Gap year tour to Brazil
| country: | Brazil |
| location: | Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls, Ilha Grande |
| departures: | Please contact us for departure details |
| price: | From £2145 + £50 donation (6 weeks) excluding flights. Price includes all activities, training, food, accommodation and in-country transport. We can help arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Unrivalled for its sheer magnificence of landscapes and diversity of culture, beautiful Brazil offers something for everyone. From its seductive golden coast to the mysterious depths of the Amazon, from its indigenous peoples preserving traditional ways of life to the intoxicating style of Rio, Brazil cannot fail to ignite your spirit and touch your soul. A trip as varied as Brazil itself, you'll take a 4 day surf course, trek the valleys and waterfalls of Chapada Diamantina, go wildlife spotting in the Pantanal, live on a riverboat and explore the heart of the Amazon, be awestruck by the mighty Iguazu Falls, go white water rafting, hang glide over Rio and then dance in it's hottest night spots. Viva Brazil!
Groups will be made up of 10-18 people, lead by an experienced leader and assistant. Group members will be 18-25 years old and everyone has one thing in common – an enthusiasm to experience the real South America, pack in as many adrenalin activites as possible whilst making a positive impact on the local communities through responsible travel. Accommodation ranges from tents on treks to dormitory or twin rooms, depending on the location and activity. All will be clean and of good quality but none will be a luxury! We choose accommodation for the friendly reliable locals who run them.
Whilst on the your trip you will get the chance to sample traditional South American cuisine. In general you will eat at your hostel for breakfast, out and about in town for lunch and in a local restaurant in the evening. You will also have the opportunity to go out in smaller groups. Whilst on treks the team will take it in turn to cook simple meals on camping stoves. Brazil is the world's fifth largest country, covering 8.51 million sq km. Although 90% of the country is within the tropical zone, the climate of Brazil varies considerably in rain, temperature and humidity from season to season. However, it is only southern Brazil that has any large seasonal changes. The winter months are Jun - Aug.
Groups will be made up of 10-18 people, lead by an experienced leader and assistant. Group members will be 18-25 years old and everyone has one thing in common – an enthusiasm to experience the real South America, pack in as many adrenalin activites as possible whilst making a positive impact on the local communities through responsible travel. Accommodation ranges from tents on treks to dormitory or twin rooms, depending on the location and activity. All will be clean and of good quality but none will be a luxury! We choose accommodation for the friendly reliable locals who run them.
Whilst on the your trip you will get the chance to sample traditional South American cuisine. In general you will eat at your hostel for breakfast, out and about in town for lunch and in a local restaurant in the evening. You will also have the opportunity to go out in smaller groups. Whilst on treks the team will take it in turn to cook simple meals on camping stoves. Brazil is the world's fifth largest country, covering 8.51 million sq km. Although 90% of the country is within the tropical zone, the climate of Brazil varies considerably in rain, temperature and humidity from season to season. However, it is only southern Brazil that has any large seasonal changes. The winter months are Jun - Aug.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-3: | The City of Salvador de Bahia. Arrive into the Afro-Caribbean centre and former capital of colonial Brazil that remains one of its cultural highlights. The city retains much of its African soul with a unique and vibrant culture, from music and dance that will ignite your senses to food and religion that will excite your soul. We spend a couple of days soaking up all that spicy Salvador has to offer. |
| Day 4-10: | Itacare Surfers' Paradise. A fully instructed 4 day surf course on the beautiful beaches of Itacare. The first few days will have you perfecting your technique and final days will see you riding the waves. We explore nearby coastal forests and waterfalls, take canoes into the mangroves and relax on its gorgeous beaches. |
| Day 11-19: | Lencois and Chapada Diamantina. A couple of bus rides and we'll arrive in the quaint town of Lencois the gateway into one of Brazil's most treasured national parks - The Chapada Diamantina. We'll take a 4 day trek along ridges and into valleys, we'll trek to the base and the very heights of the 'Fumaca' or 'Glass' waterfall - the second highest waterfall in South America. |
| Day 20-25: | Manaus and The Amazon. We'll take an early morning flight to Manaus, a sprawling city of more than a million people on the banks of the Negro river. A visit to The Mercado Municipal offers a taste of the bizarre and beautiful forest crafts, seeds and remedies that the Amazon region has to offer. After an early morning transfer we'll begin our journey into the depths of the last great wilderness on earth - The Amazon Rainforest. Travelling up the Negro River, we'll stop off at strategic points along the banks to explore the jungle and to meet local communities. Local guides will teach you about the magical properties of plants and instruct you in a spot of Piranha fishing. Jungle life runs on a completely different time scale to the city, up with the sunrise and to bed with the sunset whilst being serenaded by a chorus of crickets, frogs and cicadas. You can't fail to be hypnotised by the mystical beauty of the rainforest. |
| Day 26-29: | The Pantanal. The largest inland wetland on earth, the Pantanal, with its wide-open spaces, is the place to see wildlife in South America. It's home to around 650 species of bird, 50 reptile and 80 mammal species, including the elusive jaguar, howler and capuchin monkeys, capybara, sloth, giant and collared anteaters, iguanas, tapir and literally millions of caiman. We'll go on night safaris, take early morning nature walks, go horse riding and reach the outer limits of this unique ecosystem in 4x4s and motorised canoe. |
| Day 30-33: | The Iguazu Falls. We'll take a flight to the unforgettable Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. On the Brazilian side of the falls you'll be struck by the mighty splendour of 'the devil's throat'. Crossing the border to Argentina you'll ride the river under the base of the falls and feel the scale of its awesome power. |
| Day 34-37: | Ilha Grande and Paraty. Next we'll fly to Rio de Janeiro but before we check out the city we'll head to the remote island paradise of Ilha Grande. Ilha Grande is a mountain range, covered in tropical forest jutting out of an emerald sea and fringed by some of the world's most beautiful beaches. There are no cars or roads just trails through the forest to the hundreds of beaches so the island remains relatively undeveloped. We'll also spend a day visitng the charming colonial town of Paraty. With well preserved colonial house, winding streets, a beautiful harbour and quaint gardens it is no suprise that Paraty is protected by UNESCO. |
| Day 38-42: | Rio de Janeiro. Brazilians say that God created the world in six days, the seventh he dedicated to Rio. The 'Cidade Maravilhosa' or 'City of God' is certainly one of the world's most beautiful with its forested mountains and sparkling beaches, it is the epitome of all that Brazil is celebrated for. From 'Corcovado' and the statue of Christ the Redeemer to the world-renowned 'Maracana' football stadium, from the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana to the vibrant nightlife of Lapa you'll see it all. You'll end your journey on a high with a tandem hang gliding flight from Pedra Bonito - what a way to end this action packed adventure! |
Highly Commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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This Brazil trip takes in areas of astounding natural beauty and visits inspiring local communities across this huge country. The opportunity to stay with native rural families whilst trekking along the east coast ensures that money goes directly to the communities. Visiting social projects in on the island of Cairu provides the ideal chance to see how our work has been supporting sustainable development in the area, through tree planting, teaching and infrastructure construction.
Group members will have the chance to learn about the local culture through Capoeira classes in the town square, meeting the local theatre group and getting to know the local children.  On top of providing this unique experience, we also work hard to minimise our environmental footprint. We do this by adopting a zero-litter policy, managing waste and water use and recommending environmentally friendly products to all our group members. Through briefing and training all staff and group members we ensure that all groups are able to act responsibly before, during and after their trip.Join us and see how travel can enrich not only you but the world around you. |
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. |