CHAPADA & CAIPIRINHA

Day 1 - Rio De Janerio

Today you will take your flight to Rio de Janeiro, via Lisbon, on TAP Portugal Airlines.

When you arrive in Rio you will be met by an English-speaking representative from our Brazilian ground handlers. Just as you come out of the baggage hall there is a barrier behind which everyone waiting stands, your transfer will be waiting for you there. They will be holding a sign with your name on it or theirs, but sometimes it can be crowded and difficult to find them. In the unlikely event of not meeting your guide immediately please wait outside the arrival area a reasonable amount of time, eg half an hour, before contacting them.

You will be driven to your hotel where the guide will give you a general introduction to Rio and any vouchers or airline tickets you may need for this part of your trip. There may not be any vouchers as often they are faxed straight to the hotels etc. Other vouchers will be given to you as you arrive at each major destination on your itinerary.

Rio’s famous Copacabana beach is a wide stretch of sand that constantly buzzes with activity with everything from people relaxing in bars drinking fresh coconut milk to scantily clad locals playing various forms of football and volley ball. Rio is an incredibly lively city and there is plenty to do both during the day and at night. Its dramatic setting between the mountains and the sea provides the perfect backdrop for such a vibrant city. The Sugar Loaf (Pao de Azucar) and The Corcovado (Statue of Christ the Redeemer) are two of its most visited sites and with good reason as they provide spectacular views of the city.

Corcovado, the Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Botanical Gardens are popular places to visit. In the old part of the city you will find some good museums, the cathedral (rather ugly on the outside but pretty inside), and some beautiful colonial buildings. You might also like to watch a football match in the largest football stadium in the world or visit the marvellous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. There are day excursions to Tijuaca Forest, Buzios and you can go to see some Bossa Nova or Samba in the evening. All in all, a great deal to see and do!

Day 2 - Rio De Janerio

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your full day tour of some of the most famous sights in Rio. These include the Sugar Loaf and the Corcovado. You will be given a brief history of Rio as you drive round the main areas of the city. You will then be taken up the various stages of the cable car to the top of the Sugar Loaf. The 360° views of Rio are superb from here. After a typical Brazilian barbeque lunch you will be driven to the Corcovado, through a lovely forest to the top of this outcrop, where Christ the Redeemer is perched. The alternative route up is via an old fenicular railway that streaches the 3.8km up the side of the hill. Again the views from the top are spectacular as you look over Rio with its limestone outcrops and the Altlantic Ocean. (Sometimes the itinerary is reversed with Corcovado in the morning, and the Sugar Loaf after lunch).

Day 3 - Rio De Janerio

Over the next few days you will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Rioisit the Sugar Loaf for a breathtaking 360 degree view of Rio, and climb Corvocado to see Christ the Redeemer. Make sure to see the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and perhaps take a favela tour, watch a football match at the Maracana Stadium or take a day trip to Niteroi. and take in its famous sites. V

Day 4 - Rio De Janerio

Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Ilheus. On arrival you will be met and driven to Itacare (50 mins) where you will be dropped to your hotel.

Days 5-8 - Itacare

This charming little town is one of the must-visit up and coming areas of Bahia.  It is unusual in that the beaches here are small, beautiful horseshoe-shaped as opposed to the endless long beaches that you see elsewhere in Bahia.  The town was originally a small surfing spot, and whilst the waves are still excellent, there is now a range of accommodation for all tastes and budgets.  There is excellent rafting in the area, and numerous short hikes can be made into the jungle and along the coast to even more fabulous beaches.

Over the next few days you are free to relax in the amazing surroundings.

Day 9 - Chapada Diamantina National Park

Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Salvador. When you arrive you will be transferred to the Chapada Diamantina National park.

The town of Lencois lies due west of Salvador, inland. The drive will take approximately 6 hours but the scenery is well worth it. The road is paved all the way but there are an interesting number of potholes at times. You can stop along the way as you wish to take photos or have a snack.

Lencois, Chapada Diamantina

A typical rural Bahian town, Lencois is a truly different destination within Brazil. Whilst the tumbling colourful town itself is charming, the Chapada Diamantina national park is stunningly beautiful. With its endless rushing waterfalls, extraordinary rock formations, and astounding natural beauty, it provides the perfect retreat for both the adventurous trekker and those who simply like to spend gentle days appreciating their surroundings.

Days 10-11 - Chapada Diamantina National Park

Over the next two days you can do activities in the national park, such as visit the waterfalls, go mountain biking, horse riding, and abseiling or climbing.

Day 12 - Salvador

Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred back to Salvador, where you will be dropped to your hotel for the evening.

Salvador da Bahia

A vibrant colonial city, right on the coast, it is steeped in history and the city positively vibrates with music and dance, deeply routed in African-Brazilian culture. Candomble festivals celebrate an entrancing mixture of ancient African beliefs and Christianity and can frequently be seen on the cobbled streets of the historic centre. The coast boasts glorious white sand beaches where you can relax and wind down after a hectic trip.

Day 13 - Salvador

Day at leisure to explore the city and its surroundings. We recommend a City Tour to get the most out of the experience; the history and culture of Salvador. And don’t forget to visit the Afro-brasilian museum in Pelourinho, it’s fantastic!