DAYS 1 & 2: SALVADOR DE BAHIA
We arrive into exotic and tropical Salvador de Bahia, the Afro-Caribbean centre, former capital of colonial Brazil and one of its cultural highlights. The city retains its African soul with a unique and vibrant culture apparent in a variety of forms - from music and dance that will ignite your senses, to food and religion that will excite your soul. We will spend 2 days soaking up all that spicy Salvador has to offer.
We’ll visit both the Lower and the Upper City, riding the elevator between the two. A chance to wander the old historical section of the Pelourinho with its colourful colonial mansions and impressive baroque churches, and wonder at the traditional displays of Capoeira, the dance-like martial art much celebrated in the region. You can relax with a ‘caipirinha’ the national tipple of Brazil whilst enjoying a spectacular sunset on the golden shores of one of the city’s many beaches. Then, after dark we’ll head back to Pelourinho for an exploding display of music and energy for which Salvador is famed.
DAY3: SALVADOR - CAIRU
After 2 days of city life it’s time to head to rustic Cairu for a unique and challenging period of work in this culturally interesting and environmentally diverse region of Brazil. We’ll ride the adventure of local buses and boats and arrive to a freshly cooked feast and a warm welcome from our project staff in Cairu, your home for the next 3 nights.
DAYS 4,5 & 6: CAIRU VOLUNTARY WORK
Working with Brazilian NGO ‘Amainan’, you’ll directly help to support a programme of environmental education and livelihood initiatives within the local community of Cairu.
Restoring Deforested Areas – Tree Planting: Help to restore an area of degraded forest by planting native species such as the ‘Pau Brasil’ – the country’s national tree. You’ll work with local group ‘Renascer’ using GPS to map the position of saplings and help to support the ‘Trees2reforest’ adoption programme.
Trekking Cleaning – Garapua Trail: We’ll travel by boat to Tinhare Island to follow a trail passing through dunes and streams, collecting and classifying rubbish for recycling. After 4–5 hours work we’ll arrive at the small community of Garapua and enjoy lunch on its beautiful beach.
Painting – We’ll spend the day with the community of Cairu helping to revitalise local buildings. Local community groups such as The Mother’s Association of Cairu, The ‘Capoeira’ classroom based inside the Monastery and The Samba dos Indios Association will all benefit from your work.
DAY 7: CAIRU - SALVADOR
We’ll say farewell to our friends on Cairu and return to Salvador for an afternoon exploring the city’s markets.
DAY 8: SALVADOR - MANAUS
We’ll take an early morning flight to Manaus, the sprawling city of more than a million people on the banks of the Rio Negro River. It is the primary point to venture into the nearby jungle but before embarking on our journey we’ll take the time to check out the city and its highlights. A visit to The Mercado Municipal offers a taste of the bizarre and beautiful forest crafts, fruits, seeds and remedies that the Amazon region has to offer. A tour of The ‘Teatro Amazonas’ Historic Theatre reveals that this remarkable landmark with its elegant interior is a ‘must see’ that is actually worth seeing, and with luck we’ll catch a concert too.
DAYS 9, 10, 11, 12: THE AMAZON RAINFOREST AND THE MAMIRAUA RESERVE
An early morning flight to Tefe and a journey into the depths of the last great wilderness on earth - the Amazon Rainforest and the Mamiraua Institute and Sustainable Reserve. Located in the middle of the Solimoes River, Mamiraua is considered the biggest protected lowland area in Brazil and shelters endemic species like the howler monkey, as well as sloths, caiman and river dolphins. You will be staying at the Uakari Lodge, located inside the reserve. The Institute's mission is to conserve the biodiversity of Mamiraua with participatory management, indeed all of the income generated from the lodge is reinvested in order to maintain this ground-breaking conservation project.
Jungle life runs on a completely different time scale to the city. Up with the sunrise and to bed with the sunset, whilst being serenaded by a chorus of crickets, frogs and cicadas. You can’t fail to be hypnotised by the mystical beauty of the rainforest.
DAY 13: TEFE - MANAUS - IGUAZU
Travelling back from the Rainforest we’ll return to Manaus for your flight to The Iguazu Falls.
DAYS 14 & 15: IGUAZU FALLS
We’ll visit the unforgettable Iguazu Falls bordering the countries of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. On the Brazilian side you’ll be struck by the mighty splendour of ‘the devil’s throat’. Crossing the border to Argentina you’ll ride the river under the base of the falls and feel its awesome power.
DAYS 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20: IGUAZU FALLS - RIO DE JANEIRO
We’ll take a flight to Rio de Janeiro – The Cidade Maravilhosa. Brazilians say that God created the world in six days, the seventh he dedicated to Rio. This city – The City of God is certainly one of the world’s most beautiful with its forested mountains and sparkling beaches, it is the epitome of all the Brazil is famous for. We’ll spend 5 nights enjoying its delights.
We’ll take a fun-filled jeep tour around the sights of Rio to ‘Corcovado’ – The Christ the Redeemer and Tijuca National Park and Sugar loaf Mountain. We’ll catch a football match at the world famous Maracana football stadium and relax on the world-famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Your Escape ends on a high with a tandem hang gliding flight over Rio - what a finale!
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