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Tailor Made Holidays: Meeting of the Waters, Manaus + Amazon Brazil + Rio

Brazil: Iguassu + Rio de Janeiro + Amazon Lodge + Bahia

16 NIGHTS FROM:

$3,646

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

JRR16I

• Tailor Made Holidays, Brazil

• Iguassu Falls

• Rio de Janiero

• Sugarloaf Mountain

• Christ Statue & Copacabana

• Manaus

• Amazon, Brazil

• Meeting of the Waters

• Salvador

• Praia do Forte

Our tailor made holidays can take you to the mighty Iguassu Falls, vibrant Rio & the Meeting of the Waters at the confluence of the Negro & Amazon Rivers near Manuas in the Amazon of Brazil. Experience the wildlife & birds of this large wilderness & visit Salvador, before relaxing on unspoiled Praia do Forte beach in Bahia. All transfers & specified 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. 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 Rio de Janeiro Airport 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 5

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 6

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 7

Transfer to Santos Dumont Airport for your onward flight.

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 8

Today enjoy a half day shared tour to see the famous 'Meeting of the Waters' where two of the world’s largest rivers - the Amazon and the Negro - join in a turbulent maelstrom.

Here the dark (almost black) waters of the Rio Negro run alongside the opaque brown waters of the Rio Solimões for several miles without mixing, as they join to form the Amazon. This strange natural phenomenon is due to differences in the temperature, speed and water density of the two rivers.

The balance of your day is at leisure in Manaus.

Day 9

This morning transfer by road and boat into the Amazon Rainforest (up to 3.5-hours depending on the location of your jungle lodge).

Check in and relax in your warm tropical rainforest surroundings, before visiting the home of a local Amazonian resident. In the evening board we a motorised canoe to search for caiman (small alligators) by spotlight.

Days 10 To 11

Today is devoted to exploring the birds and wildlife of the amazing Amazon Rainforest.- a 2.7-million sq. 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.

Your guide will accompany you along the many trails that wind through the rainforest and navigate the waterways by motorised canoe. As you walk through woods and past waterfalls, you can marvel at the magnificent trees and the extraordinary variety of orchids, bromeliads, ferns, begonias, lichens and mosses that grow here.

You may see caimans (related to alligators), turtles, woolly monkeys, tufted brown capuchin monkeys, a variety of frogs and many other forest reptiles and insects. You may also be fortunate enough to see some of the colourful birds of the rainforest such as the brilliant golden-headed quetzal, grey-breasted mountain toucan, blue-crowned motmot, umbrella bird, blue-banded toucanet, fruit-eating tanager, red-crested cotinga, banded-tail fruit-eater and a variety of flycatchers.

Activities vary by lodge but can include climbing an observation tower for treetop views of the primary rainforest, visiting a parrotclay lick to see these colourful birds or a peccary clay lick frequented by forest pigs, canoe rides in search of hoatzin (stinkbird), otters, macaws and other lakeside wildlife, piranha fishing, learning about traditional and medicinal plants, visiting a local village, observing pink dolphins or a night walk in the jungle.

If you are staying for three or more nights, on one day travel to see the famous Meeting of the Waters - where the dark (almost black) waters of the Rio Negro run alongside the sandy coloured waters of the Rio Solimões (Amazon River) without mixing. This strange natural phenomenon is due to differences in the temperature, speed and water density of the two rivers.

Note: Daily programme is subject to change, according to weather conditions.

A headlamp is essential in the Amazon. Assume there will be no mobile phone coverage and weak (or non-existent) WiFi.

Day 12

Transfer by road and boat back to Manaus Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Salvador Airport and transferred to your hotel in this strongly African influenced city, whose bare-chested street performers dance to the beat of the samba drums.

Check in and relax in this city known for its vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture, beautiful Portuguese architecture and splendid beaches.

Day 13

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of vibrant Salvador, the first colonial capital of Brazil.

The historic Old Town with its cobbled streets, wrought iron balconies and slightly shabby pastel-hued buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colourful Pelourinho neighborhood is at its heart, with narrow alleys opening onto large squares and wonderful baroque churches such as São Francisco, with its outstanding gilt woodwork.

With over 365 churches, religious celebrations play a prominent role in the local culture. Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary is accompanied by African drums, and worshippers tie ribbons to the railings to make a wish before being blessed by the Catholic priest. You can also see traditional Capoeira dancing that combines music, dance and martial arts - developed by African plantation slaves as a means of hiding their combat training. Olodum drummers also perform on the winding streets.

Your afternoon is free to explore the streets and markets of Salvador da Bahia independently.

Day 14

Today you will leave Salvador and transfer 1-hour to the pristine beaches of Praia do Forte.

Check into your hotel in this coastal village that has some of the best beaches in all of Brazil.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

Days 15 To 16

At leisure to relax on the magnificent beaches of sunny Praia do Forte.

With its pleasant tropical climate and nearly 8 miles (12 km) of sparkling beaches bordered by groves of coconut palms, enjoy exploring its lagoons and coral reefs. Sea turtles lay their eggs on these beaches and Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) ecological reserve is nearby. Humpback whales can be seen from July to October and you can also visit the charming Vila de Pescadores (Fishermen's Village) and the ruins of Garcia D'Avila Castle.

Day 17

Transfer 1-hour to Salvador Airport for your flight home.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

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