Brazil

For Max

July 2014.

Expedition from Rio

Dear Max,

Brazil awaits you, a land of powerful joy and natural splendor. The trip I have crafted for you offers a delightful array of wild wonder: you will visit botanical gardens and gushing waterfalls, cruise on rambunctious rivers, and immerse yourself in authentic local farms. Thus, the backbone of your journey will always be the country itself; the peaks and valleys, streams and shallows form the outline of your journey. Adding texture and context to this adventure are experiences that will provide human detail to this natural landscape: as you explore bohemian hangouts and iconic cultural sites, you will come to understand the interaction of land and people in this stunning country.

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro

Upon arrival at Rio de Janeiro’s international airport, you will be met by your guide, Eduardo, who will accompany you for the rest of your travels. The remainder of your day is open so that you can relax from your overnight flight, enjoy the beach, visit a museum, or indulge in spa therapy.

Day 2: Touring Rio

This morning, meet Eduardo for the day’s activities. I suggest starting the day with a visit to the famous Christ Statue before the crowds arrive. Around 11:00am, take an insider’s tour of Rio’s local design and art scene, visiting art galleries, ateliers and design shops (textiles, furniture, decoration). This tour will offer you a glimpse of Brazil’s internationally recognized talents.

About mid-afternoon, I you will visit the Botanical Gardens, a very pleasant park and fascinating tropical environment. You can also visit the the Lage Park next door, which, with its beautiful old mansions immersed in the rainforest, offers a striking blend of natural and man-made elegance.

You will end your first full day in Rio with a glorious sunset above Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Day 3: Rio from another angle

Start the day with a drive of about 40 minutes along the coast to the local beach of Grumari, and its neighbor, Prainha. Different from Rio urban beaches, which are beautiful but still lined with buildings and apartments, these more distant beaches are pristine, backed by the lush mountains of the rainforest. In the mountains is a local restaurant with great seafood, where I suggest you enjoy a simple lunch.

Afterwards, drive to a local airstrip, Jacarepagua, where you will board a helicopter and fly back to Rio and see the main sights and attractions of the city from the air. This private flight will land directly on a helipad by the Rodrigo de Freites Lagoon. Have a couple hours to relax at your hotel before heading out for a fun evening.

After dinner, Eduardo will take you to Rio’s bohemian district, Lapa, where you can hear great live Brazilian music, including samba and other styles. In Rio Scenarium, you will meet and mingle with dance instructors, and then learn the basics of local Brazilian dances, such as samba and forro.

Day 4: Iguazu Falls

Transfer to the airport in the morning for your flight to Foz do Iguaçu, arriving around midday. Check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch, after which you will embark on the Macuco Adventure. Drive in a jeep through the forest to the small Macuco Falls before arriving on the banks of the Iguaçu River. There, you will board a boat to journey up river. In an open boat with an outboard engines, you will cruise upriver in the middle of the Iguaçu Canyon, where you will enjoy an unforgettable perspective of the falls.

Head back to the hotel in the afternoon and relax for the rest of the day.

Day 5: The power of Iguassu

Today will start early, as you will meet Eduardo and journey to the beginning of the falls trail. Since the National Park does not open to the public until 9:00am, you can avoid the massive crowds by arriving early.

You will hike the trail to the falls, passing by many different viewing points where you can take photographs. Next, make a special visit to Itaipu Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric facility, in terms of the annual energy generation. The dam is located about 45min drive from the hotel. I suggest that you take the “special tour,” which will give you a deeper understanding of this massive construction. After the hike, come back to the hotel and take the rest of the day to enjoy the hotel’s grounds, swimming pool, bar, and spa.

Day 6: On to Sao Luis

Today, you will visit the nearby helipad to give you your last panoramic view from a semi-private helicopter over the falls. You will fly on both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides, giving you unforgettable views.

With this view cemented in your memory and in your photo roll, return to the hotel, check out, and transfer to the airport for your flight to Sao Luis. Once you arrive in Sao Luis, if there is time, you may choose to have a short city tour.

Day 7: A day on the water

After breakfast, arrive in the town of Humberto de Campos. From here, cruise down the narrow tributaries to the point where the dense mangrove vegetation and Carnaúba palm forests open up to a large lagoon to reveal majestic white sand dunes at Ponta América. This is where the National Park begins. After a light picnic lunch, enjoy the clear water lagoons in the middle of the dunes. At the end of the afternoon, navigate across Lagoa Grande, one of the many lagoons in the region, to Santo Amaro. This is a great opportunity to contemplate the stark contrasts between landscapes. In Santo Amaro, make the most of the peaceful night and get to bed early in order to be rested for your busy day to come.

Day 8: Santo Amaro

Your expedition leaves early to visit the striking Lagoa da Sonda (lagoon). Since you enjoy walks, you may continue to the isolated and unique Lagoa das Emendadas. Then, drive back to the pousada for a late lunch, and spend the end of the afternoon on the dunes watching the sun illuminate the stunning landscape as it sinks below the horizon.

Day 9: South in the National Park

 

Max, this day has been set aside for exploring the south of the National Park. Arrive at Espigão. At Espigão, visit Casa de Farinha, and discover how this typical ingredient is made and its meaning for the region. Then, walk down the Rio Alegre though dunes, sandbanks, and sinking sands or, if you prefer, ride a rustic wood boat down the river instead. Enjoy lunch at a local home in the village of Betânia, and get to know a little more about the customs of the region. Later, let your kayak follow the currents of the Rio Alegre while you softly paddle along all the way back to the Almoçador rapids, close to Santo Amaro town. Back at the hotel, enjoy a special farewell dinner.

Day 10: Lagoons

You will start the day early today, on off-road vehicles, crossing to the furthest extremity in the east of the National Park. Once you arrive in Barreirinhas, the most exciting part of the day begins. Spend the morning exploring the lagoons and small dunes on ATVs. Stop to have lunch in Vassouras, and then board a small boat to Mandacaru, where you will visit a lighthouse that offers a great view of Lençois. End the day at Pausada Oceano Atins.

Day 11: Farewell

After checking out from the Pousada in the morning, take a small motorboat ride to get to Barreirinhas through Rio Preguiças. Once there, a 4×4 vehicle will take you to Caetés’ landing strip. Board a short flight to the São Luis airport. From here, bid Brazil goodbye, and head home.

Max, it has been my pleasure to plan this itinerary for your Brazilian Expedition. Please feel free to contact me at any time, should the need arise.