Complete Brazil, (JBN) Manaus to Buenos Aires 1 days, departing 26 Dec 2018 Contents Optional Activities Insurance Out of Office Hours Contact Luggage & Kit List Personal Medical Kit Passports Pre And Post Trip Accommodation And Connecting Flights Continuing Your Trip Contingency Emergency Fund Responsible Tourism Electrical A Few Rules Issues On The Trip Our Community Feedback Countries Visited Daily Itinerary Visa Information Important Notes Overland Lifestyle And Trip Suitability Tipping Who Travels With Dragoman? Accommodation On Tour The Kitty Group Size Our Crew And Guides Meals And Group Participation Dietary Requirements Itineraries British Foreign Office Travel Advice and Warnings Health Safety & Security Included Activities Trip Overview Trip Style: Overlanding Route: Duration: Transport: Accom: Route Map Manaus to Buenos Aires 1 days Overland expedition vehicle. 25% 70% Mainly camping at campsites and wildcamps with hostels and small hotels Physical Challenge: EASY EASY HARD Depending on the trip, activities may include treks of 3-4 hours at altitude or across hilly terrain, multi-day treks at sea level, horseback riding, canoeing and other adventurous activities. Lifestyle Challenge: HARD Depending on the trip, activities may include treks of 3-4 hours at altitude or across hilly terrain, multi-day treks at sea level, horseback riding, canoeing and other adventurous activities.
Countries Visited Argentina Brazil Argentina is a vast country which has a staggering diversity of climates and landscapes. With vibrant cities, the pampas, the jungles and the wind-swept wilds of Patagonia, it is a country with a very special character all of its own and a rich cultural heritage. Buenos Aires is the vibrant capital of Argentina. Full of life and brimming with culture, music and art, with great local restaurants, local street markets and dances, Buenos Aires is the heart and soul of Argentina and swings to the rhythm of the tango. Also home to some exquisite wine bars and an amazing nightlife, Buenos Aires is a mustsee city while in South America! Stay with real Argentinian cowboys On the vast green pampas, the gauchos (Argentina's famous cowboys) spend their days riding their horses and protecting their cattle. Argentina is world-famous for the incredible quality of its beef and steaks, largely due to the huge pastures that the cattle have to roam on. The north west of the country has some beautiful deserts full of multi-coloured rock formations and some magnificent wines are produced here around Salta and Cafayate. Also famous for its incredible wines is the region of Mendoza, a serene town surrounded by the Andes, including Aconcagua, which at 6,962 metres is the tallest mountain in South America. Explore Argentina's peaceful lake district Further south is Argentina's peaceful and beautiful Brazil has a totally different feel to it than the other Latin American countries. The only Portuguese-speaking country in South America, it positively vibrates with a unique and dynamic energy of its own. Most overland visitors start in the dazzling city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's most famous city and home to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and some of the world's most fantastic and atmospheric urban beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema. See Pantanal's legendary wildlife Brazil's wildlife is legendary, and there is no greater place to spot animals and birds in South America than the wetlands of the Pantanal. Here, it's possible to go spotting for ocelots, jaguars, tapirs, jabiru storks, caiman, and many types of birds! The optional activities available in the region and the nearby eco-tourism capital of Bonito are as amazing as they are numerous, with boat trips, rafting, snorkelling through crystalclear rivers, and caving being just a few of the many possibilities here. Rio and beyond Further to the south is one of the greatest natural highlights in the world, the majestic Iguazu Falls! These colossal waterfalls are amongst the most impressive on the planet and a phenomenal sight on anyone's overland travels through South America! Near to Rio de Janeiro you'll find the idyllic
lake district, and further still are the haunting moorlands of Patagonia. This beautiful area is known for its breathtaking and desolate landscapes, towering rugged mountains, magnificent lakes and beautiful glacial scenery. It is a great place for outdoor activities, such as trekking, horse riding, kayaking and mountain biking! At the far south is the remote island of Tierra del Fuego and the most southerly town in the world, Ushuaia. Argentina is the home to some beautiful wildlife. The Penínsular Valdés near Puerto Madryn is a protected area for whales, penguins and seals, and Patagonia is full of fascinating birdlife and wild guanacos. Create memories at mighty Iguazu falls One of the great highlights of Argentina is the mighty Iguazu Falls, on the border with Brazil. This incredible set of waterfalls is one of the world's largest, and one of the most spectacular sights in the world! Argentina is a magnificent country full of buzzing culture, amazing landscapes and a wide variety of activities, and should be high on every traveller's wish list! Daily Itinerary colonial towns of Paraty and Ouro Preto, once hugely important for gold trading back in colonial times, and each with their own serene atmosphere today. In the interior, we will explore the bizarre futuristic capital city of Brasilia, a fascinating and somewhat unusual highlight of the country. Further inland we find the incredible landscapes of the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, dotted with stunning caves and waterfalls and providing some fantastic walking opportunities. Rio Carnival Rio is particularly famous for its huge annual party - the incredible Rio Carnival. The celebration of Mardi Gras (6 weeks before Easter) is a great Brazilian tradition - the whole city goes wild for a full 7 days in a whirlwind of music and colour. We have a range of packages that get you to the heart of the action! To learn more about Rio Carnival and see all the optional activities available around carnival time, see our Rio Carnival 2019 Optional Extras Booklet (PDF) Day 1 to 2: Manaus ( Wed 26 Dec to Thu 27 Dec ) Border information: If you are starting in Manaus, enter Brazil at Manaus Airport. 