Day-to-day schedule
Day 1: São Paulo
Welcome to Brazil!
Your tour starts in São Paulo, where you can use your hotel room upon arrival. Most of your travel companions will arrive today, the exact time will depend on their flight schedule. Should you wish to contact your tour leader or for any further information, please ask at the front desk of your hotel.
Sao Paulo, like Rio de Janeiro is both a city and a state. For one hundred years, has the state of São Paulo been Brazil's economic engine. Nowhere in Brazil is such a mixed population to be found. The inhabitants include descendants of Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Russians, Armenians, Germans, Dutch, Swiss and Japanese. Then later in history the Indians' nordestinos, the poor inhabitants in the northeast of the country arrived too in Sao Paolo. Now there are approximately 15 million inhabitants in total.
The Japanese are a close-knit immigrant community with its own area in Sao Paulo. Their district is called Liberdade. In the forties many Japanese immigrants came here and nowadays, more than 600,000 Japenese people make São Paulo the largest Japanese community outside Japan. If you go down the streets, you imagine you are in Tokyo! The streets are a motley collection of shops, restaurants and typical Japanese institutions such as judo and karate schools, and Zen Buddhist training. Of course this is the place for sushi, sukiyaki and Japanese fish or vegetable dishes, and you only pay in proportion very little.
The Catedral Metropolitana is an impressive building in the Gothic style, with two tall towers. The windows of the cathedral symbolise the history of Catholicism in Brazil. Praça da Sé is the busiest square in Sao Paulo and really the heart of the old town. Many immigrants sell their stuff here.
In the evening you can enjoy sushi for example in the Japanese quarter. Then pay a visit to one of the many ultra-modern lounge bars, a pleasant way to round-off this evening.
Day 2: São Paulo - Curitiba
After a 11 hour journey we arrive at the glorious city of Curitiba capital of Paraná state and one of the cleanest cities in South America.
Founded in 1654 on the back of the cattle trade, this area saw a period of rapid development at the beginning of the 20th Century following the arrival of European immigrants. Like many other Brazilian cities, Curitiba is a melting pot of cultures, with the Italian influence is especially visible in the Santa Felicidade district offering many Italian restaurants. The city is famed for its beautiful parks and as there is approximately 54m2 of parkland per resident, there are plenty to choose from. In 2010 the city was awarded the ‘Globe Sustainable City Award’, an award set up to acknowledge cities around the world, who excel in sustainable urban development.
Day 3: Curitiba - Morettes - Curitiba
Today’s spectacular two and a half hour train journey from Curitiba to Morettes, descends about 1000 metres beside sheer mountain passes, through veils of mist and tropical rain forests to the colonial town of Morettes, at sea level.
There will be a short tour through Morettes, where you can try the traditional Portugese casserole ‘barreado’, made in a sealed clay stewing-pot and cooked for 24 hours, and sample the local drink Cachaça. There are opportunities to go rafting, mountain biking or tubing (boia-cross in Brazilian), before we take a bus back to Curitiba in the late afternoon.
Curitiba is justly proud to be known as the ecological capital of the country, and this journey will give you the opportunity to personally experience the revolutionary local bus system, where bus stations are in large hollow tubes like underground stations and buses drive in bus lanes.
In the evening, take the night bus with reserved seats to Foz do Iguacu.
Day 4: Foz do Iguaçu
Journey to Foz do Iguaçu and visit the luxuriant green national park, home of the impressive Iguaçu waterfalls. Created by water from the Iguaçu River crashing down into a 3 km wide amphitheatre below, there are 275 falls in total. A UNESCO’s World Heritage site, this natural wonder can easily compete with Niagara Falls and forms the border between Argentina and Brazil. You will reach the waterfall over a winding footbridge, so be prepared to get wet! Alternatively you could take a helicopter flight over the falls or a speedboat ride along the foot of the falls.
Day 5: Foz do Iguaçu
Your second day at Foz do Iguaçu where there is so much to experience in and around the city, including a visit to ‘Itaipu Dam’ one of the largest flood-control dams in the World. For full details of this and may other activities please speak to your travel guide.
Day 6: Foz do Iguaçu - Bonito
Today you can still spend all day at the falls. You may choose to visit the cities' Bird Park (Parque das Aves), which is home to a variety of wild birds, and the "Bosque Guaraní", the city's zoo
In the evening we leave aboard a comfortable night bus to Bonito, where will arrive in due course, the following morning.
