Image Credit: Daniel Julie / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America. It spreads across almost half (47.3%) of South America, and occupies a total area of 8,547,403.5 km2. It is the fifth largest country in the world after Canada, the Russian Federation, China and the United States. Except for a small number of islands, Brazil is a single and continuous land mass. The mix of races has made Brazil a culturally rich and at the same time unique country.
This miscegenation began with the Indian, the African and the Portuguese, but in a short time, immigrants from around the world began to arrive: Europeans, Asians, Jews and Arabs. The result was a happy people, open to everything new, a people only found in Brazil. Tourists and visitors from Mercosul countries do not need to present passports. They merely need to show their ID cards. Visitors from other countries must present a passport that is valid for the next six months.
If you dream about a sunny land where sun shines all through the year, waters are warm, there is plenty of coconut tree shades and fresh sea breezes, come to Brazil. In Brazil, these elements combine harmoniously in the most beautiful beaches, and are waiting for you.
Image Credit: RyanMBevan / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Amazon Eco Resort
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation.
Corcovado with Christ Redeemer Statue: After picking you up from your hotel, we'll pass the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (except on Sundays) on our way to reach the Cosme Velho Train cog station, which sits at the bottom of Corcovado Mountain. Here, we will take the ride up to the top, through the dense Tijuca rain forest to the 38m tall (125ft) Christ Redeemer Statue. With a panoramic view from the top, the guide will show you the spectacular sights of Rio and the surrounding countryside for approximately 40-60 minutes. After riding the train back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
Sugar Loaf City Tour and Cable Car: You will do a Panoramic tour of downtown Rio passing by the Sambodrome and a stopping at the Metropolitan Cathedral which was built in a pyramidal form with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters. Familiarize yourself with traditional Cinelândia Square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Via the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf. You’ll travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point 215 meters high for which already grants beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. From this stage, a second cable car takes us up to the top. At 395 meters we'll enjoy splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and several beaches of Niterói. After riding the Cable car back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
Transfer to airport. Departure to Manaus. Transfer to Amazon Eco Resort.
3 Nights Program Includes:
Excursions Menu:
Night Tours in Canoes: Depart lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot small alligators (or other nightly creatures). Alligators are spotted because their eyes shine like small red lights, once the alligator is spotted by the guide the guide will try to catch a small alligator with his own hands and bring it on to the canoe, and a brief explanation of their habitat follows. The alligator will then be safely released back to the river. (No harm is done to any of the animals) Duration: about 1 hour, a bilingual guide accompanies every group.
Note: during 'high water level' season (from April to August) and on full moon evenings, it might be difficult to find alligators.
Visit to The Natives House: Depart the lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, accompanied by a Bilingual guide to learn about the traditions and customs of local Amazonians ('natives').
Monkey Forest: The center for rehabilitation and re-introduction of wild animals (known as the Monkey forest), was created in 1991 with the intention of receiving animals which have been confiscated from illegal commerce. This is a joint project with the Municipal Secretary of Environment and Sustainability. In this center, the animals are initially put into quarentine to be evaluated and taken care of by a team of vetenarians and biologists. With a high success rate since the start, the animals manage to reproduce naturally, creating new families and ensuring survival of the spieces. In partnership with the FFV (Live Forest Foundation), a non profit institution overseen by Amazon Ecopark Lodge, a unique feeding system has been developed.
Twice a day, (10:30 & 15:30), the animals receive supplements of their natural diet, ensuring that they are being fed the necessary nutrients.
The Monkey Forest is open to guests at feeding times, always accompanied by a credentialed professional, permiting guests to film and photograph these animals in a natural and safe environment.
Full Day Tour Meeting of The Waters: Depart ECOPARK at 0830 hours on board of a regional double deck boat. The boat goes down the Negro River, navigating along the shore of the City of Manaus, allowing passengers to view the Amazonas Theater, the Port of Manaus, the Customs and the interesting aspects of the local life - the houses type stilts. Arrival at The Meeting of the Waters by 1130 hours.
It's a spectacular junction of Negro and Solimões Rivers. From this point on both rivers form the famous Amazon River that runs all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The waters of the two rivers run together for about 12kms, side by side, without mixing. The phenomenon happens due to differences in temperature, density and speed of the waters of the rivers.
Continue the trip on the Amazon River to the Island of 'Terra Nova' where lunch will be served in a typical restaurant (buffet style, international and regional dishes).
