The Natural Wonders of Brazil, Argentina & Patagonia

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Fly to Brazil - Start your holiday with an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro, via Sao Paolo. 
• Day 2
  Land in Rio and day at leisure - Touch down in Brazil and meet your friendly local tour manager ahead of a transfer to your hotel. Rest and relax, enjoying an included welcome drink at the hotel this evening. Dinner is at leisure tonight.
• Day 3
  Included Rio city tour, Sugarloaf Mountain visit with optional Ginga Tropical samba show - Have breakfast at the hotel and begin your South American adventure with a tour that will introduce Rio’s lively downtown areas. After a panoramic tour of the city’s colourful seafront, witness it from above on a ride to the top of the imposing Sugarloaf Mountain onboard the famous Bondinho cable car. From here, you can soak up spectacular 360-degree views across Rio’s most iconic sights and the sprawling blue of Guanabara Bay. This evening, enjoy an included drink at a local carioca bar close to your hotel before the chance to take in an optional Ginga Tropical show in town. This performance combines Brazil’s diversity and cultures through different styles of dance, music, and live performances and concludes with a carnival-inspired finale. Dinner is at leisure tonight.
• Day 4
  Included Rio de Janeiro tour - After breakfast, continue your exploration of Rio with an excursion to one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, Christ the Redeemer. Set atop Corcovado Mountain, this magnificent landmark, the largest Art-Deco statue in the world, proudly highlights Brazil’s deep Catholic roots and promises some truly extraordinary views. Drive through lush suburbs to the Cosmo Velho cog-railway station, and journey up to the giant figure, then take the lift or escalator, or brave the stairs, up to the viewpoint. Return to Rio via the famous beach districts of Ipanema and Leblon, known for their idyllic namesake beaches, where you’ll experience a quieter side to the city’s trendy beach areas. This evening, enjoy your final evening in Rio with dinner at an authentic Brazilian steak restaurant.
• Day 5
  Fly to Iguazú Falls - Early this morning, travel to the airport for a flight to world-famous Iguazú Falls, which marks the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Travel by coach through the lush foliage to your resort hotel on the Brazilian side of the Falls where you'll spend the next two nights. Renowned for its biodiversity, the park’s thunderous cascades won’t be the only major highlight, and you’ll have the chance to spot its impressive native wildlife as you explore. Later this morning, start your exploration of the UNESCO-listed Iguazú National Park with a scenic walk along a series of foliage-lined pathways that will lead you to the falls. Keep an eye out as you go, and you might catch a glimpse of the region’s elusive coatis or its eagle-eyed oncillas. Watch the region's untouched ecosystems in action as you pass verdant forests and flourishing wildflowers, which are constantly fed by moisture from the magnificent nearby waterfalls. Walk out over the footbridge, and ride the panoramic lift, to enjoy the sweeping views across Iguazú's 275 plunging cataracts.   Dinner will be served back at the hotel later this evening.
• Day 6
  Included tour of Iguazú Falls - Cross the border into Argentina this morning and witness a different side to the falls. Still within the boundaries of the Iguazú National Park, the Argentinian side is a stunning jungle refuge for big cats, monkeys, tapirs and countless colourful bird species. Here, you’ll enjoy a choice of fascinating guided walks, accompanied by a park ranger, as well as a 25-minute train ride to see the most spectacular of the torrents, the famous Devil’s Throat, from a series of walkways and footbridges.  This evening, return to the hotel and find dinner at your own leisure.
• Day 7
  Optional Iguazú helicopter ride and flight to Buenos Aires - Take the morning at your own pace today or embark on an optional helicopter flight above the magnificent Iguazú Falls. On this 10-minute flight, you'll get a unique perspective on the park, with unrestricted views of the falls and their surrounding rainforest. Accompanied by an expert pilot and local guide, you’ll learn also learn about the park’s ecosystems and the importance of conservation in preserving these landscapes for future generations. Later, reconvene at the hotel for a quick refresh ahead of this afternoon's flight to Buenos Aires. After touching down in the Argentine capital, meet your local tour manager and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner at your own leisure. 
• Day 8
  Included Buenos Aires city tour - Today you'll enjoy a guided introduction to Buenos Aires, beginning at the Plaza de Mayo, home to the city’s ornate parliament buildings. From here, embrace the tango rhythms of the Argentine capital in the San Telmo district, before passing through the famously colourful La Boca area, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. Complete today’s sightseeing in the Puerto Madero, with its towering skyscrapers, and La Recoleta, Buenos Aires' most elegant area. Return to the hotel, perhaps heading out for an optional dinner at the nearby Revire Brasas Bravas, a steak restaurant offering a taste of traditional Argentine asado (barbecue). Set on the lively Corrientes Avenue, this diner is a favourite spot among locals and serves fine cuts of locally sourced beef as well as a wide variety of Argentine wines and cocktails.
• Day 9
  Optional El Ombu de Areco Ranch excursion - Discover more of the enthralling Buenos Aires under your own steam today, or join an optional excursion into the pampas grassland. Leave Buenos Aires and drive to San Antonio de Areco, the heart of Argentina's 'gaucho' traditions. Arrive at El Ombu de Areco, a traditional, 741-acre ranch dedicated to agriculture and animal farming. Here, the ranch's impressive late-colonial style mansion, built by Lieutenant-general Pablo Riccheri in 1880, and its magnificent “casco” promise an immersive taste of Argentine culture.  Enjoy following the Areco River on horseback riding or, if you'd prefer, travel the same route on foot, before settling in for a traditional asado lunch that includes fine meats, salads, wine, and dessert. Later this afternoon, enjoy an intimate folklore show as a gaucho plays the guitar and see a horse-riding skills demonstration. Return to your Buenos Aires hotel for your final night in Argentina.
• Day 10
  Fly to El Calafate - Have a last breakfast at your hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport for an internal flight to lakeside El Calafate. Upon arrival, head to your next hotel where you’ll have the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel later tonight.