Brazil For Families

RIO DE JANEIRO / IGUASSU FALLS / PANTANAL

9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

DAY 1

Rio de Janeiro

Arrival transfer in Rio and transfer to your hotel. Bike tour along Ipanema & Leblon beaches - A pleasant tour along the most famous beach in the world. You will have the chance to feel how the cariocas enjoy theirs beaches, running, playing soccer and cycling along the seashore. On Sundays and national holidays one side of the avenue is closed for recreation, jogging and extra space for bikes. During the bike tour 1 stop will be made for coconut water (great to avoid dehydration), mineral water or soft drink. Stay the rest of the morning on the beach.
Overnight in Rio. (B)

DAY 2

Rio de Janeiro

AM tour to Corcovado with Tijuca Forest in jeeps followed by lunch and PM tour to Sugar Loaf Rio de Janeiro has two landmarks which are instantly recognizable the world over: Sugar Loaf and the Statue of Christ. This tour combines a visit to the Statue of Christ and the Tijuca National Forest. The summit of this mountain can be reached by road or rail, the latter being preferred. A modern Swiss-made cogwheel rail climbs the mountain from its base at 15 metres almost to the summit at 710 metres.
The Statue at the very top of the mountain, faced with a soapstone mosaic in the finest art nouveau style, is reached via a flight of steep steps. The view from this vantage point, with the surrounding Tijuca National Park spreading below and a circle of mountains marking the horizon at the very back of Guanabara Bay, is nothing short of breathtaking.
Boarding the jeeps tour will proceed with our tour to visit the Tijuca Rainforest. The city is, literally, sliced down the middle by this impressive mountain range, which makes it possible to go to the beach in the morning and then enjoy the chill of the rainforest and the refreshment of natural pools and waterfalls in the afternoon. Tijuca forest is filled with attractions, from the obvious Statue of Christ to the pagoda-style belvedere at Vista Chinesa and the giant granite picnic table at the Mesa do Imperador. Also inside the Park, the gem-like Mayrink chapel boasts murals painted by one of Brazil’s best-known twentieth century artists, Cândido Portinari.
The open-air jeeps provide a unique opportunity to enjoy Rio in the fresh air. The tour drives along Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, past the Jardim Botânico, finally stopping at the Vista Chinesa (a belvedere in the Chinese pagoda style). Here a stop for photos and our first contact with the history of the forest and the world’s first preservation project when the Emperor Pedro II decided that the original forest should be restored, replacing coffee plantations. It passes the Mesa do Imperador, the mammoth granite table of Imperial picnics, and Cascatinha waterfall, where tour will make a stop. Resuming the tour will be passing by the Mayrink Chapel for a 30-minute hike along one of the many trails that are available to explore. Along the way, the rich variety of fauna and flora will be pointed out, as well as the importance of this park to the city of Rio de Janeiro.

We will enjoy a delicious pic nic inside the Tijuca Forest. The Mesa do Imperador or "Table of the Emperor" is one of the most beautiful mirantes of the National Park of Tijuca and is the perfect nature atmosphere to provide a pic nic lunch for the group where they will be in touch with the nature all time. The Pic Nic includes 3 Kind of mini sandwiches, 2 kind of Salad, pâtés, assorted breads, cold cuts, homemade cake, sliced fruits & beverages included: mineral water, soft drinks, national beers, 2 kinds of juices

After lunch, You will visit one of the most famous of Rio’s postcard views.“Sugar Loaf”. This visit is made in two stages by cable car. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill which is 215 meters high from where one has a beautiful view of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói bridge and Corcovado hill. From this stage, a second cable car will be taken up to the top (395 meters) to see a splendid view of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and some of the beaches of Niterói. The afternoon part of the tour is provided in car or van.

In the evening, you will be taken to a typical Brazilian barbecue restaurant.

Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

DAY 3

Rio de Janeiro

This morning we will depart for your boat trip through the Guanabara Bay. An amazing adventure tour on a high-performance boat providing stunning views which far surpass any postcard picture. We embark at 9am from Marina da Gloria and will visit the Cagarras Archipelago and Redonda Island, a trip featuring rich biodiversity of local sea fauna, as well as an array of sea birds. Throughout the tour passengers can enjoy mineral water, coconut water and cereal bars at their disposal.

Get to know a Rio juice bar, which can be found on street corners all over the city, are colourful celebrations of fruits you've probably never heard of, like acerola, caqui or mamao. Choose one ! Try an ‘acai’, a purple Amazonian fruit high in antioxidants that is said to be good for energy

Afterwards head to Botanical Garden where a very beautiful and exotic orchidarium will be visited. Each of the 141 hectares of Rio's Botanical Gardens shelters outstanding examples of plantlife from Brazil and all over the world. The Imperial Palms are among its most spectacular attractions, planted in 1809 by Prince Regent D. Joao VI. Huge trees decked with orchids contrast with giant victoria-regia, lilies, bromeliads, royal poincianas and tropical foliage, making the Botanical Gardens a favorite hideaway for nature-lovers, sweethearts and all those seeking peace and tranquility

Overnight at hotel (B, L)

DAY 4

Rio de Janeiro / Iguassu Falls

Fly this morning to the Brazil/Argentine border and transfer your hotel overlooking this unforgettable scene. Iguassu National Park is natural wonder of tropical nature, vistas, and 275 thundering cascades. Then set out on an escorted walking tour on the Brazilian side to strategic overlooks at a variety of levels. Trail winds towards the falls from the area in front of the hotel, populated by contis, long-tailed racoon-like creatures with a well-developed sense of tourists’ feeding habits. At its end, an elevator provides speedier access to a viewing platform at the foot of the falls.