Depending on the level of the waters, a visit to a typical 'caboclo'(local inhabitants) villa will be included (at Terra Nova Island) during this full day tour (may not be available during the months of May, June, July and sometimes also August, when the villa is floaded). This visit can be prior or after lunch.
During the high level of waters the place of the lunch can also be changed to a restaurant located at the 'Janauary Lake', another beautiful place and, in this case, there is no visit to the villa. Return to the lodge and arrival by 1730 hours. Duration: about 09 hours.
Note: Time for 'piranha' fishing is programmed (at extra charge).
Fishing Tour: Depart lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, accompanied by a Bilingual guide. (Fishing of piranhas an other species, depending on season).
Transfer to airport. Departure to Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro to connect with international flight.
Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Amazon Eco Resort
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation.
After picking you up from your hotel, we'll pass the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (except on Sundays) on our way to reach the Cosme Velho Train cog station, which sits at the bottom of Corcovado Mountain. Here, we will take the ride up to the top, through the dense Tijuca rain forest to the 38m tall (125ft) Christ Redeemer Statue. With a panoramic view from the top, the guide will show you the spectacular sights of Rio and the surrounding countryside for approximately 40-60 minutes. After riding the train back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
In the morning, after pick ups, you will do a Panoramic tour of downtown Rio passing by the Sambodrome and a stopping at the Metropolitan Cathedral which was built in a pyramidal form with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters. Familiarize yourself with traditional Cinelândia Square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Via the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf. You’ll travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point 215 meters high for which already grants beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. From this stage, a second cable car takes us up to the top. At 395 meters we'll enjoy splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and several beaches of Niterói. After riding the Cable car back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
Transfer to airport. Departure to Manaus. Transfer to Amazon Eco Resort.
3 Nights Program Includes:
Excursions Menu:
Night Tours in Canoes: Depart lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot small alligators (or other nightly creatures). Alligators are spotted because their eyes shine like small red lights, once the alligator is spotted by the guide the guide will try to catch a small alligator with his own hands and bring it on to the canoe, and a brief explanation of their habitat follows. The alligator will then be safely released back to the river. (No harm is done to any of the animals) Duration: about 1 hour, a bilingual guide accompanies every group.
Note: during 'high water level' season (from April to August) and on full moon evenings, it might be difficult to find alligators.
Visit to The Natives House: Depart the lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, accompanied by a Bilingual guide to learn about the traditions and customs of local Amazonians ('natives').
Monkey Forest: The center for rehabilitation and re-introduction of wild animals (known as the Monkey forest), was created in 1991 with the intention of receiving animals which have been confiscated from illegal commerce. This is a joint project with the Municipal Secretary of Environment and Sustainability. In this center, the animals are initially put into quarentine to be evaluated and taken care of by a team of vetenarians and biologists. With a high success rate since the start, the animals manage to reproduce naturally, creating new families and ensuring survival of the spieces. In partnership with the FFV (Live Forest Foundation), a non profit institution overseen by Amazon Ecopark Lodge, a unique feeding system has been developed.
Twice a day, (10:30 & 15:30), the animals receive supplements of their natural diet, ensuring that they are being fed the necessary nutrients.
The Monkey Forest is open to guests at feeding times, always accompanied by a credentialed professional, permiting guests to film and photograph these animals in a natural and safe environment.
Full Day Tour Meeting of The Waters: Depart ECOPARK at 0830 hours on board of a regional double deck boat. The boat goes down the Negro River, navigating along the shore of the City of Manaus, allowing passengers to view the Amazonas Theater, the Port of Manaus, the Customs and the interesting aspects of the local life - the houses type stilts. Arrival at The Meeting of the Waters by 1130 hours.
It's a spectacular junction of Negro and Solimões Rivers. From this point on both rivers form the famous Amazon River that runs all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The waters of the two rivers run together for about 12kms, side by side, without mixing. The phenomenon happens due to differences in temperature, density and speed of the waters of the rivers.
Continue the trip on the Amazon River to the Island of 'Terra Nova' where lunch will be served in a typical restaurant (buffet style, international and regional dishes).
Depending on the level of the waters, a visit to a typical 'caboclo'(local inhabitants) villa will be included (at Terra Nova Island) during this full day tour (may not be available during the months of May, June, July and sometimes also August, when the villa is floaded). This visit can be prior or after lunch.
