Brazil Vacation Package - Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Salvador, Praia do Forte, Fernando de Noronha and Amazon (21 Nights)

With this package you will visit 4 of the most exciting and sought after destinations in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (including Buzios), the magical and exotic state of Bahia, the island paradise of Fernando de Noronha and the legendary Amazon.

Brazilians say that God created the world in six days and, on the seventh, he created Rio . This Marvelous City', with its stunning Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), the impressive Corcovado (the statue of Christ) white sand beaches and green, granite based mountains, must be the most beautiful and exciting city in the world. Buzios , once a tranquil fishing village, is home to some of Brazil's most stunning beaches, exotic boutiques, hip restaurants and bars, and unique architecture, which explains why Brigitte Bardot frequented this destination in the 1960's and spread the fame of Buzios across the globe.

Salvador, known for its history, culture and beauty and Praia do Forte , a quaint fisherman village, known for its beaches, restaurants and artisan shops will give you a glimpse of what the state of Bahia has to offer in terms of rich history, culture and unexplored nature.

With crystalline waters and an exuberance of stunning tropical marine life, as well as wonderfully preserved beaches and virtually no pollution, Fernando de Noronha is a paradise for divers, surfers, nature lovers, and anyone wanting to escape to a tropical island. This beautiful and peaceful island is part of a volcanic archipelago of 21 islands which lie 345km (220 miles) off the northeast coast of Brazil.

The Amazon has a wealth of life richer than any place else on earth and two of the best places to see some of this incredible wildlife are at the Amazonat Jungle Lodge and the Uacari Lodge.

The Amazonat Lodge, built with great sensitivity to the landscape and concern for the preservation of the environment, offers walking trails, bird watching tours, boat tours, jungle night treks and survival tours. This Lodge is a truly unique place, situated only one and a half hours drive from Manaus.

Uakari Lodge, situated near the small city of Tefe (1.5 hours SSW by commercial plane from Manaus), is strategically located off a tributary of the Solimoes River making it an ideal place to observe the abundance of wildlife such as birds, monkeys, caiman, dolphins, fish and much more. Its 5 floating cabins guarantee close contact with nature at all times

Day 1:

You will arrive in Rio de Janeiro and be met at the airport by a private driver who will take you to your hotel. After checking in, you may want to relax and have some lunch. We suggest lunch at Porcão, a Brazilian barbecue buffet restaurant. In the afternoon you might like to explore around Copacabana and visit the famous beaches near your hotel.

Day 2:

Today you will be taken on a city tour in your own private air-conditioned Land Rover to visit some of the most famous sites of Rio. Driving on the scenic Castorina Road towards the Corcovado, (the Christ statue) you will stop to see the Mesa do Imperador (the Emperor's Table) and the Vista Chinesa (Chinese Lookout point) before entering the Tijuca National Park. In the park you will visit the principal hotspots: the Taunay Waterfall, the Mayrink Chapel, not to mention the view of the beautiful flora and fauna of the forest and the sounds of the Atlantic Forest birds. Still driving through tranquil scenic roads in the Tijuca National Park, the tour will take you across the top of the mountain in the direction of Corcovado. After experiencing the panoramic 360º views from the top of the Corcovado, you next stop will be the neighborhood of Santa Tereza, a historical district of old Rio, where artisans and artists live and work. You will be able to visit authentic local artisan stores and have lunch in one of the local restaurants, where you will experience the flavors of Brazilian cuisine. After lunch you will visit the Chacara do Céu Museum, a special place where nature, panoramic views of the Guanabara Bay, and art are in total harmony with the landscape. Your tour will end a Sugar Loaf, where you will be able to watch the magnificent sunset over the city and the bay. We suggest dinner at Da Brambini (Italian seafood) in Praia do Leme.

Day 3:

On your last day in the city of Rio de Janeiro, you will check out of your hotel after breakfast, after which you will be driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel in Buzios, (approximately a 3 hour journey). After checking in at your pousada, your driver will take you on a tour of the beaches and will discover how each beach has its own charm and why Buzios is so famous for its beautiful beaches.

Praia do Canto, Praia da Armação dos Ossos, and the lovely and intimate Azeda and Azedinha, are the beaches which are closest to the "downtown" area, where the shops and restaurants are located. These beaches became famous worldwide because they are the beaches that Brigitte Bardot fell in love with when visiting the city in 1964, then a fishing village.

Driving along the peninsula, you will see Praia de João Fernandes, and on the other side are the more secluded beaches of Forno, Brava, and Ferradura. The longest beach is Geribá and one of the trendiest among the young crowd and surfers, with lots of cool kiosks that offer cold beverages and snacks. Tartaruga Beach is your last stop, which is where sea turtles lay their eggs, and is protected from the strong winds. On your return to the pousada, you may want to relax before having dinner. We suggest dinner at Satiricon (seafood).

Day 4:

Today is free to relax and enjoy Buzios. You may want to visit one or more of your favorite beaches which you discovered yesterday, and perhaps take a walk around the village and visit the local boutiques and restaurants. Tonight our dinner suggestion is at the Italian pizzeria, Capricciosa.

