Rio, the coast & Iguaçu Falls

Brazil isn't a place you tick off — it's a place that slows you down and lights you up at once. We start in Rio: a favela tour with local guides, sunset from Sugarloaf, the famous hang at Pedra do Telégrafo, and the Selarón steps and Santa Teresa quarter.

Then we fly to the thunder of Iguaçu, and deep into the Amazon — nights in a rainforest lodge, the meeting of the waters, and the river coming alive after dark.

Eight to twelve travelers the whole way, most of whom came solo. By the end you leave with more than photos — you leave with people you actually click with.