Enjoy the breathtaking views of the green mountains,coastal rainforest and miles of glorious beaches surrounding the city while sipping a Caipirinha. A short trip south brings us to Parati, with its charming cobbled streets and colourful houses. Next stop is the pulsating metropolis of Sao Paolo, followed by the green parks and pleasant climate of Curitiba. Enjoy magnificent views of the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls, then head south to discover the historical Jesuit Mission near San Ignacio village. Hopping the border to Uruguay gives us a well-earned opportunity to soak in the thermal waters at Salto, as well as the cultural diversity and white sand beaches of Montevideo. A short ferry ride whisks us across the Rio de la Plata to our last stop, Buenos Aires, where you can enjoy the busy streets, grand avenues and shady plazas of the Paris of South America.

AT A GLANCE

Itinerary

Days 1-3 Rio to Parati. No visit to Rio is complete without a trip to the world famous statue of Jesus Christ on theCorcovadomountain, which can be viewed from almost anywhere in the city. Standing 100 feet high on the mountain, the statue commands the best view in town. We advise getting there early in order to beat not only the crowds but also the haze, which covers the city about mid-morning. Keep an afternoon free to spend at the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, sunbathing and watching the locals in their element. Visit the many market stalls along the waterfront areas at both beaches. From the beach, head up to Sugarloaf mountain to enjoy a fantastic sunset and a few drinks. Another recommendation is to take a Favela Tour to some of the poorer districts of Rio. It is a very unique and interesting insight into how the local people live.

With so much to do and see in Rio, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to take as much in as you can. There can’t be many more beautiful and exciting cities in the world to start your tour. Please note that we depart Rio by morning bus to Parati on Day 1. You are strongly advised to consider booking pre tour accommodation to take advantage of all that Rio has to offer.

Heading down the striking coastline, we discover the lovely town of Parati. Parati is an old port town with cobblestone streets and quaint little shops. Here we can treat you to a fantastic day out on an old schooner sailing around the nearby islands. Spend the day relaxing on board or swimming in the warm waters and soaking up some sunshine.

Day 4 Sao Paolo. Travelling away from the coast and into the hills, we are jolted back into 21st Century life again as we arrive into the sprawling metropolis of Sao Paolo. With over 40 million inhabitants, this makes Sao Paolo the largest city in the southern hemisphere.

Days 5-6 Ihla do Mel. Our next stop is the stunning Ihla do Mel (or Honey Island), which is set a few kilometres offshore intheParanagua Bay. With its crystal waters and white sand beaches, great for both swimming or surfing, the island was declared a protected area in 1992. It is an ideal retreat to enjoy raw, natural beauty: there are no roads on the island, only a network of sandy trails with local pousadas or guesthouses dotted between the trees. So relax on the beach and enjoy the sea breezes or for the more active travellers, enjoy walks along the many hiking trails on the island that time has forgotten.

Day 7 Curitiba. Travelling by boat and bus we reach Curitiba which is the largest city in southern Brazil and home to over one and a half million inhabitants, many of whom are of German, Italian and Polish descent. Stringent urban planning, parks and cycle routes coupled with environmental concern means that residents enjoy some of the highest standards of living in Brazil. The city is also home to several universities and although this is Brazil, temperatures can fall to zero degrees in winter (June thru to August) when cold fronts push up from the south. Take a stroll around Curitiba’s parks and museums or perhaps a visit to the famous street which never sleeps: 24 Hours Street! From Curitiba we catch an overnight bus to Iguazu.

Days 8-10 Iguazu Falls. Heading south, we enter the town of Foz do Iguazu which is our base for exploring the spectacular Iguazu Falls and where we will enjoy fantastic views from both the Brazilian and Argentinean side of the falls. These are some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, with 275 separate falls over a frontage of 2.7 kilometres.

Our day trip to the Brazilian side of the Falls will begin with an optional trip to a bird park which houses a fantastic array of not justnative birds like Toucans and Macaws, but also other birds from around the world. From here we continue on for our initial breathtaking views of the falls. There are many trails and walkways to explore, revealing more great views. Helicopter rides over the falls are possible in order to shoot the most spectacular photos of all.

For our day on the Argentinean side, we are treated to more fantastic views. One of which is the breathtaking Garganta del Diablo, or Devils Throat, where much of the river converges into one section to create an amazing sight. A walkway takes you right out to the edge of this area and you will hear the thundering noise and feel the spray well before you reach the edge. There are many other walkways to explore on the Argentinean side as well, where you can easily occupy your day. Another option on the Argentinean side is to take a boat trip right up close to some of the falls where you can really get an idea of the power and volume of the water.

Day 11 San Ignacio and the Jesuit Ruins. Crossing the border into Argentina, we head to the Jesuit Ruins of San Ignacio. Once settlements of the Guarani Indians, we take a trip to one of the best-preserved ruins. The Jesuits established many communities in Paraguay and also Northern Argentina, with great success in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it was their success which brought about their downfall, as jealous landowners nearby could not compete with their production methods, forcing the Spanish government to expel them in 1767. However, many ruins of these communities remain, and San Ignacio is one which has been very well preserved. We catch an overnight bus from San Ignacio to Salto.

Days 12-13 Salto to Montevideo. Crossing the border into Uruguay, we travel through the rolling hills and citrus groves of western Uruguay to Salto where we can enjoy some time at the thermal springs and spas which the area is famous. Chill out and enjoy a well-deserved break with views of the verdant green landscape dotted with orange trees and backed by the River Uruguay.

We leave Salto early on the morning on Day 13, travelling on to visit Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo. We have a free afternoon in Montevideo: perhaps take a stroll around Montevideo’s Old City, famous for its bars, restaurants and pubs? Or visit the Mercado del Puerto, an old fisherman’s market transformed into an informal restaurant and enjoy being serenaded by musicians playing typical local music.

Days 14-15 Montevideo – Colonia – B enos Aires. Boarding our bus from Montevideo, we arrive at the small town of Colonia – now a World Heritage Site. Stroll the colonial streets, maybe snack on a Uruguayan chivito (a typical local sandwich with beef and many other toppings!). We then board a catamaran and head across the Rio de la Plata towards Argentina.

The tour ends in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires is known as ‘the Paris of South America’. A lively city with many attractions it offers fantastic restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Our hotel is centrally located and close to a lot of the major attractions, as well as the main shopping streets of Florida and Santa Fe. At Plaza De Mayo you may see the Mothers of the Disappeared and nearby you can find the obelisk and bustling Recoleta. We recommend you take a city tour, which will take you to all the major sights, which are centrally located, and also to the area of La Boca, the home of Buenos Aires most notorious football team, Boca Juniors. Another must in Buenos Aires is a tango show, Buenos Aires being the home of tango and seeing one of these fantastic shows is an opportunity not to be missed.

Carnival Runs from March 4th to March 9th, 2011.  This tour would be a perfect addition to a stay in Rio for Carnival.  We would be happy to help this dream come true.

For more information about this tour or to contact an agent please call 1.888.461.0231 or fill out the form below.