Trip Overview
This trip connects two of South America’s most iconic but startlingly different cities, Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina and the world’s party capital Rio de Janeiro. It travels across the north of Argentina to another icon, the mighty Iguazu Falls.
Entering Brazil, we head to one of the world’s most important environmental habitats, the wetlands of the Pantanal. Here we stay on a traditional Brazilian cattle ranch, exploring by horseback with the “Pantaneiros”. Further north we continue on to the eco-tourism and outdoor activity capital of Bonito where you have the chance to go snorkelling through the crystal-clear waters of the surrounding rivers.
South of Rio is one of Brazil’s prettiest coastlines, the Emerald Coast where we stay in the UNESCO world heritage colonial town of Paraty, to enjoy its relaxed and laid back atmosphere – a real contrast to the vibrance and glamour of Rio.
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45% Highlights
Practice your dance steps in the birthplace of Tango
Explore the bars and cafes of Buenos Aires
Visit the Jesuit ruins at San Ignacio de Mini
Boat trips, forest hikes and helicopter rides over Iguazu Falls
3 nights to enjoy the crystal clear waters and caves around Bonito
2 night ranch visit and wildlife safari into the Pantanal
Boat trip to explore emerald coast islands around Paraty
Explore the beautiful UNESCO town of Paraty
Discover the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTS
An easy lifestyle, fun journey, with plenty of good food, fun activities (boating, horse riding), wildlife and wilderness. Nothing too challenging, mixing hostels, small hotels with camping.
Border information: if you are joining in Buenos Aires, you will most likely enter Argentina at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza Airport (IATA code: BUE/EZE).
Welcome to Buenos Aires, the wonderful capital of Argentina! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Buenos Aires before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Buenos Aires.
In Buenos Aires we will stay in a centrally-located hotel.
Today will be a free day to explore the incredible city of Buenos Aires, soak up the atmosphere of its streets, and discover its amazing culture, art, and music.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Explore cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the coolest city in South America
Enjoy a free city tour of Buenos Aires
See a different side to Buenos Aires on a tour of its incredible street art with some of the local artists
Head out to a tango show in Buenos Aires' oldest cafe, the Gran Cafe Tortoni - seeing a slice of iconic Argentine culture in an ideal and intimate setting
Visit the strangely beautiful cemetery of Recoleta, the final resting place of many ex-presidents and Argentine icons, most famously including the tomb of Eva Peron
Try your hand at the art of tango dancing with a private lesson in Buenos Aires
Learn all about the cuisine of Argentina on a food tour of Buenos Aires, visiting several incredible local top-class eateries that you won't find in the guidebooks!
Try some of Argentina's most delicious wines on a top-level wine tasting afternoon in Buenos Aires
Today we have a full day drive north though the provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes, aiming to reach the beautiful village of Yapeyú on the banks of the River Uruguay. Yapeyú is very famous amongst Argentines for being the birthplace of their national hero General Jose de San Martin, one of the liberators of South America from Spanish colonial rule.
In Yapeyú we will stay in a municipal campsite.
Estimated Drive Time - 10 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
Border information: Exit Argentina at Tancredo Neves, enter Brazil at Tancredo Neves.
Today we cross the border into Brazil and drive to the city of Foz do Iguacu.
In Foz do Iguacu we will camp in the grounds of an excellent hostel out of town, with good facilities and a pool.
Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.
Today we will visit the Brazilian side of the phenomenal Iguazu Falls, to get some incredible panoramic vistas of the mighty waterfalls. There is also plenty of time to visit the bird park, take a helicopter ride over the falls, see the incredible Itaipu Dam, or quickly stop into Paraguay to pick up some bargains in the nearcy Ciudad del Este.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the colossal Itaipu Dam, the second largest hydroelectric dam in the world
Visit the Parque das Aves bird park near Foz do Iguaçu, a wonderful conservation project which provides an excellent home to over 1000 iconic birds from the region such as toucans, macaws and eagles
Take an exhilarating speed boat ride around the base of the falls from the Brazilian side
Take an unforgettable 10-minute helicopter flight over the Iguazu Falls, enjoying a bird's eye view of one of the world's most incredible set of waterfalls
Today we will take a day trip back into Argentina to see the incredible Iguazu Falls from the other side. This is well worth doing as the views are even more spectacular, and you'll be able to look right down into the mighty Garganta del Diablo (the largest waterfall here) from a gantry walkway viewing point). We will have a full day at the Argentine side of the falls, allowing us lots of time to freely explore the site, hike some nature trails, or perhaps take an exhilarating (and very wet) boat ride!
We will return to our base in Foz do Iguacu tonight.
Daily Activities
2 full days to discover the unbelievable Iguazu Falls
Today we have a full drive day north to the Brazilian eco-tourism capital of Bonito.
In Bonito we will camp in the grounds of an excellent hostel with a pool and good facilities.
Estimated Drive Time - 11-12 hours.
