Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Brazil – Rio de Janeiro – Iguacu Falls – Marau
100% customisable for you
Your Brazilian family adventure begins today, so hurry the children along, head to the airport and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your 12-hour overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro.
Arriving early the next morning, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next four nights. You’ll probably be wiped out after all that travelling, so settle into your rooms, unpack and freshen up before spending the rest of the day relaxing. Grab a late breakfast, splash about in the pool and snooze away your jet lag on the beach while the little ones make sandcastles in the powder-soft sand.
Come evening, enjoy a tasty meal at the hotel restaurant or consult our Dossier for the best eateries in the area.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before heading out to explore some of Rio’s iconic sights. The day begins with a train ride up to the top of the spectacular Mount Corcovado, where you can soak up views over the city (and snap the perfect family selfie).
Next, discover the sweeping Tijuca Rainforest, which is considered the largest urban rainforest in the world. Set in Tijuca National Park, this forest boasts lush vegetation, spooky caves and a diverse range of wildlife. If you fancy a little more adventure, we can arrange a family hike through the forest, stopping to cool off at gushing waterfalls.
Round off your day at Rio’s Botanical Gardens, a sanctuary in the heart of the city. Home to over 6,500 different plant species and a variety of tropical birds, this tranquil oasis allows children to learn more about Brazilian wilderness and wildlife while parents enjoy some peace and quiet.
All that exploring will have worked up an appetite, so this evening, refuel with some Brazilian cuisine, from feijoada (bean stew) to churrasco (grilled meat).
Another day, another mountain. Fuel up with a tasty breakfast this morning before venturing out to experience one of Rio’s most recognisable sights: Sugarloaf Mountain. Towering over the city, this iconic mountain was named for its distinctive shape and was considered by Indigenous communities and Portuguese colonists to be a guardian of the city.
In our opinion, the best way to see Sugarloaf is by its famous cable car, which offers fantastic views over the mountain, the city and Guanabara Bay below. Queueing with the little ones can be tough, but don’t worry: we’ve arranged fast-track tickets, so you can walk straight onto the cable car and begin the scenic journey without any hassle.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel, exploring the city streets or strolling along one of Rio’s beautiful beaches, before enjoying a delicious dinner in town – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems.
Rise bright and early this morning, as it’s time to bid Rio farewell. After a quick private transfer to the airport, board your short two-hour flight to Iguacu. Once you touch down, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
Spend some time settling in and refuelling with a hearty lunch before heading out to begin exploring Iguacu Falls. Nestled on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Iguacu Falls is made up of 257 waterfalls, whose sheer scale and beauty earned them the title of one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2011. Today, you’ll be witnessing Iguacu on the Brazilian side, which offers pretty panoramic views over the falls. Alongside a private guide, spend time marvelling at this force of nature, keeping an eye out for the wildlife that call the surrounding subtropical rainforest home. Who’ll be the first to spot an exotic bird or cheeky monkey?
It’s another early start this morning (but well worth it, we promise) as you embark on a private guided tour of Iguacu Falls, this time on the Argentinian side. While yesterday’s excursion offered beautiful views over the falls, today’s allows you to get up close and personal with its thundering cascades. Led by an expert guide, follow the winding wooden walkways to all the best viewpoints in the national park, pausing to snap a scenic shot or two.
Once you’ve been suitably wowed, head back to the hotel for some relaxation time – the children can enjoy splashing around in the hotel’s gorgeous outdoor swimming pool while parents lounge poolside (cocktail in hand, of course).
Today, it’s time to swap nature for nurture as you begin your journey to the beaches of Marau. After breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred to Iguacu airport to board your flight to Ilheus. With a quick stopover in Sao Paulo, the journey will take between four and seven hours, but don’t worry: we’ll provide the little ones with tailored family fun packs to keep them entertained as you glide through the skies.
Once you touch down in Ilheus, you’ll be met by a private driver and transferred to Camamu Pier, a two-hour drive away. Bundle the children onto a 40-minute private boat ride to Marau, where a final (we promise) 20-minute transfer takes you to your hotel. You’ll likely be worn out after all that travelling, so enjoy a relaxed beachside dinner before flopping into bed for a good night’s sleep.
After a jam-packed week, spend the next three days resting and relaxing on the beautiful Marau Peninsula. Nestled in Brazil’s Bahia region, Marau’s remote location offers pristine beaches, sparkling sea views and a peaceful (but family-friendly) atmosphere.
Little ones and parents alike are sure to love Marau’s white-sand beaches, so head down to Taipu de Flora or Ponta do Muta for some serious sunbathing, swimming and sunset-spotting. Travelling with a water baby? The island is perfect for a variety of watersports, including diving, sailing, sea kayaking, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. You could also discover the underwater world on a snorkelling trip or visit the beautiful Tremembe Waterfall on an exhilarating speedboat tour.
Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, set off on a cycling trip or venture out into quaint nearby towns for souvenir shopping and street snacks. Come evening, head back to your hotel for sundowners (mocktails for the youngsters, of course) and delicious dinners al fresco. Is there any better way to round off your family holiday?
Sadly, it’s time to tear yourself away from the bliss of Bahia today and begin the journey home. After one last beachfront breakfast, bundle the little ones out of the hotel for the boat ride and private transfer back to Ilheus Airport (which will take around three hours).
From here, it’s a two-hour flight back to Sao Paulo, where you’ll catch your international flight home. Pick up any final souvenirs at the airport before taking to the skies for your overnight flight back to the UK. The flight will take around 11 and a half hours, so you’ll touch down early the next morning, armed with golden tans and precious family memories.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
