Blessed with a wonderful natural setting wedged between mountains and the sea, watched from above by Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, and surrounded by tropical forests and lagoons, Rio de Janeiro has transformed into one of the world's most beautiful cities. A city of 6 million people, Rio offers world-class hotels, restaurants, shopping, and various sporting activities. The 95 km of beaches are Rio's main attraction. The weather is favorable practically all year round. The most famous beaches are Copacabana and Ipanema. The nights in Rio offer a wide range of exciting entertainment with options for every taste, often a glittering and scintillating world of glamorous amusement. There are elegant restaurants, some with cozy piano bars, and small, offbeat spots, featuring Brazilian pop-music, rock or jazz. The most glittering highlights in the Rio calendar are the festivals during Carnival and New Year.

It's a secret that, until recently, was known only to film crews: the best place in South America to see wildlife is not the Amazon but the Pantanal, a Florida-size wetland on the far western edge of Brazil that bursts with animals - capybaras, caimans, jaguars, anacondas, giant otters, colorful hyacinth macaws, kites, hawks, and flocks of storks and herons hundreds strong. In fact, many species that live in the Amazon and are next to impossible to see there can be viewed here in abundance. The Pantanal is home to over 700 species of birds, 100 mammal species, more than 250 fish species, and 80 reptile species.

The largest flood plain in the world, the Pantanal has a rhythm governed by its rivers. In the wet season (November to April), rivers swell and spill over to cover a vast alluvial plain for months. Millions of birds are attracted by this aquatic paradise, as mammals take refuge on the remaining few mounds of dry land. As the water drains (from May onwards), the land dries up and the situation slowly reverses: Animals congregate around the few remaining water pools. Fish get trapped in these pools, and birds and mammals alike gather for water and food as they wait for the rains to start.

1- Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Welcome to South America's largest and most populous country. Immigration and Customs. Meet and greet at the airport in Rio de Janeiro and arrival transfer to your hotel. Your room will be ready by noontime, if you prefer we can also arrange you an early check-in (at a surcharge) and you will have your room ready upon arrival, so you can freshen up and rest before exploring Rio de Janeiro.

2- Rio de Janeiro
Half Day City Tour to Sugar Loaf with guide. Today you will take the two-stage cable car up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - Pão de Açúcar - in the middle of the Guanabara Bay at 396 m (1.300 feet) above sea-level and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. From here you can see Rio’s beaches to the south, and beyond, like Sugar Loaf itself, half a dozen granite monolithic morros rising straight from the water’s edge in Guanabara Bay. You may change the date of this tour at your convenience.

3- Rio de Janeiro
At leisure in Rio. Enjoy the surroundings of your hotel or take a tour to Corcovado, where the statue of Christ, the Redeemer, overlooks Rio and its famous beaches.

4- Rio de Janeiro
At leisure in Rio. As an optional tour, experience the rain forest right inside of Rio de Janeiro with the Jeep Tour. If you are a beach lover, a full-day cruise around Rio's Tropical Islands is the tour for you.

5- Rio de Janeiro
This is your last day in Rio. It may be time for shopping. Visit the Amsterdam Sauer Jewelry Museum. They provide free transportation to and from the hotel. We can arrange this visit for FREE. In the evening, as an optional tour we suggest a wonderful dinner followed by a spectacular samba show with elaborately costumed mulatas, singers and dancers, presenting Brazil's folklore and capturing the carnival rhythms.

6- Depart Rio de Janeiro - Arrival in Cuiabá/Pantanal
Check-out at noon. Transfer to the airport in Rio de Janeiro. Flight to Cuiabá. Meet and greet at the airport in Cuiabá and arrival transfer to the Pantanal lowlands. The Araras Eco Lodge is located 132 km (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes) south of Cuiabá City, being 100 km on paved road and 32 km doing a photo-safari along the Transpantaneira Park Road. While crossing the area, it is possible to spot and appreciate the local flora & fauna. Late afternoon hike through surrounding area to a 12 m observation tower with a spectacular view of the sunset. After dinner, night walk to observe the South Hemisphere sky, hear and feel the nocturnal environment.

7- Pantanal
At the lodge. Full day dedicated to observing the Pantanal's flora & fauna at the Araras Eco Lodge private reserve. After breakfast, the guide will lead you on a 2 to 3 hour horseback ride through the pastures, woods and wetlands. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will go on a hike in a different area of the private reserve, allowing you to observe and learn more of the local environment.

8- Pantanal
At the lodge. After breakfast travel down private dirt roads to Sentinela Camp, on the edge of the Clarinho river. Canoe tour to spot aquatic wildlife, birds and flora; possibility of piranha fishing. Brazilian churrasco style lunch along the banks of the river. Return to the lodge for dinner.

9- Depart Cuiabá/Pantanal - Next City
Sunrise hike and enjoyment at lodge surroundings. About midday, check-out and transfer back to the airport in Cuiabá. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Private roundtrip transfer Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro/Hotel/Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro featuring air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide.

• Roundtrip transfer Airport CGB in Cuiabá/Lodge in Pantanal/Airport CGB in Cuiabá on lodge regular service, featuring air-conditioned vehicle with driver only.

• In Rio, Half Day City Tour to Sugar Loaf (SIB, approximately 4 hours) with English speaking guide.

• In Pantanal, all mentioned activities at the lodge as per description with experienced English speaking guide.

• Accommodation in the hotel/lodge of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> Additional for Russian speaking guide (Rio de Janeiro only!) = US$ 157 per person.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.