Tour Details
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Starts any day. January to December
13 days from $6695.00Arrive Manaus, BRAZIL
Welcome to Brazil! You are met upon arrival in Manaus, gateway to the Amazon. Upon arrival, you are transported into the Amazon, to spend the next three days in this amazing rainforest region. This unique ecosystem of lush woods, marshlands and rivers is filled with flamboyant endemic birds and wildlife.
The Amazon
Spend two days exploring this ecologically rich tropical area. Visit the Anavilhanas Archipelago on day hikes and nocturnal river safaris, getting close to hundreds of colorful, exotic birds such as Crimson Fruitcrow, Guianan Toucanet, Purple-breasted and Pompadour Cotingas. Small boat excursions to explore the dense and virgin rain forest may bring you face to face with alligators, howler monkeys, toucans, anaconda and many more unique native creatures.
Test your skills at catching the most feared fish in the world, the piranha, at Lago Aracari. Feed the pink Amazonian Dolphins from the side of your boat. Trekking into the wild provides a unique opportunity to capture creatures on film in their natural habitat. (B,L,D)
The Amazon to Manaus
Enjoy your last morning in the Amazon before you are transferred to Manaus.
Manaus, with almost two million people, is capital of the Amazonas state. It lies on the Negro River, 3½ miles from where the Negro meets the Solimoes River to form the Brazilian Amazon River. This morning, a tour of Manaus shows you this town built during the rubber boom of the 1900s. See São Sebastião Square, and the 19th century Palácio Rio Negro, built as a private residence of a German rubber baron, and now the official residence of the Governor. Visit the floating Harbor, built by the English in 1903, along with the Customs House, and the clock tower called “Little Big Ben.” Visit the lavish late 19th century Opera House, and wander through the art nouveau style Municipal Market. (B)
Manaus to Salvador
Today you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Salvador, birthplace of Brazilian culture. (B)
Salvador
Today enjoy a full day tour Salvador, starting with the Old Town (Pelourinho), a UNESCO Heritage Site, and the largest area of colonial architecture in South America. Ride on the scenic Lacerda Elevator, to get wonderful views of the lower city as well as Sao and Francisco Church.
In the afternoon, learn the cultural significance of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomble to Brazil. Visit several religious shrines, and a native Yorubá language primary school where students study the spiritual and medicinal properties of sacred plants, as well as more common academic subjects. (B)
Salvador
This morning, take a guided shopping trip through two of Salvador’s busiest markets. In the vast Fish Market, see a wide variety of seafood found in the tropical bay and the ocean. Explore the colorful São Joaquim Market, the largest open market in Bahia, selling a myriad of items from produce to spare appliance parts to sacred herbs and religious Candomblé artifacts. While at these two markets, your guide helps you shop for ingredients for your hands-on Bahian cuisine cooking class. In class, you discover the uses and flavors of some of the unique native ingredients, as well as some local cooking techniques. Your lunch today is the meal you’ve prepared in class.
Relax this afternoon, or perhaps explore more on your own. (B,L)
Salvador to Rio de Janeiro
This morning, board a flight to lively Rio de Janeiro. The city is spread along a 15-mile strip of land, nestled between the lush verdant mountains and the captivating blue ocean.
You are met on arrival, and escorted to your hotel on famous Ipanema Beach. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the pleasures of the beach. (B)
Rio de Janeiro
Today, enjoy touring this magnificent city, site of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Begin by boarding the cog-wheel train through the Tijuca Forest to the top of Corcovado Mountain. The ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity to have a close look at the tropical forest's lush vegetation and to enjoy scenic views of the beaches and the city of Rio. Disembark at the top of Corcovado, where you may climb the stairs or take the elevator and escalators to the very top of the mountain. Here you stand next to one of the Modern World Wonders - the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. Take in the divine views of the city.
Next, explore Lage Park, and the tropical botanical gardens. Then, drive up through Flamengo Park towards Sugar Loaf. Travel to the summit, by cable car, up to the top of its 1,200-foot altitude. The view overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro is one of the most spectacular vistas in the world. (B)
Rio de Janeiro
Your morning depart Rio for Petropolis, also known as The Imperial City of Brazil. Explore the town and visit the Imperial Museum, the former summer palace of Emperor Pedro II.
