Brazil Adventure Tour & Atlantic Rainforest Hiking

Upon arrival at the airport, your guide will welcome you. Transfer to your pousada on the secluded beach of Estaleiro. After a short rest, enjoy a cool and refreshing caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink. Spend the remainder of the day on the beach sunbathing, swimming or just swinging in a hammock. There’s also the chance to go on a shopping spree in the nearby town of Balneario Camboriú.

Round off a lovely first day in Brazil by sitting down to a churrasco, a typical Brazilian barbecue. Wash it down with another caipirinha or an ice-cold tropical fruit juice. Then get a good night's sleep with an ocean breeze drifting in from the shore.

After breakfast, depart from the seaside and journey to the depths of the Atlantic Rainforest on the banks of the river. Set up camp and then take a long, leisurely trekking tour through the lush understorey, noting the exotic flora and fauna that your guide points out. At the end of the hike, take a dip in the cascading waterfalls in the midst of the subtropical forest.

In the evening, enjoy the company and conversation of fellow companions and a fantastic campfire dinner. Fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest in a two-person tent.

The following morning, awake under the dense canopy of the rainforest and decide between another hike or swimming in the river. Forget about time passing and let nature’s beauty revive mind, body and soul. After lunch, return to Estaleiro.

Meander through the Rota das Cachoeiras (Route of Waterfalls), a natural treasure of 14 cascading falls set in an ecological park spanning 41 hectares. The most impressive is the Salto Grande which drops from a height of 125m and cannot be missed. Then head to your accommodation for the night and rest in the rustic rooms at the Pousada Casa Antigua.

This morning, head to the heart of rural Brazil. Feel a burst of freedom with a horseback ride to the Campo Alegresa. Once there, have an engaging chat with the locals to get a glimpse of rural life in Santa Caterina. One of the town’s families will cook and serve a traditional Brazilian meal, and after enjoying some authentic country hospitality, return to the pousada and unwind with a chilled glass of wine or a bottle of beer.

Experience a rush of adrenaline while rappelling down a waterfall today. After a relaxing morning, listen to an orientation from expert guides on the best and safest way to rappel. Once all participants understand the precautions, head to the 40m-high waterfall where the adventure begins. See the torrents of water flow down into a naturally-formed basin. Enjoy the cool spray of the water throughout the descent, and once on the ground, admire the falls from below. Toast the accomplishment with a glass or two at your accommodation this evening, a charming guesthouse near the small village of Doutor Pedrinho, located in a beautiful valley at 600m altitude.

Another day of excitement awaits. Take a trip to the popular village of “Apiúna/Ibirama” situated in the Itajaí Valley, where professionals and novices alike enjoy rafting in the rapids. With all the necessary equipment, embark on a 2-hour white water adventure. Don’t forget to look around and marvel at the surrounding scenery while getting wet. After drying off, return to the beach in Estaleiro and get some well-deserved rest.

The next day, set off for the Tabuleira National Park, the starting point for another heart-pumping kayak adventure. Put on safety helmets and vests before taking a splash. Then navigate the way downriver according to your guide’s instructions.

In the evening visit a rustic cachacaria where sugar cane schnapps is produced. Watch the owner prepare a special churrasco. Sip it slowly and unwind after an active day. In the late evening, return to Estaleiro.

Transfer to Foz do Iguacu, one of Brazil's natural wonders. After arriving, check into the hotel and enjoy some lunch. Take a short rest, then set out to see the highlight of the trip. Stare in awe at the 275 waterfalls stretching for around 3kms and rising up to 80m in height. Impressively, Foz do Iguacu is both higher than the Niagara Falls and broader than the Victoria Falls.

The following day, cross the border to view the falls from the Argentine side. There are several ways to experience this powerful force of nature. Take a Gran Aventura boat ride or hike along catwalks at an elevated height to hear the roar of flowing water, feel the spray and see them in greater detail.

On the final day of this Brazilian adventure tour, capture some final memories with a few more photos and then board a flight to Rio de Janeiro or another South American destination.