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Overview

Adventure travel to Brazil

If Rio is the heart of Brazil, then Salvador is its soul - a very African soul. Hot-blooded, tropical heat, continuous rhythms from the omnipresent percussions in the streets of the old neighbourhood of Pelourinho: this the pulse of Salvador.

To the south of Salvador is Tinharé, a group of 26 islands of tropical forest surrounded by crystal waters. It can be reached by boat from Salvador. A little further to the south we reach the island of Boipeba by four-wheel drive (no roads on the island) which is picture perfect. 360° of enchanting natural beauty...Miles and miles of deserted beach!
Tropical mountains dropping off into the ocean, long deserted beaches of fine sand, fishing villages surrounding an abandoned lighthouse, heavenly islands of turquoise waters, hilly back-country rich in regional products. To the rhythm of the samba, on foot, by boat and on horse, we discover this sanctuary of harmony and peace!
With a local guide, this private adventure travel in Brazil begins in Rio, an incredibly beautiful city which extends into the heart of the greatest urban forest of the world. We then continue on to Costa Verde and Paraty, a colonial gem with an idyllic natural background. Paraty is our starting point to an exceptional two-day trek in the back-country bordering a tropical forest, surrounded by superb beaches that lead to genuine fishing villages. With our local guide we end this private adventure travel in Brazil in the province of Bahia, the highlight of our trip! The Bay of Todos and Salvador disappear little by little as we approach the archipelago. Boipeba is the most southern island of this group. The surrounding areas of this little village are so beautiful that you will wonder whether you should stay a few days, a few months or forever!

This private adventure travel repeats the core of our ‘'Costa Verde Off Road'' adventure travel and adds the province of Bahia that we visit for five days with a local private guide. This private adventure travel allows you to fully discover two very different provinces of Brazil. A trip to Brazil close to your heart!

Itinerary

Day 1| Rio - Corcovado & Santa Teresa - Sugarloaf
Airport pick up (time and flight number to be confirmed) and transfer to the hotel. We settle in, and then visit town with our English-speaking guide. Climb to the Corcovado, universally known symbol of the town of Rio. By car, we climb to an elevation of 700 meters above sea level. Once on the summit, we take the time to appreciate the unique and enchanting panoramic view of the "cidade maravilhosa" (magnificent city). Rio spreads under our feet, majestic and languid. This advantageous viewpoint gives us a better understanding of the physical and "social" topography of the town.
We descend via Santa Teresa, which used to be one of the wealthiest residential neighborhoods of Rio, at the time when the town was the capital of Brazil and all the principal powers where located there. Surrounded by the agglomeration, the neighborhood has lost its exclusive character, and the wealth of the area has moved to the Southwest of Rio, to Barra da Tijuca.
Santa Teresa shelters today an unconventional population, constituting the bohemian quarter of modern Rio.
We stroll through this neighborhood to get a taste of its quaint and dated atmosphere.
Along its narrow and winding streets, we can admire some splendid houses dating from the 19th century and catch a glimpse of the soul of a Rio from another time. The best way to realize this nostalgic trip is to take the bondinho, a little wooden tramway, a miraculous vestige from the start of the 20thcentury, and the most famous symbol of Santa Teresa. During the descent to Lapa, we visit the colored staircase or "Escadaria do Convento da Santa Teresa", decorated by Jorge Selarón. This autodidactic Chilean artist is one of the best-known personalities of this neighborhood.
After exhibiting his paintings around the world, he settled in Brazil in 1983 and spontaneously decided to decorate this staircase with a multicolored mosaic in perpetual evolution. His ambition is to link the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa, by covering the staircases with thousands of azulejos (ceramic tilework). We might have the opportunity to see him at work... We, later, reach the cable cart taking us to the summit of the Sugarloaf, symbol of Rio, marking the entrance of the Bay of Guanabara
Return to our hotel at 17:00.
Entrance fee to Corcovado and Sugarloaf included. Meals not included. Night in hotel.
Option: Helicopter flight of a few minutes from the mirador of Dona Marta.

Day 2| Rio - Day free
Open programm under your own arrangements
Meals not included. Night in a hotel.

Day 3| Rio - The Favelas
At 09:00 (or 14:00), we leave the hotel in a minibus (group service, 4 to 9 person max). A specialized guide takes us on an "off-the-beaten-path" visit: the favelas. These incursion of a few hours in a different reality of Rio, gives us a complete and realistic vision of life in Carioca, far from the images of violence or of poverty that are the only ones transmitted by a media lacking originality. At the heart of these popular and "lawless" neighborhoods (the favelas are originally illegal land occupations), Brazilians organize themselves and live in a dignified and solitary manner.
Return to the hotel at 13:00. Afternoon open.
Meals not included. Night in hotel.
Note: an association founded by people originally from the favelas organizes the visits to the favelas. This association donates a significant part of their income to the inhabitants of the neighborhood by financing development or social projects. In 2007, their contribution reached close to $ 22.000 US.

