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Amazon River Boat Cruise, Brazil: Manaus + Meeting of Waters (Holiday & Vacation)

Brazil: Iguassu + Amazon Riverboat + Rio de Janeiro

12 NIGHTS FROM:

$3,465

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

JRK12I

• Iguassu Falls, Brazil

• Tour to Devils Throat

• Rio de Janeiro Holiday

• Sugarloaf Mountain

• Statue of Christ

• Copacabana Beach

• Manaus Vacation

• Amazon River Boat Cruise

• Explore by Canoe & Boat

• Meeting of Waters Holiday

This Amazon River Boat Cruise explores the highlights of Brazil, including visiting the Iguassu Falls & vibrant Rio de Janeiro, before flying to Manaus to embark on a fascinating journey up the Amazon River on the Tucano riverboat, exploring by boat & canoe (with 4-nt & 6-nt cruise options). Also see the unique 'Meeting of Waters' on this holiday. All transfers & specified vacation sightseeing included.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Foz do Iguassu Airport and transferred to your hotel near one of the greatest waterfalls in the world and regarded as one of Latin America's most awe-inspiring sights.

The mighty Iguassu Falls, whose name means "Great Waters", straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil - although almost 80% of the falls are on the Argentinian side. It is situated in a huge tropical rainforest that has been declared a World Heritage Site, with countless flora and fauna species.

Day 2

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the Brazilian side of the incredible Iguassu Falls, with panoramic views of the nearly 2-mile (3 km) cliff edge.

We take an elevator down to the base of the waterfalls and stop at different viewing points. The volume of water flowing over the falls varies greatly depending on seasonal rainfall, but the falls are a spectacular sight at any time of year. The waterflow is highest between October and March, with the heaviest rains from December to February, when many trails are closed.

We then visit the Bird Park, one of the largest and most important in the world, with over 1,300 exotic bird species as well as 25 species of reptiles & butterflies.

Afterwards you can take an optional helicopter flight over the falls (pay locally - as this activity is weather dependent). Alternatively you can book an optional adventurous Macuco Safari boat ride right into the spray of the falls.

In the evening you can book an optional Folklore Tourist Show that highlights the different cultures of Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with included buffet dinner (pay locally).

Note: Take a light raincoat, as you will get wet visiting some sections of the falls.

Day 3

Today enjoy a full day private tour of the Argentinian side of the incredible Iguassu Falls.

Comprising approximately 275 separate cascades, the falls form a curtain of foaming water that crashes over a vast granite amphitheatre and into the jungle below. Resembling a reversed letter "J", most of the Iguazu River plunges down through an area known as The Devil’s Throat, with the rest spreading out over a wide shelf that splits into hundreds of different waterfalls. There are a series of walkways that lead above, below and behind the falls, with breath-taking views. You can also hope to see monkeys, toucans, parakeets and other wildlife in the rainforest.

When the Devil's Throat section is inaccessible due to flooding, we will visit the Three Borders Landmark instead. This is where the Paraná River meets the Iguazú River - which marks the meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. There is a fair with local handicrafts, and from this point you can see the flags of all three countries.

Note: Take your passport for the border crossing. Wear good walking shoes, as you will walk a lot today on metal walkways that can get very slippery when wet. Also take a light raincoat, as you will get wet visiting some sections of the falls.

Day 4

Transfer to Foz do Iguassu Airport for your onward flight.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

You will be met at Manaus Airport and transferred to this city situated on the banks of the Rio Negro and the gateway to the rainforests of the Amazon.

Check into your hotel in this city that has preserved the cultures of its native Brazilian tribes.

Day 5

This morning enjoy a half day private City Tour.

Explore this important city's beautiful architectural riches from its illustrious past, especially during the rubber boom years. Also view the the magnificent Opera House (Teatro Amazonas), built at enormous expense from materials almost entirely imported from Europe.

Your afternoon is free to relax at your hotel or explore more of Manaus independently.

Day 6

This morning transfer from your hotel in Manaus to embark on your thrilling Amazon River Expedition Cruise.

The Amazon Rainforest is a 2.7-million square mile (6.7 million sq. km) conservation area that is the largest in the world, spreading across nine countries - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana. Weaving in and out of small channels of the Rio Negro, the least inhabited river in the Amazon, we travel upstream to seek out the tropical birds and wildlife that live here.

As we leave Manaus, we cruise through the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the world’s largest river island system. The boat will weave along a winding channel, with dense rainforest on both sides.

Note: The exact routing of the boat will be adapted according to water levels and river conditions.

Days 7 To 9

Each day our Amazon Riverboat navigates along these heavily forested shores, with early morning and afternoon excursions by small boat to search for any birds and wildlife that can be found along the riverbank.

We should see many caimans (a type of Amazonian crocodile) as well as squirrel monkeys, and perhaps hear howler monkeys. We may also see pink river dolphins briefly showing their heads above the water. The Amazon has one of the greatest collection of birds in the world, so we should see many perched high in the treetops or along the banks of the river - including colourful toucans.

Every day we also disembark for a walk in the rainforest. Here we will see many magnificent trees and learn about their medicinal properties.

In the evening we set off again in our launches for a nocturnal boat ride, armed with a spotlight. If we are fortunate we may see frogs, snakes, sloths or one of the large night birds such as a potoo, with its bulging eyes and large mouth adapted to swallowing huge moths.

At the end of our trip we return downstream, passing Manaus to see the Meeting of the Waters where two of the world’s largest rivers - the Amazon (Rio Solimões) and the Rio Negro - converge. The dark (almost black) waters of the Rio Negro run alongside the opaque brown waters of the Amazon for 3.7 miles (6 km) without mixing. This strange natural phenomenon is due to differences in the temperature, speed and amount of dissolved sediment in the waters of the two rivers. Afterwards enjoy a caipirinha (Brazil's national drink) on deck.

Day 10

This morning we disembark in the city of Manaus, situated on the banks of the Rio Negro.

Here you will be met and transferred to Manaus Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro and transferred to your hotel in this iconic city - famous for its magnificent setting and enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer looking down from Corcovado Mountain - one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Rio is also home to the magnificent Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca beaches and known for its samba and bossa nova dancing, carnivals and music festivals.

Day 11

Today enjoy a half day shared tour of Rio de Janeiro, known locally as Cidade Maravilhosa (the Marvellous City').

After a tour of the downtown area, we stop at the huge Metropolitan Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Sebastian), built in the form of an ancient Mayan pyramid.

We then continue driving past Flamengo Park, the largest public park in Rio, to one of the most famous symbols of the city - Sugarloaf Mountain. Here we travel all the way to the top, in two cable cars. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point with beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. The second cable car takes us all the way to the top, with wonderful views over Copacabana beach, Santa Cruz fortress and the beaches of Niterói.

We return by cable car and transfer back to your hotel, with your afternoon free to explore more of Rio independently.

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 20 people.

Day 12

Today enjoy a half day shared tour to one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

We start by boarding the cog train from Cosme Velho Station to Corcovado Mountain. Enjoy the steep 20-minutes train journey through the dense Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca, with wonderful views of the lush tropical vegetation, and scenic landscapes of the city and its beaches below. Disembark and climb the steps or take the escalators to the base of the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer - one of the 7 wonders of the modern world - and enjoy its spectacular 360 degree panoramas.

After descending by cog train, you will drive past some of Rio's most famous beaches - Leblon, Ipanema & Copacabana - before you are dropped off at your hotel, with afternoon at leisure.

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 20 people.

Day 13

Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport for your flight home.

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