Buenos Aires to Rio
On this exciting overland journey we travel from Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires to the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Along the way we tour the attractive city of Curitiba, explore the coastal town of Paraty and visit the tropical island of Ilha Grande. A trip highlight is the thundering waters of Iguazu Falls – one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.
Tour Highlights:
• Buenos Aires - Tango capital of the world, elegant and seductive
• Iguazu Falls - South America’s most beautiful waterfalls, view from both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides
• Paraty - Jewel of Portuguese colonial architecture
• Ilha Grande - Verdant island with great beaches and opportunities for walks
• Rio De Janeiro - South America’s most stunning and vibrant city including
• Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ.
Day 1 Join tour Buenos Aires
Join tour in Buenos Aires and check-in to the hotel. Argentina's vibrant capital is located on the southern shores of the Rio de la Plata. Since its founding by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536, the city has thrived on trade and its bustling streets are filled with an eclectic mix of European architectural styles, with Spanish, French and Italian classicism rubbing shoulders with remnants of Victorian grandeur. Gaining independence from its Spanish overlords in 1816 the city grew to rival the great cities of Europe, its wide avenues and elegant squares earning it the title of the Paris of the South.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: None
Day 2 In Buenos Aires; walking tour
Today we plan to explore some of the city on foot with our Tour Leader, especially the major landmarks around the Plaza de Mayo, site of the famous mass demonstrations by supporters of Juan Domingo Peron in 1945, organised by his wife Eva. This afternoon has been left free for more sightseeing. Sunday is also the day of the famous San Telmo Market where local people dance tango on street corners and the stalls laden with their brightly coloured wares line the plaza. You can also visit the elaborate mausoleums of the famous Recoleta Cemetary, the final resting place of some of Argentina's most revered figures, including Eva Peron herself or also take the opportunity to visit Palermo Park. This evening you can enjoy Buenos Aires' dazzling nightlife and soak up the pulsating rhythms of one of South America's most captivating cities, perhaps taking the opportunity to enjoy a tango show (optional).
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Explore Buenos Aires, overnight bus to Iguazu
This morning has been left free for you to catch up on any sightseeing you couldn’t do yesterday. Perhaps take a guided tour to other parts of the city including the colourful vibrancy of La Caminito in the La Boca district of the city. Make sure you’re back in time this afternoon though as we board our bus for the overnight journey to Iguazu, arriving after lunch the following day.The buses are modern and as comfortable as bus can get with reclining seats, some snacks and drinks are available and there is a toilet on board also.
• Overnight: Basic Bus
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Arrive Puerto Iguazu; free day
Waking up this morning, the landscape outside will have changed radically from the flat agricultural plains around Buenos Aires to the lush, tropical forests surrounding Iguacu Falls. We arrive this afternoon in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) where we will have an included visit to the Argentinean side of the falls before having some free time. Later today we will cross over to Brazil where we will spend the first of two nights at Foz de Iguacu.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: None
Day 5 At Iguazu Falls; visit the Brazilian side
Today you will have a free day with the opportunity to visit the Brazilian side of the falls (optional) which gives a panoramic view of these mighty cataracts. Four times wider than Niagara, the falls hurtle over high cliffs into a marvellous curved amphitheatre several miles wide - a breathtaking sight. The noise is tremendous and huge clouds of mist are churned up by the cascade. The surrounding spray-soaked forest is alive with brightly plumaged toucans, parrots, hummingbirds and colourful butterflies. This afternoon there are a number of optional trips, for a more spectacular view of the falls you may like to take a 10 minute helicopter flight. Or you could always visit the Tropicana Bird Park lying in the rainforest near the entrance gate - this is a must for ornithologists and anyone interested in local wildlife. Another option this afternoon is an excursion to the 65 stories high Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, with an 8km long dam and a reservoir that covers 1400 square kilometres. The output from the plant, supplies some 80% of Paraguay's electricity and 25% of Brazil's.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Public bus to Curitiba
Transferring to the bus station this morning we take a public, but comfortable long distance bus, heading due east on a full day's drive to the modern city of Curitiba, capital of Parana state. Once a gold mining centre, this pleasant town is very much an immigrants' city, with its modern streets now playing host to the descendants of the 19th and 20th century settlers who flocked here from Western Europe, Poland, the Ukraine, even Japan and the Middle East. We arrive late at our hotel to prepare for our day sightseeing tomorrow.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 In Curitiba; optional train to Serra do Mar
