Wonders of Brazil

An extended tour of Brazil, to see the very best that the country has to offer. From Rio de Janeiro to the waterfalls of Iguazu, the colonial towns of Parati and Ouro Preto, the all-encompassing Amazon jungle of Manaus, ultramodern Brasilia, and the Afro-Brasilian capital of Brazil, Salvador, you will be enthralled by the diversity and contrast of this fascinating country.

Day 1 Rio
Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport and he will take you to your hotel.

Day 2 Rio (city tour, Sugar Loaf)
After breakfast, a half day tour of the city and Sugar Loaf. With Corcovado Mountai, Sugar Loaf is one of Rio`s most emblematic landmarks. Two cable cars rise 396m above Rio, the first to the top of Urca Hill with its great view of Guanabara Bay and the winding coastline. The second cable car goes up to the peak. Rio lies at our feet, and we are offered visual proof that the city deserves its nickname ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ (Marvellous City). The afternoon is free.

Day 3 Rio (Corcovado mountain, Tijuca Forest)
After breakfast, a half day tour by jeep of Corcovado & Tijuca Forest. Corcovado, topped by the 32m statue of Christ the Redeemer, is the most famous image of Rio and the views are simply stunning. Corcovado is in the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the world`s largest urban forest. The jeep takes you through this, stopping for a walk in a forest trail up to Cascatinha Fall. The afternoon is free.

Day 4 Rio - Parati
After breakfast, transfer to the beautiful colonial city of Parati, considered a National Historical Monument with its many natural and architectural charms. The village was founded in 1667 around the Church of "Nossa Senhora dos Remedios", its patron saint. The construction of its old housing and churches reflects the style of that time. The mysterious masonry symbols on walls lead our imagination back to the old times. The pedestrian center certainly adds to this feeling of "time travel". The surrounding area includes the Bocaina National Park, the Environmental Protection Area of Cairuçu, and the Joatinga Park Reserve. It also borders the State Park of Serra do Mar. So Parati is surrounded everywhere by the Mata Atlântica, the luscious Atlantic Forest.

Day 5 Parati
Free day to explore the city on your own.

Day 6 Parati - Rio
Transfer back to Rio where you will have the afternoon free.

Day 7 Rio - Iguazu (Brazilian falls)
After breakfast, morning transfer to airport for your flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. After check in, a walking tour of the famous Brazilian falls. The Brazilian side offers a superb panoramic view of the immense waterfall and one of the best views of the most spectacular section of the falls. A catwalk, reached by a winding foot trail and an elevator, provides more intimate views. Next stop, the national park´s Macuco Trail. A jeep is the best way to explore the rain forest with its 2,000 species of subtropical plants in different layers from the forest floor to high tree canopies. After 3km we start walking a hiking trail leading to the beautiful Macuco Falls. By boat head towards the Iguazu Canyon for close-up views of the waterfalls crashing down from the cliffs high above.

Day 8 Iguazu (Argentine falls)
The Argentine falls are noted for close-up views of the individual falls and the forest. We leave the hotel and cross the frontier at the Tancredo Neves Bridge. On the Argentine side a scenic highway leads up to the Argentine Iguazu Park. The park covers an area of 55,000 hectares; its fauna includes jaguars, tapirs, brown capuchin monkeys, along with a huge variety of birds and butterflies. We have ample time to visit the upper Argentine Falls and look behind the falls as well as at the San Martin Falls.

Day 9 Iguazu - Ouro Preto
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Belo Horizonte where you are met and taken to Ouro Preto. After check in wander at leisure for a first taste of this colonial gem.

Day 10 Ouro Preto
After breakfast, a full day tour. Founded in 1698, and a UNESCO “Cultural Patrimony of Mankind”, Ouro Preto is Brazil´s masterpiece of colonial architecture. Its remoteness from the coast, and mineral exhaustion by 1789, spared it change. It is the one town in Brazil remaining as an outstanding artistic example of the colonial era, with beautiful churches, many decorated with the sculptures by Aleijadinho.

