The Gold Rush Tour
The Tour to the Historical Cities of Brazilian Baroque Century
Day : Going along the green coast you arrive in the city Paraty, declared by the UNESCO: THE WORLD HERITAGE TREASURE. Check in
DAY: Stroll through the charming colonial city and feel like going back in history, when Brazilian gold was shipped from Paraty to Europe . After you go on a half day schooner trip passing by several islands, where you can snorkel and admire the abundance of fish in the crystal waters. The meal will be prepared by the crew.
DAY: Start and go further on the gold route through the National Park
Serra da Bocaina, the 5 million year old Atlantic Forest, with the world oldest rock formations. Here you follow the route of the mule drivers, who carried the gold from Minas Gerais to the ports of Rio and Paraty. In Caxambu you may take a sip of its mineral water in its preserved spa town. The next city will be São João del Rei. After doing check in , while strolling through the city choose the restaurant for a typical local dinner. From here you can on the next day take the famous and old train "Maria Fumaça" to the cute town Tiradentes.
DAY: After Strolling through the city of Tiradentes, a charming colonial city with many handicraft shops, you may have lunch and then you go to Congonhas, where you can admire the work of the most famous artist of the Brazilian Baroque Aleijadinho, the 12 prophets made of soapstone. You continue to "Ouro Preto" or the Black Gold, declared by the UNESCO: THE WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE. The gold, that came out of here in the 18 th . century financed Lisbon 's glory and the Industrial Revolution of England. You will check in and have dinner.
DAY: After knowing Ouro Preto and important historical viewpoints its worth visiting the neighboring city Mariana with it's Cathedral where you may admire the organ of Arp Schnitger constructed in 1701. Near Mariana take an exciting trip into an old gold mine and shop for local arts and crafts.
DAY: You will Pass by the summer residence of the former Emperor of Brazil, Pedro II in Petropolis, visit its most important monuments of the Brazilian Monarchy and after you go back to Rio de Janeiro .
- This tour can be bought with the Iguassu Falls tour.
Iguassu Falls
We invite you to one of the most amazing natural spectacles of the world. In the south along Brazil 's border with Argentina and Paraguay we have the remarkable Iguassu Falls . It is a divine complex of 275 falls 5 km long. Surrounded by the National Parks and the lush rainforest it offers many outstanding natural attractions. During your three days tour you will enjoy an excellent hotel complete with two tours, one around the falls and the jungle, and one through the falls until you get right into the unbelievable Devil's Throat, you just got to be there to experience these waterfalls which surrounds you almost completely (3 days & 2 nights)!
Salvador da Bahia
Have a five day break living as the goddess Yemanjá, at Salvador da Bahia. You will spend five nights at an excellent hotel or apartment of your choice located in the historical centre or the fashionable Barra district. Surrender to a journey through the cultures of three different continents, Europe , Africa and America . Experience the magic, history and fun of this amazing city founded in 1549, once the Brazilian colonial capital for more than two centuries. Walk around the well preserved historical centre named "Pelourinho", and enjoy its extraordinary baroque architecture.
We invite you to explore the religion of "Candomblé" with its mixture of beliefs, cultures and a fascinating tradition of queer priestdoom! Discover how the Africans were able to keep the cults of their tribal religions using elements of the Catholic religion. Also don't miss the Bahian women (Baiana) dressed in white clothes, always with a wide smile together with their trays of candies and "acarajé"; a typical scene in almost every square in the lively city of Salvador. We will offer you the delightful and unique gastronomy of Bahia , based on African recipes with American ingredient.
Visit one of the dozens of the charming city beaches or enjoy short excursions to the many islands and beaches dotted in the beautiful bay of Todos os Santos . There are also other beaches and charming colonial cities nearby which you can appreciate, it is all about you choosing what is right for you. Salvador da Bahia is a destination you can not afford to miss, with its beauty, history and its unique citizens, their affection, religiosity, dance, music, clothes, food, architecture and passion will move you.
