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Map of Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil including Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay

Stay on a working ranch and see the world’s largest waterfall

Hug the eastern coastline of South America on a ten-day adventure. This down-to-earth adventure takes you from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro via Colonia del Sacramento, a working estancia and the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Embrace ranch life during your estancia stay and explore the grounds on horseback, wonder at the largest waterfall in the world and get a taste of Rio’s nightlife.

Start
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Destinations
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
GGBS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Soak up the cosmopolitan charms of Buenos Aires and explore the sights of its historic city centre on foot.

  • Spend three days at a working estancia (farm) in Uruguay, where you can spend your time getting involved in farm work, riding horses or simply relaxing in the sun.

  • Enjoy incredible home-cooking and hospitality during your estancia stay, and learn about Uruguay’s gauchos – legendary cowboys.

  • Stop in colourful Colonia del Sacramento, where vintage cars line the streets and an old drawbridge leads to the UNESCO-listed Old Quarter.

  • The mighty Iguazu Falls straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil, and you’ll cross the border to see it from both countries.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip involves some long travel days, including an overnight bus. The buses are well-equipped with comfortable reclining seats and on-board toilets. Snacks are provided but we recommend you also bring your own food in case you get hungry.

  • While at the estancia in Uruguay, you can choose to participate in the day-to day-activities of the farm as much or as little as you like. If you do choose to get involved, prepare for some early morning starts and to get your hands dirty when working directly with animals. The accommodation is multishare and meals are served family style. Please inform your booking agent if you have any dietary requirements.

rainbow over iguazu falls

Itinerary
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Bienvenidos. Welcome to Argentina. Your trip begins with an orientation walk around Buenos Aires’ Microcentro district at 1 pm. Your leader will be waiting in the lobby of your joining point hotel. Pass by historic buildings along the Avenida de Mayo, including the Casa Rosada (Argentina's government house) and perhaps have a coffee in the traditional Cafe Tortoni. Stroll around the picturesque streets of San Telmo and its antique markets. Attend a group welcome meeting at 6 pm to prepare for the rest of your adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Colonia del Sacramento by ferry (approximately 1.5 hours). On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this charming colonial city, known as the oldest in Uruguay. The World Heritage-listed Barrio Historico (Old Quarter) is a great place to start. Stroll down the cobblestone streets and rub shoulders with locals as they sip their yerba mate (tea). Listen to the noisy parakeets in the Plaza Mayor, or comb Colonia’s small museums. For great views over the city, climb to the top of a 19th-century lighthouse that’s still in operation.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Colonia - Lighthouse visit - UYU70
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today you will have to walk six blocks carrying your luggage from the ferry port to your hotel, and again tomorrow from the hotel to the bus station.

Today is a long travel day. Take a comfortable local bus from Colonia to Montevideo (approximately 2.5 hours). From Montevideo it's a further 5-hour journey to Tacuarembo by bus. The bus has reclining seats and you'll be provided with a typical Uruguayan snack, but as the bus doesn’t stop it's also recommended that you bring some extra snacks at your own expense. From Tacuarembo, take a 1-hour truck and 4WD journey to the ranch, where you can get to know your hosts.
Accommodation
  • Estancia (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tacuarembo - 3-Night Stay on a Working Estancia
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Spend a few days experiencing life on a working Uruguayan farm. Although you’re welcome to relax and explore your surroundings at your leisure, you can also get involved with day-to-day jobs around the ranch. As a working farm, the digs aren’t fancy, but the incredible surroundings and hospitality are something special. Enjoy three home-cooked meals a day and the chance to ride horses, in true gaucho (cowboy) style.
Accommodation
  • Estancia (2 nights)
Optional Activities
  • Estancia - Horse riding - Free
  • Estancia - Horse riding - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)
Special Information
Accommodation is dormitory-style, hot water and electricity are only available for a couple of hours a day. If you sign up for any chores, they start at 7.30 am.

In the afternoon, bid farewell to your hosts and cross the border to Concordia in Argentina. Board a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu.
Accommodation
  • Overnight bus (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The bus has reclining seats and onboard toilets. Movies will be shown to keep you entertained. A simple dinner is also provided on board.

As soon as you arrive at Puerto Iguazu bus station this morning, take a minivan across the border into Brazil and head straight to the national park to witness the majestic Foz do Iguacu/Iguazu Falls. After some time spent admiring this force of nature, head to your hotel in Foz do Iguacu. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
Optional Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Bird Park - BRL70
  • Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride - BRL530
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Return to Argentina today to see Iguazu Falls from a different angle. Following a series of boardwalks, it’s possible to get so close to the thundering waters that you can almost touch them. At over two-kilometres long, Iguazu Falls are made up of over 270 separate cascades, with some reaching up to 80 metres in height. For a more exhilarating experience, take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls! In the afternoon return to your accommodation in Foz do Iguacu in Brazil.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
Optional Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Zodiac ride up to the falls - USD70
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take an included flight to Rio de Janeiro. Settle into your hotel room then head out with your leader for an orientation walk. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to Copacabana or Ipanema Beach or, if the time of year is right, check out a soccer game at the famous Maracana Stadium. You might like to take the tramcar up to the hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa or head up Corcovado Mountain, where you’ll find sweeping views over Rio from the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain 3 - BRL150
  • Rio de Janeiro - Maracana football game (schedule dependent) - BRL400
  • Rio de Janeiro - Botanical Gardens - BRL67
  • Rio de Janeiro - Santa Teresa tramcar - BRL20
  • Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer - BRL118
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Due to limited flight schedules between Iguazu Falls and Rio post pandemic, you may be travelling on an indirect service today. Arrival times to Rio de Janeiro may vary for this reason. Should you arrive to Rio in the evening, optional activities can still be arranged once the tour concludes. We recommend extending your time here to get a taste of everything this city has to offer. 

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you'd like to spend more time in Rio de Janeiro, we would be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Plane, local bus, Ferry, Overnight bus

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Estancia (3 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)

Included activities

  • Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tacuarembo - 3-Night Stay on a Working Estancia
  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip starts with n Orientation Walk at 1 pm on Day 1 in Buenos Aires. If you are unable to find a suitable flight it is possible to book additional nights at the joining accommodation.
2. This trip ends on Day 10 and you are free to leave at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Days 3,4,5 (Estancia) and Day 6 (Overnight Bus) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Please note you may require a Brazilian Visa for this trip. Processing can take around 2-5 weeks at the discretion of the embassy or consulate. Please speak with your travel agent well in advance for further advice.
5. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for bus tickets, train tickets. or flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
6.We highly recommend you take US Dollars with you to Argentina and change it locally. While ATMs are widely available, there is a daily limit for withdrawals and the exchange rate does fluctuate.

Essential trip information

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