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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.

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Terms & Conditions
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
An aerial view of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
argentina buenos aires colourful building
Traveller with coconut drink on Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Argentina Brazil Iguazu Falls
Watch the locals enjoy the a game of soccer on Copacabana beach
argentina tango
Local guitar player in Buenos Aires, Argentina
argentina_buenos-aires_street_girls_graffiti

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Your Latin adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. A transfer from the airport to the hotel is included in the trip. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place.

If you have some free time today, head out to explore the streets of this sophisticated city, often referred to as the ‘Paris of South America’.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Tango show (ticket price depends on the location and inclusions) - USD60
  • Buenos Aires - Football game (ticket price depends on the game. Price range USD$120 - USD$250 pp) - USD120
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The complimentary airport transfer is only applicable on Day One 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).

If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform hotel reception.

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. Wander the cobbled streets of San Telmo and browse its antiques markets, then continue to Plaza de Mayo to see the presidential palace of Casa Rosada. Walk among the tombs of the Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Eva Peron. From here take a private van to La Boca and its well-known ‘Caminito’ district, before moving on to the lesser-known side of the neighbourhood. Here you’ll visit an artist's gallery and eat an included lunch in support of a local social project.

In the evening, perhaps enjoy a tango show, a football match or a steak and glass of malbec in one of the city’s trendy restaurants.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Full-day guided tour
Optional Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Football game (ticket price depends on the game) - USD80
  • Buenos Aires - Polo Day - USD170
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 and tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
Optional Activities
  • Bird Park Entrance Fee - BRL45
  • 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 - Guarani community visit
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance and tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
Optional Activities
  • Great Adventure - Boat ride Iguazu - USD70
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, cross the border into Brazil and 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 - Carnaval rehearsal (only available from June to Carnaval) - BRL90
  • Rio de Janeiro - Football game (ticket price depends on the game) - USD50
  • Rio de Janeiro - Samba show - BRL200
  • Rio de Janeiro - Pao de Azucar (Sugar Loaf mountain) - BRL110
  • Rio de Janeiro - Favela feelings Urban Adventure - USD49
  • Rio de Janeiro - Itaipu Dam tour (requires minimum of 4 passengers) - BRL400
  • Rio de Janeiro - Favela feelings (Urban Adventures) - USD49
  • Rio - Beaches, views & bays bike tour (Urban Adventures) - USD59
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 - Guided tour including Santa Teresa, Selaron Steps, Christ the Redeemer statue and Rio downtown
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.

ILHA GRANDE OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
Please note from October 2018 onward this activity will only run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 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 Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

6 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights)

Included activities

  • Buenos Aires - Full-day guided tour
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance and tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
  • Iguazu - Guarani community visit
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance and tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
  • Rio de Janeiro - Guided tour including Santa Teresa, Selaron Steps, Christ the Redeemer statue and Rio downtown

Dates & availability

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Important notes

ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at time of booking.

PASSPORT DETAILS REQUIRED
Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees 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.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
A single supplement is available on this trip.

BRAZILIAN VISA:
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.

ILHA GRANDE OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
Please note from October 2018 onward this activity will only run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 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.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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