Best of Brazil
Duration:12 days
Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
Arrive into RIO de JANEIRO. There is no city like Rio! Beautiful beaches, beautiful people, Carnival and nightlife. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
Your full day tour today includes the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and a drive to the summit of Corcovado Mountain to see the 36 metre high state of Christ the Redeemer whose outstretched arms embrace stunning views of Rio's mountains, harbour and beaches. Enjoy a barbeque lunch. Also visit the major points of interest in the city with an ascent of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car for a superb view of one of the world's most beautiful harbours. (Tickets included). Return to your hotel. BL
Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
Day at leisure. Perhaps take an optional tour to Buzios, considered one of the most sophisticated gateways in the State of Rio de Janeiro and very popular among the locals as an escape from the bustling city. This evening, perhaps take in a Samba show. B
Day 4
Rio de Janeiro - Belo Horizonte
You are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Belo Horizonte, Brazil's third largest and first planned city, situated 800 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains. On arrival you are met and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. B
Day 5
Belo Horizonte - Ouro Preto - Belo Horizonte
Full day tour to Ouro Preto, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding baroque architecture. Founded in 1711. Ouro Preto is a remarkable treasure house of colonial and baroque architecture and paintings. Stone paved streets winding up and down steep hills crowned with glorious churches add to the harmonious ensemble of colonial tiled buildings, fountains and terraced gardens. At the end of your tour (which includes lunch) you return to Belo Horizonte. BL
Day 6
Belo Horizonte - Salvador da Bahia
You are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Salvador da Bahia, the original capital of Brazil, famous for it's 165 colonial churches such as the gold-encrusted Convent Church of San Francisco. Brazil's largest collection of 17th and 18th century art is found in Salvador da Bahia. Rest of the day at leisure. B
Day 7
Salvador da Bahia
Today enjoy a half day, historical, city tour of Pelourinho, Salvador's upper city; an historic area with many 17th century churches, public buildings and residences; and the lower city with the commercial quarters, picturesque market and the old port. Rest of the day at leisure. This evening, perhaps return to Pelourinho which offers music and dance events in its many public squares. B
Day 8
Salvador da Bahia
A day at leisure. Salvador is the ideal place to relax and unwind. The pace is a little slower than Brazil's major cities and is fringed with beautiful beaches. Perhaps take an optional tour of the beach areas where you may see the traditional fishing rafts (jangadas) and some of the local eating stands selling delicious, fresh seafood. Or you may wish to take an optional cruise to the island of Itaparica. B
Day 9
Salvador da Bahia - Brasilia
You are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Brasilia, capital of Brazil. Rising like a mirage from a reddish, barren land, this ultra modern metropolis with its unusual architecture and layout, appears an architect's dream. This afternoon enjoy a half day city tour. The tour starts at one of the super blocks (residential area, where you will find a kindergarten, a church and a commercial area); the chapel of Our Lady of Fatima (first building inaugurated in Brasilia); Dom Bosco's Church (one of the most beautiful building of the city); the TV Tower with a lovely view of the city from its observatory platform; the memorial for Juscelino Kubitschek - the builder and founder of Brasilia and former President of Brazil; the cathedral; the Three Powers Square, visiting an historical museum built in honour of liberty and the Espaço Lucio Costa, also at the same place where you can take pictures of the Congress Building; and Planalto Palace (the office for our President and the Supreme Court). The tour ends passing by the Palace of Dawn the official residence of the president. B
Day 10
Brasilia - Iguassu Falls (Via Sao paulo)
You are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Iguassu (via Sao Paulo). On arrival Iguassu you are met and transferred to your hotel which is situated within the Iguassu Falls National park and just minutes from the Falls. Iguassu Falls surpass in grandeur both Niagara and Victoria Falls and form the frontier between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Perhaps this afternoon you might like to take an optional helicopter flight over the Falls (weather permitting). B
Day 11
Iguassu Falls
This morning enjoy a half-day walking tour along the marked paths in the Iguassu Falls National park for a panoramic view of the most impressive of the cascades. Return to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to further explore the falls or just relax. B
Day 12
Iguassu Falls
Today you are met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departing flight. B
