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Travel from the bright lights of Buenos Aires to Rio

Get a taste of the rhythms of Argentina and Brazil on this southern adventure journeying from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, taking in the spectacular Iguazu Falls along the way. From tango to samba, Spanish to Portuguese, and Malbec wine to caipirinhas, these two countries are sure to have you enthralled in their passionate zest for life.

Start
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Destinations
Argentina, Brazil
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
GPKB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Buenos Aires offers an eclectic mix of European, Cosmopolitan and Latin flavours, as well as a booming cultural and nightlife scene. Explore the neighbourhoods of this lively, confident city on a full-day tour with a local guide

  • Look for rainbows in the mist of the mighty Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, and visit a local indigenous community

  • Gaze over the dazzling city, mountains and bay of Rio de Janeiro from the foot of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue

  • Favelas may sit alongside mansions, but in the heaving metropolis of Rio, everyone’s invited to the party. Immerse yourself in Brazilian culture, dance and music

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are several orientation walks and city tours during this trip so there will be quite a lot of walking. It’s important to always bring plenty of water, wear comfortable walking shoes and ensure you use adequate sun protection. Wearing layers is a good way to tackle the heat.

Map of Best of Argentina & Brazil including Argentina and Brazil
The colorful buildings in Caminito - Buenos Aires
Tango in the streets of Buenos Aires
Iguazu Falls viewing platform
Toucans can be seen in the region
Ipanema beach
Christ the Redeemer in Rio - One of the 7 wonders of the modern world
A toast with new friends

Itinerary
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Bienvenido! Welcome to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is the ultimate cosmopolitan city, with Latin passion, European elegance and its own distinctive style. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at the hotel reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. If you arrive early, why not visit San Telmo and its weekend antiques market and artists' displays – it's a great chance to acquaint yourself with some portenos (local residents). Alternatively, visit Recoleta (the grand cemetery) or perhaps Casa Rosada (the Pink House).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Malbec Trail of Palermo Urban Adventure - USD113
  • Buenos Aires - Gourmet Buenos Aires Food Urban Adventure - USD113
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The complimentary airport transfer is only applicable on Day 1 of your trip or if pre-trip accommodation is booked through Intrepid. Please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided.

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.

Some departures of this trip are part of a combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may have started their trip 8 days ago in Santiago on Chile, Argentina & Brazil (GPKRC), or 15 days ago in Lima on Best of Peru, Argentina & Brazil (GGKPC), or 20 days ago in Lima on Highlights of South America (GGCRC).

Today explore Buenos Aires on a full-day tour with a local guide. Starting in Plaza de Mayo, we will visit the Cabildo, the Colonial Ton Hall, The metropolitan cathederal and the Presidential Palace. Wander the cobbled streets of San Telmo, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, then onto La Boca where we will visit the iconic Caminito Street, which gives the neighbourhood its distinctive spirit. We will then then continue on to the Barracas neighbourhood, which is a charming area off the well trodden tourist path.

We will stop for lunch at a local NGO ( non Government Organisiation) that has a market selling produce grown less than 30 minutes away by small producers. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of this project, and the purpose of this cooperative and enjoy a homemade lunch made with agroecological products here, whilst also being able to participate in the preparation of some food! Lunch consists in empanadas or pizzas + alfajores for desert + nonalcoholic drinks. You will also be invited to try the local mate tea!

After our lunch, we will continue towards Retiro and Recoleta, where we will learn about the local wealthy families of Argentina, who sought to build a small‐scale Paris in the heart of Buenos Aires.

Then we’ll visit the unique Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums. There, we’ll make a stop at the grave of Eva Peron, one of the country’s most recognizable icons. We will also see the Floralis Generica, a huge metal flower located in Palermo. We’ll see French palaces in Palermo Chico and beautiful parks designed by Carlos Thays.

