BRAZIL: LAND OF CONTRASTS
A cultural tour of Brazil

Brazil - with this term one associates endless Amazon jungle, wonderful beaches, Rio de Janeiro, carnival and samba. This is all correct but in reality, Brazil is much more, a huge country of the superlatives. Brazil, a country of immense proportions and contrasts, has a mysterious attraction for many people. With a surface of 8,5 million km2, Brazil is approximately as big as Europe and covers half of the South American continent. The climate changes from the permanent warm, tropic north over all sub tropic variants to the moderate South. Since the 16th century - when Portuguese have begun to settle in the country - Brazil had always a magic attraction on foreigners. First there was the gold and then rubber and coffee and today it is above all the rhythm and the exotic that attracts tourists. People over there show a lot of happiness, kindness and spontaneity. The biggest country of South America is a mirror of fascinating pictures.

Day 01: Arrive Rio de Janeiro
This afternoon you are scheduled to arrive Rio de Janeiro’s airport where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Copacabana (2 nights)

Day 02: Rio de Janeiro
During this morning’s tour, the most important sights of Rio will be shown. Drive along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown. Visit of the downtown area, passing by the financial and business centre and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade. Procee to the Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain.
This afternoon starts a half day beach tour including a visit to the Corcovado statue. Leaving the hotel you proceed as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train for the ride through Tijuca Forest up to Corcovado Mountain. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and the city. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps will lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below descend by train and continue passing by some of Rio’s beaches. (B)

Day 03: Rio de Janeiro / Iguassu (Flight)
In the morning leave Rio de Janeiro and take a flight to Iguassu. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check-in. Iguassu is one of the biggest wonders of nature in South America: located amidst a sub-tropical forest in the triangle of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, a gigantic row of waterfalls goes down into the river Iguassu.
Later in the day visit the Brazilian side of the falls. The tour leaves from the hotel by coach and crossing Iguassu National Park as far as the Brazilian Falls. It follows a walk along the paths following cascades and then along the catwalk that leads very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat to enjoy magnificent views. Take an elevator to go up to the road, and there board the coach to get back to the hotel.
Overnight: Mabu Foz Hotel (2 nights) (B)

Day 04: Iguassu
Today visit the Argentinean side of the falls. Leaving from the hotel on the Brazilian side for a drive and a quick customs check, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the border between Argentina & Brazil. Once in Argentina, tour takes a scenic highway up the Argentinean Iguassu National Park. Stopping at the Visitors’ Centre and proceeding from there the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades, to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls and then takes the Ecological Jungle Train that leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls – The Devil's Throat . Return to the hotel. (B)

Day 05: Iguassu / Belo Horizonte / Ouro Preto (Flight)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Belo Horizonte via Sao Paulo. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Ouro Preto.
Overnight: Hotel Solar do Rosario (1 night) (B)

Day 06: Ouro Preto / Belo Horizonte (Drive)
Today you will start for a city walk of Ouro Preto. In the 18th century gold brought wealth to this city. Its cobbled streets wind up and down steep hills crowned with 13 churches, mansions, fountains, terraced gardens, ruins, towers shining with coloured tiles, all blend together to maintain a delightful 18th century atmosphere. Ouro Preto was declared World Heritage by UNESCO; it is a highlight of every trip to Brazil. During the tour you will visit the Church of St. Francis of Assissi, an example of Brazilian religious architecture, designed by Aleijadinho, with wood and soapstone sculptures by the same artist, as well as the Church of Our Lady of the Pilar, which marked the culmination of Golden Age architecture with carved works painted entirely in gold. At the Museum of the School of Mines you will get a complete mineralogical view of Brazil, in addition to displays of geological artifacts from the other countries. Last but not least you will visit the Opera House of Ouro Preto. Later in the afternoon drive back to Belo Horizonte and check in at your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Liberty Palace (1 night) (B)

Day 07: Belo Horizonte / Manaus (Flight)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Manaus in the Amazon region. Upon arrival transfer to the pier and continue to the lodge where you will be welcomed with local juices. The Amazon Ecopark Lodge is located in Rio Tarumã - a tributary of Rio Negro -approximately one hour from Manaus airport (30 minutes by boat from the Tropical Hotel pier), in the middle of the Amazon Forest. Over 6 miles of jungle trails enable the client to explore the jungle, orchids and giant trees. Amazon Ecopark Lodge offers 60 apartments in 20 bungalows (3 each), made of wood. The apartments entrance, porch and bathroom are completely independent, are all air conditioned, with hot shower and screened windows. Rustic, but also charming decorated. Rest of the day is at leisure for own activities.
Overnight: Amazon Ecopark Lodge (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 08: Manaus
Full day excursion to explore the variety of the flora and fauna of the Amazon region. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Manaus
Today enjoy a full day excursion to the “meeting of the waters”. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Manaus / Salvador da Bahia (Flight)
After breakfast and visit to the monkey jungle transfer back to Manaus. On the way to the airport explore Manaus on a city tour. Outside visit to the Opera House, a magnificent example of Neo-classical architecture, considered as one of the most beautiful theatres in the world; the market place and the busy harbour. Afterwards flight to Salvador da Bahia. Upon arrival pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Pestana Bahia (2 nights) (B)

Day 11: Salvador da Bahia
In the morning starts a sightseeing tour. This tour will give a good overall impression of Salvador and its principal historical landmarks. Departing from the hotel directly to Farol da Barra (Lighthouse) at Barra district, continue to Municipal Square with a stop at the Lacerda Elevator for a breathtaking view of Baía de Todos os Santos (All Saints Bay). Walking through the cobblestone streets of the Pelourinho district, the city's historic old town, UNESCO world heritage. Visit the Baroque Cathedral, built by the Jesuits in 1672 and Sao Francisco Church, Brazil's most famous religious structure with its intricately carved gold-leafed rosewood interior, fine paintings and sculpture and valuable silver ornamentation. Visit also the Pelourinho Square and walk back to the bus parking. Return to the hotel. The afternoon is free for leisure. (B)

Day 12: Depart Salvador da Bahia
Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight out. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Jan 09 & 30, Feb 27, Mar 20, Apr 17, May 01, June 05, July 10, Aug 07, Sep 04 & 18, Oct 02 & 16, Nov 06, 13 & 27
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Any airfares Meals as mentioned B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Insurances & Visa Fees All Sightseeing and Transfers Drinks/Beverages with meals Services of local multilingual speaking guides Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Entrance fees
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2010 US $ 2495 US $ 880
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.