Pantanal Explorer (9 days)

Morning arrival in Sao Paulo and make connection 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 day at leisure.

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.

Iguassu Falls is truly awesome. Eleanore 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. There 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.

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

Barra Mansa

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. You'll have a chance for any evening excursion as well to search for nocturnal animals.

Excursions and activites as offered by your lodge. You'll have ample time to explore this wildlife rich area.

Another day to enjoy exploring the area and its abundant wildlife.

Your last day to explore this seasonal wetland.

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 Emiliano Rio where your deluxe room will give you sweeping vistas of famed Ipanema Beach.

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 points. Lunch enroute at a traditional "churrascaria", Brazilian barbeque house.

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 barbeque. No need to rush through the day as your room is paid for late check-out. Evening transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to Miami.