Spending 10 days in Brazil will give you a good overview of up to three distinct areas. You can check out the country's highlights, like Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, and the Amazon rainforest. More adventurous travelers may enjoy seeing Rio, taking dune buggy tours, and engaging in watersports in Jericoara or Afro-Brazilian culture in Manaus. For the more active traveler, there's an itinerary full of hiking National Parks, scaling mountains, and swimming in lagoons. Read on to see which one is right for you.

Itinerary #1: Brazil Highlights: Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls & Amazon Rainforest

If you've never been to Brazil, this 10-day highlights tour offers an excellent introduction to the colorful country. You'll explore carnival culture in Rio, marvel at Iguaçu Falls, the world's largest waterfall system, and experience the Amazon jungle in Anavilhanas National Park. 

Amazon rainforest near Manaus
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 Carioca Lifestyle & Carnival Culture Rio de Janeiro
Day 3 Sugarloaf Mountain & Christ the Redeemer Rio de Janeiro
Day 4 Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu, Explore by Bike Foz do Iguaçu
Day 5 Discover Foz do Iguaçu from Argentina's Side Foz do Iguaçu
Day 6 Fly to Manaus, City Tour Manaus
Day 7 Transfer to Anavilhanas National Park, Jungle Tour by Canoe Anavilhanas National Park
Day 8 Sunrise Excursion, Jungle Hike & Boat Tour of the Amazon Anavilhanas National Park
Day 9 Jungle Trek & Meet the Locals Anavilhanas National Park
Day 10 Depart  


Start your journey in the cultural hub of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. You'll explore local neighborhoods, sample native food and drinks, and be immersed in the art scene: dance the samba, try on costumes used in Carnival, and learn about the social projects transforming the community. The next day you'll ascend  Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) in a cable car and visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Day 4 brings you to Foz do Iguaçu, where you'll explore the Brazilian side by bicycle and head to the Argentinian side of this natural wonder for a new perspective the next day.

The second half of your trip focuses on the Amazon rainforest. Beginning in the city of Manaus, you'll then take a speed boat ride to your lodge in the jungle. Once at your accommodation, you'll transfer into a canoe where you're encouraged to take a dip and possibly encounter pink dolphins. You'll revel in sunrise excursions, educational hikes into the jungle, swinging hammocks post lunch, and boat rides on the river. Taste local cooking and discover medicinal plants and the Amazonian culture before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Adventure in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, the Amazon & Salvador 

On this 10-day adventure, you'll cover Brazil's highlights, forgoing Iguaçu Falls for three nights in the Afro-Brazilan city of Salvador. You'll go from a tour of Rio's Carnival preparations to Salvador's fantastic food, dance, and beaches. In between, you'll get an up-close look at the Amazon river and jungle and discover Rio's colorful neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and the Tijuca Forest.

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro - Parade of the Samba School at Carnival
Parade of the Samba School at Carnival
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain Walk Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 Rio City Tour & Carnival Culture Rio de Janeiro
Day 3 Full-Day Art & Architecture Tour in Niterói Rio de Janeiro
Day 4 Jeep Tour of Santa Teresa & Tijuca, Transfer to Manaus Manaus
Day 5 Transfer to the Amazon, Boat Ride & Jungle Activities The Amazon
Day 6 Adventures in the Amazon The Amazon
Day 7 Transfer to Salvador  Salvador
Day 8 African Heritage City Tour with Lunch, Bahian Percussion Workshop Salvador
Day 9 Salvador Market Tour, Art Tour of Bahia, Evening in Rio Vermelho Salvador
Day 10 Depart Salvador  


Your travel commences in "The Marvelous City" of Rio de Janeiro, where you'll be whisked to Sugarloaf Mountain and Praia Vermelha beach. The next day you're immersed in authentic "Carioca" (a Rio local) culture through walking tours of the city and a visit to a samba school before relaxing with a refreshing caipirinha cocktail. Day 3 brings more culture; the Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) of Niterói and a seafood feast at Mercado São Pedro. On a Jeep tour of Santa Teresa and Tijuca, you may discover monkeys, toucans, iguanas, and other wildlife. 

A transfer to the Amazon takes you deep into the jungle. Enjoy a canoe ride down the river to visit a ribeirinhos (river people) village. Perhaps pirana fishing is in the day's plan or a more relaxed tour of Indigenous customs and cuisine. From there, catch a flight to Salvador, one of the oldest cities in the Americas, where you'll learn about the city's African heritage through a walking tour and an interactive percussion workshop. Finally, explore the markets, indulge in delicious regional cuisine through a cooking demonstration, and enjoy live music and dance before you have to say tchau (goodbye). Learn more

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Itinerary #3: Hiking & Beaches in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu & Ilha Grande

Get active as you take in some of Brazil's biggest draws on this 10-day hiking, cycling, and diving trip. You'll bike to and along Rio's beaches, including the famous Copacabana, bike and trek amid the many cascades of Iguaçu Falls, and explore the pristine waters of Ilha Grande on a diving excursion.