2 full days to explore Manaus with a group meeting day at 18:00hrs. We stay in a centrally located hotel. Hotel for the night: About Manaus: Manaus is where the two great rivers Solimoes and Negro merge to form the mighty Amazon. After meeting, the black waters of the Negro and the muddy brown of the Solimoes do not mix and the two rivers run side by side for a considerable distance with a clearly defined colour contrast - this phenomenon is known as the "Meeting of the Waters". The river is five miles wide at this point and the port is busy with many large, colourful, riverboats as well as the huge container and truck barges. Situated in the middle of the Amazon, Manaus was declared a duty free port to attract big business and so offers many bargains. It was once a great centre of the rubber boom and some of the legacies of this remain - where else in the world could one find an opera house in the
middle of the jungle? Day 3 to 7: Belem, Amazon River Ferry ( Fri 28 Dec to Tue 01 Jan ) We board an Amazon ferry and spend the next 5 days sailing downstream to Belem where the mighty Amazon River meets the Atlantic. Whilst on board we sleep in hammocks on deck and on arrival in Belem stay in a local hotel where will we join the Dragoman overland vehicle. About Belem: Belem holds a strategic place on the mouth of the Amazon River, which is why it grew to be such as large and important port. It has a vibrant market called Mercado Ver-O-Peso, which you can't miss. It sells all manner of local vegetables, fruit, fish and medicinal plants as well as strange artifacts for the local religious cults. Be sure to try out one of the city's excellent fish restaurants before you leave. About Amazon River Ferry: The Amazon is the greatest river in the world and by so many measures; the volume of water it carries to the sea (approximately 20% of all the freshwater discharge into the oceans), the area of land that drains into it, and its width. It is one of the longest rivers in the world and, depending upon who you talk to, is anywhere between 6,259 kilometres and 6,712 kilometres. At its widest point the Amazon River can be 11 kilometres wide during the dry season. The area covered by the Amazon River and its tributaries more than triples over the course of a year. In an average dry season 110,000 square kilometres of land are water-covered, while in the wet season the flooded area of the Amazon Basin rises to 350,000 square km. Where the Amazon opens at its estuary the river is over 325 kilometres wide! Day 8: Alcântara ( Wed 02 Jan ) Today is an all day drive of some 570kms to the lovely little colonial town of Alcantara where we stay the night in a pousada. About Alcântara: Across the bay from São Luís lies the town of Alcântara. This almost abandoned town is now a national historic monument, but once was a fashionable and aristocratic centre. Alcântara history is troubled by successive invasions and conflicts as Portuguese, French and Dutch explorers tried to colonise current-day Maranhão. Native populations suffered enormously and had been all but decimated by the mid-seventeenth century.
Day 9: Sao Luis ( Thu 03 Jan ) A short ferry journey takes us over to the beautiful UNESCO town on Sao Luis, where we stay for a night in dorm accommodation in a hostel. About Sao Luis: São Luís is the capital of Maranhão, situated in the Bay of San Marcos on the northeastern coast of Brazil south of the Amazon Delta. The French founded the city in 1612 but the Potuguese captured it almost immediately in 1615 and then the Dutch took over for 4 years in 1641. The old city is steeped in an almost tangible history and has strong traditional folklore. There are excellent museums; the Catedral da Sé', built in 1726 by the Jesuits and a large French-built fortress now called the Palácio dos Leões. Today the city is almost more famous for its music and is the centre of reggae culture in Northeast Brazil. It has excellent nightlife, restaurants and numerous festivals throughout the year. Day 10 to 11: Lencois Maranhenses National Park, Cabure, Barreirinhas ( Fri 04 Jan to Sat 05 Jan ) An early morning start gets us to Barreirinhas for a day trip out into the stunning Lencois Maranhenses National Park using a combination of 4x4 vehicles and boats. We return to Barreirinhas for the night staying in a lovely pousada with a pool. The following day we will then head along the Rio Preguicas to Cabure, exploring where we stay the night in a small pousada on a sand bank neighbouring the ocean. Activity Visit the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses National Park Approximate Cost Included in Kitty About Lencois Maranhenses National Park: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, in Maranhão State, is one of Brazil's top natural attractions. It is an ecosystem formed of white sand dunes which cover 383,000 acres and look like bedsheets (lençóis in Portuguese) spread out on the Northeastern coast of Brazil. Fresh water lagoons that fill up with rainwater, mostly during the first six months of the year, make Lençóis Maranhenses unique. Mangroves, deserted beaches, buritis- a graceful kind of palm tree - and the Preguiças River help compose the park's diversity. Lençóis Maranhenses has been formed over thousands of years, as the sand from riverbeds is deposited at the mouth of the rivers and brought back to the continent by winds and sea currents. The sand dunes advance as far as 50 kilometres inland and stretch along 43 kilometres of coastline. They are mostly deserted beaches on which sand mixes with mangroves, creating picture perfect vistas.
