Brazil Highlights with Brazil's Amazon, Brasilia & Pantanal

Day 1

Arrive Manaus, Brazil. Arrive in Manaus this afternoon, then meet for guided city SIGHTSEEING of Manaus to view the vestiges of its glory days during the rubber boom. Your first stop will be the famous OPERA HOUSE, built in 1896 with materials imported from Europe. Next, visit the Museum of Natural Sciences before a stroll through a bustling local market.

Day 2

Manaus–Amazon Jungle. At the Ecopark Jungle Lodge: Today your “Meeting of the Waters” CRUISE passes by the impressive British-built Custom House and the floating port. Cruise along the chocolate-colored Rio Negro to its confluence with the yellow-gray Rio Solimões, where the two rivers form the mighty Amazon. For four miles the differently colored bodies of water flow side by side and never mix! After lunch on the river, explore a JUNGLE ISLAND (if water levels permit) with fascinating native flora and fauna. Later this afternoon, arrive at the Ecopark Jungle Lodge on the banks of the Rio Negro inside the Amazonian rainforest. (B,L,D)

At Ariaú Amazon Towers: Depart Manaus and CRUISE the Amazon River to Ariaú Amazon Towers and come face to face with one of the greatest influences on the world’s ecosystem. On your jungle EXPEDITIONS, encounter 15,000 different species of animals and thousands of tree, fish, and bird species. Enjoy canoe rides in creeks, jungle treks, piranha fishing, alligator spotting, folkloric night shows, bird watching, and visit aboriginal dwellings. By the light of the moon, watch your guide snatch an alligator out of the dark Rio Negro. Learn medicinal secrets of the rainforest’s endangered indigenous tribes, drink water from trees, watch monkeys swing through branches, marvel at massive lily-pads, canoe through the Amazon waters, fish for piranhas, capture dazzling sunsets, and sleep in your treetop canopy lodge. (B,L,D))

Day 3

Amazon Jungle. At the Ecopark Jungle Lodge: Accompanied by a Naturalist, enjoy a guided JUNGLE WALK that introduces you to the flora and fauna that thrives in the Amazon. After lunch, sail up the river to visit a Caboclo’s native Amazon VILLAGE to learn about their traditions and culture. Also try your hand at piranha fishing! Later, visit the MONKEY JUNGLE RESERVE, where researchers work to rehabilitate captive primates and reintroduce them to the jungle. Here, you have the opportunity to see a feeding of spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, woolly monkeys, and capuchin monkeys. This evening you may wish to venture back out on canoe with your Naturalist into the flooded forest to appreciate the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot small alligators and other night creatures. (B,L,D)

At Ariaú Amazon Towers: Continue your jungle exploration today with the many included activities at the Ariaú Amazon Towers. (B,L,D)

Day 4

Amazon Jungle–Rio de Janeiro. This morning, depart your Amazon lodge for a flight to fabulous Rio. Welcome to South America’s capital of glamour—Rio de Janeiro! Your Local Host will be available with suggested activities during your free time. (B)

Day 5

Rio de Janeiro. Today, a private tour takes you to the Cosme Velho district, where you board a cog-wheel train that will take you through the lush tropical vegetation of Tijuca Forest to the top of CORCOVADO Mountain. This rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below is one of the new Seven Modern Wonders of the World and home to the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, which affords sweeping views of the city and beaches below. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)

Day 6

Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy a full day at leisure. Your Local Host will suggest an optional Jeep tour to the rainforest in the middle of the city, Tijuca National Park and its bird sanctuary. This afternoon you may elect to discover historic Petropolis, a mountain resort and site of the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II, or take an optional excursion to visit the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain. (B)

Day 7

Rio–Iguassu Falls. Fly to IGUASSU FALLS. This masterpiece of nature encompasses 275 separate falls and spans almost two miles. This afternoon’s private tour is dedicated to enjoying the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrential downpour from the Brazilian side. (B)

Day 8

Iguassu Falls. This morning, take the Ecological Jungle TRAIN and tour the Argentine side of IGUASSU FALLS with numerous walkways that wind under the crashing water. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own. (B)

Day 9

Iguassu Falls–Brasilia. Fly to Brasilia, Brazil’s capital city. A relatively new city, it officially opened in 1960, although plans for the city date back to 1823 when the rulers of Brazil wanted to move its capital from the coast to the interior to help protect it from maritime raids. The first brick of Brasilia was laid in 1922, but it wasn’t until 1955 when official construction of the modern city began. (B)

Day 10

Brasilia. This morning, a guided city TOUR of Brasilia introduces you to the city that famous architect Oscar Niemeyer helped design. See the three Niemeyer-designed buildings that house the Brazilian government, as well as the Ermida Dom Bosco Shrine and many other famous sites along the way. (B)

Day 11

Brasilia–Cuiabá–Pantanal. Fly to Cuiabá, where you will be picked up and transferred to the Pantanal and your lodge. (B,D)

Day 12

Pantanal. Head out with your Local Guide on a horseback TOUR this morning to view a vast array of birds, capybaras, monkeys, anteaters, iguanas, and even a caiman or two. Return to the lodge for lunch and time to relax before your afternoon excursion. Take a boat CRUISE for a photographic safari in the pristine Mutum River, where it’s possible to see giant otters, stingrays, and huge schools of small fish. At the Mutum river banks, a large variety of birds can be observed as well. Tonight, after the sun has gone down, your guide will take you on a nocturnal animal-spotting TRIP by jeep—keep an eye out for tapirs, owls, and even snakes and caimans! (B,L,D)

Day 13

Pantanal. After breakfast, an ecological jungle WALK with your guide provides another opportunity to observe wildlife. Undeniably, the Pantanal is one of the world’s best hot spots for birdwatching, featuring storks, macaws, parakeets, herons, kingfishers, raptors, and more! In the afternoon, CRUISE to Siá Mariana Bay and Chacororé Bay to look for wildlife and fish for piranha. On your final evening in the Pantanal, feed the local caimans and search for more nocturnal animals. (B,L,D)

Day 14

Pantanal–Cuiabá. Start with an early morning canoe RIDE on the Mutum River to observe the sunrise and the beauty of the wildlife at the break of dawn in the Pantanal. Return to the lodge and transfer to the Cuiabá airport for return flights home. (B)