Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(11
days/10 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(12 days/11 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(14 days/13 nights)
Colca Canyon - Machu
Picchu
Lake Titicaca
(16 days/15 nights)
Archaeological & Ecological
Treasures
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
Lake Titicaca (or Amazon)
(18 days/17
nights)
Colca Canyon - Amazon
Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
(22 days/21 nights)
Machu Picchu
(10
days/9 nights)
Machu Picchu
(13 days/12 nights)
Machu Picchu - Galapagos
(15 days/14 nights)
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
(18 days/17 nights)
Manu National Park
(8 days/7 nights)
Enchanted Isles of the Galapagos
Galapagos
(11
days/10 nights)
Galapagos & the Kingdom of Quito
Galapagos - Andes
(16 days/15 nights)
Galapagos - Amazon
(16 days/15 nights)
Historic Haciendas of the Andes
Cotopaxi - Antisana
- Otavalo
(7 days/6 nights)
© 2008
Inka's Empire Corporation.
All rights reserved.
Rio - Paraty - Salvador - Praia do Forte - Penedo - Maceio - B. do Santo Antônio
Porto de Galinhas - Recife - Olinda - F. de Noronha
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Land Price (21 days/20 nights)
De Luxe US$ 8,790
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.
Brazil's 7,491km-long coastline boasts some of the most stunning tropical beaches in the Americas. Countless coves and bays with crystal-clear tropical waters shelter an astounding array of idyllic beaches, each with its unique charm. As the tourist travels from south to north, they visit the crown jewels of Brazil's magical coastline, from densely forested archipelagos surrounded by coral reefs and rustic lodges on paradisiacal palm-fringed beaches to famous cities and charming historical towns overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Scenic drives, schooner trips, diving excursions and free days on the beach allow visitors to fully take in these fantastic locations.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
This nature-oriented roundtrip starts in one of the worlds most famous and beautiful cities: Rio de Janeiro. With a dreamlike beauty that exceeds even the greatest of expectations, Rio is a city that has to be seen to be believed. From its two famed peaks, the Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountain, atop which stands the statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms, Rio de Janeiro is truly "The Wondrous City", her spectacular landforms embracing sandy beaches, glittering bays, fine residential districts and towering forest-covered mountains. The landscape is so dramatic that even the largest areas of modern high-rise are still dwarfed by the overwhelming grandeur of numerous peaks and the largest urban tropical forest in the world, itself a monument to environmental preservation.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Arrival at the airport, meet-and-greet with our local bilingual guide and transfer in private air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel. After check-in, free time to relax around the hotel and beachfront following the long journey. In the evening there will be a delicious grill dinner accompanied by a variety of spectacles ranging from authentic samba to folklore and rhythms such as capoeira, lambada and even a taste of Carnival, with samba school drummers and dancers in lavish costume presenting the best of Brazil in alluring, glittering shows. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
A combined jeep tour of Corcovado and Tijuca Forest . The tour proceeds through the Cosme Velho district to Corcovado mountain. Perched atop the Corcovado (Hunchback) at an altitude of 710m, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is certainly one of the world's best-known and most-visited monuments. Clad with a soapstone mosaic, the statue is also one of Rio's finest Art Nouveau monuments and at night becomes a shining landmark visible from all over the city. From the top there are breathtaking views of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, the Botanical Gardens, Jockey Club and Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon. The tour proceeds over mountainous terrain deep into the heart of the Tijuca forest, the largest urban rainforest in the world. Blanketing the hills of Rio and easily accessible from the city, this lush tropical forest provides a sharp contrast to the "concrete jungle". The unique history of the meticulous reforestation process and the importance of the Atlantic Rainforest as a biodiversity reserve are explained. In the heart of the forest, the jeep stops at the Cascatinha (Taunay's Waterfall), where refreshments are sold. During the tour the visitor encounters different kinds of Bromeliads and large tropical fruit trees, attracting various kinds of exotic birds such as the toucan, and, with luck, monkeys and sloth can be seen. A final stop is made at Pepino Beach, a favourite landing point for hang-gliders. The evening is free to explore Rio's vibrant city centre. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
As evidenced by its UNESCO World Heritage Monument status, Paraty is a gem of charming planned colonial architecture, a legacy of the late 17th century when it became a port for the shipment of gold from Minas Gerais. Gaining further international fame with the advent of the highly successful World Literature Festival, the churches and cobbled streets against a backdrop of lushly forested hills, plus dozens of secluded beaches nearby, make Paraty an a must for anyone visiting the region. Beyond Paraty, on the border of Rio and São Paulo states, the Serra da Bocaína National Park stretches inland through Atlantic Rainforest and Araucaria Forest to the 2,132m peak of Boa Vista.
