Brazil Coffee Holiday
Brazil Coffee Holiday
9 Days / 8 Nights
Rio de Janeiro (3N) + Foz do Iguazu (2N) + Rio das Flores (3N)
Rio de Janeiro is green hills, blue sky, beautiful bays, islands, and marvelous beaches. It is the second biggest city in Brazil (after Sao Paulo) and, certainly, one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Beach hotels are situated along the whole perimeter of Guanabara Bay. Blue ocean water will call you to the beach. The most popular beaches - Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon, are famous for their black and white tiled promenade.
Iguazu Falls! All the power and greatness of nature are in front of you! Even in dreams, it is impossible to describe the feeling that a person experiences standing in front of these impressive waterfalls!
Feeling like back in the 1860s: The Coffee Valley, in the Province of Rio De Janeiro, already accounted for 75% of all coffee consumed in the world, which allowed Brazil to become a leader in the production and export of this gold product. It is because of the rapid economic growth of this region (Coffee Valley), the coffee harrows have raised beautiful estates in the area. Of more than 200, about 30 have survived to this day and are open to visitors!
Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Brazil!
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon a half-day excursion to the Sugar Loaf is planned. The first stop is on Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area, where you can eat in the restaurant or bar. On the mountain of Sugar Loaf you will have a beautiful view of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, islands in the ocean, bridge Niteroi, and the statue of Christ on Corcovado Mountain. Then you will go by car to the central regions of the old Rio, where you will admire several old churches, monasteries, the main cathedral of the city, as well as buildings built in the colonial style. Our guide will take you to lunch where you will enjoy the delicious dishes of the local cuisine.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, we set off on a tour through the city. Arriving at the station, where the environmentally friendly train will take us through the jungle to the top of Corcovado. On either side of the railway, you will have spectacular views from Tijuca forest, inhabited by monkeys and other exotic animals and birds. At the top of Corcovado, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, stands the symbol of Rio - Statue of Christ the Savior (38m), which was built in 1931. A breathtaking panorama view of the metropolis and its environs Bridge Niteroi, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the world's largest Maracana stadium, Sugar Loaf, and more is possible from the top of Corcovado.
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast enjoys a free day to discover more of the city by yourself or ask for our optional tours.
Botanical Garden
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is a worth-visiting magnificent 137-hec (338-acre) garden over 200 years old featuring a 750-meter (half-mile) avenue of 134 impressive royal palms and more than 7000 types of plants.
There you can see orchids, bromeliads, cacti, huge bamboos, and carnivorous plants, among many others. The most famous one is Victoria, a huge water-lilly floating on the water that is capable of sustaining a 5-year old kid on it! (not included)
Monkeys are sometimes visible during the visit, and there are always plenty of birds flying over the trees (the more recognizable ones are toucans).
Duration: 4 hours
Tropical Islands Tour
The town Itacuruça situated on an island 1,5 hours away from Rio de Janeiro, in Mangarativa, is active in fishing, tourism, and agriculture. The town has small fishermen houses. To get there, you need to cross Cepetiba Bay in Sabeiro schooner. During the trip, you will enjoy the romantic views of the tropical green islands. You may have the luck to see dolphins, huge fishes, parrots, turtles, and poisonous stingrays. On the way, the schooner will stop for you to take a bath in the ocean. You will have a delicious lunch at the island, take a walk on the island, swim in the bay or in the pool, and return to our schooner that will take you back to Rio.
Duration: 8 hours
Rio at Night: Samba& Capoeira Show
You will spend an unforgettable night in Rio! Our guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the exciting show full of Brazilian samba and capoeira performed by beautiful and professional dancers. You can have dinner during the show. After the end of the show, our guide will bring you back to your hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
Royal Petropolis
Petropolis is one of the most important Brazilian historic towns located in the mountains 60 km away from Rio de Janeiro. Pedro II bought this land in 1830 to build a summer palace and bring there his daughter who could not stand the hot climate of Rio de Janeiro due to her health conditions. The European founders of the city built many constructions there, the beautiful examples of German-style architecture.
