day 4 - Serra dos Órgãos optional excursion
- Full Description
Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro.
Monday, 08 June 2026
Arrive in Rio and transfer to your eco-lodge
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro in the morning.
Our guide will meet and transfer you to the eco-lodge designed for guests who want to discover the Atlantic Forest, set in lush scenery between restored and native forest wetlands and the Serra dos Órgãos mountains. We stay here for 4-nights including all meals.
Tuesday, 09 June 2026
Birdwatching in the lowland rain forest
The eco-lodge offers a range of tours and excursions helping you discover the beautiful and fragile environment.
Birdwatchers can explore the lowland rain forest and in the evening go in search of Giant Snipe. On the tour you might see a white-necked hawk, saw-billed hermit, rufous-capped motmot, buff-bellied puffbird, a spot-billed Toucanet and many more species, several being endemic to this area.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Serra dos Órgãos optional excursion
Today opt for a tour of the Serra dos Órgãos mountains with a naturalist guide observing the many species that make this habitat their home including the dusky-legged guan, giant antshrike, sharp-billed treehunter, hooded berryeater and half-collared sparrow. A fascinating and enjoyable day awaits.
Petropolis
2 NightsDay 5 - Travel to Petropolis
Day 6 - Guided tour of Petropolis
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Petropolis
This morning we take a scenic drive to Petropolis, the former summer retreat of the Brazilian Royal Family and D. Pedro II , emperor of Brazil for 58 years.
Petropolis is an elegant mountain town shaped by history, culture, and innovation. Check into the wonderfull hotel Solar do Imperio solardoimperio.com.br for a 2-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Friday, 12 June 2026
Guided tour of Petropolis
Enjoy a guided guided walking tour of Petropolis today visiting the impressive Imperial Museum, the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II, offering a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century Brazil. We also visit the neo-gothic cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara, the Santos Dumont House Museum, Liberty Square, stroll through elegant tree-lined streets and admire the Crystal Palace, an elegant glass structure that once hosted imperial celebrations, concerts and exhibitions.
Hotel Solar do Imperio, Petropolis
Located in the most prestigious street in Petropolis, the Hotel Solar do Imperio is of such beauty it is considered one of the many historical landmarks in the city. There are two colonial mansions dating back to 1875 with walls adorned with works of art and delightful French designed gardens. The hotel was fully restored…
Rio de Janeiro
3 NightsDay 7 - Travel to Rio de Janeiro
Day 8 - Guided tour of Rio de Janeiro
Day 9 - Sugar Loaf Mountain, Lagoon & Botanic Gardens
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Rio de Janeiro
This morning we drive to Rio de Janeiro and check into your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure - perhaps relax on one of the famous beaches.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Guided tour of Rio de Janeiro
We begin our tour by visiting the famous Statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain where you can admire spectacular 360° views of the city, tropical forest, granite peaks and bay.
From here we visit the bohemian district of Santa Teresa, once home to the rich and famous it's now occupied by galleries, writers, musicians and artists.
Our journey continues into the city centre for lunch at one of Rio's oldest coffee shops, after which you visit the Cathedral and the historical district to admire the strong colonial architecture and charming atmosphere.
Monday, 15 June 2026
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Lagoon and Botanic Gardens
Today our guide will start your tour with cup of tea in the cafe by the pond at the charming Parque Lage Mansion and gardens.
Continue to the lagoon in the centre of modern Rio where people come to walk, jog, listen to music in the restaurants and bars and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains.
In the afternoon we visit the impressive Botanical Gardens which boast a wide variety of Brazilian plants and trees as well as birds, toucans, parakeets and hummingbirds can be seen (or heard) here.
The day ends at a sunset visit to the fabulous Sugar Loaf Mountain, a vast granite peak that stands 400m above the sea at the entrance to Guanabara Bay - quite magical!
Paulo Giffoni
Ipanema Inn Hotel
The Ipanema Inn has a wonderful location in the trendy residential district of Ipanema with numerous shops, bars and restaurant and only 300 meters from the beach.
All the rooms have private facilities, free WiFi, air conditioning, cable TV and minibar. Some have private balconies. The restaurant and bar serve Brazilian specialties and exotic local…
Sol Ipanema Hotel
The Sol Ipanema is located on Ipanema Beach, in the upmarket residential area of Ipanema. All 90 rooms come with air conditioning, mini bar, background music, safe, telephone, cable TV and connection to the Internet. There is also a beauty parlour and a restaurant. The small swimming pool and the bar on the terrace provide…
Fairmont Copacabana
Located by Copacabana Beach with views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana is one of the top luxury hotels in Rio. The hotel has been inspired by the glamour carioca in the 1950's, with elegant and stylish public areas and guest rooms.
The hotel has two swimming pools, a spa, sauna, fitness…
Ille Grande
4 NightsDay 10 - Travel to Ille Grande
Day 11 - Explore Ille Grande
Day 12 - At leisure
Day 13 - At leisure
Day 14 - Fly back to the UK
Day 15 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Ilha Grande
This morning we leave Rio and drive to the island of Ille Grande, where you check into your chosen hotel or resort for a 4-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Explore Ilha Grande
Opt for a guided tour of Ille Grande village and Atlantic forest, or relax on the beach.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
At leisure
A day to explore the Atlantic forest, relax at your hotel or enjoy varied activities on the beach.
Friday, 19 June 2026
At leisure
Your final day to relax on the beach or enjoy the facilities of your hotel or resort.
Saturday, 20 June 2026
Fly back to the UK
Transfer to Rio airport and fly overnight back to the UK.
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Arrive in the UK
Arrive back in the UK in the morning.
Luana Seara
Corsario Pousada
Located in the Costa Verde region, between the green of Atlantic Forest and the blue sea, the colonial style of Pousada do Corsário offer many leisure options, such as swimming pool, game room, sauna, gymnasium and tropical gardens. Accommodations equipped with cable TV, minibar, air conditioning, telephone and safe.
The Place, Ilha Grande
Located on Illa Grande, an island accessible by a 30 minute boat trip from the mainland to the small village of Abraao. The island has no cars, is covered in forest, rich in biodiversity, trails, beautiful scenery and a stunning beaches.
The hotel "O Sitio" is a private house, well decorated, boutique property, set within…
Price Guidelines
| Season | High Season | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | Year round | ||
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Deluxe |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £3,562 | £4,116 | £5,768 |
| Single Traveller - Own Room | £5,165 | £5,997 | £8,232 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 15 Days / 12 Nights Tour
- International flights (2 overnight)
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions as stated in the itinerary
- Travellers Guide for your journey including money, clothing, health and restaurant suggestions
- Prices are shown as a guide and are per person sharing a twin room
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
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READY - 6 June 2026
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