Day 4| Paraty - Boat tour in the bay / private service
At 09:00 the captain drives us to the pier to embark our private craft, a fishing boat equipped for the tour (benches and cushions, cooler...). Day open in the Bay of Paraty, traveling from island to island, beach to beach. Stops planned on different sites suitable for swimming or snorkeling in the company of hundreds of fish (mask and snorkel included): Ilha Comprida, Saco da Velha, Praia Vermelha...
Return to Paraty at around 16:30. Meals not included. Night in a pousada.
Option: English-speaking guide.

Day 5| Paraty - Fazenda Murycana & Penha
Our English-speaking guide meets us at the pousada at 09:00. He drives us in a private vehicle, to the Fazenda Murycana, about 6 miles from Paraty. The site is located in a luxuriant forest in the mountain. This place is loaded with history. Known in the year 1700 under the name of "Three Farms", the fazenda received at this time travelers who would spend a night there before engaging in the gold trail towards the Minas Gerais. In the opposite direction, the conveyers used to stop at the fazenda to hide their precious charge (gold and precious stones) in the forest while they checked to make sure the coast was safe of pirates. The guide dedicates one hour to the discovery of the property; we find there a small museum and alcohol of local pinga.
The market for local produce gives us a taste of the flavors and traditions of the region of Paraty. Dona Hilda might offer us her "home made" coffee (if she is in a good mood!).
We then head on a horseback ride across the trails criss-crossing the National Park of Bocaina. Nature, here, contrasts with the seaside; a surprising mix of altitude and tropical plants. Because of the numerous rivers and waterfalls spread out over the area, the air is cool. The highlight of the day, and a good reason to visit this area, is the group of Pedra Branca waterfalls; an impressive show of nature.
We can then lunch in a delicious local restaurant (its specialty being the suckling pig) before heading for the cachoeira de Penha, a natural site of exceptional beauty. This gigantic natural limestone toboggan is perfect to spend the rest of the afternoon, in the coolness offered by rivers and waterfalls. Depending on the day of the week, visit of a distillery (the area is famous for its cachaça). Return to Paraty at the end of the day.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.

Day 6| Dreamy beaches and fishing villages of the Costa Verde
Departure at 09:00 with our very knowledgeable local driver. First stop, the charming fishing village of Picinguaba, hidden in the recesses of a beautiful bay. A few miles away, we can stroll along the immense beach of fazenda, many miles of white sand, often absolutely deserted, a paradise for a swim. We can lunch at local stalls. Family style cooking (specialty: shrimps and fish) simple, but delicious. We can complete this savory meal by a coconut "gelada" (cool coconut juice).
Depending on the weather and our mood, we continue on to the remote village of Paratymirim, its colonial church, its long beach and its blue and green waters... On the way back towards Paraty, we stop in a distillery of cachaça, (or "pinga", the production of this area is famous in the whole country). Return to Paraty at the end of the day.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.
Option: English-speaking guide.

Day 7| Paraty - Praia do Sono - Ponta Negra
Trek - 3-hour of actual walking - 200 meters of elevation gain- easy
Departure from Paraty at 08:30 for the village of Laranjeiras (30-minute trip by minibus), with our English-speaking guide. The trek starts by a short incline then enters the Atlantic forest (Mata Atlantica), at the heart of the "Ecological preservation area of Joatinga". After an hour and a half of pleasant walking, we reach, at lunch time, the hamlet of Sono, located on the border of one of the nicest beaches of the region, Praia Do Sono. Literally meaning "sleepy beach", Praia Do Sono invites us, first because of its name and also because as soon as we get back on the road, a short but very steep hill awaits us.
After this climb, the hike becomes a lot less demanding. This is the only difficulty of the walk. We successively pass Praia Da Velha and Praia Dos Antigos before arriving, an hour and a half later in the fishing village of Ponta Negra. We stop for the night in this hamlet at the end of the world, in the recesses of a cove with the waves dying on the white sand beach the only noise disturbing our sleep.
Everything included. Night in basic but welcoming huts (private bath and showers - mosquito net).
Note: In addition to the classic trekking equipment (hiking shoes, backpack, rain poncho...), take a sleeping bag style "meat bag" (in silk or fleece) along.

