Nuts About Brazil - Family holiday

Today you’ll take an orientation tour through the city taking in the famous beaches – Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon, the often overlooked older heart of cinelandia and the cathedral, designed in the style of an Aztec pyramid with impressive stained glass. It will soon become apparent why Rio de Janeiro is known as the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city). Crammed into the few flat areas between beach and soaring mountain is an area of prime real estate. Here, more than seven million cariocas (as Rio’s inhabitants are known) go about their daily business. Each lunchtime the beaches fill as office workers change out of their work clothes and come out to top up their tan or play futebol.  You'll also head out to the exciting Cidade do Samba (Samba City) where preparation for Carnival takes place all year. (B)

Today you'll take a transfer to Angra do Reis (aprox. 3 hrs.) before taking the journey by boat (aprox. 1 hr.) to the idyllic island of Ilha Grande. On arrival you'll be assisted with your lugage and walk to your pousada - there aren't many vehicles on the island! You have the afternoon free on this beautiful island, which is largely undeveloped and perfect for relaxed exploration. Among the craggy peaks and heavy vegetation are some of the best beaches in Brazil. Pousada Caicara (AA) - 3 nights - (B)

A pousada is a small, independently run bed & breakfast-style hotel which is very typical in Brazil.

Today is a free day to sit back and enjoy everything the island has to offer. Excursions are easy to arrange although little English is spoken on the island.  Ilha Grande hosts one of the richest ecosystems in the world. The entire island is a protected area and hosts an abundance of endangered wildlife from the red-browed Amazon parrot and broad-snouted Cayman to the maned sloth and brown howler monkey, all of which you may see during your stay here.

The 150km of trail system present throughout the island connects pristine rainforest to stunning beaches. If you don't feel like hiking, you'll need to arrange a boat trip if you want to get out and see the more remote beaches. Your group leader will be on hand to help. (B)

At the Iguaçu Falls, the Rio Iguaçu widens and sweeps majestically round a three kilometre bend before plunging 80 metres over a natural fault. Two hundred and seventy five separate cascades present an awesome spectacle of thundering water and flying spray. Higher than Victoria Falls, wider than Niagara Falls - and arguably more beautiful than either - the falls are shared between Brazil and Argentina, even though the name originates from the Guarani language which comes from Paraguay. Although Argentina has the lion’s share of this UNESCO World Heritage site, Brazil possesses the ‘grand view’, of churning river below the falls – this arrangement led to the local saying that Argentina puts on the show and Brazil charges for the tickets. This morning you‘ll visit the viewpoints on the Brazilian side. There’s also an exciting helicopter ride over the waterfalls (optional) for wonderful aerial views, a bird park and the chance to explore the jungle. (B)