Escorted Brazil Highlights Tour

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, a briefing on the up and coming tour before a full day visit of the "marvellous 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. Lunch before visiting Corcovado, the mountain home of the world famous, Cristo de Redentor statue for a magnificent 360° panoramic view of Rio. A trip to the Tijuca forest, a luxuriant tropical forest only minutes away from this huge metropolis before return to your hotel.

Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
Full day visit by boat to the tropical islands around Rio. Lunch on the islands is included.

Day 4: Rio de Janeiro - Iguazu
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Iguazu. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Excursion 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 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.

Day 5: Iguazu Falls - Argentina side
Today we will cross the border and enter Argentina for a closer view of these magnificent falls. Set in a subtropical rain forest reserve of over 180,000 hectares, Iguazu is home to jaguars, pumas, caiman and over 400 species of bird. It also offers a chance of seeing the falls close up. Return to Brazil and your hotel.

Day 6: Iguazu - Sao Paulo - Salvador
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Salvador, via Sao Paulo, capital of the state of Bahia and one of Brazil's highlights. Transfer to your hotel. It was on November 1st, 1501 that Americo Vespucci sailed into Salvador's bay, which subsequently became known as All Saints Bay. Founded in 1549, Salvador was to become the most important Brazilian city for the next 300 years. Another UNESCO heritage of humanity site, the city boasts many Portuguese colonial houses in addition to being the most African city in Brazil. A half day city tour including a visit to the Catedral Basilica, and Largo do Pelourinho, the old slave auction site.

Day 7: Salvador
Free day.

Day 8: Salvador - Belo Horizonte
Transfer to the airport for the one hour flight to Belo Horizonte. The capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte is a leading cultural centre, with three universities, a historical museum, and numerous libraries. A city tour visiting the Chapel of Sao Francisco which houses paintings by Candido Portinari. Return to your hotel.

Day 9: Belo Horizonte - Ouro Preto
After breakfast, full day tour to Ouro Preto, a UNESCO Historical and Cultural site. Founded in 1698, the city became the centre of the largest gold and silver rush in the Americas. The city has many gold-leafed baroque churches and many examples of sculpture, mostly by Antonio Francisco Lisboa. Visits include the Church of Sao Francisco de Assis and the façade of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carma.

Day 10: Belo Horizonte - Congonhas
Half day excursion to Congonhas, the centre of the nickel, iron and gold mining industry of Brazil. The town is dominated by the great pilgrimage church of Bom Jesus from 1775 and its chapels, which are set in 18th Century style gardens. The main sanctuary is famous for its soapstone statues of the 12 apostles, again carved by Antonio Francisco Lisboa. Return to your hotel.

Day 11: Belo Horizonte - Rio de Janeiro - Buzios
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your hotel in Buzios. Free day at leisure.

Day 12: Buzios
Free day at leisure

Day 13: Buzios - Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Rio for your connecting flight home. End of our services.

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro - Iguazu
Day 5: Iguazu Falls - Argentina side
Day 6: Iguazu - Sao Paulo - Salvador
Day 7: Salvador
Day 8: Salvador - Belo Horizonte
Day 9: Belo Horizonte - Ouro Preto
Day 10: Belo Horizonte - Congonhas
Day 11: Belo Horizonte - Rio de Janeiro - Buzios
Day 12: Buzios
Day 13: Buzios - Rio de Janeiro

Price includes international return flights from London, all accommodation in 4 & 5 star hotels, some meals, all tours with entrance tickets and an English speaking tour leader and all domestic flights in Brazil.

Meals not specified, airport taxes and travel insurance are not included in the quote.

Please ask for optional tours by helicopter over the Iguazu Falls or business class upgrades on all flights.