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Amazon, Iguazu Falls & Rio de Janeiro
A quintessential journey of the spectacles of Brazil. From nature's eden in the Amazon rainforest to the incredible and mighty Iguazu Falls and finally the fervour of Rio de Janeiro, capturing the immaculate spirit of Brazil.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in the eco-luxury lodge - Cristalino Lodge
Experience the luxury of Belmond in Iguazu Falls & Rio de Janeiro
Savour fine and exquisite gastronomy
Experience the quintessential best of Brazil
ITINERARY
DAY 1: SAO PAULO / ALTA FLORESTA / CRISTALINO STATE PARK
Depart Sao Paulo for Alta Floresta on a domestic flight and on arrival, we drive 1.5hrs deep into the Amazon rainforest before embarking on a 30mins boat ride into the stunning 460,000 acre Cristalino State Park. Located in the highlands of the southern Amazon River Basin, Cristalino is strategically situated to preserve a huge swathe of rainforest, acting as an effective buffer between the timber extraction and cattle ranching to the south, and the virgin areas to the north. Your home base for the next days is Cristalino Lodge, on a 30,000 acre private reserve connected to the park. Renowned for being one of the richest places in the Amazon for observing birds, mammals, butterflies and orchids in a primary forest environment, the Cristalino Lodge was chosen as one of the best ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler.
Overnight: Cristalino Lodge, Cristalino State Park
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: CRISTALINO STATE PARK
The lodge's reserve contains a great variety of medium to low-altitude eco zones, allowing for great diversity of wildlife. From apex predators such as Jaguars, Harpy eagles and Giant Otters to herbivores like the Capybara and Agouti, all of the organisms which took thousands of years to evolve and which make Amazonia unlike any other biome in the world are still alive and doing well here. Its location near the junction of two rivers - "White water" and "Black water" - gives the reserve a combination of two different soil types which furnish a staggering variety of trees, orchids and bromeliads. 600 bird species are also known to live in the region, including many endeamic species such as the Rufous-capped Nunlet, Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Peruvian Recurvebill, as well as many species of parrots, puffbirds and manakins. Mammals seen most frequently are the diminutive Pantanal Marmoset, White-nosed Saki monkeys, Brazilian Tapir. Cristalino is also one of the best areas to witness the Green Anaconda, largest of all constricting snakes. We spend the next two days here to go on your preferred experiences from boat trips to otherwise inaccessible trails to forested trails from the lodge.
Overnight: Cristalino Lodge, Cristalino State Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: CRISTALINO STATE PARK
Overnight: Cristalino Lodge, Cristalino State Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You have another day today to savor the Amazon experience, a hotspot of biodiversity. Take on the many guided trails, boat excursions to remote areas or indulge in watersports such as canoeing in a pristine environment.
DAY 4: CRISTALINO STATE PARK / ALTA FLORESTA / IGUAZU FALLS
Say farewell to the Amazon as we return by boat and car to Alta Floresta for our afternoon flight to the mighty Iguazu Falls. On arrival at Foz do Iguacu Intl Airport, transfer to the astonishing environments of Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas, located within Brazil's Iguazu National Park with an unrivalled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls where you can enjoy exclusive access to this magnificent wonder in the evening and at dawn, when the park is closed to other visitors.
Overnight: Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas, Iguazu Falls
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: IGUAZU FALLS (ARGENTINA SIDE)
Today, we make a day visit to the Argentinian side of the falls offering a thrillingly different perspective. Get even closer, via catwalks, to the impressive Devil's Throat and glimpse of the ring-tailed coati, parrots, toucans and butterflies.
Overnight: Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas, Iguazu Falls
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: IGUAZU FALLS / RIO DE JANEIRO
Enjoy the morning admiring the falls before transferring to Foz do Iguacu Intl Airport for your afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival at Rio de Janeiro Galeao Intl Airport, be met and transfer to the exceptional Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel for check in.
Overnight: Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: RIO DE JANEIRO
An early rise today as we begin our visit of Rio de Janeiro with a morning visit to the Corcovado Mountain to arrive at the stunning and iconic Christ the Redeemer statue before the crowds and learn from your guide the history behind the art deco statue, which was unveiled in 1931 and named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Capture the magnificent sunrise shot without the crowds. Thereafter, we continue our early morning visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain to marvel at sweeping views of the city, Copacabana Beach and more.
From here, we continue to Rocinho, one of the 500 favelas or shanty towns on the edge of the city where we will walk on foot to a craftsmanship store and walk through a cultural center to interact with the locals and allow us a close-up understanding at the living conditions, lifestyles, day-to-day life inside a Brazilian favela. A third of the city's population live in these towns, and the socio-economic differences between the favelas and the sleek city of Rio are stark. Later, we get a real taste of Rio on a walking tour of the historical and artsy Santa Teresa neighborhood where we stroll past 19th Century mansions, cobblestoned streets while trying on authentic Brazilian fare and beverages. We then return to the hotel where you may spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: RIO DE JANEIRO
Spend the day as you wish in Rio de Janeiro where you may consider a visit to a behind the scenes tour at the Rio Carnival rehearsal, watch a Plataforma show or just laze around the glorious beaches of Rio.
Overnight: Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: DEPART RIO DE JANEIRO
Be transferred to Rio de Janeiro Galeao Intl Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Cristalino Lodge is located in the southern part of the Brazilian Amazon, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in this very special ecosystem. Chosen by National Geographic Traveler as one of the 25 best ecolodges in the world, the lodge is built in harmony with the surrounding forest and includes eco-friendly accommodation that adheres to sustainable practises.
Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas is the only hotel located within the Iguazu National Park, with the world famous Iguazu Falls just a stroll away. As the only hotel within the park, Belmond guests are able to enjoy exclusive access to the falls each morning before the park opens.
The elegant luxury Belmond Copacabana Palace offers luxurious rooms with marbled bathrooms and panoramic ocean views located on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beachfront. The glorious landmark marks an iconic stay in Rio since it open its doors in 1923 and offers guests a truly remarkable experience of one of the world's most iconic cities.
