Brazil Highlights with Salvador

Day 1 : ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO, B...

ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL. Welcome to South America’s capital of glamour—Rio de Janeiro. Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 : RIO DE JANEIRO.

RIO DE JANEIRO. Today, your PRIVATE CITY TOUR takes you to the Cosme Velho district to board a cog-wheel train that will whisk 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 Wonders of the World and home to the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city and beaches below. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Tonight, consider joining a fun churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats that are marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style. (B)

Day 3 : RIO DE JANEIRO.

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 4 : RIO DE JANEIRO–IGUASSU FALLS.

RIO DE JANEIRO–IGUASSU FALLS. Fly to IGUASSU FALLS at the crossroads of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. This masterpiece of nature encompasses 275 separate falls and spans almost two miles. The afternoon’s PRIVATE TOUR is dedicated to enjoying the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrential downpour. With some cataracts as high as 250 feet, it’s nothing short of hypnotic. The clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth make this an unforgettable natural wonder. (B)

Day 5 : IGUASSU FALLS.

IGUASSU FALLS. This morning, take the Ecological JUNGLE TRAIN with your Local Host and tour the Argentine side of IGUASSU FALLS with numerous walkways that wind above and under the crashing water. (B)

Day 6 : IGUASSU FALLS–SALVADOR.

IGUASSU FALLS–SALVADOR. Fly to Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia. Situated on a peninsula overlooking Todos los Santos Bay, this is thought by many to be the “Soul of Brazil.” Here you will be met by your Local Host. (B)

Day 7 : SALVADOR.

SALVADOR. Private guided SIGHTSEEING showcases the Upper City. View the district’s well-preserved 17th and 18th-century buildings, representing some of the finest colonial architecture in all of the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the 17th-century Jesuit CATHEDRAL; the baroque CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS; and the AFRO-BRAZILIAN MUSEUM, housing objects highlighting the strong African influence on the Brazilian culture. The balance of your day is free to explore. (B)

Day 8 : SALVADOR.

SALVADOR. Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)