Sao Paulo-Manaus-AMAZON Cruise -Rio De Jenerio-
Iguacu-El Calafate-Buenos Aires

ITINERARY

DAY 01: Arrive :SAO PAULO -Arrival in Sao Paulo, meet and transfer to the hotel
Check in at Hotel -Overnight at SAO.

DAY 02: Full day city tour ofButantan Snake and football museum
City/Butantan Snake Farm w/out lunch
A tour through the city, visiting the residential areas of Higienopolis with its 1950’s apartment buildings; Pacaembu Soccer Stadium; School of Medicine and Hospital das Clinicas complex; Campus of the University of Sao Paulo. A stop will be made at Butantan snake farm, a world-renowned institution where snakes are kept for poison extraction for snakebite serum manufacture. A sweeping view of the city and a photographer’s favorite spot – the Morumbi hill. A view of Sao Paulo’s Jockey Club and the unfolding of the city to the limits of the Paulista Avenue ridge. Tour will continue passing by the State Government Palace, Albert Einstein Hospital and the Sao Paulo FutebolClube soccer stadium, moving on to Jardim Europa residential district. Tour will continue passing by Ibirapuera Park with beautiful gardens and lakes. At the entrance to the park, visitors will admire São Paulo’s postcard monument – Bandeirantes, homage to the first settlers. This monument was sculpted on site by Victor Brecheret in the late 40 s / 50 s To the left of this monument the Chamber of Deputies building. An integral part of the park – the obelisk – monument to the Constitutionalist Revolution Soldier, a mausoleum in memory of the republicans that were killed in the 1932 revolution. Also part of the park, Planetarium and the Contemporary Art Museum and the Sao Paulo Biannual Art Exposition site. Tour will move on to the Oriental District – where the Japanese have their commerce, being close to Sao Paulo’s Cathedral. Tour will close passing by the Anhangabaú Valley – downtown bustling Sao Paulo.

Overnight at SAO.

DAY 03: SAO PAULO / MANAUS
Breakfast at Hotel, transfer to airport to connect flight to MAO, On arrival transfer meet and assit and transfer to to AMAZON CRUSE .
Watch the sunset from the Upper Deck as you begin the journey on the Amazon. Tonight,Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party followed by Dinner. (D)Overnight at on board cruise

DAY 04: MANAUS
At sunrise, enter the Rio Manacapuru. Depart on a photo safari in the Manacapuru region through Igarapes and Igapos, continuing to Lake Jacare. After lunch on board, try your hand at Piranha fishing or bird watching at Lake Rei. Tonight, after dinner, time for Alligator spotting.
Overnight on board cruise

DAY 05: MANAUS
Morning arrival in Janauaca. After breakfast, bird watching and jungle tail hiking. Continue to Igarape do Rei for a boat excursion though the Igarapes. Evening: Special Farewell Diner.

Overnight on board cruise

DAY 06: MANAUS
Arise early to see the fascinating phenomena of the “Meeting of the Waters” at sunrise. Then, disembarkation at the port of Manaus.
Transfer to the Hotel and check in

Afternoon take a half-day City Tour Manaus – 03 hours
The tour will have its first stop at the Amazon Theatre, inaugurated in 1896, the main highlight of the city. A symbol of the Rubber era, all the richness and grandiosity of those golden ages are still reflected in the halls, saloons and masterwork pieces of art part of it. Then the tour will continue to Rio Negro Palace, former official seat of the State Government and fine example of architecture of the Rubber golden age (1890- 1910). Some fine architecture styles are also present in the popular houses also known as “palafitas”, built over the river’s prolongations (swamp) areas called Igarapes by the locals. Visit to the Indian Museum, at the CongregaçaoSalesiana, the best place to understand the traditions, uses and usages of the native’s populations on the Rio Negro highlands. Visit to the Municipal Market AdolphoLisboa, where the participants will have a privileged sight of the Floating Harbor of Manaus. Return to Hotel. OPTIONAL : Night tour of Manaus. Overnight at Manaus

DAY 07: MANAUS / RIO DE JANEIRO-Airport Transfer to board your flight to Rio De Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, meet and transfer to the hotel

H/D Tour of the city and the Sugar Loaf Mountain – 4 hours
Drive to “Praia Vermelha” (Red beach), to take the two stage car up to the top of Sugar Loaf (270m), which grants the entrance to Rio’s harbor and Guanabara Bay. The Italian made cable car holds 80 passengers and each of the two stages takes two minutes. The first stage is Morro da Urca with 170m, with a restaurant, amphitheater and helicopter-point. The second stage goes on the Sugar Loaf itself, thus named for its resemblance to the loaves of sugar used by the Portuguese at the time of the city’s discovery. Overnight at RIO

