Discover amazing jungle wildlife and fascinating villages on a cruise along the mighty Amazon basin. Explore tracks and trails and feel the spray of the thundering waters at magnificent Iguaçú Falls. Take a thrilling cable car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain and watch a stunning sunset in vibrant Rio de Janeiro. Brazil will delight you with its magical and fascinating contrasts.

• Travelling - 1 to 2
  

  Fly to Rio de Janeiro, arriving on day 2. Your Tour Guide will meet you and will be on hand throughout the tour. This tour is limited to 16 guests so book early to secure your holiday. Overnight Rio de Janeiro.

• City Sights - 3
  

  Rio de Janeiro bursts with energy, excitement and entertainment; it is a city of carnival and coffee, soccer and samba. A guided morning tour will introduce you to all the highlights. Visit the historical centre and see the Opera House and National Theatre. Drive past the Sambadromo, home of the vibrant annual Rio Carnival parades and continue to the world famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanamea. Take a thrilling cable car ride high above the lush tropical rainforest to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, the views of the city and coastline are superb. Ask your Tour Guide for recommendations for the afternoon. For amazing views take the cog railway and wind up the mountain to the peak of Corcovado and the famous Statue of Christ. Stroll through Ipanema, browse the street markets for jewellery and handbags and sip a freshly squeezed juice as you listen to the cool sounds of bossa nova. As the sun sets order a ‘caipirinha’ and watch a game of volleyball on the beach, the perfect way to end the day. Overnight Rio de Janeiro.

• Magnificent Iguaçú - 4
  

  Nothing can prepare you for the magnificent sight of Iguaçú Falls. Travel by air to this thundering centre-piece of the Iguaçú National Park. The falls are higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria. They consist of 275 separate falls spread into the shape of a horseshoe and pouring up to eight million gallons of water every second into the swirling river below. This is a sight of stunning beauty and magnitude and one of the world’s largest natural wonders. The panoramic views of the falls from the Brazilian side are quite magnificent. At the Devil’s Throat, 14 falls drop with such force that a 100ft cloud of spray is always overhead. Look out for the stunning rainbow that forms above. For a close up view walk through subtropical forest and take the elevator to the top of the falls. You can also view the falls by boat, or from the air on a spectacular optional helicopter ride. Overnight Iguaçú.

• A View From Argentina - 5
  

  Cross the border and switch from Portuguese to Spanish. Now you are in Argentina and Iguaçú becomes Iguazú. View the falls from the Argentine side, and from quite a different perspective. Don waterproofs (provided) and take a series of catwalks over the gushing waters of the Devil’s Gorge. Ride the eco train and follow your Tour Guide along the jungle paths. With every twist and turn of rail and trail another jaw dropping view into the falls is revealed. Look out for flashes of colour as butterflies dance above giant tropical leaves and toucans fly from tree to tree. Cross the border back into Brazil. Overnight Iguaçú.

• Travelling - 6
  

  Fly to Manaus and as you approach from the air look out over the vast expanse of green wilderness which surrounds this jungle city, located on the Rio Negro, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. Overnight Manaus.

• The Amazon City - 7
  

  Built on the profits from rubber during the 19th century Manaus is now the main commercial centre of the region. Visit the Opera House, a grand art-nouveau marble building with sparkling chandeliers, constructed during the rubber boom. It seems out of place in these tropical surroundings but is held in great affection by the locals. At the steamy port visit the old custom house and watch as sailors and porters jostle, and cargo and passengers arrive and depart; you are at the ‘Gateway to the Amazon’. This afternoon board your cruise boat for the start of a voyage of adventure.

• An Introduction To The Cruise - 7
  

  The traditional Amazon Clipper offers space and comfort. Facilities include air conditioned saloon and dining area, bar and library. The panoramic sundeck is the perfect place to enjoy a cool drink and the 360 degree panoramic views. The Amazon Clipper carries 16 guests and is small enough to dock at more remote locations which are inaccessible to larger boats. All meals are included during the cruise.

• A Sunset Canoe Trip - 7
  

  A full brief on the cruise will be given as the ship navigates a course along the Pagodao River, a tributary of the Rio Negro. Learn about the environment and the animals you may see in the Amazon basin. As the afternoon draws to a close join your local Specialist Guide for a thrilling sunset canoe trip. Drift through the giant lily pads as dusk falls and watch anacondas slither along the bank and manatee graze in the shallow waters. Vampire bats swoop across the tree tops and a feeding frenzy of piranhas may break the surface of the water. Keep an eye out for the very elusive jaguar. Overnight on board.

• Archipelagos And Local Villages - 8
  

  Cruise through Anavilhanas, the world’s largest fresh water archipelago. Visit a ‘Cabloco’ village and learn about the Ribeirinho people. See their homes, built on stilts above the river, watch as they prepare manioc, a staple of the diet of the Amazon, and learn about local health and education. Spend a relaxing afternoon on board the boat. There is always something to see and the crew will help you identify flora and fauna. Look out for giant turtles, flippers furiously paddling beneath the water, and hungry alligators looking for a tasty snack. The peace of the afternoon is sure to be broken by a flock of noisy parrots, their vibrant feathers streaking the sky. Order a cold beer or a tropical cocktail and watch sunset from the deck. Overnight on board.

• Pink Dolphins And Piranhas - 9
  

  In Novo Airao hunt for souvenirs and jostle with the locals at the colourful market. Watch skilled craftsmen at the boatyard, this is probably where your trusty vessel was built. Feed the friendly Amazon dolphins that inhabit the waters close to the village. These creatures come in two colours, grey and the more unusual pink; you can swim with them too. Learn how to catch a piranha and, if you are feeling brave, join them for an afternoon dip. A sunset canoe trip rounds of the day. Visit Lake Acajituba and drift past palm and rubber trees. The chatter of monkeys fills the evening air.

• A Dawn Chorus And The ‘Meeting Of The Waters’ - 10
  

  The shrieking calls from flocks of birds will be your wake up call this morning. As dawn breaks a concert group assembles. Watch and listen to parakeets and parrots, macaws and toucans. The sound is incredible and the visual experience quite wonderful. The journey back to Manaus begins but first the boat must navigate the ‘Meeting of the Waters’. The Rio Negro and the Rio Solimoes flow separately for 6 miles, kept apart by temperature, density and velocity before they join to form the mighty Amazon. Disembark at Manaus.

• Travelling - 10
  

  Transfer to Manaus airport for the return flight to the UK.

• Travelling - 11
  

  Arrival in the UK.

Accommodation

• Hotel Mar Palace, Rio (3-Star) - 2 Nights
• Hotel San Martin, Iguaçú (3-Star) - 2 Nights
• Holiday Inn, Manaus (4-Star) - 1 Night
• Amazon Clipper Premium - 3 Nights

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 3:00 pm

Includes

Not Included