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Itinerary: The Wildlife and Waterfalls of Brazil

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Explore all that Brazil has to offer on a 14-day expedition across this naturally beautiful and colourful destination. Get ready to be enchanted by cosmopolitan cities filled with eye-catching colonial and modernist architecture, and get caught up by the infectious energy of Brazil’s vibrant music and dance culture. On this journey you will visit vibrant São Paulo, explore the biodiverse Pantanal region, admire the work of Brazil’s leading architects and designers, savour the ethnic flavour of Salvador, bed down in the country’s leading hotels and dine out on the fresh flavours of Brazilian cuisine.

Day 1

São Paulo

Arrive in Brazil and the country’s dynamic economic and cultural centre, one of the world’s largest cities. Your hotel is centrally located in the upscale Jardins district where boutique shops and fashionable restaurants abound. You’ll meet your Resident Tour Director this evening at a welcome briefing followed by dinner at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant SEEN. With 360-degree views of the city skyline you’ll be dished up award winning cuisine by the executive chef and drinks by head bartender.

Day 2

São Paulo

For your introduction to São Paulo you will head to the famous Ibirapuera urban park, a green oasis where Paulistanos flock to escape the commotion of the city. Admire much more of the city’s architectural genius when visiting the oldest train station, the beautiful Estação da Luz, which was inaugurated in 1867, the Terraço Italia and Municipal Theatre in the old downtown area. You will then continue to the covered Belle Epoque-style Municipal Market to try a variety of different local dishes and soak up the atmosphere. The afternoon’s highlights include the São Paulo Metropolitan Cathedral, the neighbourhood of Liberdade which is home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan and on the way back to the hotel drive down famous Paulista Avenue through the city’s financial centre admiring more of its impressive architecture. Enjoy this evening at your own leisure.

Day 3

Sao Paulo – Cuiaba – Pantanal

Begin the day with a flight to the far west of the country to Cuiaba, your jumping off point for the extraordinary wetlands of the Pantanal. You will rrive early afternoon where you will have an introduction to the region with maps and satellite imagery. Start your wilderness experience with a short walk to see some of the birds and animals which can be found close to the lodge. Then conclude this evening with a dinner of typical regional dishes including a tasty piranha broth.

Day 4

Pantanal

Begin today in Pantanal, a declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and the largest floodplain in the world, covering an area of approximately 200,000 square kilometres. After breakfast, stride out on an eco-walk through wooded areas, forests and open fields in search of birds, mammals, reptiles, plants and other features of the Pantanal ecosystem. Later on you will make your way along the winding Mutum River by boat keeping an eye out for giant otters, rays and shoals of small fish. On the banks, spot several species of birds in their natural habitat. After dinner, head out spotlighting by jeep or boat in search of the nocturnal creatures of this wetland environment.

Day 5

Pantanal

Explore the ecosystem from a different perspective this morning – on horseback. You will follow a farm trail bordering Siá Mariana Bay keeping eyes peeled for flora and fauna along the way. In the afternoon, another boat ride scouring the river banks and channels for the many different species of birds, reptiles and other animals which are found here. You will then stop for a peaceful sunset and a spot of piranha fishing, then you will have another nocturnal safari after dinner tonight.

Day 6

Pantanal – Salvador da Bahia

Venture out early this morning on a beautiful sunrise canoe trip. Then, depart for Cuiabá airport and board your flight to Salvador with its vibrant culture and beautiful colonial centre. Arrive at your chic Art Deco hotel, which is centrally located in the historic part of the city, with time to settle in before dinner at nearby Villa Bahia combining contemporary Bahian cuisine and French influence with the richness of local flavours.

Begin the day in the first capital of Brazil, Salvador da Bahia, more commonly known as Salvador was a major centre for the slave trade and this UNESCO World Heritage site is now a thriving hub of Afro-Brazilian culture. Head out on foot this morning to explore Pelourinho, the old city. Admire the fantastic views over the Bay of All Saints, soak in the brightly coloured houses and stroll through the narrow, bustling cobblestoned streets and squares. Pop into the church of São Francisco to see the exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior. Here in the rhythmic heart of Brazil find your own rhythm under the watchful eye of an expert percussionist during a private workshop. End the day as you watch an explosive and exhilarating traditional dance performance by the acclaimed Bahia Folklore Company.

Start your day soaking up the local vibe in the bustling São Joaquim market, accompany a local chef and select the freshest ingredients for Bahia’s signature dish, the moqueca. Later watch as the dish is prepared in an earthenware pot and delivered to your table for lunch. You’ll also learn the secret to making a textbook caipirinha and sip a few before an afternoon at leisure.

A flight south brings you to Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Settle into your grand hotel situated in an elegant Portuguese colonial building within the National Park, just a short stroll from the waterfalls, providing exclusive access when the crowds have left. Tonight, dine at your leisure in the hotel’s signature Ipê Grill.

Discover the falls from the equally breathtaking Argentine side this morning. You will take a small train through the park, wander along the walkways to the top of the falls and then head out to the suspended platform at the ‘Garganta do Diablo’ (Devil’s Throat), the largest of the waterfalls. Later journey by speed boat through canyons and along rapids for an up close and exhilarating view of Iguazu falls, hear the thundering roar of the falls as they cascade down and be prepared to get wet (poncho provided).

To begin today you will wander from the hotel down the canyon for a panoramic view of the Brazil side of the falls. Afterwards set off on a private behind-the-scenes experience at Parque das Aves, an internationally recognised rescue and conservation centre. Take an opportunity to have a look inside restricted areas and have the chance to handle and feed macaws, toucans, scarlet ibis and more. Then you will board your flight to marvellous Rio and your elegant beachfront hotel. Later tick off Sugar Loaf peak, one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks, accessed via cable car, and njoy sundowners and marvel at the breathtaking views from the top. Dinner tonight is a traditional Brazilian BBQ at one of the best churrascarias in town.

Explore the city by bike this morning pedalling past the most important sites in the city’s south – Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon – and soaking up Rio’s vibrant beach lifestyle. Later visit Favela Organica, a community project promoting sustainable consumption of healthy foods which are grown in small community gardens and share a memorable lunch here with the locals. This afternoon you will see Rio from the water on a sailing trip in Guanabara Bay past islands, forts and beaches with awe-inspiring views of the city, the lush green hills and the unmistakable silhouette of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Today you will venture into the foothills of the Tijuca National Forest by cog-wheel train up a steep incline to the summit of Corcovado Mountain crowned by the 30 metre high Statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. From beneath Christ’s outstretched arms, soak up the extraordinary panorama of Rio’s mountains, rainforest and coastline. On the way back you’ll pass through the bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood and visit a local artist’s studio. The afternoon is yours to relax at the hotel, do a spot of shopping or explore on your own. Tonight you will say farewell to new friends at a special dinner at award winning Guiseppe Grill.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

  • Breakfast

Brazil Wildlife & Waterfalls Tour

Travel Dates 2018

  • May 3, 2019 – May 16, 2019
  • Oct 4, 2019 – Oct 17, 2019

Prices

  • AU$13,895pp

For more information and to enquire about this reader offer please visit: www.abercrombiekent.com.au

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