Rainforest to Rio

Rainforest to Rio

Starting at USD $2590* per person in double occupancy; additional fees apply for single occupancy

Treat yourself to a 10-day South American Adventure!

Begin in Buenos Aires, the most cosmopolitan city of South America, for a complete tour of the Iguazu Falls National Park, where you can enjoy the unique view of the falls surrounded by the virgin jungle of the rain forest, the over 200 species of flora and 400 species of birds and wild animals. It’s a special environment for countless adventure activities. Get away from the massive flow of tourists and relax at Yacutinga Lodge in the heart of the rainforest, a unique and mysterious place surrounded by wildlife. For the grand finale, visit the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro.

Available to start daily year-round, except during the Easter, Carnival, and New Year's holidays.

Tour Features

1st Class and Deluxe Accommodations
3 Nights in Buenos Aires
1 Night in Iguazu National Park
2 Nights in Yacutinga Lodge
3 Nights in Rio de Janeiro
9 Buffet Breakfasts
3 Lunches and 3 Dinners
All national park entrance fees
All sightseeings and transfers with English-speaking guides
2 Flights with Aerolineas Argentinas and Varig Airlines

* Price includes all tour features and is subject to change before tour confirmation due to seasonal variations

Day 1 – Arrival in Buenos Aires — Enjoy!

Welcome to Argentina! Your 1stClassArgentina local host will greet you at Ezeiza International Airport, and introduce you to Buenos Aires, dubbed "the Paris of the Southern Hemisphere," as you make your way to your downtown accommodations at the Hotel Intersur.

Later in the afternoon, we invite you to a panoramic Buenos Aires city tour. At first glimpse, we arrive at a typical postcard view of Buenos Aires: the Obelisco on 9 de Julio avenue and the Colon theater. We conintue to Plaza de Mayo, the city’s founding center, with its surrounding sites and buildings of historical relevance. Taking a walk around the square you will observe the Cabildo of Buenos Aires, the old municipal authority and building; the Metropolitan Cathedral; the Casa Rosada (pink house) Presidential headquarters; and the Palacio de Gobierno (City Hall building). Continuing south, we enter San Telmo and La Boca, the oldest neighborhoods of the city, with its centuries-old churches, conventillos (old immigrant houses), markets and museums.

Now heading north, we drive through a more recent borough, Puerto Madero, a newly revitalized city port which has become known for its gastronomic delights, offering numerous options for buffet and a-la-carte dining: typical Argentinean cuisine as well as Asian, Italian, Brazilian, and American comfort food. Lastly we visit elegant the neighborhood of Recoleta and a walking tour of the Cemetery, where you can see, among others, the tombs of Eva Perón, Adolfo Bioy Casares and Facundo Quiroga.

Day 2 – Exploring Buenos Aires’ Pampas and Traditions

A full-day Fiesta Gaucha tour with BBQ lunch and spectacular Gaucho display. Experience life on an Estancia, or farm ranch, featuring traditional folk dances and horseback riding, where Gauchos show us their Creole horse skills, such as sortija races, horseback sprints, lassoing and hog-tying. The tour includes a reception, full lunch and tea time with exquisite local specialties including empanadas, Asado criollo and torta fritas. Guests can explore the estancia on foot or on horseback, accompanied by seasoned gauchos. Horsedrawn carriages are also available.

Tonight, enjoy a gourmet dinner and a 1st Class tango show at La Ventana.

Day 3 – Shopping in Buenos Aires

A day at leisure for shopping time! Or, ride the optional riverside sightseeing train to Tigre Delta.

Day 4 - Buenos Aires / Yacutinga Jungle Lodge

Morning flight to Puerto Iguazu.

Transfer from Puesto Tigre through Argentina's Iguazú National Park. During this pleasant ride, the guide will explain some details and curiosities of the rainforest. Arrive at La Blanquita Bay, located at the shore of the Iguazú River. Navigate in a motorboat for about 45 minutes up to Yacutinga Port. Upon arrival, ride a jeep through the Wildlife Nature Reserve to Yacutinga Lodge.

The combination of various means of transportation provides a great start, as this allows the visitor the opportunity to become acquainted with the wonderful natural world of wild fauna. Check-in and get a quick briefing about the Yacutinga Lodge and its activities. Enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight accommodations.

Day 5 - Yacutinga

After an early breakfast take a short hike to the San Francisco River to float through quiet waters, ideal for a photo safari. This floating tour is very safe, a gentle river current taking you downstream. The possibility to observe wild fauna through this “gallery forest” from a very close distance is very high, since fauna is more active in the early morning. Return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy escorted wildlife excursions to the various interpretation trails, and after dinner try an unforgettable experience of the jungle at night! Return to the Lodge.

Day 6 – Yacutinga / Iguazu Falls National Park

Enjoy breakfast and free-time to visit the Visitors Center, explore one of the many self-guided trails, finish packing or relax at the pool area. Transfer back to Puesto Tigre and continue on to the Hotel Sheraton International Iguazu, next to the waterfalls.

These magnificent falls, surrounded by a most exuberant subtropical forest have been named by UNESCO as a Mankind Heritage Natural Monument.

Afternoon at leisure to explore the park, and walk along the Upper and Lower Paths to get a really close view of the imposing waterfalls, which cascade down the fall from a height of 70 meters, as well as an amazing variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies. Take an environmentally-friendly open train to Garganta Station, where a 1,200 meter walk up to “Devil's Throat” balcony, and experience one of the greatest views on earth.

Day 7 – Foz do Iguassu, Brazilian National Park and Rio de Janeiro

After a hearty breakfast, check out and prepare yourself for the last visit to the waterfalls; the panoramic views framed by a myriad of rainbows, seen from the Brazilian National Park, its paths built from a distance. Enjoy this brief visit before we head to the airport.

Flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrive in this marvelous city between the sea and the mountains and its perfect combination of sea, earth, climate and friendly people. Rio de Janiero’s citizens, or cariocas are a mixture of native, Anglo and African cultures. Accommodations at Hotel Porto Bay Internacional.

Very few cities in the world are able to concentrate, in Rio’s very cool way, all the little icons that make life a party: beach, sun, samba, frozen beer, tasteful food, football, beautiful people, and streets with light curves that lead to little tropical forests, the beach or the mountains.

Day 8 – Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountain

A full day tour visiting all the must-see sights that make Rio such a fascinating city! First, travel by van to the base of the Pão de Açúcar, Rio’s most famous postcard view where you can see the Sugar Loaf, a prominent hill in the entrance of Guanabara Bay and reachable by cable cars. From this peak, the view of the city of Rio and the ocean is breathtaking. Take your time to admire the gardens, walkways and magnificent panoramas.

Next, we continue towards Rio’s signature sightseeing destination, the Corcovado Mountain and its imposing Statue of Christ with arms outstretched over Rio, perhaps the most recognized icon of South America. The views of the ocean, city, and lagoon are spectacular from this vantage point.

Day 9 – Farewell with Samba Show

Today, there's time to enjoy the beach, the people, the scenery, the weather, some last caipirinhas, Brazil’s national drink, and perhaps some shopping as well. In the evening, we invite you to a farewell samba show, a rousing festival of different music, costumes, and dancing from the various districts of Brazil, featuring elaborately costumed mulatas, singers, and dancers presenting Brazil's folklore and captivating Carnival rhythms. Unforgettable!

Day 10 – International Flight Return

Morning at your leisure. Hotel check-out and transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Pre-tour Machu Picchu and the Inca trail available!

The Amazon rainforest is closer than you ever thought! Call your Travel Consultant at (800) 240-9189 for a free quote!