Pantanal, Rio de Janeiro and Beautiful Beaches

Search for Jaguars in the Pantanal Wetlands, See the Spectacular City Sights of Rio and Relax on some of the Worlds Best Beaches - From £3,035 Per Person, Excluding International Flights

Day 1
On your arrival into Cuiaba you will be met at the airport by your guide who will transfer you south to Pocone, the start of the Transpantaneira Highway. This is a 145Km long dirt road that goes south through the heart of the Pantanal ending at the Cuiaba River in Jofre. As you enter the Transpantaneira Highway you start to see families of capybaras, pools of caiman and flocks of water birds and raptors; let your wildlife safari begin! Your first lodge is situated about 33Km down the road and as you drive the 7Km from the main road to the lodge you will have the chance to stop and enjoy the many lakes and streams which are packed full of animals.
Overnight: Pouso Alegre – Set on a large cattle ranch. There are 13 rooms with en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. The rooms are housed in three different cottages in the garden. There is a communal dining hall where buffet meals are eaten (D)

Days 2, 3
Spend two full days exploring the area around the ranch. This ranch is particularly good for capybaras, caiman, giant anteaters and armadillos and you can explore further into the marshes and forest via horseback. As night falls the nocturnal animals come out; crab eating fox, tapir and if you are very lucky maned wolf are some of the animals you may be lucky enough to spot. There are several pairs of hyacinth macaws that nest on the ranch, including a pair with a nest in the lodge gardens.
Overnight: Pouso Alegre (B,L,D)

Day 4
This morning enjoy a final activity on the ranch before heading to the very end of the Transpantaneira Highway on the banks of the Cuiaba River.
Overnight: Porto Jofre Hotel – has 28 en-suite bungalows. The communal area has a dining hall and swimming pool (B,L,D)

Days 5, 6
Over the next 2 days you will enjoy boat trips along the Cuiaba River in search of jaguars. This is one of the best areas to view jaguars that are often seen resting on the exposed river banks or swimming across the streams. You can also see otters and other wildlife including capybaras and monkeys, and if you are really lucky, tapir.
Overnight: Porto Jofre Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 7
This morning you will be transferred back to Cuiaba in time for your onward flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival in Rio, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located on Copacabana Beach where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure.
Overnight: Porto Bay Rio International Hotel – Located on the famous Copacabana Beach, this hotel has a good location and has facilities including a restaurant and a roof-top pool which has views over Copacabana Beach and Corcovado (B)

Day 8
Firstly today, you will visit the historical old centre of Rio, where many original buildings remain. Rio was the capital city of Brazil until 1960 and during colonial times, was for a while capital of the entire Portuguese empire.

After your visit to historical Rio, you will be taken to Praia Vermelha, the landing station for the Cable Cars to Sugar Loaf Mountain. The Cable Car is in two stages and be aware it moves at quite a pace! On the first stage, you get some stunning birds-eye views of various parts of the city, and then you will ascend to the spectacular summit from some fascinating views of the city and the bay.

You will also be taken to Corcovado via funicular railway, one of the must-see sights in Rio. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, as is the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands on top of the 700-metre high peak.

After the tour you will return to your hotel and have the rest of the day to do as you please.
Overnight: Porto Bay Rio International Hotel (B)

Day 9
This morning, you will be met and driven approximately three hours north to the relaxed, seaside town of Buzios, where you will spend the next couple of days. Buzios was once a small fishing village and it remains quiet and peaceful to this day. It is a favourite weekend haunt for many residents of Rio, perhaps made most famous as a favourite of Bridget Bardot’s in the 1960’s and there is a bronze statue of the French actress on the seafront.
Overnight: Casas Brancas – Located on the waterfront, Casas Brancas is a well established boutique hotel, featuring individually decorated and appointed suites.  The hotel also has a small pool, a Bar and a Restaurant (B)

Days 10, 11
The next two days are yours to spend at leisure. You may wish to relax, or explore one of the many nearby beaches. There is quite a lot to see, so it may be worth considering hiring a buggy to take in the sites of the peninsula on which Buzios is situated.
Overnight: Casas Brancas (B)

Day 12
Today you will be met and taken back to Rio, for your flight home (B)