Iguassu Falls, Pantanal, Amazon & Rio de Janeiro
14 days / 13 nights
From $4,182 per person, double occupancy for 2009

Domestic airfare not included - from $582, per person, based on TAM airpass, subject to change. Day 1: Iguassu
Iguassu Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Mabu Thermas & Resort or Bourbon Iguassu Golf Club & Resort, daily breakfast included - 2 nights. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2: Iguassu
Today you will explore the Brazilian side of the falls on a half-day excursion with a bilingual naturalist guide. You will be taken across the 500,000-acre Iguacu National Park, one of the greatest ecological reserves in the world and home to many species of birds, mammals and plants. Afterward, you reach an overlook from where you have a breathtaking view of the falls. The thunderous roar of crashing water and the multi-colored mist rising above the falls is one of the world's most impressive sights. A 45-minute walk descends through sub-tropical forest to the bottom of Floriano Falls. From here, an elevator returns you to the top of the falls. Optional half-day tour of the Argentinean side can be arranged (not included in trip cost). (B)

Day 3: Iguassu - Cuiaba
Morning at leisure. At the appropriate time, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Cuiaba. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Deville Cuiaba, breakfast included. (B)

Day 4: Cuiaba - Alta Floresta
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart for the airport, with a brief city tour en route. Fly to Alta Floresta. Airport reception and transfer to a local hotel for a welcome drink. Transfer to the Cristalino Jungle Lodge. Check in to your accommodations followed by dinner and a slide show presentation on the local fauna and flora. Library and maps available. (B,D)

Day 5: Alta Floresta
Early wake up to observe the awakening of the forest from a 50-meter canopy tower. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterward, board a motorized canoe and go upriver for the Brazil Nut Trail walk. Then, float back downriver with boat engines switched off or by canoe. Wildlife viewing and. swimming along the river, by the floating deck or by the rapids. Lunch. Opportunity to choose between two afternoon options: Walking the “Rocky” trail to the Tree House or participating in supervised ropes and rappel activities (including an instructional course). Dinner by campfire. Night cayman spotting by the floating deck or in motor boats. Observation of nocturnal life in the forest. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Alta Floresta
Canopy tower visit before breakfast. Walk to the Caja Trail. Swimming before lunch. Motor boat upriver, hiking the Serra Trail and watching the sunset. Farewell campfire dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Alta Floresta - Cuiaba - Manaus
After breakfast, transfer to Alta Floresta. After lunch at a local hotel you will transfer to the airport. Fly to Manaus. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Tropical Hotel, breakfast included. (B,L)

Day 8: Amazon Cruise
Transfer to the docks to board the M/V Desafio. Begin the cruise with a view of the city from the Amazon River and the famous meeting of the waters (Solimões and Negro Rivers), which don’t mix for several miles until they form the Amazon River. Leave the cruise ship for an exploratory tour aboard motorized canoes. Return to the ship for dinner. (B,D)

Day 9: Amazon Cruise
After an early breakfast, disembark for a walking tour in the forest. Return to the ship for lunch. The afternoon will be free. Dinner will be followed by a canoe trip to listen to the night sounds of the forest. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Amazon Cruise
After breakfast, visit a typical village of the area where locals make manioc flour. Lunch will be onboard while navigating to go piranha fishing. Dinner will be followed by a canoe trip to spot alligators with flashlights. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Manaus - Rio de Janeiro
Early morning wake up to admire the sunrise in the forest. Return to the ship for breakfast while navigating back to Manaus. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Sheraton Rio (or similar), breakfast included - 3 nights. (B)

Day 12: Rio
In the morning, depart for a half-day city tour, visiting points of interest, downtown, monuments and parks. Return to the hotel. Rest of the day free. (B)

Day 13: Rio
Day at leisure for optional tours such as Corcovado & Sugar Loaf, Tropical Islands, ‘Rio by Night’ dinner and show. (B)

Day 14: Departure
At the appropriate time, hotel pickup and transfer to the airport. (B)