Visit Brazil in style with this top of the line private itinerary. You will tour the magnificent Iguazu Falls, take a helicopter tour over Iguazu National Park, stay in fabled Rio de Janeiro, attend a Samba show, pay a visit to a mysterious 300-hundred year old sorority, sample the exquisite cuisine of the Brazilian Northeast, and stroll around colonial districts lined up by pastel colored facades. To top it off, explore the mighty Amazon aboard a brand new first class vessel.
PROGRAM DAY-BY-DAY
DAY
DESCRIPTION
1
Arrive Iguazu Falls
After collecting your luggage, proceed to the reception area, where our local representative will be holding a board with your name on it. You will be greeted with a “Bemvindos a Iguazu” and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the Iguazu National Park. The hotel Tropical Cataratas is one of the Iguazu’s landmarks and its location is unbeatable as it sits in front of the famous falls. After checking in, our guide will escort you on a walking tour along walkways and observation points that offer prime views of the 275 falls from different angles. The inquisitive coatimundis, another attraction of the park, will tag along for most of the tour. The rest of the day is free to take a stroll in the park, put your camera to work or relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.
More falls, even from the air
This morning, cross the border over to Puerto Iguazu to enjoy a tour of the falls from the Argentinean side. This is a very comprehensive tour that renders different views of the falls: First head for the lower path where you will experience the closest contact with the falls. Then board small motorboats and cross the river up to San Martin Island. Finally walk through the upper path that stretches along the highest part of the falls until reaching the belvedere at the famous Devil's Throat. The tour tops off with a short but thrilling helicopter flight over the falls and national park, which will allow you to understand where all that water is coming from. (B)
Welcome to the Marvelous City
Rio de Janeiro, the city that never sleeps, the traditional hangout of the rich and famous, is wedged among famous hills, blessed with miles of world-renown beaches, and surrounded by tropical forests and lagoons. The rest of the day is free to go shopping or enjoy a long walk on the beach. Rio has a pulsing nightlife. Check with the concierge for dinner venues and night entertainment. (B)
Touring Rio
This morning, catch a first glimpse of the city as we tour one of Rio's best-known landmarks: The Sugar Loaf Mountain, a favorite on Rio's postcards. Our guide will meet you at your hotel for a drive along Rio’s famous beaches followed by a tour to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain on the cable car, a great opportunity to take in prime views of Rio’s bay. Then we stop for a fabulous seafood lunch before continuing to Rio’s most famous landmark: The Statue of Christ the Redeemer located atop Corcovado Mountain. Free evening. (B,L)
The day is up to you. Tonight, Samba of course
There is so much to do in Rio that we rather have you make your plans for today. You may catch some rays on one of the world-renowned beaches and lunch on fresh seafood, visit the colonial city of Petropolis, join an excursion to Rio’s tropical islands by schooner or even see Rio from the air on an exciting helicopter tour. This evening get ready for traditional Brazilian fanfare as we dine on succulent Brazilian barbecue and later attend a fiery Samba show. (B,D)
Shifting to Salvador da Bahia
This morning our guide takes us to the airport for our flight to the city of Salvador, in the heart of the Brazilian Northwest. The first capital of Brazil was founded by Portuguese adventurers in 1551. During its colonial heyday, Salvador became an enormously wealthy city due to the riches generated by the cultivation of sugarcane and cacao. The legacy of this period can nowadays be appreciated not only in buildings and monuments but also in the cultural heritage left by the African slaves who were brought to work the plantations. This afternoon we join our local guide for a walking tour through the Pelourinho area. We stroll along historic alleys and bustling streets lined with buildings in pastel shades and grandiose churches of an age gone. The district becomes alive in the late evening when street vendors start cooking typical dishes, impregnating the air with the intoxicating smell of palm oil and coconut milk. On open terraces, regular patrons and tourists rub elbows around caipirinhas while impromptu dancers sway hips to the elating rhythm of Brazilian music. This is the spirit of the Northeast, the Land of Happiness. (B)
Cachoeira: Markets, cigar rolling and the Good Death Sisterhood
Leave the city behind and drive through the oldest farmland in Brazil. This is the land of sugarcane and tobacco plantations, peaceful colonial towns and busy country markets. You will arrive in Cachoeira right before lunch after a short stop en route to visit an experimental cacao plantation. Cachoeira is a charming colonial town in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Paraguassu River. After a typical lunch, we stroll about visiting ateliers, the bustling market and finally the mysterious Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority that traces its origins back to the time of slavery. This tour provides a fantastic glimpse into the Brazil of yesteryear, the Brazil few tourists get to experience. (B,L)