Day 5:

On the fifth day of your trip we suggest snorkeling in the Tartaruga Bay. The bay is well known for its tranquil and turquoise waters and is the best snorkeling point on the Buzios coast. You are guaranteed to see a plethora of colorful fish and probably some sea turtles.

Day 6:

On the morning of your last day in Buzios a tour of Arraial do Cabo and Prainha Beach awaits you. On this tour, you will be taken on your way back to Rio as these beaches are en route. You will check out of your hotel and say goodbye to Buzios.

Every year, Prainha Beach in Arraial do Cabo makes the top ten lists of the best beach destinations in Brazil. It lies in front of a channel that is surrounded by sand banks, turquoise water, and beautiful white sand dunes, making it a favorite sailing and scuba-diving point. Just across from the beach is the small island of Cabo Frio, a Nature Reserve, that makes this place even more magical and appealing.

Arraial do Cabo was a fishing village that has evolved into a small city renowned for its fresh fish and pristine beaches. The tour will take no more than 2 hours. After the tour, your driver will take you to the airport in Rio. The flight to Salvador leaves around 13:00 and arrives at around 15:00. At the Salvador airport you will be met by one of our guides and driven to your hotel. We suggest dinner at the Lambreta Grill, an award winning seafood café in the Rio Vermelho district.

Day 7:

Today you will begin your journey through Salvador visiting Pelourinho, the historical district of the city, followed by a delicious Bahian lunch. Then you will visit the Mercado Modelo in Cidade Baixa. The Mercado Modelo is a handicraft market that used to be the merchandise and slave-trading outpost of the city. Here you can buy many handicrafts and local products. Make sure you visit the dungeon below the market where the slaves were kept prior to sale.

Day 8:

On the last day in Salvador, you will check out of your hotel and be transported by a private vehicle to Praia do Forte. The journey takes roughly an hour and when you arrive you will check into your hotel. We suggest having lunch at 'Bar do Souza'; try their delicious and famous 'bolinhos de peixe' (Bahian-style fish cakes) and/or a fish or shrimp moqueca (Bahian stew). After lunch we suggest you visit the TAMAR PROJECT (turtle NGO) Visitor Center and then on to Papa Gente's Natural Pools for snorkeling (times may vary due to the tide). After sunset, we suggest having dinner at the Fata Morgana restaurant (Spanish food).

Day 9:

Today you will be taking an 8-hour nature tour. Begin by exploring the region of Sauipe, where you will take a 4-Wheeler Tour (1 adult per 4-wheeler) through Atlantic rain forest vegetation and along rivers. During the ride, there will be a stop at the Sauípe River for a swim and to go down the rapids on inner tubes. The 4-Wheeler Tour will be followed by lunch at the fishing village of Diogo. Then you will take a canoe trip down the pristine Imbassai river which is surrounded by snow-white dunes. Back at Praia do Forte; we suggest you have dinner at Japa, an excellent Japanese Restaurant, followed by a stroll around the main street of the village and visit the shops and cafes.

Day 10:

Today you may choose between one of 3 tours: Horseback riding, Sauipe River Catamaran or Sauipe Adventure Expedition.

3.5-hour horseback ride will begin by taking you through a lake, then along sand dunes, followed by a trail through tropical forest to the Castelo Garcia D'Avila, and finally winding down and along the beach back to the village.

7 km Catamaran ride to the mouth of the River Sauipe, passing through beautiful areas of coastal rain forest vegetation and mangroves. A specialist guide will tell you about the various ecosystems and you will have the opportunity to swim and do a bit of bird watching.

The Sauipe Expedition will take you on a hike through local wetland vegetation to the banks of the River Sauipe, where you will board native wooden canoes and row to the mouth of the river, with the help of a specialist guide. You will have a chance to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river or sea, before returning to your pousada in a 4x4 vehicle.

The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy Praia do Forte. You may want to take this opportunity to visit the Castelo Garcia D'Avila, the impressive ruins of a castle belonging to the first land-owning farmer in Brazil.

Day 11:

After breakfast you will check out of your hotel and be driven to the airport in Salvador. From here you need to take a plane to Recife (1 hour) and then to Fernando de Noronha, where and English-speaking guide will meet you inside the Island tax paying area (the island tax is included in your package price) and then take you to your hotel. You will then be taken by your guide in your rented buggy on the island tour.

This tour will show you the entire island, so that you can better explore your favorite sites the following days of your trip. We suggest you have dinner at Ekologicus, a seafood restaurant near the port. After dinner, you will no doubt want to relax and prepare for day 2 of your Fernando de Noronha experience.

Day 12:

On your second day on the island you will follow the Sancho Trekking Trail to see the dolphins returning to their resting bay in the morning. We suggest lunch at the Dolphin Hotel. Then, in the afternoon, you will be taken on a boat ride which covers the inner sea of the island. There is good chance of seeing the island´s famous Spinner Dolphin as they depart their bay on their way to high sea for feeding. We recommend dinner at the Italian restaurant - Morena.

