Evening flight from London Heathrow by TAM Airlines via Sao Paulo (11 hours) to Rio de Janeiro (45 minutes).

On arrival in Rio, you will be met and transferred to the Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel (Ocean View Rooms). The rest of the day is free.

Morning drive up Corcovado Mountain, dominated by the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Afterwards descend through the Tijuca Forest. In the afternoon, take the cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain.

In the morning we visit the Rio Botanical Gardens, which in addition to its several thousand species of tropical plants, also offers good bird-watching. Afternoon free.

Morning flight to Iguassu Falls (2 hours). Transfer to the Mabu Thermas and Resort. If you wish to take a cruise aboard the Amazon Clipper Premium, please see the options. Otherwise the rest of the day is at leisure.

Private sightseeing tour of the magnificent Iguassu Falls, visiting firstly, the Brazilian side followed by the Argentinian side. A breathtaking cascade of some 275 interconnecting waterfalls, set amidst a lush landscape of natural beauty, this remarkable spectacle culminates in the churning waters of the Garganta del Diablo, the ‘Devil’s Throat’, probably the most powerful waterfall anywhere on earth.

Early morning flight via Sao Paulo (1 hour 30 minutes) to Manaus (4 hours). On arrival transfer to the Amazon Ecopark. Afternoon visit to the primate rehabilitation centre.

A full programme of activities has been arranged during your stay, including jungle walks, night time alligator spotting.

Todays programme will include fishing, a visit to a native village and a tour to the fascinating ‘Meeting of the Waters’, where the Amazon and Rio Negro run side by side for many kilometres.

Return to Manaus in time for the afternoon flights via Brasilia (2 hours 40 minutes) to Cuiaba (1 hour 30 minutes). On arrival in the late evening, transfer to the Deville Hotel.

Morning transfer to the Pantanal region, arriving at the Pousada do Rio Mutum in time for lunch. Have your cameras ready this afternoon for a boat ride on the Mutum River where we should see giant otters, sting rays and huge shoals of fish. A great variety of birdlife can also be seen.

The Pantanal is one of the world’s great wildlife reserves. It is an important migratory bird stopover area with up to 700 species having been recorded. It is home to the largest concentration of wading birds including egrets, ibis, roseate spoonbill and the jabaru stork. Also to be found are many species of parrots. Caimans and capybaras are particularly abundant whilst the Pantanal remains one of the best places to see jaguars, armadillos, marsh deer, monkeys and many more mammals and reptiles. Again, a full programme of activities accompanied by naturalist guides is included during your stay.

Today will again be a full day of excursions with a naturalist guide.

Early morning transfer to Cuiaba airport (approximate journey time 4 hours) for the late morning flight to Sao Paulo (2 hours). At Sao Paulo, you will be met and transferred to a nearby airport hotel, where day rooms will be provided for you. In the evening, return to the airport for your overnight flight to London by TAM Airlines.

Afternoon arrival at London Heathrow.