Brazil A la Carte Private Vacation

Upon arrival, meet your uniformed guide just after baggage claim for your private transfer to your selected hotel. En route, your guide will share curiosities, stories and give some general recommendations about Rio de Janeiro. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.

This morning, depart from your hotel by private transfer to visit the Christ the Redeemer Statue, recently elected as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Reach the top by cable car and witness the monumental statue and marvel at the view of Rio. This afternoon, take a unique walking tour, which will give you a feeling for the legends and stories of historic downtown Rio. Visit many of the city’s highlights, including a stop at a traditional Colombo Coffee Shop. (B)

You have today to explore at your leisure. Consider an optional Brazilian food tour, the best way to get to know a city. You will find the true spirit of Rio in the bustling street markets and little restaurants that only the locals know. Brazilian food is distinctive, exciting and, most of all, delicious! With your foody host, you will explore the street markets, bars and restaurants that have been local favorites for generations. Taste the best of Brazilian cuisine, however this tour is not just about eating; as you walk, your host will fill you in on the ever present street art and points of interest, regale you of the history of Rio, and give you some insight on life in modern Rio from a local. (B)

This morning, meet your guide for a private transfer to the airport for a short flight to Salvador (not included). Upon arrival, meet your guide for a private transfer to your selected hotel. This afternoon, join a walking tour of Salvador’s historical center. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel on foot and lead you on an exploration of the principal attractions of Salvador. Strolling the cobbled streets of the colonial district, flanked by houses in pastel shades, you’ll visit the exuberant Sao Francisco Church and the nearby Cathedral. Continue into Municipal Square with incredible views of the Lower City and All Saints Bay. (B)

You have the day at your leisure to explore this historic city and experience the blend of African and Caribbean cultures. Consider an optional tour out of Salvador to Praia do Forte, a fishing village just north of Salvador and home to the best beaches in Bahia. Your first stop will be to visit the ruins of the imposing Garcia D’Avila Castle, ca. 1556, once the home of the largest landowner in the New World, set on the lands of what was the first farm in Brazil. Around lunch (not included) you will arrive at the village of Praia do Forte. Take some free time for an optional lunch then relax on the beach or browse for local handicrafts before returning to Salvador. (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide for a private transfer to the airport for a short flight to Iguassu Falls (not included). Upon arrival in Iguassu, meet your guide for a private transfer to your selected hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the many features of your jungle hotel. (B)

This morning you will meet your guide for a visit to Iguassu National Park. Cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge, with lovely views of the Iguassu Canyon, heading towards the park in Argentina. At the entrance, a small train will take you on a tour of the park, making two stops. Follow the walkways to the top of the falls for an unrivaled view of the Cataratas amidst an abundance of native flora and fauna. The highlight of your tour will be a visit to the suspended platform at the very brink of the Devil’s Throat, the largest of the falls. (B)

Your final day at the falls will be no less of an adventure as you enter the park and embark in open, jeep-towed wagons, permitting a free view of the scenery along the trail. During the drive through the jungle, your guide will point out and explain the many flora and fauna of the region. The second part of this tour is optional and will lead you down a 600m trail to Macuco Falls for a swim. Later, board an inflatable bi-motor boat for a journey up-river, passing the canyon at a leisurely pace. To top the experience off, your captain will give everyone a splash by navigating through the spray of one of the falls! Tonight, meet your driver at your hotel for a private transfer to the airport or train station to continue to your next destination. (B)