Day 13:

Today you will take the Acquasub tour in the morning. This is a snorkeling activity where you are slowly pulled behind a boat with other Snorkelers. It is designed to allow you to snorkel covering longer distances. Our lunch suggestion for today is the Cantinho do Porto at the harbor, which has great fresh tuna and pasta dishes. The afternoon is free for you to relax and do what you want. Tonight why not try dinner at your pousada.

Day 14:

A 3-hour horseback ride awaits you this morning. You will be given a choice of a variety of trails, depending on your preference and your experience. The trails are either through mountains or along beaches. We suggest lunch at Nascimento, which has a variety of different cuisines. The afternoon is free. You might want to relax at your pousada, on the beach, or go back and visit one of your favorite spots on the island in the rented buggy. We suggest dinner at the Tartarugão Restaurant.

Day 15:

On your last day on this beautiful island paradise you will go snorkeling with sea turtles at Sueste Beach. The tidal pools are a clear turquoise blue and full of marine life. This is one of the few places where a colony of white sea urchins can be seen (the colony is located on the right side of the bay by the remains of the old port). We suggest you lunch at your pousada today, because shortly afterwards you will be picked up and taken to the airport.

From Fernando de Noronha, you will fly to Manaus, where you will be met by a representative of the Amazonat Jungle Lodge at the airport and be taken to the lodge by vehicle (journey is approximately 2 hours).

Note: flights are not included in this package. For flight information and reservation please contact us]. After checking in at the lodge, you will have dinner and be taken on a jungle night trek to see giant spiders and fluorescent fungus.

Day 16:

Today's tour after breakfast is a jungle trek with emphasis on the Amazon's ecosystem by showing the diversity of trees and plants. After lunch you will depart to one of survival camps where the night will be spent and from where a nocturnal trek is organized.

Day 17:

After a delicious breakfast you will be taken on a full day Amazon River trip. A bus will takes you to southern extreme of lodge (40 minutes) where you will board a canoe and visit the highlights that this region has to offer. Giant waterlilies, dolphin spotting for the gray and pink dolphins, bird watching, piranha and catfish fishing, completed with alligator spotting in the early evening. Lunch is served in the floating observation station of the lodge "The Observer". You will return to the lodge around 8.30 p.m.

Day 18:

After checking out of the Amazonat Lodge, you will be driven to the Manaus airport early in the morning to catch a flight to Tefe. At the airport in Tefe you will be met by one of the representatives from the Uakari Lodge and taken to the dock area and then in a speed boat to the Lodge. The boat journey lasts about one and a half hours. You will arrive at the Lodge just before lunch and will be given an orientation by the Uakari Lodge manager. After lunch at the Lodge, you will have some time to relax and settle in before going on a tour in the afternoon. The tour will be either a walking trail to see wildlife in the flooded forest, or a canoe trip through the small tributaries to see wildlife along the banks of the rivers.

Day 19: 20 and 21

You need to wake up early at around 6:30 a.m. to have breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Your morning tour will set off at roughly 7:30 a.m. This is the best time to see animals and also the temperature is cooler and therefore more pleasant to take a jungle tour. You will come back for lunch and then have a couple of hours after lunch to rest and prepare for the afternoon tour. There is a book and video library at the Lodge which you may use at your liberty. The afternoon tour departs at roughly 3 p.m. and returns at about 6 p.m. Supper is served in the main dining room and occasionally the researchers from the Mamiraua Institute will join. One of the evenings during your stay at the Lodge you will be shown a presentation of the flooded forest after dinner.

During these 3 days the tours will be a variety of the following:

• Lake Mamiraua Trip - by motorized canoe to a beautiful lake inside the Reserve, where you will have an opportunity to see a plethora of birds, monkeys, pink dolphins, black caiman and perhaps the pirarucu fish. You will stay at the Lake until sunset and on your way back you will spot nocturnal fauna. During this night spotting you will be able to see various sized Caymans and if you are lucky small fish attracted by the lights will jump into the boat by the hundreds.
• Daily Walks along one of the jungle trails in the company of experienced guides to see capuchin monkeys, howlers, uakaris, squirrel monkeys, three toed sloths, and hoatzin birds, among many other species.
• Traditional native Indian harpoon fishing where, depending on how dedicated you are, you can expect to catch a variety of fish.
• Trip to visit a local riverine "Caboclo" village in order to interact and get to know the Amazonian population and way of life.
• Paddling trips in dugout canoes where you will see a rich variety of birdlife and fauna.

On the last day of your trip you will check out of the Uakari Lodge after breakfast and say goodbye to one of the most magical places in the world. One of the guides from Uakari will then take you by speed boat to Tefe where you will be driven to the airport to catch a plane to Manaus.

• If you happen to be in Rio on a Sunday, the hippie fair (open-air handcrafts market) at praça General Osório in Ipanema is worth a visit.
• There is an evening dinner show (Samba show and dinner) available, if you are interested, which is not included in the above package. Please let us know if you would like us to book this for you