Plenty of free time and a very special night
Day at leisure to enjoy the beach, do some shopping, interact with the local artists or take a full day schooner tour around the bay. At night we will pick you up and take you for a very special farewell dinner and show. We will attend a fabulous show by the Bahian National Dance Ensemble. The show is performed at the Santana Theater in the heart of Pelourinho and is a showcase of the different African traditions, cultural myths, music and dances that are still so alive in Bahia. You will witness the religious dances of the Candomblé, the Maculelé (a stick and sword dance from the cane fields), the Capoeira (a martial art and dance of Angolan origin), and the Caboclo (a hunting dance). Then cross the street and enjoy a succulent traditional Bahian dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in town. (B,D)
Arrive in the mighty Amazon
We leave the land of happiness and head off for the legendary Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon and the former hub of the once booming rubber trade industry. Upon arrival we will be transferred to the docks where we will board the brand new Iberostar Grand Amazon. Captain's welcome drink and introduction of the crew, director and officials at the Ballroom Lua, followed by a safety drill. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at the Restaurant Kuarup followed by live music (B,D)
10
Sailing to Anavilhanas Archipelago
The day starts with breakfast followed by an introductory lecture on Amazon's botany and fauna. Then prepare for a motorboat excursion through the famous Anavilhanas Archipelago, the largest in the world. Return to the ship and departure to Praia Grande, where we will enjoy the fluvial beach and swimming on the river. Late afternoon optional trekking. Returning to the ship in the evening, we will be treated to a sunset cocktail while we attend a lecture on caimans and are briefed on instructions for our evening excursion. At around 7:30 we will board our motorboats and depart on a fascinating excursion for caiman spotting. Back on the ship enjoy dinner at the Kuarup restaurant followed by a light party and open bar on the top deck. (B,L,D)
11
Cauixi Lake
Morning lecture on the local fauna followed by a motorboat excursion and bird watching. Optional jungle hike before returning to the ship. In the afternoon we will enjoy a lecture on Amazon's fish, which will prepare us for our piranha fishing and photo safari expedition. Return to the boat and departure for Manaus. Dinner at the Kuarup Restaurant followed by live music at the Lua Ballroom. (B,L,D)
12
Depart Manaos
On our last morning in the Amazon, we will be able to witness the incredible Meeting of the Waters phenomenon while we have breakfast on our top deck. Upon arrival in Manaos, our local crew will be waiting to transfer you to the airport in time for your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back home and hope to enjoy your company in another exciting adventure very soon. (B)
PRICES FROM
From: $2350 per person in double occupancy
SPECIALS
May & June Special : Book any 2011 departure and receive a $75 per person discount!
FACTS
Departure: Wednesdays year round
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Type of services: Private services throughout except during the cruise where excursions are conducted in small groups.
Highlights: The thunderous Iguazu Falls; a helicopter tour of the falls; Rio, the Marvelous City; a fiery samba show; the colonial Pelourinho District in Salvador; the colonial town of Cachoeira; a cruise in the Amazon.
Travel documents: American citizens need a tourist visa to enter Brazil. Please check with your closest Brazilian consulate or the Brazilian embassy in Washington DC for further information.
Inclusions: All ground transportation at the destination; lodging, meals and tours per itinerary; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.
Not included: International and domestic airfares; airport departure taxes; tips of any kind; incidentals at hotels; any meals not included in the itinerary; alcoholic beverages; souvenirs.
VISA INFORMATION
It is the travelers responsibility to have all proper travel documents which can include passports and foreign visas. Learn more here: Passport & Visa Information
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is highly recommended to protect your travel investment and for any emergencies that could occur while traveling. Learn more here: Travel Insurance
IMPORTANT NOTES
All rates are “From Prices”
and correspond to the lowest season in the year.
Expect moderate to high increases for high season
and holiday periods. Low season dates vary from
destination to destination. Please inquire for details.
All rates on this website are per person and based
on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated.
If a hotel included in a program is not available
at the time of the reservation, we will substitute
it for a hotel of similar category.
Room and cabin upgrades are available at most hotels
and cruises. Please inquire at the time of reservation.
Most programs can be customized.
All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
Website is for research purposes only.
To receive an estimate, please contact Toll Free at 1-800-255-4266 us
or send
an email to us.
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