BRAZIL EXPLORER Highlighting: Spectacular Iguassu Falls Historic Salvador Bahia Rio de Janeiro, Ciudade Maravilhosa 11 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Thursday

ITINERARY: (Subject to change without notice):

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

Saturday - 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. 

Sunday - 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)

Monday - 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)

Tuesday - Salvador Bahia: Spend the morning 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. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace.  Enjoy a folkloric show with dances and music from Bahia's History and traditions brought by African slaves, and sample the special cuisine typical of Bahia. (B/DS)

Wednesday - 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, or epxlore the many museums of Bahia. (B)

Thursday - Salvador Bahia - Rio de Janeiro: Morning transfer to the airport for flight 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. Afternoon at leisure to relax, walk Copacabana Beach or while away time at a sidewalk cafe. (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, visit the Hippi Market in Leblon, arrange optional tours, 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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