Day 8| Fisherman's life in Ponta Negra - Paraty
Life in the mountainous surroundings of Paraty has changed little over the last 50 years. The day is dedicated to the discovery of the life of a village living in near autarky thanks to the local resources. The morning (depending on the weather report), we go fishing with the village men who explain us, while demonstrating, their fixed-net fishing technique.
Back in the village, we visit a manioc plantation and the "flour house" where the manioc is processed and reduced to flour. After lunch, a local guide takes us to a waterfall of crystal clear water. In the afternoon, return to Trindade by boat, then by local bus to Paraty at the end of the day.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Night in a pousada.

Day 9| Paraty - Rio - Salvador
Departure from the pousada 7 hours before departure time for your transfer to the airport for domestic flight Rio - Salvador. Airport pick up and transfer to hotel.
Meals not included. Night in hotel.

Day 10| Salvador
Meeting at the the pousada at 09:00 with our English-speaking guide who takes us to the discovery of the neighborhood representing best the heart and soul of Salvador.
In the morning, a visit to the lower part of town, starting with its monuments and its markets.
The Mercado Modelo (touristy) then São Joaquim market (authentic Bahianese market). We cross town towards the North to reach the Church of Bonfim, a pilgrimage site where we can admire, in the "miracle room", an impressive collection of votive offerings, testifying to the local popular devotion for Senhor do Bonfim.
We follow with a visit to the Museum of Sacred Art (open afternoons only, visit after lunch). Located at the heart of the antique Santa-Teresa convent, it exhibits a collection of unique pieces dating from the 16th to the 20th century: azulejos (ceramic tilework) panes, sculptures, silver and furniture. In the afternoon, we visit the high part of town, dominated by the historical quarter of Pelourinho. Its prestigious architectural ensemble, renovated with its original bright colors, is constituted by magnificent colonial mansions and baroque churches one of them being the Church of São Francisco and its stunning azulejos fresco. By drawing from its African roots, the city created for itself a unique identity in Latin America, animating its daily life by the frenetic rhythms of Capoeira and religious ceremonies of Candomblé. Return to the pousada at the end of the day.
Entrance fees included. Meals not included. Night in a pousada.
Option: mix the un-avoidable and an initiation to candomblé (we recommend, after this day, that you go to a ceremony).

Day 11| Salvador - Tinhare Island - Morro de Sao Paulo
We meet our English-speaking guide at the pousada at 08:00. Transfer to the pier and departure at 08:30. The Bay of Todos os Santos and the high neighborhood of Salvador disappear from view.
After a 2-hour cruise, we enter the narrow sand streets of Morro de São Paulo, its houses clinging from a tiny rock and its day and night bustle.
Meals open. Night in a pousada.
Options:* fly from Salvador àto Morro de São Paulo, ask us.
* extra day(s) on Morro de São Paulo, for an open day at the beach-resort or a day-hike (ask us).

Day 12| Morro de Sao Paulo - Tinhare Island - Boipeba Island
The bay of Camamu forms an archipelago of closely set islands. Boipeba constitutes the southernmost island of the group. To get there, you need to first cross Tinhare, an island covered by tropical vegetation, most often with a 4WD vehicle (depending on the season sometimes by tractor...). After driving for an hour through deserted landscape, we reach the southern point at Garapuá beach.
We cross the Do Inferno in a barge. We settle in a pousada in the village of Boipeba.
Possibility of a hike along the Cardoso trail in the afternoon. It leads to the village of Moreré (for lunch: banana and coconut milk--moqueca de camarões--, the specialty of the village!), then return to Boipeba by skirting miles of deserted beaches fringed by coconut trees (Praia Cueira and Tassimirim). The surroundings of the little village are so pleasant that it is easy to ask ourselves if we might just spend the rest of our days there...
Meals open. Night in a pousada.
Option: extra day(s) on the island.

Days 13-14| Morro de Sao Paulo
Program under own arrangements. Free meals. Night in a posada.

Day 15| Morro de Sao Paulo - Salvador - Depart
Boarding at 09:00 / 10:00 / 11:30 / 15:00 / 16:30 to Salvador. Meeting and transfer to the international airport for your flight back to Canada.
Option: Domestic flight from Morro de Sao Paulo to Salvador.

Budget

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Other fees

Lodging

Overview

Brazil, a lifestyle
For a long time now, Brazil's natural beauty and Carnival rendered it international fame, attracting thousands of tourists all year long. The number of foreigners visiting the country went from an average of 1.5 million per year in the 1990s to more than 4 million visitors per year from the year 2000 on, according to Embratur's (Brazilian Tourism Institute) Statistical Yearbook for 2003. But there is a very special attraction that you only discover when you come here: the Brazilian people. Much beyond the breathtaking scenery, the way these people live surprises everyone with its simplicity, willingness, hope, hospitality and happiness.

