Brazil is the largest country in South and Central America, with an area of 3.2 million square miles and a population of 208 million.
The Atlantic ocean is to the east and the coastline bordering the ocean stretches for an incredible 4,655 miles. Both the Tropic of Capricorn and the equator cross Brazil. The landscape is very diverse with hills, mountains, plains and highlands and a network of giant rivers which include the Amazon, Parana and Iguacu. The climate is so diverse that environments range from equatorial forests, deserts, wetlands, coniferous forests and tropical savannas.
The Amazon rainforest has the greatest biological diversity in the world and it is estimated that the country as a whole harbours 4 million plant and animal species. Animals range from pumas, ocelots and jaguars to tapirs, anteaters, sloths, armadillos and, in the northern rainforests, monkeys. Brazil's Amazon Basin harbours an extremely diverse array of fish - some enormous and pretty frightening specimens!
This is a country with enormous natural assets, yet a country that has never managed to capitalise on what has been bestowed on it. Its sheer size lends itself to a structured visit and, in creating the ‘Natural Wonders of Brazil’ itinerary, we feel we have captured the essence of what this wonderful country has to offer. The itinerary covers the physical beauty of Brazil at a pace that allows time for activities, relaxation and contemplation.
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast, Full Board
Day 1 - Day of arrival
Private transfer on arrival to the four star PortoBay Rio Internacional Hotel in a limited Ocean View Room (upgrades available at a supplement) for 3 nights on bed and breakfast. The hotel is opposite the famous Copacabana beach and boasts a rooftop pool and restaurant with panoramic sea views.
Overnight at the PortoBay Rio Internacional Hotel.
PortoBay Rio Internacional, Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 - In Rio de Janeiro (Guided full day group tour of Rio)
From the hotel, join a full day guided group tour of Rio with lunch and all necessary entrance fees including highlights like the Selaron Steps, Rio Cathedral, the Corcovado mountain and statue of Christ The Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana an outside look at the Maracana Stadium and much more.
Overnight at the PortoBay Rio Internacional Hotel.
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Day 3 - In Rio de Janeiro (Guided private tour of the Rio Botanical Gardens)
Collected from the hotel, a half day private guided tour of the famous Rio Botanical Gardens. Founded by King John VI of Portugal in 1808 and originally intended for the cultivation of spices such as nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon, the gardens were opened to the public in 1822. The gardens, covering 140 hectares are located at the foot of Corcovado Mountain and show the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. 6,500 species are to be found within an area of 54 hectares (40% of the park is cultivated, the rest being Atlantic Forest rising up the slopes of Corcovado) and numerous greenhouses are also to be found. There are also 140 species of birds which, having become accustomed to humans, are easier to spot than in the wild. Capuchin monkeys and tuft-eared marmosets can also be spotted.
Lunch not included and afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at the PortoBay Rio Internacional Hotel.
Botanical Gardens, Rio de Janeiro
Day 4 - Transfer to Manaus
Private transfer to Rio airport for a flight to Manaus (approximately 4 hours). On arrival transfer by road 110 km northwest of Manaus (approximately 2 hours) to the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge (for 3 nights with activities included) on the right bank of the Rio Negro in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. The area is a maze of lakes, islands, rivers and river banks and untouched native forest. This is a small property and one of the most comfortable of the Amazon Lodges, boasting its own swimming pool and 16 spacious air conditioned guest bungalows and four deluxe bungalows. Activities include canoeing in dug out canoes, bird watching, jungle walks, piranha fishing, island exploring, seeking out pink river dolphins, alligator spotting, nocturnal sightseeing and visiting isolated local communities. Accommodation is on a full board basis.
Overnight at the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge.
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Brazilian Amazon
Day 5 & 6 - Activities at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge
Spend two days doing activities at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge.
Overnight at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge.
Pink river dolphins, Brazilian Amazon
Day 7 - Transfer to Cuiaba
Transfer from Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge to Manaus Airport for flight south to Cuiaba (between 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 35 minutes depending on the routing). Transfer on arrival in Cuiabá to the Deville Prime Hotel for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
The Deville Prime is a chic modern hotel, 15 minutes from the airport and in the centre of the capital of the state of Mato Grosso.