Day 12: ( Sun 06 Jan ) We leave Cabure and venture into the Parnaiba delta, heading along it's waterways for the abundant wildlife. We will stay the night in the town of Parnaiba in a local pousada. Day 13 to 15: Jericoacoara ( Mon 07 Jan to Wed 09 Jan ) A 300kms drive along the coast brings us to the laid back and fashionable town of Jericoacoara, where we have 3 nights in a pousada to relax on the beach. Activity Learn to kitesurf in Jericoacoara Approximate Cost USD 160 Take out quad bikes to visit the area around Jericoacoara USD 65 Visit the beautiful Lagoa Paraiso USD 30 About Jericoacoara: Jericoacoara is a stunning beach area, located close to the equator in the northeast of Brazil. It is a good example of an area embracing the concepts of responsible tourism. Development has been severely restricted and building is only allowed in the nearby fishing village. To get there, you have to drive off-piste across sand dunes for about 15 kms in a 4x4 and this limits the numbers of outsiders who visit the place. It is a remarkably beautiful place with vast fields of sand dunes, turquoise sea and loads to do. For lovers of the natural beauty there are numerous hikes and trails, which can be accessed on foot or by horse. Alternatively, you may prefer to play around on the dunes on sand buggies or sand boards or to go out on boat trips. It is also an excellent place for windsurfing and other watersports. The area has no big hotels, but has plenty of small restaurants and posadas. Day 16: Sousa ( Thu 10 Jan ) We head south and inland on an all day drive to the town of Sousa where we will wildcamp. The area is world famous for its prehistory and we will explore the Vale dos Dinossauros. About Sousa: The area surrounding Sousa is alive with prehistory and it is here that we find the Vale Dos Dinossauros. Dinosaurs of various species and sizes lived in this region some 120 million years ago, on the banks of a large, shallow lake and their tracks and footprints are visible throughout the area. The valley is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world with over 50 types of footprints of prehistoric animals, scattered
throughout the sedimentary basin of the Rio do Peixe in an area of 700 km². Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Iguanodon, and numerous other species of dinosaurs lived in Paraibano between 250 and 65 million years ago. When visiting the area we will get a taste of prehistory by visiting one of the longest dinosaur tracks in the world, extending for more than 55 metres. Day 17: Cabaceiras ( Fri 11 Jan ) We continue 330kms further inland towards the town of Cabaceiras where we will find a wildcamp. We will explore the prehistoric nature of this area, visiting the strange rock formations of Lajedo de Pai Mateus. About Cabaceiras: The area surrounding Cabaceiras is scattered with prehistoric sites of interest. The Lajedo of Pai Mateus, situated in this region, is a one-square kilometre rocky elevation, shaped as an inverse soup plate, over which 70 huge boulders are found scattered throughout an area once inhabited by early tribes and an 18th century shaman creating one of the planet's most unusual and exquisite photo opertunities in the world. Nearby is the monolith atingá. This is the largest and most impressive archaeological monument in Brazil, a huge monolith inscribed with beautiful prehistoric petroglyphs (ancient rock engravings.) It is a large stone block, 24 metres in length and 3 metres high, situated in the river Ingá de Bacamarte. The engraving technique is very careful, with drawings incised with deep and wide grooves. Around it many legends and popular interpretations have emerged, forming the basis of local folklore. Research on prehistoric engravings in Brazil is still in its initial stages, and there are no definitive dating placing them precisely in time. It is believed they postdate paintings which in the north-east exist at least from 25,000 years ago. Day 18 to 19: Olinda, Inga ( Sat 12 Jan to Sun 13 Jan ) We head 260kms back to the coast to the lovely old town of Olinda where we stay in a pousada for a couple of nights. En route we will visit the monolith at Ingá. About Olinda: Olinda was one of the old capital cities of Brazil and has quite a few historic buildings dating mainly from around the mid-1600's, many of which have been restored. It is a culturally important city, and is home to many artists and musicians. A good spot to have a drink and take in Olinda is the Alto de Se, the highest square in the town, it has stunning views of the skyscrapers of Recife shimmering in the distance. Day 20: Pirambu ( Mon 14 Jan )
We head south down the coast stopping at a beach camp site for the night at Pirambu. Activity Visit the Tamar Turtle Conservation Project Approximate Cost Included in Kitty Day 21: Salvador Da Bahia ( Tue 15 Jan ) Today we drive 460kms to the beautiful town of Salvador da Bahia. We stay just by the old centre of Pelourinho in a lovely hotel in dorm accommodation. About Salvador Da Bahia: Situated on a peninsular jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, Salvador da Bahia was the capital of Brazil when it was first colonised, but now it can only claim to be the capital of the state of Bahia. Bahia is strongly influenced by its links with Africa, both in its language, religion, food, dance and music, and this certainly dominates the atmosphere in Salvador. If time allows we will take in a night at the Bale Folclorico da Bahia or the Oludum drummers for a taste of local traditions. Apart from the historic interest of the town, there are some excellent beaches to visit nearby, but you should definitely try to get to a 'Candomble' evening while you are here. Candomble is a popular religious cult in the region, and the ceremonies offer a fascinating insight into the culture of this area. Salvador is also well known for its spectacular Carnival and other festivities, but the nightlife is good here at any time of the year. Day 22: Salvador Da Bahia ( Wed 16 Jan ) Free day to explore Salvador. Border information: If you are leaving in Salvador, exit Brazil at Salvador Airport. Activity Watch a candomblé ceremony in Salvador Approximate Cost USD 40 Visit the Forte Santo Antonioa da Barra, Brazil's oldest lighthouse, for panoramic views of the city. USD 10 Visit a Capoeira school, to watch the Brazilian martial art, combining elements of dance, acrobatics and music. Free Day 23: Salvador Da Bahia ( Thu 17 Jan )
Border information: If you are starting in Salvador, enter Brazil at Salvador Airport. Free time to explore Salvador with a group meeting day at 18:00hrs. We stay just by the old centre of Pelourinho in a lovely hotel. Hotel for the night: Day 24: Salvador Da Bahia ( Fri 18 Jan ) Free time to explore Salvador. Activity Watch a candomblé ceremony in Salvador Approximate Cost USD 40 Visit the Forte Santo Antonioa da Barra, Brazil's oldest lighthouse, for panoramic views of the city. USD 10 Visit a Capoeira school, to watch the Brazilian martial art, combining elements of dance, acrobatics and music. Free Day 25 to 27: Chapada Da Diamantina National Park ( Sat 19 Jan to Mon 21 Jan ) We head 400kms to the town of Lencois, the gateway to Chapada da Diamantina National Park. We camp in Lencois giving you the opportunity to enjoy a variety of treks into the stunning scenery of the national park. About Chapada Da Diamantina National Park: In the hinterland of Salvador, just outside of the town of Lençóis, lies the Chapada Diamantina, or Diamond Highlands. Valleys of lush green dotted with bright tropical flowers surround a mountain range of twisted red-rock formations reminiscent of the American Southwest. Numerous small rivers carve their way through the highlands, splashing over waterfalls and natural slides. There are also numerous caves, some many kilometers long. Many are quite popular, some just being discovered, some restricted yet to geologists who are trying to figure out just how they and the rock formations they contain were formed. The gateway community of Lençóis is an old colonial town of stone streets and little churches, with little signs of the modern world. The attractions here are entirely natural. We have the chance to walk the highlands, explore caves, mountain bike old miners' tracks, and swim in natural pools and waterfalls. This is the Brazil that so many travellers miss. It is the other Brazil, away from the crowds of Rio and from the beaches or famous sites. This is the sort of place that you can visit so easily on an overland trip but that is so often inaccessible to the normal tourist or traveller.
