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Bahia Rhythms & Beaches | Brazil Tours & Travel

A region of pristine beaches and freshwater lakes surrounded by gigantic sand dunes where the swimming, windsurfing and kite surfing are superb

Duration: 9 days
Cost: $3,420/Person (2+ travelers on fixed departure dates)
*Please note – Prices will increase if traveling during Brazilian holidays*
Bahia is an exotic realm where every day feels like a festival. The combination of African and Caribbean rhythms in its music and dance scene, gorgeous tropical beaches, balmy climate and fusion cuisine make for idyllic Brazil travel. You’ll spend two stimulating days in the coastal city of Salvador, considered the cultural capital of Brazil. The site of South America’s largest complex of colonial buildings and surrounded by many beaches, Salvador is the perfect kick-off to these Bahian Brazil tours. Next you’ll head up the coast to experience four relaxing days of Bahian beach life surrounded by coconut plantations in an area of tightly controlled development. The charming village of Praia do Forte with the region’s clear, aqua waters and palm-lined unpopulated beaches is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Depending on the time of year, you’ll be able to watch marine turtles come ashore to nest, see turtles hatching or observe humpback whales a few miles from shore. This, plus three whirlwind days in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s most sophisticated cities, makes these Brazil tours a total immersion course in joie de vivre.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding details and private departure costs.

ABOUT BRAZIL TRAVELING TO BRAZIL BRAZIL WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT BRAZIL
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Bahia Rhythms & Beaches Itinerary

Note: Changes in weather or road conditions and other safety factors may necessitate modifications to the itinerary.
Day 1 ARRIVE RIO / CORCOVADO View Rio de Janeiro accommodations picture gallery

Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain is Rio de Janiero's most prominent monument and a fitting start to your Brazil vacation

When you arrive at Rio de Janeiro’s international airport, your bilingual guide will take you to your hotel to check in. For an appropriate start to your travel to Brazil, today you’ll be taken to Corcovado Mountain where the city’s monumental Christ the Redeemer statue is found. That’s the end of today’s Rio de Janeiro tours. You’ll be dropped off for lunch on your own to give you a chance to unwind and get acquainted with this mesmerizing city. Overnight at your comfortable Rio hotel.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extension Active Rio Options For those who desire a more active itinerary option, we offer Active Rio which substitutes walking and hiking during some segments of your Rio de Janeiro tours.
Active Option: ARRIVE RIO / CORCOVADO MOUNTAIN, TIJUCA RAINFOREST
After arriving in Rio de Janeiro, you will be picked up at the international airport and taken to your hotel to check in. With your bilingual guide, you will drive to the start of your 2½-hour hike to the top of Rio’s highest peak, 3,350-ft Tijuca in a restored mountainous landscape of lush Atlantic forest. On the way to the summit, you’ll pass a 100-ft waterfall and stunning viewpoints before reaching spectacular views of the city and coastline at the top. After time to take in Rio’s magnificence from on-high, you’ll descend and take a quick car ride to reach the area of the park where the colossal Christ the Redeemer is located and then go by conveyance or walk the 222 steps to the statue’s base. After your return from the park, you have a choice of an optional lunch in the artsy Santa Teresa neighborhood or if you prefer, be dropped off in the Ipanema neighborhood for lunch on your own. You’ll have the rest of your first day and evening free to unwind and explore on your own before a restful night at your hotel.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extension
Day 2 SUGAR LOAF / RIO AT NIGHT View Rio de Janeiro accommodations picture gallery Explore Rio’s beaches or other sights during your free morning. Your English-speaking guide will pick you up in the afternoon for your next Rio de Janeiro tours. On the way to Sugar Loaf, you’ll tour the shoreline neighborhood of Urca and the artdy Santa Teresa neighborhood by car. An aerial cable car will get you to the famed Sugar Loaf summit for extraordinary views of the city and Guanabara Bay. Descend by cable car and then you’ll be taken back to your hotel. For the evening’s entertainment, you will be accompanied by a night-guide to experience Brazilian entertainment at the Rio Scenarium. This is popular place with visitors on Brazil tours and Brazilians alike who enjoy live bands playing the country’s favorite genres, samba and chorinho, and a variety of Brazilian music with a DJ upstairs. Dinner will be followed by a fabulous samba floor show, and then you may dance (or people-watch) the night away. You will be returned to your hotel for another comfortable night. (B)
Active Option: After breakfast, you’ll have a free morning to experience the city as you choose. Later in the day, your English-speaking guide will pick you up for your next Rio de Janeiro tours. On the way to famed Sugar Loaf, you’ll take a driving tour of the shoreline neighborhood called Urca. The hike starts along a scenic shore before a steep hike ascent that offers views of Guanabara Bay and then a short and very safe rock-climb to the top. Views of the city and bay from here are magnificent, a scene that most visitors experience during their travel to Brazil. From the summit, you’ll return to Urca Mountain by cable car and walk downhill the last half-hour before being returned to your hotel. For the evening’s entertaining Brazil tours, you will be accompanied by a night-guide to experience the Rio Scenarium. This is popular place with Brazilians who enjoy live bands playing the country’s favorite genres, samba and chorinho, and a variety of Brazilian music with a DJ upstairs. Dinner will be followed by a fabulous samba floor show, and then you may dance (or people-watch) the night away. Another night at your comfortable Rio hotel. (B)
Day 3 RIO FREE DAY AND NIGHT View Rio de Janeiro accommodations picture gallery The whole day and evening are yours to enjoy Rio de Janeiro tours of your own, shopping, exploring neighborhoods, visiting museums and sampling more of the fabulous cuisine. Overnight at your Rio de Janeiro hotel. (B)
Day 4 RIO – SALVADOR View Salvador accommodations picture gallery

