PACING: 3 nights Rio de Janeiro, 2 night in Brasilia, and 1 night in Manaus, plus a 7-night expedition cruise on the Amazon River, and a night in Miami. 2 flights in Brazil of 1 - 2 hours each, with morning departures.

Details about your flights: Your flight to South America will connect through Miami. Since the flights from Miami to Rio depart in the late evening, depending on your home city, you may have a shorter or longer layover in Miami before your flight leaves for Rio. Also, please be aware that your flight from Miami to Rio connects through Sao Paulo, so you will have a layover in Sao Paulo. At the end of your cruise, you will fly direct from Manaus to Miami, but you arrive into Miami later in the evening, so for your comfort, Vantage has included a night in Miami in your program so that you can rest up before returning to your home city the next day.

If you are taking the optional pre-extension, for some departures, you will connect through Sao Paulo before flying to Iguassu Falls. If there is a long layover time, you will be transferred to the Sao Paulo Airport Marriott for breakfast, and the use of a dayroom before flying to Iguassu Falls.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Sightseeing is on air-conditioned coaches with guides. There can be moderate to heavy walking required throughout this program, including several walks through the Amazon rainforest. On the cruise portion, your main transportation ashore will be in small inflatable boats, commonly referred to as zodiacs. All of the landings are “dry” but you must be physically able to maneuver in and out of the boats to enjoy your shore tours.

CULTURAL FOCUS: This is a journey that features many highlights of life in the Amazon river basin. You’ll visit local communities, enjoy jungle hikes, all enhanced by daily onboard lectures. Traveling in the rural areas of Brazil can be both rewarding and challenging.


SPECIAL FACTORS

• Mosquitoes, humidity, and wild inhabitants may be too much for some passengers. Proper clothing is essential for protection.
• There are some long days with tours, transfers and a flight combined.
• The cruise portion is aboard an expedition cruise ship, which is not as plush an experience as an ocean liner.
• There is not a lot of entertainment on board, such as nightly shows and a casino, which you would find on an ocean liner.
• The focus of the cruise is the nature and history of the Amazon region, and the learning during the excursions off the boat and the daily lectures.
• A Brazilian visa is required for this program.
• Please refer to Vantage’s wheelchair and handicapped traveller policy as this program is a very active.