We have two full days in Bonito to take part in the plethora of incredible optional activities here. You could go out on a world-class snorkelling trip, explore the nearby caves, or go abseiling down some of the largest waterfalls in the area, amongst many other possibilities!
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Caving, rafting and snorkeling in the waters of Bonito
Abseil down the Boca da Onça waterfall (meaning 'Jaguar's Mouth'), the largest waterfall in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul
Visit the phenomenal Buraco das Araras, one of the world's largest sink-holes and a natural aviary of macaws and toucans
Visit the stunning São Miguel Caves near Bonito
Hire a mountain bike in Bonito to freely explore the incredible countryside of Mato Grosso do Sul
Go on a stunning sunset horse ride around the beautiful countryside around Bonito
Take a trek through the stunning areas surrounding Bonito, visiting some of the beautiful nearby waterfalls
Head on an unforgettable trip to Abismo Anhumas, an incredible day out where you abseil through a fissure into a collosal underground cavern, and snorkel in the lake at the bottom
Visit the ethereal and other-worldly Blue Lake Cave near Bonito, an underground lake with an incredibly vivid shade of blue
Take an incredible snorkelling trip through the crystal clear waters of the Rio da Prata, getting a phenomenal view of the fish and aquatic plants underwater
2 full days to enjoy Bonito, Brazil's ecotourism capital
Today we have a short drive to Brazil's amazing Southern Pantanal region, where we have a visit a local eco-tourism ranch (or 'fazenda').
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.
We will spend 2 nights here and have a comprehensive package of included activities such as exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside on horseback, trips down the wildlife-abundant rivers in boats and canoes, and safaris on the ranch's trucks and on foot where we hope to spot capybaras, caimans, and (if we are very lucky) jaguars and ocelots. Our stay here is an incredible highlight!
In the Southern Pantanal we will stay in dorm accommodation in a well equipped lodge with all the meals and activities included.
Daily Activities
2 night wildlife safari into the Pantanal
After our morning activities and one final lunch in our beautiful ranch, it is time to leave the Pantanal. We will start driving east towards Sao Paulo state, and wild camp towards the end of the day.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours.
Today we will drive to the remote town of Brotas in southeastern Brazil.
In Brotas we will stay at a campsite with good facilities.
Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.
Today is free to take part in optional adventure activities such as white water rafting or canyoning, or to simply relax by the pool!
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Head out white-water rafting on the fast moving waters of the Jacare River (approxmiately Grade 3-4)
Float down the Jacare on a fun tubing trip down the River Jacare near Brotas
Head out on a half-day canyoning trip through the gorges of the Jacare River near Brotas
Today we have a full day drive to the colonial town of Paraty on the Emerald Coast of the Atlantic!
Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.
On our first full day in Paraty, we will have an included boat trip around the incredible islands and beaches off the coast.
On our second day, we will have free time to explore the town, take a historical tour, walk along the stunning scenery of the coastline, head out snorkelling or diving, or simply relax on the idyllic beaches.
In Paraty we will stay in dorm rooms in a well equipped hostel.
Daily Activities
Boat trip out to islands and beaches
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Go for a scuba diving trip in the incredible oceans around Paraty
Explore the ocean, islands, beaches, and mangroves of Atlantic coast in a more serene and tranquil fashion, on a sea kayaking expedition around the bay of Paraty
Learn all about the fascinating history of Brazil and the Gold Trail, on an excellent walking tour of the old colonial town of Paraty
Try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding by hiring a board from one of the many vendors at the Jabaquara beach in Paraty
This morning we will drive to the incredible Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world! This afternoon we will have the opportunity to take an optionalvisit to a community favela project that we support.
In Rio de Janeiro we will stay in a great hotel in the Flamengo district, close to the beach and the metro station.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the world famous statue Christ the Redeemer
Border information: if you are leaving in Rio de Janeiro, you will most likely exit Brazil at Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport (IATA code: RIO/GIG).
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Rio de Janeiro. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Take a tour to discover Niteroi, the city over the bridge
Visit the world famous statue Christ the Redeemer
Take a cable car up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain)
Find out all about Brazil's fascinating history by visiting the National Historical Museum in the centre of Rio de Janeiro
Visit the Museu da República, and learn all about the turbulent recent history of Brazil and the story of the creation of the republic in 1889
Relax and explore the world famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, including Ipanema, Arpoador, and of course Copacabana
Explore the magnificent Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro, with over 54 hectares and 6500 species of plants and flowers
Visit the iconic Escadaria Selaron, a colourful tiled staircase lovingly created by local resident Jorge Selaron
Explore the stunning natural Atlanic rainforest of Tijuca, the largest urban forest in the world
Take a brilliant free walking tour with an expert local guide around Lapa and Central Rio de Janeiro (or Copacabana and Ipanema on certain days)
GALLERY
DATES & PRICES
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
Please refine your search by selecting your preferred dates of travel.
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