Highlights Of Brazil

We join our tour today in Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia and one of Brazil’s most historic cities. Its roots stem back to 1501 when the navigator Amerigo Vespucci first sailed into its bay. Initially considered to be the nation’s capital due to the natural protection of the cliffs rearing from the sea, its bay was one of the finest anchorages on the eastern shores of the New World. Once an opulent city from trade and later from the discovery of diamonds inland, this period of prosperity has left a legacy of colonial architecture, largely centred in the Upper City atop the cliffs – now designated a historic monument by UNESCO. This afternoon we have a guided orientation tour of the city. The Pelourinho area is considered to be the most important collection of 17th-18th century architecture in the whole of the Americas. The area is a jumble of centuries old churches, narrow cobbled streets and spacious plazas bordered by once elegant but now gently decaying mansions. The natural setting is magnificent overlooking the Todos os Santos Bay. What immediately strikes the traveller is that despite its Portuguese architecture, the spirit, cuisine, culture and people are predominantly African. The area’s riches were originally based on sugar cane and tobacco, with the majority of the workforce coming from the west coast of Africa – for over 300 years Salvador was the centre of a thriving slave trade. The modern day population is mostly of African descent – this can be heard in the rhythms of the music and in the dance, the cuisine and Candomble, a mixture of African and Christian deities and rites.

Today is free for personal exploration of the area or to relax on the beach.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we transfer to the airport in Salvador and fly to Manaus, the famous city, set in the heart of the Amazon basin on the banks of the Negro river. The bustle of an urban community seems almost other-worldly in the midst of vast tracts of jungle stretching in all directions. Once rich and fashionable, the capital Amazonas is now quickly expanding as a free trade zone.We arrive in the afternoon and transfer to our acommodation.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The morning is free to explore Manaus where you may wish to vist the Opera House and to prepare ourselves for our visit to the rainforest. In the early afternoon we drive to the port where we board our boat and cross the Amazon, seeing the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ phenomenon en route. We continue by bus and travel by speedboat through the channels and creeks through the rainforest to our lodge.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

There are a range of activities to make the most of our time in the heart of the rainforest. Fish for Piranha, visit the local indigenous community or take one of the treks into the jungle, accompanied by a local guide. At night it is possible to go caiman spotting by torchlight, their beady eyes reflecting the light, red pinpricks floating in the darkness. Whatever your preconceptions, you will be amazed by the area.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travelling by launch along the Rivers Juma and Macarico we return to Careiro Village and on to Manaus where we board our plane to take us to Cuiaba, from where we will begin our journey the folowing day into the Pantanal.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Driving from Cuiaba to the Pantanal Wildlife Reserve along the Transpantaneira road we have our first encounters with wildlife at the waterholes. We have two full days to explore this paradise for birds and wildlife. There are over 600 bird species including waders, toucan, heron, stork, duck and coot and 350 varieties of fish, including the piranha. Animals include deer, armadillo, tapir, boar, the unusual capivara and thousands of jacaré caiman (alligator). Few visitors discover the remote Pantanal, so there is little infrastructure for tourists: our accommodation is simple, yet gives us the chance to soak up the rural atmosphere of the place.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We plan to explore the area around our fazenda on foot and in small boats. Early morning and dusk is the best time for wildlife spotting, and we split large groups into 2 for better viewing opportunities. Our lodge is located by a river and has a pool to relax beside – a wonderful combination of relaxation and a chance to see the most readily accessible and prolific wildlife in Latin America. Lie in your hammock and appreciate the evening birdsong.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we return to Cuiaba and fly to Iguacu. We will experience the vastness of the Amazonian plains below as the flight takes up the majority of the day. From Iguaçu we can visit the spectacular Iguaçu Falls. With its jungle setting, the Iguaçu Falls are perhaps the world’s most beautiful waterfalls and are a major highlight of our trip.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast

We will spend this morning (when the light is best ) visiting the Falls on the Brazilian side. Set in a National Park, the Iguaçu river hurtles over high cliffs into a marvellous curved amphitheatre several miles wide – a breathtaking sight. The noise is tremendous and huge clouds of mist are churned up by the cascade. The surrounding spray-soaked forest is alive with brightly plumaged toucans, parrots, humming birds and colourful butterflies. From here it may be possible to take a spectacular helicopter flight over the falls (optional), or arrange a visit to the Argentinian side of the falls to get a close up of the fitfully churning ‘Devil’s Throat’ by navigating a series of catwalks.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Iguacu this morning we fly to Rio de Janeiro. The spectacular setting of Rio is hard to beat. With 120 miles of marvellous beaches and a mountain backdrop it really is a tropical paradise. The afternoon is free to relax – alternatively your leader can organise a visit to the towering summit of Corcovado topped by the immense statue of Christ the Redeemer (optional). This evening you could finish off your Brazilian experience with an optional Samba show in the city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After a free morning to possibly relax at the beaches or to visit the market at Ipanema we have an afternoon city tour. We will visit the Sambadrome, the old town and take a cable car up to the huge Sugar Loaf mountain from where the views of Rio are breathtaking.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

 The tour ends in Rio this morning after breakfast.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast