Discovering the Wonders of Brazil: A 13-Day Journey Through Amazon and Waterfalls

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro you will be transferred to your hotel. Rio de Janeiro has green hills, blue sky, beautiful bays, islands and marvelous beaches. It is the second biggest city in Brazil and, certainly, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Blue ocean water will call you to the beach. The most popular beaches – Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, are famous for its black and white tiled promenade. From early morning to late in the night you can see people playing football and volleyball on the golden sand of the beaches. For those who prefer active holidays Rio offers opportunities to practice almost any sport: golf, tennis, surfing, rafting, diving, delta flight and many others. Numerous open cafeterias on the beach will offer you refreshing coconut water, freshly squeezed juices and other drinks. You can also see presentations of local musicians on the beach playing all kinds of music.

Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer Statue (4 hours)Arriving at the station, where the environmentally friendly train will take us through the jungle to the top of Corcovado. On either side of the railway you will have spectacular views from Tijuca forest, inhabited by monkeys and other exotic animals and birds. At the top of Corcovado, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, stands the symbol of Rio – Statue of Christ the Savior (38m), which was built in 1931. A breathtaking panorama view of the metropolis and its surroundings, the Niteroi Bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracana stadium, Sugar Loaf, and more is possible from the top of Corcovado.

City Tour and Sugarloaf Mountain (4 hours) After breakfast a half-day excursion to the Sugar Loaf is planned. The first stop is on Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area, where you can eat in the restaurant or bar. On the mountain of Sugar Loaf you will have a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean, bridge Niteroi, and the statue of Christ on Corcovado Mountain. Then you will go by car to the central regions of the old Rio, where you will admire several old churches, monasteries, the main cathedral of the city, as well as buildings built in colonial style.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Manaus where you will be welcomed and transferred to your lodge where you will have a full board meal plan. During your stay in the lodge you can enjoy the activities they offer for free. Activities such as: Motorboat ride during the evening:Depart the lodge on paddle or motor canoes, to listen to the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot alligators (or other creatures). Carrying a flashlight, alligators are easily spotted – two shining red lights among the foliage. Once the guide spots an alligator he will try to catch a small one with his bare hands bringing the animal on board for a brief explanation of the habitat of this primeval animal, hunting methods and the animal itself. After a brief stay on board and many photos, the alligator is safely released to its habitat. (Animals are handled with care – and guides cause no harm to the animals).Duration: 1 hour. Time is approximate.Visit to a caboclo house Depart the lodge on boat or motor canoe, to visit a local family – called the “caboclos”, learn about their traditions and customs and the rich history of the Amazon, the rubber cycle, and much more. During the visit you will see how the cassava meal is prepared and how they smoke the extracted rubber sap Duration: 1 hour. Time is approximateFishingA non-professional fishing activity. Depending on the season, you may catch the elusive piranha that nibbles your bait without a tug on the line or other species. The guide shows some of the tricks of the piranhas and how to catch them.Duration: 40 minutes to 1 hour. Time is approximate.Please note that this activity is for non-professional fishermen.

Today you can choose one of the activities mentioned above.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Salvador de Bahia. Arrival at the airport and pick up by our driver and transferred to your hotel. In Salvador – the African soul of Brazil – the descendants of slaves preserved their cultural roots more than anywhere else in the New World. The result is hypnotic drum beats, graceful movement, fragrant spices, inherent sensuality and an energy that brings good luck and positive results.Salvador combines all these elements in wild festivals, including Brazil’s hottest Carnival. But even on ordinary days you can come across a capoeira (martial art/dance) circle, munch acarajé (bean and shrimp dumplings fried in dendê oil) and witness a Candomblé follower possessed by an African deity. Also mind Brazil’s best all included hotels at the beautiful beaches near Salvador!

Discover the essential sights of Salvador on a half day tour tracing the development of the city from its simple beginnings to what is now the third largest city in Brazil. After hotel pick up with a private guide he takes you to the mouth of the immense bay and then via elegant tree-lined avenues and bustling city streets to the Pelourinho, a Unesco Heritage site and the largest complex of colonial architecture in South America. We leave the vehicle at the Municipal Square, by the towering Lacerda Elevator, with great views of the bay stretching out to the lower city, and stroll through the narrow, bustling streets lined with buildings in pastel shades of an age gone by, soaking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. We will visit the church of São Francisco with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior and the Pelourinho square, the heart of the old town.

Today after Breakfast, full day trip to relaxing beaches of Praia de forte

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Foz de Iguazu where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. You have the day to enjoy your free time.

After breakfast you will go on an adventurous tour to visit the amazing Brazilian falls. Foz de Iguassu Falls are located on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay – and have 275 large water flows, falling from a terrible height. The falls are located in the National Par with its unique flora and fauna, which appeared after a volcanic eruption, and the displacement of the earth formations. The name Tupi-Guarani Indian tribe is translated from the waterfalls and means “big water”. There are 275 waterfalls, each of which has its own name, which rush down with a crash into the canyon of “Devil’s Throat”. There is an amazing contrast between the calm and even lazy river water over Iguassu Falls above and the powerful overthrow boiling water flows from a height of 72 meters into the abyss. You can stand for hours without stopping, watching this show and thinking about the magnificence of the universe and eternity. This tour will be on shared base with an English speaking guide.

You will be picked up at your hotel and cross the border to Argentina. You will get to the Argentinian Side of the Falls by the bridge Tancredo Neves, built over the river Iguassu. The Argentinian side is different from the Brazilian one – here you will be under and below the falls at the same time. You will feel the power of the falling water very close to you and will be able to enjoy the natural park around this astonishing beauty. You will see the birth of the “Devil Throat”.

After your Breakfast in the hotel you will be transported to the airport to board your flight to Rio. Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro airport, your driver awaits you. Transfer to the hotel

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight back home.