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Brazil Wildlife, Beaches and Culture Package - Amazon, Rio and Bahia (14N)

Travel to Brazil and experience the Amazon and Brazil’s Beaches with this 15 Day / 14 Night Travel Vacation Package and Tour that includes Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Salvador, Praia do Forte and the Amazon.



Destinations Visited

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

When one thinks of Rio de Janeiro, the images that instantly spring to mind are of beautiful beaches with gorgeous suntanned bodies, carnival and soccer (Brazilian football), to list but a few. These are all an integral part of Rio's exuberant culture and help to make this state one of the most exciting and interesting places to visit in Brazil. Rio has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is blessed with stunning natural aspects and a year-round pleasant climate. Uniquely situated on a narrow strip of land between the green mountains and the deep blue sea it is surrounded by granite based mountains, coves and white sand beaches. The most famous landmark is the Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), which has wonderful views of the city, the bay, and the Corcovado (the statue of Christ).

Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This stunning resort, just 2 hours drive from Rio, is home to some of Brazil's greatest beaches, sophisticated boutiques, and hip restaurants, making it a popular place for beautiful people from all over the country. Approximately 5 miles (8 km) long, the Búzios peninsula is bathed by the Brazilian and Antarctic maritime currents. It has 27 white-sand beaches, lined with palm trees and coconuts and became a synonym for all that splendor in the tropics is supposed to be after Brigitte Bardot discovered it in 1964. It resembles more an island, is rich in natural beauty and vegetation and has beaches of incomparable beauty. The average temperature is a pleasant 79ºF (26ºC).

 Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Salvador is the third largest city in Brazil and is becoming the most visited travel destination in Brazil. Salvador is also called 'Africa in exile' because of the strong African presence in its culture and people, which can be seen in the religion, music, dance, and cuisine. Salvador is also one of the most famous historical cities in Brazil and the Pelourinho, the historic district, will make you travel back to the early years when colonialism and slavery were still alive. The beautiful colonial architecture of this part of the city is witness to this city’s rich past. The Pelourinho is considered a national treasure, and is also protected by UNESCO as a Historical Heritage Site. In the Pelourinho you will find that the bohemian life is derived from the many artists' ateliers, antique and handicrafts stores, theaters and museums. Here you will also discover an exciting array of restaurants with splendid regional dishes, cafes, bars, and local music.

Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil

Praia do Forte is a fisherman village which has in the last few years become one of the most sought after beach destination in Brazil. Part of this is due to the fact that the traditional Bahian village lifestyle has been conserved and that the TAMAR turtle NGO established its operations and Visitor Center here. The TAMAR project helps research and preserve sea turtles, 6 of the existing 7 species in the world lay their eggs in these sands. This village takes its name from the castle of Garcia D´Ávila, a Portuguese settler who founded the first farm in Brazil on the land adjacent to the Praia do Forte. It is believed that Garcia D´Ávila was the first colonist to bring cattle, mango and coconut trees to Brazil. If you decide to take a break from the beach, the village main strip has many restaurants, sidewalk cafes, bars, and Bahian artisan and handcraft shops to offer.

 Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil
Amazon, Brazil

Amazon, Brazil

Amazonia is the world's largest tropical rainforest, spanning more than half of the Brazilian territory. Within the 4 million square km (2.5 million square miles) of the Amazon Basin resides a wealth of life richer than any place else on earth, including 500 mammals, 175 different lizards, 300 other reptile species, tree climbers of every kind, and a third of the world's identified bird species. Millions of species remain undiscovered. The Amazon is home to countless species of fauna and flora, including endangered jaguars, howler monkeys, tapirs, pink freshwater dolphins, giant river otters, manatees, and an incredible array of tropical birds and plants.

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1
You will arrive in Rio de Janeiro and be met at the airport by a private driver who will take you to the elegant oceanfront Miramar Palace Hotel. After checking in, you may want to relax and have some lunch. We suggest lunch at Porcão, a Brazilian barbecue buffet restaurant. In the afternoon you might like to take a wander around Copacabana and visit the famous beaches near your hotel.

