Brazil family holiday
| country: | Brazil |
| location: | Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls |
| departures: | 2009: 18 Dec 2010: 27 Mar, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug 2011: 8 Apr, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug |
| price: | From £2599 - £3249 (14 days) per adult and from £2339 - £2799 per child including flights from the UK. |
| more info: | From £1849 - £2149 per adult and from £1739 - £2149 per child excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Journey to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, marvel at the impressive Iguaçu Falls and play football on Rio’s Copacabana beach
Rio do Janiero
Rio is one of the world's most famous and vibrant cities. Take the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain to enjoy the panorama, or just relax on the incredible beaches.
Ilha Grande
This beautiful island is largely undeveloped and is perfect for relaxed exploration. Among the craggy peaks and heavy vegetation are some of the best beaches in Brazil.
Amazon Jungle
You'll glide down the mighty Amazon in dugout canoes (keep your eyes peeled for Aligators!) perhaps try fishing for piranha and venture into the jungle on foot to seek out birds and monkeys in the surrounding rainforest.
Iguacu Falls
The thunderous falls of Iguacu are rightly renowned as among the most impressive on earth. You will be able to see at close quarters the mighty torrents as they tumble downwards. This incredible sight is the perfect way to end your time in Brazil.
Rio do Janiero
Rio is one of the world's most famous and vibrant cities. Take the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain to enjoy the panorama, or just relax on the incredible beaches.
Ilha Grande
This beautiful island is largely undeveloped and is perfect for relaxed exploration. Among the craggy peaks and heavy vegetation are some of the best beaches in Brazil.
Amazon Jungle
You'll glide down the mighty Amazon in dugout canoes (keep your eyes peeled for Aligators!) perhaps try fishing for piranha and venture into the jungle on foot to seek out birds and monkeys in the surrounding rainforest.
Iguacu Falls
The thunderous falls of Iguacu are rightly renowned as among the most impressive on earth. You will be able to see at close quarters the mighty torrents as they tumble downwards. This incredible sight is the perfect way to end your time in Brazil.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 2: | Rio De Janeiro Today you’ll take a tour through the city taking in the famous beaches – Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon, the often overlooked older heart of cinelandia and the cathedral, designed in the style of an Aztec pyramid with impressive stained glass. For most, however, the highlight is travelling to the top of the mountain of Corcovado, crowned by Rio’s signature landmark - the giant statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). The statue itself is gigantic, making you feel tiny as it soars into the sky above your head. At least as impressive, if not more so, is the view of Sugarloaf and the city laid out below Christ’s protective outstretched arms. It will soon become 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. Each lunchtime the beaches fill as office workers change out of their work clothes and come out to top up their tan or play futebol. You'll also have the chance to visit the huge 120,000 capacity Maracana stadium - a veritable cathedral of football. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 3: | 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, or shanty towns, that blanket the hillsides. Far from being temporary affairs they now support several storey houses and internet outlets. This morning you’ll take the 1,300-metre long cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for the classic view over the city and Guanabara Bay. Whether by day or night, your first aerial impression of Rio is likely to remain with you forever - one of the definitive images of Latin America! (B) |
| Day 4: | Ilha Grande Today you'll take a transfer to Angra do Reis before taking the journey by boat to the idyllic island of Ilha Grande. You have the afternoon free on this beautiful island, which is largely undeveloped and perfect for relaxed exploration. Among the craggy peaks and heavy vegetation are some of the best beaches in Brazil. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 5: | Ilha Grande You'll have most of today free to do the things you didn't have time to fit in yesterday. Ilha Grande 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. (B) |
