Mountains and bays begin to appear between the neighbourhoods on the drive into the city. After the long-haul flight, the afternoon is free. A walk along the beachfront and dinner near the hotel are enough for a first encounter. Rio is intense enough without filling arrival day with sightseeing as well.

Corcovado is reached through Tijuca Forest, and from the area around Christ the Redeemer the geography of Rio becomes clear: Lagoa, the beaches, downtown, the bay and the green ridges that divide the city.

Later, continue to Urca and take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain. Guanabara Bay feels closer from here and the coastline is seen from a different angle. The order is adjusted according to weather, queues and visibility, as cloud over the mountains can quickly change the conditions.

Mornings are often pleasant along Copacabana or Ipanema before the sun is high. Afterwards, stay at the beach, head to Urca, have lunch in Leblon or choose a shorter private excursion.

There is no need to spend the free day travelling from one sight to another. As the afternoon grows warmer, the beachfront fills with runners, cyclists, vendors and people on their way home from work, and the city’s everyday rhythm becomes easier to see.

Downtown preserves buildings from the imperial period and the early republic, while Santa Teresa climbs the hills above the city with older villas, studios and views opening between the houses. The route is adapted to the day of the week and what is open.

These neighbourhoods are best explored through a combination of walking and driving, without rushing between stops. The contrast with the beach districts is striking and makes the city’s history much easier to understand.

Lagoa is nearby, with its long shoreline and views towards the mountains. The afternoon is open. A museum, a few hours at the beach or a late lunch usually works better than adding another organised excursion. The final evening can be used for a good dinner or live music, depending on what feels most appealing after several days in the city.

From Rio, the road follows the Costa Verde south towards the harbour for the boat to Ilha Grande. The built-up area gradually gives way as the journey continues between Atlantic rainforest and the coast.

From Rio, travel south along the Costa Verde. At the coast, board the boat to Ilha Grande and Vila do Abraão.

Leave Rio and follow the Costa Verde by road towards the harbour. From there, the boat crosses to Ilha Grande. As the mainland recedes behind the boat, the change of pace from Rio becomes clear.

The boat moves between coves and beaches chosen according to wind, waves and visibility. Some places are best for swimming, others for snorkelling or simply spending time on the beach. Lunch is taken at a suitable stop along the route.

The quality of the day is not measured by the number of stops. Ilha Grande is better experienced when there is time to stay longer where conditions are good and the sea is calm.

A walk through the Atlantic rainforest offers a chance to experience the island from land, while water taxis make it easy to reach beaches farther away. Lopes Mendes is the best-known destination, but smaller coves closer to Abraão often suit travellers who prefer a quieter day.

Let the weather decide. After several days of travelling, it is also perfectly reasonable to stay near the pousada, swim and simply let the day unfold.

The boat leaves Ilha Grande and returns to the mainland. A road transfer then continues towards Rio de Janeiro, the airport or the next destination. Departure from Ilha Grande is planned with plenty of time because boat schedules, road traffic and flights all need to work together.

Return by boat to the mainland, then continue to Rio de Janeiro airport for the flight to Manaus. On arrival, a transfer takes you to the hotel for one night before the lodge stay.

A private transfer takes you from the airport to your hotel in Manaus. There are no further fixed activities on arrival day. Manaus is also a reminder that the Amazon is not only rainforest and rivers. It is a large city with ports, markets and an intense everyday life.

The journey often combines both road and boat travel. Gradually, the built-up areas thin out, stretches of water become broader and small communities replace city neighbourhoods. After lunch at the lodge, the first excursion explores the surrounding area, often by small boat.

After dark, the soundscape changes completely. An evening excursion offers a chance to look for caimans, nocturnal birds and other wildlife that is seldom active in the middle of the day.

Herons, parrots and kingfishers are among the birds often seen, while monkeys, sloths and river dolphins require both luck and careful observation. Later in the morning, a guided walk enters the forest. The focus shifts to detail: the ways in which different tree species adapt, as well as animal tracks, insects and plants used locally. After lunch, another boat or canoe excursion explores a different area.

A respectful visit to a local community provides insight into how the river functions as a transport route, workplace and link between people living far from the road network. Later, conditions around the lodge determine whether activities continue by boat, on foot or with a quieter period of observation.

Chasing as long a species list as possible in a short time can detract from the experience. Some of the best moments come when the guide switches off the engine, lets the boat drift and waits.

On this itinerary, the transfer is planned to continue directly to the airport whenever the flight schedule allows. The transition from forest and waterways back to city traffic and aviation provides one final contrast.

From Manaus, begin the journey back to Scandinavia. The final flight booking is coordinated with the lodge transfer so that an additional hotel night in Manaus is normally unnecessary.

Arrival in Scandinavia after the overnight flight.