Depart:
Escorted or Private Tour-Land Only
8 Days/ 7 Nights
2019 Departures:
January 11
February 15
March 15 and 22
April 5
May 17
June 7
July 12
August 23
September 27
October 11 and 18
November 15 and 22
Buenos Aires is not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolises in the world and the center of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. This cosmopolitan city – with great European cultural influence – displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its boutiques and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Almost 12 million people live there and can enjoy the plentiful night life visiting tango bars, cabarets, discotheques, restaurants or eternally open bars. During the day, a wide variety of attractions is offered: museums, art galleries, tasteful shops, fascinating antiques, large green areas, parks, wide tree lined boulevards, clubs and sporting events. The Italian-Spanish descent of the inhabitants has formed this modern metropolis. Feel the flair, above all in the Italian old quarter La Boca and in the wide streets with cafes from the turn of the century. At the Plaza de Mayo, in the political center of town, is the starting point of this tour through this exciting capital. The widest street of the world, the very famous opera house and also the shopping street Florida make Buenos Aires unforgettable.
Iguassu – the area’s major landmark is undoubtedly the magnificent IGUASSU FALLS, the world’s largest, formed by the Iguassu River which rises in Curitiba on the East and winds westward along 1,320 km through Parana State. Fifteen kilometers before joining the Parana River, the Iguassu overcomes an abrupt uneven ground and then, amidst an exuberant forest, hurls itself into 275 falls that cascade over a u-shaped precipice 2,700 meters wide, from an average height of 60 meters. At the curve of the U, called “Garganta do Diabo” (Devil’s Throat), the height is 90 meters, and the waters drop with incredible power – the world’s greatest volume of water flow per second. One side of the U stands in Argentine territory as also the Devil’s Throat, 1,900 meters of falls in total. At the other side Brazil displays 800 meter long falls. From both sides the view is superb, at any time of the year. The Falls have been declared by UNESCO Humankind Patrimony. The Iguassu National Park, South America’s largest, covers 250,000 hectares of forest around the falls and is considered as one of the biggest forest resources in Latin America, home to more than 2,000 varieties of plants, over 400 species of birds, besides reptiles and insects. Butterflies, in the most varied colors, are so many that the indigenous tupi-guarani Indians named the area Valley of the Butterflies.
Rio de Janeiro – Founded in 1556, the city of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Colony of Brazil in 1776. In 1808 the Portuguese royal family fled Napoleon and settled in Rio. This brought a surge of progress and the city became the main cultural, political and economic center of the Portuguese empire. In 1889, when the republic was proclaimed, Rio was confirmed as the country’s capital, which it remained until 1960, when the construction of the new capital, Brasilia, was founded. Rio is situated in a 15-mile-strip of land, wedged between mountains and sea. There are some thirty miles separating downtown Flamingo, from far-flung Recreio, bordered on one side by the blue sea, on the other by verdant hills. Between them lies a colorful state of mind called CARIOCA, with almost 8 million locals who samba their way through life, relaxed and high-spirited. That is just the way it should be in Rio, surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, with Christ the Redeemer perched on top of Corcovado blessing the city and Sugar Loaf, one of the most famous postcards of our country.
Price per Person:
In a double room using tourist class hotels $1399
Single supplement $499
In a double room using first class hotels $1599
Single supplement $599
Please note that this tour can also be taken on a private basis anytime for the following rates:
Per person in a double room using tourist class hotels $1799
Per person in a double room using first class hotels $1899
Package Includes:
7 nights hotel accommodation at the following hotels: Tourist class package: Buenos Aires:Hotel Loi Suites Esmeralda (studio room), Iguassu:Hotel Recanto Park (standard room) , Rio:Hotel Windsor Plaza Copacabana (superior room). First class hotels, Buenos Aires: Hotel Grand Brizo (comfort room), Iguassu: Hotel Wish Golf Resort (superior room), Rio: Hotel Windsor Excelsior (superior room) Copacabana
All airport transfers in Buenos Aires, Iguassu and Rio De Janierio
Breakfast each morning
3 hour city tour of Buenos Aires
Walking tours of the falls on the Argentinean and Brazilian sides in Iguassu
3 hour Rio De Janiero city tour
Corcovado entrance fee
Entrance fee to Sugarloaf Mountain
Entrance fees to both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls in Iguassu
Hotel taxes and service charges
Itinerary
Day 1 Buenos Aires
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening you can take the following optional tour. Argentina culinary experience (3h 30min) On shared basis This tour is designed to give you an introduction to the best of Argentine cuisine and culture. This is not a cooking class, but a fun and unique experience, where you will meet and dine with people from all over the world. The international team of guides are on hand to spoil you and take you through every step of this culinary journey. Each guest is welcomed with a drink. At first you will try Patagonian trout tartar served with Torrontes wine. Choose from the gourmet fillings and create your own empanada learning the traditional “repulge” technique for beef as well as cheese and ham fillings. Enjoy a typical Argentinian picada with grilled provoleta cheese, sliced chorizo sausage, mollejas (gizzard) and homemade chimichurri. Learn the most important Argentinian gestures during a short class. Enjoy what many are claiming to be the very best steak in Argentina, cooked to order and accompanied with velvety mash potatoes and a variety of roasted vegetables marinated with rosemary vinaigrette. These top of the line thick cut filet steaks have a unique 24 hour preparation method that sets apart from the rest. Vegetarian, pescetarian and celiac options are available on request. Two distinct Malbec wines, from boutique wineries in Mendoza, paired to complement food. Learn about and enjoy unlimited wine throughout the dinner. White wine is also available on request. Enjoy a cuartirolo cheese tasting with dulce de batata (produced of sweet potato) and dulce de madera (Argentina is the only country in the world where a special kind of wood can be eaten). For desert make your own alfajores, Argentina’s national sweet, where biscuits, dulce de leche, melted chocolate fondue and coconut shavings combine to delight the senses. Finally, get taught about the history and etiquette of mate, Argentina’s national pastime, and prepare it from scratch among yourselves. A fun and dynamic way to approach Argentina cuisine and Argentinean habits while meeting other international travelers. Overnight Buenos Aires.
