Brazil Rio de Janeiro (2N) + Pantanal/Bonito (6N) + Manaus (2N) + SÃO LUÍS (1N) + Barreirinhas (2N)

Price on request

Region: Brazil
Activities: Sight-seeing Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 14 days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Brazil! Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Rio de Janeiro has wonderful green hills, blue sky, beautiful bays, islands and marvellous beaches. It is the second biggest city in Brazil (after Sao Paulo) and certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Beach hotels are situated along the whole perimeter of Guanabara Bay and, if you are staying in one of these hotels, the beauties of Rio de Janeiro are open for you all the time. Blue ocean water will call you to the beach. The most popular beaches, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, are famous for their black and white tiled promenade. From early morning to late in the night you can see people playing soccer and volleyball on the golden sand of the beaches. For those who prefer active holidays, Rio offers opportunities to partake in almost any sport: golf, tennis, surfing, rafting, diving, delta flight and many others. Numerous open cafeterias on the beach will offer you refreshing coconut water, freshly squeezed juices, as well as other drinks. You can also see local musicians on the beach playing all kinds of music.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
You start with breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast we set off on a tour through the city. Arriving at the station, the environmentally friendly train will take us through the jungle to the top of Corcovado. On both sides of the railway you will have spectacular views of Tijuca forest, inhabited by monkeys and other exotic animals and birds. On top of Corcovado, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, you will stand in front of the symbol of Rio de Janeiro- Statue of Christ the Savior (38m), built in 1931. From top of Corcovado, you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its surroundings like the Bridge Niteroi, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracana stadium and the Sugar Loaf. Later you have the chance to go on a half-day excursion to the Sugar Loaf. The first stop is the Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area that also offers the possibility to have a snack in the restaurant on top of the mountain. On the mountain of Sugar Loaf you will have a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean, bridge Niteroi, and the statue of Christ on Corcovado Mountain.

After going down by cable car, the tour continues by car to the central regions of the old town of Rio where you can admire several old churches, monasteries, the main cathedral of the city as well as buildings in colonial style.
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro – Pantanal
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Campo Grande where you will be welcomed and transferred to Pantanal.

Hyacinth Macaw couple, Patanal, Brazil

Pantanal is located in the central part of South America. It is a unique nature reserve in Brazil. The abundance and species diversity of plants and animals is exceptionally high. Here, lakes and rivers with crystal clear water are home to rare species of birds and animals. You will stay in a hotel or lodge, where you will be provided with comfort. Pantanal is a great place for nature lovers, anglers, photographer, and for those who are tired of modern urban life rhythm. You will be able to calm down, relax, watch the birds and butterflies, while listening to the sounds of the ode with nature
Day 4: Pantanal
Yacare Caiman

After breakfast we will go on a horseback riding tour through the valleys to discover the amazing nature of Pantanal. During the walk you will see birds and animals, as well as crocodiles that live in rivers, along the road. On the farm you will have a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will have a unique opportunity to take amazing pictures of the wild untouched nature of Pantanal. In the evening-return to the hotel and dinner.

Depending on the weather conditions, you may be offered another program for this day: Piranha Fishing in a near pond. Try to catch a piranha in waist deep water. Or if you are brave enough, you can swim with the crocodiles in the river. Lunch and dinner at the hotel. In the evening try canoeing.
Day 5: Pantanal
Day 6: Pantanal - Bonito
Rio Sucuri Mato Grosso do Sul, most crystal clear waters in the world.

Start off with a hearty breakfast. Today we will go to the very heart of an untouched, virgin nature area. Departuring at 5:00 am to the mountain range of Serra de Bodoquena. After a 5.5 km walk through the jungle we arrive to the 12 waterfalls (the highest waterfall in the south of Mato Grosso – Boca da Onca – 156 m). You will have the opportunity to swim in the waterfalls, and if you venture through the wall of water, you can find hidden caves with stalactites behind it. After lunch, you can relax in the hammocks or swim in the natural pools (Optional: You can rappel (abseil) down a 70-meter face being watched by a professional instructor. Price $210 per person). In the afternoon, we drive on to Bonito where you will be taken to your accommodation.

Bonito is one of the most popular places of ecotourism in Brazil. Only in a few places in the world nature has been preserved in such pristine beauty. Bonito is a unique place where the age-old forests coexist with stalactite and stalagmite caves, magnificent waterfalls and exotic fish in the crystal clear rivers.
Day 7: Bonito

Blue Lake Caves, Bonito

In the morning, after breakfast, we will visit the Blue Lake Cave, super impressive thanks to its geological formations of stalactites, stalagmites and deep sky-blue waters. The cave has attracted the attention of both tourists and researchers from around the world. The sun’s rays penetrate the water, creating a spectacular crystal blue colour. The grotto is one of the largest flooded caves in the world. In 1992, an expedition of Brazilian paleontologists discovered the petrified remains of mammals buried at the bottom of the cave – a prehistoric giant sloth and a saber-toothed tiger. After lunch we begin our submarine journey through the crystal clear water of the river Rio da Prata. Snorkelling Rio da Prata surrounded by beautiful multi-coloured fish makes it feel like we are swimming in a giant aquarium. We immerse ourselves in the clear water and see amazingly coloured underwater flora and fauna.

The journey continues in the nature reserve, where our path runs along the Rio da Prata River. We will visit the source, Olho d `Á gua, where the river starts. Golden fish, piraputanga pacus will entertain us during our snorkeling journey. Equipment and masks included. We stay overnight at Hotel Bonito.
Day 8: Bonito – Manaus
Very early in the morning we depart for Campo Grande to take the flight to Manaus . You will be welcomed and transferred to your lodge where you will have a full board meal plan. During your stay in the lodge you can enjoy the activities they offer for free.

