12 Days Brazil Highlights Tour

Overview

12 Days Brazil Highlights Tour – This tour will take you to the most popular beaches in Brazil – Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, are famous for their black and white tiled promenade. Visit the mountain of Sugar Loaf where you will have a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean, bridge to Niteroi, Guanabara Bay and the statue of Christ on Corcovado Mountain. Admire several old churches, monasteries, the main cathedral of the city, Uruguayana and Carioca streets as well as buildings built in the colonial style. Tour Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden which is a magnificent 338 acre garden over 200 years old featuring a 750-meter avenue of 134 impressive royal palms and more than 7000 types of plants. During this four hour tour, you can see orchids, bromeliads, cacti, huge bamboos, and carnivorous plants, among many others.

Visit the Tropical Islands Tour as well as enjoy an exciting show full of Brazilian samba and capoeira performed by beatiful and professional dancers. Tour Petropolis which is one of the most important Brazilian historic towns located in the mountains 60 km away from Rio de Janeiro. Visit the Iguazu Falls, Manaus and Buzios before your departure back home.

Day 1 Rio de Janeiro

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro the second biggest city in Brazil (after Sao Paulo) and, certainly, one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Beach hotels are situated along the whole perimeter of Guanabara Bay and, if you are staying in one of these hotels, the beauties of Rio de Janeiro are open for you all the time.

Tour the most popular beaches – Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, are famous for their black and white tiled promenade.From early morning to late in the night you can see people playing soccer and volleyball on the golden sand of the beaches.

For those who prefer active holidays, Rio offers opportunities to practice almost any sport: golf, tennis, surfing, rafting, diving, delta flight and many others. Numerous open cafeterias on the beach will offer you refreshing coconut water, freshly squeezed juices and other drinks.

You can also see presentations of local musicians on the beach playing all kinds of music. City Tour and Sugarloaf mountain (11 hours bus) After breakfast an excursion to the Sugar Loaf is planned. The first stop is on Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area, where you can have a snack at the bar.

On the mountain of Sugar Loaf you will have a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean, bridge to Niteroi, Guanabara Bay and the statue of Christ on Corcovado Mountain.

Then you will go by car to the central regions of the old Rio, where you will admire several old churches, monasteries, the main cathedral of the city, Uruguayana and Carioca streets as well as buildings built in the colonial style. Our guide will take you to lunch where you will enjoy the delicious dishes of the local cuisine. .

You will have the rest of the day free to enjoy the first impressions of the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro. You can get this chance to see and feel the exciting life of the city or get relaxed among the palm trees drinking coconut water and listening to samba. Whatever you choose – you can find it easily in Rio!

Day 2,3 Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado and Crist the Redeemer Statue (4 hours) After breakfast we set off on a tour through the city. Arriving at the station, where the environmentally friendly train will take us through the jungle to the top of Corcovado. On either side of the railway you will have spectacular views from Tijuca forest, inhabited by monkeys and other exotic animals and birds.

At the top of Corcovado, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, stands the symbol of Rio – Statue of Christ the Savior (38m), which was built in 1931. A breathtaking panorama view of the metropolis and its environs Bridge Niteroi, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the world’s largest Maracana stadium, Sugar Loaf, and more is possible from the top of Corcovado.

Day 4 Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast enjoy a free day to discover more of the city by yourself or ask for our optional tours.

Botanical Garden

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is a worth-visiting magnificent 137-hec (338-acre) garden over 200 years old featuring a 750-meter (half-mile) avenue of 134 impressive royal palms and more than 7000 types of plants. During this four hour tour, you can see orchids, bromeliads, cacti, huge bamboos, and carnivorous plants, among many others.

The most famous one is Victoria, a huge water-lilly floating on the water that is capable of sustaining a 5-year old kid on it! Monkeys are sometimes visible during the visit, and there are always plenty of birds flying over the trees (the more recognizable ones are toucans).

Tropical Islands Tour

The town Itacuruça situated on an island 1,5 hours away from Rio de Janeiro, in Mangarativa, is active in fishing, tourism and agriculture. The town has small fishermen houses. In order to get there you need to cross the Cepetiba Bay in Sabeiro schooner. During the trip you will enjoy the romantic views of the tropical green islands. You may have a luck to see dolphins, huge fishes, parrots, turtles and poisonous stingrays.

