Arrive in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your hotel which is conveniently located in Copacabana.
Known as the ”Cidade Maravilhosa”, or Marvellous City, Rio never fails to amaze with its sandy beaches, carefree lifestyle and unparalleled natural beauty. As the capital of Brazil until 1960, Rio is today one of the most culturally and economically prominent cities in the country, receiving more tourists than any other part of Brazil.
Overnight in Rio
Day2
RIO DE JANEIRO
Time to explore one of Rio’s most beloved neighbourhoods, Santa Teresa. While this is mostly a Rio walking tour, we’ll start with a little public transport, shall we? Take the subway downtown so you can experience how locals get around Rio and help orientate yourself in the city. We’ll hop off at Carioca Station and wander through the Financial District, home of huge companies such as Petrobras and BNDES. Check out Carioca Square, once the main source of drinking water in Rio, transported in by the Aqueducts of Lapa.
From here, we’ll climb aboard the tram for the journey up to Santa Teresa, which is a 20 minute ride over the aqueducts which are now used as the tram route. This is the last tram line in Brazil that is used solely for transportation purposes. Hopping off at Largo dos Guimaraes, it’s time to explore the cobblestone streets of Santa Teresa! We’ll wander about on foot and discover beautiful architecture, art galleries, restaurants, and local costumes that characterise Santa Teresa. One of Rio’s oldest neighbourhoods, Santa Teresa, situated high on a hill overlooking Rio, enchants locals and visitors alike with its cobbled streets and eclectic architectural styles. The views of the city centre and the bay aren’t too shabby either. (Okay, they’re stunning, but that’s hardly a surprise…we’re in Rio, after all!). Previously a neighbourhood dominated by the elite, with their departure to more modern suburbs of Rio, Santa Teresa has been transformed into an artistic centre with many artists choosing the area as their preferred place of residence.
Among the attractions in Santa Teresa is the Ruins Park and its gorgeous view over downtown Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. Many visitors compare Santa Teresa to the bohemian district of Montmartre in Paris, and we’d stay that’s a pretty fair comparison. During the Carnival, many street bands perform on the streets and the most famous one is “Bloco das Carmelitas”, which was named after the local convent, which we’ll see on our way back towards the Lapa District. As our Santa Teresa Rio tour winds down, we have one ~nal (and rather important) stop to make: Selaron’s Staircase. This masterpiece and picturesque icon is one of the late artist’s most famous pieces, and is without a doubt one of the highlights of this Rio tour. They always say to end on a high note, don’t they?!
Overnight in Rio
Day3
RIO DE JANEIRO
Today we visit Rio’s most famous landmarks, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer Statue. Each year over a million tourists visit the world-famous Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain), which rises up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay. The first cable-car takes us to the top of Urca Hill, some 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its islands. From Urca Hill, we continue in a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf.
After lunch we visit the world-famous statue of Christ which has recently been elected as one of the seven modern wonders of the world. At the foot of Corcovado hill we take a small train to the top where we are greeted with a spectacular panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro.
Day4
RIO DE JANEIRO TO IGUAZU, BRAZIL
You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport for your outward flight to Iguazu Falls.
Rio de Janeiro to Iguazu flight included in package.
The spectacular Iguazu Falls that straddle the Argentine-Brazil border comprise 275 individual waterfalls lining a 2.7km wide horseshoe-shaped gorge. The Falls are located where the Iguazu River cascades over the edge of the Paraná Plateau. The Falls can be viewed from both the Argentinian and the Brazilian sides, the Brazilian side offers a broader, panoramic view, and the Argentinian side offers a series of catwalks that allow you to experience the Falls from close range.
Overnight at your hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls. Please note: There are additional tourist taxes in Iguazu approximately ARS50 or $4 USD per person per stay) which will be charged on checkout. These are subject to change.
Day5
IGUAZU, ARGENTINA
Today enjoy a half-day tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. You will be taken to the Visitors Centre and from here board one of the Park Authority’s tourist buses and enter the National Park. Equipped with panoramic windows, the buses are designed to maximize your views of the falls, while the walkways and steps provide you with great panoramic views of the Argentinian side of the falls. Views of the Floriana Falls, the Devil’s Gorge Canyon and the Iguazu River are spectacular and are guaranteed to impress.
National Park Fee included.
This afternoon you will cross the border into Argentina where you will check into your hotel on the Argentinian side of the falls.
Day6
IGUAZU TO BUENOS AIRES
This morning we head to the Argentinean side of the Iguazu Falls. Beginning at the visitor’s centre, we take a ride on the Rainforest Ecological train before exploring the upper and lower circuit footbridges. The footbridges, which are raised off the jungle oor, provide panoramic views from above and below the falls. A visit to Devil’s Gorge arguably the most spectacular falls, is one of the day’s many highlights.
National Park entry fees are included.
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight from Iguazu to Buenos Aires – included in the package.
Buenos Aires, Argentina’s elegant, historic and cosmopolitan capital, is known as the “Paris of the South” due to its European atmosphere with glamorous avenues lined with fashionable shops and Parisian-style restaurants and cafes. Located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires has many fascinating neighbourhoods to explore including the colourful and lively La Boca, home to art galleries and tango shows; San Telmo with its restored mansions and antique stores and Recoleta, the city’s most exclusive area.
Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day7
BUENOS AIRES
This morning you will be collected from your hotel for a lively tour of Buenos Aires.
We will visit the most important highlights of the city, which may include the following: Discover the history of the Plaza de Mayo Square, the site of Argentina’s most important historical events – see its surroundings and the most emblematic buildings and learn all about them. Then enjoy Mayo Avenue and wonder in awe at the oldest residential neighbourhood in Buenos Aires: San Telmo. Live and feel the original Tango in the neighbourhood of La Boca: walk along Caminito Street and enjoy the Dancers and souvenir shops.
See the mythical Boca Juniors soccer stadium. Contemplate the modernization of the city whilst traveling along Puerto Madero and its exclusive docks, full of excellent restaurants and large of~ces. Pass through the Retiro neighbourhood and move on to see Palermo and its most exclusive residential area before ~ finally arriving at Recoleta. Here you will enter into the Recoleta cemetery with your guide.
Experience shadowed walkways with towering marble mausoleums that are rich in Art Deco, Art Nouveau, baroque and neo-gothic architectural styles. You will find the final resting place of Eva Peron, “Evita”, along with many other notable people.
During the tour you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and on the completion of your tour, you will be taken to your hotel.
This evening you will be collected from your hotel and taken to La Ventana Tango Hall located in San Telmo. This evening’s show includes a two-piece orchestra, a tango demonstration, and a dancing Gaucho with a dash of folklore thrown in. The traditional tango dancing is mixed with folkloric dance and song, keeping the performances varied. Dinner with beverages will be served from 8.00pm followed by the show. Please note timings are subject to change and will be con~rmed directly to you. On completion of the show, you will be taken to your hotel.
Day8
BUENOS AIRES
Free day to explore Buenos Aires and rest before your adventure continues.
Day9
BUENOS AIRES TO USHUAIA
Today you will join the main group and fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Flight included.
PLEASE NOTE: The “main conference package” commences in Buenos Aires on 14th February and includes a full-day tour on the 15th February. This is the same tour as you will be doing on the 13th February, so this tour will be excluded from your package and the price has been adjusted to reflect that.
