A Taste of Brazil

Day 1- Evening flight from London Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro.

Evening flight from London Heathrow by TAM Airlines to Rio de Janeiro (11 hours).

Day 2- On arrival transfer to the Windsor Excelsior Copacabana Hotel. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of Rio.

On arrival in Rio, you will be met and transferred to the Windsor Excelsior Copacabana Hotel (superior executive ocean front room). This afternoon you will enjoy a scenic tour of Rio, where you will take the cable cars to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain. The first cable car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 metres above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its surrounding islands. From Urca Hill, passengers continue in a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 metres above sea level and offers a 360° view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado Mountain and downtown Rio de Janeiro.

Day 3- Visit Corcovado Mountain to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Afternoon at leisure.

Your exploration of the ‘Cidade Maravilhosa,’ (the ‘Marvellous City’) continues this morning with a visit by train up the Corcovado Mountain to see the renowned statue of Christ the Redeemer. Located 710 metres above the city, the view from the summit over the city is superb. The beaches, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the North Zone can all be seen from the foot of Christ. The train was inaugurated by Emperor D. Pedro II and allows visitors to travel through the history of Brazil. In addition to being an eco-tour destination, Corcovado Mountain is part of the Tijuca National Park – the largest urban forest in the world. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4- Final day in Rio at leisure, with optional excursions available.

Your final day in Rio is at leisure to explore the sights and sounds, or perhaps simply relax on Copacabana Beach. Optional excursions are available, including a visit to the Botanical Gardens, the Sambadrome and a helicopter ride over the city.

Day 5- Morning flight to Iguaçu Falls. In the afternoon visit Iguaçu Falls.

Morning flight to Iguaçu Falls (2 hours). Transfer to the Mabu Thermas and Resort, where you stay for two nights (premium room). This afternoon you will visit the Brazilian side of the mighty Iguaçu Falls, a breathtaking cascade of some 275 interconnecting waterfalls, set amidst a lush landscape of natural beauty.

Day 6- Cross the border to see the Argentinian side of the falls. Afternoon at leisure.

This morning you cross the border to visit the Argentine side of the Falls. This remarkable spectacle culminates in the churning waters of the ‘Garganta del Diablo,’ (the ‘Devil’s Throat’), probably the most powerful waterfall anywhere on earth. The afternoon is at leisure, with optional tours available.

Day 7- Fly back to Rio in order to transfer along the coast to Buzios. Stay at the Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel and Spa.

Fly back to Rio this morning, from where you transfer along the coast to Buzios (150 km, approximately 3 hours – please note this transfer is not exclusive to Bales clients). Stay at the Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel and Spa for three nights (superior sea front room).

Day 8- Free day in Buzios.

Free. The Buzios peninsula is just over 150 km from Rio and has over 20 beautiful beaches. Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, Buzios prospered as a fishing village. Buzios was made famous in the 1960s when Brigit Bardot honeymooned there and today it is a popular resort for both Brazilians and foreigners to visit. You can explore the peninsula yourself by hiring a jeep for the day.

Day 9- Free day in Buzios.

The second of two free days in Buzios.

Day 10- Morning at leisure. Return to Rio in the afternoon for your evening flight back to London Heathrow.

The morning is at leisure. Return by road to Rio airport this afternoon by private transfer (150km, approximately 3 hours). Depart in the evening by Tam Airlines overnight direct flight to London Heathrow (11 hours 10 minutes). Alternatively, extend your stay in Brazil with a visit to the vast Amazon, or the wildlife-rich Pantanal.

Day 11- Early afternoon arrival at London Heathrow.

Early afternoon arrival at London Heathrow.

Excelsior Copacabana Hotel

The Excelsior Copacabana Hotel is situated close to the famous Copacabana Palace Hotel overlooking the world-famous Copacabana beach. The hotel has 233 rooms all with modern facilities. The Restaurante Excelsior serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The rooftop swimming pool, not only offers great views of Copacabana, but also distant views of the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Mabu Thermas and Resort

The Mabu Thermas and Resort is a modern comfortable hotel. It is situated about 20 minutes from the falls, and 5 minutes from the Argentina/Brazil border. The hotel takes its name from 4 thermal springs all at 36 degrees which are located at the hotel. The hotel has a number of bars and restaurants and has 208 rooms.

Casas Brancas

The Casas Brancas is an established boutique hotel, built in Mediterranean style, which offers wonderful sea-views. The pousada, with 32 rooms is about a 5-10 minute walk from the main street with its bars and numerous restaurants. Casas Brancas itself has a restaurant overlooking the bay. Leisure facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and fully equipped spa.

