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Wheelchair Accessible Tour of Brazil

The Wheelchair Accessible Tour of Brazil is a private guided tour, offering travellers who use a wheelchair the chance to see the country in 12 days. Tick off the highlights of Brazil, from the iconic sites of Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, to the spectacular national park of Iguazu Falls, the picturesque historic town of Salvador and the lush Amazon rainforest. Enjoy panoramic views from the heights of the mountains around Rio, ride along scenic trails in Foz do Iguazu, discover the vibrant city of Salvador and finish off in the jungle. The package has been exceptionally designed having in mind the needs of traveller who use a wheelchair and offering accommodation is boutique hotels which are suitable and accessible. The tour is not focused on groups, but rather on individual travellers who use a wheelchair accompanied by an enabled companion or a maximum of one more traveller who uses a wheelchair. 

12 Days – From £2,860 per person 

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Salvador, Amazon

In Rio many investments in accessible infrastructure were made in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and the city has become one of the most wheelchair-friendly on the continent. The sidewalks in Rio de Janeiro are generally wheelchair accessible and specialized taxis are lift-equipped.

There are wheelchair accessible beach venues in Rio with specially designed mats and volunteers to help get into the water. You will get a beach wheelchairs, but there are also inclusive-focused activities such as surfing, sit-down paddling, beach sitting volleybal and more.

Corcovado: Take the train that goes from Cosme Velho to the top of Morro do Christ the Redeemer Statue. It is fully accessible and the beautiful journey through the forest takes about half an hour. Another option is to use the accredited van that has a wheelchair lift from the ticket office. We will get you up on Corcovado early to avoid the crowds and have a good experience. An extensive renovation was carried out in the last years, which installed elevators, accessible toilets and escalators to reach the feet of the statue, making it very accessible. Trained staff assist changing from power wheelchair to a on-site provided manual chair to climb the escalators, and then transfer back to your power wheelchair. 

In Salvador there are electric cars in the old town, which allow the wheelchair travellers to see the 80% of the city’s highlights where there are no stairs.

At Iguazu Falls all pavements in the waterfalls area are built to make safe the movement of wheelchairs. Ramp access is available in all the buildings, walkways or places where the slope requires it. There are toilets in all sectors of the park. The width of its doors allows the entry of wheelchair users. The surface of the bathrooms allows the entry and rotation of wheelchairs, and they have supported on both sides of it. The sinks allow a person in a wheelchair to wash their hands comfortably. It has urinals at a lower height for people of small stature.

In the Amazon, the Amazon Eco Park is the only jungle lodge in the region catering for people in wheelchairs. By no means fully accessible, it does have moderate facilities for those with disabilities. The lodge has easy access paths and ramps throughout. 2 bungalows are considered wheelchair accessible with ramps and grab bars in the bathroom. We do not recommend visiting during the low-water season (September to mid-December) as the activities will be further away from the rivers. It is best to go in high-water season, with more activities being water-based, allowing moving by boat and a better chance of seeing more wildlife. Not all tours will be possible, especially difficult jungle trails, but you can visit the Monkey Forest, see the spectacular Meeting of the Waters, take a night canoe tour to observe nocturnal species such as alligators, try your hand at piranha fishing and visit an indigenous caboclo house.

  • Accessibility guaranteed
  • Price is per person, based on two people staying in two single rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible Accommodation with Breakfast (more hotels HERE)
  • Lunch and dinner at wheelchair accessible restaurants
  • All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary 
  • All transfers on a private basis in wheelchair accessible vehicles
  • Entrance & guiding fees 
  • All mandatory local taxes
  • Visa, where applicable
  • International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
  • Domestic Flights 
  • Personal Expenses
  • Insurance
  • Tips & Gratuities
  • Meals not mentioned in the description

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Rio or Sao Paulo start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. 

Send us a message on WhatsApp (+44 7 308 449 233) or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

Best time to Visit:

  • Rio – year round, avoid November to February because of rain
  • Iguazu – year round, avoid November to February because of rain
  • Salvador – year round, avoid April to July because of rain
  • Manaus – year round, but best June to October

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Welcome to Rio de Janeiro

Today you will arrive in Rio. As one of South America’s most beautiful destinations, Rio de Janeiro is full of exciting attractions and events – the majority of which are wheelchair accessible. Your driver will greet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. We’ve not planned anything for this afternoon to allow you to recover from your flight. A good idea is to head out to Copacabana. The stone promenade is bumpy, but a bike path paved with asphalt is much smoother. Six lifeguard watchtowers are spaced across Copacabana Beach, and each have a wheelchair accessible toilet. Enjoy the views sipping a coconut drink. Overnight at Hilton.

impressive view over the bay in Rio de Janeiro beach at sunset

Day 2 - Sugarloaf

Today visit Rio’s amazing Botanical Garden with a wide variety of exotic plants and the picturesque neighbourhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa. This area is the heart of art and coffee shops in Rio with a vibrant atmosphere. After lunch continue through the old Urca neighborhood towards the Sugarloaf. Here board a cable-car and climb up Morro da Urca. From here, Two cable car lines transport visitors from a ground station to Urca Hill, then from Urca Hill to Sugarloaf Mountain. A ramp is used to bridge the gap between the station platform and gondola for wheelchair access. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views over Rio de Janeiro from the top, sunsets being particularly spectacular. You can also take a scenic flight over the city. Overnight at Hilton.

tall palm trees aligned along the walkway in Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens in Brazil

