Eco-Brazil, Pantanal, Iguassu Falls & Rio

Day 1 Arrive Campo Grande (Pantanal Area)

Meet and greet services upon arrival at the airport in Campo Grande by your local host who will take you to the Pousada Aguape, located in a rich area formed by typical wetland vegetation and open pastures with patches of stunted vegetation (cerrado), lakes, lowlands, pond outlets and the Aquidauana River with its exuberant gallery forest. This is an excellent environment for birdwatchers (over 270 species have been listed). Overnight at the Pousada Aguape. (L,D)

Day 2 Pantanal

The Pousada Aguape (Lodge) offers a wide range of activities and excursions. You may choose from any number of them, including the famous horseback riding, bird watching, photo safaris and many more (two per day/per person). Times and additional information available at the lodge’s front desk. Overnight at the Pousada Aguape. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Pantanal

The Blue Macaw Preservation Project in the South of Mato Grosso do Sul, dates back to 1990. Fezanda Sao José, where Pousada Aguape is located has been taken part in this project since May, 2000. The project’s aim to preserve the environment to ensure the survival of Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus in its natural habitat. Enjoy your day of exploration. Overnight at the Pousada Aguape. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Pantanal

Take the day to enjoy your surrounding and take part in one of many activities. In the evening you may want to spot some nocturnal animals. This is an activity that is done in a 4x4 vehicle or in a boat, to observe the night animals like anteaters, foxes, capybaras and caimans. Also to hear the sounds of frogs and insects at night and to see the beautiful sky of the Pantanal. Overnight at the Pousada Aguape. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Campo Grande /Iguassu Falls

Today we embark on a different kind of adventure as we make our way to Iguassu Water Falls, one of the World’s true Natural Wonders. Here you will be treated to a sensational sound and light show brought to you courtesy of Mother Nature. A show with no intermissions spanning two-miles, wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more magnificent than both. A flight takes you to Iguassu where our local guide is waiting to take you to your hotel to check in. Later that afternoon your guide will take you on a tour of the Brazilian side of the falls, including the “walkways”: Experience a full, panoramic view of the 275 + falls (Brazilian side) and meet the coatimundis, the park’s most popular inhabitants, continue on the waterfalls adventures; The Macuco Safari Tour: Ride a boat up to the edge of the falls and learn about Iguassu National Park while riding a special train through the forest on the Brazilian side. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel for overnight at the Das Cataratas Hotel. (B)

Day 6 Iguassu Falls

Visit of the Argentine Falls including a walk along lush tropical basin, over and under the splashing torrents of falling water. Beautiful flowers, fern, tropical plants, butterflies and exotic birds add to exciting experience of close contact with nature. A short train will take us to the pathways leading to the Devil’s Throat, one of the most impressive points where 14 separate falls cascade down 350 foot cliffs. Overnight at the Cataratas Hotel. (B)

Day 7 Iguassu Falls

After breakfast we explore Birds Park. Over 900 birds, both indigenous and from other continents which visitors can be in contact, without restriction of netting and cages. A private enterprise, this Park was created in 1994 and is run by professionals in the fields of biology and veterinary agronomy. The visit is carried out through well identified catwalks through native vegetation. Visit several enormous life-size aviaries each with 630m with height of 8 meters, enriched with cascades, bridges, vegetation, where you will appreciate the behavior of different species without the interference of netting or screens. In smaller aviaries, specimens from Southwestern Asia, Oceania and Africa are exhibited. A delicate and colorful aviary shelters regional butterflies and hummingbirds. In another natural environment visitors will find caimans and boas in the space reserved for reptiles. Overnight at the Das Cataratas. (B)

Day 8 Iguassu/Rio de Janeiro

Meet and greet services upon arrival and transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Excelsior Copacabana. (B)

Day 9 Rio de Janeiro

Following breakfast, we drive through the fashionable Barra District making our way to the Tijuca Rain Forest and base of Corcovado Mountain. A short train ride takes us 2,400 feet up to the summit, the site of one of South America’s most famous landmarks, the 125-foot statue of "Christ the Redeemer." We stop for lunch at a "Churrascaria", for a typical Brazilian barbecue lunch (beverages not included) and continue our tour of the city's Southern District which includes the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Next we drive to Flamingo Park where we board the cable cars, making our way to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - 1,200 feet of sheer rock overlooking Guanabara Bay. At the end of the tour, we return to the hotel for overnight at the Excelsior Copacabana. (B,L)

Day 10 Depart Rio De Janeiro

Breakfast at the hotel. Tranfer to the airport. (B)

Remarks

Not included: Airfare, airport departure taxes, meals unless included in the itinerary, beverages, travel insurance, gratuities of any kind, or items of person nature.

Note: US Citizens require Brazilian Visa for this program. Other citizens must check with the Brazilian Consulate for requirements.

Inquire about our special airfare on TAM or American Airlines for this program.

Use the Brazil Pass for your flights within Brazil and save!