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Brazil - Culture
"Brazil Special"
Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia
& Iguassu Falls
13 days
ITINERARY
DAY 1 WED USA / BRAZIL (D in-flight)
Enjoy dinner, movie and complimentary cocktails in overnight flight.
DAY 2 THU RIO DE JANEIRO ( B, D )
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro the “cidade maravilhosa”! After clearing customs and immigrations, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Your guide will assist you with the early check-in, give you a briefing on the hotel and neighborhood and advise you of the meeting time for this evening’s dinner.
The balance of the afternoon is at leisure.
Marius Restaurant, one of Rio’s best BBQ Restaurants. Feast on an all-you-can-eat array of meats, vegetables, seafood, salads and more. The highlight is the “rodizio” style of serving where astounding variety of meats will be carved right onto your plate.
DAY 3 FRI RIO DE JANEIRO (B)
Sugar Loaf Mountain (half day – 4 hours)
This tour takes you to the base of the famous Rio landmark “Pao de Acucar”, set dramatically at the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Board the first of two cable cars to the smaller of these two mountains off the coast of Rio. Then continue up on yet another cable car to the summit of the second mountain. The view from this peak of the city of Rio, the bay, and the ocean is breathtaking. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 4 SAT RIO DE JANEIRO ( B, L)
Corcovado, Santa Teresa & Downtown Old Rio (full day-8 hours)This tour will show you the “must see” sights and places that make Rio such a fascinating city! First, travel by vans to the base of the imposing Statue of Christ with arms outstretched over Rio on Corcovado Mountain, perhaps the most recognized icon of South America. The views of the ocean, city, and lagoon are spectacular from this vantage point.
Then board on rugged four-wheel drive jeeps and head throu
gh the soaring peaks of the Tiuca National Forest. Explore this lush and beautiful jungle (the largest urban rainforest in the world) traveling along switchbacks with magnificent views of the city below. End the drive at the charming Santa Teresa district. This area, once favored by Rio’s wealthy and powerful, fell into neglect as the chic beachfront neighborhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana came into favor after World War II. Today
Santa Teresa is enjoying a renaissance era as artists and bohemians who have moved to the area are renovating this funky and colorful part of Rio.
Finally, descend by cable car through this delightful neighborhood, over the famous “Arcos da Lapa” to downtown Rio where you will get a feel for the dynamic rhythm of this of this bustling metropolis.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then take a short walking tour of the old downtown section of Rio. Overall, a perfect introduction to the sights sounds and tastes of Rio!
Free afternoon and evening to rest and relax, although optional tours will be available.
DAY 5 SUN RIO DE JANEIRO (B)
Today is at leisure. Since this is Sunday, we suggest going to he the “Hippie Fair”. This is Rio’s largest flea market where you can find arts and crafts, jewelry and souvenirs.
Meet with your guide tonight and enjoy a nice variety of Brazilian music.
The Best of Brazilian Music Tour
Brazilian music first made its mark in the international scene in the ‘60’s with bossa nova, and has since conquered fans with Tropicalia, Axe, jazz and so many other exciting rhythms, much of it under the heading of “MPB” (Musica Popular Brasileira). Depending on evening, join the locals and visit one of Rio’s top jazz clubs or show houses and enjoy Brazilian music in an authentic, exciting atmosphere.
DAY 6 MON RIO DE JANEIRO / SALVADOR DA BAHIA (B)
Today after breakfast your guide will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight to Salvador da Bahia.
Welcome to Salvador da Bahia, the cultural heartland of Brazil! Upon arrival in you will be met and transferred to your selected hotel.
Essentials of Salvador - Upper City (half day- 4 hours)
The Pelourinho area boasts the largest and best preserved complex of colonial architecture in the Americas. Visit the Cathedral of Sao Francisco with its exuberant gold-leafed baroque interior. 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.
Praça da Sé square to the Afro-Brazilian Museum to learn of the roots and routes of the African slave trade to Bahia. On show also are fine examples of religious artifacts, utensils of daily use as well as woven clothes and tapestries. The highlight of the museum are the exceptionally beautiful wooden sculpted panels of the orixá's by Salvador's most celebrated artist, the late Carybé. The combination of his watercolors of the orixás in their ritual costumes and the exquisite panels allow for a unique introduction to the candomblé for those unfamiliar with the belief system, a feeling of reverence for those already familiar, and a sense of wonder for both.
Note: Afro Brazilian Museum are closed Sat and Sun.
The balance of the afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 7 TUE SALVADOR DA BAHIA (B)
Leisure day. enjoy optional tours.
Tonight you will enjoy Bahia by night.
Olodum Rehearsal
Every Tuesday evening, the Pelourinho area resounds with sound of the repique and surdo drums of the drumming troop of Salvador, Olodum. Olodum is a powerhouse percussion ensemble which has traveled extensively abroad as well as having performed on Paul Simon’s “Rhythm of the Saints” album. Attend the rehearsal where dances and songs are performed.
