After the transfer to the hotel, there is time to rest and prepare for the following days. The subtropical heat and lush surroundings are markedly different from many other parts of Brazil. If arrival is early, a shorter excursion can be added, but two full days at the waterfalls are time well spent.

The walkway follows the gorge, first showing the falls from a distance and then bringing them progressively closer. From several viewpoints, the water can be seen breaking through the forest in many separate cascades. Towards the end, the trail reaches the area near Garganta do Diabo, where spray hangs in the air and the sound of the water makes conversation almost unnecessary.

A visit to Parque das Aves or a boat excursion can be added according to interest, but the national park itself is given ample time.

Here, a larger network of trails and walkways runs through the forest and across branches of the river. The upper circuits provide views from above, while other sections bring visitors closer to smaller falls and dense vegetation.

If the Garganta del Diablo area is open, it is included in the day. Water levels and maintenance can sometimes affect which trails are accessible, so the exact order is decided locally with the guide.

Departure from Foz do Iguaçu is timed with plenty of time before the next flight or onward road journey. If the flight leaves later in the day, there is time for a quiet morning. No major excursion is planned before departure.

The transfer goes to the airport for the flight to Cuiabá and the Northern Pantanal. After landing, a transfer continues to the accommodation.

From Cuiabá, the road heads south towards Poconé and the beginning of the Transpantaneira. The asphalt ends and the landscape opens into wetlands, grazing land and small waterways.

The safari moves through open country where wildlife can often be spotted from a distance. The tuiuiú, the Pantanal’s large jabiru stork, is frequently seen near water together with herons and kingfishers.

Capybaras and caimans are common, while larger mammals require more patience. After lunch and a rest, another excursion heads out in the late afternoon. If the lodge offers a night safari, the day can end with spotlights and a focus on nocturnal species.

Depending on the selected route, the night is spent either at the same lodge or closer to Porto Jofre before the following day’s boat safari. The journey along the Transpantaneira can itself produce excellent wildlife sightings. Capybaras, caimans, jabiru storks, birds of prey and deer are often seen from the road. The evening is free and the next morning starts early.

The guide and boat driver search systematically along the Cuiabá River and connected side channels, while keeping in contact with other nature guides in the area. The jaguar is the main focus of the day, but a sighting can never be guaranteed. Giant otters, capybaras, caimans and rich birdlife are also part of the river environment. Lunch is normally taken on board or at a simple riverside stop, and the search continues during the afternoon before the boat returns to the lodge.

Leave the lodge and follow the Transpantaneira back towards Poconé and Cuiabá, or continue according to the onward route. The return journey also passes through wildlife-rich areas, so it is worth keeping binoculars close at hand all the way back.

After leaving the Pantanal, continue by air and then by road towards Alta Floresta. The exact connection is planned according to the current flight schedule and may require a change of aircraft.

From Alta Floresta, continue by road and then by boat towards the Cristalino River. As the sounds of the city disappear, the forest takes over and the lodge is approached from the water.

A walk enters tall rainforest where the guide works as much with sounds and tracks as with what is immediately visible. Later, one of the lodge’s observation towers can provide a completely different perspective, with the canopy below the viewing platform and forest continuing towards the horizon. After lunch and a rest, another activity follows in the late afternoon.

From the boat, the guide looks for birds, monkeys and other wildlife along the riverbanks and in overhanging trees. A landing allows time to follow another forest trail. The programme is adapted according to what the guides have seen and heard during the preceding days. An evening excursion can be included when weather and the group’s energy allow.

For keen birdwatchers, the day may begin very early on a particular trail or at a viewpoint. Other days can combine a longer walk with a boat trip and a quieter afternoon.

With four nights, there is time to return to places where wildlife has been active and to let the guides’ observations shape the following days. Some of the best moments come when the guide stops to listen, or when the boat is allowed to drift for a while without the engine.

Depending on the flight time, the morning may allow a final short excursion before the boat leaves the lodge. Return by boat and road transfer to Alta Floresta for the onward flight.

After returning to Alta Floresta, continue by air towards Rio de Janeiro using the best available connection.

A private transfer takes you from the airport to your hotel near the beach, usually in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leme. Mountains and bays begin to appear between the neighbourhoods on the drive into the city.

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.

Travel south along the Costa Verde to the harbour and continue by boat to Ilha Grande.

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.

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.

At Rio de Janeiro’s international airport, begin the journey home to Scandinavia. The flight is booked with plenty of time after the boat and road transfer from Ilha Grande.

Arrival in Scandinavia after the overnight flight.