Iconic Brazil

We arrive in Rio in the form of a private transfer and straight into the beating heart of the samba rhythm of Brazilian life. Rio is known for its warm, friendly people, its beaches, and Carnival, but the city is rich in myriad ways and any trip to Brazil requires Rio to form a strong part of the itinerary.

Situated along the coast and with a string of beautiful beaches (the most famous being the Copacabana) this seaside city has sun, art, culture, and no shortage of fantastic visitor attractions.  Although often thought of as the capital city, Rio has not been the de jure title holder of that honor since 1960, but it is very much the de facto hub of Brazil as far as tourism and outright beauty are concerned. Rio is home to dozens of beaches, all set along the spectacularly lush coast which is home to dozens of tall islands that dot the sea.

When in Rio we recommend visiting some of, and if not all of the following places: Sugar Loaf, Corcodova, Tijuca Forest, the city center, and last but by no means least, a traditional Brazilian steakhouse, or Rodizio.

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After breakfast, we embark on a trip to visit Corcovado Mountain. We take the cable car from Cosme Velho Station and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Our journey takes us through the dense Atlantic rain forest of Tijuca and offers us a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy the scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. Perched on top of the 2,300-foot high granite peak of the aforementioned Corcovado, the Cristo Redentor is as famous a landmark as there is globally.

While everyone will be familiar with it, not everyone has the chance to visit it up close and personal and appreciate just exactly how immense and imposing it is. Built between 1922 and 1931 in the art-deco style of the era, the statue is an enormous 100 feet high and the outstretched arms are only a few feet shorter.

We head on to the Aterro do Flamengo and the neighborhood of Urca and the site of the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. You will travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point some 215m (nearly 700 feet) high, from where we can enjoy fantastic views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. The second leg of our cable car journey reaches the top of Sugar Loaf and from here we get a whole new set of views of such sights as Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress, and several beaches of Niterói.

Meals (B)

Today, we head to the Tijuca Forest National Park, one of the largest urban forests in the world, and a rare strand of Atlantic rainforest which is now nearly extinct. The trip is done partly in a 4 x 4 vehicle and partly on foot. There are two ways of entering the park and we opt for the less well-known route as the better views can be found on this road. Our first stop is at a lookout known as the Vista Chinese due to the oriental-styled pagoda-like gazebo. From here we get spectacular panoramic views of the south of Rio de Janeiro before rejoining the more well-trodden path and arrive at the second entrance to the park.

Once past the Açude da Solidão, (the secondary entrance to the forest), we make a stop at the famous Tijuca Waterfall Cascatinha, a waterfall so beautiful it almost looks like it has been designed and admire the natural beauty of the water cascading down from the rock. After driving a bit further into the forest we begin a short trail of around 30 minutes which allows us to really appreciate the rarity of a jungle forest within the confines of a city! After finishing our trail we still have time for a panoramic tour of downtown and a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral which was built in a pyramidal form with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters.

We head on to the world-famous Escadaria Selarón, also known as the ‘Selaron Steps’, a wonderful colorful staircase comprising of some 215 individually mosaiced steps. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón who claimed it as “my tribute to the Brazilian people. We end our day’s excursions with a short tour of the traditional Cinelândia Square and its historical buildings.

Meals (B)

Today we pick you up at your hotel and transport you to the coastal town of Búzios. Armação dos Búzios often referred to as just Búzios, is a resort town and a municipality located in the state of Rio de Janeiro and to the east of the city of the same name. It is known as a sophisticated vacation destination with numerous beaches, the most famous of these being the Ferradura, a picture-perfect emerald horseshoe-shaped bay perfect for water sports, and Geribá, a popular surf spot.

At night explore the nearby village of Rua das Pedras a bustling town with restaurants, bars, and lively locals.

Meals (B)

Today we head off on a whistle-stop tour of the surrounding islands and beaches. In order to best take in all of the little beaches and island retreats, we take you on a catamaran trip. We head to the northern side of the peninsula and take in no less than 12 beautiful beaches. Whilst it would be impossible to stop at every one, we do make three separate stops allowing you to bathe, snorkel and swim. All equipment is provided so all you need is your swimsuit! The order of the beaches is as follows and the stops are also highlighted: Armação Beach – Caboclo Island – Orla Bardot – Ossos Beach – Beach Azeda & Azedinha – João Fernandes Beach (stop 1) – João Fernandinho Beach – Ilha Branca – Ilha Feia (stop 2) – Tartaruga e Tartaruguinha Beach (stop 3) – Virgens Beach – Praia dos Amores and Praia do Canto.

