Small group tours to Brazil, Rio to Iguazu
| country: | Brazil |
| departures: | 2010: 27 Mar, 5 Jun, 31 Jul, 4 Sep, 30 Oct, 25 Dec |
| price: | From £3298 (15 days) including flights from the UK. Minimum age 12. |
| more info: | 2010 price: From £2998. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Small group tours to Brazil Brazil is a natural paradise with splendours to inspire every visitor to this magnificent country. This tour concentrates on areas in the southern region, from the tropical rainforest and idyllic beaches of Rio, to the clear rivers and caves of Bonito. Add to this Latin Americas own safari land - the Pantanal, and the roaring waterfalls at Iguazú, and you have a breathtaking trip for any nature lover.
Highlights of our small group tours to Brazil:
Enjoy the views of Rio from the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugar Loaf mountain. Visit the colonial charms of Paratí and the golden sand beaches nearby. Explore the fairytale forests and rivers of Bonito. Go on safari amongst some of the best wildlife in Latin America in the Pantanal wetlands. Wander the walkways among the various cascades and waterfalls at Iguazú.
Style of travel
Good quality medium class hotels and a traditional pousada (lodge) in the Pantanal.
A few days to spare?
If you have a few days to spare, we can arrange extensions to the beginning or end of our small group tours to Brazil, on a private basis. You may like to take the short drive down the coast from Rio to the tropical islands and secluded beaches of Ilha Grande. Alternatively fly to the African heart of Brazil and the colonial city of Salvador in Bahia.
Best time to go on our small group tours to Brazil: Much of Brazil lies within the tropics although Rio, the surrounding coastal areas and the Pantanal are cooler and less humid between May and October. Iguazú is sub-tropical all year round.
Highlights of our small group tours to Brazil:
Style of travel
Good quality medium class hotels and a traditional pousada (lodge) in the Pantanal.
A few days to spare?
If you have a few days to spare, we can arrange extensions to the beginning or end of our small group tours to Brazil, on a private basis. You may like to take the short drive down the coast from Rio to the tropical islands and secluded beaches of Ilha Grande. Alternatively fly to the African heart of Brazil and the colonial city of Salvador in Bahia.
Best time to go on our small group tours to Brazil: Much of Brazil lies within the tropics although Rio, the surrounding coastal areas and the Pantanal are cooler and less humid between May and October. Iguazú is sub-tropical all year round.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly from the UK to Rio de Janeiro. |
| Day 2-3: | Take a cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain. Optional excursions to the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado and a football match at the Maracaná stadium. |
| Day 4: | Travel down the coast to the historic bayside town of Paratí. |
| Day 5: | Explore the hidden bays and golden beaches around the ‘green coast’. |
| Day 6-7: | Fly and drive to Bonito. Visit caves and grottos, float down rivers and snorkel in lagoons. |
| Day 8-10: | Drive to the Pantanal for a 3 night stay. Enjoy wildlife safaris into the ‘wetlands’. |
| Day 11-12: | Fly to the mighty Iguazú Falls – explore both the Argentine and Brazilian side of the falls along walkways and optional boat rides. |
| Day 13: | Fly to Rio for a final evening in this vibrant city. |
| Day 14: | Depart. |
| Day 15: | Arrive UK. |
small group adventure holiday
This trip is run by a company which specialises in only Central and South America holidays. Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip and how many others are booked on it) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone, with your partner 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, whilst being led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader. how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment
Bonito is fast becoming a part of the Brazilian ecotourism boom. The beautiful area surrounding the small town of Bonito is attracting more visitors each year, but the Brazilian government is trying to limit any damage to the natural environment. They do this by granting a limited number of local travel agencies access to the area’s attractions. We use one of these agencies, who are proud to be working alongside the authorities in promoting sustainable tourism in the area. In 1998 the Pantanal Nature Park was created to protect the region and ensure all development is sustainable. Whilst in the Pantanal we chose to stay at the Pousada Aguapé because of its sensitive approach to tourism. The lodge is a farm that has been run by the same family for some 150 years and since 1989 it has diversified its activities, continuing with cattle but starting to work in eco-tourism. The Pousada Aguapé has also been working with the Blue Macaw project since 2000. The project’s aim is to preserve the environment to ensure the survival of Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus in its natural habitat. On top of work with wildlife, Aguapé is also involved with the local authority of Aquidauana to improve local schooling and increase classroom attendance. One of the major attractions of the tour is the visit to the Iguazú Falls. The falls lie in both Brazil and Argentina. UNESCO, in association with the WWF, works to coordinate both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the National Park, and make sure that all the money raised from the thousands of visitors each year in entrance fees is properly distributed to the protection and development of the area. Community On this tour we work with small privately owned ground agents who live in the area, have established RT policies in place, and employ local guides and staff. A number of journeys on this tour use public transport, the hotels are small, individual properties often run by the owners and their families, we eat in local restaurants serving locally grown produce – our style of travel ensures that as many local people as possible benefit by our being there. This tour runs with a maximum of 16 people which helps to minimise the impact on delicate environments. |
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. |