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro - Paraty
Morning pick-up from the hotel for a 3-hour scenic drive along the coast to Paraty. After checking in at a comfortable inn, an afternoon city excursion introduces the tourist to this lovely town. Full of history and legend, this guided city tour introduces Paraty's charming planned colonial architecture, a legacy of the late 17th century when it became a port for the shipment of gold from Minas Gerais. The churches and cobbled streets against a backdrop of lushly forested hills, plus dozens of secluded beaches nearby, make this small colonial town well worth a visit. Sites visited include the Culture House and the Santa Rita church, which was constructed in 1722 and functions today as Paraty's sacred art museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 4: Paraty
After breakfast, tourists are picked up at the hotel and proceed to the harbour to board a large schooner, which sets sail and heads for an archipelago of densely forested islands, crystal-clear waters and secluded white beaches. Having arrived at this paradise, the schooner makes three one-hour stops for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling in the emerald-green waters. Amongst the islands visited are Comprida, Algodão, Cotia and Praia Vermelha. Late afternoon arrival back at the port. Overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Salvador sits on a peninsula overlooking the bay that gave the state its name: Bahia. For Brazilians, Bahia is synonymous both with a more relaxed pace of life and a special intensity in all that Brazil represents: colour, music and religiousness. This is undoubtedly a consequence of Salvador being Brazil's strongest link with Africa, having been the principal port of entry for slaves. Eighty percent of Salvador's inhabitants are of Afro-Brazilian origin, and they express their cultural roots in every way from their lively musical rhythms to their cuisine.
Day 5: Paraty - Salvador
Morning transfer to Saõ Paulo airport (Guarulhos) for the afternoon flight to Salvador. The route to São Paulo (in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle) is pleasant and very scenic. Arrival in Salvador and meet-and-greet with our local bilingual guide and transfer in private air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel. In the evening, a wonderful dinner and spectacular evening show, set in a beautiful 18th century architectural complex comprising a main house (Casa Grande), a chapel and outlying slave quarters, making it one of the most traditional entertainment spots in Salvador. As the tourists help themselves to a self-service buffet of typical traditional Bahian cuisine, a folklore show presents some of the major Afro-Brazilian traditions, such as the fishermen's dance, a special Capoeira performance and much more. Overnight at the hotel
Day 6: Salvador
Full-day historical and panoramic tour of Salvador: This charming excursion first takes the tourist into the historical heart of Salvador The Cidade Alta, revealing some of the first streets laid in Bahia. By far the most significant site visited during the excursion is the Pelourinho, the historical centre of Salvador and a true World Heritage Site, considered by UNESCO to be a highlight of XVII and XVIII century colonial architecture. Clinging to steep terrain, the picturesque colonial houses and churches (such as the Igreja do São Francisco) of the Pelourinho, artistically decorated in a myriad of colours, make this enchanting part of town a must for anyone visiting Bahia. Lunch is served at one of a choice of restaurants in the Pelourinho, depending on the visitors' tastes. After lunch, the excursion proceeds to offer the tourist various beautiful panoramic views of the city. Evening at leisure, overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Return by small private plane back to Salvador, where a vehicle is stationed for the six-day 842km self-drive along the coast to Recife. On arrival in Brazil, tourists will be provided with a self-drive information kit complete with maps, thorough route instructions and descriptions of towns and attractions along the way. This allows for a more relaxed pace and full leisure days at each selected destination. The kit also provides a list of superb hotels and lodges for overnights at two suggested destinations, ranging in comfort and style to help tourists customize their tour. Additional information such as explanations of bylaws and road signs, plus support telephone numbers is also provided. Three overnight locations are suggested: Aracaju, Jarapatinga and Porto da Galinhas.
