Depart MEL 20 Jun 20
Book By 04 October 2019
Deposit $1800pp
Final Payment 20 Mar 20
Flying
Package Includes
- Flights Sydney-Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires-Sydney
Other departure cities available. - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- All intra-flights: Rio de Janeiro-Iguassu & Iguazu-Buenos Aires
- 9 nights First Class accommodations
- 4 nights Rio de Janeiro
- 2 nights Iguazu, Argentina
- 3 nights Buenos Aires
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers included
- 12 meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Services of English-speaking local guides
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
- Ascend to the summit of Corcovado Mountain to see the spectacular views of Rio
- Stand in awe at majestic and awe-inspiring Iguassu Falls
- Admire the elegant architecture in Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America”
- At Recoleta Cemetery, see the final resting place of Eva “Evita” Peron
- Tango lesson with professional Argentine tango dancers
Daily Itinerary (Monday Departure)
DAY 1, Saturday – Depart for Brazil
Depart for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; arrival and transfer to your hotel
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
DAY 2, Sunday – Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy today at leisure to explore Rio de Janeiro on your own. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the exciting adventure that awaits you in South America, followed by a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at a typical Brazilian ‘Churrascaria’
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Monday – Rio de Janeiro, Tour of Corcovado Mountain
Begin the day with an ascent by a scenic cog railway to the summit of Corcovado Hill. Here, at 2,400 feet above the city stands the 125 foot tall statue of Christ the Redeemer. The Christ statue, that embraces the entire city, is designated as one of the seven “New Wonders of the World”. See the thrilling 360 degree sweeping view of the city and understand why Rio is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Afterwards, continue along Rio’s famous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema before returning to your hotel
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Tuesday – Full Day in Rio de Janeiro
Today is at leisure to discover all of the delights of Rio on your own. Watch the volleyball and soccer matches on the beach, shop for local crafts, and linger at a waterfront café to just “people-watch”. Join the optional not-to-be-missed glass cable car ride that takes you to the top of iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain, symbol of the city, where you’ll see the stunning panorama of the beaches, Corcovado Mountain, downtown Rio and Guanabara Bay. In the afternoon attend the optional Carnival and Samba Experience. Visit one of the top Samba schools in the city and learn what made the Samba & Carnival icons of Brazilian national identity. On your last night in Rio at leisure, be sure to sample the cuisine at some of the fabulous restaurants and cafes ringing the beachfront
Optional: Half Day Sugar Loaf Mountain (AM)
Optional: Half Day Carnival and Samba Experience (PM)
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Wednesday – Fly to Iguassu, Brazilian Falls
Depart Rio this morning on a flight to Iguassu Falls. Upon arrival, walk along the winding pathways on the Brazilian side of the majestic and awe-inspiring Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Iguassu consists of over 275 separate cataracts across a span of two and one-half miles, wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara Falls and more dramatic than both. Stand in awe at the unforgettable panoramic views before crossing the border to Iguazu, the Argentinean side of the Falls, for overnight. After a day filled with unforgettable memories, return to the hotel and enjoy a typical Argentine dinner
Overnight: Iguazu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday – Iguazu, the Argentinean Falls
Your adventure continues this morning on the Argentinean side of the Falls. A rail car takes you to the top of the Falls on the Upper Circuit,* and you will walk to the Lower Circuit where the power of nature surrounds you. Continue along the catwalks to Devil’s Gorge – stand in amazement as you gaze at spectacular “Devil’s Throat” the most magnificent of all of the cataracts. View, photograph and feel the spray of the thundering waters, one of nature’s most impressive achievements and a unique experience for your senses. Spend the rest of the day exploring the natural treasures of Iguazu National Park, designated a World Heritage Site for its rare and endangered flora and fauna
*Please be advised that in order to access the falls, you are required to walk over uneven surfaces, followed by a series of narrow boardwalk paths. The paths feature many sets of stairs and can be slippery due to the mist
Overnight: Iguazu
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Friday – Fly to Buenos Aires
This afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. On the way, time permitting, meet with children at a local school. Arrive in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. Its beauty is apparent with its elegant architecture, wide tree-shaded boulevards, striking monuments and sprawling parks. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to get acquainted with the “Paris of South America” and its distinct European flavor. As you will have your night at leisure feel free to treat yourself to an Argentine dinner at one of the city’s many superb steak restaurants
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Saturday – Buenos Aires City Tour
Discover the city’s highlights this morning on a tour that includes the Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (government palace); see the balcony where Eva and Juan Peron made their speeches. Then, to the colorful La Boca neighborhood, a working class barrio, and the old quarters of San Telmo and Caminito, a mix of colonial style homes, narrow lanes, artists’ lofts and very trendy cafes. Drive to the Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of many of the wealthiest and most important Argentine historical figures. The grounds here cover more than four city blocks, filled with tombs adorned by works of local and international sculptors, and more than 6,400 mausoleums including the tomb of Eva “Evita” Peron, always heaped with flowers and letters from adoring fans. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring some of Buenos Aires neighborhoods and fabulous collection of shops before this evening’s tango lesson with professional Argentine Tango dancers. Tonight is at leisure, or, participate in the optional Argentine Dinner and Tango Show
Optional: Buenos Aires Dinner & Tango Show (PM)
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Sunday – Full Day in Buenos Aires
Revisit some of your favorite places in the city today, shop for leatherwear and designer clothes, or, join the optional fun-filled Gaucho Party at the Santa Susana Ranch. Get ready for a rustic experience at a typical Argentine ranch (estancia), dedicated to agriculture and the breeding of cattle and horses. After a tour of the grounds, enjoy a typical barbecue lunch, followed by a folklore show with live music and dancing. Return to the hotel with time to prepare for this evening’s “Farewell to Argentina” Dinner with your group at a delightful restaurant
Optional: Full Day Gaucho Party
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Monday – Depart Argentina
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
Accomodation
Windsor Leme, Rio de Janeiro
This first class hotel has lovely views of Leme Beach.
