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  4. Rio to Buenos Aires with WWF Giants of Antarctica

Sultry South American cities, vast waterfalls and atmospheric Antarctica with leading scientists

Contrast the vibrant and sultry pulse of two of South America’s liveliest cities with the stark and glacial beauty of Antarctica on this 18-day tour, including a trip to one of the world’s grandest series of waterfalls. Take in the unique atmosphere of Rio before flying to immense Iguazu Falls. Continue to Buenos Aires to learn the tango and soak up the heat before flying to the world’s southernmost city for an unforgettable expedition to the Great White Continent joining special guests from the World Wildlife Fund - Australia (WWF- Australia). Feast your eyes on white mountains, incredible wildlife and towering icebergs to cap off the ultimate adventure.  Scout icy waters and white shores for whales and other critters by day, then relax and enjoy a fascinating lecture program by night. Alongside our regular team of Antarctic experts, WWF-Australia scientists will join this tour to share insights into whale conservation as they conduct cutting edge research on these underwater giants.

Start
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Finish
Ushuaia, Argentina
Destinations
Antarctica, Argentina, Brazil
Style
Comfort
Theme
Polar
Code
GQSBW
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 200

Why you'll love this trip

  • With two full days at Iguazu Falls, you can marvel at this beauty up close on the Argentinean side and get sweeping panoramas from the Brazilian side.

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

  • Be among orca and humpback whales, hear cracking glaciers pierce the Antarctic silence, and experience, with all the senses, scenes that seem windows to another world.

  • Our experienced leaders have made hundreds of polar voyages. Learn about the history, geography and wildlife of the Antarctic from experts in marine biology, glaciology and history.

  • Travelling with Dr Ari Friedlaender and a team of researchers in peak humpback whale season, you’ll get the chance to learn about state-of-the-art whale research techniques and marine conservation. Good timing!

  • Rest assured you will leave only footprints behind. Our Antarctica expeditions are carbon offset, we serve only sustainably-sourced seafood, avoid single-use plastics and use biodegradable cleaning products on board.

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are several orientation walks and city tours during this trip. 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.

  • Although our ice strengthened ships are big and sturdy, Antarctic waters can be unpredictable and rough. Some people may experience seasickness, especially through the Drake Passage and other open water crossings. Please be prepared with medications to combat this. There is also a doctor on-board should you need further assistance.

  • Joining you on this voyage is Dr Ari Freidlaender – a marine ecologist at UC Santa Cruz and the Californian Ocean Alliance. Dr Friedlaender’s work is currently focused on using tag technology to study the ecology and underwater behaviour of whales around the world, and the implications of climate change on these species. Having made over 35 trips to Antarctica over 20 years, he, along with an expert research team, is being supported by The Intrepid Foundation and WWF-Australia to join this polar voyage. The team will be continuing their research and data-gathering, along with advocacy for whale conservation.

  • As you’d expect, temperatures in the Antarctic can be freezing. And yet it can get surprisingly warm at times – when the sun comes out, for instance, or with increased physical activity. Find a detailed list of what to bring in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information. 

  • Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.

  • The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area. Keep in mind the landing sites listed can change. The wellness centre, on-board library and educational lectures are ideal ways for keeping entertained during downtime.

Map of Rio to Buenos Aires with WWF Giants of Antarctica including Antarctica, Argentina and Brazil

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 29 Jan 2021 to 28 Feb 2021.
 View the 2020 itinerary

Hola! Welcome to Rio! Enjoy a complimentary transfer from the airport to this evening’s accommodation. Your adventure truly begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have the time, you’re free to explore on your own before the meeting, but don’t feel too rushed – there will be a full-day tour of the city tomorrow to acquaint you with it.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Arena Copacabana or similar (1 night)
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 and when the meeting will take place.

Please provide your booking agent with your flight details no later than 14 days before your tour begins.

Embark on a full-day guided tour of Rio. Visit Santa Teresa, a beautiful artistic neighbourhood situated on a hill overlooking the city. Continue to scenic Corcovado and witness the grand open-armed Christ the Redeemer statue that surveys the city. Give your feet a break during a lunch stop at an incredible NGO called Gastromotiva, where creative dishes are made with donated produce and the cooks are marginalised members of the community given free culinary training. Finish the day with 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 area’s Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Arena Copacabana or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Tour Combo 1: Santa Teresa, Corcovado, Christ & Copacabana
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning fly to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina (2 hours), gateway to the mighty Iguazu Falls. Travel to the Brazilian side of the falls to get a panoramic perspective on this immense wonder of nature. The falls are two-kilometres-long and are made up of 275 waterfalls in total, some of which stretch up to 80-metres-high. This makes them both higher than Niagara Falls and wider than Victoria Falls. This evening return to Argentina and your whitewashed accommodation and perhaps relax with a cocktail in the gardens.
Accommodation
  • Hotel El Pueblito or Similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
You will be visiting the Brazilian side of the falls today and returning to your hotel on the Argentinean side in the evening. You will visit the Argentinean side of the falls tomorrow.

If you’re interested in getting a birds-eye views of the falls, you can organise an optional helicopter flight over the top of them. Speak to your booking agent or leader before you fly to Iguazu Falls.

