Brazil Packages: Samba & Falls

• Upon arrival at the Rio de Janeiro airport, you will be greeted by a Brazil For Less representative who will take you to your confirmed Rio de Janeiro hotel. See our selection of excellent Rio de Janeiro hotels.
• You will have the remainder of the day to enjoy at your leisure, resting at your hotel and exploring the dynamic city on your own.
• Check out our Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide for suggestions on where to eat and what to do in Rio.

• Today you’ll enjoy a private half-day tour up Corcovado, the mountain in the middle of Rio de Janeiro that is famous for its massive Christ the Redeemer statue.
• You’ll ride through Laranjeiras, one of the city’s oldest residential districts, and into the traditional Cosme Velho neighborhood. Here, you will board a mountain train for a scenic trip through the Tijuca forest, the largest urban forest in the world.
• Upon reaching the top, 2,300 feet above sea level, you’ll be greeted by spectacular 360-degree city views. Soak up the scenery and feel dwarfed by the 130-foot tall religious statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• You’ll then return to your Rio de Janeiro hotel to enjoy the evening at your leisure.

• Spend the day as you wish in beautiful Rio. Today you can sleep in, relax in the sun on one of Rio’s magnificent beaches, or explore the bustling streets of the city.
• See our blog, Rio de Janeiro, the gem in colonial Portugal’s crown, for ideas on what to see in the city.

• After breakfast at your hotel in Rio, meet your transfer to the airport for your journey to Foz de Iguazú. Upon arrival, you will be met at the Iguazú airport by one of our representatives who will take you to your confirmed Iguazú hotel. Check out our selection of comfortable Iguazú hotels.
• Once you are settled in, meet your guide at your hotel for a half day tour of the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls. You will drive to the Iguazú National Park, which covers 457,145 acres (185,000 hectares) of lush subtropical forest, where you’ll take a 45-minute hike along the walkway that borders the canyon of the Iguazú River. From here, you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of this incredible waterfall system that reaches 266 feet high (81 meters).
• After the tour, you’ll be taken back to your hotel in Iguazú where you can spend the evening at your leisure.

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for the Argentine side of the Iguazú Falls. You’ll pass the Iguazú River and travel to Iguazú National park, where you will be able to walk along some of the many trails. From this side, you’ll enjoy a much closer and more intimate experience with the majestic falls.
• You will also take an ecological train ride to the Devil’s Throat, arguably the most impressive fall of the system.
• Once you’ve had your fill of the breathtaking scenery, you’ll return to your hotel in Foz de Iguazú and have the evening free to spend as you wish.

• Check our exciting additional Iguazú tours if you want to extend your stay, or meet your transfer to the airport for your journey home or on to your next destination.
• Browse our full range of Brazil travel destinations for additional vacation ideas, and feel free to ask your travel advisor for any suggestions.

Note: Hotel prices during Reveillon (Brazil’s New Year’s Eve festivities) and Carnival increase. Please ask your travel advisor how prices for your Brazil vacation may differ during these periods.

• 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro and 2 nights in Foz de Iguazú in Brazil hotels based on US standards
• All tours stated in the itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
• All transfers and entrance fees
• All breakfasts

PLEASE NOTE:

A tourist visa is required upon entry to Brazil for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Travelers not within this group are advised to check with the Brazilian consulate where they reside for visa requirements and inquiries. For more information on obtaining a Brazil tourist visa, please read our blog on how to apply for a Brazil visa.

This tour takes you to the Brazilian side of the falls from where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as well as explore the Parque Nacional Foz do Iguaçu, an extensive national park that includes wildlife trails. Tours are available daily at 8 a.m. and at 2 p.m.

Note: The Brazilian Falls tour can be combined with the Itapúa Hydroelectric Bi-national Dam tour for a full-day excursion. Brazil Falls can be done in a group if passengers arrive before 12:30 p.m. at the airport. Later than this, it will always be a private service.

This tour will take you to the Argentine side of the falls for an incredibly close experience with this natural wonder. You’ll take the ecological train to the famous Devil’s Throat, arguably the most impressive fall of all. You’ll also be able to walk the trail in the beautiful Iguazú National Park, with upper and lower walkways that take you to the heart of the falls.

The Itapúa Dam is one of the biggest building sites in the world. Since 1975 the dam has provided a model of green energy, providing most of the power to the nation of Paraguay. Only the new construction of a dam in China will beat this mighty feat of human engineering. On the tour you will learn about the dam’s construction and see beautiful areas of the lake. The dam is open to visitors every day except Sundays and Brazilian public holidays.
Note: This trip can be combined with a trip to the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls to make it a full day trip to Brazil.

On this tour you are able to travel in an electric jeep that allows you to explore the jungle area around the falls. You will visit the roaring Macuco waterfall and then go by boat up the canyon to see the waterfalls canyon. On the way, you’ll be able to stop various wild animals, particularly in the early hours of the morning or late afternoon.

Begin your tour with a stroll along the most beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro before heading for dinner and a traditional Brazilian samba show. You’ll experience the rhythm that pulses through the veins of Brazilians. Samba, like the country where it originated, has its roots in African and European rhythms. The music and dance are now synonymous with Brazil’s world famous Carnival celebrations.

You will start this half-day tour with a drive through the beautiful city of Rio during which you’ll be able to spot the Sambadrome, where the Carnival parades take place, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. You will also see the Cinelandia Square surrounded by interesting historic buildings, including the Municipal Theater, National Library and National Museum of Fine Arts. You will continue on to the Sugar Loaf Mountain, one of the symbols of the city, located in the Urca neighborhood. You will ride the cable car up to 705 feet (215 meters) to a viewpoint from where you can see the entire Guanabara Bay, the Rio Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Hill, on top of which stands the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. From there, you ride a second cable car up to 1,295 feet (395 meters). From here, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and the entire city below you.

Take a fascinating journey to Petropolis, located 37 miles (60 km) away from Rio. Known as the Imperial City, Petropolis was founded by Germans and its rich history is still reflected today in the lovely architecture and charming streets. You tour will begin with a visit to the Imperial Museum, the former Palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II. The museum displays antique furniture, pearls, diamonds, and a crown of gold used by Pedro I and Pedro II. After this visit, you will continue to the Gothic Cathedral, also known as Sao Pedro de Alcantara, built in honor of the Emperor of Brazil. Here you will be able to see the tombs of the Imperial family, where Princess Isabel was buried along with Pedro II and his wife. From there, you will tour the Crystal Palace, originally built in Saint-Saveur-les-Arras, France in 1879 and later re-constructed in Brazil.

Rio’s Tropical Island has been acclaimed as one of the most attractive areas around Rio, and is truly a gem to visit.  You’ll drive by for approximately one hour and 30 minutes through numerous lush fields, banana plantations, and villages along the way to the small fishing village of Itacurussa. There, you will embark on a saveiro (typical schooner from the northeast of Brazil) for a leisure cruise in the calm waters of the Sepetiba Bay.

You can stop for swim on a deserted island, before continuing on to a private island where you’ll enjoy a tantalizing buffet luncheon served in a tranquil and rustic atmosphere. After the meal, you are free to explore the island's charms on your own by strolling along the beach, swimming, or just working on your tan. Special features can be arranged to enhance the day even more including treasure hunts, snorkeling, water skiing, and more. In the afternoon, you’ll take the boat back to Itacurussa and be transferred to your Rio hotel.