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Rio is the most beautiful city in the world,
where life is colourful, exciting and moves with a frantic beat.
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
This morning's tour will take you up Corcovado
Mountain to the imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer which overlooks
Guanabara Bay. The mountain is reached by a spectacular funicular
railway. Rejoining your coach, you pass through the Botanical
Gardens and beaches of Copacabana, Leblon and Ipanema, prior to
returning to your hotel. Afternoon free. (B)
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
Transfer for onward travel. (B)
BUZIOS
The fishing village of Buzios has been transformed
over the years into a beautiful seaside resort situated some four
hours north of Rio. It is here you will find many small pousadas
(farms) to stay at.
4 days / 3 nights
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro - Buzios
Today you will be transferred by car to Buzios
and your hotel.
Day 2 and 3: Buzios
At leisure to explore this quaint village
or simply enjoy the sun. (B)
Day 4: Buzios-Rio de Janeiro
Time at leisure prior to your return to Rio
de Janeiro by road. (B)
PARATY
Paraty is considered one of Brazil's most
beautiful and historic port cities. Gold and precious stones were
transhipped from here to Europe in Colonial times.
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro-Paraty
This morning you will travel south by coach
along the Brazilian Riviera to the charming colonial town of Paraty.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The
afternoon is free to explore this cobble stoned colonial treasure
chest, which has been set aside by the Brazilian National Trust
as one of Brazil's heritage cities.
Day 2: Paraty
Full day cruise to the neighbouring islands
for a different relaxing view. (B)
Day 3: Paraty-Rio de Janeiro
Morning at leisure prior to returning to Rio
de Janeiro by road. (B)
BELO HORIZONTE - OURO PRETO
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Belo Horizonte
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel.
Day 2: Ouro Preto
Your full day tour starts with a two hour
drive to Ouro Preto, the most important historical centre in Brazil.
Declared a national monument in 1933 its style has been preserved
since the 1700s, and its churches, bridges, palaces and museums
reflect the immense wealth of the gold rush period between 1669
and 1725. It was the birthplace of Antonio Francisco Lisboa, the
little crippled architect whose works of sculpture are the finest
in Brazil. Here you will visit the Church of Sao Francisco de
Assis, the Museum and School of Mines and other important places
prior to returning to Belo Horizonte. (B,L)
Day 3: Belo Horizonte
Transfer for onward travel. (B)
SALVADOR (BAHIA)
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Salvador
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel. Remainder of the day is ree to explore this enchanting
city of Salvador, founded by the Portuguese in 1549.
Day 2: Salvador
Today's tour of historical Salvador (capital
of Bahia State), the first city founded in Brazil and the birthplace
of the Samba, will show you the city's fascinating blend of Indian,
Portuguese and African cultures. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Salvador
Transfer for onward travel.
BRASILIA
2 days / 1 night
Day 1: Brasilia
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel. This afternoon your tour of this futuristic city
includes the Palacio da Alvorada (President's residence), Congress
Buildings, Cathedral, residential and commercial areas.
Day 2: Brasilia
Transfer for onward travel. (B)
RECIFE
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Recife
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel.
Day 2: Recife
This morning your tour of Recife (the Brazilian
Venice, because of its many canals) will include all the major
points of interest and the nearby historic city of Navalinda,
now protected by UNESCO. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Recife
Transfer for onward travel. (B)
MANAUS (AMAZONAS)
Manaus is unexpected, unusual and unforgettable.
Situated some 1925 kms from the Atlantic, on the junction of the
Rio Negro and the Amazon, Manaus was the most important city on
the Amazon when it exploded with the rubber boom some 60 years
ago. Vast fortunes were made and spent in this slightly eccentric
city. From its opulent Opera House and mansions, to its museums
and markets, Manaus will fascinate you.
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Manaus
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel.
Day 2: Manaus
Full day excursion by boat to see the "Meeting
of the Waters". This six hour cruise includes a briefing
on the Amazon, and a visit by dugout canoe to the heart of the
jungle, where you will see the famous "Victoria Regias"
(Amazonian water lilies), and if lucky, a pink Amazonian dolphin,
prior to returning to Manaus. (B,L)
Day 3: Manaus
Transfer for onward travel. (B)
AMAZON VILLAGE
The Amazon Village is located 100 kms from
Manaus on the banks of one of the numerous tributaries of the
Amazon. You will find functionally designed wooden bungalows overlooking
the jungle where two rooms share private facilities, with a central
reception, dining and leisure area.
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Manaus - Amazon Village
Early morning transfer to the docks for your
river boat trip to the Amazon Village. Afternoon tour of the area.
Evening caiman spotting. (D)
Day 2: Amazon Village
After breakfast take a trip through the awesome
jungle to observe an enormous variety of birds, mammals and luxurious
foliage. Afternoon fishing excursion by canoe to the small nearby
lakes and streams. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Amazon Village - Manaus
Early morning sunrise followed by breakfast.
Morning at leisure in the village prior to returning to Manaus
and your hotel or airport. (B,L)
ARIAU JUNGLE TOWER
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Manaus-Ariau
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to the port where a river boat will take you to your lodge. The
Ariau Jungle Tower is located in an ecological area in the middle
of the jungle about 56km from Manaus on the Rio Negro and Ariau
Creek. Close by are the Anavilhanas Islands, joining the world's
largest river archipelago. Constructed with regional hardwood
in rustic architecture, and built on stilts, the hotel is comfortable
and includes a bar, restaurant, lobby and wooden bridges for strolling.
