Day 1. Rio de JaneiroArrival in Rio de Janeiro. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 2. Rio de JaneiroAfter breakfast, a sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro (8 hours). Excursion to Corcovado Mountain. We take a mini-train through the Tijuca rainforest to the foot of the highest peak in Rio - Corcovado Mountain. A stunning statue of Christ is a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil. At an altitude of 2,300 feet (800 m) above sea level, we have a breathtaking view of the city. Lunch at the barbecue restaurant. The program continues with an exciting journey through the center of Rio de Janeiro. Lunch at a local restaurant. Next we will head to the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. A cable car delivers us from te bottom to the top of the mountain. 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. At the end, transfer to the hotel.
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Day 3. Rio de JaneiroAfter breakfast, you can order additional excursions upon request.
Optional: Botanical Garden
We recommend ordering an excursion to the Botanical Garden. More than 7000 species of plants grow in the Botanical Garden, among which are the surprisingly tall Imperial Palm Trees, and the most exotic and strange inhabitants of the Amazon Valley. The most famous plant is Victoria Regia, a giant water lily whose huge floating leaf can withstand the weight of a five-year-old child. (not included)
Duration: 4 hours
Optional: Trip to the tropical islands
The city of Ilha Grande, located on an island 1.5 hours from Rio de Janeiro, in the province of Mangaratiba, lives on fishing, tourism and agriculture. The city is built up with small houses of fishermen. In order to get to Ilha Grande, you need to cross the bay by schooner. During the trip, we will enjoy the views of the islands overgrown with rainforests. If we are lucky, then we will see dolphins. On the way the schooner stop so that we can swim. A wonderful lunch buffet awaits us on the island. We will walk around the island, take a swim in the bay or in the pool and return to our schooner, who will take us to Rio.
Duration: 8 hours
Optional: Rio Night: The Mulatas Show
You will spend an unforgettable night in Rio! Our guide will pick you up from the hotel, and you will go to watch a beautiful show full of incendiary Brazilian dances: samba and capoeira performed by very slim and beautiful mulattos. During the show you can order dinner. After the show, our guide will take you back to the hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
Optional: Royal Petropolis
Petropolis is a city located in the mountains at a distance of 60 km from Rio de Janeiro. King Pedro II bought land here in 1830 and built a summer palace to bring his sick daughter, who was harmful to the hot climate of Rio de Janeiro. The European founders of the city built many buildings here, beautiful examples of German architecture. The royal palace has preserved a lot of antique furniture and household items of the royal family, which are now exhibited in the museum. Jewelry is also stored here, for example, a golden crown adorned with diamonds and pearls. Together with our guide you will visit the Gothic Cathedral, where Princess Isabelle, King Pedro II and his wife are buried, and then go to the Royal Museum.
Optional: Helicopter Flying Over Rio
You will board a helicopter at the site on Sugarloaf. During the flight you will see a magnificent sight of the city below, endless beaches, a huge statue of Christ and the Botanical Garden!
Flight duration: 8-9 minutes.
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Day 4. Rio de Janeiro - Foz de IguaçuBreakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport, flight to Foz de Iguaçu. Meeting and transfer to the selected hotel. After arrival you will go on a tour in the Argentinean side of the falls, it is different from the Brazilian; you will walk on paths through the falls which give you the opportunity to have a look under the falls. You feel the strength of the falling water from up close and enjoy the 55.500 hectares natural park surrounding this spectacular beauty! Within the park, take the train to the marvelous devils throat the strongest of all the waterfalls. Stand directly above the falling water and admire the strength of this natural phenomenon. Transfer back to the hotel.
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Day 5. Foz de IguaçuAfter breakfast in your hotel, our guide will pick up you to start the Brazilian Falls excursion. The waterfalls of Foz de Iguassu, located on the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, are 275 huge water streams falling from a terrible height. Waterfalls are located in the national park with unique flora and fauna, arose as a result of a volcanic eruption and displacement of earth layers. The name of the waterfalls in translation from Guarani means "big water". 275 waterfalls, each has its own name, are thrown with a roar in the gorge “Devil's Throat”. The contrast between the calm and even lazy flow of the Iguassu River above the waterfalls and the powerful overthrow of the seething streams of water from a height of 72 meters into the abyss is amazing. You can stand for hours without looking up, contemplating this spectacle and thinking about the magnificence and eternity of our universe.
Optional: Macuco Safari
You will go on a tour through the jungle, and then get to a wonderful boat ride. In the jungle you will ride in an open jeep for about 3 kilometers, accompanied by a guide who will tell a lot of interesting things about the ecology of the region. Then you will go on foot to the banks of the Iguassu River, from where they will take you by motor boat close to the waterfalls. You are expected by splashes and rainbows, the sea of delight and unique photos (Optional for $150).
Optional: Bird Park
You will enter the huge open-air cages, where amazing, fairytale birds of outlandish colors freely fly or walk among the rainforest (optional $65) .
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Day 6. Foz de Iguaçu - 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)
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Day 7 & 8. PantanalThe 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)
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Day 9. 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)
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Day 10. 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)
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Day 11. Bonito – BuziosBreakfast, the transfer to Campo Grande airport when you will take a flight to Rio de Janeiro. After arrival in Rio de Janeiro the driver will take you straight to your hotel in Buzios.
Buzios - This is a fishing village 177 km north of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful places in the world. The unique charm is given by a fanciful landscape, exotic vegetation, picturesque beaches. The climate is dry and temperate. Buzios charms with its beaches of warm yellow sand and clear ocean water. The beaches offer wonderful views of the mountains, covered with forests, coastal cliffs, and the sunset here is especially colorful. All conditions for diving, surfing, water skiing, kayaking. You can rent a buggy and ride on the beaches and the town. Buzios has several viewing platforms, with a magnificent view of the ocean and mountains. While sailing, you will see the magnificent scenery of the entire coast, and try the local drink: Caipirinha. Sailboats stop right in the ocean, and you can swim and see the colorful underwater world. In the evening you will find cozy restaurants with a wide variety of cuisine, discos. The main pedestrian street is full of life after sunset. Here you can just walk, shopping, sit in a bar or restaurant, which there are a lot around.
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Day 12. BuziosFree day in Buzios.
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Day 13. Buzios - Rio de JaneiroLast breakfast and then transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport.
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