Aside from the scheduled stops, you will also be able to take advantage of the two glass windows situated on either hull. These windows can be used to spot sea life as they give you a clear view of the bottom of the sea. Keep your eyes peeled for sea life as you flit between the islands that Brigitte Bardot made famous to European visitors. Known as the St. Tropez of South America, it is easy to see why with the beautiful bays, white sands, and warm aquamarine water.

Meals. (B)

We pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to the jungle city of Manaus. Manaus is located right in the middle of the world’s largest rainforest and was founded when the Portuguese needed a base from which to defend their claim on the surrounding area from the Dutch who were based in what is now modern-day Suriname. Manaus became known worldwide as a city in the 19th Century with the Rubber Boom, and at the time was amongst the richest cities in the world.

These riches prompted extravagant spending, and a series of one-upmanship from rubber barons left a legacy of marble-clad buildings and huge estates that soon fell into disrepair once the rubber boom ended. Modern-day Manaus is a testament to this fascinating period in South America, and any visit to the Amazon in Brazil should include a stay in Manaus in order to understand modern-day man’s impact and interaction with the surrounding rainforest.

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AM: All aboard, we will make a brief meeting to explain the navigation procedures, as well as the itinerary to come. The adventure starts by navigating near the coastal area of Manaus, the Ponta Negra beach, Barrio Gloria and Manaus Port to name a few. Lunch will be on a floating restaurant, where you can enjoy the Amazonian cuisine at its best.

PM: After lunch, we will walk along a suspended walkway, from where it is possible to play with the wild monkeys and observe various other species of animals and plants, including Victoria Amazonica, the famous Victoria Regis. The climax of the day is still to come. It is when we follow the spectacular natural phenomenon, unique in the world, the Meeting of the Waters, where for more than three miles, the waters of two rivers, the Negro and Solimões, run side by side without mingling. A real natural spectacle! But the day is not over yet, and we will still visit a floating house where there is a creation of the Giant Pirarucu, an icon fish of the Amazon. Back on board, we will go up the Rio Negro towards the West, watching the setting sun. At dusk, we will arrive at the Reserve Palmeiral, the gateway to the National Park of the Anavilhanas Archipelago. There, we’ll settle down for the night.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: The first activity of the second day is an adventure on land. The walk in the forest at the Palmeiral site is an excellent opportunity to get to know up close the life that exists inside the Amazon forest. We will enter the forest, learn about the species of plants and large trees that live there, as well as insects and special animals of that forest. We will discover the Rubber Tree, from which latex and rubber are extracted. This product is responsible for much of the economic and social development of Brazil during the rubber boom. While walking through the forest, accompanied by an experienced forest guide, you will also be presented with some survival techniques for the jungle.

PM: After lunch, let’s refresh at Acajatuba Lake, and if programmed, maybe swim with the Pink Dolphin. These friendly dolphins live in freedom in nature and are familiar with human presence, approaching humans when they offer them fish. The tour continues towards the Ariaú River, where the film Anaconda was recorded. In this area, it is common to observe animals such as spider monkeys, sloths, fisher-birds, parrots, among others. After dark, you can head out on a motorboat with a lantern, in search of animals like hunting eagles, herons, gypsy-birds, alligators, among others.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: Enjoy the beauty of nature, it is possible to observe some species of animals that are more active at the beginning of the day. We leave for a ride on a motorboat to observe the typical fauna and flora. Among some common animals to watch are monkeys, sloths, parrots and herons, you may also see fishermen and gypsies. On the banks of this river, you can also enjoy the view of the largest tree in the forest, the giant Samaúma.

PM: We continue towards the National Park of the Anavilhanas Archipelago, an area of 350,000 hectares with more than 650 groups of islands. In the dry season, it is possible to enjoy groups of islands. In the dry season, it is possible to enjoy the white sandy beaches and cool off here. Before the end of the day, we will still explore the archipelago region in the motorboat.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: Depending on the water level, it is possible to stop and bathe on the white sandy beaches that appear in the dry season in the Anavilhanas archipelago.

PM: After lunch, take a walk in the forest, near Lake Tucumã, to observe the flora and fauna of the Negro River region. During the course of the trail, we will arrive at a stream with a small waterfall. A charming place where you can bathe and cool off in these delightful waters. We will then return to the boat and head towards the Mucuras River.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: We recommend that you wake up early to visit Aldeia Tucano, where you will meet an indigenous tribe native to the region and learn more about their customs and rituals. To feel the Amazonian welcome, the Pajé, chief of the tribe, will welcome us with a presentation to the sound of tribal flutes and dances with the participation of the Indian men and women of the tribe.

We will start the navigation back to Manaus. We will return to the boat to collect the bags.

Meals: (B)