Day 2
Today you will be taken by air-conditioned Land Rover on a city tour to visit some of the most famous sites of Rio. Driving on the scenic Castorina Road towards the Corcovado (the Christ statue) you will stop to see the Mesa do Imperador (the Emperor's Table) and the Vista Chinesa (Chinese Lookout point) before entering the Tijuca National Park. In the park you will visit the principal hotspots: the Taunay Waterfall, the Mayrink Chapel and not to mention the view of the beautiful flora and fauna of the forest and the sounds of the Atlantic Forest birds. Still driving through tranquil scenic roads in the Tijuca National Park, the tour will take you across the top of the mountain in the direction of Corcovado . After experiencing the panoramic 360º views from the top of the Corcovado, you next stop will be the neighborhood of Santa Tereza, a historical district of old Rio, where artisans and artists live and work. You will be able to visit authentic local artisan stores and have lunch in one of the local restaurants, where you will experience the flavors of Brazilian cuisine. After lunch you will visit the Chacara do Céu Museum, a special place where nature, panoramic views of the Guanabara Bay and art are in total harmony with the landscape. Ending your tour at the Sugar Loaf, where you will be able to watch the magnificent sunset over the city and the bay, you will no doubt have fallen in love with this enchanted city. We suggest dinner at Da Brambini (Italian seafood) in Praia do Leme.

Day 3
On your last day in the city of Rio de Janeiro you will check out of the Miramar Palace Hotel after breakfast, after which you will be driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Pousada Casas Brancas in Buzios, (approximately a 3 hour journey). After checking in at your pousada your driver will take you on a tour of the beaches and will discover how each beach has its own charm and why Buzios is so famous for its beautiful beaches. Praia do Canto, Praia da Armação dos Ossos and the lovely and intimate Azeda and Azedinha are the beaches which are closest to the "downtown" area, where the shops and restaurants are located. These beaches became famous worldwide because they are the beaches that Brigitte Bardot fell in love with when visiting the city in 1964, then a fishermen village. Driving along the peninsula is Praia de João Fernandes, and on the other side are the more secluded beaches of Forno, Brava and Ferradura. The longest beach is Geribá and one of the trendiest among the young crowd and surfers, with lots of cool kiosks that offer cold beverages and snacks. Tartaruga Beach is our last stop, which is where sea turtles lay their eggs, and is more protected from the strong winds. On your return to the pousada you may want to relax before having dinner. We suggest dinner at Satiricon (seafood).

Day 4
Today is free to relax and enjoy Buzios. You may want to visit one or more of your favorite beaches which you discovered yesterday, and perhaps take a walk around the village and visit the local boutiques and restaurants. Tonight our dinner suggestion is at the Italian pizzeria, Capricciosa.

Day 5
On the fifth day of your trip we suggest snorkeling in Tartaruga Small Bay. The bay is well known for its tranquil and turquoise waters and is the best snorkeling point on the Buzios coast. You are guaranteed to see a plethora of colorful fish and most probably some sea turtles.

Day 6
On the morning of your last day in Buzios a tour of Arraial do Cabo and Prainha Beach awaits you. This tour will be taken on your way back to Rio as it is en route. You will check out of the Pousada Casas Brancas and say goodbye to Buzios. Your driver will collect you and take you on your final tour. Every year Prainha Beach in Arraial do Cabo makes the top ten lists of the best beach destinations in Brazil. It lies in front of a channel that is surrounded by sand banks, turquoise water and beautiful white sand dunes, making it a favorite sailing and scuba-diving point. Just across from the beach is the small island of Cabo Frio, a Nature Reserve, that makes this place even more magical and appealing. Arraial do Cabo was a fisherman village that has evolved into a small city renowned for its fresh fish and pristine beaches. The tour will take no more than 2 hours. After the tour your driver will take you to the airport in Rio. The flight to Salvador leaves around 13:00 and arrives at around 15:00. (This flight is not included in this package. Please contact us for flight quotes) At the Salvador airport you will be met by one of our guides and driven to the charming historic hotel Catharina Paraguacu, where you will check in. We suggest dinner at the Lambreta Grill, an award winning seafood café.

Day 7
Today you will begin your journey through Salvador visiting the Pelourinho, the historical district of the city, followed by a delicious Bahian lunch. Then you will visit the Mercado Modelo in Cidade Baixa. The Mercado Modelo is a handcraft market that used to be the merchandise and slave-trading outpost of the city. Here you can buy many handicrafts and local products. Make sure you visit the dungeon below the market where the slaves were kept prior to sale.

Day 8
On the last day of your trip you will check out of the hotel Catharina Paraguacu and be transported by a private vehicle to Praia do Forte. The journey takes roughly an hour and when you arrive you will check into the Pousada Farol das Tartarugas. We suggest having lunch at 'Bar do Souza'; try their delicious and famous 'bolinhos de peixe' (Bahian-style fish cakes) and/or a fish or shrimp moqueca (Bahian stew). After lunch we suggest you visit the TAMAR PROJECT (turtle NGO) Visitor Center and then on to Papa Gente's Natural Pools for snorkeling (times may vary due to the tide). It is now getting dark and you have worked up a hardy appetite so, we suggest having dinner at the Fata Morgana restaurant (Spanish food).