Overnight at the The Deville Prime Hotel.
Cuiaba, Brazil
Day 8 - Guided group tour of the Chapada dos Guimaraes
After breakfast, a full day group guided tour (lunch included) of the Chapada dos Guimaraes. The Mato Grosso is a large state (the third largest in Brazil) in the west/central region of the country - an area of Amazon forest, savanna plains and wetlands. Within the state, the Chapada do Guimaraes National Park is a beautiful area of dramatic sandstone cliffs (up to 800 metres), waterfalls and caverns - ideal for hiking. The climate is tropical with fauna including jaguars, tapirs, giant anteaters, giant armadillos, wolves and emus. Birds abound and parrots, swifts and red macaws nest in the cliffs.
Overnight at the The Deville Prime Hotel.
Chapada dos Guimaraes, Brazil
Day 9 - Transfer to the Pantanal
After breakfast group transfer to the Pantanal and the Pousada Rio Mutum (approximately 3 hours) for 4 nights on a full board basis.
The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world. It has an area of 75,000 square miles (England and Scotland together are 80,000 square miles) and is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but also stretches into the Mato Grosso and the countries of Paraguay and Bolivia. For those who are avid readers of John Grisham, his book ‘The Testament’ is based in the Pantanal and describes the area with the rawness it deserves. This is one of the wildest, most bewildering regions in the world.
The Pantanal represents life in the raw with wildlife all around. It’s dog eat dog in the Pantanal with boa constrictors and cayman living cheek by jowl with capybara, deer and jaguars.
The Pousada is located in one of the most beautiful regions of the Pantanal, in the Barao de Melgaco. Fishing is very popular from March to June. July to October is the best time to see Jaguars. Activities include hiking, canoeing and horse riding (included). Birds abound and the rare hyacinth macaw is staging a comeback.
The Pousada is very well appointed with a beautifully located swimming pool and areas for relaxation.
Overnight at the Pousada do Rio Mutum.
Pousada do Rio Mutum, Brazil
Day 10 - 12 - Days at leisure
Guided activities and relaxation at the Pousada Rio Mutum
Overnight at the Pousada do Rio Mutum.
Pousada do Rio Mutum, Brazil
Day 13 - Transfer to Iguacu
After breakfast, road transfer from the pousada to Cuiaba Airport (approximately 2 hours) to catch a flight to Iguazu via Sao Paolo (approximately 6 hours 30 minutes depending on the routing). On arrival transfer (approximately 25 minutes) to the Viale Cataratas for a 3 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel is located in the centre of the city of Foz do Iguazu. The hotel has two swimming pools.
Overnight at Viale Cataratas.
Iguacu, Brazil
Day 14 - In Iguacu (Guided full day tour of the Argentinian side of the falls)
Guided full day private tour (lunch included) on the Argentinian side of the falls.
Set in the Misiones Province of Argentina and the Brazilian state of Parana, these falls are one of the greatest spectacles on earth. The Iguacu Falls defy description - they simply have to be visited. This is the largest waterfall system in the world. The longest waterfall drop is 82 metres. There are 275 individual waterfalls over a total width of 1.7 miles. The average flow rate is 62,010 cubic feet per second.
For those who are interested in the fate of the 16th century Jesuit missions in the Misiones province of Argentina, there is an excellent film called ‘The Mission’ starring Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro and the Iguacu Falls of course, with a magnificent soundtrack by Ennio Morricone of ‘The Good The Bad and The Ugly’ fame.
Overnight at Viale Cataratas.
Iguacu, Brazil
Day 15 - Day at leisure
Day at leisure to explore the Brazilian side of the falls or relax by the hotel pool.
Overnight at Viale Cataratas.
Iguacu, Brazil
Day 16 - Day of departure
After breakfast transfer to Iguacu Airport for your return flight home or choose to extend your stay in this spectacular country.