BRAZIL
June 30 – July 11 2025
Brazil, a country of diverse landscapes, dazzling colors and mixed culture. I am so excited to announce this popular photo expedition is coming back again in 2021 !
We will first head to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, stunning white desert with mystical pools of emerald water, then fly over to the wild power of nature, Iguaçu Falls. Our final destination is Rio de Janeiro, the mecca of Brazilian culture and birthplace of Samba. “Carioca”, the joyful locals call their beloved city “Cidade Maravilhosa – Marvelous City”!
PROGRAM DATES:
June 30(Mon) – July 11(Fri) 2025
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São Luis …. 1 nights (June. 30 – July.1)
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Lençóis …. 3 nights (Jul. 1 - 4)
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Iguaçu …. 3 night (Jul. 4 - 7)
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Rio de Janeiro…. 4 nights (Jul. 7 - 11)
RATES:
Brazil - 11 nights / 12 days
Room rates per person:
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double occupancy TBA ($8,000-8,500)
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single occupancy TBA ($9,000-9,500)
Rates are per person, U.S. Dollars. Program rates include all accommodations, all ground transportation, some meals (see the itinerary), entrance fee for national parks, Samba show and Samba lesson.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare ( international & domestic in Brazil )
Insurance
Lençóis
DAY 1
Festival in São Luis:
We all meet at the airport in São Paulo and take the flight to São Luis, the capital of Maranhão state, northeastern region of Brazil. Late afternoon we will head to historical section of the city and photograph the famous folkloric festival, “Bumba Meu Boi”. It is a finale day of the 2 weeks festivity and we try to capture the unique street carnivals.
Hotel: Grand São Luis Hotel, (Dinner)
DAY 2
Transfer to Lençóis National Park:
Depart hotel early morning, we take our van for about 4 hours to Barreirinhas, the base town of Lençóis National Park.
Fly over the thousand of lagoons:
Lençóis is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world…. white sand desert stretches miles and miles along the Atlantic Ocean and thousands of lagoons emerge during rainy season. We plan to photograph this incredible view in a most dramatic way…. from the air by chartered small airplane!
Hotel: Porto Preguiças Resort, (Breakfast)
DAY 3
Lagoa Bonita & Lagoa Azul:
Full day visit to 2 famous lagoons, Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul. After a couple of hours of adventurous ride by 4x4 vehicle, we will stride into the vast field with sand dunes and pools of crystal pure water. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!
Hotel: Porto Preguiças Resort, (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 4
Atins & Lagoa Verde:
Another full day tour to the national park. We will visit the remote ocean village, Atins, which sits at the delta of the Rio Preguiças, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Then, we spend whole afternoon at Lagoa Verde, the farthest and most beautiful lagoons, and photograph this vast and tranquil landscape until the sun hits the horizon…
Hotel: Porto Preguiças Resort, (Breakfast, Lunch)
Iguaçu
DAY 5
Transfer to Iguaçu:
Depart hotel early morning, we drive back to São Luis then fly to Iguaçu via São Paulo. Our hotel, Belmond das Cataratas, sits right in front of the gigantic water falls. You may hear the roar and feel the vibration even in your room….
Hotel: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, (Breakfast)
DAY 6
Water, water and water:
Located in the border between Brazil and Argentina, Iguaçu has a 2.7 km-long (1.7 ml) edge with 150-300 water falls. It is a walking distance from our hotel to the falls and we spend whole day, trying to capture this incredible landscape.
Aerial shoot from the helicopter is also an option.
Hotel: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, (Breakfast)
DAY 7
The Devil’s Throat:
This is a full day tour to the Argentinean side of Iguaçu. We take our van and cross the border. Highlight is visiting The Devil’s Throat, the biggest fall where 50% of the entire water flow runs into. The massive water and deep roar is just overwhelmingly powerful !
Hotel: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, (Breakfast, lunch)
Rio de Janeiro
DAY 8
Transfer to Rio de Janeiro:
Depart early morning and fly from Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro. Our hotel sits right in front of the world’s famous Copacabana Beach.
Sunset at Ipanema:
Late afternoon, we head to Ipanema Beach to capture the incredible sunset. Golden light hits the crashing waves while young and old couples passionately hug and kiss….
Hotel: Miramar Hotel by Windsor, (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9
Beach life in Rio:
Beach is everything for “Carioca”, the locals in Rio. It is a social gathering place, party room, soccer field and sports gym. We start the day by following “Bombeiro (lifeguards)”, the iconic figures at Copacabana Beach, while they run and dive into the ocean. Copacabana is also the mecca of all kinds of beach sports.
Christ & Sugarloaf:
Gigantic Christ Statue on top of the hill and Sugarloaf mountain are the two most popular spots which you can’t miss in Rio.
View from the air:
Aerial shoot by helicopter is also an option for eye-popping vistas !!
Hotel: Miramar Hotel by Windsor, (Breakfast)
DAY 10
Rhythm of Samba:
Learning Samba is learning Brazil. It is an icon of Brazilian national identity, originated in African rhythm & soul and emerged as the current form in Rio’s favelas (slum area). We will photograph the professional Samba dancers on the back alley and take a dance lesson in the studio ! We will also visit Samba City, the central facility where “Samba schools” build their floats and costumes for the carnival.
Nightlife in Lapa:
Located at the historic center of Rio’s downtown, Lapa is famous for its dazzling nightlife. Hip bars, energetic nightclubs and live music venues spread all over the neighborhood.
Hotel: Miramar Hotel by Windsor, (Breakfast)
DAY 11
Past and future meet in downtown:
Rio’s downtown was once the heart of the city during the colonial days, hence all the architectural beauties remain in the area (Café Colombo, Theatro Municipal do Rio, etc). Now, it has changed into the super modern complex of architecture. Museum of Tomorrow, spaceship-look gigantic building is the striking example of the regeneration and gentrification of Rio’s old district.
Size does matter:
Downtown in Rio is also the mecca of public art. Street mural of 3000 sq.m (33000 sq.f) is the world’s biggest graffiti, which can be seen at the old port area.
Hotel: Miramar Hotel by Windsor, (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 12
After breakfast and easy morning, depart hotel around noon to the airport, then head back home!
“The itineraries are subject to modified and changed. We will try all our effort to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur based on the weather and other conditions.”
SPECIAL NOTE - AERIAL SHOOT:
On this trip, I would like to create the opportunities for aerial shoot in Lençóis, Iguaçu Falls, and possibly in Rio de Janeiro by chartering small plane or helicopter.
Aerial shoot gives you different perspective and experience but it may not be comfortable for some people. (Normally I arrange the doors taken out from the plane or helicopter so that you can photograph without windows…)
I make these shoot as options you can choose, therefore the costs are not included in the program fee.
I will let you know the costs, condition of the flights and all the regulation later.
