Overview of Rio to Manaus
In the heart of the Amazon lies the port
city of Manuas, a bustle of activity and perfect place to visit the
incredible diversity of wildlife that the Amazon has to offer.
Itinerary
Day
1: Rio de Janeiro
Arrival
in Rio, reception and transfer to Hotel.
Day 2. Rio
de Janeiro
After
breakfast, a half day visit to Corcovado, the mountain home to the world
famous, Christo de Redentor statue for a magnificent 360° panoramic view
of Rio. After, a trip to the Tijuca forest considered the largest urban
forest in the world. It has 330 square kms of preserved Mata Atlântica
(Tropical Forest), the highest mountaintops of Rio, waterfalls and hidden
caves. The caves in the Tijuca Forest are formed of limestone and were
originally formed by movements of the crust that caused the collapse of
stones from the Papagaio Peak and the Archer Mountain. These stones
started to form caves with rocky formations.
Another important point is the great variety of bromeliads. The Tijuca
Forest is considered to hold the largest concentration of different
species of bromeliads in Brazil. Even more than the Amazon Jungle. Return
to your hotel.
Day 3. Rio
de Janeiro
After
breakfast, a half day visit of the “marvelous city” including a
sightseeing tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain. A two-stage cable car takes you
to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain where you will enjoy a splendid view of
Rio, Copacabana Beach, and Guanabara Bay. Return to your hotel.
*Option of a spectacular dinner and show.
Day 4. Rio
de Janeiro (L)
Full day
visit by boat to the tropical islands around Rio. The Tropical Islands,
the islands of Sepetiba Bay, are a natural paradise situated only a few
short kilometres from the city. We head towards the fishing village of
Itacuruçá, where we board a typical saveiro (schooner) for a cruise
through Itacuruçá Bay, passing by beautiful islands and tropical forests
that rise from the sea.
During the
cruise, we will make some stops for swimming on semi-desert beaches.
Lunch is served on the island: a wonderful fish stew, assorted seafood,
salads and barbecue of your choice. After lunch, there is free time to
enjoy the beach on the island. Boarding of the schooner for your return to
Itacuruçá, and catch the bus back to Rio
Day
5. Buenos Aires - Iguazu
Transfer
to the airport for the flight to Iguazu. Arrival and transfer to your
hotel.
Day
6. Iguazu Falls - Argentinean Side
A
visit to the fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Iguazu falls, the most
voluminous falls in the world and more than three times the width of the
Niagara falls. The Argentinean side of Iguazu allows for a close
appreciation. Set in a subtropical rain forest reserve of over 180,000
hectares, Iguazu is home to jaguar, puma, caiman and over 400 species of
bird. Return to your hotel.
Day 7.
Iguazu Falls - Brazilian Side
Cross the
border into Brazil for a full day excursion to appreciate a wider view of
the falls. The falls lie on the three borders of Brazil, Argentina and
Paraguay. The tour will include a "Macuco Safari" an
exhilarating boat ride on the Parana River, heading towards the Iguazu
falls themselves. Return to your hotel in Argentina
Day 8:
Iguazu - Manaus
After
breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Manaus. Trip by boat
to the Amazon Eco Lodge, located on the Rio Tarumã - a tributary of the
Rio Negro and about an hour from Manaus. Set in the heart of the
Amazon Forest, with an uncatalogued amount of wildlife in the surrounding
area, which includes rainforest, natural savannahs and creeks. With over 6
miles of jungle trails, there is plenty of opportunity for exploration of
the jungle for orchids, giant trees and various wildlife. After dinner,
evening tour in search of caiman by canoe boat.
Day
9: Amazon jungle
After
breakfast, a jungle trek into the rainforest in search of local flora and
fauna. After lunch, excursion to see the local Amazonian inhabitants,
known as caboclos. Return for free time to explore or enjoy the setting of
the lodge.
Day
10: Meeting of the waters
After
breakfast, an excursion to the "meeting of the waters", a
natural phenomenon caused by the joining of the Negro River's darker water
with the muddy water of the Solimoes River. For over six kilometers, the
rivers run side by side, without mixing. This happens due to the
difference between their temperature, density and also, the speed of their
currents: Negro River runs at about 2 km/h at a temperature of 22 C, while
Solimões River runs at 4 to 6 km/h with a temperature of 28 C. Chance for
some piranha fishing before returning to the lodge.
Day
11: Manaus - Rio de Janeiro
After
breakfast, a visit to the "monkey jungle" before returning to
Manaus for a panoramic city tour of Manaus heading for the airport and
your return flight back to Rio de Janeiro and your return flight home.
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