BEST OF BRAZIL
12 nights Departures year round
Itinerary
Day 1  Fly to Rio de Janeiro. Day 2  Arrive Rio de Janeiro you will be met and transferred to your hotel for three nights.  Balance of day free.  Dinner is arranged at a typical churrascaria followed by a show of Brazilian music and folklore. Day 3  Afternoon tour which includes highlights of Rio de Janeiro and a visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain, you will ascend by cable car for panoramic view of the city.  Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city. Day 4 Morning tour along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to Corcovado and the Statue of Christ for a breathtaking view of you return via Rio's famous beaches.  Remainder of the day at leisure.. Day 5 Morning flight to Manaus, on arrival you will tour the city built deep in the Amazon Basin by 19th century rubber barons.  Visit the River Market, Indian Museum and the Opera House.  Overnight at the Tropical Hotel. Day 6  Morning transfer by road and boat to the Amazon Village Lodge, the journey will take three hours.  This will be your base for two nights, all meals are included.  A number of activities are arranged and you will be escorted by knowledgeable naturalist guides. Day 7 Enjoy activities at the lodge. Day 8 After breakfast return to Manaus airport for your flight to Brazil's original capital Salvador da Bahia, you will be transferred to your hotel for three nights.  The city is divided into two parts: the 'lower city' at sea level, contains the old port and commercial area where visitors can enjoy shopping at the Modelo Market and the 'upper city' which can be reached by stone steps or the famous Lacerda Elevator, where you will find old government buildings, residential districts, museums, and churches. Day 9  Bahia is the cultural heartland of Brazil where African, Portuguese and Indian people settled.  Your half day tour will trace the development of the city from its simple beginnings to what it is now - the third largest city in Brazil.  In the evening you will enjoy a dinner and folklore show at the colonial complex of Solar do Uniao which had its own church, manor house and slaves' quarters. Day 10 Enjoy a full day schooner trip to two of the 36 islands in the bay.  You will stop at Itaparica Island for lunch and a walking tour of the colonial town. Day 11 You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Iguassu Falls where you will stay at the Tropical Das Cataratas hotel for one night.  There will be a half day tour to Brazilian side of the falls. Day 12 A half day tour of the Argentinean side of the falls.  Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or extensions to the Pantanal, Buzios or Argentina.
Departure Dates and Prices
Prices are per person sharing twin room for 12 nights.  Single supplement available on request.
Departure Date Price  1 January to 31 December 08 £1150
Price Includes: Internal flights as listed, accommodation, tours, breakfast and other meals as listed. Price Excludes: International flights, meals not listed, gratuities and items of a personal nature.
EXTENSION TO PANTANAL Covering an area of 360,000 square miles the Pantanal is the largest wetlands of the Americas and thanks to its more open vegetation it is often easier to view wildlife here than in the Amazon.  Its diversity of birds and wildlife is immense.
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Cuiaba where you will be met and transferred to Pousada do Rio Mutum in the Pantanal for 3 nights on full board.  You will have the chance to see wildlife and birds en route. Day 2 Enjoy a trail ride on horseback in the jungle to the edge of Sia Mariana bay where you will be able to observe a variety of birds, animals and reptiles. Return to the lodge for lunch.  In the afternoon take a boat ride on the Mutum River where it is possible to see giant otters, stingrays and shoals of small fish in its crystal clear waters as well as many birds along the banks of the river.  In the evening you can go out by jeep to spot nocturnal animals. Day 3 After breakfast, enjoy a walk through the jungle and open fields to observe wildlife and birds.  In the afternoon there will be a boat trip down the Mutum River to Sia Mariana bay and Chacorore bay. Day 4 A canoe trip in the Mutum river to see the sun rise and the beauty of wildlife at dawn.  Return to the lodge for breakfast before being transferred to Cuiaba airport.
Prices
Prices are per person sharing twin room for 3 nights/4 days.  Single supplement available on request.
Departure Date Price  1 January to 31 May 08 £385  1 June to 31 October 08 £400  1 November to 31 December 08 £385
Price Includes:  Transfers to the lodge, full board and all activities at the lodge. Price Excludes: Flights, gratuities and items of a personal nature.
EXTENSION TO BUZIOS After your tour of Brazil's highlights spend 3 or 4 nights in Buzios which is just 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro, a pleasant 2-hour trip.  There are 20 magnificent beaches with crystal-clear water and lovely inns and hotels to choose from.  The area is very beautiful and if you tire of the beach there are sophisticated boutiques and many excellent restaurants.
Departure Dates and Prices
Prices are per person sharing twin room for 3 nights.  Single supplement available on request.
Departure Date Price Superior Hotel Casas Brancas Standard Hotel Abracadabra  2 January to 15 March 08 £280 £185  16 March to 14 December 08 £230 £160
Price Includes: Return transfers from Rio de Janeiro, 3 nights' bed and breakfast.  Ocean view rooms available on request. Price Excludes: Meals not listed, gratuities and items of a personal nature.