Amazone We invite you to the heart of the biggest forest in the world, the Amazonian jungle! You will enjoy an unforgettable experience in a wonderful and charming jungle lodge located a few hours by boat from Manaus , the decadent city of the rubber Barons. This outstanding region must be visited to be believed, firstly, it stays half of the year underwater, and many animals can be seen crowded on the islands of dry land between oceans of rivers! The forest is full of exotic plants, high trees and an incredible variety of animal species. This is a must for any nature lover! You can go alligator spotting, fishing for piranhas, watching the pink and gray fresh water dolphins, visiting the rubber tree plantation, swimming in the rivers, learning about medicinal herbs from rich oral Indian traditions, and much much more! Besides all of this you will explore the history of Manaus with its fantastic Opera house and a complete copy of Les Halles Parisian market place. Not to mention an excursion to where the " Rio Negro " meets the "Rio Solimões", these two amazing rivers join to become the Amazon. On this river even ocean liners can sail, it is so wide at some points that you can not see one bank from the other!
Pantanal and Bonito
We offer you three days in a wonderful resort to use as a base for nine different ecologically minded expedition tours around the Pantanal. The Pantanal is an open wet land where the wildlife in their natural habitat is more easily and readily visible than in the Amazon. This is especially true during the rainy season, where many exotic animals and birds crowd islands that serve as refuge until the water subsides. Enjoy the best that Pantanal can offer in fauna and flora in walking tours, photo safaris, nocturnal animal observation, horseback riding and canoeing.
During your way to Bonito you will spend one day at a charming farm with eleven waterfalls where you will enjoy guided trekking, hiking and rappel. On your last two days in the ecological paradise of Bonito you will visit the Blue Lake Cave and swim in the crystal clear water of river surrounded by the beautiful lush green forest. You won't believe your eyes when you see flocks of fish swimming around you, and if you would like to dive then you will rewarded with swimming side by side with hundreds of different species of fish!
Brasília
If you like modernist architecture this is your city, the capital of Brazil . This project was orchestrated by the architect and urban designer Lucio Costa - a city in the shape of an airplane. The wings are the residential area, while the body itself is the political nerve centre of Brazil . Known as a 21 st century city it has no zebra crossing, only viaducts give access under the main driveways. Modern and bold buildings projected by the architect Oscar Niemeyer such as the cathedral, the Presidential Planalto Palace, the Residential Alvorada Palace, the JK Monument, the National Congress and the National Theatre, are just a handful amongst the many other buildings and monuments, who are worth to visit. You will also have a chance to tour the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, a wonderful and unique landscape covered by an equally special flora of the high altitude "cerrado" (bush land), with mighty waterfalls and natural swimming pools. The whole area is beautiful, set under big blue skies, exotic flora and the dramatic hills rise up like waves breaking across the shore. No visit to this magical park is complete without exploring the fantastic "Vale da Lua", Valley of the Moon, with rock formations and craters sculpted by the gushing waters that share a striking resemblance to the lunar landscape. (2 days & 1 or two nights).
Recife, Olinda e Fernando de Noronha
We invite you for a trip to Pernambuco State . Stay two days and two nights at a nice hotel in Boa Viagem neighbourhood, the Ipanema of the northeast. This lovely neighbourhood has beautiful ocean beaches guarded by reefs, and a wonderful assortment of restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping centres. Recife is much more than this trendy neighbourhood. The old town is built on several islands set in a river delta protected by reefs. It is by far the most important leisure and cultural centre of Northeast Brazil . It is a special place colonized by both the Portuguese and the Dutch, reflected in its unique colonial heritage set between canals and ancient bridges earning the city its nickname: the Brazilian Venice. It is a city of contrasts, where the old colonial architecture blends in with the post-modern constructions. Then you can enjoy a day or even two in the beautiful colonial city of Olinda less than twenty minutes away from the Recife's centre. This tropical baroque gem is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a good reason, it is immaculately preserved, and lived in by artists. This is a complete baroque city in a tropical setting.
Had enough of the city? Want to relax? Just a mere fifty minutes flight over the Atlantic Ocean , and you arrive at Fernando de Noronha . A spectacular island that is built on the tip of a huge volcanic underwater mountain-chain. Here you have a unique habitat of many of the rarest species of the planet, and hence eighty percent of its land mass and the surrounding seas are a nature and marine reserves. Noronha is a green site set under beautiful blue sky, surrounded by crystal clear seas. This island is a breathtaking experience, and tourism like it should be, respectful, ecological and mindful of the environment. It is like nothing you have ever seen before. There are astounding beaches with their different blue and green hues, set between remarkable landscapes, spawning points for many species of fishes and a refuge for sea turtles and dolphins. Snorkel or dive, we guarantee an awe inspiring experience (7 days & 7 nights).