Studies carried out by Enbratur indicate that 75% of the tourists who seek Brazil as their vacation destination do so first of all because of the natural beauty. But once they arrive here, they find such hospitality that they soon become enchanted with the mixture of colors, races and cultures of the people as well.

According to surveys, when foreign tourists are questioned about Brazil, they indicate happiness as the main characteristic of our people. Happiness that can be perceived in every moment they stay in the country – whether in our music, the warmth of our northeastern beaches, the lively Rio de Janeiro nightlife or the exuberant Amazon.

From this warm and festive spirit, popular displays such as Carnival, New Year's Eve celebrations and June Parties arise, all famous for their liveliness and joy. It seems that the people's desire to show what is good about Brazil transforms this vigor into creativity, flashed about in contagious colors and sounds.

Research carried out with international tourists who have already had the opportunity to know Brazil reveal that the visitor truly finds the country to be beautiful. The results also show that 52% of this public goes back home valorizing yet another aspect of this land: its people. After all, besides appreciating some of the most beautiful spots on the planet – including countless beaches, ecological paradises and historical cities – the visitor is always accompanied by people who are willing to show the best points of every excursion, making the trip unforgettable.

Tourism

Electricity Voltage
Electricity voltages vary from one state to another. Check the voltage before connecting any electrical appliance to an outlet.

Car Hire
All the well know car hire firms have counters at the country's main airports and in the main urban centers. Tourists may also book cars through their travel agencies.

Taxis
The tourist may opt to take an ordinary taxi easily found in the streets or through radio taxi services. It is recommended that accredited taxi services at the airports and at points nearby the main hotels be given priority. It is not usual in Brazil to tip a taxi driver although it is common to round off the amount and let the driver keep the change as a gratuity.

Tips
Most bars and restaurants include a service charge of 10% in the Bill. It is usual to leave a little extra if the service has been satisfactory. When no service charge has been included then a tip of 10% to 15% is the general rule.

Currency
The Brazilian currency unit is the Real ($R). Dollars and Travelers Checks can easily be changed in hotels, banks or travel agencies. Most establishments accept credit cards.

Communications
To make an international call, dial: 00 + operator code* + country code + area code (if there is one) + telephone number For reverse charge international calls dial 0800 7032111.

Operators:
Brasil Telecom 14
Embratel 21
CTBC 34
GVT 25
Intelig 23
Telefónica 15
Telemar 31

Language
The national language is Portuguese but it is a little different from the Portuguese spoken in Portugal

Climate
The climate is predominantly tropical with some variation according to the region. The average annual temperature in the north is 28º C and 22º C in the south.

Time Zones
Because of its continental dimensions Brazil has 4 time zones. The official time is Brasília time and it corresponds to 3 hours less than GMT. From September to February the clocks are put forward one hour in most Brazilian States.

Geography

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America.
It spreads across almost half (47.3%) of South America, and occupies a total area of 8,547,403.5 km2. It is the fifth largest country in the world after Canada, the Russian Federation, China and the United States. Except for a small number of islands, Brazil is a single and continuous land mass. The Equator passes through the northern region, near Macapá, and the Tropic of Capricorn cuts through the south of the country, near São Paulo. Brazil's east to west extension (4,319.4 km) is almost equivalent to its north to south distance (4,394.7 km). The country borders French Guiana, Suriname, Guiana, Venezuela and Colombia, to the north; Uruguay and Argentina, to the south; and Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru, to the west. Ecuador and Chile are the only two countries on the South American continent that do not border Brazil. The Atlantic Ocean extends along the country's entire eastern coast, providing 7,367 km of coastline.

Climate

Brazil's climatic typology is very diverse.
The huge territorial expanse, allied with factors such as temperature, altitude, barometric pressure and proximity to the ocean, provide the country with climatic conditions that can please everyone. It is one of the richest and most complex ecosystems in the world, with extremely diversified vegetation and sceneries. The Brazilian territory is divided into climatic strips: 92% of the territory is located between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. We can therefore say that the Brazilian climate is predominantly tropical, with equatorial and subtropical (temperate zones) strips distributed over the remaining 8% of the nation's territory. The predominance of lower altitudes throughout the country provides more elevated temperatures, with averages exceeding 20°C. The seasons are the exact opposite of those in Europe and the United States, except in the northern region of the country. The average annual temperature is approximately 28ºC in the northern region and 20ºC, in the south. Extreme temperatures are rare, but they may occur: in the winter, some cities in the south of the country experience negative temperatures, with frost and snow. And in Rio de Janeiro, in the peak of summer, the temperature may hit 40ºC. Now that you know about our climate, choose the temperature you find most pleasant and come fall in love with the beauty Brazil has to offer.