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.
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Day 2: Rio de JaneiroBreakfast at hotel.
Corcovado 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.
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Day 3: Rio de JaneiroBreakfast at hotel.
City Tour and Sugar Loaf (4 hours)
After breakfast you have the change 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.
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Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do IguacuAfter breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Foz de Iguacu where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.
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 Iguacu 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 Iguacu 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.
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Day 5: Foz do IguacuAfter 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 Devils Gorge falls down into the Iguazu river leaving us wet with splashes and high with emotion! After this nature spectacular show our guide will take up the board a jeep trough the tropical rainforest and then a boat will take us trough the Iguazu river on 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. You will go on a trip "Makuko safari" through the jungle. You'll ride in the open back of the jeep for about 3 kilometers, accompanied by a guide who will tell you many interesting things about the ecology of the region. Then you go on foot to the river Iguazu, where a motor boat will carry you close to the falls.
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Day 6: Foz do IguacuGood Morning! After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, our guide will pick you up for a full day adventure to the Argentinian Side of the Iguazu Nationalpark. The Argentinean side is very different from the Brazilian one; there are the three trails leading you through the nature in the parc:
The Lower Circuit: At a length of 1,700 meters, runways venture into the lush jungle to take direct contact with the breaking of the Dos Hermanas, Chico and Ramirez. Walking down a runway you can be at the foot of a huge seawall water which is the fall of Salto Bosetti and you will enjoy the steep falls in the Saltos Alvar Nuñez, Elenita and Lanusse.
The Upper Circuit: a walk of 1,300 meters, elevated runways will take you on the fall line of several major jumps, reaching the edge thereof. It provides an overview of the whole area from a greater height.
The Devil's Throat: Accessed through the Rainforest with the Ecological Train arriving at the Devil's Throat Station. From there, after a 1,000 meters walk, you will reach the enormous 'Devil's Throat'.
You will walk around next to the falls to have a close look of the falls. You can feel the strength of the water and enjoy the 55.500 hectares of natural beauty!
In the evening your driver will drive you back to your hotel.
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Day 7: Foz do Iguacu – São LuísAfter breakfast private transfer to the airport for your flight to São Luís. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your guide.
In the afternoon explore São Luís on a nice city tour!
Walking through the streets of the Historical Center of São Luis is experiencing literary and religious scenarios, taste the local cuisine and realize how much Maranhão people greets well the visitors. The city is an island that enchants by its beauty, legends and history. Surrounded by warm water beaches all year, São Luís City, World Heritage Site since 1997, offers visitors, the centuries old streets with colonial buildings and tiles.Itinerary: Departure from the hotel, passing by Calhau, São Marcos, Ponta d’Areia beaches and Jansen Lagoon, reaching the historical Center, walking through the cobblestone streets. On the tour we will visit the main points of the city, which maintains local evidence of São Luís history.Interesting sights: Pedro II square, Lions Palace, Benedito Leite square, Sé Church, Ribeirão Fountain, Bosta Alleyway, Santo Antônio Church, Gonçalves Dias square, Arthur Azevedo Theater, Carmo Church, Quebra-Bunda Alleyway, Desterro Church, Tulhas Market, Portugal Street and House of Maranhão.
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Day 8: São Luís - BarreirinhasAround 7h00 am, departure to Barreirinhas, the trip takes 4h on good road where we will see plantations of Babaçu and Buriti. Barreirinhas is located on the waterfront of the Preguiças River, being a very peaceful and hospitable town. The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, located close to town is a rare gem with magnificent dunes sculpted by nature and at the period of March to September contains hundreds of lakes formed by rainwater falling at season. At 14h after check in at the hotel, we will begin the tour in a 4x4 vehicle to get to the heart of the Park, where we walk in the Blue lake circuit. There will be availability to take a bath in the crystal blue lagoon, and sand slide down the water, and finish off the tour by contemplation of the beautiful sunset in the dunes. Return to Barreirinhas around 19h00 and you can continue enjoying a bath in the hotel pool or go out at night in the quiet streets of the city or simply enjoy on the riverside the calm waters and savoring a beautiful pizza at restaurants in the town. Overnight in Barreirinhas.
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Day 9: Barreirinhas - AtinsAround 8:30 am, we will embark on a speedboat for a trip on the majestic Preguiças River, with its calm waters we will see in its banks: igarapés, mangue, buritis, Juçara (açaí) feet, tucunzeiros, besides herons and torches. We will stop in the communities of VASSOURAS, also known as small dunes and here we can taste a delicious coconut water, interact with the monkeys that inhabit there. We then follow to MANDACARÚ, small fishing village where we will climb 160 steps to the Preguiças Lighthouse to contemplate the paradisiacal vision of dunes, of the river and its mouth, of the ocean and of the typical vegetation arriving until CABURÉ, being this one arm of dunes located between the River and the Sea. We will continue by boat until the Town of ATINS. Arrival and accommodation at the inn. At 4:00 p.m., board a 4 × 4 vehicle to Canto do Atins, where we will have the opportunity to walk through the dunes of the park and bathe in its crystalline waters (only during the rainy season). Then we will continue to the restaurant of Luzia or Seu Antônio, where we will have the opportunity to try the famous grilled shrimp (not included), famous throughout the region. We will pause to rest in hammochs, feeling a delicious sea breeze. Transfer back to Barreirinhas. Overnight in Barreirinhas.
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Day 10: Atins - Sao LuísIn the morning you will have a trip to the Atins Lagoon. On the way back, stop for lunch at Luzia restaurant where you will taste the delicious shrimp (not included). After lunch we return to the guest house and on a motor boat we leave for Sao Luis. Overnight in Sao Luis.
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Day 11: São Luís - NatalBreakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport with a guide. Flight to Natal. Arriving in Natal. Meeting at the airport with an English speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel.
Natal is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state in Brazil, with amazing beaches such as Ponta Negra, Pipa and Genipabu.
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Day 12: NatalBreakfast at the hotel.
City Tour + Tour by boat (about 8 hours, with an English speaking guide). The tour starts in the area of Ponta Negra. You will visit the Fort of the Three Kings from the 16th century. The fort has the shape of a star which still preserve old cannons. Then we will walk through the historical of Natal: Santos Reis and Rocas and Ribeira. Afterwards we will go on to the "Cultural Corridor" of the city, which includes the Cathedral and other attractions. Next stop - the tourist center. Here you can enjoy the typical life on a market with local food and drinks you should definitely not miss! Then we will return to Ponta Negra. Visiting the symbol of the area - Dunes Morro Careca. We will finish the tour with a nice and relaxing boat trip.
Return to your hotel.
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Day 13: NatalBreakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport with an English speaking guide, for your flight back home!
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