This has become one of the most popular tours in the area. You will be taken to the Macuco Trail in the Iguaçu National Park, to board jeeps. Jeeps are the best form of transport in this rain forest because the road is unpaved but accessible year round. On this trip, passengers will get to know several different species of sub-tropical plants and trees, including orchids and the heart-of-palm, which grows in abundance at the park. With luck, animals and some of the beautiful birds of the region may be sighted. After a 3-km jeep ride, a 600-meter walking trek passing by the picturesque Macuco Falls, hidden in the forested canyon. The trail brings one to the banks of the Iguaçu River, where passengers will board a twin-engine boat (seating capacity: 25), specially designed for this river’s sailing conditions. Cruise up into the Iguassu Canyon, shooting several rapids and arrive at the very base of the majestic waterfalls. As the experienced pilot maneuvers in the midst of the falls themselves, passengers will have a completely different view and experience a thrill never forgotten. Overnight at hotel (B)

DAY 5

Iguassu Falls / Argentinean Falls

Today, visit Iguassu from the Argentine side for a more extensive experience of the falls and surrounding rainforest. Departure from hotel, cross the border and the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the border between Argentina and Brazil. Once in Argentina, tour takes a scenic highway up to the Argentine Iguazu Park. To visit the Devil Throat we will take a electric train for a visit through the park with 2 stops until the trail where the walking tour begins to the visit the upper walkways which allows a different and more intimate contact with the falls and the rainforest.. The highlight of the trip is a visit to the suspended platform at the very brink of the abysmal Devil’s Throat – largest of the waterfalls. Return always by train to visit the upper Argentinean falls, including the San Martin Falls. If weather and time allows, a brief stop at the 3 Borders point, where Paraná and Iguassu Rivers as well as the borders or Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay encounter.
Lunch at local restaurant. PM tour to Bird Park. The park is situated in 4 hectares of native sub tropical forest. It offers the opportunity to enter huge 8 meter high forest aviaries to study and photograph birds in their natural surroundings without the restriction of netting and cages.
There are over 500 birds, indigenous and from other continents. An exciting breeding program is in progress for some of the endangered species. Full facilities are available including a restaurant a public telephone.

Return to the hotel. Overnight at hotel (B)

DAY 6

Iguassu Falls - Pantanal

You will take a morning flight to Pantanal, where you see the wildlife in Brazil. The Indiana Jones-style wildlife experience together with the environment of the Pantanal, will create memorable moments. The Pousada Mutum combines the adventure and relaxation.

Along with the Amazon Basis, the Pantanal is one of the last virgin areas on the face of earth. A huge lowland plain, it is entirely overgrown by luxuriant vegetation dotted by thousands of rainbow colored flowers which bloom during the rainy season (Dec to March). It shelters innumerable rivers and crystal clear lakes. Along their shores are rare species of animals such as jaguars, peccaries, bob-cats, wild boards not to mention flocks of ducks, Gray Teals, pigeons, partridges and herons who live in total and undisturbed freedom protected by the laws that created the National Parks. No experience is more rewarding than a "safari" into this privileged wilderness to photograph the countless birds and animals silhouetted against the brilliant backdrop of foliage and blue skies. Better still is the knowledge that amid this incomparable natural scenery the visitor can find accommodation in large ranch where he will be pampered with local hospitality characteristic of the region. In the Pantanal the visitor will find an area of 77.220 square miles (nearly equal the size to West Germany) where life pulsates and nature, untouched by the hand of man, can be felt and enjoyed.

Arrival in Cuiaba and transfer to Pousada do Rio Mutum passing through the small village of Mimoso, where Mal. Candido Rondon was born. On the way, observation of many kind of birds, small mammals and typical landscapes. After check-in, introduction to the lodge and area around it. In the evening a delicious piranha soup is served just before dinner. After dinner, introduction to the activities of the following days.

DAY 7

Pantanal

After breakfast, horseback trail riding in the jungle, up to the edge of the Siá Mariana bay. During the whole year, a big variety of birds, animals and reptiles can be observed. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, boat ride for a photographic safari in Mutum River. In its crystal clear water it is possible to see giant otters, stingrays and shoals of small fish. At the Mutum river banks, a large variety of birds can be observed. Return to the lodge for dinner, then nocturnal animal spotting by jeep in the lodge surrounding area.

DAY 8

Pantanal

After breakfast, ecological walk through the jungle and open fields to observe animals and birds. Having the largest diversity of bird species in the world, the Pantanal is especially interesting for bird watching. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, boat trip down the Mutum river banks, Siá Mariana bay and Chacororé bay. Return by boat to the lodge, stopping to see the sunset at the Siá Mariana bay and do piranha fishing. In the evening, cayman feeding with the piranhas fished from Siá Mariana bay and nocturnal animals spotting. Dinner.

DAY 9

Pantanal

4:30am – Canoeing in the Mutum river to observe the sunrise and the beauty of wildlife at the break of dawn in the Pantanal. Return to the lodge, breakfast and check-out. Transfer to the Cuiabá airport to connect with your flight back home or to your next destination.