Rio de Janeiro & the Amazon Brazil Tour

Day 1, Sunday - Rio de Janeiro:
Guided transfer from the International Airport to the Hotel Golden Tulip Continental. The 4 star Golden Tulip Continental is located in a residential neighborhood in the quiet part of Copacabana known as Leme. It is about 20 yards from Copacabana beach, 10 minutes from downtown and just a few minutes away from shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants and tourist attractions in the city. There is easy and quick access to both the international and domestic airports.
Afterward have a brazilian barbacue at Churrascaria Palace.

Day 2, Monday - Rio de Janeiro:
Breakfast at the hotel.
The panoramic view from the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, at 1,296 ft (395m) above sea-level, is breathtaking. Two sets of cable cars elevate you to the top of Sugar Loaf. The first brings passengers to the top of Urca Mountain. From Urca Mountain a second set of cable cars brings passengers to the summit with its 360° spectrum of golden beaches, green forests and a thriving metropolis that has earned Rio de Janeiro the title of the world's most beautiful city.
Sightseeing continues with a tour of Rio's historical past. Learn how Portugal's prince scandalously broke all family ties and declared himself Emperor of Brazil.
Optional today - Plataforma Samba Show:
Thirty beautiful mulata-dancers together with the male cast take a cultural journey through popular Brazilian music. The journey begins with the Portuguese settlers and slavery and continues to modern day Bossa Nova, Carnival and Brazilian pop.

Day 3, Tuesday - Rio de Janeiro:
Christ the Redeemer keeps an eye on Rio from an elevation of 710m (2340ft). Board the tremzinho (cogwheel railway) up to the top of Corcovado Mountain for a bird's eye view of the center of the city from the center of the city! The 38-meter statue is the image of the faith and friendliness of cariocas. The monument was inaugurated on the day of Our Lady of Aparecida, 12 October, 1931 by then President Getúlio Vargas and cardinal Dom Sebastião Leme.
Then get a close-up look at Rio's world famous beaches.

Day 4, Wednesday - Rio de Janeiro to Manaus:
Guided transfer to the International Airport.
Flight from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus.
Transfer from the Airport to Hotel Tropical Manaus.
The 5star Hotel Tropical Manaus is the largest luxury hotel in Brazil and it is located in the heart of the biggest ecological reserve in the world: the Amazon forest. Here, at the edges of the Rio Negro, you will find the Tropical Manaus. It is only 10km from the international Airport Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes and 16km from downtown Manaus.

Day 5, Thuersday - Manaus to Amazon Eco Park:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick-up at 13h30 (or at 14h00 at Hotel Tropical pier) and transfer to the Amazon Ecopark Lodge. Reception with local juice after which guests will be shown to the rooms. Dinner and evening tour by canoe for Alligator Spotting. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 6, Friday - Amazon Eco Park:
Breakfast followed by Nature Hike. Return for regional lunch.
After a short rest, visit to the home of local Amazonian residents (caboclos). Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 7, Saturday - Amazon Eco Park:
Breakfast followed by a visit to the Monkey Jungle. Return for regional lunch.
Tour in canoes to observe the local flora and fauna.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 8, Sunday - Amazon Eco Park to Manaus:
Breakfast, check-out at 09h30 and full day tour to the Meeting of the Waters with lunch.
Following opportunity for Piranha Fishing.
Arrival in Manaus and transfer to the airport to flight home or add one of the followings adds on:

(1) Add 4 nights imperial Petrópolis & the beaches of Buzios:

Sunday: Depart for the imperial Summer residence of Petrópolis, still home to heir to the throne Dom Pedro de Orleans e Bragança. The tombs of Brazil's first Emperor Dom Pedro II, his wife Dona Teresa, and the liberator of the slaves Princess Isabela are all here.
View the Crystal Palace, built in France as a greenhouse to grow orchids, and visit the Imperial Museum in Dom Pedro II's former palace. Petrópolis was also home to the real father of aviation (and inventor of the wristwatch) Santos Dumont.

Monday: Cross the 11km long bridge across the bay Guanabara heading for the lake region, "região dos lagos", misnamed for its lagoons. Surrounded by 17 beaches, Buzios - once Brigitte Bardot's secret escape (with her Brazilian boyfriend in tow) - is today the playground of Rio's social elite. Buzios is also home to Brazil's most famous movie festival. Check into the Villa Boa Vida, your home for the next three nights. Tonight's dinner is included. "Bom apetite!"

Tuesday: Buzios offers everything from tranquil beaches to all-night celebrations. Depart today on a schooner cruise around the islands, including lunch, caipirinhas & snorkeling gear! The afternoon is free for sand, surf or shopping.

Wednesday: Relax - you're on holiday! Your SouthAmerica.travel Tour Guide will give you hint for further excursions.

Thursday: Transfer back to Rio de Janeiro for your tour continuation, or you return home.

(2) Add 4 nights in the wild Pantanal:

Sunday: Depart for dicover the Pantanal. Your bilingual SouthAmerica.travel tour guide or lodge representative greets you for your transfer to the Pousada Caiman or Pousada Araras, 230km from the airport, located on the Pantanal, SouthAmerica's largest Nature Reservation at 230,000 sq. km.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: Daily excursions vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions. You may be traveling by Jeep, boat, horse or on foot!

Thursday: Transfer to the airport for the continuation of your tour or return journey.