Here you will have the opportunity to trek to many of the locations within the park, depending on your fitness and sense of adventure but either way is a wonderful place to spend a few days. Day 28 to 29: ( Tue 22 Jan to Wed 23 Jan ) We drive north today to the wonderfully named town of Xique-Xique where we stay for a couple of nights on an Anglo-Brazilian working farm. We camp on the farm and enjoy a variety of activities and a great Brazilian barbeque. Day 30: ( Thu 24 Jan ) All all day drive through central Bahia and into the state of Goias brings us to the Parque Estadual Terra Ronca where we stay the night in a campsite. Please note that in the rainy season the road to Terra Ronca may be impassable in which case we will spend an extra night elsewhere. Day 31: Cavalcante ( Fri 25 Jan ) In the morning we visit the massive cave system at Terra Ronca for a guided visit before driving 200kms to the town of Cavalcante and visiting the local Kalunga community. Activity Visit the Kalunga community in Cavalcante Approximate Cost Included in Kitty Day 32 to 34: Chapada Dos Veadeiros National Park ( Sat 26 Jan to Mon 28 Jan ) We overland 300kms to Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park followed by two full days to explore the landscape and wildlife. We stay in an eco-tourism campsite About Chapada Dos Veadeiros National Park: Located in the State of Goiás, about 250 km from Brasília, the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is, according to NASA, the most luminous point seen from the Earth's orbit. This is due to the quantity of quartz crystals present in the soil, besides several other metals and minerals. The main river that flows in Veadeiros National Park is Rio Preto. Along its course, there are many spectacular waterfalls, including Rio Preto Falls (120 metres high, 80 metres at the base) and the Cariocas. The canyons are just as beautiful, with walls of up to 40 metres high and valleys of up to 300 metres. Forests are also present in the region, and are well worth exploring primarily because of the rich variety of flora, more than 25 species of orchids can be found for example. The rich
fauna of the region includes species threatened with extinction such as the Pantanal deer, the Jaguar, the Maned Wolf. More common are the Rhea (Brazilian ostrich), Seriema, Tapeti, Armadillo (Tatu Canastra), Anteater, Capybara (Capivara), Tapir (Anta), Green-Beek Toucan, Black Vulture, King Vulture. While the forests are home to this amazing wildlife it can be quite difficult to see, nonetheless this is a great place for us to explore for the amazing flora and landscape alone. Day 35 to 36: Brasília ( Tue 29 Jan to Wed 30 Jan ) A short 150kms drive brings us to the futuristic capital of Brasilia. We stay in a basic campsite and enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating yet labyrinth like city. Activity Full day guided tour of Brasilia Approximate Cost Included in Kitty About Brasília: Brasília is the capital city of Brazil, founded in 1960 by the President Juscelino Kubitschek in order to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more geographically-central location in the country. The city is one of the major examples of the 20th Century's modern movement in architecture and urban planning - with Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa as was the chief architects, the construction of Brasília was incredible feat that turned unpopulated swampland into a purposebuilt city in just 41 months between 1956 and 1960. The city's unique style and history have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, and exploring the city really does envelop you in the feeling of being timewarped into a 1960s vision of the future! To really appreciate the plan of the city with its aeroplane-like shape, try a trip up the television tower for a panoramic view of the city. The Metropolitan Cathedral, shaped like a crown of thorns with angel statues suspended from the ceiling, should not be missed, neither should the incredible blue stained glass of Dom Bosco Cathedral. Other fascinating buildings include the National Congress and Senate, the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial and the incredible JK Bridge. Day 37: Tres Marias ( Thu 31 Jan ) 550kms drive through Brazilian countryside and towns. We will find a nice spot and bush camp for the night. Day 38: Ouro Preto ( Fri 01 Feb ) Today is a full day 400kms drive to the beautiful old colonial mining town of Ouro Preto where we stay at a camp site with facilities. Activity Time to explore unique colonial Ouro Preto and its architectural heritage Approximate Cost Included in Kitty
About Ouro Preto: Ouro Preto (meaning 'Black Gold') was founded in the 17th Century by Portuguese colonialists, and became the largest and most important city of the Brazilian Gold Rush of the 18th Century when gold was found in the surrounding area. Mines were built to extract the precious metal, and the tremendous wealth that resulted attracted Europe's intelligentsia and sparked a Baroque revival in the city - a heritage still very much evident in Ouro Preto's preserved colonial buildings and churches, art and sculptures (particularly the sculptures of Aleijadinho, one of Brazil's most famous artists). In 1789, Ouro Preto became the birthplace of the Inconfidência Mineira, a failed attempt to gain independence from Portugal. The leading figure, Tiradentes, was hanged as a threat to any future revolutionaries. Ouro Preto is a fascinating place to explore - the surviving colonial buildings are fantastically preserved and the city is refreshingly free from modern development (any new buildings must be constructed in line with the town's historical aesthetic). There are several old mines that are open for visitors, providing a glimpse of how life was for the miners all those years ago. Day 39: Ouro Preto ( Sat 02 Feb ) Today is a free day with time to visit the mine, museum or many of the baroque churches here. We spend a second night at the same camp site. Activity Approximate Cost Head underground into the gold mines of Ouro Preto BRL 60 Day 40: Teresopolis ( Sun 03 Feb ) We continue south through Brazil, heading 450kms to the town of Teresopolis where we stay at a good campsite. Day 41: Petropolis, Rio De Janeiro ( Mon 04 Feb ) Today is a short drive day of some 70kms to Rio de Janeiro. En route we will visit the beautiful colonial town of Petropolis. Border information: If you are leaving in Rio, exit Brazil at Rio Airport. About Rio De Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro has to be one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. The stunning Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf) Mountain rises up out of Guanabara Bay and the sandy beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana cut beautiful curves in the shoreline, all under the watchful gaze of the iconic Art Deco statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This is a city with something for everyone - beaches, history, shopping,
