10-Day Argentina and Brazil Tour with Iguazu Falls and Rio

• Meet our tour representative at Buenos Aires airport, who will assist you on your way to the hotel. This evening at 6 pm, you'll have an appointment with your tour leader. Until then, relax at the hotel or go for a walk to get a feel for the neighbourhood.

• Start your morning by spreading yourself wide among the sights of the capital city, stepping first into the particularly unusual yet beautiful final resting place of the rich and famous - Recoleta Cemetery. Wander through this veritable miniature city of memorials, immortalized not just in its intricate sculptures and ornate Neo-Gothic, art deco, and baroque structures, but also in the human tales of those who reside forever in this extravagant patch of Buenos Aires.
• Pull yourself away from these grounds and step into the awe-inspiring Colon Theatre, widely perceived as one of the world's best opera houses. Take a guided tour to understand the nuances of the theatre, its architecture, the personalities who graced the stage, and the famed acoustics of its main hall.
• Disband in the late afternoon when you're free to do your own thing, but you might want to catch up later to witness Argentina's most significant export after Maradonna and Messi - the Tango!

• Take a flight this morning from Argentina's capital city to Posadas, the gateway to the Ibera Wetlands.
• Another 4-hour ride from the airport will get you to the hotel, where you can enjoy some rest, relaxation, and lunch before heading out on a lazy amble through the little town of Carlos Pelegrini, just to stretch your legs.

• Draw the curtains up on an exciting day this morning as you ripple the fresh waters of the Ibera Wetlands, which wash through floating islands and shallow lagoons fed by a system of lakes.
• Come face to face with capybaras, cayman, swamp deer, and giant otters on land and water, while lifting your head occasionally to the trees and sky to witness howler monkeys and equally diverse birdlife flecking the landscape with vivid colours.

• Travel for around 6 hours before completing the border-crossing formalities and continuing to your accommodation. Upon arrival at your hotel, you're free to do as you please.
• Stretch your legs, if that's what you're up for, by taking a walk around town or hiring a taxi and climbing up to Hito tres Fronteras to gaze upon the confluence of the Iguazu and Parana rivers, which also marks the triple border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

• Make this a truly inspiring day as you explore Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side.
• Trace your way along the many walkways that gradually unveil the depth and extent of this natural wonder, walking on water - or the closest thing to it - at Salto Santo Maria, or staring slack-jawed as the waters tumble downward with relentless force, some from a height of approximately 82 metres. Yet as much as the spectacle centres around its height, its width spanning about 2700 metres is just as spectacular, revealing a 360-degree view of its ethereal magnitude. If you can't get enough of the falls, hop on board a helicopter later in the afternoon to get even more out of this beautiful landscape.

• See the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls. If the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls is the glossy cover of a paperback, the Argentine side is the words and sentences - the details that make for robust reading. Where Brazil presents the panorama, Argentina provides the intimacy, the reality of being as close to the falls as possible. Punctuated by as many as 275 drops and various paths leading to them, there's a lot to see here, so make the best of yet another opportunity to discover this expanse, ultimately getting to its heart - La Garganta del Diablo, or Devil's Throat - featuring a drop of 82 metres.
• Enjoy a free afternoon, but if you'd like an alternative experience, get on board a boat and explore the falls some more.

• Jump right into the midst of Brazil's most vibrant city as you fly to Rio de Janeiro this morning. Once you've settled in at your hotel and got everything in order, discover the streets and sights of Rio as you get your bearings on an orientation walk around the area.
• Enjoy a free afternoon, but there are loads of things to do here - beaches for sun worshippers, football stadiums for sports fans, museums, and great venues for people-watching.
• Take your tour leader's advice about what you can do in this great city, because you'll be hitting the major sights tomorrow.

• Hit some of Rio's major attractions this morning to cap off the last full day of your tour.
• Start by visiting Tijuca National Park, which houses, among many attractions, the iconic statue of Corcovado, or Christ the Redeemer, reaching its arms out in eternal generosity towards the city and Guanabara Bay below. Follow this up by witnessing the soccer-mad country in action at Maracana Stadium and making some noise with the local fans as they sing and dance throughout the performance.
• Then make your way to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Sebastian to contemplate its magnificent exterior and marvel at its interiors as sunlight hits its four stained-glass windows, rising 64 metres high and splashing the scene with vivid colours.
• Chase this down with a soft hike to Morro da Urca, where you can gaze at Rio's dominant landmark, Sugarloaf Mountain. If you still have the time, the energy, and the will, perhaps you can even entertain thoughts of accessing this mountain by cable car. Whatever you do, close out your tour with a bang in the evening by getting together with your tour companions for an optional farewell dinner.

• Depart the accommodation at any time, as there are no activities planned for the day. Today your Argentina-to-Brazil adventure comes to an end. It's time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers and group leader.

If you wish to stay in Rio, please advise at the time of booking, and additional accommodation can be arranged.