(L,D)
Day 2: Ariau
After breakfast, enjoy a jungle trek. In the
afternoon travel by motorized canoe for a reconnaissance tour
and some piranha fishing. After dinner, caiman spotting. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Ariau-Manaus
Early morning sunrise tour before breakfast.
Morning at leisure for optional activities. Afternoon return to
Manaus and visit the Opera House, prior to transfer for onward
travel. (B,L)
PANTANAL
The Pantanal is one of the last virgin areas
on the face of this earth. A huge low land plain, the Pantanal
is entirely overgrown by luxurious vegetation dotted by thousands
of rainbow coloured flowers which bloom during the rainy season
(January to June). It shelters innumerable rivers and crystal
clear lakes. Along their shores are rare species of animals such
as jaguar, peccaries, bob-cats, wild boars, not to mention flocks
of ducks, grey teals, pigeons, partridge and herons, who live
in total undisturbed freedom protected by the laws which govern
this National Park. The greater Pantanal covers an area of roughly
240,000sq kms and borders on Bolivia and Paraguay. Although the
literal meaning of the word Pantanal is marshland, this interpretation
is misleading in as much as only 2% of the surface is perennially
submerged, although most of its plain's lands are flooded every
year. The cycle of waters is the Pantanal's secret to its extraordinary
wildlife and enchantment. The wet (flood) season fills the river
beds, forming great lagoons and thereby unleashing a flurry of
life among microorganisms, fish, birds, reptiles and mammals.
It is the yearly rebirth of a fantastic ecosystem.
PANTANAL ADVENTURES
CUIABA
4 days / 3 nights
Day 1: Cuiaba
Upon arrival at Cuiaba, you will be met and
transferred to your hotel, Cabanas de Pantanal, located at the
edge of the Cuiaba River and approximately two hours by bus then
30 minutes by boat away. (D)
Day 2: Cuiaba
After breakfast take a boat excursion to see
the great variety of birds and the incomparable natural scenery.
Afternoon at leisure. Evening canoe ride to spot caiman. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Cuiaba
Morning at leisure with an afternoon excursion
by boat to explore the surrounding areas with the opportunity
to observe more wildlife prior to returning to camp. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Cuiaba
Early morning transfer for onward travel.
(B)
POUSADA CAIMAN
4 days / 3 nights (Wed-Sat)
or
5 days / 4 nights (Sat-Wed)
The Pousada Caiman is one of the Pantanal's
greater cattle ranches, with its 35,000 hectares of often submerged
low lands and forests along the Aquidauana River. It is the perfect
representative of the exuberance of the Mato Grosso do Sul Pantanal,
a true ecological adventure with countless species of animals,
including innumerable kinds of birds, allowing a thorough insight
into this wildlife sanctuary and its environment. The old ranch
has been entirely remodelled, now featuring ten comfortable air-
conditioned rooms and a complete hotel infrastructure for the
visitor including swimming pool, conference room for environmental
education, telephone, etc. You can enjoy the added attraction
of staying at an authentic Pantanal farm, thus participating in
its day to day life. The Pousada Caiman also offers several other
activities which enable the tourist to watch the Pantanal's flora
and fauna by taking any of the following options:
- Trekking around the lodge to observe animals
and vegetation. At night you can observe caiman and other animals.
- Horse riding enables you to enter deeper
into the farm and have a better knowledge of the Pantanal. It
is common to see cattle and wild animals living together in
perfect harmony.
- Riding in open cars to more distant places
where a bigger variety of animals, and sometimes thousands of
birds, can be observed. Here one can also notice the peculiarities
and contrasts of the vegetation in this region.
- Boat ride to the Aquidauana River for vegetation
and bird watching.
- Canoe rides on the bay near the lodge,
where you can observe all the natural beauty of the area, including
animals and birds, in quiet tranquillity.
- Lectures, slides and video projections.
A specific program for your stay is given
on arrival at the lodge. Two excursions are planned each day (weather
variations determine which excursions can be done in each season).
All meals are included as well as transfers by minibus between
Campo Grande and Pousada Caiman.
JEEP SAFARI PROGRAM
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1: Cuiaba - Pantanal
Reception at Cuiaba Airport. After a briefing
depart via Pocone and continue along dirt roads and the Trans
Pantaneira to your jungle lodge. Time for bird and wildlife spotting
enroute. (D)
Day 2: Pantanal
This morning continue bird watching on your
photographic safari tour. Enjoy lunch at a regional lodge. Afternoon
canoe tour to spot aquatic life birds, flora and the possibility
of piranha fishing. Overnight at a typical piranha Pantanal farm.
(B,L,D)
Day 3: Pantanal - Chapada dos Gumaraes Tablelands
Hike through a Pantanal sunrise early this
morning. After breakfast, jeep or canoe tour for further wildlife
watching prior to returning to your lodge for lunch then departure
to the Chapada dos Guimaraes Tableland. Overnight at the Tableland
Inn. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Chapada dos Gumaraes - Cuiaba
After breakfast you will have an ecosystem
discovery tour to observe typical tableland flora, spotting birds
and wildlife. A visit to the Gumaraes Tablelands's main site:
Portao do Inferno, the 60 meters Veiu de Noiva Waterfalls and
Salgadeiras. Afternoon return to Cuiaba for onward travel. (B,L)
IGUASSU (IGUAZU) FALLS (BRAZILIAN SIDE)
2 days / 1 night
Day 1: Iguassu Falls
On arrival you will be met and transferred
to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to take a walking tour of
the Falls in front of your hotel, which is located right at the
Falls and allows you direct access to the walkways and helicopter
rides.
Day 2: Iguassu Falls
Transfer for onward travel. (B)
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