After your day of sightseeing, get ready to be captivated by Argentina’s most famous dance; the Tango. In a private space a professional Tango couple will explain the dance’s origin and history, as well as demonstrating the intimately fluid movements for you. You will then be invited to join an hour long beginner’s class to learn some of the basic techniques and understand the rhythm.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Full-day guided tour
Optional Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
  • Buenos Aires - Football game (prices from) - USD120
  • Buenos Aires - Tango show (prices from) - USD60
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Fly to Puerto Iguazu in the northeast corner of Argentina today. The mighty Iguazu Falls straddles the border of Argentina and Brazil, and the group will be visiting the falls from both sides. The falls are over 2 km in length and consist of 275 falls in total, some of which stretch up to 80 metres high. This makes them higher than Niagara Falls and wider than Victoria Falls. Head across to Brazil to admire panoramic views of the waterfalls. Take an optional helicopter flight over the top of the falls for a more panoramic view. Tonight, spend the night in a hotel in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil)
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
Optional Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Bird park - BRL60
  • Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride (min 3 people) - BRL430
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
For visa information purposes:
Day 3 - Visit Brazilian side of the falls, overnight in a hotel in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil)
Day 4 - Visit Argentinean side of the falls, overnight in a hotel in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil)



A visit to the Argentinian side of Iguazu today allows you to get up close to the waterfalls via a series of boardwalks. According to Guarani legend, Iguazu Falls was created when the serpent god M’Boy, enraged by the betrayal of a chieftain’s daughter who was promised to him, split the river in half. For a more exhilarating experience, take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls. Visit a Guarani community to meet some of the region’s few remaining indigenous people. Return to our hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Guarani community visit
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
Optional Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Boat ride - USD70
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take an early morning flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio. The locals say that 'if God made the world in six days, he devoted the seventh to Rio'. The day is yours to do what you like. For relaxation and people watching, head to the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema. If the time of year is right, check out a football game or a Carnival rehearsal. As evening approaches, perhaps take the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain to watch the sunset before getting sweaty with the locals in the samba clubs of bohemian Lapa.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Rio de Janeiro - Carnival rehearsal (June to Carnival only) - BRL90
  • Rio de Janeiro - Football game (tickets from) - USD50
  • Rio de Janeiro - Samba show - BRL200
  • Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain - BRL110
  • Rio de Janeiro - Itaipu Dam tour (minimum of 4 travellers) - BRL400
  • Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Tour Combo 2: Old Town, Sugarloaf & Urca Urban Adventure - USD149
  • Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Bike Tour: Beaches, Bays & Carioca Sunset Urban Adventure - USD119
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

It's an early start this morning, as we embark on a full-day guided tour of Rio. Starting at Corcovado Mountain for sweeping views over Rio from the base of the Christ the Reedemer statue before the crowds arrive. Discover the eclectic architecture, restaurants and art galleries of the artistic neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Then continue on to by the famous Selaron Steps to see artist Jorge Selaron’s gift to the Brazilian people.  We finish the day with a a walking tour of the Port area. This area, a little more off the beaten track, has been recognized for its cultural and historical importance as it was a main Port for the slave trade in Brazil. We will be joined by a local guide from the Pretos Novos institute,  which aims to preserve the cultural heritage found in the Port area. On the walk, learn about the story of how the African slaves arrived to Brazil, the horrific conditions they endured on the journey over, how they were sold and, eventually,  how they resisted and became free. Their story is intrinsically connected with the history of samba and Brazilian culture. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Tour Combo 1: Santa Teresa, Corcovado, Christ & Copacabana
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today your adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned for the final day so you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. If you wish to stay on in Rio please advise at the time of booking and we can arrange additional accommodation and Urban Adventure activities for you.
Optional Activities
  • Rio de Janeiro - Beaches, Views & Bays Bike Tour Urban Adventure - USD59
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
ILHA GRANDE OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
This activity will only run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you wish to do this activity and your tour does not finish on one of these days you may need to book additional accommodation to allow for this activity. Pick up time for this activity is between 6am and 7:30am and does not return to Rio until approximately 8:30pm.

Meals

6 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights)

Included activities

  • Buenos Aires - Full-day guided tour
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
  • Iguazu Falls - Guarani community visit
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
  • Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Tour Combo 1: Santa Teresa, Corcovado, Christ & Copacabana

Dates & availability

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at time of booking.
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase tickets to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. A single supplement is available on this trip and includes all nights.
4. This trip includes a domestic flight. Argentina is particularly strict on excess baggage and usually enforces a maximum allowance of 15kg for check in luggage.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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