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Black History Month
Carnival In Brazil
Rio de Janeiro & Bahia
February 20 - March 2, 2009

Tour Summary

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.

Tour Rate

$2,300.00   Per Person  (Double Occupancy)
$350.00   Single Room Supplement
   $600.00   Optional Tour - Salvador, Bahia
   $250.00   Single Room Supplement
April 1, 2007 Deadline for Deposit & Reservation Form

Depart From

Departure: Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 New York - JFK
Arrival: Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Return From

Departure: Sunday, Mar. 1, 2009 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Arrival: Monday, Mar. 2, 2009 New York - JFK

Tour Itinerary

Friday, February 20
Depart New York City (JFK Airport) for an overnight trip to Brazil.

Saturday, February 21
Early morning arrival in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. After immigration and customs, transfer to our hotel to relax and unpack. Begin with a panoramic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and observe Rio's famous beaches (Copacabaña, Ipanema & Leblon). Tour Rio's historic neighborhoods, monuments, churches, museums, parks & gardens (Jardim Botanicos) . As the sun sets Rio's nightlife begins to come alive. Dinner at our hotel.

Sunday, February 22
Breakfast at hotel. Morning tour to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of Guanabara Bay. Visit the favelas of Vila Canoas & Rocinha, the largest slums in Rio which has approximately 160,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area and with a magnificent view. Most of the samba schools participating in the carnival parade come from there. Observe as the Brazilians flaunt their astonishing costumes and prepare for the world’s greatest CARNIVAL. The parade that attracts thousands of people from all corners of the world come alive around 7:00 pm and ends 7:00 am the next morning. You can dance the night away to the rhythms of samba. (Ticket seats at the Sambodromo stadium range from $100 - $700 and must be paid in advance). Dinner on your own.

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Monday, February 23
Breakfast at hotel. A day of leisure to enjoy Rio on your own - rest, shop or sunbathe on your favorite beach. Dinner on your own.

Tuesday, February 24
Breakfast at hotel. We'll arrive at the bottom of Corcovado Mountain and embark upon a comfortable cable car to view the magnificent Statue of Christ the Redeemer that is 2,300 feet above sea level, one of Rio's most favorite postcards. Visit the 8,150 acre Tijuca National Forest , the only urban forest in the world. Our farewell evening dinner will be held at a charming restaurant. Passengers not joining us on the Optional Tour will take an evening flight from Brazil to New York.

Optional Tour - Salvador, Bahia

Wednesday, February 25
Breakfast at hotel. Early morning flight for Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's first capital. Upon arrival in the “Land of Happiness” filled with Afro-Brazilian culture you'll be greeted by Bahian women in traditional costume distributing "fitinhas" Bonfim Ribbons. Transfer to the hotel to relax and unpack. A scenic drive throughout the neighborhoods and along the coast of Bahia's peninsula and inlets. Bahia by Night Tour. Dinner & entertainment at Solar da Unhao a colonial complex dating back to the 18th century where folklore shows are held, you'll glimpse a sugar refinery, manor house and slave quarters.

Thursday, February 26
Breakfast at hotel. Begin an early morning African historic city tour of Salvador. Here we trace the Africa brazil 04 n roots of Bahia as we take a casual stroll through the narrow bustling streets lined with colonial buildings in pastel shades of an era gone by and soak up the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. Along the way ardent shoppers will find art, fashion and various souvenirs. We will visit the historic Pelourinho District (a whipping square for the slaves). The Church of São Francisco with its exuberant 18-carat gold-leafed Baroque interior. The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a period of almost 100 years. The Nossa Senhora do Rosario dos Prestos Church, started in 1704 by Pelourinho's Black Men Brotherhood. The Candomble House of Worship, this traditional temple is one of the most respected in Brazil. And, the Afro-Brazilian Museum, which traces the West African origins of the city. Dinner on your own.

Friday, February 27
Breakfast at hotel. Begin an early morning full-day historical tour to brazil 06 Pousada in Cachoeira, a charming colonial village along the picturesque banks of the Paraguassu River. Take a walking tour of the town, with its many wood sculptors and bustling market. Visit the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, formed in 1820 by women who had escaped slavery, they bought the freedom of elderly women so they wouldn’t die enslaved. This Sisterhood of the Boa Morte is the oldest sorority of Black women in the Americas. Dinner at the hotel.

Saturday, February 28
Breakfast at hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to shop, relax by the pool or beach. Farewell Dinner & Show this evening featuring native Salvadorians performing the powerfully high-energy drumming of Olodum, which combines thunderous traditional African rhythms with intensely sensual samba melodies. Olodum (pronounced oh-lo-doon) is an internationally acclaimed Afro-Brazilian theater group which was founded in 1979 as a blaco afro, a Bahian Carnival highlighting African heritage and black pride through vibrant drums, hand-painted in the colors of Africa: red, gold, green & black. Olodum is an abbreviation of "Olodumare" the god of all gods in the Nigerian Yoruba religion of Candomble, much alive in the African Diaspora of Bahia.

Sunday, March 1
Afternoon departure flight from Brazil to New York - JFK Airport.

Monday, March 2
Arrive in New York - JFK Airport.

Tour Includes

11 Days: 9 Days/8 Nights (2 Travel Dates - Arrival/Departure)
Round Trip Flights (New York to Brazil)
Inter-Island Flights (Rio to Bahia)
Hotel Accommodations
Airline & Hotel Taxes
Airport/Hotel Transfers
Baggage Porterage Airport/Hotel
English Speaking Tour Guides
Sightseeing Tours
Tour’s Entrance Fees
Deluxe A/C Transportation
Gratuities
Visas (or passengers will obtain a Visa at their own expense)

Not Included

Meals not mentioned in tour
All Drinks (Bottled Water, Beverages & Alcohol)
Additional Sightseeing Tours & Entrance Fees
Laundry or Dry Cleaning Services
Telephone Calls
Camera Fees

Deposit

Early reservations are essential. A deposit of $350.00 is required to secure your reservation and a complete tour application must be submitted. There will be a charge of $50.00 for each minor/major additional revision or change. You may make monthly payments. The balance is due 60 days prior departure. Tour documents will be sent to you (10) days prior to departure.

Monthly Payment Plan

$350.00   April 2008 Deposit Due
               May 2008 Payment
             June 2008 Payment
             July 2008 Payment
               August 2008 Payment
               September 2008 Payment
               October 2008 Final Payment

Cancellations & Refunds

Deposits and other payments are non-refundable, in addition to Optional Tours 30 days after the initial deposit. But, deposits and other payments can be transferable towards a future trip. Should the trip fail to achieve the minimum participants, Nubian Travels reserves the right to cancel the tours and refund in full deposits and all other payments.

Single Supplement

Is for those who would like to secure a private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price above. Please indicate your preferences for a roommate on the Registration Form. We will be happy to assist to find you a suitable roommate; otherwise you will be charged the single supplement rate.

Note: The above flights & itinerary are subject to change due to conditions beyond our control.