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Essential Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Salvador

Brazil Tours

Essential Brazil

Best of Brazil

Colonial Brazil

Classic tour of Brazil with all the highlights of Rio, the historical first capital of Salvador and the UNESCO natural world heritage site of Iguassu Falls National Park

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With only nine days to spare you can tour the three essential highlights of Brazil. Being the largest country in South America Brazil tourist attractions are naturally many but if you just wish to get a taste you have to visit Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Iguassu. Whatever you might have heard about Brazil, whether it was about its fantastic beaches, the Amazon rainforest, Brazil's carnivals or its superb soccer players, Rio and its mesmerizing skyline, dominated by the legendary statue of Christ the Redeemer and the famous Sugar Loaf granite mountain, no doubt have been imprinted in your memory since childhood.

Rio De Janeiro, or "River of January" in English, is both a city and a state located in southeastern Brazil. After Salvador, Rio was formerly the next capital of the Portuguese empire of Brazil until Brasilia was built in the 1950s. Referred to simply as Rio, what makes this place all the more unique is its combination of natural scenic beauty. Whether the mountains that are part of it or the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana that line its shore, or the cultural celebrations, from carnival to samba and jazz, to all the other visuals, whether unsightly favelas studding the hills against the foreground of fashionable high-rises and pavements decorated with alternate swirl patterns of cream and black mosaics, Rio is rightfully hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Rio, Salvador and Iguassu - itinerary highlights:

3 Days in Rio de Janeiro

Seeing everything that Rio has to offer in one to two days is simply not possible. We can customize your trip per your specific request but no matter what your preference, your tour of Rio should not miss a visit to the summit of Corcovado to eye up close the statue of Cristo Redentor, Christ the Redeemer, and taking a cable car to top of Pão de Açúcar, the Sugar Loaf mountain. You will certainly want to sample Rio's legendary beaches if only to have a beer on the boardwalk while watching the scene on the beach in front of you, from quality soccer and volleyball matches to ravishing beauties navigating past scantily clad in the latest beachwear.

On request we can tailor in visits to museums, Sambódromo, the huge parade stand used at the time of Carnival, the impressive Maracanã football stadium, or a drive through the Tijuca Forest, forming the backdrop of Rio and teeming with lush vegetation, monkeys and birds. Your itinerary can include going to a soccer match, a relaxation at the beach, even an outing to a night club, all up to you and whether the dates of your travel will coincide with a schedule of an event you might wish to attend.

3 days in Salvador

The historical core of Salvador, referred to by locals as Bahia, was the original colonial Portuguese capital of Brazil. Located on the Bay of All Saints, a vast and scenic bay, Salvador has to be experienced on foot strolling its narrow cobblestone streets. Not only are there stunning plazas to admire, starting with the infamous Pelourinho, and churches teeming with priceless baroque artifacts to explore, with the Church of Sao Francisco not to be missed above all, you have to also walk up to the pleasant neighborhood of Santo Antonio and have lunch in one of its cafes or restaurants with stunning views of the Bay of All Saints, the island of Ithaparica looming on the horizon and freighters anchored offshore. But there is far more to see in the vicinity of Salvador, namely fascinating colonial towns of Cachoeira and Santo Amaro, and more, if you may have the time.

2 days at Iguassu Falls

While Brazil harbors a great variety of cultures it also posses natural riches unlike any other country on Earth. You may not have time to visit Amazonia on this short introductory tour of Brazil, but when it comes to natural wonders Iguassu Falls rightfully belongs among the natural gems of the world, and is by some accounts often counted among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, despite other falls being higher or wider. Iguassu National Park of Brazil, as well as its Argentinean counterpart on the other side of the border, offer unparallel vistas of nearly 300 thundering cascades. Two full days at Iguassu Falls is an absolute minimum to marvel at this incredible feat of nature.

Itinerary:

Day 1 : Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Rio, the city of mountains, sea, samba and carnival, and a relaxed way of life. You are transferred to your hotel for check in. Rest a little then proceed to a cable car ascent of the astonishing Sugar Loaf Mountain. On the way back to your hotel enjoy a drive along the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
Overnight in Rio de Janeiro

Day 2 : Rio de Janeiro – Corcovado & Tijuca Forest
This morning you will visit the summit of Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. You'll ascend Corcovado by the cog railway which winds its way up through the lush Tijuca rainforest, offering not only stunning views of the city but also an occasional glimpse of monkeys and parrots. Atop enjoy the great vistas of Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf and the rest of Rio down below, one of world's most memorable panoramas!
Overnight in Rio de Janeiro (B)

Day 3 : Rio de Janeiro
Day at leisure to relax at the beach or linger at sidewalk cafes of Copacabana and Ipanema. Alternatively take an optional tour - visit museums, go to a soccer match, you tell us which you'd prefer to do.
Overnight in Rio de Janeiro (B)

Day 4 : Rio de Janeiro-Salvador
Fly to Salvador, where Brazil was born and her early history remains, both in colonial monuments and African folklore, the foundation of Brazil's culture. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Relax, then in the evening get acquainted with the Bahian culture -- we'll take you to the Miguel Santana Theatre in the Pelourinho district for a folkloric show of the Afro-Bahian culture. You'll watch the samba-de-roda, the circle samba dance, the most traditional form of samba and a ritual preserved in some towns of Bahia. You will also watch the maculelê dance, puxada de rede, a Brazilian folkloric theatrical play, typically seen in many capoeira performances. You'll also have an opportunity to witness sample of candomblé, a slice of an African religion practiced in Brazil. Last but not least you will have a chance to admire the marshal arts dance of capoeira.

