iExplore Highlights of Brazil

Tour Description

Brazil is South America's biggest and most influential country and takes up almost half the continent. It is one of the world's economic giants and is revered for its football prowess, coffee production and distinctive music such as samba and bossa nova. Two-thirds of Brazil's population lives near the coast, meaning that life is a beach for locals and tourists alike. People are the essence of the country, and while Brazil is home to a multitude of ethnic groups of varying economic status, there are some characteristics that everyone shares - energy and passion.

Brazilians enjoy a good party whatever the circumstances. Rio is the hottest of destinations, particularly around Carnival time. Dancers gyrate, the music beats and the summer temperature rises. Almost anything goes. Bodies of all ages, colors and sizes don the very minimum in beachwear and idle away the days on the sun-kissed Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.

Brazil's landscape is as diverse as the people who inhabit it. Few tourists venture far from Brazil's spectacular beaches but a trip into the interior reveals a different Brazil, one with a great deal to offer the visitor. As well as the world's biggest rainforest in the Amazon, Brazil boasts many wilderness areas including the wildlife-rich wetlands of the Pantanal, the canyons and caves of the Chapada Diamantina, and the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic forest), which runs for much of the length of Brazil's coastline.

The population of Brazil is a big melting pot of races, including indigenous people, descendants of slaves from Africa and the offspring of European immigrants. This variety is reflected in the food, architecture, music and culture of Brazil. It is this massive assortment of places, people and traditions that makes Brazil such an interesting country to visit

Itinerary

Day 01-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! After you clear Customs and Immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. (Private)

Rio - sensuous, chaotic, sophisticated, open and friendly - is one of South America's gems. The Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City,) as Brazilians call it, displays a unique blend of contrasts: old and new, tremendous wealth amid crushing poverty, an urban metropolis nestled around mountains and a huge forest. And all of this is symbolically embraced in the outstretched arms of Cristo Redentor, the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain.

Hotel Astoria Palace. A Delightfully New Rio de Janeiro Beachfront Hotel set along the Copacabana Beach. Enjoy the timeless lure of the oceanfront - from a truly world-famous beach address - at the Hotel Astoria Palace. Recently opened in the heart of Copacabana, this contemporary-style Rio de Janeiro beachfront hotel offers a thoroughly relaxing, sun-soaked environment. Explore the distinguishing features of this friendly Rio de Janeiro oceanfront hotel - from the warmth of the lobby and elegantly appointed guest rooms, to the signature rooftop pool with waterfalls.

This afternoon you will be picked up at your hotel for a half-day excursion to Corcovado.

Please note: this is a shared sightseeing trip and you will be picked up at your hotel between 2pm and 3pm.

Drive through residential areas to Cosme Velho to board the funicular railway for a 20-minute climb through Tijuca Forest. As the train climbs Corcovado (hunchback) Mountain, enjoy spectacular views of Rio and the Bay peeking through the dense vegetation. At the top of Corcovado, 2400 feet above sea level, is the majestic, 120-foot high statue of Christ with outstretched arms. The panoramic view is breathtaking.

Descend by train again and return to the hotel via Rio's famous beaches.

Hotel Astoria Palace

Day 02 -Rio de Janeiro

Today after breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up at your hotel for a half-day tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain

Please note: this is a shared sightseeing tour and you will be picked up at your hotel between 8am and 9am.

Drive through the residential areas of Rio to reach the downtown historical center and business district. From the privileged viewpoint of your vehicle you will see the contrast between broad avenues with narrow pedestrian malls and modern skyscrapers with elegant colonial structures. You will pass by the Candelaria Church and "Cinelandia", a cultural center where the Municipal Theater, the Fine Arts Museum and the National Library are located.

Then, proceed to the Urca District, where a cable car ascent is made in two stages to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. The first stage of the ride goes to Urca Hill, where there are gardens and lookout points; for those who wish to venture even higher, the second cable car goes to the very top of Sugar Loaf itself- 1200 feet above sea level- for breathtaking views of sunset, the city, beaches and harbor.

After descending, return to the vehicle and drive back to the hotels.