culture, fantastic food and amazing nightlife. For amazing views of this spectacular city, take the cable car up to the top of Pão de Açucar, ride the train to Corcovado or jump on the tram to the historic hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. If you're interested in learning more about Rio and Brazil, there are several fascinating museums in the city and you'll see some fantastic architecture by wandering around the older parts of the city. Kick back and relax on the famous urban beaches, enjoy a beer or caipirinha at one of the many street-side cafes and then when evening comes you can party the night away - Rio has some unbelievable bars and clubs in the buzzing areas of Lapa and Ipanema. If you need a bit of quiet time to recover, take a walk in the city's wonderful botanical gardens, or escape the city for the day on an excursion to the lush forests of nearby Tijuca National Park. Rio is particularly famous for its huge annual party - the incredible Rio Carnival. The celebration of Mardi Gras (6 weeks before Easter) is a great Brazilian tradition - the whole city goes wild for a full 7 days in a whirlwind of music and colour. Samba schools compete with ever more awe-inspiring dance displays, floats and costumes, putting on marathon perfomances in the Sambadrome, and street parties are held all over the city. Day 42: Rio De Janeiro ( Tue 05 Feb ) The first day of Rio Carnival is free time, as everyone will be arriving at various times throughout the day to start the package. Hotel check in is from midday and Dragoman crew will be on hand all day to give you any assistance. There will be a joining meeting in the afternoon. There will also be an optional dinner after dinner which you would have to pre-book with Dragoman. If you are on an overland trip coming from Paraty or Teresopolis, today will be a short drive day, bringing you to the biggest party on the planet! Hotel for the night: Activity Head out for a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers in a Churrascaria, a famous Brazilian-style restaurant Approximate Cost Free Day 43: Rio De Janeiro ( Wed 06 Feb ) Today there is an optional visit up Corcovado mountain on a guided trip with all transport included to the Christ the Redeemer statue with great view of Rio. This afternoon is free for you to do as you wish. Activity Approximate Cost
Visit the world famous Christ the Redeemer statue on an early morning semi-private tour USD 90 Day 44: Rio De Janeiro ( Thu 07 Feb ) Today is a free day to sleep and gather your energies for the Sambadrome. You can also join an optional tour of the Morrinho Favela Project In the evening the main event of carnival occurs with a trip to the Sambadrome for the samba parade. The top samba schools parade their outrageous floats and costumes and we'll party well into the early hours. Day 45: Rio De Janeiro ( Fri 08 Feb ) Today is a free day after the late night last night. You can spend the day relaxing at the beach or take part in optional activities such as visiting the majestic Sugar Loaf mountain from where there are stunning views over Rio and its surrounding beaches, going to the sambadrome for a 2nd night or actually taking part in the parade. Activity Approximate Cost Take a cable car up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) BRL 80 Day 46: Rio De Janeiro ( Sat 09 Feb ) Today you have a full free day to explore; perhaps find a 'block party' to continue the festivities. In the evening there's the option to go to the gay ball. Day 47: Rio De Janeiro ( Sun 10 Feb ) There's free time in the morning but if you wish to explore further then join our local guide on an optional Colonial Tour of the city. In the afternoon there will be the included sunset boat trip, to enjoy Rio de Janerio from a completely different prospective. Activity Approximate Cost Discover the Colonial Gems of Rio on a city tour GBP 30 Day 48: Rio De Janeiro ( Mon 11 Feb )
The final day of the Carnival package. Depart at any time or spend the day exploring further or relaxing. Hotel for the night: Day 49: Rio De Janeiro ( Tue 12 Feb ) Today there will be a trip meeting at 18:00 hrs. There are no activities planned today and tonight we stay in a good quality hotel by the beach in Rio Hotel for the night: Activity Approximate Cost Take a cable car up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) BRL 80 Visit the world famous statue Christ the Redeemer BRL 74 Day 50 to 52: Paraty ( Wed 13 Feb to Fri 15 Feb ) We drive 235 kms along the Emerald Coast to Paraty where we spend 3 nights at a beachside hostel. Free time to explore, including boat trip out to a small island to go snorkelling or diving Activity Boat trip out to islands and beaches Approximate Cost Included in Kitty Go for a scuba diving trip in the incredible oceans around Paraty BRL 250 About Paraty: Stretching west from the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro is the spectacular Brazilian Emerald Coast, a dazzlingly-beautiful strip of land sandwiched between the verdant green hills and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic. Tropical islands, deserted beaches and picturesque coves with excellent swimming and diving make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy some optional boat trips and other activities. The old Portuguese colonial town of Paraty, founded in 1597 CE and once a very important port during the Portuguese gold rush of the 17th and 18th Centuries, is perhaps the most attractive spot on the coast. Low white-washed buildings with colourful doors and shutters crowd around the cobbled streets and plaza, full of interesting shops, bars and restaurants. Paraty really comes alive at night, when locals and tourists alike sit outside the many street cafes and congregate in the main square. The town also has a couple of beaches and there are plenty of others in the surrounding area - and this is also a good place for boat and snorkelling trips, which can be arranged locally.
