Wild and Exotic bespoke Brazil sample itinerary
Day 1: A morning flight from London Heathrow, reaches Guarulhos International airport in the early evening. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will overnight.
Day 2: This morning you will be collected from your hotel for a tour of Sao Paulo, starting with the beautiful district of Liberdade; the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. It is adorned with traditional decorations and filled with delicious Japanese restaurants. Next you will continue towards the Praça da Sé in the downtown area where you will visit the majestic Cathedral of Sé with its splendid windows, and then walk to the Patéo do Colégio where the city of São Paulo was founded. You will also visit the 35 story Banespa Tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. Afterwards visit the Higienópolis district, one of the most elegant areas of the city the museum of precious Brazilian stones. You will walk through the new Financial Center of Sao Paulo on Paulista Avenue, which is the most important avenue in the city. The avenue has many prestigious buildings, such as the MASP (Museum of Art from São Paulo ). Guests may have lunch at one of the Brazilian Barbecue restaurants that offer grilled meets, salads and a wide variety of food. The tour also includes a visit to the Butantã Institute, where the antidote for poisonous venom is produced. Next you will visit the gorgeous Ibirapuera Park, where the museums were designed by the most famous architect of Brazil, Oscar Nieymer. The tour of the city ends at the Mercado Municipal. Please note this tour can be altered according to your requirements.
Day 3: Transfer from your hotel to the airport with an English speaking tour guide in time to check-in to flight your morning flight from Sao Paul airport to Manaus (2 hours). On arrival you will be met and transferred to lunch at the Buffalo restaurant in Manaus before continuing to the Tropical Manaus pier to embark on the Motor Yacht Tucano at 4pm for a four night Amazon cruise on full board basis.
The Tucano is a spacious cruise vessel offering tours exploring the Rio Negro, the Amazon River, and other tributaries. Despite the boat’s spacious size (27.5 m/90 ft), the tour is able to take passengers to unique and rarely visited places. With a maximum capacity of 18 passengers, their small groups offer intimacy and trips tailored to the guests wishes. Including trained naturalist guides with many years of experience in the Amazon, the cruise places great emphasis on observation and learning.
Some guided activities include jungle treks, late night wildlife observation, trips in smaller vessels, and visits to riverside communities. In addition to organized outings, guests can absorb the wildlife and sunbathe on the large top deck and sun canopy. Also the salon, situated at the front of the boat, has spacious windows offering a fantastic view of the forest and is a pleasant place to read and relax. Dining on the Tucano is delicious and filling. The kitchen offers Brazilian and international meals, as well as tropical fruits and vegetables.
Guests are sure to find respite in the Tucano’s 9 comfortable and well-lit cabins. Rooms have large beds and private bathrooms, with hot water showers. Windows open to the river and have large insect screens. Each cabin has air conditioning and its own thermostat, allowing each guest to control the temperature in the room. The solid wood panelling in each room offers a natural, cosy feeling. With quality facilities, unique programs, and attention to detail, the Tucano offers a genuine, thrilling experience of the Amazon rainforest.
You depart on the Rio Negro and as the vessel glides upstream have our first talk about Amazon environments. By late afternoon you enter one of the world’s largest river island systems, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. The boat will weave along a winding channel with rainforest on both sides in a riot of brilliant vegetation. Weather permitting, you will go for a launch excursion in the gnarled and dense flooded forest known as the Igapó. Along the river bank you may see some Squirrel Monkeys and hear the other-worldly growls of Howler Monkeys echoing through the primitive rainforest.
The Amazon has one of the greatest collections of birds in the world and you are sure to see some of these brightly coloured jewels perched in the treetops. Return to the M/Y Tucano for hors d’oeuvres on the observation deck and a toast to the rainforest sunset. Following dinner you will embark in launches in search of nocturnal creatures such as the Caiman, the Amazon’s crocodilians. You may also see one of the large night birds such as a Potoo with its bulging eyes and large mouth adapted to swallow the huge Mariposa Moths.
Day 4: Shortly after sunrise this morning you will explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago, a reserve that includes the world’s largest system of river islands and also areas of tall dense rainforest. Here you will see the strange environment called the Igapó, the black water flooded forest where dense forests grow right out of the dark water of the Rio Negro. Mid morning return to the vessel for a hearty Brazilian breakfast.
After some time to relax, weather permitting you will disembark at mid-morning and will go for a walk in the type of rainforest known as the Terra Firme. Here there is a chance of seeing the tracks, if not the animals themselves, of some of the Amazon’s great mammals like peccaries (wild pigs) or even a jaguar. Around mid-day return to the vessel for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon explore in launches the edges of the dense forest and listen to the sunset chorus of birds, howler monkeys, and frogs. Weather permitting, tonight there will be an excursion to spot caiman and other nocturnal creatures. We often see arboreal porcupines or sloths scrambling high in the limbs.
Day 5: This morning awaken to another remote rainforest area which you will explore in launches early in the morning, and later walk in the forest. During the middle of the day the vessel will venture downstream to a small village on the east bank of the Rio Negro. Late this afternoon visit this community to learn how traditions help families survive in the remote interior. Later this evening our vessel will weigh anchor and cruise downstream through the night to the Xiborena Peninsula that divides the two of the world’s most celebrated rivers: the Rio Negro and the Amazon.
