Itinerary

Detailed Holiday Itinerary

February 8-12:

Arrive in Rio de Janeiro. Private transfer to your hotel in Copacabana, the Windsor Martinique (standard) or first class Windsor Atlantica (superior) (5 nights). You will be immersed in the joyous atmosphere of the world’s biggest party in this exciting city during the 5 days of carnival. There are parades, street parties and spontaneous singing and dancing throughout your stay, with the whole city erupting in a heady delirium. Bars and restaurants are splitting at the seams during the hot tropical nights, and Rio’s gilded youth strut by in outrageous costume on their way to the infamous balls. But it’s a very inclusive event – people pour in from the humbler suburbs to join in the fun. Don’t expect to get much sleep, but if you have the energy, you can book optional guided excursions to the Sugar Loaf Mountain and up to the Christ the Redeemer statue, or even take a breather with a day out of the city on a schooner trip down the Emerald Coast.

Sunday 10 February or Monday 11th February:

You will be escorted to the sambadrome, a purpose built stadium in the city centre, where you will have assigned seating in a privileged position to watch the extravagant parade of the samba schools. Each school tells its own story in a themed procession of ornate, over-the-top floats and scantily-clad dancers, accompanied by the cacophony of a drum-led orchestra. Everyone joins in singing the samba theme tune. Schools are in competition and each has its own vociferous and fervent supporters rocking in the stands: you’ll soon be swept up in the enthusiasm and joining in!

15 February:

Private transfer to the airport and fly to Foz do Iguaçú (2hrs) in order to discover the tumultuous Iguazú Falls which crash over a precipice in dense tropical forest on the border of Brazil and Argentina. You stay on the Brazilian side at Hotel San Martin (standard) or Hotel das Cataratas (superior, right on the edge of the falls) of the border, There are excursions to both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides.

16 & 17 February:

Fly to Manaus on the River Amazon and transfer to a jungle lodge for 3 nights. Stay at Amazon Village (standard) or Anavilhanas Lodge (superior). Spend 2 full days in the rainforest, with guided jungle interpretation walks, piranha fishing, indian village visits and night-time river trips.

18-20 February:

Fly to Salvador da Bahia, a tropical melting pot of Afro-Brazilian culture and one of Brazil's finest colonial cities. A half-day private walking city tour is included. Stay at Casa do Amarelindo (standard) orPestana Convento de Carmo for 3 nights.

21-23 February:

Transfer north to Praia do Forte (1hr), a busy, fairly upmarket little resort on a coastline of undeveloped palm-fringed sandy beaches. Once a fishing village, it is now bulging with craft shops, informal bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is laid-back: it's the perfect place to unwind, but there are all sorts of activities you can try from horse riding on the beach to snorkelling, and there is an interesting sea turtle reserve you can visit. The area around, with its lagoon, marshland and coastal restinga forest, is protected and adventurous hikes and explorations are offered to visitors. Many of these activities are bookable from your hotel, Posada Porto da Lua (standard) or Tivoli Eco-resort Praia do Forte (superior).

24 February:

Transfer to Salvador airport.

PLEASE CONTACT THE INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER FOR A QUOTATION.

This itinerary can be amended to suit your individual requirements.