Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Rio Tour

Arrive Buenos Aires.

Transfer to the hotel of your choice with English-speaking guide.

In the morning half day walking tour of central Buenos Aires.

The tour starts at your hotel in the downtown area of the city.

Your guide picks you up and take you to the main points of interest of this area.

You visit Plaza de Mayo, where you will see other important buildings including “La Casa Rosada” (the government house), “El Cabildo” (City Hall), and the Cathedral of Buenos Aires. You also walk along the pedestrian street of Florida, where you can visit Galerias Pacífico and its incredible paintings on the roof.

Free afternoon to explore this wonderful city.

Depart around 07.00 for the port to then set sail across the River Plate to Colonia, UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Uruguay.

Explore the colonial 18th Century town’s historic quarter walking its colourful cobbled streets.

Lunch is included at the yacht club with wine tasting and cheeses, with views of the harbour.

Sail back across the River Plate and transfer to the hotel.

Total duration approximately 10 hours.

Day free to explore the streets of Buenos Aires and its famous neighbourhoods.

In the evening we enjoy two of Argentina’s most famous exports in one even – a dinner and Tango show.

Dinner starts at 20.30, and choice of starter, main and desert as well as wine are included. Argentina is famous for its cuisine – enjoy!

The tango show starts at 22.30 and finishes at midnight, we visit Esquina Carlos Gardel, which is open every day year round.

The tango show goes through the history of tango and almost 25 artists are on stage every night.

We drop you off back at your hotel after a wonderful evening.

Private transfer from the hotel to the airport, Spanish speaking driver only.

Fly to Iguazu (1.5 hours).

On arrival, private transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Relax for the afternoon.

Full day private Argentine falls tour with English speaking driver-guide. Entrance fee to the national park is included.

This tour includes three different paths:

Upper Walk: A walk of 500m, lasts about 45 minutes seeing the Two Sisters, Bosseti, Adam and Eve, Bernabe Mendez, Mbiguá and San Martín falls from the upper part.

Lower Path: Walk around 1,300m of footpath which lasts 1.5 hours. You see the falls from the middle – you might get wet!

Devil’s Throat: Hop aboard a little train, and go 4km to Devils Throat Station, at the upper part of the Iguazu River. From here, you walk on a bridge (walkway) that leads to the balcony of Devil’s throat. The most spectacular view.

There is an extra option (not included) to do Gran Aventura boat trip, where a speed boat takes you right up and under the Falls!

Transfer back to Iguazu and overnight at hotel.

Leave the hotel, taking all your luggage with you as we cross the border into Brazil.

Visit the Brazilian side of the Falls, with the entrance fee to the national park included.

From the Brazilian National Park you have a panoramic view of the Falls – you can see the 3 kilometres of Falls, which features 270+ cascades.

You have 1,000m of easy walking – it takes about 1 hour, finishing in the canyon of the Devil’s Throat.

Next we take you to Foz de Iguacu airport and you fly to Rio. On arrival, private transfer from the airport to your hotel.

Today we visit Corcovado and the Santa Teresa district.

Departure from the hotel and drive through the Tijuca forest up Corcovado Hill, the “Hunchback Hill”, a 710m/2,329ft high granite peak.

This hill is home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro’s emblematic symbol.

From the base of the 38 metre high statue, which dominates the city, you have spectacular views over city and sea.

We then head to the charming district of Santa Teresa with its cobblestoned hilly streets, old homes, interesting museums and Rio’s last surviving tram line.

After an active and interesting day, we return you to your hotel.

Breakfast and departure by car for a tour in the city centre, which will last 7-8 hours.

We visit the most important sites of Brazilian History in Rio, like the National Library, Tiradentes Palace, The Portuguese Royal Lecture Room, the Paço Imperial and the panoramic view of the colonial buildings that remains at Uruguaiana Street.

We take a break for lunch (not included).

In the afternoon, we head to the Sugar Loaf Mountain. It was here, at the feet of Urca Hill, that the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1565 by Estácio de Sá.

The visit is done in two steps, by modern cable-car. The first ride of the cable-car links Praia Vermelha to Urca Hill, located at 215m/705ft. From here are good views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Flamengo landfill, the Corcovado and the Rio-Niterói bridge, as well as the majestic mountains that surround the city.

The second ride, by cable car, takes us to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain, at 395m/1,296ft. From here there are great views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz Fortress, as well as some of the beaches of Niterói across the bay.

We drop you back at your hotel after the tour finishes.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Argentina is a land of contrast.

Nothing states this better than the fact it features the highest point in the South America, Aconcagua, and the lowest, Salinas Chicas, 40m below sea level.

Its vastness – it is the eighth largest country in the world – and diversity are just part of the appeal. A fantastic culture of fine wine and dining sits alongside its adventurous and beautiful landscapes.

The local’s cheery disposition and fantastic word plays add to the enjoyment of being in this fascinating country.

The name Argentina derives from argentinos, the Ancient Greek diminutive (tinos) form for silver (argentos), which is what early Spanish explorers sought when they first reached the region in the sixteenth century.

There are distinct regions of Argentina, from the Andean culture of the North West to the rancho lifestyle of the plains of Patagonia to the eternally seductive Buenos Aires.

Good kit is vital for every trip.

Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.

Overview

Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world, and has a myriad of climates from humid tropics to bracingly cold Patagonia.

When planning for these changeable climatic conditions you will encounter across Argentina, layering is the most practical and versatile clothing system.

The sun is very strong throughout the country, so good sun cream, a hat and sunglasses are vital. Summer in the north of the country means t-shirts and shorts.

It can also get very cold at night time especially in the mountains. Jumpers, fleeces and warms hats – which you can buy there – are also essential.

