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Overview

Customized trip to Brazil

The Pantanal: ochre soil, ubiquitous vegetation, and endless marshes. The stage is set. Discover this vast plain’s extraordinary biodiversity on this unique customized trip to Brazil. With its false African airs, the Pantanal is an explosion of color, animal sounds, and flapping bird wings. Barely have we entered the Pantanal on one of the rare elevated trails that already a 1-meter high Jabiru wearing a black hood clumsily welcomes us into his domain. Eagles, falcons, kingfishers, cormorants, and kites surge from all around in this plain that is flooded for half of the year. Come sunrise and sunset, magnificent macaws (large parrots) display bright blues, reds, and yellows. This region is one of the planet’s richest in terms of biodiversity, a virtual Noah’s arc where some of the world’s most unusual species thrive.

From one of the area’s most elevated points (a few meters suffice), at the heart of one of the many thickets scattered across these immense marshlands, our ‘pantanero’ guide will reveal this hostile and fascinating environment’s secrets: medicinal plants, tree-eating trees, and more. We will also learn how cultures managed to survive in such a harsh place. A veritable symphony of nature from the mind of great composer, the splendors of the Pantanal will reveal themselves in all their glory to anyone willing to travel in modest comfort.

On this customized trip to Brazil, you’ll also discover the area surrounding Bonito. Perfectly located between the Pantanal and Iguaçu falls, two of Brazil’s major destinations for ecotourism, Bonito offers great opportunities to meet animals in their natural habitat, for a truly unforgettable experience. The crystal-clear waters of its rivers, where visibility reaches more than 40 meters, and their multicolored riverbeds (blue, green, red, brown) are home to countless species of freshwater fish, each more bizarre than the other, some of which grow to a meter long. Some lucky travelers even get to see the underwater ballet of otters swimming by. In short: Bonito is simply an incredible place to visit.

This customized trip to Brazil will take you off the beaten path and allow you to discover some of the country’s lesser-known regions. Of course, you will also get to visit the magical city of Rio, a must-see destination that completely embodies this country’s captivating charm.

Contact Uniktour’s Brazil specialist today for more information on this customized trip!

Itinerary

Day 1| Arrival in Rio
Airport welcome (flight number and schedule to be determined) and transfer to your hotel. Leisure time for the rest of the day.
Meals not included. Overnight at hotel.
Note: hotel rooms are available starting at 2pm.

Day 2| Rio - Corcovado & Santa Teresa – Sugar Loaf
At 9am, our English-speaking guide will meet us at our hotel. Hop in a car and climb 700 meters to Corcovado, Rio’s most famous landmark and a world-famous symbol for this city. Once at the top, we take the time to appreciate the unique and enchanting panorama of the cidade maravilhosa: below lies Rio, majestic and languorous. From this privileged viewpoint, we get a better understanding of the city’s layout – both physical and social. We head back down via Santa Teresa, at the foot of the hill. When Rio was the capital of Brazil and its city center was home to all the important elements of the country’s power structure, this was one of the city’s wealthiest boroughs. Gradually surrounded by the suburbs, the area lost its exclusivity, and the rich moved to Barra da Tijuca, in southwestern Rio. Today, Santa Teresa is home to people from all walks of life and is considered modern Rio’s bohemian district.
We will take a stroll in the area to get a feel for the outdated atmosphere.
Along the narrow and winding alleys, we can take a look at the flamboyant 19th century homes and catch a glimpse Rio’s past. To make this walk down memory lane even more special, we hop on the bondinho: a miraculous relic from the beginning of the 20th century, this small lemon yellow wooden tramway is Santa Teresa’s most famous symbol.