Amerian Portal del Iguazu, Iguazu
This first class hotel overlooks the convergence of the Iguazu and Parana Rivers and is located just over 300 feet from “The Three Borders” where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet.
Panamericano Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
This deluxe hotel is located in central downtown Buenos Aires, nearby the historic Obelisk.
Optional Extras
Half Day Carnival & Samba Experience
Day #4 AUD$98.00
This afternoon, depart your hotel for Downtown Rio de Janeiro. Arrive at Academicos da Grande Rio, one of the top samba schools in the city. Here, enjoy a guided tour of the warehouse, where you see grandiose parade floats* and flamboyant costumes There will be an opportunity to try on authentic Carnival costumes. Toast your Carnival experience with a caipirinha Brazil’s national cocktail, while you learn about the history of the Samba dance and the Carnival parades from an expert guide. Then, try to copy the basic Samba steps from a professional dancer while you encounter diverse Afro-Brazilian rhythms like Ijexa, Coco, Iongo, and Samba de roda. Return to your hotel.
*Floats and carriages for Carnival are being constructed between September and December and therefore will not be fully completed and decorated during that time.
Pick-up and drop-off at hotel. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours.
Half Day Sugar Loaf Mountain
Day #4 AUD$75.00
Depart from your hotel for a brief driving tour of Rio de Janeiro on your way to Sugar Loaf Mountain. While passing through the downtown, admire the myriad of city landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, the Municipal Theatre, and the Sambadrome. Upon arriving at Praia Vermelha, begin the first leg of your journey up Sugar Loaf Mountain. Hop in a cable car and ascend from street level to the top of Urca Hill. Over the course of that 3 minute ride, a superb panorama unfolds right before your eyes. At Urca, enter a second cable car for the ride to the summit. After a 6 minute ride, you will be welcomed to the top by an unsurpassed view. From this location, the entire area is within your grasp, including Rio, the bridge, the bay, the age-old majestic mountain range, and Niteroi, a city on the other side of the bay.
Pick-up and drop-off at hotel. Approximate tour duration is 4 hours.
Buenos Aires Dinner & Tango Show
Day #8 AUD$121.00
Tonight enjoy an excellent dinner and tango show in downtown Buenos Aires. This has become a favorite of local residents as well as visitors and is the ideal setting for a delicious dinner and an alluring tango show. The Tango displays complete cultural expression, a plot of myths, values and traditions.
Pick-up and drop-off at hotel. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours.
Full Day Traditional Gaucho Party
Day #9 AUD$192.00
Depart from the hotel towards Cardales to visit a traditional Estancia. An Estancia is the equivalent to a large rural estate similar to a ranch in the United States. Most have a main house and some straw-roofed constructions in which the dining-room and a traditional general store are located. The general store commonly called the ‘pulperia’ was a social gathering point for gauchos at sunset. Later, you can taste a typical Argentine barbecue (grilled beef, chicken, pork sausages, salads, dessert and coffee) in the dining-room.
As lunch is finished you will enjoy a folklore show with live music, dancing and a tango demonstration, followed by ‘cuadreras’ and ring races where gauchos show their skills as riders. For those willing to participate in the traditional activities there are horses and ‘sulkies’ to go around the ranch.
Pick-up and drop-off at hotel. Approximate tour duration is 8 hours.
