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Water Paradises of Brasil | Brazil Tours & Travel

Add The Pantanal and Bonito to the more famous destinations for an amazing and serene tour of Brasil

Duration: 13 days
Cost: $TBD/Person (2+ travelers on fixed departure dates)
*Please note – Prices will increase if traveling during Brazilian holidays*
These Brazil tours are filled with one-of-a-kind nature adventures starting in the magnificent seaside setting of cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro. You’ll spend enough time here to experience what makes this city famous, its white sand beaches, cuisine, cultural heritage and a vibrant nightlife. Then you’ll trade these urbane pleasures for Mother Nature, spending three days along the Costa Verde where Brazil’s most beautiful beaches are located. In and around the picturesque town of Paraty, waterfalls and gorgeous white sand beaches are a stunning backdrop for your hiking and biking adventures intermingled with relaxing swims and snorkeling. Next you’ll travel on to the exquisite Pantanal, a destination that nature-loving adventure travelers consider the place to see rare rainforest mammals and large colorful bird species. You’ll spend four unforgettable days here in the world’s largest wetlands where species may be seen that elude observation in more dense habitats such as the Amazon. The perfect ending to your Brazil travel is Bonito, a destination that has escaped the attention of most international eco-tourists. The highlands of Bonito, south of the Pantanal, are a wonderland of crystal clear lakes and rivers with many caves and waterfalls, an area best known for its exotic drift-snorkeling excursions, traveling along the aquamarine river currents, viewing vivid underwater hues. You’ll want to pack a watercolor set along with your camera for this scenic travel to Brazil.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding details and private departure costs.

ABOUT BRAZIL TRAVELING TO BRAZIL BRAZIL WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT BRAZIL
= J F M A M J J A S O N D =

RECOMMENDED READING

Water Paradises of Brasil 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 On your arrival at Rio de Janeiro’s international airport, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transported to your hotel. After checking in, you’ll head to Corcovado Mountain where the colossal Christ the Redeemer statue is found. On the return, you’ll be dropped off at a pleasant place for lunch. The rest of the day and evening you’ll continue on your own to start getting acquainted with this mesmerizing city before a restful night at your 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
  You will be met after your international arrival in Rio de Janeiro by an English-speaking guide and taken to your hotel to check in. Today, you’ll see the site that most every visitor does during their travel to Brazil, the city’s most famous landmark, massive Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain. First you’ll take a 2?-hour hike to the top of Rio’s highest peak, 3,350-ft Tijuca. Accompanied by your bilingual guide, you’ll hike through the world’s largest urban forest, a restored mountainous landscape covered by lush Atlantic forest. After passing 100-ft Tounay waterfall and stunning viewpoints along the way, even more spectacular views of the city and the coastline await at the summit. The statue itself is located on the edge of the park, a short car ride away. Some visitors reach the base by conveyance, and others prefer to walk the 222 steps. Afterwards, you’ll be dropped off in the Ipanema neighborhood for lunch on your own or if you prefer, have an optional lunch in the artsy Santa Teresa neighborhood. The rest of the day and evening you’ll have to yourself to explore this fascinating city with no scheduled Rio de Janeiro tours. Overnight at your conveniently-located hotel.
  View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extension
• Day 2 SUGAR LOAF / RIO AT NIGHT View Rio de Janeiro accommodations picture gallery Today you’re free to relax without any Brazil tours scheduled until this afternoon when your excursion to Sugar Loaf begins. Accompanied by your bilingual guide, you’ll take the scenic route, traveling through the seaside neighborhood of Urca and artsy Santa Teresa to reach the cable car that will take you to the Sugar Loaf’s summit. After taking in the breathtaking scenery of the city and Guanabara Bay, you’ll descend by cable car and be returned to your hotel. In the evening you’ll be met by a night-guide who will accompany you for a night on the town. The setting is Rio Scenarium, a popular night spot with Brazilians who love the three floors of entertainment with live bands playing Brazil’s popular music genres, samba and chorinho, on one floor and a DJ who plays a variety of Brazilian music upstairs. You’ll enjoy a fabulous dinner and samba floor show and then be able to dance (or people-watch) the night away. At the conclusion of this evening’s Rio de Janeiro tours, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for another night at your Rio hotel. (B)
  Active Option: Enjoy the morning relaxing at the beach or on Rio de Janeiro tours of your own making. At 2 PM, your bilingual guide will pick you at the hotel and drive you through the shoreline neighborhood of Urca to the destination that is on the itinerary of all visitors during their travel to Brazil, Sugar Loaf Mountain. Most tourists arrive at the summit en masse by aerial cable car, but you’ll hike there, accompanied by your bilingual guide. The hike begins with a short easy walk along a scenic shoreline before a steep hike ascent, offering views of Guanabara Bay, followed by a short and very safe rock-climb to reach the top. After taking in the magnificent scenery, you’ll return to Urca Mountain by cable car and hike downhill the last thirty minutes to the base before returning to your hotel. A night-guide will accompany you for an evening of Brazil tours on the town. The setting is Rio Scenarium, a popular night spot with Brazilians who love the three floors of entertainment with live bands playing Brazil’s most popular music genres on one floor and a DJ who plays a variety of Brazilian music upstairs. You’ll enjoy an excellent dinner and samba floor show and then be able to dance (or people-watch) the night away. You’ll be taken back to your hotel for another night at your Rio hotel. (B)
• Day 3 RIO FREE DAY AND NIGHT View Rio de Janeiro accommodations picture gallery Enjoy a day and evening of Rio de Janeiro tours of your own, exploring more neighborhoods, visiting museums and sampling Brazilian cuisine followed by a final night at your Rio hotel. (B)
• Day 4 ARRIVE PARATY View Paraty accommodations picture gallery Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up at your hotel to drive south four hours for your next Brazil tours on the famed Costa Verde. After arriving in the serene seaside hamlet of Paraty, you will be taken to your lodgings to check in followed by lunch on your own. On an afternoon walking tour, you’ll explore some of the city’s exquisitely preserved Portuguese colonial buildings, learning about Paraty’s important role during Brazil’s 18th century gold cycle. Your Paraty tour continues on bikes, with a choice of a beach or waterfall itinerary ranging from 2k to 10k. Paraty is a city of fine dining, and you’ll have tonight on your own to enjoy the cuisine before returning to your hotel for a restful night. (B)
• Day 5 PARATY View Paraty accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, your Brazil tours take you to the former bustling colonial town of Laranjeiras, a forty-minute drive from Paraty. The next destination is Gaietas beach, along the way stopping for snacks and crossing the white sand beaches of Sono, Antigos and Antiguinhos to swim. After lunch at Gaietas and a walk on the beach, you’ll swim in its namesake waterfall followed by a short hike to Ponta Negra beach. You’ll go by boat back to Laranjeiras and be driven the rest of the way back to Paraty. You’ll be on your own in Paraty for the evening. Another overnight at your Paraty hotel. (B)
• Day 6 PARATY– RIO - CAMPO GRANDE – PANTANAL View Pantanal accommodations picture gallery
  
