5 Day Iberostar Grand Amazon Cruise, Rio de Janeiro, and Iguazu Falls

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat): Manaus.

Depart to Manaus. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Manaus.

Day 2 (Sun): Manaus-City Tour.

The city tour begins with an 11 mile river front drive along Ponta Negra road to the floating port of Manaus. We will stop at the Rio Negro Palace, the old official residence of the governor and a beautiful example of architecture of the golden age of rubber production. Next we will visit the Indian Museum and the Salesiana Congregation to understand the traditions, habits and behavior of indigenous people. See Justice Palace and finish the city tour with “Teatro Amazonas.” This fantastic theater opened in 1896 and is considered the highlight of Manaus. It is an extraordinary symbol of the wealth and greatness of the golden age of rubber production. The tour ends at approximately 11:30 AM. After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Manaus. (B)

Note: The Museums and Amazon Theatre are closed on Sundays and Holidays.

Day 3 (Mon): Manaus-Iberostar Grand Amazon.

Check-in begins at 3:00 pm in the Port of Manaus, with departure scheduled for 6:00 pm. Sailing down Rio Negro, enjoy the sunset on the top deck with classical music. Afterwards, a welcome cocktail is offered by the Captain with a presentation of equipment on board and safety procedures in Salão Lua. Welcome dinner at Kuarup Restaurant. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,D)

Day 4 (Tue): Iberostar Grand Amazon-Igarapés of Jaraqui-Três Bocas Island.

Morning activity is hiking on trails in the Igarapés of Jaraqui, with palm trees and tall trees that are very important to local villages; some of them are used in the manufacture of houses and their trunks and leaves have great medicinal value. You can observe flowers and fruits depending on the season. Another option is a boat tour through the same region.

Late afternoon, you will tour by boat among the islands of the Três Bocas region; these islands are part of the second largest river archipelago in the world. The vegetation of the islands is reflected in the dark waters, producing a surreal and charming environmental scenario, ideal for fantastic photos. On the banks of the channels, orchids, bromeliads, toucans and macaws can be seen.

After dinner, spot alligators by boat, and listen to the night sounds in the Três Bocas region. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Wed): Iberostar Grand Amazon-Igarapé Trench-Indigenous Community Visit.

After breakfast, hike along the trails of the Igarapé Trench and observe Pink Dolphins in Novo Airão. These trails with vines, palm trees, and large trees are very important to the way of life of the local people; some of them are used to build their homes, and the hulls and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. You can see flowers and fruits depending on the season. Another option offered is a boat tour through this same region.

Late afternoon, you will visit an indigenous community in Rio Cuieiras to get to know the school, the clinic, the flour mill (where cassava flour is produced), dwellings and cultivated plants of this population. Opportunity to purchase local crafts. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Thu): Iberostar Grand Amazon-Rio Ariaú Region-Tupé Region.

Amazon Awakening. Early morning boat ride in the Rio Ariaú Region, where birds can be seen as well as a beautiful landscape lit by sunrise.

After breakfast, more boat rides through the Igarapés and lakes of the region. The waters are clear and the fauna is rich; you can see monkeys, sloths and birds (like collared hawk and kingfisher). Another option during this time is piranha fishing.

Afternoon boat rides in the Tupé Region, a very beautiful area where in low water season, you can observe the formation of beaches with fine white sand. There will also be tours with stops for diving in Rio Negro. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Fri): Iberostar Grand Amazon-Meeting of the Waters-Manaus-Rio de Janeiro.

On the way to Manaus, you will observe the Meeting of the Waters, where the dark water of the Rio Negro and the sandy colored water of the Rio Solimões flow side-by-side for miles before joining to form the Amazon River. 8:00 am arrival at the Port of Manaus and disembarkation. You will be transferred to the airport in Manaus for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. (B)

Day 8 (Sat): Rio de Janeiro-Ginga Tropical Show.

Today you will have a free day to enjoy Rio de Janeiro. In the evening, you will see the Ginga Tropical Show at the Teatro Fashion Mall. The show perfectly combines a variety of Brazilian dances that developed from African rhythms via the slave trade and from the natives that lived in Brazil before colonization. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. (B)

Note: 1.) The Ginga Tropical Show is available on Saturday evenings. We can offer an alternative activity for other nights of the week.

Day 9 (Sun): Rio de Janeiro-Christ the Redeemer Statue (Corcovado)-Sugarloaf Mountain.

Depart from the hotel after breakfast to visit the two most famous landmarks of the city and see the natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro from up above.  After a scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, you arrive at the bottom of Corcovado Hill.  You then embark on a comfortable train that ascends the mountain, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer is located 2,300 ft. above sea level.  The Christ statue, known as the “Wonder of Rio”, was recently voted one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.  Upon arrival at the top, you use the panoramic elevators or escalators to arrive at the foot of the statute.  There, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why it is called the “Marvelous City”.  Afterwards, you descend the mountain and stop for a delicious Brazilian Barbecue lunch.

Over a million tourists each year visit the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain, which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro.  Rising up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of a concentrated, refined sugar loaf.  The journey to the top is made in glass cable-cars.  The first cable-car takes you to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its surrounding islands.  From Urca Hill, you continue in a second cable-car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado Mountain, and downtown Rio de Janeiro.  (Duration: approximately 8 hours.  Lunch will be served at Estrela do Sul BBQ).  Following the tour, you will be returned to your hotel.  Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.  (B,L)

Day 10 (Mon): Rio de Janeiro-Iguazu Falls (Brazilian Side).

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls. Upon arrival, you will have a 1 and ½ hour tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Located in Iguazu National Park, these spectacular falls are comprised of 275 individual cascades, and are more than 1.90 miles wide and 260 ft. high. You will walk along the main trail (one mile) on a catwalk above the lower Iguazu River to the series of falls that comprise the Devil’s Throat. Then you will take an elevator to an observation deck for a spectacular panoramic view of the falls. At the end of this tour, you will be transferred to your hotel on the Argentinian side. Overnight in Puerto Iguazu. (B)

Day 11 (Tue): Iguazu Falls (Argentinian Side)-Great Adventure Tour.

In the morning, you will return to Iguazu Falls to view the falls from the Argentinian side and for the Great Adventure Tour. On the Argentinian side of the falls, you will visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the biodiversity of the jungle and the culture and history of the surrounding area. You can also take the Ecological Forest Train to the Garganta del Diable (Devil’s Throat) Station and the Cataratas Station, which will take you to the upper and lower circuits, and other walking trails.

In the afternoon, you will have the Great Adventure Tour. First, you will ride semi-rigid zodiac boats to reach the bottom of San Martin, Bosetty, Tres Mosqueteros and Canon de Garganta del Diablo falls and down the river rapids up to Puerto Macuco (two miles from the falls). Then, you will ride in an open jeep along the rainforest, observing the local flora and fauna with the aid of specialized guides. Overnight in Puerto Iguazu. (B)

Day 12 (Wed): Iguazu Falls-Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner