Day 2 – Thursday, February 21 – Arrive Manaus, Brazilian Amazon – Tour Begins
Welcome to the Amazon! After flying into Manaus, you will be transferred by boat to the Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge, located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest on the banks of the Rio Trauma. After getting settled in at our lodge, we’ll visit the Monkey Jungle Reserve, a rehabilitation center for rescued primates. Tonight, we’ll have a Group Orientation, followed by dinner. (D)
Day 3 – Friday, February 22 – Amazon
This morning, we’ll take you on a nature hike, where we’ll learn about many different types of plants and fruits, and explore the flora and fauna of this unique jungle environment. After having lunch at our lodge, we’ll visit the home of local Amazonian residents (caboclos). Enjoy free time relaxing on the private beach of our lodge, walking along the jungle trails of our lodge, or resting in a hammock. This evening, accompanied by our guides, we’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle at night, where we can spot alligators and other nocturnal animals. Tonight, join us for Shabbat in the Amazon, followed by a group dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Saturday, February 23 – Amazon
Today, we venture out for a full day boat ride to the “Meeting of the Waters,” where the brown waters of the Rio Solimoes meet the dark Rio Negro, forming the mighty Amazon. These two rivers flow side-by-side for 12 kilometers without mixing. We continue along the Amazon River and will stop along the way for lunch in a typical local restaurant. You also have the opportunity for an optional canoe ride and Piranha fishing excursion. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at our lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – Sunday, February 24 – Amazon – Manaus – Rio de Janeiro
This morning, enjoy some relaxation time in the jungle. Go for a walk as you listen to the sounds of the exotic birds and animals or swim in the natural pools. Enjoy one final tropical buffet lunch before we board our boat for Manaus and the airport, headed to Rio de Janeiro. Tonight, enjoy the evening at leisure in one of the world’s most exciting cities. (B, L)
Day 6 – Monday, February 25 – Rio de Janeiro
This morning, we’ll board a cog-wheel train which will take us through the Tijuca Forest to the top of Corcovado Mountain. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to look closely at the tropical forest’s lush vegetation and to enjoy scenic views of the beaches and the city of Rio. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado, you may climb the stairs or take the elevator and escalators to the very top of the mountain where you will stand next to the art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer, the most famous sight in all of Rio. From here, you will have the most breathtaking view of the “Marvelous City” and you can see some of the most beautiful beaches in Rio.
Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and evening, where you can explore the many different neighborhoods and cuisine of Rio. Tonight, we’ll enjoy the famous Caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil. (B)
Day 7 – Tuesday, February 26 – Rio de Janeiro
Today we will enjoy a city tour of Rio. Beginning with the downtown area, you will see where colonial Rio meets modern skyscrapers. Drive through Rio Branco Avenue with the remarkable neighborhood composed of three generations of buildings from the twentieth century. See the Candelária Church: its ground stone was laid in the late 18th century and completed a century later. Amongst the buildings from the turn of the twentieth century, the Opera House (Theatro Municipal) is the most splendid. We’ll see Carioca Square and Rio’s aqueduct, built in the 18th century and now serving as a bridge for the street-cars connecting downtown to Santa Teresa district, an old residential area. We will drive through one of the highlights of this tour: the Flamengo Park, from where you have an amazing view from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. We’ll reach the summit by cable car, allowing you one of the most spectacular views in the world, and one you will never forget.
The rest of the day is yours to relax and take in the sights and sounds of Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Day 8 – Wednesday, February 27 – Rio de Janeiro
Roughly 60% of the world’s gems come from Brazil and today we’ll learn all about the mining and processing of emeralds and other gemstones; from the rough stone to the ready-to-wear jewel.
Spend the afternoon relaxing on one of the wonderful beaches that Rio is famous for, Ipenima or Copacabana.
Tonight, enjoy a traditional Brazilian barbeque dinner, followed by a Samba and Carnival Show; a lively and colorful extravaganza of wonderful costumes, skilled dancers, beautiful girls and the hot beat of the Brazilian samba rhythm, featuring more than a hundred artists. The final apotheosis is a memorable display of the dazzling costumes used in the Carnival Parade. (B, D)
Day 9 – Thursday, February 28 – Rio de Janeiro – Iguazu Falls
Today we have left free for you to enjoy Rio before we head off to Iguazu Falls. Fly to Iguazu Falls, located at the crossroads of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and heralded as the most beautiful waterfall in the world. (B)
Day 10 – Friday, March 1 – Iguazu Falls
Today we’ll visit the Argentinean Side of the falls. We’ll head for the border with a short drive and a quick customs check, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the border between Argentina & Brazil. Once in Argentina, our tour takes a scenic highway up the Argentinean Iguazu National Park. We begin with ample time to visit Argentinean falls. Stopping at the Visitors’ Center we take you to the Superior Circuit to the up-river cascades, to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls and to the Ecological Jungle Train that leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls – The Devil´s Throat. This adventure is unique, and combines the whole essence of the Iguassu National Park: the jungle and the waterfalls.
Tonight, after a Shabbat Service, enjoy our Farewell Dinner at Porto Canoas, with views of the falls. (B, D)
Day 11 – Saturday, March 2 – Iguazu Falls – Tour Ends
Today, we’ll visit the Brazilian Falls and will have the opportunity enter Iguassu National Park to view these magnificent falls. Walking along the paths we come to a catwalk. Here, you will stand in awe and be amazed at the thunderous roar of hundreds of falls which surround you from top to bbottom and from side to side. It’s like being in an IMAX Theater and having the screen of waterfalls surround you! It is a treat for the senses! You will be standing close to the base of The Devil’s Throat, the most impressive of the waterfalls. From here, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to reality, homeward bound. (B)
Our hotels:
Day 2 – 5 Amazon Ecopark, Jungle Lodge
Day 5 – 9 The Windsor Atlantica Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Day 10 – 11 Bourbon Cataratas Resort, Iguazu Falls
Please Note:
1) Alternate hotels may be utilized.
2) Air schedules are subject to change.
3) The price of the tour package does not include flights.
4) Hotel to Airport transfers are not included at Iguazu Falls.
5) The order of this tour may change.