Day 7: Bonito
Bonito is on Bodoquena plateau southwest of the Pantanal. It is a region with a highly alkaline soil. In many places the chalk has washed away and its impressive caves and craters have been left behind. The area has no less than 100 caves! Some of them you can visit such as the "Gruta do Lago Azul" and the caves of São Miguel. In the cave of Anhumas you can abseil 72 meters and then go swimming, snorkelling or diving.
There is a lot of water in the area surrounding Bonito. There are several rivers: the Rio da Prata, Rio Formosa, Rio and Rio Sucuri Mimosa. The water in these rivers is crystal clear, has a constant warm temperature, and therefore offers excellent opportunities for snorkelling. The divers are well catered for at Lagoa Misteriosa (the most mysterious because no one knows how deep it is). Underwater you have visibility of more than 40 meters!
You can also go along the river in a rubber ring where you will encounter rapids and waterfalls. You can go rafting, take a canopy tour through the treetops, riding, cycling and walking. Also you can visit Buraco das Araras, a subsidence in the ground causing a huge crater where parrots and other bird species breed .
All in all, there is much to do in the Bonito area!
Day 8: Bonito
Next day in Bonito, you may like to visit the town itself. It is not particularly big but has a lively center with all kinds of shops and good restaurants. Besides meat and fish specialties you can try exotic caiman and capybara dishes!
Day 9: Bonito - Panatal
With a private bus we drive to the Pantanal. The "fazenda" (farm type) accommodation with swimming pool, in which we will stay, lies deep in the Pantanal. Our stay at "Fazenda Santa Clara 'is including an excursion program with English speaking local guides. The meal contribution in the Pantanal is about 20 Real per person (lunch and dinner).
In the immediate vicinity of the "fazenda" live many animal species. Caimans, monkeys, foxes, (dwarf) deer, parrots, toucans, armadillos, and peccary's anacondas are just some examples of the rich wildlife of the Pantanal. Today and tomorrow you'll have plenty of time for making various explorations of the surrounding area. Depending on the water you do this on foot, horseback, canoe and motorboat in small groups, always accompanied by English speaking guides.
The canoe exploration visits the lagoons with floating aquatic plants and their lush banks. With a little luck you'll see giant otters, capybaras, and maybe even an ipeki ', also called the ''kangaroo among birds'', because he rears his young in a cavity under the wings.
Day 10: Panatal
The largest wetland area in the world beats as a giant heart in the middle of South America. Much of the year, heavy rains wash nutrients into a basin that is larger than Uruguay. The Pantanal acts like a big sponge that absorbs and retains water, and ensures there is no flooding downstream. Anteaters, jaguars, armadillos and the non-flying rhea's retreat into the patches of dry ground. Fish leave the rivers to forage in the flooded grasslands. They in turn are food for thousands of storks, egrets and herons. Huge flocks of migratory birds, which sometimes even come from as far as Canada, join the Brazilian ducks.
These annual rhythms will be broken if the big developers proceed with the Hidrovia project, which aims to dredge the Paraguay-Parana rivers to allow ocean-going ships to travel further inland. This would be a severe blow to the protection efforts of local farmers. It would make the benefits of having reduced poaching void. The ocelots and jaguars, which almost disappeared from the landscape, have taken time to get back in real numbers. Fortunately, many Brazilians are now committed to the preservation of the Pantanal. So there is hope. Perhaps the caiman has a reason to smile!
Day 11: Panatal - Campo Grande - Paraty
Today you fly from Campo Grande, a few hours drive from the Pantanal, to São Paulo. We then make the 3 hour bus journey (with reserved seats) to the small colonial town of Paraty on the tropical green coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Classed as a cultural monument under the protection of UNESCO, Paraty was one of the first harbours in Brazil, where gold and other precious metals were shipped en-route to Portugal. The town has remained entirely intact many buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Wander through the charming streets with their many restaurants and small bars or take a beautiful boat trip to the nearby islands where you can swim and snorkel, cycle through the jungle and discover beautiful beaches.
Day 12: Paraty
Our second day in this delightful town. You may opt to do any of the things mentioned yesterday or in addition, for those who would like to know where the "cachaça", the local firewater, comes from- then there are various distilleries in the area where you can go along and taste it for yourself. The "cachaça" is an essential ingredient in creating a "caipirinha". Thrown in some lime, sugar and ice and there you have the most popular drink in Brazil!
