Brazil12 days / 11 nights
Rio de Janeiro (3n) + Iguazu falls (2n) + Salvador (2n) + Praia do Forte (4n)
Day 1: Rio de JaneiroWelcome to Brazil!
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro; transfer to the hotel. Time to relax.
Rio de Janeiro is green hills, blue sky, beautiful bays, islands and marvelous beaches. It is the second biggest city in Brazil (after Sao Paulo) and, certainly, one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Beach hotels are situated along the whole perimeter of Guanabara Bay and, if you are staying in one of these hotels, the beauties of Rio de Janeiro are open for you all the time. Blue ocean water will call you to the beach. The most popular beaches - Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, are famous for their black and white tiled promenade. From early morning to late in the night you can see people playing soccer 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.
Day 2: Rio De JaneiroCity Tour and Sugar Loaf
After breakfast you have the chance to go on a half-day excursion to the Sugar Loaf. The first stop is the Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area that also offers the possibility to have a snack in the restaurant on top of the mountain. 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. After going down by cable car, the tour continues by car to the central regions of the old town of Rio where you can admire several old churches, monasteries, the main cathedral of the city as well as buildings in colonial style. Our guide will take you to a local restaurant where you can taste the delicious dishes of the local cuisine.
Duration: 4 hours
Day 3: Rio de JaneiroCorcovado and Christ the Redeemer Statue (4 hours)
After breakfast we set off on a tour through the city. Arriving at the station, the environmentally friendly train will take us through the jungle to the top of Corcovado. On both sides of the railway you will have spectacular views of Tijuca forest, inhabited by monkeys and other exotic animals and birds. On top of Corcovado, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, you will stand in front of the symbol of Rio de Janeiro- Statue of Christ the Savior (38m) that was built in 1931. From top of Corcovado, you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its surroundings like the Bridge Niteroi, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracana stadium and the Sugar Loaf.
Duration: 4 hours
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro-IguazuAfter breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu falls. Arrival and check in at the hotel. Free time
At the big waterfalls of Foz de Iguacu you can find the border triangle with Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. A former frontier military outpost, construction and tourism led to development and growth in the area.
The Iguazu Falls receive their name from the Caigangues Indian word meaning 'great waters'. The falls are formed by the Iguacu River and consist of 275 separate falls; they are surrounded by the virgin jungle of Iguazu National Park which is home to about 2000 species of flora and 400 bird species (including parrots and toucans). The highest fall, the 'Garganta do Diabo' (Devil's Throat) reaches 70m (230ft), which is one and a half times the height of the Niagara Falls. Besides taking in the stunning view from one of the many "catwalks" visitors may try rafting or take a spectacular boat ride through the falls.
Day 5: Iguazu After breakfast an unforgettable adventure awaits you at the Iguazu falls Brazilian side. You will see hundreds of cascades of water falling down, and at the end we will come to a platform where the mightiest waterfalls, the Devil's Gorge falls down into the Iguazu river leaving us wet with splashes and high with emotion! You will also embark in the Great Adventure Boat Trip. The Great Adventure takes you to meet the Iguazu Falls from a new point of view, but no less entrancing. It all starts with a wonderful track by the Iguazú National Park. A walk six miles through the fully motorized Yacaratiá Sendero, which will take you from a subtropical vegetation, where flora and fauna coexist in harmony. Multilingual guides pass information about the curiosities of the jungle.
At the end of this wonderful journey you find Puerto Macuco. It's a ride in a special and very safe boat, passing the island Isla Martín. The boat then on a superspeed takes you directly into the falls! Sparks of water and the adrenalin felt cannot be described in words and has to be felt! And yet you have the privilege of passing very close to the famous Garganta del Diablo. After this nature spectacular show our guide will take up the board a jeep through the tropical rainforest and then a boat will take us through the Iguazu river at high speed. We will actually get INTO the falls. Adrenaline guaranteed!! After the waterfun we will visit bird park. Walking inside huge cages exotic birds will fly freely around us, such as Tucans, Macaws and many other beautifully colored birds. Have a nice rest at your hotel after this “happening” day!
Day 6: Iguazu – SalvadorBreakfast. 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!
Day 7: SalvadorDiscover 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 visit the church of São Francisco with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior and the Pelourinho square, the heart of the old town.
Day 8: Salvador – Costa do Sauipe Today after Breakfast, transfer to the coastal area of Costa do Sauipe
for relaxing beach days.
Day 9-11: Costa do SauipeFree Days in your Hotel, relax at the beach and enjoy the beautiful surrounding.
Day 12: Costa do SauipeBreakfast and transfer to the airport in time for your international flight.