Day 9
Today you will be taking an 8-hour nature tour. Begin by exploring the region of Sauipe, where you will take a 4-Wheeler Tour (1 adult per 4-wheeler) through Atlantic forest vegetation and along rivers. During the ride, there will be a stop at the Sauípe River for a swim and to go down the rapids on inner tubes. The 4-Wheeler Tour will be followed by lunch at the fisherman village of Diogo. Then you will take a canoe trip down the pristine river of Imbassai surrounded by snow-white dunes. You will explore nature in this unspoiled part of the world. Back at Praia do Forte; we suggest you have dinner at Japa, an excellent Japanese Restaurant. Followed by a stroll around the main street of the village and visit the shops and cafes.

Day 10
Today you may choose between one of 3 tours: Horseback riding, Sauipe River Catamaran or Sauipe Adventure Expedition.
    3.5-hour horseback ride will begin by taking you through a lake, then along sand dunes, followed by a trail through tropical forest to the Castelo Garcia D'Avila and finally winding down and along the beach back to the village.
    7 km Catamaran ride to the mouth of the River Sauipe, passing through beautiful areas of coastal rainforest vegetation and mangroves. A specialist guide will tell you about the various ecosystems and you will have the opportunity to swim and do a bit of bird watching.
    The Sauipe Expedition will take you on a hike through local wetland vegetation to the banks of the River Sauipe, where you will board native wooden canoes and row to the mouth of the river, with the help of a specialist guide. You will have a chance to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river or sea, before returning to your pousada in a 4x4 vehicle.

The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy Praia do Forte. You may want to take this opportunity to visit the Castelo Garcia D'Avila, the impressive ruins of a castle belonging to the first land-owning farmer in Brazil.

Day 11
On your last day in Praia do Forte you will check out of the Pousada Farol das Tartarugas very early and say goodbye to Praia do Forte, then be driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the airport where you will catch a flight to Manaus [Note: flights are not included in this package. For flight information and reservation please contact us]. At the Manaus airport you will be met by a representative of the Amazonat Jungle Lodge and taken to the lodge by vehicle (journey is approximately 2 hours). After checking in at the lodge you will have dinner and be taken on a jungle night trek to see giant spiders and fluorescent fungus.

Day 12
Today's tour after breakfast is a full day in the Urubu River, including a visit to an Igapo (flooded jungle) for a fishing experience and some river swimming. You will also have a chance to observe characteristics of a black water river identical to the River Negro. You will visit a local Amazon community and their manioc plantation, and on the way back to the lodge view the panoramic sunset over the Amazon Jungle. Dinner is back at the lodge.

Day 13
After a delicious breakfast you will be taken on a full day jungle trek through the rainforest. Your bilingual guide will show you the diversity of flora and fauna and also some survival and navigation techniques used by the indigenous people of the area. If you want a true experience of the Amazon Jungle by night, then tonight you will be able to camp out at Jane's Place, one of the basic campsites near the Amazonat Lodge.

Day 14
An Amazon River Trip awaits you today - a highlight for every visitor to the Amazonat lodge. This is an opportunity to see the meeting of the waters where the Amazon River and the Rio Negro meet, an intensely beautiful experience. You will also have an opportunity to see pink dolphins; fish for piranha in the river; visit a local sugarcane and pineapple plantation; see a floating supermarket for a local Amazon River community and visit an area with the famous Vitoria Regia (giant water lillies). Bird watching is an integral part of this trip and your guide will help you obtain knowledge about the natural wealth this region offers. The day will end as the sun goes down with alligator spotting on the way back to the lodge.

Day 15
On your last day on this beautiful island paradise you will go snorkeling with sea turtles at Sueste Beach. The tidal pools are clear turquoise blue and full of marine life. This is one of the few places where a colony of white sea urchins can be seen (the colony is located on the right side of the bay by the remains of the old port). We suggest you lunch at your pousada today, because at 3pm you will be picked up and taken to the airport. We are certain that you will have enjoyed your trip and we look forward to seeing you again in Brazil.

If you happen to be in Rio on a Sunday the hippie fair (open-air handcrafts market) at Praça Gen Osório in Ipanema is worth a visit.
There is an evening dinner show (Samba show and dinner) available, if you are interested, which is not included in the above package. Please let us know if you would like us to book this for you.
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