Day 6: Rising early, we explore the Lago Janauari Ecological Park, a dense forest that is flooded with the coffee coloured water of the Amazon River. Explore a labyrinth of small channels overhung with gargantuan trees and vines. Listening to the chatter of creatures in the undergrowth also keep your eyes open for monkeys, Three Toed Sloths, and the occasional Collared Anteater. By mid morning return to the M/Y Tucano for a hearty breakfast and some time to relax. Later this morning foray off the vessel again to explore this environment rich in life. Following lunch we navigate to the Encontro das Aguas, the several mile long joining of two of the world’s greatest rivers, the Rio Negro and The Amazon. The dark and light waters run side by side for several miles without mixing. Often Pink River Dolphins and also Grey River Dolphins leap and cavort along this stark line of contrasting currents. You then will turn our upstream to cruise on the Amazon River until the late afternoon. At this point the Amazon it has become the most magnificent river on the planet and carrying 20% of all the fresh water on Earth. Late afternoon another launch excursion in a fascinating environment known as the Varzea where you can fish for piranhas or thrill at brightly coloured birds that hunt in these vast fields of waving grass. At sunset slowly begin to ascend the Rio Negro, cruising past Porto de Manaus, one of the world’s great ports. More than a thousand miles from the sea, Manaus is the major port for much of the entire Amazon. Tonight we will sample the national drink of Brasil, the Caipirinha and have a farewell dinner.
Day 7: Early this morning passengers will disembark the vessel at the riverside dock of the Hotel Tropical early in the morning. You will be met and transferred on a fascinating half day tour of Manaus city with private guide followed by lunch at a restaurant of your choice. After lunch you will be transferred to the Manaus airport (MAO) in time to check-in to your late afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro.On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil until 1960 and is world renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and location, nestled between lush, green mountains and crystal clear seas. Rio is one of the most culturally and economically prominent cities in Brazil and features some of the country’s most famous tourist attractions such as Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer statue), and the iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. The city is full of energy and rhythm, and the locals of Rio, Cariocas, are known for their carefree spirit and charm. Whether you are looking to experience Carnival, relax in a naturally stunning environment, or enjoy all the luxuries of a cosmopolitan city, Rio de Janeiro has it all!
Day 8: In the morning you will visit the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay from where one of the most breathtaking views of the city of Rio can be seen. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then in the afternoon after a beautiful scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado mountain. Embark on a comfortable train which will climb the beautiful mountain, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer is located. From the top, discover why Rio is known as the Marvellous City.
Day 9 – Day 11: You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Buzios (2.5 to 3 hours) for a 3 night stay at the Casas Brancas hotel on bed in Classic ocean front room. This transfer will be driver only (no English speaking guide). The Casas Brancas is a modern and stylish boutique-hotel nestled in the hills overlooking the stunning Buzios Bay. The posada’s 32 individually decorated rooms and suites, boast an elegant Mediterranean architecture, an exclusive multilingual staff, and a refined and laid-back atmosphere. The peninsula of Buzios is only 170 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro and is home to more than 20 magnificent beaches of crystal-clear waters, and in perfect harmony with the surrounding sculpted landscape and exotic vegetation. Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, this historically diverse city enjoyed periods of prosperity and emerged as one of Brazil’s most picturesque fishing villages. The actress Brigitte Bardot popularized the town when she visited in the 60’s. As one of the most beautiful areas in Brazil, famed for its unique combination of rustic charm, distinctive architecture, incredible allure, exciting nightlife and sophisticated restaurants and boutiques. Overnight for next 3 nights at Casas Brancas hotel .
Day 12: You will be collected from the Casas Brancas hotel in Buzios early in the morning, and transferred to Rio de Janeiro (driver only – no English speaking guide) in time to check into your flight from Rio to Igazu (approximately 2 hours). You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel with an English speaking guide. The Iguassu Resort has several restaurants (Tuna Sushi Bar, Forneria di Como e Grand Room), heated swimming pools, tennis courts and offers many other activities in a 225 hectare green area.
This afternoon you will have a half day tour of the Brazilian side of the falls, beginning at the Iguaçu National Park with a drive through lush subtropical vegetation en route to the falls. The Iguassu National Park along with its sister park in Argentina forms the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone of South America which along with the waterfalls have been declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will end the 4 hour tour with a visit to the artisans fair. Iguaçu Falls located on the border of the State of Parana, is one of the most famous attractions in all of Brazil. The 275 massive waterfalls are divided between Argentina and Brazil, and provide vastly different views and experiences depending on what side they are viewed from.
Day 13: This morning you will visit the Guira Oga Bird Park, an hour long tour which provides the opportunity to experience the native flora and fauna at first hand. By following the trails through the forest, visitors will have the opportunity to get close wonderful native Brazilian bird species, some of which are classified as endangered. After lunch you will be transferred to the airport in time to connect with your flight from Iagazu to San Paulo, allowing plenty of time to connect with your international homeward bound flight which departs this evening.
Day 14: You will arrive early at London Heathrow airport early this morning. End of Wild and Exotic Services.
Notes: The price is inclusive of all accommodation on bed and breakfast basis unless otherwise specified, all domestic flights and all transfers as per the itinerary.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the client to ensure they obtain the correct visa prior to travel. British citizens do not currently require a visa to visit Brazil.
Please note it is the responsibility of the client to establish with the relevant airline the permitted baggage allowance in force at the time of departure. Airlines sometimes change their baggage policy at short notice and Wild and Exotic cannot accept liability for updating passengers with any such changes.
Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is available on this website under the general info tab.
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