Aqua Brazil Family Adventure

Landing in Rio de Janeiro, our local representative will be waiting for you at the airport to greet you and take you to your hotel. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro, the rest of the day is free to explore some of our favorite local spots. Stroll along the long boulevards next to the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon, and of course, Copacabana while humming the song, ‘Girl from Ipanema’. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of huts selling delicious freshly squeezed juices and coconuts which will refresh you as you soak up the breathtaking cityscape of Rio de Janeiro and realize why the city is known as, ‘The Marvelous City’!
Relax and watch the sunset at the beach before going out for dinner at one of the restaurants along the promenade. We recommend trying one of Brazil’s most famous and traditional dishes, feijoada carioca (stew of beans with beef and pork served with white rice and farofa) washed down with a refreshing caipirinha cocktail or a local beer…Brahma and Skol are our favorites! Following dinner, you can go back to your hotel to relax or go to one of the local samba bars to dance the night away!

Meals (X)

This half-day private tour will take you to the Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban forest. Arriving at the top of Corcovado Mountain you’ll visit the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. In 2007, the statue was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and standing at the base of the 124 ft. tall statue, you’ll be treated to some truly amazing views over the city. Enjoy eye-catching views of the forest below and where Rio de Janeiro’s mountains dive into the clear blue water. After visiting the statue and the Tijuca National Park, you’ll head back to your hotel passing by the golden beaches of Ipanema and Leblon.

Meals (B)

This half-day private tour will take you to the Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban forest. Arriving at the top of Corcovado Mountain you’ll visit the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. In 2007, the statue was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and standing at the base of the 124 ft. tall statue, you’ll be treated to some truly amazing views over the city. Enjoy eye-catching views of the forest below and where Rio de Janeiro’s mountains dive into the clear blue water. After visiting the statue and the Tijuca National Park, you’ll head back to your hotel passing by the golden beaches of Ipanema and Leblon.

Meals (B)

Today a private transfer will take you along the coast to Buzios, one of Brazil’s most glamorous beach resorts. Buzios is about 105 miles (169km) northeast of Rio de Janeiro and is made up of three small settlements, which have expanded over the years to become one town. Ossos was an old fishing village and today its winding cobblestone streets are home to many of the town’s shops and boutiques. The other two original towns of Manguinhos and Armação de Buzios are both great for exploring at night especially along Rua Orla Bardot and in Porto da Barras which have a great range of high-class restaurants and bars to choose from.
Before rushing off to the beach, all we ask is that you first settle into your accommodation. We recommend that you download some offline maps of Buzios before arriving and bring your driving license as renting a buggy is the easiest way to explore Buzios’ surrounding 17 beaches. Tonight, go to Armação where you’ll discover the heart of Buzios’ nightlife and the Orla Bardot beachfront promenade which is the perfect place to enjoy an evening walk before heading back to your hotel.

Meals (B)

Enjoy a complete tour of Búzios, by land and sea, with lunch included. Relaxed schooner ride with approximately 2h 30m of duration, panoramic ride passing by a dozen beaches and islands, and a few stops for snorkeling. Lunch at an exclusive restaurant in Orla Bardot. Gardener’s fun ride for approximately one hour and a half, with stops at viewpoints for photos and at Ferradura beach for sea bathing.

Meals (B, L)

Enjoy a complete day in Búzios.

Meals (B)

After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Campo Grande.

Depending on the time of your arrival in Bonito and having settled into your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to relax after your long journey. Over the last few years, Bonito has become one of the best ecotourism destinations in Brazil and you will come to see why over the next few days. In the meantime, rest up and stroll down the main street in town, Coronel Pilad Rebua, where you will find everything you need, from local shops to charming bars and restaurants.

Meals (D)

Embark on an enchanting journey as we explore the mesmerizing Blue Lake Cave. Our adventure begins with a short walk of just 0.2 miles through a verdant forest, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings. As we approach the entrance of the cave, a sense of anticipation builds, promising a truly extraordinary experience.