Tonight you will be picked up at the hotel and taken for a barbeque dinner at a churrascaria- a Brazilian steakhouse. (Dessert and drinks are not included). After dinner continue to Plataforma Nightclub for an exciting samba and folklore show. If you have never experienced Carnival in Rio, this show will offer a glimpse of what the excitement is all about. The hypnotic sounds, along with the lavish, feathered and sequined gowns, are the very essence of a samba show. During the approximate 1-½ hour performance, feel the exuberance of Brazilian joie de vivre. Return to the hotel shortly after midnight.

Please note: this is a shared tour and not private. You will be picked up at your hotel between 7pm and 8pm.

Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel Astoria Palace

Day 03 -Rio de Janeiro

Today after breakfast you will be met at your hotel for a full day tour to Petropolis.

Please note: this is a shared excursion and not private. You will be picked up at your hotel between 10am and 11am.

A trip to the Imperial town of Petropolis offers a nice respite from hectic Rio. It involves a 40-minute drive north into the Organ Mountains. The road winding through the dramatic scenery, with forested slopes and mountains shrouded in clouds, is in itself a dramatic experience.

When you arrive in Petropolis, enjoy an introduction to this pretty resort town, with its mansions and alpine chalets and visit the neo-Gothic Cathedral Sao Pedro de Alcantara. Inside are the tombs of Dom Pedro, the Princess Regent Dona Isabel and several other royal personages. Also visit the Imperial Museum, which is housed in a former royal residence and stands in beautifully maintained gardens. The exhibits are on two levels and include a fascinating collection of the royal family's odds & ends.

There will be time for lunch (not included) during the tour.

In the late afternoon, rejoin your vehicle for the drive back to Rio and your hotel.

Note: Tour is available only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Breakfast

Hotel Astoria Palace

Day 04 -Rio de Janeiro- Iguassu Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight (not included) to Iguassu Falls. You will be met outside baggage claim and transferred to your hotel.

Located in downtown Foz do Iguassu, the Mercosul Capital, Continental Inn is the right option for those who look for sophistication, comfort and excellent hotel services. The Continental Inn offers an innovative hotel complex where all the details are carefully thought out to fulfill the needs of the most demanding guests. Continental Inn offers the best facilities and services to its guests. All details were planned to guarantee a high quality standard. In addition to the different entertainment options available at the three-nation frontier such as shopping, tours, casinos, shows and nightclubs, Continental Inn offers its guests a swimming pool, a coffee shop, a fitness center, a game room and two sophisticated bars.

The name Iguaçu (Iguazú or Iguassu) means "Great Waters" in Guarani, which hardly seems to do this natural masterpiece justice. Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, this wonder combines 275 falls in a massive, magnificent cascade stretching for nearly 1.7 miles. Situated on the border between Argentina and Brazil, its waters pass over luscious sub-tropical greenery.

This afternoon enjoy a private tour of the falls from the peaceful Brazilian side. Set back from the falls themselves, it offers a panoramic view of the immense gulf and its seemingly endless series of cascades. Once at the falls, the tour takes you over an easy walking path of approx. 1.200 meters. Take the trail through the subtropical rainforest that surrounds the falls within Iguassu National Park, as toucans and cobalt blue butterflies sail overhead and a sleek coatimundi may cross your path.

Breakfast

Continental Inn Hotel

Day 05- Iguassu- Salvador

The Argentine side of the falls is your destination today.

Please note this is a shared tour and not private. You will be picked up at your hotel at 8am.

Arriving at the Iguazú National Park, board an ecological train shuttle to the Cataratas Station where you will disembark to walk through paths that lead along and above the spectacular Falls. Beautiful flowers, ferns, tropical plants, butterflies and exotic birds add to the exciting experience of close contact with nature. You will then board another train shuttle to "Devil's Throat" station," where you can walk onto a catwalk that extends 1100 meters over the lush tropical basin of Devil's Gorge.

After the tour, enjoy a buffet/barbeque lunch at Botega Restaurant (or similar) located on the Brazilian side of the Park. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight (not included) to Salvador via Manaus. You are met outside baggage claim and transferred to the hotel.