Alagoas
Maceió is the capital of Alagoas and it the best place to enjoy nightlife and beaches, diving, snorkeling or just relaxing at the beautiful tropical beaches right at your doorstep. Then we shall take you to the south of the State to visit the unique colonial city of Penedo . This city is a gem set on the top of a rock formation by the banks of the historical São Francisco river, once the main avenue for exportation of gold by boat. Here you can explore the baroque buildings and the unique river culture of trade that exists in this region.
Then off you go on a one day boat ride to the Maragoji sea water pools. These beautiful and transparent water pools, are one of a kind set in a lush tropical surrounding. We can also provide transportation for you to spend a day at " Praia do Francês" a pleasant and very famous beach in Maceió (5 days & 4 nights).
João Pessoa & Natal
After arriving at a nice hotel at Tambaú beach for a two night stay, you will visit downtown João Pessoa were you will see the São Francisco Church . This church is an architectural masterpiece that took three centuries to be built. The project had Dutch, French and Portuguese influence. On your first evening you will watch the sunset from a typical bar set on the banks of the Paraíba river and have a free night. During your second day you will just lay back and enjoy a pleasant rest at the Coroa Vermelha sandy beach.
Then you will head North and cross over to Rio Grande de Norte State where you will have a delicious seafood lunch in one of Brazil's most beautiful tropical beaches - Praia do Pipa.
You will then arrive in Natal 's chic sea side neighbourhood of Ponta Negra, where you stay in an excellent beach hotel. The next morning we will wake you up to experience a one day buggy ride tour to the remarkable dunes of Jenipabu. Afterwards we shall take you to more exquisite beaches with wonderful pools and on the way stop and see the world's biggest cashew tree (5 days & 4 nights).
Fortaleza and Jericoacoara
You will stay 4 days and 3 nights and enjoy the great night life of Fortaleza , Brazil 's answer to Ibiza or Fort Lauderdale ! Here you can enjoy sun, sea and fun, wine and dine in the excellent restaurants and bars of Iracema beach were you can in a bar hearing music all night long. During the day have fun at the beaches that stretch from " Praia do Futuro" to "Dunas do Cumbuco". There you will find small beach restaurants and bars crowded with beautiful people and you just sit back and relax or have fun in buggy drives which give you a jolt of adrenalin and adventure. Shopping here is a joy especially if you are after the local handcraftsmanship.
Around 300km North of Fortaleza you arrive at what was not too long ago a small fisherman village called Jericoacoara. The incredible beach of this village was considered by "The Times" magazine as one of the 10 most beautiful of the world. You will stay for three days and two nights in this little piece of heaven on earth where you will take pleasure in visiting the white sand dunes by the stunning sea and the famous rock of "Pedra Furada". You will also enjoy bathing in the warm waters or simply just going to the top of the dunes to observe the breathtaking sunset. Then you can dance to the tunes of "forró" Brazilian Northeastern music, or just relax on a hammock between grand coconut trees by the beach (6 days & 5 nights).
São Luís e Lençóis Maranhenses
Stay for two nights in a charming colonial pousada set in the remarkable city of São Luís , a UNESCO World Heritage site. Colonised by the French as well as the Portuguese this historical city has a unique colonial charm and rich folkloric traditions. Here you can get around easily by foot and enjoy the cultural life of this city, let a bilingual guide carefully selected by us show you around this delightful place. Then take a quick airplane ride, and get to Barreirinhas for a two night stay at a comfortable pousada that will be your base for a two day tour of the remarkable National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses , so called after the beautiful and immense sand dunes spread like bed-sheets (Lençóis). This is landscape you have never seen before, of mighty white sand dunes between fresh water lakes, a unique and remarkable contrast of opposites. This national park has much more, beaches, mangroves, river deltas and lagoons, the flora and fauna is astounding and includes turtles and migratory birds (5 days & 4 nights).
Florianópolis
This gorgeous beach city in the South of Brazil deserves a visit during summer season. Florianópolis is the State capital of Santa Catarina. This is a delightful and pretty city divided by the bay, half of it located the magical Santa Catarina Island while the other is mainland. The modern centre of this city faces the continent and its where you will stay. During the day, we will provide you with transport to the beautiful ocean beaches of Praia Mole and Galheta. You are also invited for a six hour boat ride along the North Bay so that you can visit and enjoy the beautiful beaches and cute little islands just off this pleasant and friendly city (3 days & 2 nights) .