Day 2 Buenos Aires
After breakfast you will be taken on a city tour. During your city tour in Buenos Aires you will drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will pass close to the Colon Theatre, one of the world’s best known opera houses. Visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen. Stop and inside visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this imposing neo classical building is Argentina’s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (the National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city. Stop at the famous Cafe Tortoni, the oldest literati cafe of the city. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack. Your next stop is La Boca, a most colorful area with the famous street Caminito. Continue to the north area passing by Palermo and visit the Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here you will see elegant boutiques and excellent restaurants, surrounded by centennial trees. The heart of the neighborhood is Recoleta cemetery. The cemetery is the center of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the most relevant personalities of Argentina’s history rest in this place. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. 30min stop includes visit of Eva Duarte’ s grave, known as Eva Peron (Evita). This evening you will enjoy dinner and a tango show at the famous La Ventana tango house. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day 3 Buenos Aires
Today full day at leisure or you can take one of the following optional tours. Tigre Tour. Drive along the Northern residential districts of the city, until getting to San Isidro, a colonial and aristocratic area. You will see the mansions and houses in front of the River Plate. You will continue the driving to Tigre, a charming area near Buenos Aires city where a great number of summer residences, yacht clubs and rowing clubs attract the week-end activity of many “Portenos”. The Tigre Delta with its rivers, streams and numerous green islands is one of the most attractive areas for visitors. The continuous sediment of the Parana River, which gives the river and estuary their particular brownish-red color, forms the Delta islands. Enjoy a boat excursion (1 hour) along the innumerable channels of the Parana-Delta to see some of the hundreds of islands covered with luxuriant vegetation. Drive back to the city via the Panamericana highway. You can also chose to take the optional A Day at the countryside visiting Estancia Santa Susana (7h) On shared basis. Enjoy a complete day at the pampas. Carriages and horse rides will show you the charm of Argentinian countryside, its scenarios and the incomparable wild aroma. Barbecue will be served with variety of salads and local dessert. After lunch, the folklore show will begin with its music and dances. The day will end enjoying typical estancia’s activities, regional games as “carrera de sortijas”, where two teams gallop at full tilt under a wooden arch and try to pass a pin through a small ring hanging from the arch.After the local games demonstration, transfer back to the city. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day 4 Buenos Aires-Iguassu
After breakfast transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Iguassu (not included). In Iguassu transfer to the hotel and check in. Then follows a walking tour to the Argentinean side of the falls. While on the Brazilian side of the falls one can enjoy a better panoramic view, the Argentinean side offers paths leading very close to the different waterfalls. The first stop is at the Visitor’s Center and proceed from there to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls, and then to the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades. The Ecological Jungle Train leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls, The Devil’s Throat. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 5 Iguassu
In the morning visit of the Brazilian side of the falls. Walking along the paths following cascades and then along the catwalk that leads very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat to enjoy magnificent views. Take an elevator to go up to the road in order to board the coach which will bring back to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Iguassu.
Day 6 Iguassu-Rio de Janiero
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro.(not included). Arrival in Rio and transfer to the hotel, Check In and time for a first stroll along Copacabana Beach. Overnight in Rio.
Day 7 Rio de Janiero
Leaving the hotel and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train or van for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain at 2,454ft high. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, you will descend by train. The tour proceeds passing by Rio’s world-famous beaches as far as the Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 1,280 ft high. Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown. Visit the downtown area, passing by the financial and business center and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theater, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade. This evening you can enjoy an optional Rio by Night show. Visit a folklore and Carnival show featuring skilled dancers, entertainers, samba bands and wonderful costumes in a wonderful display of Brazilian folklore and Carnival. Overnight in Rio.
Day 8 Rio de Janiero-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or you can extend your stay in lovely Rio. You can also continue with one of our many other tours of South America.
Additional nights can be added
Pre and post tour nights to Mendoza or Bariloche Argentina and/or Buzios Brazil are available
Please note that the Tigre tour is only offered on a seat in coach basis.