| Day 6: | Paraty Today you'll board the ferry back to Angra do Reis. From there you continue onwards to Paraty. Paraty is on the Costa Verde, has been inhabited since 1650 and was originally a staging post for the shipping of gold and precious stones from the Brazilian interior back to Europe. As with many of these original coastal settlements the town declined in population and stature when Rio started to expand. However what was left untouched is one of the best examples of colonial architecture in the whole of Brazil. The influx of tourism has given a new lease of life to this town and it is a delight to wander its cobbled streets adorned with flowers and buzzing with hummingbirds. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 7: | Paraty Today is left free to either relax in the town or venture further afield. There is an optional tour by traditional saveiro (schooner) to some of the surrounding beaches and an opportunity to snorkel in the tropical Atlantic. There are good swimming beaches close to the town but the best are on the coast back down towards Sao Paulo, like unspoilt Trindade (40 minutes by bus). Behind Paraty rise mountains covered in rare tropical Atlantic rainforest. This is a fast disappearing ecosystem and the Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaima helps to protect it. There are plenty of monkeys in these forests as well as other mammals and some great birds. (B) |
| Day 8: | Andresito A lot of today will be spent travelling. You'll set off on your journey, leaving Paraty and heading towards Sao Paulo. From here you'll catch a flight to Iguaçu then will cross the Argentine border whilst continuing your journey onto the Andresito Wetlands; one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in Latin America. Lodge - 3 nights (BLD) |
| Day 9: | Andresito The Andresito Wetlands is located in one of the largest sections fof the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest (UPAF) and is surrounded by two World Herritage Sites. This morning you will try your hand at canoeing down the Iguaçu river and the afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure. You may like to walk among the marshes marvelling at the wildlife. (BLD) |
| Day 10: | Andresito You may see locals drinking from a container through a hollow straw life tube. What they are drinking is yerba mate - tea made from the leaves of the South American holly tree. The first people to cultivate yerba mate were the Jesuit missionaries this morning you will get a visit a yerba mate plantation. You'll see how yerba mate is prodced and get to sample what the Guarani people billed as a 'gift from the gods'. In the afternoon you'll get to go cycling through the incredible wetlands. (BLD) |
| Day 11: | Iguaçu Falls Today you'll transfer to the majestic Iguacu Falls where you will visit the Argentine side of the falls, which is noted for its close-up views of the water. Whereas in Brazil you are looking at the falls, in Argentina you are in amongst them as walkways take you right over the tops of many of the individual cascades - you’re almost bound to get wet as the trails here lead right into the spray of the crashing waters. The various sections of the falls are now connected by a narrow gauge railway which pulls you through the forest. 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 can see the water tumbling from high above and feel the spray lashing into your face; not only is this an adrenalin-filled activity, it also provides a completely different perspective of the falls, allowing you to fully appreciate their size. For something more sedate you can take the small boat across to the Isla San Martin where a number of scenes from the film The Mission were filmed. Later in the day you return to your hotel in Brazil. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 12: | Iguaçu Falls At the Iguaçu Falls, 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, a bird park and the chance to explore the jungle. (B) |
| Day 13: | Flight To London This afternoon you will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Sao Paulo, where the trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on our group flights to London will transfer from here. (B) |
| Day 14: | Arrive in London Arrive in London |
| Day 15-17: | Optional Salvador Extension Day 1-12: As original itinerary. Day 13: You will transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Salvador, known as 'Brazil's capital of happiness' due to its easygoing population and many outdoor parties. Salvador is renound for its cuisine, music, coastline and architecture. Hotel - 3 nights (BD) Day 14: This morning you will pay a visit to the Estrela community based tourism project where you will get a better understanding of everday life in Salvador. Here you will meet young people and talk to them about what it's like to live in Salvador. They will take you on a tour of the neighbourhood and you'll experience a youth performace of afro-dance, theatre, capoeira or samba. You will have the afternoon free to spend as you wish. (B) Day 15: You'll have a free day today. You may wish to spend your time relaxing at the beach. The Salvador coastline is one of the longest for cities in Brazil and beaches range from those that are suitable for swimming, or ones with stronger waves for surfing or even beaches surrounded by reefs, perfect for rockpooling. (B) Day 16: The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those with our onward flights will transfer to the airport to catch your early evening flight. Day 17: Arrive London |
how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We stay in locally owned hotels, eat in local restaurants and use locally owned transport - this helps distribute amongst a wide number of people the money we spend. Because our groups are small they have very little impact on the areas through which we travel. On the Amazon we stay in an eco-friendly lodge.
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. |