As we head back down towards Lapa district, we visit "escadaria do Convento da Santa Teresa", a colored staircase decorated by Jorge Selaron. This self-taught Chilean artist is one of the neighborhood’s most famous characters. After having displayed his work across the world, he settled in Brazil in 1983 and suddenly decided to adorn a staircase with a perpetually changing multicolor mosaic of colors. His dream is to link Lapa and Santa Teresa by covering stairways with thousands of azulejos (earthenware). We just might get to see the artist at work…

Late in the afternoon, we catch the cable car that will take us to the top of Sugar Loaf (400 m). This famous symbol of Rio marks the beginning of Guanabara Bay. Return to your hotel at around 5 pm.
Entrance to Corcovado and Sugar Loaf included. Meals not included. Overnight at your hotel.
Optional: Go to Dona Marta mirador where you can ride on a helicopter for a few minutes of airborne bliss.

Recommended for lunch: Sobrenatural restaurant
Close to largo dos Guimarães in the heart of Santa Teresa, Sobrenatural offers a welcoming and relaxed ambiance. Its varied menu caters to all taste buds. We particularly recommend the fish and seafood plates, accompanied with an ice-cold beer.

Day 3| Rio - Favelas and city centre
A minibus will pick you up at your hotel at 9am (10am on Sundays and holidays; as part of a tour group; maximum 4-9 people). A specialist guide will take us on a visit that is truly off the beaten path: the favelas. For a few hours, you will be taken to another side of Rio, for a complete and realistic outlook on life in the Carioca, away from the usual scenes of violence and poverty – the only images that the uninspired media care to broadcast. At the heart of these so-called outlaw slums (favelas start off as illegally occupied lands), Brazilians manage to organize themselves and form a proud and unified society. Return to your hotel late in the morning.
At 2pm, we meet with our private English-speaking guide for a visit to downtown Rio. In a matter of minutes, we go from colossal avenues lined with imposing glass buildings to small pristine alleyways filled with small shops and market stalls. Myriad styles, one state of mind: this is perhaps the best way to describe the center’s architectural cocktail, where the old and the new sit side by side in harmony. Possible visits include the imperial palace (Tuesday to Sunday), National museum of Fine arts (Tuesday to Sunday), Candelária church (Monday to Friday, Sunday morning), the Teatro Municipal (a replica of Paris’ Opéra Garnier), Banco do Brazil foundation, casa da Franca (old custom house), National Historical Museum, largo da Carioca, convento Santo Antonia, metropolitan cathedral, Tiradentes square, etc. Your guide can help you choose which option is best for you, depending on your preferences, opening hours, possible manifestations, etc. If you’re in the mood, enjoy a refreshing beer at Luis bar, where the décor looks like it might not have changed since it was built – at the beginning of the 20th century. Return to your hotel at 5pm.
Entrances to museums and monuments included. Meals not included. Overnight at hotel.
Note 1: The visit to the favelas is organized by an association that gives a significant part of its revenues back to the community, by financing development and social projects. In 2009, they raised almost 22 000 USD. www.favelatour.com.br/indexfra.html
Note 2: For a visit to the city center, it is best to avoid Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Recommended for lunch: la Confeitaria Colombo / (except on Sundays)
This place brings the era of the carioca back to life, and is a reference for fine eating in the city. Its famous Belgian mirrors, passe-partouts, jacaranda window frames, balconies made from Italian marble, and intact luminaries all contribute to making this restaurant an important part of the country’s history. www.confeitariacolombo.com.br

Day 4| Campo Grande – Estrada Parque – Pantanal
A private transfer will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport two hours before takeoff for your internal flight to Campo Grande (not included; departure airport, flight number and schedule to be determined). Someone will meet you at the airport upon your arrival late in the morning.
The bus will leave around noon (regular line, ticket included, unaccompanied journey; optional private transport) and travel approximately 400km on a paved road to Buraco das piranhas, where a private vehicle will be waiting for us. We will be taken on the Estrada parque (Park road) into the Pantanal. The stage is set: on and around this dirt road that cuts across marshes and swamplands, we can already spot plenty of wildlife. Alligators lounge around in the sun on the shores of the lagoons, capivaras wander about in complete freedom, and myriad multicolored birds keep a watchful eye on our vehicle as it kicks up large clouds of dust. We reach our destination after 5-6 hours of driving. Enjoy dinner after you’ve settled in.
Lunch at own expense. Dinner included. Overnight at fazenda Santa Clara.
Option: accommodation in an ecolodge or camping. Please contact us for more details.