DAY 08: RIO DE JANEIRO -Breakfast at Hotel

H/D Corcovado Tour with Lunch at Local Restaurant (no beverages) – 6 hours
We will drive to one of the older parts of Rio called Cosme Velho, from where we take the train to the Corcovado Mountain with the gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer (2.300ft above sea level). A modern swiss-made cogwheel rail climbs the mountain from its base at 15meters almost to the summit at 710 meters. The trip up takes 17 minutes approx., at a maximum speed of 15km/h. The trip down takes 22min, at a speed of 12km/h.
After the Corcovado we will have lunch in a barbecue restaurant, where you can try all different cuts of meat as well as a delicious salad buffet.

Rio by Night dinner at local Restaurant (no beverages) + Plataforma Show – 4hrs
Enjoy a nice dinner in one of the best barbecue restaurant, where you can try all different cuts of meat as well as a delicious salad buffet. After dinner, have fun and enjoy a great samba show where “mulatas” exhibit the intricate steps of local dances and “batuqueiros” produce a delirium beat from exotic percussion instruments the world most famous mark of samba rhythm.

Overnight at RIO

DAY 09: RIO DE JANEIRO

OPTIONAL – After breakfast take a full day tour of Petropolis (without lunch) – 8 hours
This city is located in the Serra dos Orgaos, only one hour from Rio de Janeiro. There we will visit the Imperial Museum,old summer residence of the imperial family during the 19th century. We will be able to see a fabulous collection of art objects and jewels, including the famous Imperial Crown. During our stay in Petropolis, we will visit the Crystal Palace and the Sao Pedro de Alcantara Gothic Cathedral. Operates daily, except on Mondays.Overnight at RIO

DAY 10: RIO DE JANEIRO / FOZ DE IGUACU
Breakfast at Hotel,Airport transfer to take the flight toIguacu,Arrival in Iguacu, meet and transfer to Hotel.

Birds Park visit – 01 hour
The Foz Tropicana Bird Park is one of the main attractions in Iguassu! The park is on the Falls Road (Rodovia das Cataratas), 300 meters from the entrance to the Iguassu National Park. It is ideally situated, being 10 km from the Iguassu falls. The bird park is really an extension of the huge Iguassu National Park with identical vegetation and characteristics. It covers an area of 16,5 ha. Of which 4 ha. Have been allocated to aviaries and facilities. The remainder is unspoilt subtropical forest, which extends to the Iguassu River. Visitors follow an 800m path, which winds through the forest and past the breeding aviaries and enclosures. The path passes through some of the largest aviaries, where the birds are free flying. These aviaries represent different Brazilian ecosystems such as the swamp area (Pantanal Aviary) and the Atlantic Rain Forest (forest aviary). Currently the bird park has approximately 600 birds of 150 species from South America and other continents. Brazilian birds predominate, but species from Africa, Asia and Australia are also represented. A breeding program has been developed and birds that are rarely seen in the wild can be studied and photographed in the big aviaries without the restriction of netting and cages. A visit to the park takes approximately anhour.Overnight at IGU

DAY 11: FOZ DE IGUACU
Breakfast at Hotel,Tour of the Brazilian Falls with Lunch at Local Restaurant (no beverages)
Departure in vehicle heading to the National Park of the Brazilian Falls (entrance fee not included). The tour starts with a visit to the Main Center of the park, where the participants will have the opportunity to get some hints about the local ecosystem. From there the tour follows with a walking time through the most important track of the park where the participants could enjoy an astonishing view of the waterfalls. From the local belvedere the participants will have a privileged sight of the both parks of the waterfalls, Return to the main point via the panoramic elevator.

OPTIONAL:Macuco Boat Safari – 04 hours
When in the Brazil Falls, transfer to the Macuco Trail in the Iguassu National Park to board jeeps, the best form of transportation in this rain forest due to the unpaved but accessible the year around. On this trip, the participants will get to know several and different species of sub-tropical plants and trees, including orchids and the heart-of-palm, which grow in abundance here. Luckly, animals and some of the beautiful birds of the region will appear during the trip. After a 3 kilometers jeep ride, the tour continues to a 600 meters on foot to the picturesque MacucoFalls, hidden in the forested canyon. The trail brings us to the banks of the Iguassu River, to board a twin-engine inflatable boat with capacity of 25 passengers each, specially designed for the local river conditions. Then cruise up into the Iguassu Canyon, shoot several rapids, and arrive to the very base of the majestic waterfalls. As the experienced pilot maneuvers in the midst of the falls themselves, the passenger will have a completely different view and experience a thrill never forgotten.
Overnight at IGU

DAY 12:IGUACU /EL CALAFATE (via Buenos Aires)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to cross over to the Argentina side of Iguazu,
With a quick stop at customs checks out.

