Brazil14 Days / 13 Nights
Rio de Janeiro (2N) + Pantanal/Bonito (4N) + Manaus (2N) + Sao Luis (2N) + Barreirinhas (2N)
Day 1: Rio de JaneiroWelcome to Brazil! Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be transferred to your hotel.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 JaneiroBreakfast at hotel.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. Later 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. Day 3: Rio de Janeiro – PantanalAfter breakfast in the hotel, our driver will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Campo Grande where a local driver will take you to Pantanal. Pantanal is located in the center of the South American Continent. This is a unique world conservation area located in Brazil. Wetland covered with dense flowering vegetation is the main landscape of the area. Here, lakes and rivers with crystal clear water provide shelter for the rarest specimens of birds and animals. Travelers stay in modern hotel-houses (Lodges), which provide complete comfort and convenience. Pantanal for nature lovers, scientists, fishermen, photographers, people tired of the rhythms of modern urban life - this is the most suitable place. Here you will find peace, watching the life of birds and the huge size of butterflies, listening to the sounds of nature, dissolving in it. During your stay the following tours will be scheduled at the pousada; horse riding, boat rides, trekking, piranha fishing, birdwatching, photo safari and nocturnal viewing of caymans. Overnight at Pousada Aguape. (D) Day 4 & 5: Pantanal The trips mentioned above are scheduled at the pousada. The trips will be carefully selected, depending the climate and time of the year and will be guided by local guides that know all about the flora and fauna that make this place unique. To avoid the intense heath during the day, the tours are taking place early in the morning and mid-afternoon, at these times of the day, the possibilities of seeing the movement of the animals are a lot bigger. During your stay all excursions and meals are included. Overnight at Pousada Aguape. (B,L,D) Day 6: Pantanal – Bonito (3,5 hrs)Early morning departure towards the Bodoquena Mountain Range, where we will visit the Boca da Onça Ecotour. Here a four-kilometer walk across the preserved woodland along totally safe trails will take you to eleven waterfalls, among which is the 156-meter high Boca da Onça Waterfall – the highest in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Indulge in the translucent natural pools and refresh yourself in the Salobra River, one of the fish cradles of the Pantanal. In the middle of the journey, you will find the kiosk, which provides a snack bar, restrooms and a first-aid facility. A pleasant pause to observe the woodlands and the huge limestone walls. After getting so much from nature, it’s time to return to the reception area, which can be done in two ways: By going up the fascinating 866-step stairway built along the limestone wall, from where you will have an unforgettable view of the Salobra River Canyon and the rappel descending area. Or by vehicle with capacity for twelve people, will be at your disposal at the departing point in the kiosk. On return at the reception center a delicious regional lunch will be serviced. The afternoon can be spend at the natural swimming pools before heading to Bonito. Arrival and check-in at Pousada Olho d´Agua. Overnight. (B,L) Day 7: BonitoAfter breakfast, visit to the Gruta do Lago Azul. The trail will start with a 40 minutes walk to the cave, then, after descending 100 meters, you will see the lake with crystal clear water. The depth is 72 meters and in the morning when the sunbeams hit the lake, the water will have an intense blue color. . In the late morning we continue to the Rio Sucuri, lunch will be served here. After lunch start of the snorkeling tour. The tour starts with a visit to the river spring, where you can see the water boiling out of the ground. You are taken to a wooden deck where you start the snorkeling tour along the crystal clear river. The 750 meter long trip you can observe the rich subaquatic flora and fauna. An uforgettable experience. For those who do not want to go snorkeling, it is possible to stay in the boat and descend the river by support boat and enjoy the flora and fauna at the river margins. Overnight. (B,L)Day 8: Bonito – Manaus Very early in the morning we depart to Campo Grande to take the flight to Manaus . 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).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 non-professional fisher.Day 9: ManausToday you can chose one of the activities mentioned above. Day 10: Manaus – Saõ LuísTransfer to the airport for departure to San Luis. Upon arrival, transfer and accommodation at the hotel. Free time.San Luis is a beautiful old city by the ocean. Not far from San Luis there is a region with the cleanest air on the planet - Lencois Maranhenses. The city itself is surrounded by mountains, so the climate is very favorable, the air is incredibly clean and oxygenated. The historic center is a type of open-air museum with numerous architectural elements and details, where cobbled streets merge into narrow alleys. One of the most beautiful examples of French architecture of the 17th century is the Lviv Palace, richly decorated with columns, porticoes and stucco. The stairs leading to the palace are guarded by sculpted lions. San Luis is known as the capital of reggae in Brazil. In no other Brazilian city is this Jamaican rhythm so popular. Among the attractions of modern San Luis are not only museums, churches built in the 17th century and still operating today, markets, original cuisine based on rice, but also many wonderful beaches. Here you can go windsurfing, diving, fishing or just lie down and breathe in the healing air.Accommodation in San Luis.Day 11: San Luis - BarreirinhasIn the morning at 07:00 departure to Barreirinhas (4 hours drive) on a very good road, where you will see local plantations.Barreirinhas is a very quiet and beautiful town located on the banks of the Pregisas River. Lencois Maranense National Park is just outside the city and is a natural wonder with amazing sand dunes. From March to September, nature forms blue lakes around the dunes.At 14:00 we go by jeep to the very heart of Lencois, where we will take a walk on the Blue Lake and swim in the lakes. We will stay until late at night to see this amazing sunset in the dunes. In the evening we return to Barreirinhas, where you can swim in the hotel's pool, or stroll through the quiet streets of the city or enjoy sitting in a restaurant by the river.Day 12: BarreirinhasBreakfast in the hotel. At 8:30 we will take a motor boat along the Preguisa River. The first stop will be in Vasouras, which is called little Lensois. Here you will be offered refreshing coconut water, you can take pictures with monkeys, visit a fishing village and climb 160 steps to the Preguisa lighthouse, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the dunes, river, ocean and lush vegetation.Day 13: Barreirinhas-San LuisBreakfast at the hotel. In the morning you will drive to Atins Lagoon. On the way back, you will stop for lunch at Louise Restaurant, where you will taste delicious shrimp (not included). Afternoon transfer to San LuisDay 14: San Luis Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport with an English speaking guide, for your flight back home!End of the Program