Brazil Adventure: Rio, Iguazu & Pantanal Wildlife (10 Days)

Introduction

Brazil Pantanal Marsh Deer

Boat Ride, Iguazu Falls,

Blue and Yellow Macaw in Pantanal, Brazil

Yacare Caiman, Pantanal, Brazil

Victoria Amazonica, Water Lilies, Pantanal, Brazil

Sunrise, Pantanal River

Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Luxury Brazil Vacations

Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

Ipanema Beach, Brazil Vacations

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

Iguazu Falls, Brazil Travel

Brazil Pantanal Marsh Deer

Boat Ride, Iguazu Falls,

Blue and Yellow Macaw in Pantanal, Brazil

Yacare Caiman, Pantanal, Brazil

Victoria Amazonica, Water Lilies, Pantanal, Brazil

Sunrise, Pantanal River

Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Luxury Brazil Vacations

Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

Ipanema Beach, Brazil Vacations

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

Iguazu Falls, Brazil Travel

• 1

  Day 1

  Arrival Rio de Janeiro

  Arrival to Rio de Janeiro International Airport where our representative will greet you on arrival and accompany you to your downtown hotel.

• 2

  Day 2

  Morning City Tour of Rio, Sugar Loaf and Corcovado with Samba

  Start the day by driving along the coast via Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to our first stop-off beneath Corcovado Hill. We then take the local train which climbs up to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. You first view of the expansive Rio de Janeiro is sure to strike a chord in your heart. There is even more to come as we next enjoy Sugarloaf Mountain and marvel of the panoramic views afforded from the glass cable-car rides. The highlights are Urca peak, the glimpses of downtown Rio from Sugar Loaf including Corcovado and the nestled beaches below including Ipanema. The culmination of this special day will allow you dine amid the playful atmosphere of a live Brazilian Samba show. The live dancers display their Latin panache, flair, passion and above all flamboyance in a surreal performance. Your heart has just arrived in Rio de Janeiro!

• 3

  Day 3

  Morning Sail Boat Cruise on Guanabara Bay, Free Afternoon

  We cast off with our bearing set on Guanabara Bay. These waters played host to Amerigo Vespucci and André Gonçalves who charted their course from Portugal in 1502. Their arrival in January gave birth to the name of Rio de Janeiro (January River). Our course today will see us sail along the bay enjoying views of a multitude of beguiling districts including the Fortress of Saint John of the Harbor, Niteroi, Governor’s Island, Botafogo, Flamengo and Urca. Your luxury Brazil vacation along this isle studded bay is sailing bliss, basking in the sunshine sipping a caipirinha and sharing stories with new friends along the way. Each new isle of Guanabara Bay has a wealth of natural beauty to fill your soul with the joys of just being alive to witness all the splendor around you.

• 4

  Day 4

  Rio de Janeiro to Iguazu Falls

  Breakfast at your hotel and your guide will accompany you to the airport for your flight to the famed Iguazu Falls. Arrival at Foz do Iguazu Airport, Brazil. Our guide will meet you and transfer to your luxury hotel accommodation at Foz de Iguazu.

• 5

  Day 5

  Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side

  The world-famous falls were dubbed as a “Natural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO back in 1986 and the province is a cornerstone of any luxury Brazil vacation. Our day begins at the Iguazu National Park trailhead which cuts down the valley and opens out to the unassailable global spectacle of in excess of two-hundred and forty waterfalls on one river. You will have time here to take a closer examination in a glass elevator to get the most spectacular views possible. The Brazilian side without doubt offers the most expansive views of the falls. This park is an astounding 418 kms (260 miles) long and holds an area in excess of 185,000 hectares (458,000 acres), with the falls alone spanning 2,700 meters (8,900 ft). Why not opt to enjoy a helicopter overflight or alternately join a motor boat ride directly out to the falls. Bring a poncho and don’t forget to breathe as you venture under the falls and feel the waters spray down on your face in a deluge of gargantuan enormity. Live it and feel forever enriched of mind!

• 6

  Day 6

  Iguazu Falls Argentine Side

  The Guarani, a native people of the region, recount a story of their deity and his lady in waiting, Naipí. The beautiful Naipí escaped the home of the god under the cover of nightfall, and with her lover Tarobá slipped out onto the river. Upon revelation of her fateful deed, the deity severed the waters; Iguazu Falls were born. Tarobá and Naipí were punished and left to fall to the realms of infinity for their mortal eternity. On this tour we explore the Argentinean Falls via the Tancredo Neves Bridge route to the Iguazu National Park in Argentina. We board the tren de la selva (jungle train) navigating the park until the second stop. Here we begin the walking trail to reach the upper pathways of the park. These upper reaches afford the best views and interaction with the rainforest environment. Our ultimate goal is known locally as the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) – the largest fall at 269 feet (82 meters) and the astounding view makes all your work worthwhile. Take time to savor the very best mother nature can offer.

• 7

  Day 7

  Iguassu to Cuiabá – Northern Pantanal

  Following breakfast our guide will escort you to Foz do Iguazu Airport (IGU) for connection to Cuiabá in the natural paradise of Pantanal. The city of Cuiabá is capital of Mato Grosso State and is the first stop on any adventure to the Northern Pantanal wetlands of Brazil. The in excess of 610, 000 inhabitants of Cuiabá city are a cultural mix of influences from Africa, Native American and European descent, and this is played out in their eclectic culinary twists, local dance, craftwork and an invariable melting pot of habits and rituals. The city has an engaging heartland of colonial remnants and tasteful modern architecture. A rare successful marriage in aesthetics which can be witnessed along the central Republican square.

• 8

  Day 8

  Northern Pantanal

  Your guide will bring you on a delightful tour today through the local forest. We begin with a trail up to the meet the headwaters of Siá Mariana Bay. This location is a bird spotting paradise, a diverse variety of birds like the Hyacinth Macaw, Great Potoo, Toco Toucan, Sunbittern can be found. The region to is home to fauna such as the Jaguar, Brazilian Tapir, Crab-eating Fox, Crab-eating Racoon, Giant River Otter, Maned Wolf and the Giant Anteater. After lunch head down along the river by boat for your photographic safari of a lifetime along the placid Mutum River. Stay alerts for the appearances on giant otters and even sting rays among the host of schools of fish you will encounter. Then return to you lodge for dinner and your adventure has not yet begun. The night safari by 4×4 awaits and all the surprises that can bring!

• 9

  Day 9

  Northern Pantanal

  After breakfast we set off on some of the hidden trails through the jungle and explore the animals and birds of Pantanal. In the afternoon partake in a boat trip down the Mutum to the beautiful Chacororé Bay. We then re-trace our path back to the lodge, en-route we will admire the sunset at the Siá Mariana Bay and enjoy some piranha fishing which is in season except October to March. By evening you can enjoy some caiman feeding and use the piranhas fished from Siá Mariana Bay and relax for dinner and see the secretive visitors from the night of the jungle!

• 10

  Day 10

  Flight Cuiabá to Rio de Janeiro

  The words of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche come to mind as you arise pre- dawn to live the experience of the golden sun rising whilst canoeing on the Mutum River.

  “……a happiness that, like the sun in the evening, continually bestows its inexhaustible riches, pouring them into the sea, feeling richest, as the sun does, only when even the poorest fishermen is still rowing with golden oars! This godlike feeling would then be called – humaneness.”

  Following your voyage in nature you will return to your lodge for breakfast and then take a guided transfer to Cuiabá airport for onward connection to Rio Janeiro. On reflection you will be impressed by all of which this luxury Brazil vacation has provided and feel better for knowing this planet a little better than before.