Day 53: Brotas ( Sat 16 Feb ) Today we drive 560 kms drive to the remote town of Brotas in southeast Brazil. The afternoon is free for adventure activities and we stay in a campsite with facilities Day 54: Brotas ( Sun 17 Feb ) Non driving day, free for adventure activities such as white water rafting. Day 55: Campo Grande ( Mon 18 Feb ) We overland 650 kms towards Bonito, our base for the Pantanal trip where we bush camp for the night Day 56 to 58: Southern Pantanal ( Tue 19 Feb to Thu 21 Feb ) Following a 4 hour drive from near Campo Grande we spend 3 days in Brazil's amazing Southern Pantanal. From a ranch base we explore the surrounding area on horseback, from boats and canoes, from farm trucks and on foot staying in shared accommodation. The last night is spent at a campsite in Bonito. Activity 2 night wildlife safari into the Pantanal Approximate Cost Included in Kitty About Southern Pantanal: The Pantanal is a vast wetland that covers much of inland central and southern Brazil - it is formed of a huge gently-sloping depression surrounded by rolling highlands, so the water from thousands of small rivers runs off from the highlands to collect in the basin before draining out into the Paraguay River. The Pantanal was a predominantly agricultural area, dotted with cattle ranches known locally as "Fazenda" - having realised the importance of their home as a unique habitat for wildlife, many of the Fazendas have opened up for eco-tourism in recent years and offer safaris and tours of the area. The wildlife here is staggering, and there is probably nowhere else in South America where you'll be able to see as many indigenous species. There are over 250 different species of birds that have been recorded here, including parakeets, macaws, owls, kingfishers, ibis, storks, kites and hawks, hummingbirds and more, and there are prolific numbers of caiman, anacondas, iguanas, two species of anteaters, ocelots, jaguars, tapirs, giant river otters and thousands of marsh deer. One of the easier animals to spot is the capybara, a giant guinea-pig-type rodent that grows up to 60 kgs and lives in large herds in the swamps. Day 59 to 60: Bonito ( Fri 22 Feb to Sat 23 Feb ) These are non-driving days where you have free time to enjoy the range of activities available in Bonito such as snorkeling, rafting or a jungle trek. Activity Approximate Cost
Caving, rafting and snorkeling in the waters of Bonito BRL 30 2 full days to enjoy Bonito, Brazil's ecotourism capital Included in Kitty About Bonito: The small town of Bonito in the southern Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul is perfectly located in a beautiful and unique area. The area's main attractions are the crystal clear rivers, springs and the stunning caves, not to mention the abundant wildlife, which includes monkeys, alligators, anacondas, over 30 varieties of fish and tremendous birdlife. Unsurprisingly, the town is often described as the "eco-tourism capital of Brazil". There are endless activities on offer, from spectacular walks through the surrounding hills and forests, to caving, horse-riding, abseiling, and snorkeling. Many of the best attractions are on private land and the area is being very carefully managed in order to protect the wildlife and habitats found here. Day 61: Foz do Iguaçu ( Sun 24 Feb ) Full day 800 kms drive to Foz de Iguazu where we stay at an excellent camp site with facilities and a pool Activity 2 full days to discover the unbelievable Iguazu Falls Approximate Cost Included in Kitty About Foz do Iguaçu: Foz do Iguaçu (meaning "Mouth of the Iguazu River") is the Brazilian town nestled against the double-border with Argentina and Paraguay. The town is of course most famous as the base for exploring the incredible Iguazu Falls, and the Brazilian side of the waterfalls offers visitors a very different perspective - there are a number of cleverly constructed walkways that allow you to get right out over the water up close to some of the falls themselves, and you will often be able to see fantastic rainbows forming as the sun catches the spray. For the ultimate waterfall viewing experience, you can also organise helicopter flights from the Brazilian side, where you'll be taken out right over the falls to give you a breathtaking view of this natural wonder from a totally different perspective. There is also a fanstatic bird park in Foz, where you can see many of Brazil's native species including toucans and macaws. You can also visit the incredible Itaipu Dam, the world's second-largest dam (after the Three Gorges Dam in China) that stretches across the River Parana between Brazil and Paraguay, and a marvel of modern engineering.