During the high level of waters the place of the lunch can also be changed to a restaurant located at the 'Janauary Lake', another beautiful place and, in this case, there is no visit to the villa. Return to the lodge and arrival by 1730 hours. Duration: about 09 hours.
Note: Time for 'piranha' fishing is programmed (at extra charge).
Fishing Tour: Depart lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, accompanied by a Bilingual guide. (Fishing of piranhas an other species, depending on season).
Transfer to airport. Departure to Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro to connect with international flight.
Image Credit: Paul Mannix / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu, Salvador de Bahia
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Half day city tour & Sugar loaf. During a half day city tour the most important sights of Rio will be shown. Drive along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown. Visit of the downtown area, passing by the financial and business centre and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio's famous Carnival parade. Procee to the Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. The afternoon is free at leisure.
In the morning leave Rio de Janeiro and take a flight to Iguassu. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check-in. Iguassu is one of the biggest wonders of nature in South America: located amidst a sub-tropical forest in the triangle of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, a gigantic row of waterfalls goes down into the river Iguassu.
Later in the day visit the Brazilian side of the falls. The tour leaves from the hotel by coach and crossing Iguassu National Park as far as the Brazilian Falls. It follows a walk along the paths following cascades and then along the catwalk that leads very close to the bottom of the Devil's Throat to enjoy magnificent views. Take an elevator to go up to the road, and there board the coach to get back to the hotel. (Brazilian falls : approx. 2.5 hours)
Today visit the Argentinean side of the falls. Leaving from the hotel on the Brazilian side for a drive and a quick customs check, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the border between Argentina & Brazil. Once in Argentina, tour takes a scenic highway up the Argentinean Iguassu National Park. Stopping at the Visitors' Centre and proceeding from there the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades, to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls and then takes the Ecological Jungle Train that leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls - The Devil's Throat. Return to the hotel. (Argentinean falls : approx. 4 hours)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Salvador de Bahia. Transfer to the hotel.
In the morning starts a sightseeing tour. This tour will give a good overall impression of Salvador and its principal historical landmarks. Departing from the hotel directly to Farol da Barra (Lighthouse) at Barra district, continue to Municipal Square with a stop at the Lacerda Elevator for a breathtaking view of Baía de Todos os Santos (All Saints Bay). Walking through the cobblestone streets of the Pelourinho district, the city's historic old town, UNESCO world heritage. Visit the Baroque Cathedral, built by the Jesuits in 1672 and Sao Francisco Church, Brazil's most famous religious structure with its intricately carved gold-leafed rosewood interior, fine paintings and sculpture and valuable silver ornamentation. Visit also the Pelourinho Square and walk back to the bus parking. Return to the hotel. The afternoon is free for leisure.(City tour: 4 hours)
Transfer from the hotel to the airport and flight back home.
Image Credit: Fotos Gov/Ba / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Manaus, Amazon Eco Resort, Salvador de Bahia, Rio de Janeiro
Arrival at Manaus. Transfer to hotel.
The tour begins with an 11 mile river front drive along Ponta Negra road to the floating port of Manaus. We will stop at the Rio Negro Palace, the old official residence of the governor and a beautiful example of architecture of the golden age of rubber production. Next we will visit the Indian Museum and the Salesiana Congregation to understand the traditions, habits and behavior of indigenous people. See Justice Palace and finish the city tour with "Teatro Amazonas." This fantastic theater opened in 1896 and is considered the highlight of Manaus. It is an extraordinary symbol of the wealth and greatness of the golden age of rubber production. The tour ends at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Transfer to Amazon Eco Resort
3 Nights Program Includes:
Excursions Menu:
Night Tours in Canoes: Depart lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot small alligators (or other nightly creatures). Alligators are spotted because their eyes shine like small red lights, once the alligator is spotted by the guide the guide will try to catch a small alligator with his own hands and bring it on to the canoe, and a brief explanation of their habitat follows. The alligator will then be safely released back to the river. (No harm is done to any of the animals) Duration: about 1 hour, a bilingual guide accompanies every group.
Note: during 'high water level' season (from April to August) and on full moon evenings, it might be difficult to find alligators.
Visit to The Natives House: Depart the lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, accompanied by a Bilingual guide to learn about the traditions and customs of local Amazonians ('natives').
