Brazil, Iguazu & Argentina Delights - Tour Rio to Buenos Aires

You’re greeted by the wide open arms of the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, visible from anywhere in Rio. Meet your tour leader at the hotel this evening at 18:00 hours and head out for a welcome dinner with the group tonight.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro, led by a local guide. As one of Brazil’s most popular tourist destinations, Rio offers the perfect combination of sea, mountains and forests. With the assistance of the coach, drive main avenues and follow pedestrian paths on foot to explore the city at large. On the list of iconic attractions today are Christ the Redeemer statue on top of mount Corcovado, the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, and the famous Escadaria Selaron staircase. Over lunch the guide will help you to find an authentic local meal on the cheap. Tonight, head into town and kick back with a drink. Or join the optional group excursion to experience Rio’s nightlife.

Sleep in and spend the day in Rio as you wish, or join the optional Rio Plus tour to explore more of the city. Led by a local guide, venture up Sugarloaf mountain by cable car, sit down for authentic Brazilian food for lunch and explore downtown Rio and its major cultural and colonial sights. These include the Museum of Tomorrow, the Sao Bento Monastery and Gabinete. In the evening, you can head out by yourself, stay in to relax, or join in on an optional dinner and Ginga Tropical show.

Departing Rio, drive down the coastline of Brazil. In the morning sun, capture views of the Atlantic ocean and dense jungle stretching back miles from the coast. Disembark in Paraty, a beautiful cosmopolitan port town. Check into your hotel and set out to follow a local guide for brief orientation tour along cobbled streets and through 17th-century colonial houses. Beauty everywhere! This evening is yours to spend at your leisure. Alternatively, join in on an optional experience to dine at a local hand-picked restaurant.

The day is yours to explore as you wish - no schedule to speak of. As part of the Serra da Bocaina National park, Paraty is surrounded with steep valleys, beautiful mountain scenery, beaches, islands and waterfalls. Pure paradise for any nature-lover! You might want to take part in a Passeio de Escuna Boat Tour or a  4X4 Jeep tour (optional excursions available). In the historical old town, gorgeous buildings, cobbled lanes and churches tell the stories of Portuguese colonialism. Wholeheartedly embrace this opportunity; mingle with the locals, get lost and take a dip in the Atlantic ocean.

This morning after breakfast we continue our journey to the mega city of São Paulo where we’ll spend two nights. Welcome to Brazil’s most populous city and buzzing financial hub! Upon arrival, set out on a guided coach tour with a local guide to find out more about São Paulo. Also visit the famous Mercadão (a sprawling food market) for lunch. If you like food, you’ll love this place! See what you can find to eat - from exotic fruit, fruit juice and pastries, to codfish and the well-known Mortadella sandwich. Settle in at the hotel this afternoon and kick back for a moment. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you please. There’s also the option to take it easy and have dinner at the hotel.

Rise and shine! Take the shuttle to the Guarulhos Airport to board a flight to the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguacu. As soon as you arrive, head to the Iguaçu falls and Iguaçu National Park to explore! Iguaça or Iguazu is the collective name for the waterfalls in the south of Brazil. This is the largest waterfall system in the world. Once inside (entry is included) you get the most incredible panoramic views of the waterfalls. There is even a pathway with viewpoints that take you to the very foot of the falls. You can also join in on a helicopter or boat ride, visit the Bird Park (with more than 800 species), see the world's largest hydroelectric plant (Itaipu Hydroelectric), or visit the Three Borders Landmark. After the tour, head back to the hotel. This evening includes a group dinner with Brazilian barbecue on the menu!

If you wish, spend today at your leisure in Foz do Iguacu. The local experiences include helicopter rides or a visit to the bird park, Parque das Aves - home to 150 species of birds, including owls, toucans, flamingoes and macaws. Alternatively, join your tour leader and a local guide on a day trip to Paraguay. Departing after breakfast, cross the Ponte Internacional da Amizade (‘International Bridge of Friendship’) over the Paraná River to enter Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. Explore a new city and country as you visit the many shops and markets around - completely different to Brazil and Foz do Iguacu. As part of the trip, visit the Itaipú Dam, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant. Also see the Monday Waterfall (Saltos del Monday) inside the lush Monday Municipal Park. Finish the day off with dinner in Paraguay, or watch a spectacular and world-famous Rafain dinner and show.

One more day in the Iguazu falls region. You have the option to join a guided tour to the Argentinian side of the Iguazu falls. This side of the border offers the incredible opportunity to see the falls up close. On the Argentinian side of the Iguazu National Park there various wooden walkways to explore, including the Lower Trail, Upper Trail, and Devil’s Throat. It's an experience you can't quite get enough of: to marvel at the falls, hear the roar of the surging water and feel the mist on your skin. The tour includes free time and a chance to take to the water on a Great Adventure Boat tour to see the most dramatic part of the falls. You could even hop on a train powered by natural gas to explore the surrounding area. If you don’t want to head into Argentina, you can stay in Foz de Iguazu (Brazil), head to Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), or choose from the other guided tour options on offer. Back in Foz do Iguacu this evening, a special Brazilian dining experience awaits.

Wake up early and leave after breakfast for the Puerto Iguazu airport. We’re heading for the “Paris of South America” - Buenos Aires. There’s no lunch stop included today, so be sure to stock up on snacks at the airport. Get transferred to the hotel on arrival, midafternoon. Today is the first of three days in Buenos Aires, so start exploring, or take it easy to charge your batteries. Dinner is included tonight at a restaurant around the corner from the hotel.

Today is a full day in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital. After breakfast, join the Buenos Aires City Tour with a local guide to discover the city’s major sights and neighbourhoods. By the end of the day you’ll be able to tick off these sights from your list: 9 July Avenue, Plaza de Mayo, the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, the La Boca and San Telmo Neighbourhoods, and Recoleta cemetery. Over lunchtime hunt down a local meal of your choice. Be it a saucy steak or steaming churros, Buenos Aires is known for its culinary delights. Be sure to break for “té” or “merienda”, the Argentinian version of afternoon tea. The locals take it with tea (yerba mate is the local brew), coffee and some alfajor (cake filled with dulce de leche). At the day’s end you will be back at the hotel. This evening you have the option to join the party for dinner and Tango show.

Today’s schedule is clear like the Argentine skies. Take your pick of a bunch of things to do in this booming Argentinian capital. Roam around the city, go for a tango lesson, or look for street art and graffiti. You can choose a day trip to visit a classic guest ranch (estancia) located in the untamed countryside of Buenos Aires. ‘Gaucho’ is the name for an Argentinian cowboy (also a national icon) and these cattle stations play a big part in Argentine economy and culture. A visit to this local ranch will give you a chance to witness the unique Estancia culture, taste the excellent food they cook here and see local folk dances. As always, you will be welcomed with open arms by the locals. Tonight there’s a group dinner booked at a local Argentinian restaurant. It might get late before we eat, because here we like to do as the locals do...

After spending your final night in Buenos Aires, the tour comes to an end at breakfast this morning. If you wish to take a transfer to Ministro Pistarini International Airport, you can book it with your Expat Explore agent. Have a safe onward journey!