Day 62: Foz do Iguaçu ( Mon 25 Feb ) Non-driving day. Free time to enjoy the famous Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, with a range of activities available. Second night at campsite Day 63: Puerto Iguazu ( Tue 26 Feb ) 60 kms drive across the border to see Iguazu Falls, from the Argentinean side. We stay at Puerto Iguassu at a campsite with good facilities Day 64: San Ignacio de Mini ( Wed 27 Feb ) We drive 270 kms drive to the Jesuit Mission of San Ignacio de Mini. Overnighting in a campsite with good facilities. Activity Visit the Jesuit ruins at San Ignacio de Mini Approximate Cost Included in Kitty About San Ignacio de Mini: Misiones province is so called because of the many Jesuit missionaries who arrived here in the 17th century, setting up "Reductions", or missions, throughout this area of Argentina, as well as parts of neighbouring Paraguay and Brazil. The small town of San Ignacio de Mini was once the centre of one such mission, and it's ruins can still be seen today. The buildings are very well preserved and include a church, cemetery and monastery and provide an interesting insight to the history of this area. Day 65: Buenos Aires ( Thu 28 Feb ) Full day 560 kms drive towards Buenos Aires. We bush camp for the night About Buenos Aires: At the mouth of the River Plate estuary (where the Uruguay and Paraná rivers flow out into the Atlantic Ocean) lies the fabulous city of Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina. It's a buzzing, energetic city that often feels more European than Latin American, so much so that it's often referred to as "the Paris of the South". There is a huge amount to do see and do here, and it's a fantastic city to explore on foot and using the extensive metro system. Some areas to check out include San Telmo, a bohemian district full of charm, antique shops, street markets, and some excellent bars; Palermo, with its fantastic restaurants and nightlife; and Recoleta, the "Mayfair" of Buenos Aires and home to the La Recoleta cemetry, Eva "Evita" Perón's final resting place. The waterfront area known as La Boca is also worth exploring, a very photogenic district with its ramshackle buildings being painted in a rainbow of different bright colours. Everywhere you go you'll be surrounded by some fantastic architecture. The Plaza de Mayo is perhaps the most historically
interesting, as this is the site of the Cabildo (original town hall), Casa Rosada (the Presidential Palace) and the cathedral where the body of General San Martín lies. In the evenings, you are spoilt for choice - Buenos Aires has a vibrant nightlife, with a huge number of bars and night clubs to choose from. Restaurants here vary from cheap and cheerful to world class, and it's a great place to get stuck into some of Argentina's finest steak and red wine. Of course this is also the home of Tango, and there are many evening Tango shows you can buy tickets for or even take a dancing class yourself! Day 66 to 67: Buenos Aires ( Fri 01 Mar to Sat 02 Mar ) We set off early morning to drive 415 kms into the capital, Buenos Aires arriving late in the afternoon. We stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities. There are various optional activities to enjoy. Activity Explore cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the coolest city in South America Approximate Cost Included in Kitty Practice your dance steps in the birthplace of Tango Free Head over to Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, for the day USD 194 Enjoy a free city tour of Buenos Aires Free Important Notes The routes, activities and places visited described in these trip notes are intentions and are meant as a rough guide only. These trip notes have been compiled to help you prepare for your journey once you have booked. They include the full itinerary and dates, and information about kit lists, meeting hotels, insurance, vaccinations, visas, and other information that will help you get ready for your trip. We update these notes regularly, so please ensure you have an up-to-date version of these trip notes. We intend to follow the planned route but exact night stops and inclusions cannot be guaranteed. It sometimes happens that we decide to make a change to our planned itinerary. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, road or bureaucratic conditions may demand it. By their very nature, overland itineraries need to be flexible and the regions that we are travelling through are often unpredictable. We run adventure journeys in off the beaten track areas, which often have poor infrastructure. You should expect that some of these areas do not adhere to 'Western' safety standards.