Give plenty of thought to kit selection, and try to keep weight down.

Below is a more detailed guide.

Detailed kit list

• Medium weight parka or a down jacket.
• Waterproof jacket and trousers. The jacket needs to be water proof and roomy. Side-zip pants are recommended.
• 2-3 long-sleeve shirts – no cotton
• 2-3 short-sleeve T-shirts – no cotton
• 2 pair of hiking trousers- cotton or synthetic material (no jeans)
• 1 fleece or sweat trousers (for cold evenings)
• 2 pair hiking shorts
• Long thermals – synthetic or wool – light to medium weight top & bottoms.
• 2-3 mid-weight (wool or synthetic) socks.
• 2-3 liner socks if needed
• Athletic-type socks, several pairs, city use
• Hiking boots that are waterproof and well broken-in.
• Running/tennis shoes or sandals are very comfortable when you are in cities
• 1 lightweight wool sweater or windproof fleece
• 1 wool or synthetic warm hat.
• 1 light sun hat with a wide brim.
• 1 pair of medium-weight wool or synthetic gloves
• Broad-brimmed sunhat, essential.
• Sunglasses with UV filter.
• Scarf for cold.
• Bandanna – to protect neck from strong sun.
• Daypack (at least 30 litres). Comfortable and with waterproof lining or cover.
• Water bottle (2 litres approx.) & purification tablets.
• Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
• Insect repellent (just in case)
• Towel & wash-kit.
• Wet Wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream.
• Sunscreen (factor 30+) and lip salve.
• Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries).
• Penknife.
• Travel alarm clock.
• Plastic bags – ‘Zip-loc’ & tough bin liners.
• Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!).
• Book, e-book, mp3 player/ipod or other to help pass the time.
• Binoculars.
• Spanish/English phrasebook.
• Extra snacks i.e. cereal bars or favourite chocolate bars.

Miscellaneous others

• Money belt.
• Passport.
• U.S. dollars cash, mixed-denomination notes, undamaged and unmarked.
• ATM cash/credit card.
• Any inoculation certificates.
• Personal & medical insurance certificates.
• Presents e.g. Postcards from home.
• Comfortable clothes for travel, smart clothes for night life, especially in big cities.

Official name: Argentine Republic Country

Population: 40,000,000

Capital city: Buenos Aires (11 million)

Largest cities: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario

Languages: Spanish (official)

Official currency: Argentine Peso

Major industries: Agriculture (Soy), motor vehicles, chemicals

Argentina: GMT-3

Andean Trails has 25 years of experience of putting together the best South America holidays.

We pay a fee to the CAA for every licensable passenger we book since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking.

We also offer ATOL (Civil Aviation Authority) protected holidays to give our customers peace of mind when booking and travelling.

When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from Andean Trails Ltd you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6275.

You can read more about ATOL, who is covered and what protections you have if not ATOL-covered, on our ATOL page.

What is ATOL?

The CAA’s ATOL scheme offers protection to your money and your holiday if you book with us. Not everybody is covered (see ‘Who is covered?’ for more), as you must purchase an ‘air package holiday’ with Andean Trails to be protected.

And  ‘air package holiday’ is defined as including a flight and some ground services (hotel, transfer, trek etc). This is also known as an ‘ATOL-protected holiday’.

Who is covered?

To be covered by ATOL, you must book a flight and some ground services with us and be from the UK. If you are from the UK and only book ground services and no flights, you are not covered by ATOL (see below for more on how non-ATOL clients are covered).

If you are outside the UK and buy flights with us, you will be ATOL protected IF any of the flights booked with Andean Trails touches/stops in the UK at any point during your holiday package booked with us.

If you buy your flights elsewhere, please check with that agent if you are ATOL protected. Be careful with online flight purchases and make sure you know what protection you have, if any, before paying for flights.

Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.

For land only holidays not involving any air travel, in accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992”, all UK passengers booking with Andean Trails Ltd. are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all money paid to us, arising from cancellation or curtailment of travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Andean Trails.

I’m not ATOL covered, what protection do I have?

If you are not ATOL covered, any payments you make to us go to a Trust account.

We can only access this money once your tour has been completed, meaning that if anything happens to Andean Trails Limited while you are on holiday, then your money is secure and you can either complete the trip or be able to make it home.

If you pay for your holiday with a credit card, some offer payment protection – please check with your cardholder.

You also should have cancellation protection written into your insurance (which we recommend you have at the time of booking) in case you need to cancel.

Most of Argentina is a relatively safe country to travel around. However, we still recommend that in large towns and cities you take certain precautions (see below). Argentina is, overall, among the safest countries in South America.

However, in Buenos Aires, muggings and opportunistic crime – although not common – do occur.

In Buenos Aires and other big cities, ‘distraction muggings’ sometimes happen in quiet streets, in the daytime as well as at night. We suggest that you take the following precautions:

• Leave paper valuables in the hotel safe (caja fuerte), taking out with you only what you need for the day.
• Carry a copy of passport (leave original in safe). N.B. When travelling, carry paper valuables in a money belt under clothing, not in a ‘bum-bag’.
• Beware of distraction techniques, e.g. where X sprays you with mustard or similar substance, and accomplice Y comes up to offer to clean you off, but takes your bag or wallet while you’re distracted. If you do get sprayed, just walk straight on.
• Avoid marginal areas and be alert in lonely streets in the day and at night. Also, always take special care in busy streets, around markets and in and around bus terminals; either avoid carrying a bag in such areas, or secure it, as bag-slashers and pickpockets sometimes operate.
• NEVER leave your bag(s) unattended, especially in airports, bus terminals and hotel lobbies.
• It’s best to use taxis at night, wherever you are.