Wake up in the heart of Argentina and explore Buenos Aires’ captivating history on a half-day city tour, covering Plaza de Mayo, famous La Bombonera football stadium and the rainbow-coloured streets of Caminito. Visit the grave of Eva Peron at Recoleta Cemetery and the revamped dockside barrio at Puerto Madero before pausing to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Next, dust off your dancing shoes and prepare to tango. After being treated to an exclusive, traditional performance by a duo who have danced together for more than 15 years, you’ll take part in a beginner’s class, immersing yourself in the cultural heritage of Argentina firsthand.
Concluding your first full day, it’s time to sit back and enjoy dinner and a live show at La Ventana, a restored tenement right in the heart of San Telmo. One of the oldest in Buenos Aires, this neighbourhood abounds with original architecture, cobbled streets and ornate, historic fountains. Enjoy the menu of traditional Argentinian food and wine as you take in a sensational performance of tango and Argentine folklore.
Discover the unique, unexpected landscape outside the city with a guided boat tour of the Tigre Delta, located just 30 minutes north of the city. Lining the third-largest river delta in the world, these shores are frequented by city dwellers seeking a cool and quiet getaway. While navigating the rivers and small channels in between, you’ll immerse yourself in Tigre’s local culture, observing life on the riverfront, and the surrounding ecosystem.
Disembark and let your guide whisk you away to satisfy your taste buds at a local restaurant. After lunch, enjoy returning to your hotel late this afternoon with the rest of the evening to be spent at your leisure.
This morning, transfer to Jorge Newbery International Airport (AEP), where you will catch a flight to the city of Mendoza, famous for its Malbec wine. After checking in to the suave Sheraton Mendoza Hotel, commence an afternoon tour through the heart of the old city, founded in 1561. The area was struck by an earthquake exactly 300 years later, turning council buildings, the city slaughterhouse and its market into ruins. Walk past the Basilica San Francisco and Plaza Independencia, observing how the city was rebuilt around the natural disaster.
Visit Argentina’s largest artificial park, the General San Martin boasting 394 hectares of forest, housing 300 native North American, Asian, European and Australian animal species, and a lake that’s over one kilometre in length. The tour will end with a trip to the Army of the Andes monument – devoted to the men who freed Chile from Spanish rule – at the top of the Cerro de la Gloria.
On day five of your Argentinian journey, enjoy a magical bike tour around three of the region’s lush vineyards. Mendoza produces almost three-quarters of the entire country’s wine due to its excellent climate conditions.
At each stop, you’ll experience a rich variety in flavour of the region’s grapes, familiarising yourself with the characteristics and irrigation systems compliant in creating the perfect bottle of Malbec. Complement your tasting with a delicious lunch overlooking one of the vineyards.
Return to your hotel in the afternoon with the rest of the evening at leisure. Perhaps you’ll head to the Mirador Lounge Restaurant, located on the 17th floor of your hotel, which showcases a mesmerising view of the city.
You are now over halfway through your Latin American journey! Enjoy your final breakfast in Mendoza before being escorted to your domestic flight to Puerto Iguazu (IGR), home to Iguazu Falls, the largest broken waterfall in the world, sprawling from parts of Argentina to Brazil.
Arrive in the afternoon and take private transport as a group to the five-star Sanma Hotel, located on the Brazillian side of the city. Here, you’ll have time to settle in for tomorrow’s adventures.
Today you will visit one of the recently named new seven wonders of the natural world: Iguazu Falls. Explore the Argentinian side of the breathtaking waterfalls with your choice of three separate walking trails and allow the surrounding jungle of the national park to embrace you. Take the lower circuit to revel in the falls’ great magnitude, or opt for the upper circuit to breathe in the dewy atmosphere and see things from a different perspective.
No visit to the Iguazu Falls is complete without a stop at Devil’s Throat, where you can stand moments away from the thundering cascades of water tumbling to the depths below. Included in today’s excitement is a boat tour with La Gran Aventura, which moves you beneath the falls’ rushing waters, creating a captivating moment in time.
If you enjoyed yesterday’s up-close visit to the Argentinian side of Iguazu, get ready to be astounded by the Brazilian side’s captivating panoramic perspective. After taking in expansive views, you’re due for a quick flight to the unimaginably beautiful Rio de Janeiro, home to over six million ‘Cariocas,’ or Rio natives.
Known as the holiday capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is without a doubt South America’s most gorgeous city, and that includes its toned, tanned citizens! From sandy white beaches to the winding streets of the favelas, there is much to see and do.
Upon arrival you will be escorted to your stay at the grand Miramar Hotel by Windsor, situated on the famous Copacabana Beach.
Optional activity:
- Helicopter ride over Iguazu Falls (from A$263 per person, subject to availability. Minimum four guests to operate and can be mixed with other tourists).
This morning, take a tour of Rio’s historical centre, starting on Rua Primeiro de Marco, the city’s very first commercial street, built in the 18th century. Drive to Avenida Presidente Vargas, another must-see area downtown that connects several major landmarks. You’ll see the Metropolitan Cathedral, the beautiful Roman arches of Carioca Aqueduct, the baroque Convento do Santo Antonio, and the impressively well-balanced, brutalist Petrobras and BNDES buildings.
Drive through Lapa, the most popular nightlife hotspot in town, before visiting one of Rio’s oldest neighbourhoods, Santa Teresa. High on a hill overlooking the city, this area is home to many artists, galleries, studios and restaurants. The tour concludes with a visit to the late painter and ceramacist Jorge Selaron’s Staircase, a community masterpiece decorated with over 2000 brilliantly coloured tiles from around the world. The open-air mosaic took 23 years to complete as the artist dealt with a constant lack of funding. However, visitors supported his hobby by gifting him tiles when they stopped through.
After returning to the hotel, you have the afternoon free to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, considered the most popular beaches in South America.
On your last full day of this magnificent tour, prepare for awe as you embark on a visit to one of the new seven wonders of the world – Christ the Redeemer, towering over Rio. Perched on top of Mount Corcovado, a visit to the statue requires traversing the largest urban forest in the world. Get out your camera and snap the perfect selfie with the structure. Up here, you will witness incredible views of the city too.
Continue on to Urca, where cable cars await to bring you to the Sugarloaf Mountain summit, sitting at 396 metres high and presenting a bird’s eye view of Guanabara Bay. The afternoon is yours to enjoy, but don’t ruin your appetite as the evening is booked with a farewell dinner at Espaço 7zero6, a restaurant located on the rooftop of the Praia Ipanema Hotel and featuring more incredible views.
Alas, your once-in-a-lifetime tour through Argentina and Brazil has come to an end. After a final breakfast, you will be transferred to the Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) for your onward journey.