H / D Argentinean Falls with lunch at a local Restaurant (no beverages)
After that, the tour continues to the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which separates the border between Argentina and Brazil. Once in Argentina, a scenic highway up to the Argentine Iguassu Park is taken from where the visit of the Argentinean Falls at Porto Canoas, which gives the access to the very brink of the awe inspiring Devil’s Throat, largest of the Argentinean Falls, including the San Martin Falls. On the way back from the falls a stop at the “Three Borders” Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.After the tour continue to the airport to take your flight to Buenos Aires.
ONE WAY TRANSFER FROM CALAFATE AIRPORT TO HOTEL

DAY 13: EL CALAFATE
MINITREKKING WITH FEE INCLUDED-10 hours duration
Only 80 km away from El Calafate, at Los Glaciares National Park, the Perito Moreno Glacier the only glacier that is still growing rises majestically. We will start by penetrating the Patagonic Andean forest and make a first breathtaking stop at “Curva de los Suspiros” (Curve of Sighs), where we will enjoy a first view of this incredible natural wonder. When we approach the glacier, we will walk down the wooden catwalks to approach the Glacier and admire from different panoramic points this wonderful creation of Mother Nature.
After admiring the glacier from the catwalks, we will travel to “BajolasSombras” Bay port, from where we will sail for 20 minutes to the coast besides the glacier. In small groups, conducted by experienced guides, we will walk by the lakeshore to reach the glacier itself. We need put on crampons that will allow us to walk on the frozen surfacee. In an unforgettable 1-hour route, we will appreciate different ice formations, such as cracks, seracs, drains, and small pools. On our way back, we will cross the heavy Magellan forest, visit Canal de los Tempanos, and stop at a glacier viewpoint. Age: 10-65 Approximately from August to May.
Overnight at FTE

Day 14: EL CALAFATE / Buenos Aires-
After breakfast check out of the hotel,On your way to the airport enjoy your city tour of El Calafateand learn about the history, culture and people of Patagonia. Stroll through the streets of this historic town, study the unique architecture and take in magnificent views of the endemic flora and fauna. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to the hotel
Overnight @ BUE

Day 15: Buenos Aires
Breakfast to the hotel Coach CITY TOUR-Duration 3 hours
Get acquainted with Buenos Aires during this tour highlighting the city s major neighborhoods and attractions. Among the points of interest you will see are Main Square Plaza de Mayo surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Presidential Headquarters Office), the Cabildo (Colonial Town Hall) and the Cathedral. You will also drive through the charming streets of San Telmo and down the colorful roads of La Boca, famous for its multicolor tin houses. Finally, visit Palermo and its magnificent mansions and parks.

DINNER AND TANGO SHOW AT ESQUINA CARLOS GARDEL WITH BEVERAGES AND TRANSFERS INCLUDED(Coach Transfer)
By the end of the XIX century, when in Buenos Aires the tango started to spread and melt with the soul of the folk, mixing slowly with the essence of the native and immigrant people, and when the village pre tended to transform disorderly into a city, one of its most picturesque quarters was “El Abasto”, where labour was in the air during the day, and tango pervaded the night.
Esquina Carlos Gardel”, located in Abastoneighbourhood, offers an inimitable and insurmountable alternative regarding Tango restaurants.
A superb cuisine, an exquisitely decorated Art Nouveau style ambience, that exactly re creates the sophistication of the most luxurious old time dining rooms, last-generation technology equipment, top level artistic proposal, and a mystical atmosphere that will lead you to experiment an unforgettable night.Overnight @BUE

Day 16: Buenos Aires
FD GAUCHO PARTY SANTA SUSANA – BEVERAGES INCLUDED-Duration: 8 hours
This is a visit to a typical “estancia” of the Argentine wet pampas, one of the most fertile natural prairies of the world and famous for its meat and cereal production.
The guest will be received with “empanadas”, “asado”, good Argentine wines, and will be able to enjoy folkloric songs, dances and show of Creole.
Enjoy the flavour of our “pampas” at a touristy ranch located 110 km away from downtown Buenos Aires. You will be welcomed with meat pies (typical empanadas), a glass of wine or juices by the owners and served an argentine B.B.Q. After lunch, a folkloric Gaucho s Show will be performed and you will have the possibility of appreciating the typical Ring Race (Carrera de Sortijas) or ride on horseback.Regular Venue at the Ranch Transfers are regular -Overnight @BUE

Day 17: 10 OCT Buenos Aires
Free day until its time to leave for the airport to travel to Sao Paulo.At proper time, transfer from the hotel to airport