DAY 8 WED SALVADOR DA BAHIA (B, D)
Today is at leisure. Enjoy optional tours
Balé Folclórico da Bahia at Miguel Santa Theatre
The Bahia Folklore Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia) is one of the most respected folklore dance troupes in the world. The company performs in the intimate Miguel Santana Theatre in the Pelourinho in a seamless presentation of the multiple African traditions that underpin Bahian culture. We will see the sacred dances of the Candomblé; puxada de rede, a song by fishermen in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea; maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance with its origins in the cane fields; capoeira, a martial art/dance of Angolan origin and the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance.
After the show diner will be served in Uauá restaurant.
DAY 9 FRI SALVADOR DA BAHIA/ SAO PAULO/IGUASSU (B)
Welcome to Iguassu! One of the most important tourist sights in Brazil is the Cataracts of Iguassu and is listed by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage of Humanity.
Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Your guide will assist you with check-in, then after you have had time to freshen up you will be taken on your walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls.
Walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls
(half day -4 hours)
This tour will leave you speechless (and a bit wet!). After taking photographs of the breathtaking panoramic views from the observation deck, a guide will lead you along a walkway to almost within touching distance of the falls. There is also an elevator for those wishing to see and photograph the falls from the top. The Iguassu River tha
t rises in Curitiba, the capital of Parana state, forms the Falls. The river continues some 1000 miles from east to west, winding its way through the state. Ten miles before joining the Parana River, the Iguassu flows over rough, uneven ground, and then, amidst exuberant forest, hurls itself into innumerous and irregular falls. The Falls extends over an area of 2,700 square meters, with a water volume of approximately 400 m/sec during the dry summer and 10,000 m/sec during the rainy season. The falls are located in the Iguassu National Park, which covers an area of 250 thousand hectares of forest reserve.
DAY 10 SAT IGUASSU (B, L, D)
The Macuco Photographic Safari and Boat Ride(full day -8 hours)The trip begins at the Macuco Trail in the Brazilian National Park and offers a good cross section of the rain forest and river ecosystems. Begin by traveling the Macuco trail in a rustic, open wagon pulled by 4x4 jeep, which allows an unhindered view of the luxurious rainforest in all its splendor. Bi-lingual guides point out some of the orchids, epiphytes and hardwood trees and impart a bit of jungle lore. With luck, animals and some of the colorful local birds may be spotted. Afterwards descend on foot along the canyon trail to the picturesque Macuco Falls. Continue to the Iguassu River where you board a twin-engine inflatable. Cruise up into the canyon, shoot several rapids, and arrive at the very base of the majestic falls. As the experienced pilot maneuvers in the midst of the falls themselves, the passenger will enjoy a completely different view and have an unforgettable, thrilling experience!
Lunch at a local restaurant.
The Bird Park Tour
The Bird Park tour This is one of the main attractions for visitors to the town of Foz do Iguaçu and the Iguassu Falls. The Bird Park is set in 17 hectares of unspoiled subtropical forest. Visitors follow a path for 800 meters through the forest and past the breeding aviaries and enclosures. The path passes through some of the largest aviaries, where the birds fly free, and can be studied and photographed without the restriction of netting and cages. The large aviaries represent different Brazilian ecosystems such as the swamp area (Pantanal aviary) and the subtropical Atlantic rain forest. Visitors are able to come into direct contact with the birds in these large aviaries. The bird park is really an extension of the huge Iguassu National Park with the same vegetation and characteristics. Currently the Bird Park has approx. 600 birds of 160 species from South America and other continents.
DAY 11 SUN IGUASSU (B)
Argentine Side of Iguassu tour(half day 4-hours)
Transfer over the border to the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. Upon arrival at the National Park, board the narrow gauge train which takes you to the catwalk out to Devil’s Throat. This area is a U shape formation on the falls where thousand of gallons or water per minute rushes over the cataracts creating deafening roar of water and veil of mist. After, continue through the park to the various upper and lower levels of the cataracts of the Argentine Falls.
Later you will be met and transferred to the airport where you will check in for your flight to USA.
DAY 12 THU USA (B in-flight)
Arrive in USA and clear customs.
Included Features
- Roundtrip Airfare USA / Rio de Janeiro/ Salvador da Bahia/ Iguassu Falls / USA
- All accommodations, meals as per itinerary
- Daily buffet breakfast at the hotels
- All tours and transfer as specified including entry fees, on a private basis
- All airport transfers and local transportation for tours
- All hotel taxes and service charges
- Local English speaking guides/services throughout
Not Included
- Passaport & Visa
- Items of a personal nature
- Drinks at meals
- Optional city tours or evening excursionsTips to guides/drivers
- Airport Taxes
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Testimonial