The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)
Rio de Janeiro to Iguaçu Falls
This morning, fly from Rio to Iguaçu Falls, where you are met and taken to your hotel, located inside the Brazilian national park.
Iguaçu comes from the Guarani Indian word iguassu, or "great waters" with good reason. Discovered in 1542, the magnificent falls lie on the border between Brazil and Argentina, just a few miles from Paraguay.
This afternoon, explore the Iguaçu Canyon and Macuco Falls. Start with a jeep excursion down a dirt road trail in the middle of the forest, leading to the small Macuco Falls. Arriving on the banks of the Iguaçu River, you board an outboard engine boat, and cruise upriver in the middle of the Iguaçu Canyon. This journey gives you an unforgettable perspective of the magnificent falls. (B)
Iguaçu Falls
Start the day with a walk to see the capacious Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian side. Staying inside the park, you have the advantage of exploring the park before it opens to the public. Enjoy the sweeping panoramic views before you are escorted to the park’s Argentine side, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where most of the falls are located.
After a stop at the Visitors' Center, continue along the Upper and Lower Circuits for more spectacular views. Be prepared for a fair amount of stair climbing on the trails, but the view is worth the effort. Lush tropical vegetation flourishes in this rainforest microclimate and parrots chatter overhead as you walk above and to the edges of the waterfalls.
Returning to the Brazilian side in the early afternoon, enjoy the rest of the day in this amazing setting. (B)
Depart Iguaçu
Say farewell to the falls this morning, before you are taken to the airport for your flight home or onto your next destination. (B)
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Manaus
Praised by the Charm Itinerary Association of Brazil for its low environmental impact and harmony with the local community, the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is certainly not just another resort. This boutique hotel offers 20 exclusive suites and is nestled amidst the surrounding forest. Guests can mingle and make friends from around the world in common areas such as the Lounge, hammock kiosk, or floating deck, or perhaps out on a dolphin-feeding adventure or sunrise contemplation. Rooms are equipped with box beds, silent air conditioning, hot showers, hair dryers, minibar and an inviting private balcony. Every room boasts a refined design with tasteful décor, portraying regional architecture with both harmony and care.
Tropical Manaus Ecoresort, Manaus
Tropical Manaus is a luxurious eco-resort located in Manaus, the gateway to the impressive Amazon rainforest. The hotel offers seven different room sizes to accommodate any size group of travelers and even has a Recreation Team to delight guests with a host of activities. With the incredible rainforest surroundings on the banks of the Rio Negro, chances are that guests will spoil themselves in the majestic environment that the Tropical Manaus Ecoresort calls home.
Villa Bahia, Salvador
Villa Bahia goes beyond Salvador's later and immediate Baroque references, giving it a unique charismatic style. The inviting aroma of its freshly roasted and ground Arabic coffee, soulful environment and accommodating staff, are responsible for Villa Bahia's unique vibe. Its privileged location offers classic rooftop and church steeple views and the convenience of being walking distance from important historic sites and entertainment venues.
Hotel Fasano, Rio de Janeiro
In the heart of Ipanema beach lays the indulgent Hotel Fasano. Reflecting the Bossa Nova era of the 50s and 60s, this glamorous hotel maintains a commitment to excellence while offering the very latest in-room technology. All 79 rooms and 10 suites have balconies, feature sumptuous hardwood floors, along with Starcks Dali-esque ear-shaped mirrors, and elegant Sergio Rodrigues chairs. King size beds with 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and white goose down pillows are strategically positioned in oceanfront rooms so that they are always facing the horizon and an ocean view, while the marble bathrooms boast high-pressure showers and complimentary Ipanema flip-flops.
Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Iguaçú Falls
The only hotel located inside this Brazilian National Park, Hotel das Cataratas is situated at the center of the Iguaçu National Park. Nestled inside a lush tropical environment, alongside the famous Iguaçu Falls, sits this charming 193-guestoom Portuguese-colonial style hotel. On the hotel grounds you will find a swimming pool, full-service spa, tennis courts and game room. Other hotel facilities include a boutique, ATM, guest laundry, reading room, and a business center with complimentary internet access. The hotel has two restaurants, the Ipe Bar & Grill adjacent to the pool, and the Restaurant Itaipu, which features a lovely veranda for al fresco dining. Both restaurants serve international cuisine and local dishes.