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Brazil

Suggested Packages / Rio area / Amazon / Pantanal / Iguassu / Salvador and Bahia
Northeast Coast / Bonito / Fernando de Noronha / Florianopolis / Lagamar
Gauchos & Grapes / Land of Gold and Gems / Lencois Marenhenses

Rio

Rio is one of the cities on everybody's list of places to see:

• The American magazine Travel and Leisure elected the city of Rio de Janeiro the best destination in Latin America, receiving the prize “The World’s Best Awards 2003”. The same magazine has pointed Rio as one of the 5 world’s best destinations.
  
• The city of Rio was chosen, in a research carried out in two American universities – the University of Michigan and the University of California – as World Capital of Friendliness.
  
• A research among the readers of Recommend magazine had Rio chosen as the best Honeymoon destination in South America.
  
• Rio Carnival was elected by visitors of the Site Fun Party as the Best Party in the World.
  
• The World Travel Awards gave Rio de Janeiro and RIOCENTRO respectively the prizes for best tourist destination in South America and best Conventions Center in South America.
  

We can arrange all of the classic tours in the area as well as some that are off the tourist path, but very rewarding.

New Active Rio Tours hiking, biking, rafting,
kayaking, climbing, horseback riding, rapelling

Here is a sample itinerary:

Day 1 - arrive Rio. After getting your luggage and going through customs, walk out the exit door and look for a person holding a sign with your name on it. He will transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon you will be picked up to visit historic points of interest in downtown Rio before continuing on to the Sugar Loaf Mountain using a two stage cable car. Spectacular view of the city and beaches from the mountain top. You will be delivered back to your hotel again at the end. Cost of cable car is included in the fare.

Day 2 - breakfast, then you will be taken to ride by train through the Tijuca Forest to the top of Corcovado mountain. The Corcovado lookout is 709 meters above sea level. From here the visitor can see nearly the entire city of Rio. Also located here is the Christ the Redeemer statue, 38 meters high. Return to the hotel by Rio's southern beaches. Free afternoon. In the evening you will be taken for dinner at a typical Brazilian barbecue restaurant where a succulent choice of meats is brought to the table on long spits. This will be followed by a lively samba and folklore show - a wonderful, colorful, lively Brazilian variety show at the Plataforma 1. Afterwards, you will be returned to your hotel.
or,
in the evening visit Lapa, an old and charming area of Rio de Janeiro which features some fabulous mansions which have been restored into works of art during a recent cultural renaissance. Lapa is now one of Rio's most popular night spots, with many people enjoying the street parties, samba clubs and other bars. The best concerts, delicious food and beautiful people, make this place different from the rest! The informal atmosphere is one of the main characteristic of Lapa's neighborhood. Many famous Brazilians pop singers perform here. On this tour, you will enjoy the tastiest Brazilian dishes and appetizers for dinner at Lapa Star House, while being entertained by groups performing Brazilian music. After dinner, you can dance the night away!

Day 3 - breakfast, then you will be driven by air-conditioned vehicle to the fishing village of Itacuruca to board a schooner for a delightful cruise amongst the many islands of Sepetiba Bay. A tray of tropical fruits will be served on board. The tour stops at some islands for swimming before continuing to the Regente Feijo Island for lunch (self- service buffet - beverages are NOT included). After lunch, you will have time to appreciate the beauty of the area before returning to the mainland, arriving in Rio about 6:30 pm
or
Transfer to the Marina da Gloria port, where you will board a high-performance speedboat and will head to the Cagarras Archipelago, a group of uninhabited islands located off the southern coast of the city of Rio de Janeiro, outside Guanabara Bay. On your journey you will cruise along the coast to the sounds of Brazilian tunes and will have great views of Rio, including the Sugar Loaf, Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach.You will be able to see a lot of wildlife on this tour as the islands are a refuge for thousands of marine birds. Dolphins and other numerous marine life are also often seen swimming around the boat and in the area. Return around noon.

Day 4 - breakfast, then free day till you are transferred to the airport (if you have an evening flight out, why not add a morning bike ride?)

Sample 2008 Price per person in US$ for Rio only:

add $7 per person if you wish to substitute speedboat tour for cruise on day 3.
subtract $20 per person if you wish to substitute show only, instead of dinner and show on day 2.
subtract $16 per person if you wish to substitute Lapa show and dinner for Plataforma show and dinner on day 2.

