12-Day Buenos Aires, Iguazu and Rio de Janeiro

The planning of a vacation to Brazil and Argentina can feel overwhelming due to the size of the countries as well as the cultural and natural diversity that they possess. Allow a tour guide to take care of the arrangements for your accommodations, tours, meals, and activities during a 12-day vacation that includes sites such as Buenos Aires, the Tigre River, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, and Guanabara Bay. This will allow you to sit back, relax, and take in the sights.

12-Day Buenos Aires, Iguazu and Rio de Janeiro

Highlights

• Discover the best of Brazil and Argentina in limited time on a 12-day tour
• A stress-free introduction ideal for first-time visitors
• Letting someone else drive means you can soak up the scenery and skip the hassle of car hire
• Daily hotel pickup and drop-off mean you don’t have to find a meeting point

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Buenos Aires

Ezeiza

According to your flight itinerary, a driver will be waiting for you at the airport, holding a sing with your name, to safely take you to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. After your check-in you will have the rest of the day free to rest or do what you prefer.

Day 2 – Exploring Buenos Aires: City Tour and Tango Show

Mercado San Telmo

Around 10AM we depart from our office located at San Telmo Neighborhood to explore the city, it’s most beautiful and interesting places. San Telmo is one of the most oldest neighborhoods in town and it has a vibrant scene of Tango and arts. The antique markets, street lights (also known as “lanterns”), cobblestones, old buildings & original decorations are part of this unique bohemian atmosphere. Sundays are the busiest days because the street market comes to life around Plaza Dorrego.

Parque Lezama

Then, we will stop by Parque Lezama. The park has several sculptures, monuments (among which is that of Pedro de Mendoza, first founder of the City of Buenos Aires), an amphitheater, a viewpoint and a fountain.

Caminito

We continue the tour arriving to La Boca neighborhood, known for the Boca Juniors Stadium and the colorful Caminito street. You will also enjoy the tango dancers and street singers and we will learn how tango, soccer and different immigration influences have made Buenos Aires one of the most irresistible cities in the world.

Puente de la Mujer

You will take a bus and you will enjoy the modern area of Puerto Madero as well as the Puente de la Mujer, very famous for the shape which represents a couple dancing Tango.

Plaza de Mayo

You will walk until Plaza de Mayo, main square of Buenos Aires and political heart of Argentina. You will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and you will see the Cabildo, the colonial City Hall, and the Casa Rosada (Pink house), the seat of the executive branch.

Obelisco

After walking the square, you will head to the Obelisk, symbol of Buenos Aires. Be part of this incredible city, by having a daily life experience from a local and stroll the around the 9 de Julio avenue, the widest street in the world.

La Recoleta Cemetery

Historical buildings, monuments and streets will show all the changes that the city has experienced since Buenos Aires was founded. You will go by public transport from the famous corner of the 9 de Julio and Corrientes, to the elegant neighborhood of Recoleta , known for its amazing Cemetery. Here, you will see a pretty architecture , a lot of museums & chic coffee shops. Tour ends at the Recoleta Cemetery.

El Querandi

In the evening around 8pm you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to a “Tanguería” (Tango House) in the San Telmo neighborhood, which is the birthplace of tango and one of the oldest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Arrive at a Conventillo, a historic tenement restored and now used as a restaurant-theater, where El Querandi takes place.

Kick off the night with a delicious 3-course dinner and enjoy live tango show, this is one of the city’s most unique tango performances. After the show you will be transferred back at your hotel around midnight.

Day 3 – Ranch Day in the Countryside

Los Cardales

Around 9.30 am, depart from your hotel at Buenos Aires in a comfortable bus for the scenic ride to Estancia Santa Susana located at Los Cardales, a little town knowns for its famous religious and patronal celebrations.

Estancia Santa Susana

When you arrive at this traditional estancia your day of gaucho fun begins with a friendly welcome reception at the ranch pub with “empanadas” and wine. Take a tour to some of Santa Susana’s attractions, including its museum and church, before enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride or going horseback riding to explore the grounds of the ranch.

Around 1 pm, tuck into a delicious parrillada (Argentina BBQ), lunch of grilled specialties meat and chicken, accompanied by salad and beverages (red and white wine, soda, water and coffee). During lunch, be entertained by a tango and folk show, and watch an exciting boleadoras show, with throwing weapons used by gauchos.

After lunch be impressed by a ring race (known as la sortija), animal herding and the cuadreras race, a typical gaucho game. When your day of fun on the ranch is over, you’ll be driven back to Buenos Aires and dropped-off at a central location around 18pm.

Day 4 – Tigre Boat Ride

Puerto Madero

Meet your guide at the Terminal Fluvial de Sturla in Puerto Madero. Our boat sails at 10:00 AM.

Delta

We’ll sail along the Río de la Plata towards Tigre and get incredible views of Buenos Aires on the way. We’ll get to the Delta of Paraná River where we’ll sail between lots of little islands and you’ll get to see the unique lifestyle here, with floating taxis, rafts and even shops dotting around.

Tigre

Jumping off the boat in Tigre, we’ll head onto the tourist bus. This comfortable bus is the best way to see the area, as it takes you round all the main sites whilst also playing an informative audio to fill you in on the historic importance of each.

Puerto de Frutos

We’ll make our first stop at the Puerto de Frutos, a popular tourist spot for locals which used to be a landing port for market goods. Each weekend it is flooded with locals escaping Buenos Aires and looking for some respite by the river. You’ll have some free time to visit the fair, take pictures, buy souvenirs and even get your hands on some handmade crafts.

After this, you’ll be able to get some lunch at one of the many restaurants and stalls in the area. Over the years, Tigre has become a foodie hub with plenty of choice between typical Argentine dishes and international cuisine (lunch not included).

