Coastal Brazil and Buenos Aires & Montevideo

Arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning and transfer to the Hotel Emperador for brunch. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, the gather in the evening for a welcome dinner.

After breakfast, join a city tour with stops at Plaza de Mayo, the Recoleta, and the colorful La Boca neighborhood. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to the port and embark on the Sea Adventurer!

Spend the day strolling the narrow streets of the Old City and see historical landmarks and architectural gems. Browse the lively marketplace, watch the street performers and enjoy panoramic views from the lovely seaside promenade.

Spend an informative day at sea as the ship's lecturers introduce the culture and natural history of the region.

There are two excursion options for day five. Nature enthusiasts may depart in the early morning for a full-day exploration of the Taim Ecological Station, home to capybara, nutria, broad-snouted caiman and a large variety of birds. The second option is to visit the charming estate and grounds of Charqueada São João in Pelotas, which served as a meat-curing facility during the 1800s.

Disembark in Torres and drive to the Aparados da Serra National Park, a magnificent landscape of deep, narrow canyons laced with plunging waterfalls and rushing rivers. Explore this supremely scenic area during a leisurely stroll along a river, on an active hike through Atlantic Forest to the base of a lovely waterfall, or join naturalists to search for resident birds.

Birders depart early this morning for Costao dos Ingleses to search for a variety of shorebirds. A cultural tour visits a small fishing community.

Disembark in Paranagua and after a short drive, board the Serra Verde train which takes you over the mountains and through well-preserved Atlantic Forest to the town of Morretes. Take a walk through this lovely colonial town and attend a lively performance of Fandango. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Paranagua and take some free time to explore on your own. Or, choose a full-day excursion to Superagui National Park to search for over 350 bird species, including red-tailed parrots and scarlet ibis.

The volcanic peaks of Ilhabela (Beautiful Island) are draped with dense vegetation and interlaced with waterfalls that tumble to the gorgeous, sandy beaches. There are several options to explore Ilhabela Island, including a gentle stroll along the beach, a more strenuous hike to a lovely waterfall or joining naturalists to search for the island’s 300 bird species.

Paraty is a colorful colonial beach town surrounded by verdant mountains. A walking tour of the pedestrian-friendly historic center reveals elegant Brazilian Baroque churches, the defensive fort, and an interesting museum with displays of local art. Or, search for birds and wildlife along one of the last intact stretches of the Gold Trail, an 800-mile road that was constructed during the 18th-century gold rush.

Spend two full days exploring legendary Rio de Janeiro. Your options include a city tour that introduces Rio’s famous landmarks, including a trip to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. Birders visit the nearby Tijuca Forest National Park, a stand of native Atlantic Forest to search for the scaled antbird, star-throated antwren, eye-ringed tody-tyrant, and red-necked tanager. The park is also home to an extensive Botanical Garden, with over 8,000 species of native plants and flowers. And, no trip to Rio would be complete without visiting the iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.

Attend lectures and enjoy the passing coastal scenery during a relaxing day at sea.

The Abrolhos Archipelago is comprised of five islands that are surrounded by healthy coral reefs. Zodiacs bring you ashore to search for masked and brown boobies and red-billed tropicbirds. Slip into the inviting waters for an afternoon of snorkeling among a huge variety of colorful tropical fish.

Porto Seguro is a popular holiday destination known for world-class beaches. Explore a traditional Pataxo village, nestled in a stand of native-owned forest, to learn about their culture. Birders visit the Veracel Reserve to search for such species as the red-browed parrot, band-tailed antwren, black-headed berryeater, and white-winged continga. Return to the ship for lunch, then board Zodiacs to land on the white-sand beaches of tiny Trancoso.

An idyllic area of islands, mangroves, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled beaches fanned by lanky palms, the Marau Peninsula is a natural paradise. Permissions pending, we may stop here for a mangrove cruise and a hike through the forest to search for unique bromeliads.

Founded in 1549, Salvador is Brazil’s third-largest city. Take a walking tour of the old city center, where winding cobblestone streets are packed with historical sites, colonial architecture, museums, restaurants, art galleries, and a number of music and dance academies. Nature enthusiasts explore the Sapiranga Preserve, a stand of Atlantic Forest with a great diversity of endemic flora and fauna. Return to the ship for lunch then choose from several excursion options. Visit some of Salvador’s panoramic viewpoints, attend a percussion workshop, or meet the talented young musicians of the Grupo Baguncaco Social Project.

Depart early this morning for your independent flight