Monkey Forest: The center for rehabilitation and re-introduction of wild animals (known as the Monkey forest), was created in 1991 with the intention of receiving animals which have been confiscated from illegal commerce. This is a joint project with the Municipal Secretary of Environment and Sustainability. In this center, the animals are initially put into quarentine to be evaluated and taken care of by a team of vetenarians and biologists. With a high success rate since the start, the animals manage to reproduce naturally, creating new families and ensuring survival of the spieces. In partnership with the FFV (Live Forest Foundation), a non profit institution overseen by Amazon Ecopark Lodge, a unique feeding system has been developed.
Twice a day, (10:30 & 15:30), the animals receive supplements of their natural diet, ensuring that they are being fed the necessary nutrients.
The Monkey Forest is open to guests at feeding times, always accompanied by a credentialed professional, permiting guests to film and photograph these animals in a natural and safe environment.
Full Day Tour Meeting of The Waters: Depart ECOPARK at 0830 hours on board of a regional double deck boat. The boat goes down the Negro River, navigating along the shore of the City of Manaus, allowing passengers to view the Amazonas Theater, the Port of Manaus, the Customs and the interesting aspects of the local life - the houses type stilts. Arrival at The Meeting of the Waters by 1130 hours.
It's a spectacular junction of Negro and Solimões Rivers. From this point on both rivers form the famous Amazon River that runs all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The waters of the two rivers run together for about 12kms, side by side, without mixing. The phenomenon happens due to differences in temperature, density and speed of the waters of the rivers.
Continue the trip on the Amazon River to the Island of 'Terra Nova' where lunch will be served in a typical restaurant (buffet style, international and regional dishes).
Depending on the level of the waters, a visit to a typical 'caboclo'(local inhabitants) villa will be included (at Terra Nova Island) during this full day tour (may not be available during the months of May, June, July and sometimes also August, when the villa is floaded). This visit can be prior or after lunch.
During the high level of waters the place of the lunch can also be changed to a restaurant located at the 'Janauary Lake', another beautiful place and, in this case, there is no visit to the villa. Return to the lodge and arrival by 1730 hours. Duration: about 09 hours.
Note: Time for 'piranha' fishing is programmed (at extra charge).
Fishing Tour: Depart lodge in paddle or motorized canoes, accompanied by a Bilingual guide. (Fishing of piranhas an other species, depending on season).
Transfer to airport. Departure to Salvador de Bahia. Transfer to hotel.
During the Brazilian Empire, Cachoeira was Bahia's wealthiest and most populated town. To this day, its original character is still intact and can be seen in its homes, churches and historical buildings. Protected by the National Institute for Historical and Artistic Heritage since 1971, Cachoeira, after Salvador, is the second most important site for Baroque architectural heritage in Bahia. While there, we will visit Igreja Matriz and Ordem Terceira do Carmo. Crossing a colonial bridge (Ponte Dom Pedro II) over the River Paraguaçu we will travel from Cachoeira to São Félix. In São Félix we will visit a traditional cigar factory that was founded in 1873.
The streets of Central Salvador take tourists back to the beginnings of Brazil. Our tour begins at the Barra Lighthouse. We will then pass the Teatro Castro Alves, Forte de São Pedro and Praça Castro Alves on route to the Historical Center (Pelourinho). More than a thousand homes, churches and monuments built since the 16th century help make up the greatest collection of Baroque architectural heritage in Latin America.
Transfer to Airport. Departure to Rio de Janeiro. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation.
Corcovado with Christ Redeemer Statue: After picking you up from your hotel, we'll pass the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (except on Sundays) on our way to reach the Cosme Velho Train cog station, which sits at the bottom of Corcovado Mountain. Here, we will take the ride up to the top, through the dense Tijuca rain forest to the 38m tall (125ft) Christ Redeemer Statue. With a panoramic view from the top, the guide will show you the spectacular sights of Rio and the surrounding countryside for approximately 40-60 minutes. After riding the train back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
Sugar Loaf City Tour and Cable Car: You will do a Panoramic tour of downtown Rio passing by the Sambodrome and a stopping at the Metropolitan Cathedral which was built in a pyramidal form with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters. Familiarize yourself with traditional Cinelândia Square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Via the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf. You’ll travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point 215 meters high for which already grants beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. From this stage, a second cable car takes us up to the top. At 395 meters we'll enjoy splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and several beaches of Niterói. After riding the Cable car back down, passengers are returned to their hotels.
Transfer to airport.