BRAZILIAN FALLS & OCEAN Highlighting: Spectacular Iguassu Falls Historic Salvador Bahia Trendy Beaches of Natal Undiscovered Fernando de Noronha Rio de Janeiro, Ciudade Maravilhosa 17 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Saturday

ITINERARY: (Subject to change without notice):

Saturday - Depart USA: Depart Miami, New York or Los Angeles on overnight flight

Sunday - Arrive Sao Paulo and connect to Iguassu Falls: Upon arrival Iguassu falls, meeting and transfer to Hotel Das Cataratas in the national park at the falls for two night stay. Balance of the day at leisure. 

Monday - Iguassu Falls:   Today you will spend the day exploring these awesome falls with 275 falls spanning a 2-mile wide precipice, from the Brazilian side, with wide panoramic vistas. Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed upon viewing these falls: "Poor Niagara! This makes Niagara look like a kitchen faucet!". You'll also take the Macuco Safari and motorlaunch excursion for a ride along the turbulent river for different views of these falls, including ducks in and out of the cascades themselves. Also stop by the Parque de Aves for a visit to the huge walk-through aviaries and butterfly farm.  Lunch included en route. (B/L)

Tuesday - Iguassu Falls-Salvador Bahia: This morning you will cross over the border to the Argentine side for yet another series of walks to view these spectacular falls. One catwak takes you to the edge of Devvil's Throat; two others take you down along the base of falls, offering the "Up Close and Personal" encounter with the falls. Mid-day check-out at hotel and late afternoon transfer to the airport for flight to Salvador Bahia. Meeting upon arrival in Salvador Bahia and transfer to your hotel, the Pousada Convento do Carmo in historic Pelourinho. (B)

Wednesday - Salvador Bahia: Spend the day exploring Salvador, Bahia, first city founded in Brazil and a treasure house of colonial architecture. Visit the city's important sites including newly rejuvenated "Pelorinho", the city's colonial center, filled with churches, cobblestone streets and colonial houses, São Pedro Fort, where the independence of Bahia was proclaimed; Castro Alves Square,  Terreiro de Jesus surrounded by five churches. Here you will find one of the most spectacular churches in the world: São Franscisco Church with its magnificent gold-leaf interior. It is a tour through the History of Salvador and its beautiful buildings hundreds of years old. Enjoy a typical Bahian cuisine lunch en route. (B/L)

Thursday - Salvador Bahia: Day at leisure to explore this historic city at your own pace. Pelourinho, the historic district, is filled with shops, art galleries and boutiques, in addition to restaurants and bars. Or you might want to arrange an optional schooner cruise with beach barbecue,  visit nearby Cachoeira, a charming colonial town, epxlore the many museums of Bahia or explore some of the nearby beaches. (B)

Friday - Salvador Bahia - Natal: Morning transfer to the airport for short flight to Natal, known as the "town of the dunes". It possesses one of the driest and mildest climates in Brazil because of the constant Atlantic breeze. With a 399-km long coastline, the state of Rio Grande do Norte, with Natal as the capital, is the land of the sun, dunes, palms, and beaches. Calm and warm waters in natural pools and the many deserted beaches offer an eternal enchantment with nature. Upon arrival Natal, meeting and transfer to the Manary Praia Hotel for a two night stay. (B)

Saturday Natal: Today you will explore Pipa Beach,one of the most popular and trendybeaches in the northeast, with tepid waters, lush vegetation and curious rock formations. With luck you might also get to see dolphins in their habitat. You'll have time for lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants before afternoon return back to Natal. (B)

Sunday - Natal - Fernando de Noronha: Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Fernando de Noronha, is the largest and only inhabited island in an archipelago of 21 islands and islets. The entire archipelago was declared a Marine National Park in 1988 and today is administered by the Brasilian state of Pernambuco. All together 70% of the archipelago is considered National Park. Fernando de Noronha has a colorful history, some 16 beaches, both land and marine wildlife and a laid-back-getaway-feel to it. And  the number of visitors to the island is strictly contolled, helping to mantain the pristine environment and the "undiscovered" atmosphere. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your inn, the Pousada Maravilha for a 4 night stay. (B)

Monday - Fernando de Noronha: Today you'll enjoy a boat excursion to the Baia dos Golfinhos, the whole area is reserved for the charming spinning dolphins (Stenella Longirotis) to rest and mate. They delight visitors of all ages with their magnificent leaps and aerial arcobatics. Every day, at dawn, the dolphins come into the bay and in the afternoon they go out to sea in search of food. Fernando de Noronha is one of the few places in the world where there are breeding colonies of spinning dolphins. (B)

Tuesday - Fernando de Noronha: This morning you will enjoy a walking tour of the historic village and the Forte dos Remedios, completed in 1738 atop a hill overlooking the traditional town center. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. (B)

Wednesday - Fernando de Noronha: A full day to use as you wish. Besides 16 beaches, there are 8 trails both in and outside the national park, all giving an excellent chance to view the diversity of the landscape and environment. The marine life offers superbe snorkeling and scuba diving, with a great variety of fish and colorful corals, two species of sea turtles, spinner dolphins and an occasional shark. Fernando is also considered one of the prime diving spots on earth. (B)

Thursday - Fernando de Noronha - Rio de Janeiro: Mid-day transfer to the airport for flight to Recife where you connect to Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Marivilhosa.  Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, the venerable Copacabana Palace on famed Copacabana beach for three night stay. (B)

Friday - Rio de Janeiro: Full day excursion discovering the highlights of the "Cidade Maravilhosa". Drive through lush Tijuca Forest and take the modern cogwheel train for 20-minute ascent up famed Corcovado Mountain. Then 220 steps take you to the base of the statue of Christ the Redeemer for a spectacular 360 degree panorama of Rio. Time for photographing Rio from this vantage point. Then continue with two stage cable-car ascent to the summit of Sugar Loaf for yet another panoramic vista of Rio. En route enjoy lunch at one of the popular "churrascarias", Brazil's barbeque restaurant with a never ending array of food! (B/L)

Saturday - Rio de Janeiro: Day at leisure to explore at your own pace, arrange optional tours, or simply relax on the beach or poolside. This evening you might want to arrange optional dinner at one of Rio's popular seafood restaurants and then take in a two hour samba extravaganza with costumes, music and dance from Rio's famed Carnival. (B)

Sunday - Depart Rio de Janeiro: Day at leisure to explore Rio at your own pace. Sunday is the day for the Hippi Market on Ipanema Beach and street fairs along the beachfront. No need to hurry through the day as your room is paid for late check-out.  Evening transfer to the airport for your overnight departure flight. (B)

Monday - Arrive U.S.A.: Morning arrival in your USA gateway city. Clear immigrations and customs and make connections to your home city.

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