Days 5 and 6| Pantanal
During our stay in the Pantanal, our English-speaking guide will take us on a variety of excursions so as to allow us to see a maximum of interesting sights (depending on the season, as animals migrate throughout the year).
Possible activities include:
- Hiking at sunrise
- Swimming in the lagoons with alligators (there is no danger, as food is plentiful and they do not attack humans)
- Excursion aboard a canoe (or motorboat) along the Abobral or other river (depending on the season) and discovery of the local fauna and flora.
- Fishing for piranha, catfish, etc.
- Afternoon hikes (siesta is usually from 1pm to 4pm, due to the heat)
- Horseback riding in the area
Full board. Overnight in fazenda Santa Clara.
Option: extra day(s) in the Pantanal.

Day 7| Pantanal - Bonito
After a morning excursion and a light lunch, hop on a 4X4 and head for Buraco das piranhas where you take a bus to Bonito (regular line; ticket included; unaccompanied transfer; optional private transport; 4-5 hours on a paved road).
Lunch included. Dinner at own expense (many restaurants offer “jacaré” meals, the local name for alligator). Overnight in a posada.
Important note: on Sundays, there is no bus from Buraco das Piranhas and Bonito (private transport is therefore mandatory).

Day 8| Bonito –lago Azul Cave– Estancia Mimosa
Leave the posada by 9am. A short car transfer (20 min) will take us to Blue lake cave, a cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites representing all sorts of creatures (Buddha, dinosaurs, wizards, dancers, etc). At the bottom of the cave lies an underground lake whose crystal clear waters display a stunningly deep blue with velvet reflections. A maximum of 15 people are allowed in the cave at the same time. We then head for Estancia Mimosa for lunch. From there we hike on a trail that snakes among orchids and bromeliads and follow a river, walking upriver from cascade to cascade, until we find the perfect swimming spot. Return to Bonito at the end of the day.
Lunch included. Dinner not included. Overnight in a posada.
www.estancia mimosa

Day 9| Bonito – Rio da Prata & Buraco das Araras
Leave the posada by 9am. A minibus takes us to "Recanto Ecologico do Rio da Prata".
From the base, a short hike (40 min) through virgin forest takes us to the banks of da Prata river. On our way, we might get to see a few toucans or parrots. With a wetsuit and snorkeling gear (available on location; included), we slide into incredibly clear waters and let the current carry us for a few kilometers, floating peacefully and enjoying the multicolored fauna and flora.
Though this site blesses visitors with an unforgettable feeling of proximity and harmony with nature, it receives a surprisingly small number of visitors. After all, many feel that it is one of the country’s most impressive destinations. Once we have returned to the base, we can enjoy an excellent buffet for lunch. On our way back to Bonito, we stop at Buraco das Araras in the middle of the afternoon. This 200-meter-deep cave is shaped like a quasi-perfect circle.
Hundreds of blue and red aras (large parrots) have made their homes on the inaccessible walls of this curious geological formation, flying in all directions just a few meters from visitors’ heads. Their strident calls seem to rip the atmosphere and give the impression that the birds are teasing an alligator that accidentally found its way to the bottom of the hole, where it stays imprisoned, for life…
Return to Bonito at the end of the day.
Lunch included. Dinner not included. Overnight in a posada.
Note: It is impossible to visit this destination in private. This being said, group size always remains reasonable (maximum: 8 people), and visits are accompanied by specialized guides.

Day 10| Bonito – Campo Grande – Sao Paulo
In the morning, transfer to the “rodoviaria” (bus station), where you hop on a bus (regular line) to Campo Grande (5 hours on the road; ticket included).
Another transfer will then take you to the airport for an internal flight from Campo Grande to Sao Paulo (not included; flight number and schedule to be determined). Someone will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
Meals not included. Overnight at hotel.
Option: private transport from Bonito to Campo Grande.

Day 11| Sao Paulo - Departure
A private transfer will take you from your hotel to the airport 3 hours before takeoff. International flight (not included; flight schedule and number to be determined). Meals not included.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

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.