Day 13: Paraty – Ilha Grande
We drive to Angra dos Reis from where we take a 90 minute ferry journey to Ilha Grande, a former prison island. Up until 1994 only prisoners and guards were allowed to set foot on the island and because of this there are no roads, just steep forest paths that are great for hiking. Its capital Vila Abraão is one of only three inhabited areas and has a good array of restaurants and bars.
The beaches are phenomenal and the sea great for snorkelling and kayaking. 35% of Ilha Grande is an ecological paradise consisting of nature reserves and some places are only accessible by small speedboats.
Day 14: Ilha Grande
Relax as you snorkel in the clear blue water, laze the day away on one of the blissful beaches or take to the sea on a kayak or schooner trip. Various marked hiking trails have been set out across the island, a favourite of which is the trek to Praia Dos Rios a beautiful beach between two small rivers that flow out into the ocean. The lush undergrowth is full of many vividly coloured butterflies and you may also pass small waterfalls and maybe even some monkeys in the trees! If you wish to visit a contender for the finest beach in Brazil you will have to either undertake a 3 hour walk from your hotel or take a schooner ride and then make the 20 minute walk to the beach, but trust us, it’s worth it. Be sure to check whether you need to be accompanied by a guide on your chosen trek.
Day 15: Ilha Grande
Enjoy your last full day in beautiful Ilha Grande. Relax on one of the wonderful beaches or pick a trail to hike from one of the many to be found on the island.
Day 16: Ilha Grande – Rio de Janeiro
After a ferry ride to the small seaport town of Mangaratiba we will drive to the exciting city of Rio de Janeiro. Founded by the French in the 16th century and shortly after taken over by the Portuguese, Rio developed into a city of world stature and for over 30 years was the destination for Hollywood stars and international high society, attracted by the luxury casinos and nightclubs.
This dazzling coastal city is home to over ten million people and blessed with beautiful broad beaches and rugged rocky hills. The inhabitants of Rio ‘cariocas’, are are friendly, love music, nightlife and, like most Brazilians, football.
Day 17: Rio de Janeiro
Three days to explore this lively city. From throbbing nightlife to relaxing beaches Rio will inspire and excite. Walk or take the furnicular up to the world famous Pão de Açucar (‘Sugar Loaf Mountain’) situated in the Bay of Guanabara. Visit the Corcovado hill, with the famous figure of Christ, ‘Christo Redendor’ for breathtaking views over the city and bay. Hop on the underground to the historic city centre and marvel at the Teatro Municipal, the ancient monastery of Santo Antonio and the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. For football fans a visit to Maracanã soccer stadium, where Pele scored his 1000th goal, is a must. Visit on a Saturday to sit with hard-core fans and feel the electric atmosphere or for a quieter visit, the stadium is also open weekdays.
Ride the ancient tram through the colonial residential area of Santa Teresa, or visit the peaceful and charming botanical gardens of Jardim Botânico, created in 1808 and home to 6000 species of plants.
There are also hiking trips to the Pedra da Gavea, one of the steep hills rising high above the city, or you could try hang gliding over the city.
Day 18: Rio de Janeiro
For those looking for something a little more relaxed the iconic beaches of Rio are pure perfection. In Rio the beach is a way of life; nowhere in the world are the sand and the sea so inter-twined with social life, so lie back and laze the days away on Copacabana or Ipanema, both world famous beaches, whilst topping up your tan, taking a quick dip in the sea or joining a wave surfing workshop.
Day 19: Rio de Janeiro
The last day of your tour. You can use your hotel room in Rio de Janeiro until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Brazil.
Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.
When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 19) is not included.
Our tour to Brazil already has a guaranteed departure with a minimum number of 2 participants. For groups upto and including 5 participants there are some adjustments concerning the tour leader and the transfers. There will not be a tour leader guiding you in Foz do Iguaçu and Curitiba; you will be guided by an English speaking station guide and a different station guide Morettes. In Foz do Iguacu there will be local guides available to take you to the waterfalls on the Argentinean and Brazilian side. From Foz do Iguacu to Curitiba you will travel with a comfortable public transport bus. A comfortable public bus takes you to Sao Paulo, where you will be met by a representative. From Ilha Bela onwards the tour will be headed by your private tour leader.
When there are at least 6 participants who have booked this tour, there will be one tour leader guiding you throughout the whole tour, transfers will be privately for you and the other participants of this tour.