The Experience

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice): Thursday – Depart USA: Depart Miami on evening flight. Friday – Arrive Sao Paulo and connect to Iguassu Falls: Morning arrival in Sao Paulo and make connections for flight to Iguassu Falls, arriving mid-afternoon. Meeting and transfer to your hotel, the venerable and ever popular Hotel Das Cataratas located in the National Park right at the falls. Balance of the day at leisure. Saturday – Iguassu Falls: Today you will enjoy a complete visit to these magnificent falls, including a walking tour on the Brazilian side and the Macuco Safari with thrilling motorlaunch excursion to view the falls up close before driving across to the Argentine side for a walking tour from that vantage point. You’ll have lunch en route and return back to your hotel in the late afternoon. (B/L) Iguassu Falls is truly awesome. Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed on first viewing these falls: “Poor Niagara This makes Niagara look like a kitchen faucet!” The main falls are indeed 60 feet taller than Niagara and half again as wide as Niagara – here are 275 falls spanning a two mile wide precipice plunging an average of 300 feet to the river below. The Brazilian side offers ever changing panoramic vistas while the Argentine side offers “up-close and personal” views. Sunday – Iguassu Falls – Sao Paulo – Pantanal: Morning return transfer to the airport for flight to Sao Paulo where you make connections to the Pantanal. There are three excellent choices: Caiman Ecological Refuge Araras Eco Lodge Pousada de Rio Muntum The lodge will meet you upon your arrival and transfer you to their lodge. During your stay you will have all meals and excursions included. Each day you’ll have morning and afternoon excursions, varied to optimize wildlife viewing. And you’ll have a chance for any evening excursion as well to search for nocturnal animals. Monday – Pantanal: Excursions and activities as offered by your lodge. You’ll have ample time to explore this wildlife rich area. (B/L/D) Tuesday – Pantanal: Another day to enjoy exploring the area and its abundant wildlife. (B/L/D) Wednesday – Pantanal: Your last day to explore this seasonal wetland. (B/L/D) Thursday – Pantanal – Rio de Janeiro: Your lodge will transfer you back to your gateway airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro, arriving in the early evening. Meeting and transfer to the Sofitel Rio Palace where your deluxe rooms will give you sweeping vistas of famed Copacabana Beach. (B) Friday – Rio de Janeiro: Today you will enjoy a complete day of exploring this naturally beautiful city, called Cidade Maravilhosa or Marvelous City. Take the two stage cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf mountain and the modern cogwheel train to the top of Corcovado Mountain, both offering different and spectacular panoramas of the city beaches, Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay. Plenty of time to photograph from the various vantage points, and lunch en route at a traditional “churrascaria” Brazilian barbecue house. (B/L) Saturday- Rio de Janeiro: Full day at leisure to explore this city at your own pace, or to arrange optional excursions to Petropolis for a look at the home and crown jewels of the last emperor of Brazil, or by schooner on a Tropical Islands day with beach barbecue. No need to rush through the day – your room is paid for late check-out. Evening transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to Miami. (B) Sunday – Arrive Miami: Morning arrival in Miami. Clear customs and immigrations and make connections to your home city.