Rio and Iguazu Falls in 7 to 8 days, private trip

At a glance

UNESCO describes the falls as a semicircle about 2.7 km wide, with drops of up to 80 m. Two national parks share them, one in Brazil and one in Argentina, and each side shows them differently. That is why this plan gives each side its own day.

Day by day

Day 1: arrival in Rio

A driver meets you at Galeão or Santos Dumont and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for the beach, a walk on the promenade and an early dinner.

Day 2: Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf

Corcovado in the morning, by train from Cosme Velho or by official van. The train runs every 20 minutes from 8:00, and you check in at least 40 minutes before your slot. Until about the end of May 2027 the last 80 steps at the monument are on foot while the escalators are replaced. After lunch, Santa Teresa and the Selarón Steps, then the Sugarloaf cable car for sunset; the last car up leaves at 19:30.

Day 3: a slower day in Rio

The Botanical Garden, the lagoon and an afternoon in Ipanema. If day 2 was cloudy, we go back up today. More options on our Rio itinerary.

Day 4: flight to Foz do Iguaçu and the Brazilian side

The driver takes you to the airport. Direct flights to Foz do Iguaçu take about two hours. A morning flight leaves the afternoon for the Brazilian park: the park bus runs about 12 km to the Trilha das Cataratas, a walk of about 1 km past viewpoints, and the classic visit takes around two hours. Entry runs 9:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and 8:30 to 16:00 at weekends, and the park closes at 17:30.

Day 5: the Argentine side

A driver takes you across the border to Parque Nacional Iguazú, and a guide walks the circuits above and below the falls with you. The park opens 8:00 to 18:00 every day, and the circuits close to new visitors at 16:45. Garganta del Diablo is closed: on August 3, 2026 the park began removing its walkway as a flood precaution, and on October 13, 2026 there was still no reopening date. We check what is open before we confirm the day.

Day 6: the river or the dam

Two half-day options. Macuco Safari is a boat trip inside the Brazilian park, about two hours in all with 25 to 30 minutes on the river; the park ticket is sold separately. Itaipu Panorâmica is a bus tour of about 1 hour 10 around the outside of the dam, with an audio guide in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Or keep the day slow at the hotel.

Day 7: departure, or back to Rio for day 8

The driver takes you to Foz do Iguaçu airport for your flight home, or back to Rio for one more night and a last beach day before the long flight.

How to adapt it

• Shorter. Six days work with two nights in Rio and two in Foz, one day on each side of the falls.
• Longer. Add Paraty or Ilha Grande after Rio: see Rio, Paraty and Ilha Grande. For a two-week route, see the Brazil itinerary.
• With children. Shorter walks, a later entry slot and a pool afternoon instead of day 6. More on our Rio family trip page.
• With older travellers. The Brazilian park’s transport and main viewpoints are accessible, and a wheelchair can be requested at the visitor center.
• Add-ons in Rio. A helicopter flight, a yacht or a photoshoot.

What we arrange

• Transfers at both airports in Rio and in Foz do Iguaçu.
• A driver and car in both cities, and the border crossing on day 5.
• Guides who speak your language, confirmed in the proposal.
• A selection of hotels in Rio and by the falls.
• Tickets for Corcovado, Sugarloaf and both national parks, planned for your dates and entry times.
• One contact on our team from your request to the flight home.

We do not sell flights, but we build every day around yours. Our fee is already included in the price. A vetted local provider delivers each service. More in how we work.

Good to know

• Brazilian park tickets are sold only online, for a date and entry time. They can be changed twice before use if there is space; unused tickets are not refunded. Every visitor shows a photo ID.
• Bring your passport for the Argentine side. Canada’s travel advice suggests crossing the border before nightfall, so we plan the return in daylight.
• The CDC recommends the yellow fever vaccine for travellers going to Iguaçu Falls and reports no malaria there. Talk to your doctor in time.
• The U.S. State Department keeps Brazil at Level 2 (advisory of 31.08.2026), and the Government of Canada (14.10.2026) advises avoiding non-essential travel within 20 km of the border with Paraguay; Foz do Iguaçu is on that border. Read your own government’s advice before you book.

Check entry requirements on official websites before you travel.