Avenida Victorica

Back on the tourist bus, we’ll make our second stop in Paseo Victoria, a remarkable place full of nature, views of the river, gastronomy, rowing clubs and historic museums. If you fancy, you can visit one of the following museums: Museo del Mate, Museo Naval or Museo de Arte de Tigre (entry not included).

Retiro-Mitre

Around 4:00PM we take a train trip to Buenos Aires. The tour will finalize in Retiro Train Station. You will have the rest of the day free.

Day 5 – Buenos Aires / Puerto Iguazu

Puerto Iguazu

After breakfast at the hotel be transferred to the Buenos Aires airport for the flight to Puerto Iguazu (approx. 2 hours), the small town close to the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Upon arrival be met and transferred to the hotel. Here you may enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 6 – Exploring Iguazu Falls – Argentina Side

Parque Nacional Iguazu

After breakfast be met by the local guide for an excursion into the Iguazu National Park (Argentinian side) to spend the day exploring the falls and the surrounding rivers and jungle. The park consists of various trails that take you through the jungle onto wooden walkways built a few metres above the jungle floor and waterways. These raised platforms protect the natural habitat of the jungle wildlife and will give you some spectacular views.

Garganta del Diablo

Parting of Waterfalls Station, the train will go to Garganta Station in 18 minutes. The walking through the walkways has a 1200 meters extension till get into the principal balcony where you can enjoy the most spectacular and important waterfalls part: La Garganta del Diablo.

Puerto Iguazu

During the day, you’ll have time to buy lunch (not included) at one of the restaurants in the park (your guide can offer suggestions), or bring a packed lunch with you from Puerto Iguazu to enjoy in the great outdoors. Return to Puerto Iguazu in the afternoon.

Day 7 – Exploring Iguazu Falls – Brazil Side

Iguazu Falls

This morning after breakfast you will be met at your hotel and transferred onwards to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu National Park which covers an area of approximately 185,000 hectares. When we arrive at the Visitor Center, we’ll kick off the trip around the park by leading you to one of the tour cars.

We’ll then drive to the main paths which stretch over 1,200m of the park and sit above the Iguazu river. From here, you’ll get a panoramic view of the Argentine side of the falls: the perfect spot to take some photos.

Garganta do Diabo

Continuing along this way, you’ll get to see the Cañón del Río Iguazú, Salto Rivadavia, Tres Mosqueteros and many others. Towards the end of the route, you’ll also see the lower part of the river and the impressive Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Gorge).

The walkway ends next to Salto Floriano, from where you can take either a number of stairs or an elevator straight down to the car park or up to shops and restaurants. We’ll bring our spectacular tour to a close by dropping you back at your hotel for the evening.

*Before travelling, please check whether you need a VISA to enter Brazil and ensure you have this with you if so.*

Day 8 – Puerto Iguazu / Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast be collected from the hotel and transferred to the airport in Foz do Iguazu (Brasil) for the connecting flight to Rio De Janeiro (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival into Rio De Janeiro be met and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 9 – Rio de Janeiro Half Day City Tour & Sugarloaf Mountain

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian

After breakfast be picked up from the hotel for a visit to downtown Rio de Janeiro, the historical center and also today’s business and financial center. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, It is inspired by the Maya pyramids of Central America and combines in its design a circular plan with a ceiling in which a Greek cross stands out.

Escadaria Selaron

Located at Santa Teresa neighborhood this stairs are famous its colourful design made by the Chilean plastic artist Jorge Selarón, the project begins in 1990 and continues in a constant renovation. Considered by its author as a “living and mutant” work, the staircase is 125 meters long and 215 steps, and is completely lined with ceramic pieces.

Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car

Afterwards continue onwards to Sugarloaf Mountain and ascend the famous mountain by cable car for amazing views from the top. Afterward, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 10 – Jeep Tour Corcovado With Tijuca Rain Forest And Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa

Our tour begins with the departure from the passengers hotels to travel by jeep through the traditional neighborhood of Santa Teresa, where we will find mansions built in the early twentieth century by the British who settled in the area, due to its similarity with the England weather.

Parque Nacional da Tijuca

We will then continue our journey to reach the National Park of Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, where is located the monument of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado hill, to a height of 713 meter above sea level.

Corcovado – Christ the Redeemer

At this point, passengers will change the vehicle to get on a van that will transport them to the entrance of Corcovado, at its top is located the monument Christ the Redeemer, a typical postcard of Rio, and our tour offers the possibility to climb to its top, to admire a stunning view of Guanabara Bay. Then we will return to the Jeep, in wich we will go back to the hotel.

Day 11 – Guanabara Bay Boat Tour

Guanabara Bay

We will board the ship, to departure at 09.30 AM, giving us the possibility to get to know the city of Rio de Janeiro from a completely different perspective: from the sea to land. Guanabara Bay is the largest in the world, and includes several islands, such as Governor’s Island and the Snake Island.

Praia do Flamengo

The ship will sail the coast of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi, revealing the beauty of the beaches of Flamengo, Botafogo and Urca, Gragoatá beach and Mocanguê Island. Admission Ticket Free 3 Pedra de Itapuca We will enjoy a great view of Itapuca Stone, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, Enxadas Island, Cais do Porto, the Museum of Modern Art and Monument to the fallen on World War II.

Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car

We also get another view of Sugarloaf mountain, the Fortress of Santa Cruz, Adão and Eva, Jurujuba, Icaraí, Charitas and São Francisco beaches. The navigation ends coming back to the port.

Day 12 – Rio de Janeiro Departure

Galeão

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Rio de Janeiro International Airport. End of services.

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