The Royal palace still preserves many objects of Royal furniture and the Royal family's objects that are now exposed in the museum. Here you can find unique jewelry works; for example, a golden crown decorated with diamonds and pearls. Together with our guide, you will visit the Gothic Cathedral where Princess Isabel, King Pedro II, and his wife are buried. Then you will visit the Royal Museum.
Flying over Rio by Helicopter
You will take a helicopter tour from Sugarloaf Mountain. During your flight, you will be amazed by the mindblowing view of the city below with its infinite beaches, huge Christ statue, Botanical Garden, and many more. ( 8-9 minutes)
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguazu
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Foz de Iguacu where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon you will visit the Brazilian side of the magnificent Iguaçu Falls. Following the walkways which border the canyon of the Iguassu River, you will enjoy the sight of hundreds of small waterfalls. At the end of this Trail, you will arrive right in front of the huge and impressive Devil's Throat, the strongest and most powerful of all waterfalls. You will feel the waterfalls with the splashing water around you and the whole area around is full of beautiful rainbows.
At the end of the tour, your guide will drop you off at your Hotel.
Day 5: Foz do Iguazu
Good Morning! After a delicious breakfast in your hotel, our guide will pick you up for a full-day adventure to the Argentinian side of the Iguazu National Park. The Argentinean side is very different from the Brazilian one; three trails are leading you through the nature in the parc:
The Lower Circuit: At a length of 1,700 meters, runways venture into the lush jungle to make direct contact with the breaking of the Dos Hermanas, Chico, and Ramirez. Walking down a runway you can be at the foot of huge seawall water which is the fall of Salto Bosetti and you will enjoy the steep falls in the Saltos Alvar Nuñez, Elenita, and Lanusse.
The Upper Circuit: a walk of 1,300 meters, elevated runways will take you on the fall line of several major jumps, reaching the edge thereof. It provides an overview of the whole area from a greater height.
The Devil's Throat: Accessed through the Rainforest with the Ecological Train arriving at the Devil's Throat Station. From there, after a 1,000 meter walk, you will reach the enormous 'Devil's Throat'.
You will walk around next to the falls to have a close look at the falls. You can feel the strength of the water and enjoy the 55.500 hectares of natural beauty!
In the evening your driver will drive you back to your hotel.
Day 6: Foz do Iguazu – Rio de Janeiro – Rio das Flores
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival transfer to the Valley of Coffee of the State of Rio de Janeiro (about 3 hours). Check-in on the most historical Hotels Fazenda União.
Day 7: Rio das Flores
Get ready for your fair share of caffeine! Today, you will travel to the Rio das Flores region, home to some of the most popular coffee farms in Brazil. Visit the Paraizo farm, where more than 500 slaves have been working. The family of the real owners has been living here for over 100 years. You can see amazing examples of French and Brazilian art in this house. After the excursion, you will have lunch.
In the afternoon visit of Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza which has been a coffee plantation since 1850. Since 2002 the owners have been working on transforming the farm into a model of sustainable organic agriculture.
Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
Day 8: Rio das Flores
Breakfast and departure to visit the Fazenda Taquara. One of the only farms that still produce coffee. You will see the whole production process and try some of the famous coffee! After lunch, we will visit FAZENDA SANTA EUFRÁSIA.
It is said that Saint Euphrasia was born in Constantinople. In the State of Rio de Janeiro, there is a historical plantation named in her honor, which has now been declared a national heritage site. Its founder was landowner Ezequiel de Araújo Padilha, who planted 192,000 coffee trees. The great-grandfather of the current owner Dona Beth purchased the estate in 1905 and ended up discarding coffee and raising cattle. Dona Beth subsequently restored the tradition and planted 9000 coffee trees that are harvested every year.
The plantation is extremely pleasant and the owner asserts that it has been visited by historical characters such as the Count d’Eu and Princess Isabel, whose dinner menu is on show in the dining room, elegantly fitted with original period furniture. Guided tours are led by the congenial Beth wearing period attire, who goes about explaining in rich detail the customs and items that date from those noble times. Transfer back to hotel and dinner.
Day 9: Rio das Floras – Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