Amazon Cruise Extension - 4 nights

Extra Days:5Cost:from £ 1280

The Amazon Clipper Premium is a modern ship which began sailing from Manaus at the start of 2005. Large enough to offer spacious cabins with lower beds and inviting public spaces, but small enough to dock at remote spots and cruise to hidden locations due to the shallow draft of only 3 feet, the Amazon Clipper Premium is the perfect size for a comfortable cruise on the Amazon Rivers. 106 feet long, the Amazon Clipper Premium accommodates 32 guests in 16 air-conditioned cabins, all with lower beds and private facilities. Public areas on the boat include a window-lined dining room to sit all passengers at one leisurely sitting; an entertainment deck with a large air-conditioned lecture room with library/bar facilities and a bar with plenty of comfortable seating and a gift shop. Also on this deck, two whirlpools and shower facilities will cool you down in the tropical climate. During the cruise, you will experience trips by outboard powered canoes in smaller creeks to see life on the flooded plains, rubber trees, lakes with giant water lilies, watch the birds, visit the local inhabitants and walk in the forest. Your Amazon adventure will also include fishing for piranhas, night trips to see nocturnal animals, views of the floating docks, market and houses on stilts.

Amazon Eco Park Lodge Extension - 3 nights

Extra Days:4Cost:from £ 1030

Located on the banks of the Taruma River, a tributary of the Rio Negro the Amazon Eco Park is ideal for short visits to the Amazon as it is just 30 minutes by motor launch from Manaus. Accommodation consists of 20 bungalows, each with 3 rooms. Rooms are cooled by fans and air-conditioning and have private bathrooms with hot water showers. The lodge has a panoramic open-air restaurant and there is also a bar and lounge area. In addition to catering for tourists, the Eco Park is a scientific and educational complex and houses the Amazon Primates Rehabilitation Centre. A full programme of activities includes jungle walks, night time alligator spotting, fishing, a visit to a native village and a tour to the fascinating ‘Meeting of the Waters’, where the Amazon and Rio Negro run side by side for many kilometres.

Pantanal Extension - 4 nights

Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 1170

The Pantanal is one of the world’s great wildlife reserve and an important migratory bird stopover area with up to 700 species having been recorded. It is home to the largest concentration of wading birds including egrets, ibis, roseate spoonbill and the jabaru stork. Also to be found are many species of parrots. Caimans and capybaras are particularly abundant whilst the Pantanal remains one of the best places to see jaguars, armadillos, marsh deer, monkeys and many more mammals and reptiles. A full programme of activities accompanied by naturalist guides is included during your stay at the Pousada do Rio Mutum. This lodge is located on the River Mutum which flows into the nearby Lake Chacorore, in the heart of one of the most beautiful regions of the Pantanal. The eco-friendly lodge has 22 air-conditioned rooms all with private facilities and a swimming pool.

Salvador and Praia do Forte Extension - 5 nights

Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 1550

Praia do Forte is located 82 km north of Salvador in an area boasting some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole of Brazil. It is worth making a visit to the TAMAR project, a non-profit organization with its main objective being to protect sea turtles from extinction on the Brazilian coastline. Salvador was for almost three centuries the most important city of South Atlantic and capital of the Portuguese Colony in America. With its unique Afro-Brazilian culture, it is one of the important cultural cities in Brazil and the region has great charm as well as wealth of historical attractions and splendid beaches.

Salvador Extension - 3 nights

Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 1020

Salvador was for almost three centuries the most important city of South Atlantic and capital of the Portuguese Colony in America. With its unique Afro-Brazilian culture, it is one of the important cultural cities in Brazil and the region has great charm as well as wealth of historical attractions and splendid beaches. A full day tour of historic Salvador includes visits to Porto da Bara, Ladeira da Barra, Fonte Niova (the football stadium), Ribeira Beach, Costa Pinto Museum and the Terreiro de Jesus square with its six churches. 3 nights accommodation is provided at Pestana Convento do Carmo is located in the historic Pelourinho district in Salvador - Latin America's largest colonial complex classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The hotel, which re-opened in October 2005 after extensive renovation, has been restored from a 16th century convent and includes a museum and small church. The Pestana Convento do Carmo has 79 rooms and suites, and leisure facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and spa.

Tam Brasilian Airlines - Business Class

Cost: from £ 0

While you wait for your departure, you may stay in our VIP room, which offers a privileged service. Inside our Airplanes you'll enjoy your flight in real beds. In addition to reclining 1800 degree our seats also have lateral and foot adjustments to set the width and length. Telephones and individual power outlets in easy reach for notebooks and cellphones complete your comfort.