On the way the schooner will stop for you to take a bath in the ocean. You will have a delicious lunch at the island, take a walk on the island, swim in the bay or in the pool and return to our schooner that will take you back to Rio. (Duration: 8 hours)

Rio at Night: Samba & Capoeira Show

You will spend an unforgettable night in Rio! Our guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the exciting show full of Brazilian samba and capoeira performed by beatiful and professional dancers. You can have dinner during the show. After the show our guide will bring you back to your hotel. (Duration 4 hours)

Royal Petropolis

Petropolis is one of the most important Brazilian historic towns located in the mountains 60 km away from Rio de Janeiro. Pedro II bought this land in 1830 to build a summer palace and bring there his daughter who could not stand the hot climate of Rio de Janeiro due to her health conditions. The european founders of the city built many constructions there, the beautiful examples of German style architecture.

The Royal palace still preserves many objects of Royal furniture and the Royal family’s objects that are now exposed in the museum. Here you can find unique jewelry works; for example, a golden crown decorated with diamonds and pearls. Together with our guide you will visit the Gothic Cathedral where Princess Isabel, King Pedro II and his wife are buried. Then you will visit the Royal museum.

Flying over Rio by Helicopter

You will take a helicopter tour from the Sugarloaf mountain. During your flight you will get amazed by the mindblowing view of the city below with its infinite beaches, huge Christ statue, Botanical Garden and many more. (Duration 8-9 minutes)

Day 5 Rio de Janeiro – Iguazu Falls

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Foz de Iguacu where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. If you wish you can take an additional excursion to the Argentinian side of the Falls. You will get to the Argentinian Side of the Falls by the bridge Tancredo Neves, built over the river Iguassu.

The Argentinian side is different from the Brazilian one – here you will be under and below the falls at the same time. You will feel the power of the falling water very close to you and will be able to enjoy the natural park around this astonishing beauty. You will see the birth of the “Devil Throat”.

Day 6 Iguazu Falls. 

After breakfast you will have an unforgettable program at the Brazilian side of the Falls. Foz de Iguassu Falls are located on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay – and have 275 large water flows, falling from a terrible height. Falls are located in the National Park with its unique flora and fauna, which appeared after a volcanic eruption, and the displacement of the earth formations.

The name Tupi-Guarani Indian tribe is translated from the waterfalls and means “big water”. There are 275 waterfalls, each of which has its own name, which rush down with a crash into the canyon of “Devil’s Throat”. There is an amazing contrast between the calm and even lazy river water over Iguassu Falls above and the powerful overthrow boiling water flows from a height of 72 meters into the abyss. You can stand for hours without stopping, watching this show and thinking about the magnificence of the universe and eternity.

You will go on a trip “Makuko safari” through the jungle. You’ll ride in the open back of the jeep for about 3 kilometers, accompanied by a guide who will tell you many interesting things about the ecology of the region. Then you go on foot to the river Iguazu, where a motor boat will carry you close to the falls. You will then enjoy an excursion to the Bird Park, located near the National Park of Iguaçu. You can go into the huge open-air cages full of fabulous birds.

Day 7 Iguazu Falls – Manaus

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport, flight to Manaus. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Manaus. Dinner and night canoe tour to see alligators (all excursions with English speaking guide)

Day 8 Manaus

Breakfast in the hotel. You will have a fantastic boat trip on Amazon River and fish piranyas from the boat! You will also visit indian village where you will get to know the daily life and traditions of the local Amazon inhabitants. Take a walk in jungle and enjoy the rich flora and fauna. During the excursion your guide will teach you some lessons on survival in jungle, on distinguishing poisonous plants from the ones you can eat. The guide will also teach you to shoot poisonous arrows.

Day 9 Manaus – Rio de Janeiro – Buzios

Transfer to the airport, flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our guide and transferred to your hotel in Buzios.

Day 10 and 11 Buzios

Enjoy your free days at the Tropical Resort of Buzios. Buzios is a small fishing village situated 105 miles away from Rio de Janeiro with more than 20 magnificent beaches and crystal-clear water, wonderful landscape and exotic vegetation, privileged with a great year-round summer. Originally settled by

European pirates and slave traders, this mixture of many bloods prospered and became a picturesque village, elected one of the 10 most beautiful areas in the world famous for its unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony, incredible beauty and sophisticated boutiques and restaurants visited by travellers who come from all over the world to savour its magic.

Day 12 Buzios – Rio de Janeiro

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your international flight.

See also:

3-Day Amboseli National Park Semi Luxury Safari

3-Day Tsavo East & West Midrange Safari

4-Day Maasai Mara Game-Lake Nakuru Park Safari