Brazil

Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel. Rio de Janeiro is the Capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and was also Brazil's capital from 1763 to 1961. It is nestled between the mountains and the sea. Its magnificent shoreline includes charming bays and beautiful beaches, dotted with islands up and down the coast. Flying into Rio is a beautiful sight; whether at night or during the day, the visitors quickly find out why Rio is known as the Marvelous City. It is also an important center for art and fashion. The afternoon consists of a half day tour to Sugar Loaf: visit the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay, which offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city. The tour also offers a ride to downtown Rio which features a panoramic view of the city.

The morning will start with a tour to Corcovado. After a beautiful scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, passengers arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado hill where they will embark on a comfortable train ride to the top of the beautiful mountain, where the statue of Christ, the Redeemer is located. From the summit, enjoy the most breathtaking view in Rio! Return to the Hotel early in the afternoon. That evening experience Rio by night with dinner and a show. There is no other place in Rio that embodies the alegria or happiness of the Brazilian people more than the nightlife scene in the neighborhood of Lapa. Once the sun goes down, this normally quiet neighborhood turns into a bustling and vibrant area full of restaurants, nightclubs and bars. The streets fill with cariocas and gringos alike, who flock to this Rio nightlife Mecca with one thing in mind……fun!! From traditional northeastern forró, to Rio’s own samba, to reggae from Bahia, visitors will enjoy the best that the Rio music scene has to offer. On the Rio Nightlife Tour, we will take you right to the heart of the action where our local guides will accompany you to one of the best clubs in Lapa, Rio Scenarium an unusual bar, a mix between an antique shop and an auction room, where the locals come to listen to traditional Brazilian jazz and samba. Dinner at restaurant.

The morning starts with a Tijuca Forest tour by Jeep. Tijuca Forest is known as the world's largest urban forest. With its paths, waterfalls and greenery, Tijuca forest is a mix of history and nature. The Afternoon is free to independently travel around the city.

After arriving in Manaus, transfer to the hotel. The afternoon city tour of Manaus will visit some of its typical neighborhoods as well as the Museum of Indigenous Peoples, where guests can see some of the traditions, tools and garments used by these people. Next, visit the Teatro Amazonas (Opera House), the primary tourist attraction in the city.

On this day the group will transfer to an Amazon Eco-lodge for a 2 night program. Depart Manaus pier to see the Meeting of the Waters tour before arriving at the lodge. Dinner at the lodge.

The morning will commence with nature hike at a nearby forest followed by lunch. That afternoon visit the home of local Amazonian residents (cablocos) and have dinner with them. There will be an alligator spotting tour at night. Dinner at the lodge.

This morning visitors will visit Monkey Jungle. Next, transfer to Manaus airport for a flight to Salvador. Arrive in Salvador, welcome and transfer to the hotel.

The day will begin with a half-day historical city tour. Participants start in the modern suburb of Barra and head towards the old, historical section of town, Pelourinho, with the most expansive selection of preserved colonial architecture in the Americas. The tour will visit the church of Sao Francisco and its exuberant gold-leafed baroque interior and the Pelourinho Square, the heart of old town. This tour shows two distinct aspects of Salvador: the new and the old worlds, concentrating on the early expansion of the city. That evening witness Bahia by Night with dinner and a show at the intimate Miguel de Santana Theatre, in Pelourinho. The Bahia Folklore Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia) is one of the most respected folklore dance teams in the world. The troop performs a seamless presentation of the multiple African traditions that permeate Bahian culture. Performances include the sacred dances of the Candomblé; puxada de rede, a song by fishermen in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea; maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance with origins in the cane fields; capoeira, a martial art/dance created by Brazilian slaves and the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of the exuberant national dance. After the show dinner will be served in one of the many traditional restaurants in the area.

This day features a full day schooner cruise with lunch. Transfer to the pier and board a schooner to cruise to some of the 36 islands in the bay. Stop with time to relax in the sun or swim in the warm waters. Re-board for a short crossing to the larger Itaparica Island for lunch. Enjoy more time to relax on the beach or an optional visit to the colonial town of Itaparica before returning to Salvador.

Morning transfer to Salvador airport for a flight to Belo Horizonte. Arrive in Belo Horizonte and get picked up at the airport and immediately transfer to the city of Ouro Preto.

Start the morning with a walking tour of Ouro Preto followed by lunch: see some of the remaining sights of Ouro Preto and some of the surviving masterpieces of its colonial architecture. Ouro Preto is a trip back in time.

Transfer to the airport of Belo Horizonte to fly to the next destiny. Some suggestions are iguazu and Sao Paulo.