Day 3 - Corcovado

This morning start with a delicious Brazilian breakfast, try some exotic fruit and head out to discover the beautiful city. You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast. We planned a day full of excitement and spectacular viewpoints for you: visit the iconic Statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountains. From the top there are breathtaking views.  A rack railway will take you up to the foot of the statue, leaving from Cosme Velho district over Tijuca Forest. At the very top you will be transferred to a manual wheelchair and will go up on a short escalator. Located around the base of Corcovado, the dense forest has many springs and waterfalls. After descending, stop  at Maracanã and at Sambódromo. Overnight at Hilton.

aerial view of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, overlooking the city below

Day 4 - Rio to Foz do Iguazu

After breakfast catch a short flight to Foz do Iguazu. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Welcome to one of the New Wonders of Nature – the Iguazu Falls, a series of 275 waterfalls reaching up to 90 meters high. The natural park with the waterfalls is a meeting point for three countries  – Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. We recommend to visit at least the Brazilian and the Argentinian side of the falls. Iguazu Falls allows to enjoy this natural wonder of nature, almost entirely, with fully accessible paths. More than 90% of the trails are accessible. Overnight at Hotel das Cataratas.

aerial view of the impressive Iguazu Falls national park in Brazil

Day 5 - Iguazu Falls

After breakfast your guide will take you to the national park to experience a different circuit. Spend the time at your own pace. After lunch, visit the Parc das Aves – a unique bird park which is settled in the middle of the remaining Atlantic Forest. There are 180 fascinating species of birds from all over the world, like macaws, toucans, parakeets, parrots and many more as well as butterflies and reptiles! In addition, the best way to understand the real dimensions of the Iguazu Falls is to take a beautiful helicopter tour offering an aerial view of national park. Overnight at the charming historic hotel located inside the national park, at Hotel das Cataratas.

a colorful toucan in the Parque das Aves at Iguazu Falls in Brazil

Day 6 - Iguazu to Salvador

After breakfast take a flight to Salvador. Brazil’s historical first capital sits proudly overlooking the Bay of All Saints. For Brazilians, Salvador is synonymous with a more relaxed pace of life compared with the other main cities such as Rio or São Paulo. Salvador also represents the fusion of culture, history, dance and religion which spreads throughout the country. On arrival in Salvador, a guide and vehicle will be ready and waiting to assist. From here, it is onward to the hotel for check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Fera Palace with great rooftop views.

The central square with tall coconut trees and colonial buildings in the historic city of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil

Day 7 - Salvador

After breakfast, discover the old town of Pelourinho, in Salvador’s historical centre, an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the cultural heritage. A UNESCO Heritage Site, the district is awash with colonial buildings and traditional churches dating from the 17th and 18th century. Particular highlights of Pelourinho include the house of the writer Jorge Amado, São Francisco Church and the Cathedral Basílica, though in truth, merely riding the streets is a fascinating history lesson in itself. In addition to its colonial past, Bahia was an integral part of equality movements in the region and to this day has a strong connection with many of the residents’ Afro-Brazilian roots. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure. Overnight at Fera Palace.

São Francisco Church in the historic centre of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil

Day 8 - Praia do Forte

Today depart to Praia do Forte (1,5 hours), a lovely beach village, famous for its transparent waters and white sands, where sea turtles lay their eggs. Beaches are sheltered by lush coconut groves and a rich coral reef stretching along the shore. At low tide, colourful fish get stranded in small natural pools that form around the reef. Snorkelling is really great here. Visit the conservation project Tamar, dedicated to preserving the five species of sea turtles native to Brazil. Later on, cast an eye on the ruins of the Garcia D’Avila Castle (1552), the only medieval castle in Brazil. Return to Salvador in the late afternoon. Overnight at Fera Palace.

Small turtle on the beach, Brazil

Day 9 - Salvador to Manaus

Today you will fly to Manaus. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. After a refreshing time at the hotel enjoy a city tour with a private guide, passing by downtown for a visit to the Opera House and the Market. The Amazonas Theatre was built in the 19th century during Manaus’ golden rush era, and locals have preserve its beautiful French architecture. Take the guided tour through the Opera House to learn a little bit more about the lifestyle in the 1800s in Manaus. This city is also a great place to try some of the typical Amazonian food, like tacacá or jaraqui. Overnight at Amazon Eco Park.

the sumptuous interior of the Amazon Theatre - the opera house from Manaus in Brazil

Day 10 - Amazon

After an early breakfast, transfer to the port for a boat tour to the Meeting of the Waters, where the black waters of Rio Negro meets the brown waters of Solimões and run together without mixing for 8 km. At this sight you really grasp the magnitude of the Amazon river. Later on visit the Monkey Forest. Learn about the rehabilitation and reintroduction of wild animals which have been confiscated from illegal commerce in their habitat. At night, take a canoe trip to spot nocturnal animals and enjoy the silence of the forest. Overnight at Amazon Eco Park.

aerial view of Anavilhans Narional Park in Brazil

Day 11 - Amazon

Wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise in the jungle by canoes, and return back to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. At 9am take a lovely tour in the flooded forest by speed boat, including the exciting piranha fishing near the lodge. Discover exotic river nature and the secrets of the jungle, shared by the expert ‘mateiro’ guide. After dinner engage into a night alligator spotting in canoes, exploring the surrounding area. You will have a possibility to watch animals by night like caimans and birds. Overnight at Amazon Eco Park.

Trapiche Eco Lodge in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest

Day 12 - Departure

After an early breakfast, you will be transfer back from Ecopark Lodge to Manaus airport by regional boat, followed by a land transfer. The guides and staff will assist you with getting into and out of the boat. This program might need slight adaptation, depending on the type of wheelchair which you will be using. Knowing the size of the wheelchair will be useful. We will also ask if you will be willing to be transferred to a manual wheelchair during several short periods of time, where you will be taking escalators (i.e. at Corcovado). 

Brazilian Amazon Rainforest
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