Days 7 & 8: Praia do Forte
Praia do Forte is a peaceful paradise with a strong emphasis on the preservation of local flora and fauna (such as marine turtles), being protected against over-exploitative tourism and other threats to the environment by a private foundation. Comprising twelve kilometres of untouched beaches, coconut palms, rivers, lagoons, colourful reefs and crystal-clear tide pools, the name "Brazilian Polynesia" is well deserved. Praia do Forte also offers excellent infrastructure including large resorts and has so many leisure, accommodation and gastronomic options that it is difficult to know where to start. Apart from being an excellent diving location, Praia do Forte is a base for a number of other watersports such as sailing and windsurfing. Overnight at the hotel in Praia do Forte.
Day 9: Penedo
The charming 17th century colonial town of Penedo, with an impressive array of Baroque churches and elegant townhouses, is strategically located on the banks of the Rio São Francisco and an excellent point from which to explore the lower reaches of this great river. Penedo was briefly occupied by the Dutch between 1637 and 1645. The small Baroque Nossa Senhora da Corrente Church, the São Francisco Convent and the Casa de Penedo, a small museum dedicated to the town's influential people, both past and present, stand testimony to a rich history. The towns of Neópolis and Carrapicho can be seen on the opposite side of the river and can be reached by ferry.
Day 10: Maceio
Capital of the small northeastern state of Alagoas, Maceió began life as a sugar port but is now also a major centre for tourism. Making up Maceió's coconut palm-fringed seafront, the beaches of Pajuçara, Ponta Verde and Jatiuca boast the same white sands and emerald waters that grace much of the Alagoas coastline, reputed to be the finest in Brazil. Massagueira, on the banks of the great lagoon of Mundaú, offers a quiet alternative to the lively, beachfront restaurants of Maceió, whilst the beautifully preserved colonial town of Marechal Deodoro provides a historical contrast to the city's modern elegance.
Day 11 & 12: Barra de Santo António
Located on the so-called Costa Dourada ("Golden Coast") just 50 km from the city of Maceió, Barra de Santo Antônio features unspoilt beaches, coconut palms, mesmerizing clear waters and coral reefs. The town was colonized by the Dutch in l753, during which the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição was built. Tabuba, Carro Quebrado, Ponta da Gamela and Morro are just a few of the beaches which adorn this pristine stretch of coastline.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Days 13 & 14: Porto de Galinhas
Originally a fishing village, Porto de Galinhas lies 70km from Recife along a road that passes through sugarcane fields, small villages and marshlands. The town's name originated during the years that followed the abolition of slavery in 1888: on hearing that "Angola chickens" had arrived, the slave-traders of Pernambuco knew to expect a shipload of slaves. Porto de Galinhas' calm, crystal-clear waters and comprehensive tourist facilities have made it a favourite beach retreat among locals and one of Brazil's top beach resorts. At low tide, the beachfront is dramatically transformed as the long reef appears. Numerous sailing rafts or jangadas ply the channels through the reefs, taking visitors to tide pools where they can snorkel freely amongst the schools of temporarily trapped fish. Porto de Galinhas has a lively town centre with plenty of gift shops, bars and restaurants, many of which afford marvellous views of the beach and reefs. Maracaípe, a 30-minute walk south along the beach, is situated at the mouth of a mangrove estuary, home to a seahorse protection project. The seahorses can be visited by raft. Overnights at the hotel in Porto da Galinhas.
Day 15: Porto de Galinhas - Recife
Following a morning at leisure in Porto da Galinhas, there is a 70km drive to Recife. The evening is free to relax or explore Recife's many bars and restaurants. Overnight in Recife.
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.
Luxury Brazil Tours & Travel.
Day 17: Recife - Fernando de Noronha
Breakfast and airport transfer for the flight to Fernando de Noronha. On arrival, visitors are picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Days 18, 19 & 20: Fernando de Noronha
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 - Home
Transfer to the airport for connecting flights back home
Thank you for choosing Inka's Empire Tours.