After the show, proceed to dinner at a local restaurant featuring typical Bahian food (program is not available on Sundays and Tuesdays).

Overnight in Salvador (B, D)

Day 5 : Salvador / Historical Tour
Today is devoted to the historical tour of Salvador, a tour that includes the colonial-era slave auction site, the Pelourinho, the grandiose baroque Sao Francisco Church as well as the chic neighborhood of Santo Antonio.

Overnight in Salvador (B)

Day 6 : Salvador
Enjoy a day at leisure, do what you wish or take in an optional tour to nearby cocoa plantations, cigar factory, and the
pretty colonial towns of Cachoeira and Santo Amaro.

Overnight in Salvador (B)

Day 7 : Salvador-Iguassu Falls
This morning fly to the Brazil/Argentine border and transfer to your hotel overlooking this unforgettable natural site.
Iguassu National Park is a natural wonder of tropical nature, vistas, and some 275 thundering cascades. Set out on an escorted walking tour of the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls, visiting strategic viewpoints at a variety of levels. Trail winds
towards the falls from the area in front of the hotel, populated by contis, long-tailed racoon-like creatures that have learnt that they can be fed. At the trail's end, an elevator provides speedier access to a viewing platform at the foot of the falls.
This has become one of the most popular tours in the area. Next you will be taken to the Macuco Trail in the Iguaçu National Park. First you'll travel by jeep, an ideal means of transportation to navigate the rainforest as the road is unpaved though accessible year round. On this trip you'll get to know several different species of sub-tropical plants and trees, including orchids, that grow in abundance at the park. With luck, variety of fauna and birds may be sighted. Following a 3-km long jeep ride, you'll commence a 600-meter long walk that will will take you to the picturesque Macuco Falls, hidden in the forested canyon. Finally the trail brings you to the banks of the Iguaçu River, where you will board a twin-engine boat (seating capacity of 25), specially designed for this river’s sailing conditions. You'll cruise up into the Iguassu Canyon,
shooting several rapids, and arrive at the very base of the majestic waterfalls. As the experienced boat pilot maneuvers in the midst of the falls, you will experience a thrill you won't soon forget.
Overnight in Iguassu Falls (B)

Day 8 : Iguassu Falls / Argentinean side of the Falls
Today, visit Iguassu Falls on the Argentinean side for a more amazing experience of the falls and the surrounding
rainforest. We'll depart from the hotel, cross the border and the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the border between Argentina and Brazil. Once in Argentina, we'll take a scenic highway up to the Iguazu Falls Park. Inside the part we'll visit the famous Devil Throat. To get there we will first take an electric train through the park, making two stops along the way until we reach a trailhead where the walking tour begins leading up to the upper walkways which allow for a yet different and more intimate experience of the falls and the rainforest. The highlight of the outing is a visit to the suspended platform at the very brink of the abysmal Devil’s Throat, the largest of the waterfalls. On our way back by the train we'll visit the upper falls, namely the San Martin Falls. If weather and time allows, a brief stop at the Three Borders point, where Paraná and Iguassu Rivers as well as the borders or Brazil, Argentina and
Paraguay meet. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Iguassu Falls (B)

NOTE : Your itinerary will be reversed if you opt to stay in a hotel at the Argentinean side of the border as follows:

Day 7: Proceed to tour to Argentinean side of falls by Gran Aventura (Argentinean version of Macuco Boat Tour.)

Day 8 : Day free at your own leisure.

Day 9 : Tour to Brazilian side of the falls and then proceed to the airport for departure.

Day 9 : Iguassu Falls
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for a flight to your next destination. (B)

Recommended hotels in Rio de Janeiro
5-star hotels in Rio de Janeiro: Fasano, Copacabana Palace, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro
4-star hotels in Rio de Janeiro: Porto Bay Rio International
3-star hotels in Rio de Janeiro: Augustos Copacabana,

Recommended hotels in Salvador
5-star hotels in Salvador: Convento do Carmo in Santo Antonio, Pestana Salvador

4-star hotels in Salvador: Blue Tree Pemium
3-star hotels in Salvador: Sol Victoria Marina

Recommended hotels in Iguassu
5-star hotels in Iguassu: Iguazu Grand Hotel (located on the Argentinian side of the border), Das Catarates
4-star hotels in Iguassu: Mabu Hotel, Bourbon Hotel
3-star hotels in Iguassu: San Martin Hotel

If you'd also like to get a taste of the Amazon River, consider the Best of Brazil tour.

For a more comprehensive journey of Brazil you will need 3 weeks - Colonial Brazil tour.

Alternatively Combine essential tour of Brazil with a visit to Buenos Aires and former Portuguese stronghold of Colonia in Uruguay!

INDEPENDENT JOURNEYS:

9 days / 8 nights

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720-220-6998 or Email us and we call you to discuss your Brazil tour plans!

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