The Amazon and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil A special trip with our Affiliate company, Club ABC Tours who shared with us the upgraded cabins on the Amazon.
Weather in July is 87-74 in the Amazon with some rain and 81-64 in Rio and dry. Note: visa and immunization information on sidebar. Friday Depart US for flights to Manaus via Sao Paulo. Flight Schedule: JJ8081 - 04JUL08 - JFK/GRU - 1940 - 0640 JJ3748 - 05JUL08 - GRU/MAO - 1150 - 1150 JJ3745 - 10JUL08 - MAO/GIG - 1550 - 2150 JJ8090 - 12JUL08 - GIG/GRU - 1950 - 2100 JJ8080 - 12JUL08 - GRU/JFK - 2230 - 0730+1 (JUL 13) Saturday MANAUS Upon arrival direct transfer to our hotel at 11:50AM. Capital of Amazon State and hub of the Amazon Region, Manaus underwent great development in the 19th century when the invention of the vulcanization process generated the need for rubber. Swiftly transformed into an European-like capital, it was the first Brazilian city to have trolley buses and the second to have electricity. When rubber started to be harvested from plantations in the Orient in the beginning of the 20th century, Manaus rubber market collapsed and the city decayed. In the afternoon, during the sightseeing drive, we show you old Manaus, remembering the rubber boom in places like São Sebastião Square, visit inside the 19th century Palácio Rio that shelters exhibitions as well the Space of Cultural Reference (ERCAM) located at the back of the Palace; the floating Harbor, Customs House, the clock tower (called little Big Ben), Matriz Square and the Cathedral. Walk through the Municipal Market built in front of the Rio Negro, in art nouveau style in 1882. The highlights of the tour will be a visit to the lavish Opera House built almost entirely of European material during the rubber boom and inaugurated in 1896. (entrance fee included). Return to the hotel. Join Club friends for optional dinner tonight.Overnight at Hotel Tropical Manaus (****) or similar (standard rooms) Sunday MANAUS – IBEROSTAR (B) for 4 nights Brazilian breakfast at the hotel then departure transfer in air conditioned vehicle from Hotel Tropical Manaus to pier. Depart at 6PM. MV IBEROSTAR GRAND AMAZON www.iberostar.com
Thursday MANAUS – RIO DE JANEIRODeparture transfer in air conditioned vehicle from pier to the airport for flights to Rio de Janeiro, including guide assistance and porterage at the airport.Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Known by the Brazilians as “Cidade Maravilhosa" (The Wonderful City), Rio is always brimming with color, sound, rhythm, and joy. .Transfer to the hotel, Check In and time for first stroll.Overnight at Hotel Ipanema Plaza (****) or similar ( superior room ) Friday RIO DE JANEIRO (B,L,D)Buffet Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour including visit to Sugar Loaf & Corcovado including BBQ lunch in air conditioned vehicle with our guide. Note: beverages are not included in the lunch. We leave the hotel and proceed as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain. The train takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest's lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. We disembark at the top of Corcovado and proceed up the steps that lead to lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. We descend by train and head to a barbecue restaurant for lunch. After lunch, the tour passes by Rio's world-famous beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain. It then comes down and proceeds along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park . We visit the downtown area, passing the financial and business center and other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio's famous Carnival parade. In the evening, Rio by Night tour including dinner at local seafood restaurant followed by Samba Show at Plataforma Show House in air conditioned vehicle including guide assistance.We begin with dinner in a sea food restaurant and proceed to a nightclub for a Folklore and Carnival Show, a lively colorful extravaganza of wonderful costumes, skilled dancers, and the hot beat of the Brazilian samba rhythm, featuring more than a hundred artists. The finale is a memorable display of the dazzling costumes used in the Carnival Parade. Note: drinks are not included in the dinner.Overnight at Hotel Ipanema Plaza (****) or similar ( superior room ) Saturday RIO DE JANEIRO ( B) Breakfast at the hotel. The day is free for individual pursuits. Late in the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back home arriving early on Sunday into JFK. |
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*Itineraries subject to minor changes- fuel surcharges included in trip prices where airfare is included. Not included: airport taxes, government fees and September 11th Security Fee. Prices per person based on double occupancy. To book this trip please fill out our new member application if applicable and then the booking form. The Women's Travel Club (USA), Inc.
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