  

  Few tourists seem to realize that The Pantanal is an exciting addition to Brazil tours

  To get to the next exciting destination on your Brazil tours, you’ll have an early morning pick-up at your hotel and be driven four hours back to Rio for the flight to Campo Grande, the beginning of your Pantanal travel. There your driver will transport you in an air-conditioned vehicle on a four-hour journey to your comfortable lodgings at the Refugio da Ilha. Some 100 mammal species including giant anteaters, tapirs, capybaras and a large population of jaguars live here in the Pantanal lowlands in addition to over 600 bird species such as the jabiru stork, pink flamingo, snowy egret, tiger heron, and the magnificent hyacinth macaw, plus 1,000 butterfly species and a wide array of reptile and amphibian species. This gigantic area of mostly organic cattle ranches with large private reserves covers almost 103,000 square miles and is dissected by 175 rivers. The Pantanal stretches across Brazil’s border to the west into Bolivia and Paraguay. After arriving at your lodgings and check-in, you’ll have time to relax and get acquainted with your surroundings before beginning your Pantanal tours. Overnight at your accommodations in the Refugio da Ilha. (B,D)
• Days 7-9 PANTANAL View Pantanal accommodations picture gallery
  
  

  When you're not tracking the wildlife, relax with the wildlife while on The Pantanal leg of your Brazil travels

  Located in the highlight area of the Pantanal region, Refugio da Ilha is home to most of the Pantanal’s species and is a working ranch, research center and ecological refuge, making it the perfect base for your Brazil travel here. Named for the crocodiles that inhabit the area, this complex is most famous for its work in restoring populations of the rare hyacinth macaw, found in only three locations in the world. Surrounded by marshes, savannahs and lush forests, you’ll spend your days here taking exotic nature safaris twice a day on foot and by jeep, horseback and canoe. These excursions are led by English-speaking guides who are university-trained and native to the area so they know the region’s fauna and flora well. Timed so as not to disturb the wildlife, these Brazil tours are scheduled in the morning, late afternoon and after dark when the weather is coolest and species are most likely to be on the move. The lodge prepares regional cuisine served on-site during your stay. Overnight again at the Refugio da Ilha. (B,L,D)
• Day 10 PANTANAL - BONITO View Bonito accommodations picture gallery
  
  

  Waterfalls, forest trails, local cuisine what more would one want out of a Brasil travel itinerary?

  After breakfast, you’ll take a four-hour drive south to Bonito. You’ll get your first glimpse of this magical world at scenic Ceita Core Farm, walking the forest trails, gazing at waterfalls and enjoying a relaxing lunch of delicious regional cuisine. You’ll arrive at your Bonito accommodations at day’s end. Overnight at your Bonito lodgings. (B)
• Day 11 BONITO View Bonito accommodations picture gallery
  
  

  Snorkelling in the clearest waters in the world you'll understand why we call this tour 'Water Paradises of Brasil'

  You’ll be picked up after breakfast at your hotel for an excursion to the much photographed Gruta do Lago Azul, a huge cavern with an intensely blue lake. After spending the morning there, you’ll have lunch and an afternoon of unforgettable snorkeling in the Rio Sucuri, some of the clearest waters in the world, where you’ll float downstream with the river currents. You will be returned to the hotel for another relaxing evening. Overnight in your peaceful Bonito accommodations. (B)
• Day 12 BONITO View Bonito accommodations picture gallery
  
  

  Touring Brazil, floating on your back looking up at a lush forest canopy, that's how we roll!

  After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head out for a snorkeling flotation excursion in the Rio da Prata, a plant and marine species-rich river. Your relaxing day includes a lunch of regional cuisine at the destination. Back at the hotel, you’ll end this day of Brazil travel with a contemplative walk to the very deep Buraco das Araras cavern, a gathering place for red macaws. (B,L)
• Day 13 BONITO TO CAMPO GRANDE
  
  

  The final day of this Brazil itinerary either starts the journey home or onwards to your next Brazil destination

  After breakfast, you will be returned to the airport at Campo Grande to make your connecting flight to another airport for your international departure. (B) View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extension
• Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

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2012 WEEKLY DEPARTURES

Weekly 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

Airport taxes

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

Highlights of Rio and Costa Verde:

6 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.

Prices based on 3.5% cash discount