Descending 492 feet by a staircase, we’ll gradually make our way deeper into the cave, unveiling the hidden gem that awaits us. As we reach the bottom, we’ll be greeted by a sight that will leave us in awe—the magical Blue Lake. The tranquil lake is surrounded by towering stalactites and massive stalagmites, creating a surreal and breathtaking environment.

The morning hours offer a particularly captivating time to visit the underground lake. As sunlight streams through gaps in the cave, it illuminates the water, transforming it into a vivid and electric blue hue. The interplay of light and water creates a scene of ethereal beauty that is sure to captivate our senses.

In the presence of such natural wonder, we’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the stunning formations, take in the serene atmosphere, and immerse ourselves in the tranquility of this underground oasis. Our knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating insights into the geological formations and the unique ecosystem that thrives within the cave.

Meals (B)

The tour consists of a walk along well-structured trails through the preserved forest for approximately 4km, followed by a staircase with 886 steps, passing by crystal-clear waterfalls, including the Boca da Onça Waterfall, the highest in the state (156m high); during the tour, there are 4 bathing spots and natural pools in the scenic Salobra River Canyon, that is a tributary of the Miranda River.
The reception has a bar and restaurant, toilets (adapted for wheelchair users), changing rooms, two swimming pools with running water, a natural shower, a games room, and a hammock area.

Melas (B)

We pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the airport for your flight to the jungle city of Manaus. Manaus is located right in the middle of the world’s largest rainforest and was founded when the Portuguese needed a base from which to defend their claim on the surrounding area from the Dutch who were based in what is now modern-day Suriname. Manaus became known worldwide as a city in the 19th Century with the Rubber Boom, and at the time was amongst the richest cities in the world.

These riches prompted extravagant spending, and a series of one-upmanship from rubber barons left a legacy of marble-clad buildings and huge estates that soon fell into disrepair once the rubber boom ended. Modern-day Manaus is a testament to this fascinating period in South America, and any visit to the Amazon in Brazil should include a stay in Manaus to understand modern-day man’s impact and interaction with the surrounding rainforest.

Meals (B)

AM: You will be picked up and transferred to the vessel to begin your adventure on board the Iara. Start by sipping away on a local Caipirinha cocktail. Today we will be visiting the Janauari Ecological Park, followed by a trip to the flooded forest area known as ‘varzea’ which is jam-packed with incredibly fertile soil. Tours will be taken in motorized canoes for better exploration. In this particular region, we will have a fantastic opportunity to see the famous Amazonian Water Lily, locally named Vitórias-régias (Victoria Amazonica).

PM: This afternoon we will visit the famous meeting of the waters, the joining point of the Solimões and Negro River. We’ll also visit the Tarrino, Dessano, and Tuiuca indigenous peoples for their cultural presentations. You can also take part in a night exploration after dinner to spot the wildlife that comes alive after dark.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: Spend the morning at your leisure on board.

PM: In the afternoon, we’ll sail up the Negro River through the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Here we can disembark to start a hike where, if we’re lucky, we’ll get the chance to see beautiful birds, including the Wire-tailed Manakins, who perform special dances for the female birds. We follow this with a tour in the Igarapé (a small body of water, generally a tributary river or a canal) of Santo Antonio to visit the firm soil of the Negro River. Still at the Igarapé at the Anavilhanas in the afternoon, we’ll observe the archipelago from the boat’s deck.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: Depending on the water level, we’ll spend the day in canoes and go through tiny waterfalls in the cold waters of the Aturiá River.

PM: We will take our lunch and beverages for an alfresco experience, picking as a spot to build a fire by the river’s shore before we tuck in. In the afternoon we will go fishing in the Amazon River.

Meals: (B, L, D)

AM: On the way down to Manaus, (if the water level is permitting) we will stop by a beach called Tupé. Here you can enjoy the area on your final day in the Brazilian Amazon.

PM: Afterward, we sail back to Manaus, returning you ready for your departure flight.

Meals: (B, L)