Day 1

You will arrive in Rio de Janeiro and be met at the airport by a private driver who will take you to the elegant oceanfront Miramar Palace Hotel. After checking in, you may want to relax and have some lunch. We suggest lunch at Porcão, a barbecue buffet restaurant.  In the afternoon you might like to take a wander around Copacabana and visit the famous beaches near your hotel.

Day 2

Today you will be taken on a city tour in your own private air-conditioned Land Rover to visit some of the most famous sites of Rio. Driving on the scenic Castorina Road towards the Corcovado (the Christ statue) you will stop to see the Mesa do Imperador (the Emperor’s Table) and the Vista Chinesa (Chinese Lookout point) before entering the Tijuca National Park. In the park you will visit the principal hotspots: the Taunay Waterfall, the Mayrink Chapel and not to mention the view of the beautiful flora and fauna of the forest and the sounds of the Atlantic Forest birds. Still driving through tranquil scenic roads in the Tijuca National Park, the tour will take you across the top of the mountain in the direction of Corcovado. After experiencing the panoramic 360º views from the top of the Corcovado, you next stop will be the neighborhood of Santa Tereza, a historical district of old Rio, where artisans and artists live and work. You will be able to visit authentic local artisan stores and have lunch in one of the local restaurants, where you will experience the flavors of Brazilian cuisine. After lunch you will visit the Chacara do Céu Museum, a special place where nature, panoramic views of the Guanabara Bay and art are in total harmony with the landscape. Ending your tour at the Sugar Loaf, where you will be able to watch the magnificent sunset over the city and the bay, you will no doubt have fallen in love with this enchanted city. We suggest dinner at Da Brambini (Italian seafood) in Praia do Leme.

Day 3

After breakfast you will check out of the Miramar Palace hotel and be driven in an air-conditioned vehicle by an English-speaking guide to the airport, where you will take a flight to Campo Grande, Pantanal. You will be met at the Campo Grande airport and driven to the Hotel Aguas de Bonito (approximately 4 hours by car), where you will check in. You may want to have lunch at your hotel and relax before your afternoon boat tour.  This tour takes you down 7km of the beautiful Formoso River in inflatable boats, with a capacity for a maximum of 13 people per boat. You will pass various waterfalls and rapids and have the opportunity to see many animals and birds, as well as observe the rich vegetation along the riverbank. Stops to swim in the river and waterfalls will be possible. We suggest dinner back at your hotel.

Day 4

After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of the Blue Lagoon Cave, which is undoubtedly the most beautiful and impressive cave in the region. The stunning blue lake lies 180m below the earth’s surface and is reached by a steep descent. The clear blue color is due to rich deposits of calcium carbonate and magnesium in the lake. It is a truly beautiful and mysterious place. Lunch is back at your hotel, followed by a snorkeling trip to the Sucuri River. This crystal clear river is one of the most transparent in the world. You will float down 2km of river, carried by the current, wearing life-jacket, mask and snorkel. Hundreds of fish live in the river, as well as incredible sub aquatic vegetation. Dinner is back at your hotel.

Day 5

Today you will check out of Hotel Aguas de Bonito and be driven to the Refugio Ecologico Caiman in the Pantanal – Sul (3 hour drive). After checking in and having lunch at the hotel you will have a choice of tours to go on.

On days 5, 6 and 8 of the package at Refugio Ecologico Caiman you will have a choice of the following tours, depending on the different conditions of the trails (due mainly to the weather). All tours are guided by expert, local, English-speaking guides:

·       Walking tours through wetland areas near your pousada to see flora and fauna, animals and the different ecosystems of the Pantanal.

·       Horseback riding tours – this is the best way to really see the Pantanal. The horses are well trained and will take you through rivers, streams and to areas which are impossible to reach by car. This is a great way to see birds, mammals, reptiles and flora.

·       Boat tours. During the wet season (December - March) the rivers and streams flood on to the plains and boat trips are offered through these flooded plains to see reptiles, mammals, water birds, fish, plant life and the famous capybara (the world’s largest rodent). During the dry season (July – October) the water level drops and it is possible to see an abundance of wildlife on the river banks, such as caiman, and beautiful, colorful macaws.

·       Day and night time safari tours in an open-top vehicle to see the rich wildlife and flora of the region. You will have a chance to observe animals such as monkeys, deer, armadillos, anteaters; and birds such as macaws, toucans, eagles, emus and herons.

Day 6

On your second day at Refugio Ecologico Caiman you will go on a morning tour after breakfast. Lunch is back at the hotel and in the afternoon you will be taken on a different tour. Tours will vary according to trail conditions and weather. See options above on day 5. Dinner is back at the hotel.

Day 7

Today you will go on a morning tour after breakfast. Lunch is back at the hotel and in the afternoon you will be taken on a different tour. Tours will vary according to trail conditions and weather. See options above on day 5. Dinner is back at the hotel.

Day 8

On your last day in the Pantanal - Sul you will check out of the Refugio Ecologico Caiman and be driven to the Campo Grande airport (4 hour drive). We are certain that you will have enjoyed your trip and we look forward to seeing you again in Brazil.

·         If you happen to be in Rio on a Sunday the hippie fair (open-air handcrafts market) at Praça Gen Osório in Ipanema is worth a visit.

·         There is an evening dinner show (Samba show and dinner) available, if you are interested, which is not included in the above package. Please let us know if you would like us to book this for you.