Iguassu & Beyond
9 days, Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Itinerary Notes
We recommend bringing USD in cash for the Argentinean portion of this tour as it is easier than using a credit card or withdrawing ARS from an ATM. USD currency is accepted in travel agencies for booking optional activities.
Itinerary
Day 1Buenos Aires
Arrive at any time.
If you arrive early, start exploring! Later, grab a seat and enjoy a drink at one of the city's many sidewalk cafés and restaurants.
Pre nights are recommended to fully enjoy this vibrant city and take part in the optional activities available.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Buenos Aires/Iguaçu Falls
Fly to Iguassu Falls for two full days of exploration from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.
The luggage restrictions for all Aerolineas Argentinas flights are 15kg for checked baggage and 5kg for carry-ons.
Plane
Head to the airport and fly north to the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. Continue on to the border via private vehicle from there.
Border Crossing (Argentina - Brazil)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Private Vehicle
Climb aboard and drive to the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls for a little exploration.
Iguassu Falls (Brazil Side) Guided Tour
Visit the Brazil side of the falls to get a panoramic view of Iguaçu, one of the world's largest and most impressive waterfalls. In total, there are over 275 individual falls spread out over 3km (2 mi). Find the best spot to take jaw-dropping photos of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Iguaçu Falls
Return to the Argentine side to explore the trails. Opt for a boat tour to get up close and personal. Return to the Brazilian side for one more night in town.
Explore trails that will bring you directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat—the highest and deepest of the falls. Other trails allow access to the stretch of falls across the forest on the Argentine side. Opt to take an inflatable boat to the base of the thundering falls.
Border Crossing (Brazil - Argentina)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Iguassu Falls Visit
Spend the whole day on the Argentine side of Iguassu, exploring the paths over the falls or experience the UNESCO World Heritage site from a boat tour. Tours utilize trails and catwalks adapted to the landscape of the area, and walking is easy for all ages; guided tours of the complex are available several times a day.
Border Crossing (Argentina - Brazil)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Iguassu Falls Visit
70USD per personEnter the jungle from the “Sendero Yacaratía” and enjoy the panoramic view. Board motorboats that pass through the Lower Canyon of the Iguassu River, and continue onto the falls. After enjoying the view from San Martin Island, sail to “Tres Mosqueteros” to the "Devil's Throat." Sail along the shore before and enjoy the splendour of the San Martin waterfall, a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Iguaçu Falls/Paraty
Fly to São Paulo and continue by van to Paraty. Opt to visit the cachaça distilleries or take a boat into the bay to explore the nearby islands and beaches.
On arrival in São Paulo, continue on by bus to the gorgeous coastal town of Paraty. Wander the cobblestoned streets, take a boat trip to the nearby islands in the bay, or visit one of the many white-sand beaches that make Brazil famous.
Plane
An early morning flight gets you Paraty with plenty of time to explore.
Flight time may very if there is not a direct flight available.
Shared Van
Enjoy the drive to São Paulo, stopping for lunch along the way.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Paraty
Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty.
Paraty is a quaint colonial town renowned for its architecture—the pace might be slow but there's a lot to choose from. Considered one of the world's most important examples of Portuguese colonial architecture by UNESCO, the historic centre is a well-preserved national historic monument, and today has been closed to vehicles to preserve its laid-back colonial ambiance. Opt to take a boat trip in the bay, kayak, go horseback riding, or take a jeep tour.
Opt to pre-book the "Paraty Caipirinha Boat Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Paraty, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like going on a boat tour, watching a puppet show, and visiting a cachaça distillery. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
4x4 Tour
150BRL per personHop in the back of a jeep and hang on for this tropical tour. Enter the Serra da Bocaina National Park, visit waterfalls (great for photos and swimming), and step back in time along the Gold Trail road, constructed by African slaves to transport gold mined inland and transported to Paraty port bound for Portugal.
Kayaking
90BRL per personSee Paraty's from a whole other level—sea level! Check out the spectacular views of the old town and the coastal mountain range and explore otherwise inaccessible mangroves.
City tour Paraty + cachaça tasting
160BRL per personTour a cachaça distillery where sugarcane juice is used to create the most popular distilled spirit in Brazil. If it tastes familiar, that's because it's the main ingredient in a Caipirinha, the country’s national cocktail. Often called “Brazilian rum,” cachaça is so popular, it’s produced by 40,000 micro-companies across the country. The blend from Paraty is sweet and salty; taste the sea as you sip this local liquid.
Horseback Riding Paraty
390BRL per personThrow on some long pants, grab the reins and hop up on a well-trained horse. Trail ride through the Atlantic Rainforest in the mountains around Paraty. Cross rivers and follow trails lined with tropical trees. Reach a lookout and see the village and the water below. Stop at a waterfall and jump in! Let the rushing water massage your muscles then hop back on the horses and gallop home.
Paraty Bay Boat Tour
Explore some of Paraty's 65 islands and hundreds of beaches on a schooner tour.
Paraty Boat Tour
150BRL per personHome to hundreds of pristine islands and idyllic white sand beaches it doesn't get much better than the Costa Verde. Cruise up the coast with a caipirinha in one hand and your camera in the other. Stop along the way to swim in the crystal clear waters or to catch a few rays. Snorkeling equipment is provided for those wanting a peek at what is under the water's surface.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Paraty/Ilha Grande
Continue by van up the coast and take a ferry to Ilha Grande. Opt to hike to remote beaches and enjoy free time to relax and explore the island.
A short, scenic drive along the coast takes us to Angra dos Reis. Board the ferry to Ilha Grande—home to some of Brazil's most beautiful beaches.
Enjoy free time to soak up the sun, snorkel, hike and cruise to various beaches, not to mention feast on fresh seafood and sip caipirinhas in the plaza in the evenings.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Ilha Grande
Enjoy a free day in Ilha Grande. Optional activities include hiking Pico Do Papagaio or to Lopes Mendes, snorkelling or relaxing on the beach.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Ilha Grande, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like taking a boat to Lopes Mendes Beach, taking a guided walk to Pico do Papagaio (Parrot's Peak), and snorkelling. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Hike to Pico do Papagaio
150BRL per personEnjoy a guided hike from Abraão to Pico do Papagaio, soaking in the scenery along the way. It will take roughly 4 hours to hike up and about 2 hr to hike back down. The 360 degree views from the top are well worth the effort.
Lopes Mendes Hike
Grab your bathing suit, slip on your walking shoes and take the hike from Abraão to the beautiful beach of Lopes Mendes. Follow a well-marked trail up and down, through forest and past other beaches. Eat Jack fruit picked along the way. Drink water from a natural spring. Listen to howler monkeys. After 2.5-3 hrs, arrive at the stunning Lopes Mendes beach, where the white powder sand squeaks under foot and the rolling green hills provide a stunning contrast to the turquoise water.
Ilha Grande Boat Excursion
130BRL per personFrom the main village of Vila do Abraão, take a boat tour to some of the best beaches around the island. See tropical fish and cool off in the salt spray of the turquoise waters. Stop to swim and snorkel and pinch yourself for being lucky enough to partake in this tropical piece of paradise. Enjoy the scenery while drinking a caipirinha, Brazil's national drink.
Snorkelling Ilha Grande
Rent a mask and snorkel, pull on some fins and get set to enter the underwater world of colourful tropical fish, shells and all things seaworthy. November through May is Ilha Grande’s best time to snorkel. Hotspots include the Blue Lagoon, Green Lagoon and Abraãzinho Beach. Luxuriate in the warm salt water, look down and, in some cases, see to a depth of 15m (50 ft).
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro
Carry on by ferry and van to Rio de Janeiro. With free time, explore the city on an optional city tour.
Travel back to the mainland by ferry before continuing north along the coast. Enjoy the incredible scenery before rounding the cliffs at Vidigal. Get your first look at one of the most memorable cities in the world—Río de Janeiro.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Shared Van
Enjoy the incredible scenery before rounding the cliffs at Vidigal. Get your first look at one of the most memorable cities in the world—Río de Janeiro.
Free Time
Use your free time in Rio to start your exploration of this world-class city.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Rio de Janeiro City Tour
340BRL per personThere’s so much to see and do in this vibrant city pulsing with passion, music and the waves of the sea. Take a city tour and visit some of Rio’s hot spots. Visit the art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, the colourful Lapa Steps and the Rio Cathedral. Ride a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and marvel at the magnificent views of the bay, city and beaches beyond.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Rio de Janeiro
Depart at any time.
There are no planned activities today so feel free to book onward travel at any time. Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.