Rise and shine at 7.30 am to visit the Argentinean side of the falls. Walk along the boardwalks built into the hard rock on top of the falls, which allow you to feel the power (and water spray) of these immense falls. You can choose to get another exhilarating perspective on Iguazu Falls with an optional zodiac boat ride below. At approximately 3 pm, you can choose to accompany your leader on a visit to a nearby Guarani community or return to the hotel. If you do choose to partake in this optional excursion, you will return to the hotel at approximately 5 pm.
Accommodation
  • Hotel El Pueblito or Similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
  • Iguazu Falls - Guarani community visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Board a flight to Buenos Aires and arrive in the afternoon. The rest of your day is free for you to explore this vibrant city at your leisure. Tomorrow brings with it a guided tour of essential local sights, so perhaps spend today discovering at a more relaxed pace. You could ask your leader where to find a fine glass of malbec and picada (Argentinian tapas), or maybe pay a visit to the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA).
Accommodation
  • Hotel Tango de Mayo or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a morning exploring Buenos Aires. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of some of the city’s most famous residents. Walk around La Boca and its well-known ‘Caminito’ district, before moving on to the lesser-known side of this colourful neighbourhood to visit an artist's gallery. Next, wander the cobbled streets of San Telmo and finish the tour getting to know the iconic Plaza de Mayo. Stop for a group lunch at a local NGO, Abriendo Caminos, where local women learn to make alfajores (a local delicacy). After lunch, get ready to be captivated by Argentina’s famous tango. In a private space a professional dance couple will explain the origin and history of the tango, as well as demonstrating the passionate steps. You will then have the chance to join a 1-hour beginner’s class to learn some of the basic techniques and understand the rhythm.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Tango de Mayo or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Buenos Aires - Tango demonstration by professional dancers
  • Buenos Aires - Tango dance lesson
  • Buenos Aires - Full-day guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Enjoy a free day in delightful Buenos Aires. Perhaps explore the antique markets of San Telmo or browse the museums in the well-to-do neighbourhood of Recoleta. If you’re a foodie or a wine connoisseur, maybe take part in the Malbec Trail of Palermo or Gourmet Buenos Aires Food Urban Adventure day tour.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Tango de Mayo or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Your Antarctic adventure begins with a transfer to the airport and domestic flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. On arrival at the airport in Ushuaia, meet a Peregrine representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Attend a briefing at 7.30 pm to run through the details of the tomorrow’s embarkation. If you have time you are free to explore Ushuaia as you please. This city has quite the dramatic setting, overlooking the Beagle Channel and surrounded by mountains.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information

You will not be escorted on your flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. On arrival, you will be meet a representative for a transfer to your hotel for the night.

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change today. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary. It’s important that you attend the meeting as your new group leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Embarking late afternoon, cruise down the gorgeous Beagle Channel. This channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of excitement as you depart, and the last glimpse of land disappears into the distance. The next time you see land you will find yourself in the world’s southernmost continent.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

The time has come to cross the Drake Passage, the legendary body of water named after the famous English explorer Sir Francis Drake. If the conditions are right, enjoy some time out on deck to spot dolphins, orcas or perhaps albatross. If the waters are a little rough, perhaps relax and partake in some of the superb onboard facilities of the Ocean Endeavour. As well as safety briefings, there will be briefings on what lies ahead. A comprehensive lecture program from onboard experts will run throughout the journey; this will explore the history, geology and biology of the Great White Continent. With any luck we will make it to land by early evening on day 4 – a moment that always brings much excitement.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

As the Antarctic Convergence is left in your wake, the adventure really begins. Four incredible days of exploring the Antarctic Peninsula ensue. Feast your eyes on glaciers, mountains and an extraordinary array of wildlife, as the immensity and beauty of the regions really comes into view. Every day is a new adventure, and each day you will explore landings, bays and channels on excursions by Zodiac. There are a number of potential landing sites, and the crew will decide which are most appropriate based on conditions. A list of sites can be found at https://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/antarctica/landing-sites. While the landscapes themselves dazzle, it is all about the wildlife on these excursions as we encounter penguin rookeries, spot humpback and mink whales, look out for leopard seals. There will also be the chance to see and hear calving glaciers cracking through the Antarctic silence, and you can scramble up snowy tracks to behold 360-degree views.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (4)
  • Lunch (4)
  • Dinner (4)

Say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula as we set off for Ushuaia. Take the opportunity to share photographs with fellow travellers, scout for wildlife once again from on deck, enjoy final lectures from the onboard experts, and make use of the Ocean Endeavour’s health and wellness facilities.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Farewell your shipmates as the adventure draws to a close back in Ushuaia.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

17 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Plane, Boat, Expedition Cruise Ship, Zodiac

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Hotel Feature Stay (2 nights), Expedition Voyage (9 nights)

Included activities

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

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Rio to Buenos Aires with WWF Giants of Antarctica trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

BOOKING CONDITIONS
Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20 per cent of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure.

If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure: the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.

If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure: the cancellation fee is 100 per cent of the total price of the voyage.

Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage.

ADVENTURE ADD ON's
Kayaking and a photography programme are available to book on all Antarctic voyages. Some voyages also offer camping. All of these activities must be booked prior to departure and incur an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. For kayaking recent experience is essential.

Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Intrepid Travel. Your group will be a mixture of Peregrine booked passengers and other international like-minded travellers from Intrepid.

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.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
An airport arrival transfer is included. Please advise your arrival flight details at least 14 days prior to departure.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS:
This trip includes a domestic flight. Argentina is particularly strict on excess baggage and usually enforces a maximum allowance of 15 kilograms for checked luggage.

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.

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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