Amazon Adventures

Brazil Tours and Travel

Rhythms of Brazil

Countless are the tunes that sing of Rio de Janeiro, its friendly inhabitants, famous beaches and panoramic mountains, as the "cidade maravilhosa" (the marvellous city). Many musical genres have conquered the world from here. The immortal Samba , driving force behind the world’s most thrilling Carnival party, in all its different appearances. Music- and dancestyles as Choro and Jongo that had an influence on its development, or Bossa Nova and Gafieira that descend from it. On this tour you will not only visit those world-famous places, which inspired composers and poets, but also experience such hidden corners of Rio de Janeiro where the "cariocas" (nickname for the inhabitants of Rio) preserve their unique and authentic musical culture. In Salvador, they move to a slightly different beat, due to a more African influence.

Your host and guide in Rio de Janeiro is Dirk Hauptmann, German-born professional musician with more than 20 years of travelling experience in Brazil, former musical director of the dutch freestyle percussion group Medicamento and teacher for Brazilian percussion at the Rotterdam Conservatory, shows you his second home from a musical perspective.

Day 1 - Sunday
Arrive at Rio de Janeiro´s International Airport. Private transfer to hotel. Briefing the guests about the surroundings of their hotel – welcome drink - supper in restaurant Azul Marinho with a sunset view at Arpoador Beach.
Optional by-night: Samba school rehearsal

Day 2
Visit to the Corcovado Mountain by train and at the end of the afternoon, visit Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açucar) by cableway. Barbecue lunch is included.
By-night: e.g. Bossa Nova in Bar do Tom club in Leblon neighborhood.

Day 3
Guided walk through Rio’s historical center . Visit Confeitaria Colombo and surroundings. Take the tram to Santa Teresa. Lunch in Santa Teresa. Visit the Selarón stairway, continue to Passeio Público and then to Cinelândia.
By-night: e.g. Rio Scenarium Club

Day 4 -
Visit to Centro Cultural Jongo da Serrinha in Madureira neighborhood. Or RIO COMMUNITY TOUR - CHAPÉU MANGUEIRA
In the evening, an optional tour to Trapiche da Gamboa club.

Day 5 - Thursday
Free day.
Visit City of Samba.
Overnight: Ipanema Plaza

Day 6 - Salvador
Arrival in Salvador, a special welcome by Baianas handing out Fitinhas do Bonfim - a typical bracelet from Bahia´s Bonfim Church (for groups only). Transfer to hotel.

Night: transfer with guide for dinner in Pelourinho and have a glance at the nightlife of the project Night and Day - project created by the Bahia Government that helped economically with the preservation of the historic heritage sites of this traditional neighborhood. The project has the night of Pelourinho its great asset that pleases baianos and tourists. Streets with many bars, squares with all types of music and many options for shopping and dining.
Dinner will be served at the Casa da Gamboa Restaurant or similar.

Day 7 - Salvador
Full day historical city tour in Salvador. Starting in the city´s modern neighborhoods, Barra and Ondina, we continue our journey to where the colonial period took place. A visit to Saint Antonio´s Fortress is the beginning of this journey.

Stop for lunch at Senac-School Restaurant, where it is served up to 40 dishes of Afro-Bahian cuisine. After lunch, we will visit the Third Order of Carmo and Santo Antonio District to the Lower City.

Sightseeing of the Itapagipe Peninsula, Ribeira and Bonfim with a visit to the most famous Brazilian religious syncretism – Bonfim Church. We follow to Montserrat, Boa Viagem Districts and a final stop on Mercado Modelo Market, which was formerly the custom building. Free time to see local crafts.
Return to hotel and free night

Day 8 - Salvador - Praia do Forte
Departure from Salvador to Praia do Forte. Check in at hotel. Visit the ruins of Garcia D´Ávila´s Castle , considered the first big Portuguese construction of the 16th Century in Brazil. Chance to enjoy a beautiful view of the coastline covered with coconut trees.
Overnight: Porto da Lua Hotel

Day 9 - Praia do Forte
Free day. If you wish, you may visit Tamar Project on your own . Just a short walk from the hotel, the Tamar Project is a sea turtle project for preservation of the species, where it is possible to see the various species of Brazilian turtle at their different life stages.

Optional: Whale watching tour
Overnight: Porto da Lua Hotel

Day 10 - Praia do Forte - Outbound
After breakfast, transfer to airport.

Optional Amazon or Iguassu extension