Brazilian Treasures

A short and comprehensive tour of some of the best attractions of Brazil, starting with the exuberant and colourful city of Rio, stepping backwards in history through the colonial world of Minas Gerais before facing the unforgettable wonder of Iguazu Falls and the heart of the Amazon jungle.

Day 1 Rio
Upon arrival in Rio 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 Mountain, 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 - Iguazu (Brazilian falls)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for morning flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival, transfer to your 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 5 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 Iguassu 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 6 Iguazu - Ouro Preto
After breakfast, transfer to the 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 7 Ouro Preto
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. Ouro Preto is also a centre for semi-precious stones and jewellery, as well as home to rich regional cuisine.

Day 8 Sao João del Rei - Tiradentes
After breakfast we stop en route to Tiradentes at Sao João del Rei for a visit and lunch. Sao João was founded in 1703, when gold was discovered in the area. Significant religious architecture developed. Tiradentes was similarly the first settlement in the region after gold was found in 1702. A local dentist, aptly nicknamed Tiradentes (´teeth puller´), became a national martyr for promoting independence. The town of Tiradentes is a particularly charming village with colonial churches, cobblestone roads, outdoor cafes, surrounded by an impressive landscape of forest and hills.

Day 9 Congonhas - Manaus
On the return to Belo Horizonte for the flight to Manaus there is a stop at Congonhas for a look round and lunch. Congonhas contains important works from the Golden Age of Brazil. The main points of interest are Aleijadinho’s sculptural masterpieces of the twelve Prophets, carved in soapstone and his sculptural representation of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) in polychromatic woodwork. The set of life-sized sculptures is Brazil’s greatest artistic treasure. On arrival at Manaus, you are met and taken to the hotel.

Day 10 Manaus
A morning tour of Manaus and the Opera House. A 12 mile drive alongside the Negro River reaches the city center. 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 final destination, 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, passing by the `Meeting of Waters` where the darker waters of Rio Negro meet the lighter and muddier water of the Amazon (here known in Brazil as the Solimões River ). The separation of these waters persist for up to 4 kms.

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 11 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 12 Amazon - Manaus
Visit to Monkey Jungle, followed by boat trip back to Manaus airport for your flight back to Rio or any other region in Brazil (transfer out in the next destination is not included).