Holiday to Brazil
| country: | Brazil |
| location: | Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls |
| trip type: | A small group adventure. |
| departures: | 2010: 26 Mar, 17 Jul, 14 Aug, 9 Oct 2011: 9 Apr, 16 Jul, 13 Aug, 15 Oct |
| price: | From £2879 - £3159 (14 days) including flights from the UK. From £2269 - £2399 excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Holiday to Brazil
Staggering variety – dramatic waterfalls, lush rainforest and vibrant cities for a real adventure
Amazon, Iguacu and Ilha Grande
The massive Amazon basin covers much of Brazil and you’ll adventure up-river from Manaus to discover this mysterious world. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and macaws as you explore the jungle trails before drifting off to sleep to the sounds of the local wildlife. In the far south of the country you’ll be awe-struck by the sheer power and size of the Iguacu waterfalls – the world’s biggest - before continuing to Rio, one of the world’s most evocative cities. Take the cable-car to the top of Sugarloaf, stand at the foot of the statue of Christ the Redeemer and challenge the locals to a game of beach football! Last stop on this journey is Ilha Grande, with time to relax on its famous beaches.
Amazon, Iguacu and Ilha Grande
The massive Amazon basin covers much of Brazil and you’ll adventure up-river from Manaus to discover this mysterious world. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and macaws as you explore the jungle trails before drifting off to sleep to the sounds of the local wildlife. In the far south of the country you’ll be awe-struck by the sheer power and size of the Iguacu waterfalls – the world’s biggest - before continuing to Rio, one of the world’s most evocative cities. Take the cable-car to the top of Sugarloaf, stand at the foot of the statue of Christ the Redeemer and challenge the locals to a game of beach football! Last stop on this journey is Ilha Grande, with time to relax on its famous beaches.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Overnight flight to Sao Paulo |
| Day 2: | Manaus On arrival in Sao Paulo you transfer to your internal flight to take you north to the city of Manaus, in the Amazon region. Situated in the middle of the Amazon rainforest this thriving river port was a fortress originally built in 1669. During the afternoon here, you will take a stroll around teh local area to become familiar with your surroundings. There are many famous sights that were the result of the rubber boom that made Manaus a prosperous city at the turn of the twentiethcentury. The Teatro Amazonas is symbolic of the opulence that resulted from the boom. Constructed from materials imported from Europe, there are still regular opera and ballet performances that take place in the city. Also during your stay here you can see the Palacio Rio Negro, home of the state government, the old British customs house and the Municipal Market. Hotel – 1 night |
| Day 3-4: | Amazon This morning you transfer directly to your lodge (3hrs) on the banks of the Amazon. During your stay you make various sorties by motorised canoe from the rustic comfort of the lodge to discover the rainforest. A full programme of activities is designed to show you the richness of the unfamiliar environment. You’ll do a jungle walk to learn about the extraordinary variety of plant life found here, and some of its uses; you’ll have the option to take a dawn excursion to watch birds and attempt to spot animals or try an afternoon fishing expedition to catch piranha (both at additional cost) and after dark you’ll head out to spot caiman by torchlight. During your short stay there’s also plenty of opportunity to relax and simply absorb the majesty of the natural surroundings. Jungle lodge - 2 nights (Bx2,Lx2, Dx2) |
| Day 5: | Amazon to Iguaçu Falls As is normal in the jungle, you rise very early for a final wildlife watching trip and then head back to Manaus by road. From Manaus you board a riverboat which takes you to the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ - the confluence of the Amazon’s two main tributaries. Here the dark, tannin rich waters of the Rio Negro run side by side with the muddy yellow waters of the Rio Solimões for several kilometres before eventually merging to form the Amazon proper. On your return to Manaus you will visit the opera house if time permits. In the early afternoon you transfer to the airport for the flight south to Foz do Iguaçu, on the border with Argentina and Paraguay. You arrive late in the evening. Hotel - 3 nights (B) |
| Day 6: | Iguaçu Falls A short bus ride away from the town of Foz, the Rio Iguaçu widens and sweeps majestically round a three kilometre bend before plunging 80 metres over a natural fault. Two hundred and seventy five separate cascades present an awesome spectacle of thundering water and flying spray. Higher than Victoria Falls, wider than Niagara Falls - and arguably more beautiful than either - the falls are shared between Brazil and Argentina. Although Argentina has the lion’s share of this UNESCO World Heritage site, Brazil possesses the ‘grand view’, of churning river below the falls – this arrangement led to the local saying that Argentina puts on the show and Brazil charges for the tickets. This morning you‘ll visit the viewpoints on the Brazilian side. There’s also an exciting helicopter ride over the waterfalls (optional) for wonderful aerial views or the chance to visit a fascinating bird park (also optional). (B) |
| Day 7: | Iguaçu Falls This morning you will visit the Argentine side, which is noted for its close-up views of the falls. You’re almost bound to get wet as the trails here lead right into the spray of the crashing waters. Perhaps the most spectacular point is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) with its awe-inspiring view of roaring falls, rainbow arcs, and parrots and hawks swooping against a backdrop of verdant rainforest. An exciting boat trip (optional) takes you right up to the torrent so you see the water tumbling from high above and feel the spray lashing into your face. (B) |
