Brazil: 10 Days & 8 Night: (5 nights Salvador De Bahia and 3 nights Rio de Janeiro)Brazil... a multicultural extraction of Africans, Europeans, Portuguese, Indians, and Asians all mixed in one pot, with the largest African population outside of Africa. Brazil is one of the countries that imported Africans as slaves to work the cocoa plantations in Bahia. On this journey, you will visit the slave dungeons underneath the city. Listen to the influence of the African hypnotic drums. Tour the squares in Pelourinho, formerly the whipping square of the slaves, which has been declared a historical treasure. In every square there are Bahiana women dressed in crisp white cotton and lace dresses with bouffant skirts. A colorful sash around the waist and their heads are wrapped with a twist of white cotton fabric. While in Rio de Janeiro, walk along the beach, view the mountains and take a cable car up to Christ the Redeemer who stands tall on top of Corcovado Mountain with a watchful eye over Sugar Loaf, the city and the harbor below. The African influence on this journey is powerful and seductive. The music, cuisine, dance, & mystical undertones all combine with the sun and the sea to make this a trip of a lifetime. But, there is no way you can sense Brazil without being there. Brazil makes up nearly half the total area of South America. It is blessed with many miles of unspoiled coastline, including some of the finest beaches in the world, magic places full of life where people come to socialize and have fun in a constant pursuit of leisure. Brazilians DO know how to hold a party. Music, cuisine, dance, mystical undertones all combine with the sun and the sea to make this a trip of a lifetime. This trip includes 5 nights in Salvador de Bahia and 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro. Tour dates:
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Itinerary
Day 1. To Salvador de Bahia
Arrange your own flight reservations for the overnight trip to Brazil. (African American Journeys will be happy to
assist you with your flight plans)
Day 2. Arrive Salvador de Bahia - Tour Begins (D)
Arrival in the morning in Salvador de Bahia. Please be in Salvador de Bahia no later than 11am in order to take your
transfer. Upon arrival, transfer to your reserved accommodations at the hotel. After checking in, you will have time
to relax before you depart on your coach for a special "Welcome to Bahia" Dinner and Show. The Bahia Folklore
Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia) is one of the most respected folklore dance troupes in the world. The company
performs in the intimate Miguel Santana Theatre in the Pelourinho in a seamless presentation of the multiple African
traditions that underpin Bahian culture. You will see the sacred dances of the Candomblé; puxada de rede, a song by
fishermen in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea; maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance with its origins
in the cane fields; capoeira, a martial art/dance of Angolan origin and the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling
version of this exuberant national dance. After the show dinner will be served in one of the many fine restaurants in
the area. Return to your hotel.
Day 3. In Salvador de Bahia (traditional Candomblé excursion) (B)
This morning, you visit a traditional Candomblé house of worship, established at the turn of the century, a long way
from the then center of the city. The expansion of the city has meant that the temple's grounds have been surrounded
by the burgeoning metropolis but the temple maintains the traditional religious and social values of African daily
life. Your visit will focus on the religious and social traditions of the temple. You visit the primary school whose
curriculum includes Yorubá language studies, the study of the spiritual and medicinal properties of sacred plants, as
well as the normal academic studies. Balance of the day and evening free for relaxing and shopping.
Day 4. Salvador de Bahia (B)
Enjoy breakfast before being met in the hotel lobby for your sightseeing tour of Salvador. Here you trace the African
roots of Salvador on a city tour which combines the newer, modern section and the older Historical Center of Salvador,
the largest and best preserved center of colonial architecture in Latin America. The area is home to many places of
interest to those wishing to trace this underlying African influence. Take a casual stroll through the narrow,
bustling streets lined with colonial buildings in pastel shades of an age gone by. Soak up the sights and sounds of
this vibrant city. You visit the church of São Francisco with its exuberant 18-caret gold-leafed Baroque interior. A
must see is the Afro-Brazilian Museum which traces the West African origins of the city. On display are superb wooden,
sculptured panels of the orixá's by Salvador's most celebrated artist, Carybé. Conclude the morning tour with a visit
to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a period of almost
100 years. Balance of the day to relax. Dinner on your own.
Day 5. In Salvador de Bahia (excursion to Cachoeira) (B/L)
You leave the city behind to explore the farming hinterland on the western side of the All Saints' bay. This is the
land of sugar cane plantations, peaceful colonial towns and busy country markets, a day of insights into the life in
rural Brazil. You drive north out of the city and then head westwards, stopping at busy country market town of Santo
Amaro. You continue your drive westwards through rolling hills to Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland
nestled in the deep valley of the Paraguaçu River. After lunch you take a walking tour of the town, with an
opportunity to browse in some local wood carvers stores'. Like Salvador, Candomblé plays an integral part in the life
of the town, epitomized by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority which traces its origins back to the time of
slavery. You cross to the western bank of the slow moving river and visit the Danemann Cultural Center where you can
also see world class cigars being expertly rolled. A journey back in time to the Brazil of yesteryear. Return to
Salvador where the evening is free to try some of the local restaurants.
Day 6. In Salvador de Bahia (B)
A full day at leisure for taking optional tours, independent exploration, relaxing or beaching on your own.
Day 7. To Rio de Janeiro (B/D)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to
your accommodations. The balance of the day on your own. Dinner this evening at your hotel.
Day 8. In Rio de Janeiro (B)
Morning sightseeing tour will show you the highlights of Rio. Start with a beautiful scenic drive along Rodrigo de
Freitas Lagoon. Arriving at the bottom of the Corcovado hill you will embark on a comfortable train to climb the
beautiful mountain, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Rio and its famous beaches. Then continue for a
panoramic tour of Rio's main beaches, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, and includes a visit to the world famous Sugar
Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay. Free evening to explore Rio!
Day 9. In Rio de Janeiro (B/D)
A full day at leisure to explore this fantastic city, shop or take in the beach. Your farewell evening is at the
famous Rioscenarium. Located in 3 floors of an old Brazilian colonial building, you will enjoy lively Brazilian
music, which is awesome. Here you will enjoy three floors of fun. One of the amazing things about Rioscenarium is how
spacious it is. Four buildings were joined to create it. The two top floors overlook the dance floor and stage at
ground level, allowing you to talk to without shouting and still listen to the music. Antiques are everywhere.
There are collections of all kinds - clocks, scooters, radios, mannequins - lining every wall and corner. Start with
dinner specializing in local foods and delicacies. Then, sway to the Brazilian Big Band sounds of mache, bossa nova,
samba, lambada and more, before returning to your hotel.
Day 10. To USA (B)
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flights home. Arrival the same day.
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. Prices are subject to
change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted otherwise are US Dollars.
Tour Pricing and Registration
Brazil Visa costs are separate and to be paid by the passenger.
Prices for 4 or more passengers are considerably lower and are available on request.
Prices quoted will include a discount for payment by check. However, all payments may be made by
using a credit card, but the discount will not apply.
Please call us (800) 365-1408 (toll free in the U.S.) for the latest prices. Prices are always per person, double occupancy, LAND ONLY
Please note that International airfare is NOT included. African-American Journeys will be happy to assist you with
your flight plans.
PLUS: to be added to quoted price for all passengers, per person
Prepaid Gratuities for applicable guides, escorts, drivers, wait and hotel staff, portage, etc.
– quoted at time of registration
A Single Room is available throughout the tour for an additional cost and will be quoted on request
Reservation deposit is $300 per person.
Pre/post nights are available upon request. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Call (800) 365-1408 (toll free in the U.S.) or email us if you have any questions or would like to connect with us.
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