This Brazil Explorer Expedition takes in areas of astounding natural beauty throughout this immense country.

At Quest Overseas we always use local suppliers where possible, ensuring that as much money as possible stays within local communities.  We always ensure that we pay a fair price to all of our suppliers. Group members will have the opportunity to learn about the local culture from our trusted overseas partners and our experienced Leaders.

At Quest Overseas we work hard to minimise our environmental footprint.  We do this by adopting a zero-litter policy, managing waste and water use and recommending environmentally friendly products to all our group members.

Through briefing and training all staff and team members we ensure that all of our groups are aware how to act responsibly before, during and after their Expedition.  Join us and see how travel can enrich not only you but the world around you.

This is an opportunity to experience Brazil at its cultural and natural best. An opportunity to see the travel highlights and unique hidden gems this intriguing country has to offer. Travelling with our teams and experienced leaders offers a safer approach to exploring the continent.  Joining an Explorer Expedition allows you to pack far more into 6 weeks than you could possibly imagine. 

The Personal Touch
Quest always ensures that we use local contacts on all our expedition routes.  In Brazil we ensure that we stay at locally run hostels and backpackers, buy local food and that as much as we possibly can we are feeding money back into the local economy. 

We only use the best operators and prefer to pay a fair price as opposed to trying to get everything on the cheap.  Because of this we have built up long-term relationships with all our local operators and we know that they will give you the best experience possible and follow comprehensive safety procedures. 

Phase One
The City of Salvador and Itacare, The Surfers' Paradise:
We arrive into exotic and tropical Salvador de Bahia, the Afro-Caribbean centre and former capital of colonial Brazil.  You'll enjoy a few days of city life before heading down the coast, but it won't all be soaking up the sun because it's time to tackle those Atlantic waves!  The sleepy town of Itacare is becoming a prime surfers destination as it has beaches and surf to appeal to all levels of skill and experience.  If you are a complete beginner, this 4 day course will give you the confidence and the knowledge to get on your feet and enjoy the rush.  If you already have some experience, make the full use of our instructors to improve your technique or just enjoy the waves at your leisure.  Lessons will take up all of the morning, leaving the afternoons free to enjoy the beach, discover the nearby coastal forests or explore the boutiques and cafes that make up this curious little town.     

Phase Two
Chapada Diamantina:
Time to head for the hills and to one of Brazil's most treasured national parks - The Chapada Diamantina.  A 4 day trek along ridges and into valleys, this route takes us past some of the most impressive waterfalls of the region, including the mighty 'Fumaca' or 'smoke', the second highest in all of South America.

Phase Three
Manaus and The Amazon
Nothing quite excites the imagination like the mighty Amazon and you'll have the opportunity to explore this astonishing region in the best way possible - by taking to its rivers.  We will make a journey of a lifetime into the heart of the Amazon on our own riverboat.  Travelling on the Amazon, Solimoes and Negro rivers, we'll stop off at strategic points along the banks to explore the jungle and visit some of the communities who make the forest their home.  Local guides will instruct you in the basics of jungle survival - where to find water and how to call for help when lost in the midst of this green metropolis.  You'll learn about the magical properties of plants and have the chance to do a spot of Piranha fishing.  Jungle life runs on a completely different timescale to the city.  Up with the sunrise and to bed with the sunset, while being serenaded through the night by a chorus of crickets, frogs and cicadas.

Phase Four
The Pantanal
Although you'll have explored the depths of the Amazon surrounded by Brazil's wildlife, it's notoriously difficult to see because of the thick forest protecting the animals and birds from us humans.  However, the Pantanal and its marshlands are one of the exceptions to this, with over 200,000 square kilometres of open plain, it makes for perhaps the closest experience South America has to the African Savannah.  Around 650 different types of birds, including macaws, parrots and jabirus; dozens of different species of animals including monkeys, pumas, anteaters, capybara and the neo-tropical alligator or caiman can be found in this area.  You'll travel through this striking land in a combination of 4x4, riverboat and horseback to really appreciate its many wonders.

Phase Five
The Iguazu Falls
These magnificent waterfalls are the combination of the waters from 30 different rivers uniting on the joint borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.  The 3.5 kilometre rapids leading up to them meet with a 70 metre drop cascading through 275 different falls.  They are so impressive that even when Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit them so many years ago, she was quoted as saying "poor Niagara".  The Falls are best appreciated from two sides, the Brazilian and the Argentinean, so that is exactly what we will do, and we'll even take a boat up to the base of the falls themselves - simply breath-taking!     

Phase Six
Rio and Serra dos Orgaos
You'll end the Expedition on a high note with a 3 day trek through the Serra dos Orgaos Mountain range overlooking Rio.  We'll trek from the town of Teresopolis to the town of Petropolis and catch the odd glimpse of the Brazilian coastline through the rising and falling clouds.  The rivers and valleys where we finish are perfect for white water rafting for that ultimate adrenaline rush!  From here you'll head to vibrant Rio to discover all that it is famous for, from the statue of Christ the Redeemer to the world-renowned Maracana football stadium.  The climax of your journey is a tandem hang gliding flight from Pedra Bonito and the views over Rio's coastline will simply take your breath away!

This is where your Expedition ends with a farewell party leaving you in Rio where you can either take your flight home or use it as a gateway to explore the rest of South America.