Brazil Vacation Package - Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Praia do Forte (7 Nights)

Brazilians say that God created the world in six days and, on the seventh, he created Rio. With this package you will not only visit the "Marvelous City" of Rio de Janeiro with its stunning Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), the impressive Corcovado (the statue of Christ) white sand beaches and green, granite based mountains, but also two of Bahia's main destinations - Salvador and Praia do Forte. Salvador, Bahia's capital, is known for its history, culture and beauty; and Praia do Forte, a quaint fisherman village, is known for its beaches, restaurants and artisan shops. This package will give you a glimpse of what Brazil has to offer while discovering its rich history, culture and unexplored nature. The package includes comfortable lodging in pousadas and hotels, and cultural and nature tours with private English speaking guides.

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 final day in Rio, you must check out of your hotel around 10:30 a.m. and say goodbye to this marvelous city,' then be driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the airport. 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.

After checking in, a complementary stress release massage at your hotel will totally relax you and let you unwind in preparation for the evening's entertainment. You will experience Bahia by night, having dinner at the Solar da União, which is also the venue of the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia, where you can enjoy Brazilian food and drinks and a folkloric show. This show features an excellent presentation on capoeira, samba, ancient slave dances, and even a sample of candomblé, a religious rite typical in this region.

Day 4:

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. We suggest dinner at the Lambreta Grill, an award winning seafood café.

Day 5:

On the last day of your trip 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 6:

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 7:

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 8:

On this, your last day in Praia do Forte, we suggest you take the morning to relax by the pool or on the beach and maybe do some last-minute shopping in the village for presents to take back home. After lunch you will check out of your hotel and say goodbye to Praia do Forte, then be driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the airport in Salvador.

If you happen to be in Rio on a Sunday the hippie fair (open-air handcrafts market) at Praça Gen 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.