Rio Carnival detailed notes Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world, nestling beneath the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) that rises out of Guanabara Bay, and flanked by the sandy beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. The Carnival at Rio is one of the best spectacles in the world and lasts for about 5 days on the run up to Shrove Tuesday. The whole city comes alive with music, singing and dancing and the streets are never empty. Be prepared for sleepless days and nights, as the partying is non-stop, be it in the streets, or at one of the many balls, or in the famous Sambadrome watching the parading carnival groups with their extravagant costumes and floats. The various samba 'schools' all compete for a prize and the honour of being the champion carnival group of the year. Around the time of the Carnival, our trips are timed to fit in with the event, so you can be sure of enjoying Carnival with a group of like-minded people and there are likely to be over 100 fellow travellers enjoying the carnival experience. We will however aim to keep you in smaller groups of 20-25 for planned activities. There is just so much to see and do in Rio and at Carnival it is even busier than usual, but there is still something for everyone. As part of the Carnival package we include a guided Sambadrome visit to sector 13, an introductory walk, a visit to a street parade plus your accommodation; however we offer the opportunity to do a lot more. We offer a number of optional activities that you can book in advance - detailed notes of these activities and how to book can be found here. We strongly recommend pre booking, as this way we can make all the necessary arrangements ready for your visit - other options may be available and could be cheaper but availability cannot be guaranteed. Day 1: Friday The first day is free time, as everyone will be arriving at various times throughout the day to start the package. Hotel check-in is from midday and Dragoman staff will be on hand to give you any assistance. There will be a joining meeting in the Argentina Hotel in the afternoon. Please check the noticeboard in the hotel reception for further details on arrival. After the meeting we have a table booked at a nearby buffet restaurant if you would like to join your leader and group for a meal. Day 2: Saturday This morning you have an introductory walking tour to get to know the local area. Your guide will then bring you to a street parade for a quintessential Rio Carnival experience. In the afternoon you may wish to join us to a guided tour of a favela and a community project that we support. Optional Morrinho Project - 52 Morrinho is the name used by the youth of the Pereira da Silva favela for their scale model of a favela made basically with bricks. The Morrinho began in 1998, when Nelcirlan (14 years old at that time) starting building the Morrinho, together with his brother Maycon. Today, the Morrinho model occupies an area of 300 square metres in the community Pereira da Silva and has a wealth of details such as funk clubs, police, drugs sales points, alleys, staircases, small bars etc. The model is now being used to generate money by the NGO Morrinho, a charity that provides professional qualifications to the residents of the Pereirão Community through workshops including audiovisual production, art-education, Brazilian culture, and youth and citizenship. The charity is also involved in utilising the project as a film set, which has raised awareness of how harsh life is for shanty town dwellers. The trip includes a donation of 50 BRL to the charity. Day 3: Sunday Early this morning you have the opportunity to go for a guided tour of Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Late afternoon it may be wise to have a disco nap before the big highlight of Rio Carnival - a visit to the Sambadrome! Included in your trip is a visit to sector 13, or you may chose to upgrade to sector 11 for a closer view of the parade. Please click here to view a map of the Sambadrome. The Sambadrome The Sambadrome was designed by Brazil's world-famous architect, the modernist Oscar Niemeyer. It was purpose-built for the Samba Parade and inaugurated in 1984. Being made of concrete, it seems a bit
dated for the post-modern eyes of today and has a derelict feeling during the year, serving only little cultural events. However, it comes to life and is magnificent being lit up with special effects on Samba Parade nights, filled with thousands of cheering spectators and surrounded by other thousands of people who could not get in. It can seat around 70,000 people, which is already far too few for the ever growing Rio Carnival Parade. However, since it is under protection, it cannot be rebuilt or even extended. The Samba schools have prepared all year for their hour of glory on carnival night. The top 12 Samba schools parade on Sunday and Monday, six each night. The two nights are similar in terms of set-up, the only difference being the schools parading. The best school is chosen by a hand-picked set of judges on the basis of many components including percussion, the theme song, harmony between percussion, song and dance, choreography, costume, storyline, floats and decorations. The championship is hotly contested, with the winner becoming the pride of both Rio and Brazil. The parade is a glitzy, lavish, vegas-style affair with beautiful, topless mulatas who make samba look easy in their feathered head-dresses, long flowing capes sparkling with sequins and rhinestone studded G-strings. The floats are extremely lavish and some of them are technically quite amazing. The Brazilians harness sweat, noise and confusion and turn it into art, with the parades beginning in moderate mayhem then working themselves up to a higher plane of frenzy. The samba is driven by the drummers with between 200 and 400 per school. The parades head down the runway of the Sambadrome flanked by the tiers of spectators, singing, dancing and applauding their favourite schools. The parade continues on through the night and into the morning. Some of the best schools are always kept until last to make sure that the party continues until the very end. Sambadrome Visit (sector 13) - included We will be situated in sector 13 which allows an overview of the whole event and a good chance to party with the locals. Sector 13 is at the end of the sambadrome runway and has the best atmosphere of all the stands. It is full of local Cariocas who really support their samba school with lots of singing and dancing. It is a wonderful local experience but can get very busy, reminiscent of a noisy football crowd. There are no fixed seats but concrete bleachers and people stand up as the samba schools pass by. We will travel to the Sambadrome in the early evening by metro and on foot with the Dragoman crew. It is up to you how long you stay but every year there are a few who make it through to the last parades and get back to the hotel for breakfast at 7am! Please note that sector 13 is set back a bit from the actual runway so does not offer the best close up views of the parade. If you should wish there's an option to upgrade to sector 11 for a much closer view of the parade - this is highly recommended if you're interested in photopraphy and would like good pictures of the costumes and floats. Optional Sambadrome Upgrade to sector 11-130 Sitting in sector 13 is not for everyone and for those of you who want a closer view of the parade we offer you the chance to upgrade to sector 11. This sector neighbours sector 13 but is much closer to the action. The seating however is identical, being on concrete bleachers and can be equally busy but not quite so boisterous. Optional Corcovado visit - 65 We head to one of the most iconic sights in Brazil - the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado mountain. Accompanied by our local guide we will travel in a private bus to the foot of the mountain and onwards along the scenic route to the top. From the base of the statue there is an incredible vista of southern Rio and its beaches, as well as the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and Guanabara Bay. The clouds can sometimes decide to hide all of this from us at a moment's notice, so take your photos as soon as you have the opportunity! You are free to wander around as you wish or you may like to listen to our guide who can tell you more about the history of the statue and the area. There is also a restaurant and shop for drinks, snacks and gifts as well as toilet facilities. At a prearranged time we will all meet to return back to our hotel. Day 4: Monday Today is a free morning to relax after a late night in the Sambadrome. In the afternoon you there is the option to go on a guided visit to the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain). In the evening you have the chance to return for some more of the lavish spectacle in the Sambadrome - either as a spectator in sector 5 or why not don a fabulous costume and join in the parade! Optional Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) visit - 63