Absolutely Brazil!

Details

Tour Operator

Tara Tours

Offer

Offer valid through 12/31/2008

Duration

20 Days

Escorted

Escorted - No

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart USA	USA-SAO PAULO : Depart USA for overnight flight to Brazil.
Day 2	Sao Paulo	SAO PAULO : Arrive in Sao Paulo early morning and transfer to hotel selected. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Sao Paulo -one of the largest cities in the planet with more than 16 million people- visiting residential districts, stadiums, Governor's Palace, University Campus, Ibirapuera Park and Monuments, a special visit to Butantan Institute to appreciate a "Snake milking" demonstration and to visit its museum. Also drive through the old and modern downtown and the oriental district -S.Paulo has the largest Japanese colony leaving outside Japan with more than 1 million japanese people.....
Day 3	Iguazzu Falls	SAO PAULO-IGUAZZU : Transfer to the airport for flight to Iguazzu Falls. Arrive and transfer to hotel Das Cataratas. (BB)
Day 4	Iguazzu Falls	IGUASSU : Morning tour of one of the wonders of the world. You'll see more than 275 separate falls, literally tons of water hurtling over precipices higher than a 30 story building. Afternoon free to explore this National Park on your own. (BB)
Day 5	Brazil	IGUASSU-BRASILIA : Morning transfers.Afternoon tour of the "City of Tomorrow" including Dawn Palace, Congress Building, Cathedral, residential and commercial areas.(BB)
Day 6	Manaus	BRASILIA-MANAUS : Transfer to the airport for flight to Manaus (via Sao Paulo) "Capital of the Brazilian Amazon" You will be met and transfer to the Ariau Jungle Lodge (incl. all meals at the lodge). ABOUT ARIAU JUNGLE TOWER 35 Miles from Manaus, in the middle of the jungle,on the Rio Negro and Ariau creek, and near to the Anavilhana Islands, the world's largest floating archipelago. A rustic tree top lodge, surrounded by luxuriant rain forest; 66 rooms with private facilities and few suites in the bush and even Tarzan's house on top of a 28 meter high tree. There is also a bar, restaurant and a tower of 35 meters high, with a magnificent view of the Rio Negro and surrounding forest. All meals and shore excursions are included as well as jungle treks, piranha fishing, alligator spotting and sunrise tours. (B,D)
Day 7	Ariau	ARIAU JUNGLE LODGE : After breakfast, get ready for some jungle hike and exploration of the Amazon rain forest. Afternoon reconnaissance tour by motorized canoe with visit to local native's home. After dinner Caiman spotting by moonlight . (B,L,D)
Day 8	Ariau	ARIAU JUNGLE LODGE : After Breakfast, depart by motorized canoe to explore the flooded forest. As we leave Ariau Creek and approach the Rio Negro we get closer to the mouth of the Anavilhanas Archipelago, largest fresh water grouping of islands in the world. Here the river becomes an ocean at 17 miles from shore to shore. Pink dolphins splashing from the water create a magical landscape. As we enter the flooded forest or igapo and the motor is turned off, for better obsevation of the forest, vines, lianas, bromeliads, butterflies. Return to the lodge. After lunch we will try some piranha fishing for some excitment. (B,L,D)
Day 9	Recife	MANAUS-RECIFE : Transfer to the airport for flight to Recife -known in Brasil as the "City of Waters. Arrive and transfer to hotel selected.
Day 10	Recife	RECIFE : Morning sightseeing tour of Recife,including all major points of interest and the colonial neighborhood of Olinda.Afternoon at leisure. (BB)
Day 11	Salvador Bahia	RECIFE-SALVADOR : Arrive Bahia about mid-day and transfer to hotel selected.
Day 12	Salvador Bahia	SALVADOR : Morning city tour of Salvador Bahia also, call city of churches. Other highlights include the Museum of Sacred Art and the Mercado Modelo for Afro-Brazilian handicraft, then visit the beautiful beaches. (BB)
Day 13	Salvador Bahia	SALVADOR BAHIA:At leisure to explore this magnificent city and first Capital of Brazil, more than 300 churches are in the colonial part of Salvador and lots of beautiful buildings from the late 1800's. Lots of Afro-Brazilian history and customs in this city. (BB)
Day 14	Ouro Pretto	SALVADOR-BELO HORIZONTE-OURO PRETTO:Arrive and transfer to the historical city of Ouro Pretto. P. Belo Horizonte is the 3rd. largest city in Brazil with 21/2 million inhabitants. Overnight in Ouro Pretto.
Day 15	Ouro Pretto	OURO PRETTO:Full day tour of Ouro Preto which is the most important historical center of Brazil. Its baroque style has been preserved since the 1700's. Gold was first found there in 1669 and the gold rush reached its peak between 1725 and 1750. Its churches, bridges, places and museums reflect the immense wealth of that period. Birthplace of Antonio Francisco Lisboa the Little Cripple, architect and sculptor whose works are the finest in Brazil. Brazil was then a colony of Portugal. Interesting visits will be made to. (BB,L)
Day 16	Rio de Janeiro	OURO PRETTO- B.HORIZONTE-RIO DE JANEIRO:Transfer to the airport for flight to Rio de Janeiro "The Carnival City of the World" with transfer to your hotel. (BB)
Day 17	Rio de Janeiro	RIO DE JANEIRO:Morning tour to see imposing Statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado Peak, overlooking Guanabara Bay, Rio and fabulous beaches. Afternoon tour to Pao de Azucar, a 1,300 foot high mass that has become one of Rio's most recognizable landmarks. We make the ascent by cable car to photograph the awe-inspiring views. (BB)
Day 18	Rio de Janeiro	RIO DE JANEIRO:Full day excursion to Rio's famous summer resort on the Organ Mountains, only 90 minutes away from your hotel, with its cobblestone streets and horse drawn buggies. Visit the Emperor's Palace, where the Imperial Museum houses the crown jewels, the Cathedral with the royal tombs and the Goat Square with its mini zoo. This city will bring you back into Brazilian history, its traditions and habits where the Portuguese culture and an imperial environment are still alive. (BB & LUNCH)
Day 19	Rio de Janeiro	RIO DE JANEIRO:Day at leisure. (BB & FAREWELL DINNER AT THE HOTEL)
Day 20	Return USA	RIO DE JANEIRO-SAO PAULO-MIAMI:Day at leisure until transfer to the airport for your return flight to U.S.A. (BB)