Day 11 Ouro Preto - Manaus
After breakfast, return to Belo Horizonte for the flight to Manaus. On arrival, you are met and taken to the hotel.

Day 12 Manaus
After breakfast a morning tour of Manaus and the Opera House. Inside the metallic Municipal Market, built at the turn of last century, are regional products such as fish, fruits and herbs. After the Government Palace we see typical stilt houses or palafitas. The Indian museum, belonging to the Salesian Roman Catholic Nuns, provides an insight into the culture of the upper Rio Negro tribes. The Amazon Opera House is the main symbol from the golden ages of the rubber boom. It was inaugurated in 1896, and recent restoration has revived its old splendor. After returning to pier, a boat picks you up at 130pm for the trip to the Amazon Eco Park Lodge. After dinner at the lodge, take a canoe tour to spot alligators, navigating through channels linking the Negro and Solimões rivers using flashlinghts. Some of the different species of alligators may be caught for observation and then release.

Day 13 Amazon
A morning guided hike through the jungle and return for lunch. After a short rest, visit the home of local Amazonian indians (caboclos) with piranha fishing.

Day 14 Amazon
A full day boat tour along the Rio Negro, visiting the "Meeting of Waters" where the darker waters of Rio Negro meet the lighter water of the Amazon. This separation persists for up to 4 kms. The trip shows the jungle flora, with abundant bird life and with luck also freshwater dolphins. Nearby lies the Lago de Janauário, a small nature reserve where the rare giant water lily vitória regia (named after Queen Victoria) can be seen with floating leaves of up to 6 feet in diameter. We lunch at a local restaurant. There may be a chance for piranha fishing as well. Water level permitting, the motorized canoe will round off the trip with a ride in channels and creeks.

Day 15 Amazon - Brasilia
After breakfast, a visit to Monkey Jungle, followed by boat trip back to Manaus airport for the flight to Brasilia, hailed as one of the outstanding architectural wonders of the 20th century. After check in, we visit the main sights of the city such as: a sanctuary dedicated to Saint João Bosco, an Italian priest who in 1883 prophesied the foundation of the city of Brasilia; the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial and Museum, erected in homage to the president who commissioned the design of Brasilia; and the Catedral Metropolitana, a concrete-framed structure, hyperboloid in form and extraordinarily light in effect.

The Boulevard of the Ministries, lined by 17 tall ministry buildings, leads to one of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer’s greatest achievements: the Palácio dos Arcos, home to the Foreign Ministry. The Square of Three Powers is surrounded by the premises of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The 28 story National Congress is composed of two towers linked by a walkway to form the letter H, representing Humanity. After the Jaburu Palace, and a glimpse at the presidential Alvorada Palace while crossing the southern embassy area, we return to the hotel.

Day 16 Brasilia - Salvador
Buffet breakfast at hotel, then transfer to airport for flight to Salvador and check in at your hotel. Afternoon free.

Day 17 Salvador (city tour)
After breakfast, a tour around the historic and modern areas. First stop is Barra with the best and liveliest city beaches, bars, restaurants and nightlife. We then proceed to the historic centre of Salvador. Here the Portuguese built a fortified city that became Brazil´s first capital and is now one of the most important examples of colonial architecture in the Americas. The Cathedral was built in 1692 and served as a Jesuit center until the order was expelled in 1759. We encounter a further masterpiece of colonial sacred art: São Francisco church. Its simple facade belies the treasure inside.

Day 18 Salvador
A free day to relax and see Salvador at your leisure. In the evening a show illustrating why Salvador is the most African city in the Western Hemisphere. The influence of African traditions can be seen in food and music. After a dinner-buffet featuring Bahian specialities we "look into the soul" of Brazil through music and dance. Brazilian music draws heavily on African roots and features brought by African slaves. Most of Bahia´s traditional dances are art forms not found outside Brazil. A highlight will be Capoeira, meaning "wild grass cut short" in Tupi-Guaraní. It, is an incredible display of acrobatics, breathtaking kicks and self-defense tactics performed to special music of drums and an ancient stringed bow-like instrument.

Day 19 Salvador - Rio
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer out to airport.