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7 Days Samba Sensation! - featuring Colonial Cities and Indescribable Iguacu Tour Package
Kicking things off in the thick of the action, we begin this short yet fun-packed, seven-day tour in the frenetic Rio, one of the most populous cities in the world and a metropolis that perfectly encapsulates the famous Brazilian vivacious spirit and zest for life. The mountainous peaks that divide the city provide spectacular views of the uncurling arch of the Praia de Copacabana, as well as the ideal vantage point to get the layout of the land, while the world-class, white-sand beaches often prove impossible to resist. Travelling through Minas Gerais, we find exquisite historic colonial towns with baroque churches and beautiful sculptures seemingly forgotten by time and when we reach Iguazu Falls, we find a paradisiacal natural spectacle that will create memories enough for a lifetime. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Rio de Janeiro Arrive in Rio de Janeiro. Rio is indeed the "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Marvelous City). Seven million Cariocas, as the inhabitants are called, are jammed into one of the world's most beautiful city settings, between ocean and escarpment. This makes Rio one of the most densely populated places on earth. This thick brew of Cariocas pursues pleasure like no other people: beaches and the body beautiful, samba and football, cerveja (beer); and cachaca (sugar-cane rum). In Rio everything ends with samba--football games, weddings, work, political demonstrations and, of course, a day at the beach. There's a lust for life, and a love of romance, music, dance and talk that seem to distinguish the Cariocas from everyone else. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. Dinner if required. Day 2 Rio de Janeiro: City Tour Today we have a tour of Rio. The city is divided into a zona norte (north zone) and a zona sul (south zone) by the Serra da Carioca, steep mountains that are part of the Parque Nacional da Tijuca. These mountains descend to the edge of the city centre, where the zonas norte and sul meet. Corcovado, one of these mountain peaks, offers the best way to become familiar with the city's geography--from it you have views of both zones. The statue Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), with his outstretched arms, gazes down on the Bahia da Guanabara and the landmark Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf). His left arm points toward the zona norte, and his right toward the zona sul suburbs of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and beyond. We enjoy a sightseeing ride along Rio's beaches--Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. One of the world's most famous beaches runs 4.5 km (7 miles) in front of one of the world's most densely populated residential areas. There is always something happening on the beach during the day and along the footpaths at night: drinking, singing, eating and all kinds of people checking out the scene; tourists watching Brazilians. From the scalloped beach you can see the granite slabs that surround the entrance to the bay--a magnificent meeting of land and sea. Different parts of the beach attract different crowds. We take cable cars to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. From the top of this celebrated peak, the city, Baia de Guanabara, and the winding coastline are stretched out dazzling below. To reach the summit at a lofty 400 m (1,325 feet) it is necessary to take two cable cars. A clear day will supply the most spectacular of views: the uncurling arch of the Praia de Copacabana, its miles of tiles glistening in the sun's last rays. From the top you'll see Corcovado Mountain, with the massive statue of Cristo Redemtor (Christ the Redeemer), his arms extended in mercy and blessing. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Rio de Janeiro - Sao Joao del Rei - Tiradentes Today we drive to the region of Minas Gerais. Minas Gerais presents a welcome contrast to the rest of Brazil. While the name means "General Mines", the state is packed with exquisite colonial towns, seemingly frozen in another epoch. Their baroque churches and sacred art, mostly sculptures from one of the world's great artists, Aleijadinho, represent over half of Brazil's national monuments. Nestled in the Sierra do Espinhaco mountain range are the 'cidades historicas', historic colonial cities that grew up with the great gold boom. The foothills and streams of these mountains were scoured for gold throughout the 18th century. Minas also has several hydromineral spa towns in the mountainous southwest corner and a number of prehistoric caves close to the capital, Belo Horizonte. This afternoon we arrive in Sao Joao del Rei. This city is the only colonial city to have adjusted successfully to life after the gold rush. It has all the usual charm of the other historic cities -- gilded churches, museums, colonial mansions -- but it also has a thriving market town. Easily the largest of the colonial cities with a population of over 80,000, Sao Joao del Rei's modern prosperity complements the colonial atmosphere rather than compromises it. With its wide central boulevard enclosing a small stream, its stone bridges, squares and streets, Sao Joao del Rei is a very attractive place. After an informal visit, we will travel the short distance to Tiradentes. Tiradentes is small and lovely Gold Rush town is set against a backdrop of the Sao Jose Mountains at an altitude of 930 metres (3,000 feet). Enjoy exploring its cobbled streets on foot, including visits to the Church of Saint Anthony, the town's patron saint, and the Museum of Padre Toledo, housed in an 18th century mansion. Overnight in Tiradentes. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Tiradentes - Ouro Preto Today we drive to Ouro Preto. Today's drive is spectacular, with roads winding around hill country, passing several valleys where patches of forest survive. We arrive in Ouro Preto--a relatively small town which was once the Portuguese base during a war between the Portuguese and the Paulista bandeirantes. Later the town became the capital of the gold-producing area of Minas, and today it is rich with 18th century churches. The balance of today is spent exploring this colonial town. Overnight in Ouro Preto. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Ouro Preto - Iguacu Falls Today we fly to Iguacu Falls. The Iguacu Falls are formed by the Rio Iguacu, which has its source near Curitiba. Starting at an altitude of 1300 m (4,264 feet), the river snakes westward, picking up tributaries and increasing in size and power during its 1200 km (1,945 mile) journey. About 15 km (25 miles) before joining the Rio Parana, the Iguacu broadens out, then plunges precipitously over an 80 m (263 foot) high cliff, the central of the 275 interlinking cataracts that extend nearly 3 km (5 miles) across the river. On arrival, before checking in to our hotel (so have your day pack ready!), we view the wonderful Iguacu Falls. From spots all along the path there are excellent views, at first across the lower river at a point where it has narrowed to channel width. At the bottom of the path, where the river widens again, there's a catwalk leading out towards the falls themselves. Depending on the force of the river, the spray can be quite heavy, so if you have a camera, be sure to carry a plastic bag. Overnight at Iguacu Falls. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Iguacu Falls - Rio de Janeiro Today we view the wonderful Iguacu Falls at leisure. The finest overall view of the falls is obtained from the Brazilian side, best seen in the morning when the light is much better for photography. You'll only need about half a day here; the view is magnificent and from here you get the clearest idea as to the size of the falls, the area from which to view them is fairly limited. From spots all along the path there are excellent views, at first across the lower river at a point where it has narrowed to channel width. At the bottom of the path, where the river widens again, there's a catwalk leading out towards the falls themselves. Depending on the force of the river, the spray can be quite heavy so, if you have a camera, be sure to carry a plastic bag. We will also be able to view the falls from the Argentine side (your Brazilian visa allows multiple entries). This evening we fly to Rio de Janeiro. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Departure Departure from Rio de Janeiro. Breakfast. VIAGEM BOA!! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Brazil vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 11/09 |
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