Floating in one of Brazil's green bays
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 Experience the Carioca Lifestyle & Tour Rio's Beaches by Bike Rio de Janeiro
Day 3 Day Tour of Sugarloaf Mountain & Christ the Redeemer Statue Rio de Janeiro
Day 4 Hike to Pedra do Telégrafo  Rio de Janeiro
Day 5 Fly to Foz do Iguaçu, Half-Day Hiking & Cycling Excursion Foz do Iguaçu
Day 6 Iguaçu Falls Hike & Gran Aventura Boat Tour Foz do Iguaçu
Day 7 Travel to Ilha Grande Ilha Grande
Day 8 Diving in Ilha Grande Ilha Grande
Day 9 Full-Day Hike to Pico do Papagaio  Ilha Grande
Day 10 Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach & Depart from Rio de Janeiro  


Launch into your trip by walking the local neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro and taking a tour of the open-air market. You'll cycle to iconic beaches like Ipanema and Copacabana, ending the day with an applause-worthy sunset. No trip to Rio is complete without a visit to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and a hike and cable car ride to Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain). On Day 4, you'll experience jaw-dropping sights on a 2.2-mile (3.5 km) hike to Pedra do Telégrafo hilltop. After a flight to Foz do Iguaçu, you'll hike and bike along the 275 cascades of Iguaçu Falls.

After another hike to a different vantage point of the falls, you'll be treated to an offroad adventure and boat excursion to the Iguaçu River Canyon. Then, say hello to island life on the quiet beaches of Ilha Grande. Explore the underwater world on a dive, where you'll see Brazil's diverse marine life. Back on solid ground, a rigorous hike through the rainforest takes you to  Pico do Papagaio (Parrot's Peak). One last trek to the sugar sand and azure waters of Lopes Mendes Beach leaves you with fond memories of your active trip. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Adventures in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu & Jericoacoara 

If you can't get enough of the water, check out this 10-day itinerary, where you'll experience the best of the Brazilian coast. You'll explore the can't-miss city of Rio de Janeiro and its favelas, swim in the inviting emerald-green waters of rustic beach town Jericoacoara, and visit the Argentinian and Brazillian side of impressive Iguaçu Falls.

Iguaçu Falls in the Brazilian state of Parana 
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro
Day 3 Half-Day Tour of Two Brothers Peak & Vidigal Favela Rio de Janeiro
Day 4 Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu, Explore the Brazilian Side of Iguaçu Falls Foz do Iguaçu
Day 5 Explore the Argentinean Side of Iguaçu Falls Foz do Iguaçu
Day 6 Transfer to Jericoacoara Jericoacoara
Day 7 Dune Buggy Tour of Jericoacoara National Park Jericoacoara
Day 8 Dune Buggy Tour of Jericoacoara's West Coast Jericoacoara
Day 9 Free Day in Jericoacoara Jericoacoara
Day 10 Depart Jericoacoara  


Your introduction to Brazil begins in Rio de Janeiro. You'll visit famous landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain and local neighborhood favelas like Vidigal. After a flight to Foz do Iguaçu, you'll tour the Brazillian and Argentinian sides of Iguaçu Falls, with up-close treks to the misted pools. You might also be able to see over 180 species of birds at Parque Das Aves

The beach paradise of Jericoacoara is your next destination. You'll enjoy the slower pace of life but also get the adrenaline pumping with dune buggy tours of Jericoacoara National Park and Jericoacoara's west coast. The excursions offer plenty of stops at hideaway fresh-water lagoons for swimming, swaying in hammocks, and a choice of zip line, kayak rentals, or paddleboarding. Your final day is free to explore natural rock formations, secluded beaches, or maybe just relax at the hotel pool. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Active Brazil: Trekking & Waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina National Park 

Folks who want to actively see the road less traveled will love this 10-day adventure across the hidden gems of Brazil. Explore diamond prospecting trails in Chapada Diamantina National Park, relax in outdoor cafés in Salvador, scale the Gerais do Vieira mountains, and hike to hidden lagoons and through forests to waterfalls.

Chapada Diamanta National Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Salvador  Salvador
Day 2 Salvador to Lençóis, Explore Lençóis Lençóis
Day 3 Lençóis to Mucugê, Trek to Vale do Pati Mucugê
Day 4 Day Trek to Cachoeira dos Funis Mucugê
Day 5 Trek to Capão Capão
Day 6 Trek Through Chapada Diamantina National Park Lençóis
Day 7 Lençóis to Salvador, Evening Adventure in Salvador Salvador
Day 8 Salvador to Recife Recife
Day 9 Free Day in Recife Recife
Day 10 Depart Recife  


Commence your Brazilian journey in the Afro-Brazilian center of Salvador. Known for its culture, architecture, and delicious cuisine, you're free to enjoy the city on your first day. Next, you'll head to Chapada Diamantina National Park to trek the diamond prospecting trails and enjoy the outdoor cafés of Lençóis. On Day 3, you'll hike 11 miles (18 km) to the hidden waterfalls and enticing scenery of Vale do Pati. The next day, you'll soothe your tired muscles with soaks in the lagoons and fun in the sun before a home-cooked meal with a local family.

Head up to the peak of Gerais do Vieira on a 13-mile (22 km) hike, then trek through the forest to Calixto Waterfall to view some of Brazil's most dramatic natural scenery. A shorter trek takes you to Cachoeira dos Funis waterfall. Then, you'll ascend Morro do Pai Inácio for panoramic vistas. A transfer to Salvador will have you dancing the night away to live music in a neighborhood bar. Complete your trip with a flight to the old-world charm, palm-fringed beaches, and vibrant nightlife of Recife. You can choose from catamaran tours, scuba diving, or touring the city before saying goodbye. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Brazil Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Brazil? Check out these other 10-day Brazil itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

Map

Map of 10 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Map of 10 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas