Rio De Janeiro to Buenos Aires (Superior) - 9 Days

Visit South America

Day 1, Rio de Janeiro

Upon arrival in Rio De Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to our hotel in the city.

Hotel check-in is from 2 pm. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the vibrant city.

Tour Style: This tour is made up of a selection of excursions and activities, with transportation and a choice of standard or superior accommodation. You will have different bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for each excursion. Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travellers from outside of the group and the group size may exceed 16. Please note: Internal flights are not included in the cost of the tour but we can book these for you on request.

No meals included.

Day 2, Rio de Janeiro

Take in two of the city's most iconic highlights on a 5 hour tour this morning, visiting Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain.

We travel up to the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, perched atop Corcovado Mountain. The drive is short yet scenic, passing through the Tijuca Forest before revealing breathtaking views of the entire city.

Next, we head to Sugarloaf Mountain in the Urca neighbourhood, where we ride a series of two cable cars to reach the summit. First, we stop at Urca Hill, before continuing to the top of Sugarloaf, which stands at 395 metres. Our tour concludes with a stunning panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, before we make our way back to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 3, Rio de Janeiro

You have a choice today.

You can spend the day independently exploring, or perhaps enjoy a beach day at Copacabana. Alternatively, you can join one of our three optional excursions (further detail in the Trip Notes):

Carnival Experience

Experience the vibrant world of Rio Carnival with a behind-the-scenes tour of the City of Samba and the Rio Grande Samba School Factory. Discover how floats and costumes are crafted, meet the people behind the spectacle, and learn about samba’s rich history. Try on authentic costumes, join a samba class, and finish with a traditional Brazilian cocktail.

Half day Rio nature tour to the Tijuca Forest & Botanical garden (afternoon)

Take in the diverse flora of the Rio Botanical Garden and take a stroll through the Tijuca Forest, a remnant of the Atlantic Forest and one of the world's largest urban forests. Spot monkeys and sloths and see a waterfall before heading back to the city.

Crazy for football: Tour Maracana and Flamingo

This half-day tour is perfect for football fans. Explore Maracaná Stadium’s key areas, view historic memorabilia, and visit Flamengo’s Clube de Regatas. See the basketball gym, football stadium, and more on the Gávea Tour, then check out Flamengo Museum’s trophies, including the Libertadores 2019. Finish with a stop at the Flamengo store for a souvenir. Please refer to the trip notes for more details regarding the optional excursions.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 4, Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro - Foz do Iguacu.

After breakfast this morning, there is a transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu. This flight is not included - we can assist with booking this flight. See the Trip Notes for suggested flight information.

On arrival at Foz do Iguacu airport, you will be met and transferred to our hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to the bird park in Iguazu National Park.

Situated at the entrance of Iguazu Falls, the Bird Park is an ecological sanctuary that combines ecotourism with conservation. Explore vast nurseries housing around 900 birds across 150 species. While Brazilian birds are predominant, there are also species from Australia, Africa, and Asia. The park is renowned for its work in education, research, and environmental conservation. Additionally, we’ll visit a butterfly nursery and a reptile exhibit, where we can observe snakes and alligators up close.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 5, Foz do Iguacu

Today we cross the border into Argentina for a half day excursion to the Argentinian side of the magnificent Iguazu Falls.

Crossing the famous Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguazu River, which marks the border between Argentina and Brazil, we find ourselves in the Argentine Iguazu Park. We take the train to see the magnificent Devil’s Throat. Located in the middle of the Brazilian and Argentine waterfalls, this is the largest waterfall in Iguazu, and we can feel up close the impressive force of the water. Continuing our adventure on foot, we tour the Upper Circuit of park and time permitting we will tour the slightly longer Lower Circuit too, walking through lush forest accompanied by the roar of the Iguazu Falls.

This afternoon, those seeking more adventure can join an optional tour taking in the region's rainforest and the waterfalls for an additional fee. Travelling by truck into the expansive wild vegetation, accompanied by experienced guides. At the pier, board a boat to navigate the Iguazu Inferior River canyon, rafting the river’s rapids to admire the falls from the tranquil backwaters of San Martin Island. This optional tour also includes a visit to the Tres Mosqueteros (Three Musketeers) falls, with the highlight being the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Sailing along the island’s coast to reach San Martin Falls, the closest a boat can get to these magnificent falls and far closer than we get on our included tour.

After the today's touring we return to our hotel on the Brazilian side of the border.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 6, Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu - Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Today we enjoy a 3-hour tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Beginning at the Hotel des Cataratas, we walk for around 1km to the spectacular Iguazu Falls, one of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. You will feel the mist and spray coming off the falls and will be able to get another view of the thundering Devil's Throat, the largest waterfall in the Iguazu system. We’ll traverse the national park’s main trail, surrounded by lush vegetation, and reach the Mirador de las Cataratas for a breath-taking view of the falls and the thunderous roar of the water. Continuing along the paths, we’ll feel the spray and get close to the Devil’s Throat, the largest and most powerful waterfall in the system.

Later we transfer from our hotel to the airport in Misiones Iguazu (Argentina side) for our onward flight to Buenos Aires. This flight is not included - we can assist with booking this domestic flight. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information.

On arrival in Buenos Aires, we transfer to our hotel in the city, with the rest of the day at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 7, Buenos Aires

Today we explore the captivating Argentinean capital on a half-day guided tour, starting with the elegant districts of Recoleta and Palermo, known for their tree-lined avenues, boutiques, and grand parks.

We'll see Plaza de Mayo, the political heart of the city, surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as the impressive Colon Opera House and Palace of Congress.

Next, we visit the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, with its cobbled streets and antique markets, before heading to Caminito Street in La Boca, famous for its colourful houses and artistic vibe. Our tour finishes at the vibrant Puerto Madero waterfront, known for its modern culinary scene. Lunch is included after our tour and the afternoon is at leisure for you to further explore Buenos Aires - you will need to make your own way back to the hotel.

Tonight, we enjoy an included Tango show with dinner and drinks. We'll experience an unforgettable evening, with live tango music, a 15-artist performance, and the finest Argentine cuisine, all set in an early 20th-century house.

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.

Day 8, Buenos Aires

Today is at leisure to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace.

Visit Recoleta’s elegant streets, stroll through Palermo’s parks, or explore the colourful La Boca and historic San Telmo. Discover the modern Puerto Madero waterfront and experience the city's rich cultural and architectural highlights. There are also optional tours that can be booked for an additional fee:

Estancia Ombu de Areco

This full-day tour takes you to a traditional ranch in San Antonio de Areco, with time to explore this rural town. On arrival, channel your inner gaucho with a horseback riding experience and enjoy an included lunch of mouth-watering empanadas and asado, the best cuts of meat cooked over an open fire. Enjoy dessert, a folklore show and a gaucho demonstration before returning to Buenos Aires.

San Isidro & Delta Tigre with Navigation

On this 5-hour tour you will take a boat ride from Puerto Madero with a local guide, to visit the picturesque Delta del Tigre. Sailing along the Rio de la Plata, you will see the River Plate football stadium and the grand mansions of the city's northern suburbs. Enjoy traditional empanadas at a local restaurant and visit the town of San Isidro to see its cathedral on your way back to Buenos Aires.

Fogon Asado Experience with Wine Pairing

Discover the tradition of asado cooking in a unique way. This gastronomic experience will show you different ways to prepare and cook some of the finest meat, with excellent wine pairings with each dish. A local chef will explain the grilling process while you sit at the bar and enjoy!

After a day of exploring independently or enjoying optional excursions, we spend a final night at our hotel in Buenos Aires.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 9, Buenos Aires

Check out after breakfast for your included transfer to the airport.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

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