These prices include transfer in with guide, standard rooms in hotels with breakfasts, group tours, transfer out with driver. We can price for private tours and upgraded rooms. Prices change for holidays and special occassions. The hotels have many rate categories and we used prices valid for much of the year in order to simplify the chart.

extension to Buzios:
Just 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro, a pleasant 2-hour trip takes you to the peninsula of Búzios, whose more than 20 magnificent beaches and crystal-clear water contrast with the exuberantly sculptured landscape and exotic vegetation, which a prodigal "Mother Nature" has privileged with a wonderful year-round summer. Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, this happy mixture of many bloods prospered and became a picturesque fishing village, elected one of the 10 most beautiful areas in the world, famous for its unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony, incredible beauty and sophisticated boutiques and restaurants frequented by discerning visitors who come from all over the world to savour its magic.

Extension to Paraty:
A beautiful colonial city, considered a National Historical Monument, it preserves until today its countless natural and architectural charms. Explore on foot the historical center of Paraty, free of cars , and you will travel back in time, where walking has to be done in a leisurely pace due to the irregular rounded cobblestone pavement of its streets. The construction of its old housing and churches reflect a certain style of that time and the mysterious masonry symbols which decorate its walls, lead our imagination back to the old times of Brazil. The prohibition of motorized vehicles in the Center certainly adds to this feeling of a "time travel"

Extension to Ilha Grande:
a fascinating tropical paradise with more than one hundred beaches squeezed among mountains and the Atlantic forest, only a few hours drive from Rio de Janeiro. Ilha Grande has a cozy infrastructure of Inns. You can choose between village and beach, electric energy or the moon light. Our suggestion: Ilha Grande is an ecological paradise so, forget the urban life. Make sure you visit the waterfalls, walk on the trails into the woods and and do the indispensable schooner cruise around the Island.

Tall Ship Sailing from Paraty

3 day hiking tour to Itatiaia

Day Trips from Rio

ANGRA DOS REIS
With an archipelago of more than 300 islands and countless beaches, the town of Angra lies in the hart of this paradise, some 130 klm south of Rio. This spectacular view, winds over mountainous terrain covered in lush Atlantic rain forest. Graceful coves and sandy beaches, little islands and crystal clear water make the journey a memorable occasion. The town of Angra dos Reis has been continuously settle since the early 1500s. There are many lovely old buildings from the colonial past when the town was a great port and agricultural center. A saveiro schooner waits at the dock to take visitors on a cruise of those many islands, stopping for a swim in the enticing turquoise blue waters. Then a delicious lunch of hot and cold self-service buffet will be served.
Tour Length: 8 Hours
Departure Times: 9:00 AM - Days of Week: Wednesday
ADULT = $62
Private transfers and overnights available

HISTORIC RIO
This is an unusual walking tour which gives the visitor a feeling for the legends and stories woven around the narrow streets and old historical buildings of downtown Rio. The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, such as the São Bento Monastery, Candelaria (the candle-makers), Praça XV, the "Travessa do Mercado", Imperial Palace, the cultural centre located in the beautifully-restored Banco do Brasil, the Casa França-Brasil, Ouvidor (the listeners) Street and Gonçalves Dias Street with the traditional Colombo Coffee Shop. The walk continues on down Uruguaiana Street, Carioca Square up to the Metropolitan Cathedral where passengers will meet the transportation that will take them back to their hotels. This is an unusual walking tour which gives the visitor a feeling for the legends and stories woven around the narrow streets and old historical buildings of downtown Rio. The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, such as the São Bento Monastery, Candelaria (the candle-makers), Praça XV, the "Travessa do Mercado", Imperial Palace, the cultural centre located in the beautifully-restored Banco do Brasil, the Casa França-Brasil, Ouvidor (the listeners) Street and Gonçalves Dias Street with the traditional Colombo Coffee Shop. The walk continues on down Uruguaiana Street, Carioca Square up to the Metropolitan Cathedral where passengers will meet the transportation that will take them back to their hotels.
Tour/Package Length: 4 Hours
Departure Times: 2:00 PM - Days of Week:--Tuesday through Friday
ADULT: $36

JEEP SAFARI
Enter the Tijuca Rain Forest on a open jeep where is possible to see the contrast between the "Stone jungle and a tropical forest in the middle of a big city." We pass by the "Cachoeira dos macacos" (monkey's waterfall) At "Vista Chinesa" (chinese view) where you can take pictures, we explain the history of the reforestation process of that forest and the importance of the "Mata Atlântica" (Atlantic Forrest). We also pass by "the Mesa do Imperador" (emperor's table), Cascatinha (Taunay's waterfall), and Capela Mayrink (Mayrink chapel). Trekking of approximately 1 hour through an easy trail, where the botanical aspect is developed. Passengers will have straight contact with the local nature ecosystem. During this tour we will be able to see different types of tropical fruits, trees, animals like monkeys, various kind of birds and butterflies.
Tour/Package Length: 4 Hours
Departure Times: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM - Days of Week: daily
Price: ADULT: $86

NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Dinner at a typical Brazilian barbecue restaurant followed by a lively samba and folklore show. After collecting passengers at their hotels, the first stop is for dinner at an excellent barbecue restaurant where a succulent choice of meats is brought to the table on long spits. Then on to a wonderful, colorful, lively Brazilian variety show at the Plataforma 1. Afterwards, passengers are returned to their hotels.
Tour/Package Length: 6 Hours
Departure Time: 8:00 PM - Days of Week: daily
Price ADULT: $93 for show and dinner, $73 for show only

LAPA STAR HOUSE WITH DINNER
Lapa, an old and charming area of Rio de Janeiro, features some fabulous mansions which have been restored into works of art during a recent cultural renaissance. Lapa is now one of Rio's most popular night spots, with many people enjoying the street parties, samba clubs and other bars. The best concerts, delicious food and beautiful people, make this place different from the rest! The informal atmosphere is one of the main characteristic of Lapa's neighborhood. Many famous Brazilians pop singers perform here. On this tour, you will enjoy the tastiest Brazilian dishes and appetizers for dinner at Lapa Star House, while being entertained by groups performing Brazilian music. After dinner, you can dance the night away!
Dates: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Please Note: Tour does not operate on the following dates: Carnaval , Christmas Day, New Years Day
Time: Passengers will be picked up from their hotel between 7:00pm and 8:00pm, depending on the hotel location. Exact pick-up time will be advised upon reconfirmation. This tour returns at approximately 1:00am
Price ADULT: $77 (drinks not included). not for children under 18.

SUGAR LOAF / CITY TOUR
This tour begins with a city panoramic view through downtown Rio, passing by the Sambodrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral, in pyramid form, with internal diameter of 96 meters and height of 80 meters. Get to know the traditional Cinelândia square with the historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. By taking the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where it is located one of the largest symbols of the city: the Sugar Loaf. This visit is made in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill which is 215 meters high and from where one can have a beautiful view from the Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói bridge and Corcovado hill. From this stage, a second cable car will be taken up to the top with 395 meters to find a splendid view from Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and some beaches of Niterói
Tour/Package Length: 4 Hours
Departure Times: 2:00 PM - Days of Week: daily
Price: ADULT: $45

TROPICAL ISLANDS
Drive by air-conditioning vehicle to the fishing village of Itacuruca to board a schooner for a delightful cruise amongst the many islands of Sepetiba Bay. A tray of tropical fruits will be served on board. The tour stops at some islands for swimming before continuing to the Regente Feijo Island for lunch (self- service buffet - beverages are NOT included). After lunch, passengers will have time to appreciate the beauty of the area before returning to the mainland, arriving in Rio about 6:30 pm. Passengers should take swim suit and towels. Prices are subject to alteration.
Tour/Package Length: 8 Hours
Departure Times: 8:00 AM - Days of Week: daily
Price: ADULT: $62

Cagarras Islands of Rio de Janeiro
You will board a high-performance boat at Marina da Gloria port, and will head to the Cagarras Archipelago, a group of uninhabited islands located off the southern coast of the city of Rio de Janeiro, outside Guanabara Bay. On your journey you will cruise along the coast to the sounds of Brazilian tunes and will have great views of Rio, including the Sugar Loaf, Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach.You will be able to see a lot of wildlife on this tour as the islands are a refuge for thousands of marine birds. Dolphins and other numerous marine life are also often seen swimming around the boat and in the area.
Dates: Daily in the morning. Duration: 3 hours
Please Note: Tour does not operate on the following dates: Carnaval, Christmas Day, New Years Day
Price: ADULT: $69

Christ the Redeemer/Corcovado
From any place of the city, the visitor can see the most beautiful postcard of Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer statue in the mountain of Corcovado, located at 710 meters above the sea level and inaugurated in 1931. This tour begins in Cosme Velho's neighborhood from where the cog train starts a trip through the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, up to the statue. Once there, a panoramic and extraordinary view of Rio will be seeing including the Sugar Loaf, the Guanabara Bay, the beaches of Southern Zone and the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. After the visit of the Corcovado, the tour will continue to São Conrado area with a brief stop at the Pepino beach from where you can appreciate the flight of the hang gliding.
Price: $45. Days of Week - daily at 9am. 4 hours

Full Day Sugarloaf and Corcovado
See the best of Rio, including Sugarloaf and Corcovado, in a full day tour that includes lunch (but not beverages)
Price: $106