One exciting activity you may want to do is an evening boat ride. Departing the lodge on paddle or motor canoes, to listen to the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot alligators (or other creatures). Carrying a flashlight, alligators are easily spotted – two shining red lights among the foliage. Once the guide spots an alligator he will try to catch a small one with his bare hands bringing the animal on board for a brief explanation of the habitat of this primeval animal, hunting methods and the animal itself. After a brief stay on board and many photos, the alligator is safely released to its habitat. (Animals are handled with care – and guides cause no harm to the animals).
Duration: 1 hour. Time is approximate.

Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest is a restricted area where wild animals come and go as seasons pass by. There is always a feeding time schedule, under the supervision of the biologist and/or personnel with credentials to do so. Guests are welcome to visit, film and photograph the animals that may be on site, in a natural and safe environment.

The Monkey Forest is open to guests visits, always in the company of a facility professional. Guests are welcome to film and take as many photos as they wish in this natural and safe environment.
Duration: 40 minutes to 1 hour. Time is approximate.

Visit to a Caboclo House

Depart the lodge on boat or motor canoe, to visit a local family – called the “caboclos”, learn about their traditions and customs and the rich history of the Amazon, the rubber cycle, and much more.
During the visit you will see how the cassava meal is prepared and how they smoke the extracted rubber sap
Duration: 1 hour. Time is approximate

Fishing

A non-professional fishing activity. Depending on the season, you may catch the elusive piranha that nibbles your bait without a tug on the line or other species. The guide shows some of the tricks of the piranhas and how to catch them.
Duration: 40 minutes to 1 hour. Time is approximate.

Please note that this activity is non-professional fisherman.
Day 9: Manaus
Day 10: Manaus – Saõ Luís
Transfer to the airport for departure to Saõ Luís. Upon arrival, transfer and accommodation at the hotel. Free time.

Saõ Luís is a beautiful old city by the ocean. Not far away is the region with the cleanest air on the planet – Lencois Maranenses. The city itself is surrounded by mountains, so the climate here is very favourable, the air is characterised by incredible cleanliness and oxygen saturation. The historical centre is an open museum with numerous architectural elements and details, where stone-paved streets pass into narrow alleys. One of the most beautiful examples of French architecture of the XVII century is the Palace of Lions, richly decorated with columns, porticoes and stucco. Stairs leading to the palace are guarded by sculptured lions. Saõ Luís is known as the reggae capital in Brazil. In no other city in Brazil is this Jamaican rhythm so popular. Among the attractions of modern Saõ Luís are not only museums, churches, built in the XVII century and operating to this day, markets, an original kitchen based on rice, but also many wonderful beaches, where you can enjoy windsurfing, diving, fishing or just lie down and breathe healthy, clean air. We return to our accommodation in Saõ Luís.
Day 11: Saõ Luís
Day 12: Saõ Luís - Barreirinhas
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses

Around 7.00 am we depart to Barreirinhas. The journey takes around 4 hours on a good road where we will see plantations of Babaçu and Buriti. Barreirinhas is located on the waterfront of the Preguiças River, being a very peaceful and hospitable town. The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, located close to town is a rare gem with magnificent dunes sculpted by nature and at the period of March to September contains hundreds of lakes formed by rainwater falling in season. At 2.00 pm, after check in at the hotel, we will begin the tour in a 4×4 vehicle to get to the heart of the Park, where we walk in the Blue Lake circuit. Here you may take a splash in the crystal blue lagoon and slide down the sand in to the water. We complete our day by watching the beautiful sunset in the dunes. Return to Barreirinhas around 7.00 pm and you can continue enjoying a swim in the hotel pool, go out in the quiet streets of the city or simply enjoy sitting on the riverside next to the calm waters, savouring a beautiful pizza. We overnight in Barreirinhas.
Day 13: Barreirinhas – Atins
Around 8:30 am, we will embark on a speedboat for a trip on the majestic Preguiças River, with its calm waters. We should see along its banks: igarapés, mangue, buritis, Juçara (açaí) feet, tucunzeiros, herons and torches. We will stop in the communities of VASSOURAS, also known as small dunes and here we can taste the delicious coconut water and interact with the monkeys that inhabit here. We then proceed on to MANDACARÚ, a small fishing village where we will climb 160 steps to the Preguiças Lighthouse to enjoy a view of the dunes, the river and its mouth, the ocean and the typical vegetation. Arriving next at CABURÉ, being one arm of the dunes located between the River and the Sea. We will continue by boat until the Town of ATINS. We will book in at the inn. At 4:00 p.m. we board a 4 × 4 vehicle to Canto do Atins where we will have the opportunity to walk through the dunes of the park and bathe in its crystalline waters (only during the rainy season). Then we will continue to the restaurant of Luzia or Seu Antônio, where we will have the opportunity to try the famous grilled shrimp (not included in price), famous throughout the region. We will pause to rest in hammocks, and enjoy a comforting sea breeze. We overnight in Atins and have breakfast at Pousada Jurará.
Day 14: Saõ Luís

For dates and prices, please email travel@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

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Brazil Rio de Janeiro (2N) + Pantanal/Bonito (6N) + Manaus (2N) + SÃO LUÍS (1N) + Barreirinhas (2N)

Price on request

Smarttraveller in Australia

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