| Day 8: | Rio De Janeiro In the morning you transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio. It’s soon apparent why Rio de Janeiro is known as the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city). Crammed into the few flat areas between beach and soaring mountain, is an area of prime real estate where more than seven million cariocas (as Rio’s inhabitants are known) go about their daily business. This afternoon you'll take the 1,300-metre long cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain from where you get magnificent views across the city, Guanabara Bay and the aeroplanes that land and take off from Santos Dumont airport.Whether by day or night, you first ariel impression of Rio is likely to remain with you forever - one of the definitive images of Latin America. Hotel – 3 nights (B) |
| Day 9: | Rio De Janeiro Rio was founded in the early 16th century, but it was much later - when Portugal fell to Napoleon - that the Portuguese court moved here and proclaimed the city as the new capital of the empire. It has always been a place of sharp contrasts; opulence lives side by side with poverty - the beachfront is lined with skyscrapers of smoked glass and stainless steel, yet a third of the population lives in the favelas that blanket the hillsides. In the morning your city tour will take you through the city and up the mountain of Corcovado, crowned by Rio’s signature landmark - the giant statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), whose outstretched arms protect the city below. The views are only rivalled by those on the other side of the city. This afternoon you are free to explore. (B) |
| Day 10: | Rio De Janeiro The day is free so you can explore. The beaches are an obvious attraction - Ipanema, Leblon and the most famous of all; Copacabana - but Rio has a wealth of other things to see; old colonial parts and many absorbing museums and art galleries. further afield, the tropical rainforest of Tijuca National Park provides a welcome break from the concrete jungle of the city.. To sample some of the best this cost has to offer you may opt to take a schooner trip to explore tropical islands and snorkel off beautiful sand beaches. For dinner you can chose to eat in a typically Brazilian way by either going to a churrascaria or an al Quilo restaurant. The first offers a huge buffet of salads to start, before massive skewers of meat are repeatedly brought to the table until you can't eat any more. An al quilo is almost the opposite where you actually pay for your food depending on its weight! (B) |
| Day 11: | Ilha Grande Today you will transfer from Rio to Angra do Reis and catch the ferry across to Ilha Grande. As it's name suggests, Ilha Grande is a 'Big Island' off the coast of Rio, renowned for abundent vegitation, rocky landscapes and beautiful beaches which are among the best in Brazil. You have the afternoon free to explore at your leisure. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 12: | Ilha Grande You'll have most of today free to do the things you didn't have time to fit in yesterday. This beautiful island is largely undeveloped and hosts one of the richest ecosystems in the world. The entire island is a protected area and hosts an abundance of endangered wildlife from the red-browed Amazon parrot and broad-snouted cayman to the maned sloth and brown howler monkey. The 150km of trail system present throughout the island connects pristine rainforest to stunning beaches and hence, is a perfect location for relaxed exploration. (B) |
| Day 13-14: | Depart Sao Paulo/Arrive London Today you will board the ferry back to Angra do Reis. From here you will transfer overland to Sao Paulo (approx 6hrs) where the trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights to the UK will catch their flight back to London. (B) |
| Pantanal Extension: | Optional Extension Day 1-12: As per main itinerary Day 13: Travel back on the ferry to Angra do Reis with the rest of the group and onwards to Sao Paulo where you will spend the night. Hotel - 1 night (B) Day 14: This morning you will transfer to the airport for your flight into the wetland wilderness of the Pantanal. The flight arrives in Cuiaba and you are transferred by land to your lodge for the next three nights. Lodge – 3 nights (BD) Day 15/16: These day’s activities will comprise of either boat rides or nature walks through this diverse wilderness. The area is renowned for its diversity of bird species including the Hyacinth macaw (the largest parrot in the world), Jabiru storks and also migratory birds that spend the summer in North America. In addition, the open nature of the terrain makes animal spotting easier than more forested areas so you may see anteater, coatis (a racoon-like animal), capybara, giant otter and howler monkey. There is also a remote possibility of seeing that most elusive of cats, the mighty Jaguar. (Bx2,Lx2,Dx2) Day 17: You'll take an afternoon transfer to Cuiaba Airport by land, in time for your flight to São Paulo and onward connection to London. (B) Day 18: Arrive in London NB: The Pantanal extension is not accompanied by a Group Leader but local guides and drivers are provided for all transfers and organised activities. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We employ local group leaders, stay in locally owned hotels, eat in local restaurants and travel in small groups - all this benefits the local people by providing valuable employment and distributing evenly the money we spend, whilst not overburdening them with visitors. We stay in an eco lodge in Rio Negro and also visit a local village enabling genuine local contact.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.  Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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