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Archaeological & Ecological
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Enchanted Isles of the Galapagos
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Manaus - Tefé - Pantanal - Brasilia - Chapada dos Veadeiros - Recife
Fernando de Noronha
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Land Price (21 days/20 nights)
De Luxe US$ 11,850
The land price includes escorted transfers, private excursions with professional guides and chauffeurs, entrance fees, indicated category of accommodations, all breakfasts and specified meals except beverages, all transportation except air flights, and travel insurance for guests through the age of 59 years. Over that age, there is a supplementary fee. All prices are per person based on two people sharing a guest room. For a detailed description of our services, see About Our Tours.
Intra-Tour Air Flights & Fares
Air fares are in addition to the land price. A "Visit Brazil Air Pass" is recommended.
This itinerary is a more leisurely version of our two-week Natural Highlights exploration, which presents some of Brazil's most exquisite natural highlights in an exhilarating journey to Salvador, Chapada Diamantina, Manaus, Tefé and the Pantanal.
Day 1: Manaus
Arrival at the airport, meet-and-greet with our local bilingual guide and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, free time to relax around the hotel or, time permitting, an afternoon city tour of Manaus. The rubber boom, which started at the end of 19th century and lasted for about 30 years, was largely responsible for the way Manaus looks today, with its broad avenues and squares. The opulent wealth of this period bequeathed a number of architectural jewels such as the Rio Negro Palace; The Indian Museum, with numerous works of art and tribal artefacts; and the Adolfo Lisboa municipal market, where an astounding range of products are sold. Other attractions include the Amazon Theatre, opened in 1896, and the floating harbour of Manaus, which adjusts itself to the water level. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 2: Manaus
In the morning, visitors are driven to the Tropical Hotel pier or Manaus Harbour, from where either a motorboat or speedboat takes them for a full day upriver to the confluence of two great masses of water: the Negro and Solimões rivers. This is where the two tributaries join to form the Amazon River in a spectacular phenomenon in which the black waters of the Negro do not mix with the brown Solimões until several kilometres downstream. This peculiar behaviour is due to differences in water properties such as speed, temperature, density and sediments. The voyage then proceeds to Lake January for a lunch of Amazonian specialties in a floating restaurant. After lunch, visitors can stroll along boardwalks to get a closer look at one of the world's most exuberant aquatic plants: the Vitória Regia, a type of water lily. This is followed by a motorized canoe trip to explore some of the countless creeks and channels that link the Solimões and Negro rivers. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 3 - 6: Manaus - Tefé - Uakari Floating Lodge
Early morning transfer to Manaus for the flight westwards to Tefé. Located on the banks of the Solimões River in the remote heart of the Amazon basin, Tefé is one of the oldest and most isolated towns in the state of Amazonas, dating from 1686. From here, tourists board a boat for the 2_-hour trip to the Uakari Floating Lodge, during which some wildlife, such as dolphins, can already be observed. The lodge offers the unique possibility of experiencing the largest reserve of flooded rainforest in the world, Mamirauá (1,124,000 ha). To enable scientists and tourists to explore the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, a floating lodge with 10 apartments has been built to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge was named Uakari after the various types of Uakari monkeys that live in this part of the rainforest. At the lodge, tourists are told about the importance of this reserve and the participatory projects that are being undertaken in partnership with local communities and subsidised by the Brazilian government, private organizations and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The simple but comfortable lodge will be used as a base from which to explore the rainforest and the projects that are undertaken here, either on foot or by canoe, depending on the season. Excursions include a walking tour to spot animals such as spiders, opossums and other nocturnal creatures; jungle hikes through areas inhabited by a variety of monkey species; fishing for piranhas; a visit by motorised canoe to Mamirauá Lake in search of freshwater dolphins, hoatzins and, after sunset, alligators.
Day 7: Amazon - Pantanal
Transfer to Manaus Airport for the flight to the Pantanal. Meet-and-greet at airport and transfer to one of many beautifully located lodges. Overnight at the lodge.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
The Pantanal, a vast wetland area in western Brazil, which cuts across the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul (as well as western Brazil and northeastern Paraguay), is one of the world's great wildlife reserves. Because of the veldt-like open land, it is also the best place to see wildlife in Brazil. 650 species of birds, among which are storks (including the stately Tuiuiu or Jabiru stork), egrets, herons, coots, ducks and ibises, can be observed in the region. Animal life is represented by, among other species, alligators, jaguar, otters, emus, boa constrictors and monkeys.
Days 8 - 11: Pantanal
In the Pantanal, and especially along the Transpantaneira Park Road, there are numerous lodges located in magnificent spots, the accommodation ranging from basic to luxurious according to customer preferences. During their stay, tourists will embark on excursions involving treks at sunrise to watch spectacular birds such as macaw, ibis and Tuiuiú; a discovery tour on horseback and fascinating canoe trips to enjoy the Pantanal and its wildlife from the water; piranha fishing; plus a safari along the Transpantaneira Park Road by car with several photo and film stops en route. The Transpantaneira has been described by many as the best stretch of road for wildlife spotting in South America. During the wet season, the road acts as an island, attracting large numbers of birds and other wildlife, whilst in the dry season, the roadside ditches act as ponds where many birds, capybaras and caimans gather. Wildlife along the Transpantaneira is therefore prolific and easily approached throughout the year. Excursions are usually for half a day, returning to the lodge for delicious buffet lunches and dinners.
