BRAZIL WONDERS
Rio de Janeiro, Manaus and Iguassu Falls – 12 days / 11 nights
Activities
Day 1 – Rio de Janeiro.
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Day 2 – Rio de Janeiro. (B, L)
After breakfast, in previous scheduled time, we will leave the hotel to visit Rio’s most famous landmarks and natural beauties. After a scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, you will arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado Hill and continue the tour on a comfortable train which will climb the mountain until the famous Christ the Redeemer (2.300ft above sea level). There is mechanized access with panoramic elevators and escalators that take us to the foot of the statute. There, you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why the city is called the “Marvelous City”. We make our way down on the same route and towards another world famous landmark, the Sugar Loaf, named because its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. The tour is done in two steps by glass cable-cars. The first cable-car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay its islands. From Urca Hill, passengers continue in a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, the Corcovado and downtown Rio. It´s included lunch in a typical Barbecue Restaurant "churrascaria". Back to hotel and accommodation.
Day 3 – Rio de Janeiro / Manaus. (B, D)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Manaus. Arrival and transfer to the Lodge. Reception with local juice after which guests will be shown to their rooms. Later, visit to the Monkey Jungle. Dinner and evening tour by canoe for Alligator Spotting. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 4 – Manaus. (B, L, D)
In the morning, hike around the area to explore its natural beauties. Regional lunch and, after a short rest, visit to the home of local Amazonian residents (“caboclos”) with opportunity for piranha fishing. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 5 – Manaus. (B, L, D)
Full day tour to the Meeting of the Waters with lunch included. Following optional canoe ride with an opportunity for Piranha Fishing. Arrival at the lodge at 17h30. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 6 – Manaus / Iguassu Falls. (B)
Free morning to enjoy the natural pools of the region. In scheduled time, transfer out to the airport. Arrival in Foz do Iguaçu, famous for the Iguassu Falls. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Day 7 – Iguaçu Falls. (B)
Today we will visit the Iguaçu National Park, where we drive through the lush, subtropical vegetation of the park en route to the falls. Stroll the trail descending the canyon that offers a panoramic view of the more than 240 falls. Take the glass elevator up the cliff face for an exquisite view from the upper deck. The Iguassu National Park, along with its “sister” park in Argentina, form the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone of South America which along with the waterfalls have been declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. Enjoy the famous Macuco Safari, which begins within the National Park on the Brazilian side, where visitors take seats in an open wagon driven through the forest where they can observe birds, animals and exotic vegetation all while accompanied by a specialized guide. At the end of the2 kmride we continue on foot to the margin of the Iguassu River to take a specially prepared motor boat for an exciting and unforgettable trip. Passengers are taken as close as possible to the water falls, where they can hear the thunderous roar of the walls of water, and get wet from the mist of the falls. Accommodation.
Day 8 – Iguassu Falls. (B, D)
Today we will visit the Itaipu Dam, located around 16 km of Foz do Iguaçu downtown. The visit begins at the visitation center, where a documentary flick on the saga of the biggest hydroelectric dam in the whole world is displayed. After this documentary, the trip is done by a bus, lasting one hour, by the external part of the dam and with a stopover right in front of the spillway and another over the upper part of the dam. In the evening, Dinner Show. After the meal, guests will be treated to a typical musical performance that mixes Broadway with traditional folklore of the region. This theatrical performance showcases various traditional folkoric dances of Argentina (tango, bloeaderas, malambo, milonga), Brazil (samba, chorinho, bossa nova), and Paraguay (harpa, botellas, guaranias).
Day 9 – Iguassu Falls / Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Transfer out to the airport. Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel chosen. Accommodation.
Day 10 – Rio de Janeiro. (B, L)
Transfer from your hotel in Rio to Angra dos Reis Pier (around 02 hours of travel). When you arrive in the picturesque town on the water, featuring architecture from the 1500s, board the schooner and set sail. Find a spot on the boat to relax and watch the idyllic tropical scenery glide by, including Angra dos Reis' almost 300 scattered islands. During your cruise, make several stops where you can choose to swim, snorkel, or stay on the boat. Stop at the Ilha Cataguases (Cataguases Island), a gorgeous spot with white sand beaches and clear, blue-green water perfect for water activities. Continue sailing to Lagoa Azul (the Blue Lagoon), Praia de Freguesia de Santana (Freguesia de Santana Beach) on Ilha Grande and the pier on Piedade Island. During the day of exploring, enjoy a buffet lunch of steak, fish, chicken, rice and beans onboard your schooner. After the around Angra dos Reis is finished, return to land and board your vehicle for transportation back to Rio and drop-off at your hotel. Accommodation.
Day 11 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Free day. Enjoy your day in one of the most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema, immortalised in a popular song called “The Girl From Ipanema”. The area is also known for its excellent hotel options, bustling nighlife and good restaurants. Accommodation.
Day 12 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Transfer out to Rio de Janeiro Airport. Have a safe journey home!