Day 1 – Saturday, Nov. 17
Depart from Home

Board your international flight to Rio today.  Many flights will   depart in the evening with arrival into Rio the following morning. 

Day 2 – Sunday, Nov. 18
Arrival – Corcovado (B, D)

Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred to our hotel the Ipanema Plaza located on Ipanema beach.  The morning is free for you to rest and relax or perhaps take a walk around the beach to get acquainted with your surroundings. 

As an introduction to the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro, you will have a tour in the afternoon of the highlights of the city, including a visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain.  The tour starts in the downtown area, which is the heart of both the business and historical districts of Rio.  You will continue driving through the city’s streets, passing by the Municipal Theater, some commercial buildings and the city’s main avenue of Rio Bronco before leaving downtown for Sugar Loaf Mountain. 

On route, you will pass through the neighborhoods of Flamengo and Botafogo before arriving in the neighborhood of Urca where the cable car station for Sugar Loaf is located.  You will take a breath-taking cable car ride to the first stop at Urca Mountain which stands at 220 meters (721 feet). 

From there you will walk to the other side of the mountain to take the next cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain which stands at 395 meters (1,295 feet).  As the sun begins to set, there will be some leisure time at the top of the mountain before returning to ground level by the cable car.   This time of day is considered by many the best time to visit the mountain.  With spectacular views of the sun setting behind Corcovado Mountain, the views are unforgettable.

This evening Hermes Tours will host a welcome dinner so that we get better acquainted with our new traveling companions.  

Day 3 – Monday, Nov. 19
Tour of Rio – Free Afternoon – (B)

Corcovado Mountain Tour
After breakfast we discover some of the historical sights of the city with our half day tour of Rio and Corcovado. One of the icons of Rio de Janeiro, you will have the opportunity to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue on this tour.  Upon departure, you will travel to the Corcovado railway station at Corcovado Mountain.  A 3.5-kilometer (2-mile), 25-minute train ride will take you through the lush Tijuca Forest to the station on the top of the mountain.  From there you will take the elevator up to the 38-meter (125-foot) statue of Christ the Redeemer which stands with open arms at 710 meters (2,330 feet) above sea level. There will be time at leisure before returning to the train to ride back down the mountain. 

Leaving Corcovado, the tour continues by driving through the 2.1 kilometer (1.3 mile) Rebouças tunnel, passing by the picturesque Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.  You will then ride along the popular beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana before ending the tour at your hotel.

Historical Tour of Rio
A city rich in history, you will travel to Rio’s historic downtown district to learn about it first-hand.  You will visit the National Historical Museum and see the November 15 square, the royal palace, Candelaria Church and São Bento monetary.  Meandering through the narrow cobblestone streets, you will be surrounded by beautiful Portuguese architecture along the bustling streets of downtown.  This tour involves some walking so flat comfortable shoes are suggested.

Your afternoon is free to relax on the beach or perhaps engage in a little retail therapy!

Day 4 – Tuesday, Nov. 20
Fly to Iguaçu Falls (B, D)

Fly to Iguaçu Falls (B, D)
We transfer to the airport today and head to Iguaçu falls.  Bordering the Brazil – Argentina border, the mighty Iguassu Falls are the widest waterfalls in the world, made up of 275 individual falls that form a semicircle that stretches 2.7 kilometers (1.6 miles).  The falls are actually a combination of some 275 separate falls that plunge 250 feet into the rocks below. The falls can be viewed from both the Brazilian and the Argentinean side.  The national park where the falls are located offers many activities, such as hiking, canoeing, rafting, bird watching and climbing.  Visitors can also go to the nearby Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, or explore the nearby bird park with its amazing collection of tropical birds from around the world.

Half Day Brazilian Falls Tour
Viewing the amazing Iguassu Falls from the Brazilian side offers unforgettable panoramic views.  As you are staying at the Tropical Das Cataratas Hotel the only hotel located inside the national park, you will have easy access to the waterfalls.   For this guided tour upon arrival, you will start the walk on the paved pathway leading down to the water.  The 1-mile walk takes approximately 1 - 1 ½ hours when done at a leisurely stroll.  Walking among the flora and fauna, there are various points along the way for photo opportunities.  The walk concludes on a walkway raised above the rushing waters of the falls, providing you with a closer view where you feel the spray of cool water.

Day 5 – Wednesday, Nov. 21
Half Day Tour of Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Safari (B)

After crossing the border into Argentina for this awe-inspiring tour, you will enter the Iguaçu National Park, home to approximately 70% of Iguassu Falls.  The park’s open train will transport you approximately 15 minutes through the forest to the first stop.  From there, you will walk both the upper and lower circuit trails of the park. The trails put you in close contact with nature and include viewing platforms along the way to see the falls.  

When you arrive at the station of Devil’s Throat, you will walk along raised metal walkways above the water to the Devil's Throat Falls, the largest and most impressive of the 245 total waterfalls.  The walkway traverses the waters and ends just before the drop off point for Devil’s Throat.  A rush of adrenaline pumps through your veins as you not only see the falls up close, but feel the power of the rushing falls, and oftentimes the sprays of the water as well.  The walk takes approximately 20 minutes each way, but additional time is needed for when you reach Devil’s Throat for viewing and photos.  After walking back to the train, you will take it to another stop where you will de-board the train and walk down to the water’s edge.  From there you will board boats for an exciting adventure to see the falls up close.  After the boat ride, you will board open jeeps for a ride through the forest.

Day 6 – Thursday, Nov. 22
Iguaçu Falls to Rio (B)

This morning we transfer to the airport and fly back to Rio where we’ll have the rest of the afternoon free.

Day 7 – Friday, Nov. 23
Free Day in Rio (B, D)
Night Tour

After breakfast, you will have a free day to take advantage of the city.  You can relax on one of the many beaches as you soak up the sun, enjoy some of the fabulous shopping the city has to offer or visit one of the art museums or cultural centers.  For the more adventurous type, hang gliding is a popular activity.  This evening we head out to paint the town red or pink on our night tour. Among our stops are some of the most popular gay venues.

Day 8 – Saturday, Nov. 24
Full Day Tropical Islands Tour with Lunch (B, L, D)

Following breakfast we depart Rio for our tropical tour. You will travel in a private vehicle approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) southeast to the small fishing village of Itacuruçá.  Upon arrival, you will board a traditional Brazilian schooner known as a saveiro.  The cruise will include others on the boat.  Cruising around some of the bay’s hundreds of beautiful islands, the boat will stop close to one of the islands for passengers to swim.  You will continue on to the island where you will go ashore for a hearty barbeque lunch.  There will be leisure time in the afternoon for sun bathing, swimming and beach sports.  You will cruise back to Itacuruçá in the afternoon and then return to Rio. 

Day 9 – Sunday, Nov. 25
Depart for home (B)