Day 12: Pantanal - Brasilia
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Brasilia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel, followed by an afternoon city tour: Brasília is an ultra-modern city with numerous outstanding architectural accomplishments, namely those of Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil's most famous architect. The route of this half-day city excursion takes in the Dom Bosco Sanctuary, the Blue Church (one of the world's most modern churches) and the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial (dedicated to the president who brought the capital to the centre of the country). After visiting the administrative, residential, commercial and cultural sectors of the city, the tour proceeds to the Nossa Senhora de Fátima Church; the spectacular Acoustic Bandstand and two other Oscar Niemeyer projects. The Cathedral - one of Brasília's landmarks - and the TV Tower, with a panoramic view of the city, are also visited. The tour ends at the Alvorada Palace - the official residence of the President. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Days 13 & 14: Chapada dos Veadeiros
After breakfast, pick-up from the hotel and transfer to one of a number of comfortable lodges in the Veadeiros National Park in Goiás. The State of Goiás is gaining a reputation as a major destination for eco-tourism and the Chapada dos Veadeiros (Deer Mountains) National Park in the north of the state, comprising an area of 60 thousand hectares, has long been recognized as an important site of outstanding natural beauty. The tableland is about 1,000 metres high and sits on an immense block of quartz crystal. The source of both the important Tocantins and Paraná rivers, the region hosts a wealth of waterfalls, caves, rivers and rapids plus stunning scenery of wild brush vegetation typical of the Brazilian savannah. Wildlife includes armadillos, anteaters, wild pigs, capibaras and guara wolves. Recently the area has won fame as a place with supernatural energy, where UFOs have been spotted. The best way to explore the region is on foot with an expert guide.
From the lodge, tourists embark on daily hiking excursions, visiting the Valley of the Moon, a rocky landform sculpted by the São Miguel river; and the right bank of the Macaquinho River Valley, where there are huge waterfalls with canyons, green pools and quartz walls.
Day 15: Recife
Morning free at leisure or a short hike in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park In the afternoon, transfer to Brasilia Airport for the flight to Recife. Arrival in Recife, pickup and transfer to the hotel. Evening free to relax after the long trip.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 16: Recife
Full-day tour of Recife and Olinda: The city tour starts with a drive along the ultra-modern seafront of Boa Viagem and then proceeds to Old Recife. This district was founded by the Dutch, as evidenced by the tall, narrow four-storey houses that resemble those of Amsterdam. As the sugar economy declined over the 19th century, Recife lost its prominence, although the Pernambuco State capital is still an important regional centre, with more than 3 million inhabitants. The tour continues with a visit to the exotic world of the artist Francisco Brennand and Casa da Cultura, once a prison but now with each cell converted into a craft shop. Following a buffet lunch at Parraxaxá, a restaurant specialized in regional dishes, the tour proceeds to Olinda, a breathtaking colonial town that overlooks Recife and the Atlantic Ocean. Olinda's historical wealth won it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1982. The tour includes several unique attractions, such as the Mosteiro de São Bento, built in 1582, lavishly decorated with gold and excellent woodcarvings; Igreja da Sé, where local handicrafts are sold and the former slave market. Just walking down the cobbled streets of this enchanting town and enjoying magnificent views over the pale blue ocean is a true delight. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 17: Recife - Fernando de Noronha Island
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight to Fernando de Noronha. Arrival, pick-up from the airport and transfer to the hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Days 18 - 20: Recife - Fernando de Noronha Island
The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha consists of 21 islands totalling 26 square kilometres, 345 kilometres off the northeast coast, created over 10 million years ago by a volcanic eruption. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago breathes nature through every pore. In 1989 it was declared a National Marine Park. Native sub-tropical vegetation, secluded beaches and varied flora and fauna reward the visitors who undertake the trip to Fernando de Noronha. The possibilities for scuba-diving and snorkelling are excellent. Thousands of sea-turtles live here and although it is now prohibited to swim with the dolphins (the archipelago is home to the only school of spinner dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean), they can be admired from unspoilt beaches such as Praia da Quixaba, Praia do Leão, Praia do Bode or by boat tour. From the top of the Morro do Pico, visitors have a lovely view of the 21 islands. Environmental protection has top priority. For this reason no high-rise hotels are built on the island and living conditions are modest. Visitors are obliged to pay an environmental protection tax (not included in the rates mentioned below). The best way to visit the archipelago is by air. Ranging from basic to luxurious, the accommodation on the island is chosen according to customer preferences.
Day 21: Fernando de Noronha Island - Home
Transfer to the airport for connecting flights back home.
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