The Vila Galé Salvador Hotel is located right on Praia de Ondina, in São Salvador da Bahia, North-eastern Brazil. Enjoy your stay at a 4-star hotel in Salvador that is one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole of São Salvador. You'll find all the services you need to have a great time during your holiday in Bahia

This striking city, Brazil's former colonial capital, lies on the beautiful Bay of All Saints (Bahia de Todos os Santos), the second largest bay in the country. A strong African influence derives from the slaves brought to work in the sugarcane fields more than 400 years ago.

Breakfast, Lunch

Vila Gale Hotel

Day 06 -Salvador

Today after breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up for a half-day city tour.

Please note: this is a shared excursion and not private. The pick up time at your hotel will be informed upon your arrival in Salvador.

This morning head towards the Cidade Alta (uptown.) On the way stop at the Farol da Barra (Barra Lighthouse) for a panoramic view of the entrance to Baía de Todos os Santos (All Saints Bay.) Continue along the Vitoria Corridor for a look at some imposingly large houses. Arrive in the historical section - the Pelourinho. From a lookout you can observe the lower city and port, the Mercado Modelo and the Lacerda Elevator, connecting the 2 parts of the city. From this point, the rest of the visit is on foot. Crossing Terreiro de Jesus square, visit the Church of Saint Francis (1713), considered to be the best example of Portuguese baroque style and the most magnificent in Brazil. Return to your hotel where the afternoon is at your leisure.

This evening, dinner enjoy Bahia by night: dinner in a local restaurant followed by a folk show.

Please note: this is a shared excursion and not private. Pick up for the tour begins at 7pm.

Depart your hotel in the early evening for a typical dinner or barbeque and Bahian Folk Show with an introduction to the Orixás, the principal divinities of Candomblé. Through the dances and chanting you can recognize the Yorubá Gods by their colorful costumes. The show continues with the songs of the fishermen and the maculelê, a warrior dance that came from Africa. Most of the show is devoted to a demonstration of capoeira, a fighting style introduced to Brazil by the African slaves as a means of defense. The "capoeira" is a kind of fight combined with acrobatic dance, whose rhythm is given by the "berimbau", a stringed musical instrument with an incomparable sound.

After the show, return to the hotel.

Breakfast, Dinner

Vila Gale Hotel

Day 07 -Salvador

After breakfast this morning, depart for a full-day Praia do Forte tour (Forte Beach).

Please note: this is a shared excursion and not private. You will be picked up at your hotel approximately 8am. Lunch and the Tamar Project entrance fee are not included.

This morning depart along the Estrada do Côco ("Coconut Highway.") towards Praia do Forte. This region of the Northern coast of Bahia is considered to be the country's principal area for coconut trees. En route, stop for a swim at Praia de Guarajuba. Return to the road and arrive at the fishermen's village of Praia do Forte. Optional: Visit the Tamar Project - the preservation center for marine turtles. With its 12km of beaches, this village is the ideal place for a sea swim in natural pools. Entrance fee not included. During the tour you will have some free time to enjoy lunch (not included) as well as time to explore the village and beaches.

By mid-afternoon you will return to Salvador and the hotel.

Breakfast

Vila Gale Hotel- Ocean

Day 08 -Day of Departure

Transfer to the Salvador airport for flight (not included) to Rio de Janeiro International Airport and onward connecting flights.

Breakfast

Departures

Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.

Pricing Information

2011 Prices: Valid January1 to June 30

$1,889 per person double occupancy.

$1,799 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$3,079 Solo traveler.

*Prices are not valid over New Year's, Carnival and other special holidays. Please contact iExplore for an exact quote over these periods.

Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of November, 2010. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.

Inclusions

Airport meet & assist on arrival

Land transfers in private deluxe air-conditioned vehicles

Hotel accommodations as indicated.

Meals as indicated (venues are subject to change)

Sightseeing as indicated on a SIB (seat in bus) basis

Entrance fees to sights and shows as indicated

Taxes and service fees

Exclusions

International airfare and airport taxes

Domestic flights and taxes: Rio de Janeiro-Iguassu Falls-Manaus-Salvador-Rio de Janeiro

Meals, unless otherwise indicated

Water and soft drinks

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities and porterage

Travel insurance

Holiday surcharges

Visas (if required)

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Options and Extras

Tour Notes