Dates/Pricing

Lodging

	Novotel (Manaus) [4 Stars]		Miramar (Rio) [4 Stars]
	Tropical Bahia (Salvador) [4 Stars]		S.Paulo Othon (SAO) [4 Stars]
	B.Horizonte Othon [4 Stars]		Blue Tree Towers (BSB) [4 Stars]
	Tropical (Manaus) [5 Stars]		Marriott (Rio) [5 Stars]
	Mariott (Salvador) [5 Stars]		Hilton SAO PAULO [5 Stars]
	Ceasar (Belo Horizonte) [5 Stars]		Blue Tree Park (BSB) [5 Stars]

Disclaimer

RATES NOT VALID FOR CHRISTMAS, N.YEARS OR CARNIVAL SEASON
HOTELS USED In Iguassu: Hotel Tropical Cataratas

** SEASONS: From Jan.02 to Mar.31 and Jun.18 to Aug.15, add $100 pp; from Dec.09 to 26.... add $200 to all rates. This package is not available during Carnival and New Years dates -please call for rates

ADD-ONS VIA AMERICAN AIRLINES: For same package add $200 from CHI, BOS, EWR, NYC or WAS; Add $180 from ATL; Add $250 from LAX, SFO, Zone 1 & Zone 3; Add $230 from DFW, HOU & Zone 4; Add $310 from Zone 2, 5 & 6; Add $370 from SJU.

DEPOSIT/FINAL PAYMENTS:
$300 deposit per person at the time of booking.
Final Payment is due 45 days before departure.