We have the day to wander the streets of this attractive city, explore its historic quarter, or visit some of its numerous parks and museums, including the art museum Museu Oscar Niemeyer which has a very distinctive shape and was named in a Lonely Planet list as one of the top ten buildings in the world . The city has a distinctly European feel to it and many of its preserved buildings are very reminiscent of its colonial past. But there is also the option today to take the train, to the forested tranquillity of the Serra do Mar mountains, along Brazil's most spectacular railway journey. Descending from 1000m to almost sea level the train traverses a landscape of high cliffs, plunging waterfalls and dense Atlantic rainforest to reach the subtropical plains. This masterpiece of railway construction was built between 1880 and 1885 by Belgian engineers and European immigrants and still transports many export crops like soya beans and coffee to the harbour of Paranagua. A visit to the pleasant colonial village of Morretes completes this optional tour.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Drive to Paraty; free time, optional boat trip/snorkelling
Another day's drive by long distance public bus, stopping only on the outskirts of the 16 million metropolis of Sao Paulo to change bus, brings us to the coastal town of Paraty and one of the most important examples of Portuguese colonial architecture anywhere. We have a full day to explore at leisure this most delightful of towns. Once an important port of trade during the height of the Brazilian gold rush, the town today is a visual treat, its cobbled streets hiding a collection of majestic whitewashed buildings along the Rua do Comercio and no fewer than four stunning colonial churches, including the dominant Nossa Senhora dos Remedios.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Free time in Paraty
This is a free day to explore Paraty. You can take a boat trip out to some of the outlying islands and tropical beaches in the bay, with the chance to stop off and swim and snorkel in the clear, lukewarm Atlantic waters. Another option is to take a trip back in time and explore the trail through the mountains once used by the miners to bring their gold.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Drive and ferry to Ilha Grande; free time.
This morning we take a public bus down the Atlantic coast to Angra dos Reis. This will be our gateway out to Ilha Grande, a beautiful island preserve of spectacular scenery, unspoilt beaches and atmospheric ruins. We take a boat from Angra dos Reis later this afternoon, travelling the short distance to the colonial port of Vila Do Abraão (about 1.5 hours), a picturesque coastal town lying beneath the shadow of towering mountains. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 On Ilha Grande Island
Enjoy a free day on this lush island paradise affords us some opportunities to explore in more depth this remarkable landscape. The island covers nearly 200 square kilometres and a number of trails lead off into the rich interior of the island, offering some quite spectacular walking. The jungle canopies are alive with the sights and sounds of squawking parrots, colourful butterflies and playful monkeys, making for an idyllic setting in which to spend your day. A more adventurous trek will take you to the mountainous summit of Bico do Papagaio (the Parrot’s Beak), whilst closer to home are the ruins of the Antigo Presídio, a once infamous prison for political detainees. Alternatively you may prefer simply to relax on the unspoilt beaches, taking a boat trip out to enjoy some snorkelling in the Atlantic waters off the coast. Your Tour Leader will be able to offer advice and help with any optional trips you wish to try.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Drive to Rio
The spectacular setting of Rio de Janeiro brings us to the end of our journey today. Leaving Ilha Grande by ferry this morning we then travel by public bus from Angra to Rio, one of the world's most beautiful cities. Named from the Portuguese for River and the month of January, it is a hard location to beat. With 193 kilometers of marvellous beaches, and a mountain backdrop to die for, it is a city that lives up to its name - Cidade Marvihosa. On arrival the afternoon there should be some time free to relax and enjoy the amazing spectacle that is Rio.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 In Rio: optional city tour
This morning we head out with our Tour Leader on foot to explore downtown Rio. The next couple of days have been left free for you to choose from a number of optional trips. Highly recommended is a guided tour of the city, travelling by bus, metro and tram to visit, among other parts, the historical city centre and the picturesque barrio of Santa Teresa taking in real life in Rio. Alternatively take a trip out to Sugar Loaf Mountain, the giant rock at the entrance of Guanabara Bay where you can take a cable car up to the breathtaking views of Rio.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Free day in Rio
Today is a free day to explore more of Rio. Your Tour Leader can also organise a visit to the towering summit of Corcovado (712m) topped by the immense statue
of Christ the Redeemer, or if it is possible you may prefer to watch a local football match in the giant 95,000 seat Maracana Stadium. England may be the home of 'soccer', but Brazil is still very much its temple and to experience a game is a memorable event. A visit to the old bohemian district of Lapa, where every night the authentic samba still can be enjoyed and is an ideal location for our final night on the town before saying our final goodbyes.
• Overnight: Standard Hotel
• Single Room Available
• Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 Tour ends Rio
• The tour ends in Rio this morning after breakfast.
• Included Meals: Breakfast