With its colonial roots Salvador is one of the main hubs of afro-brazilian music, dance and culture

You will be picked up at your hotel in the morning and taken to the airport for the flight to Salvador. On arrival, you will be taken to your Salvador hotel. For an introduction to the city, you’ll take a half-day tour of the major historic sights. You’ll reach the Municipal Square via elegant tree-lined boulevards where the Lacerda Elevator will take you to the hillside neighborhood of Pelourinho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest complex of colonial architecture in all of South America is located here. You’ll also have panoramic views of the lower city and bay, and explore narrow streets bordered by Pelourinho’s many restored pastel mansions and churches (800 in all). Among them, you’ll visit São Francisco, a Baroque church lavishly decorated in gold leaf. At the end of today’s Brazil tours, you’ll be returned to your hotel for an exciting evening on your own in Salvador’s festival-like atmosphere. Overnight in Salvador at your hotel. (B)
Day 5 SALVADOR View Salvador accommodations picture gallery You have today to explore Salvador and its surroundings on your own Brazil tours. In and around All Saints Bay as well as up and down the coast, you’ll find beautiful tropical beaches. Here you may snorkel, watch for wildlife, island-hop or enjoy beach cabanas. Off the beach, you may enjoy browsing the Mercado Modelo for arts and crafts, pay a visit to the Museum of Modern Art and other museums in the Campo Grande neighborhood or return to Pelourinho. Tonight’s entertainment is a performance by Balé Folclórico da Bahia, one of the world’s top folklore dance troupes, showcasing the varied traditions of Bahian culture at the intimate Miguel Santana Theatre. Dinner at one of Pelourinho’s fine restaurants follows. After this full evening, you’ll be returned to your hotel for another comfortable night at your accommodations in Salvador. (B, D)
Day 6-8 PRAIA do FORTE

Find your bliss during 3 days in the idyllic fishing village of Praia do Forte

In the morning, you will be picked up at your Salvador hotel and taken up the coast to Praia do Forte. After checking in at your comfortable lodgings, your activities here are all up to you, according to your own pace and interests. Explore tide pools and coral reefs, walk miles of deserted beach, tour what remains of the country’s only medieval castle from which the village derives its name. Visit nearby ecological reserves, enjoy leisure hours of shopping along the town’s cobblestoned pedestrian street topped off by great meals and vibrant evening entertainment. What a life. (B)
Day 9 PRAIA DO FORTE - HOME From your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport in Salvador for your connecting flight, ending your Brazil tours with Southern Explorations. (B) View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extension
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

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2012 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

TBD Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding private departure costs.

INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS

Included in tour cost: Meals as indicated; All hotel accommodations (twin/double shared basis); All airport/hotel transfers; Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites; English speaking certified guides; Southern Explorations pre departure services
Excluded in tour cost: International round - trip airfare to and from Brazil; Internal Airfare: Rio - Salvador - Rio
$440 – Subject to Change; Airport taxes international and local; Tips and gratuities; Travel insurance; Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

BRAZIL ACCOMMODATION

Bahia Rhythms & Beaches:: 8 nights hotels

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Additional $: Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.

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