Bike Tour of Rio de Janeiro
Your tour begins as you ride along Arpoador beach, Ipanema beach and Leblon beach, then through Ala garden canal to reach the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, before arriving at the Botanical Garden (admission to Gardens not included). Here you will stop for a 1 hour walking visit (no bikes allowed in the garden). You will then return to Arpoador where you started, and this time ride by Catacumba park and the other side of the lagoon before heading back for the end of your tour. Stops for pictures are allowed. The tour is accompanied by a guide and mechanical back up car. Helmets and tee shirts will be given to all passengers.
Price: US$39 for adults, $29 for children under 12
Dates: Daily. Please Note: Tour does not operate on the following dates: Carnaval , Christmas Day , New Years Day
Time: Passengers will be picked up from their hotel between 8:00am and 9:00am, depending on the hotel location. Exact pick-up time will be advised upon reconfirmation. This tour returns at approximately 12:00pm

Petropolis
The city of Petrópolis is located 60 km away from Rio and it's called the Imperial City since the Emperor Pedro II, enchanted by its fresh climate and beauty, bought a large property in 1830. Settled by the germans, Petrópolis keeps the memory of Brazilian history with its buildings and charming streets. This tour starts with the visit to the Imperial Museum which has been the summer residence of the emperor D. Pedro II and that keeps furniture and objects such as the crown of gold, pearls and diamonds used by D. Pedro I and D. Pedro II. The tour will continue on the Gothic Cathedral where Princess Isabel was buried along with the tombstones of D. Pedro II and his wife and then the Crystal Palace, built in France and mounted in Brazil, destined to shelter exhibitions and great parties promoted by Princess Isabel.
$44 (entrance to museum not included).
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Botanical Gardens:
The Rio Botanical Garden covers an area of 137 hectares, cultivated with native vegetation. Some of Brazil's existing ecosystems are represented in Rio de Janeiro's Botanical Garden, organized in characteristic settings. Its history begins when the Portuguese Royal Family came to Brazil, in 1808. Prince João VI acquired a piece of land that belonged to Rodrigo de Freitas, and ordered that an acclimatization garden for growing species brought from the East Indies should be immediately built up. IIt was first called the Royal Orchard, then Royal Botanical Garden. For many years, visits were allowed only when escorted by specialized caretakers. In 1822 though, the Emperor Pedro I has opened the garden's gates to the public.
2008 = $77 each for 2-3, $50 each for 4-6, $31 each for 7-9. 1/2 day

Carnival Behind the Scenes
This is the best way to get to the heart of carnival, and Rio de Janeiro. Visit a "Samba School" to see the place where the Carnival rehearsals take place within the community area and their own museum of Carnival, also, visit the social service programme of this same Samba School. Next, visit a "Barracao" or a "Samba Workshop" where devoted artisans use simple materials to craft the opulent floats and costumes that dominate the Carnival Parade, followed by Sambadrome (place where Carnival parade takes place).
$79 each for 2-3, $52 each for 4-6, $36 each for 7-91/2 day

Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Project

Burle Marx & Casa do Pontal
Roberto Burle Marx is internationally known as one of the most important landscape architects of the 20th century. An artist of multiple facets, besides being a landscape designer he was also a remarkable painter, sculptor, singer, and jewelry designer, with a sensibility that is shown throughout his work. Born in São Paulo in August 4th, 1909, Roberto Burle Marx moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1913. During the years of 1928 and 1929 he studied painting in Berlin - Germany, where he was often seen at the Dahlem Botanic Garden's greenhouses. In this garden he noticed for the first time the beauty of the tropical plants and the Brazilian flora. His first landscape project was a private garden for a house designed by the Architects Lucio Costa and Gregory Warchavchik in 1932. Since then, his landscape works improved as well as his painting and drawing. In 1949, he bought a 365,000 square meter estate in Barra de Guaratiba, in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, where he started to organize his big collection of plants. In 1985, he donated this estate to a federal government cultural organization, Pró-Memória National Foundation, which is nowadays called National Institute for Cultural Heritage - IPHAN. Roberto Burle Marx died in Rio de Janeiro in 1994, at the age of 84.

Sitio Burle Marx - In an area estimated in 100 acres, Burle Marx could bring together one of the most important collections of semi-tropical and tropical plants of the world. This valuable collection is considered a National Monument since 1985.
Casa do Pontal - The museum stands on one of the most beautiful sites of Rio de Janeiro, in a pleasant country house and grounds at Recreio dos Bandeirantes, between the sea and the Serra de Grumari Ecological Reserve. This is the largest museum of Brazilian Folk Art. The only one in Brazil to afford a comprehensive view of the life and culture of the Brazilian people.

09:00h -Transfer from hotel to Recreio Dos Bandeirantes, where Sitio Burle Marx is located.
10:00AM -Arrive in the Sitio Burle Marx and visit gardens, plant houses, 17th century chapel, museum.
14:00PM - Board on transfer from Burle Marx to Casa do Pontal
14:30PM - Arrive at Casa do Pontal and visit the biggest collection of folklore art; 5000 statues by 200 artists.
2008 Price per person: $99 each for 2-3, $66 each for 4-6, $42 each for 7-9