Real Argentina to Brazil

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Argentina. Your adventure 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. Get your bearings around your accommodation and see a couple of sights along the way, like the historic buildings along the Avenida de Mayo, the Casa Rosada (Argentina's government house) and the famed Obelisk. You’ll have a welcome meeting with your leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm. For dinner, why not try some famed Argentinian barbecue? Your leader will be happy to provide restaurant recommendations.

Today is a free day in Buenos Aires. Maybe wander the Teatro Colon on a guided tour or, if you’re a bit of a foodie, kick back in the Palermo neighbourhood with a bife de chorizo (beef tenderloin) or choose a cafe on the street to people-watch. You could also hit up the Ateneo Bookshop – like a grand library, this work of 20th-century craftmanship is a warm and welcoming space sure to delight any book lover (and it also features a cafe, so you can sip on a cappuccino while you read!). If you’d like to hear about more of the activities on offer today, just speak to your leader to organise something fun.

Today you’ll cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Colonia del Sacramento by ferry. Enjoy free time to explore this charming city, known as the oldest in Uruguay. The UNESCO 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.

In the afternoon, hop on a bus to Montevideo, then the evening is free for you to explore Uruguay’s capital city.

Enjoy a free day to wander through Montevideo. Your leader will be on hand to provide suggestions for how to spend your day, or feel free to set out on your own adventure. You might go for a wander along the Rambla and soak in the fresh coastal air or brush up on your Uruguayan history at the Museo del Gaucho. For food, it’ll be tough to top the offerings of Mercado del Puerto. If a day at the beach is more your thing, the soft sand of Playa de Los Pocitos will be for you.

Make sure you have your favourite podcasts or playlists queued for your travel day today. Leaving Montevideo behind, you’ll travel to your estancia (ranch) stay, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. When you arrive, settle into your room, then get to know your hosts over a group dinner and rest up for a day on the farm tomorrow.

Spend a day experiencing life on a Uruguayan farm! With a slow morning, you’re welcome to relax and explore your surroundings at your leisure. As a farm, the digs aren’t fancy, but the incredible surroundings and hospitality are something special. Enjoy home-cooked meals and the chance to ride horses, in true gaucho (cowboy) style.

Spend a final morning taking in the gorgeous views across the estancia. Enjoy your final home-cooked meal together and say goodbye to your hosts, sharing the memories of your stay over lunch.

This afternoon, you'll depart for a long travel day, so make sure you have some road trip games ready for the drive, or simply watch the scenery pass by from the window seat as you reapproach Argentina.

Tonight, you’ll transfer to an overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu, so maybe take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers a little better on the drive.

Arrive at Puerto Iguazu bus station late this morning, then take a minivan across the border into Brazil. Your destination is Iguazu National Park, home of the majestic Foz do Iguacu (Iguazu Falls). This UNESCO World Heritage site makes up the largest waterfall system in the world, with the Iguazu River also forming the border between Argentina and Brazil. Head out to explore the Brazilian side of the falls, where you’ll have panoramic views and the chance to get a great pic.

If time allows, you can take an optional helicopter flight over the falls (at your own expense) for an unforgettable bird’s eye view or see colourful birdlife at Parque das Aves. After some time spent admiring this force of nature, head to your hotel in Foz do Iguacu. If you arrive with time to spare, you might want to visit the Three Borders Landmark or go for a ride on the Yup Star Foz Ferris wheel.

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 2 km long, Iguazu Falls are made up of over 270 separate cascades, with some reaching up to 80 m 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.

Take an included flight to Sao Paulo, then board a transfer to Paraty. After arriving, take the rest of the day to explore your new surroundings. Maybe spend tonight at one of the many restaurants near the historic centre or relax and catch the sunset near the water – it’s up to you! Your leader will be able to provide the best recommendations if you need some ideas.

Spend the morning relaxing in Paraty or maybe head out on a hike on the Old Gold Road to take in some incredible views of the region's natural surroundings. Then, head to Angra for your ferry to the island getaway of Ilha Grande – full of beautiful beaches and lush rainforest. Once a pirate's lair and a prison for violent criminals, this island has plenty of history to uncover during your stay – the ruins of the prison can still be seen today! When you arrive, take the short walk from the port to your hotel and settle in.

Rise and shine for a free day in Ilha Grande today. Maybe wander along rainforest trails to some remote beaches – Lopes Mendes and Aventureiro Beach are two of the best. You could book yourself in for an optional boat trip out to the Blue Lagoon, beach-hopping through Ilha Grande Bay. There are plenty of opportunities to swim and snorkel in the clear water, then you can feast on fresh seafood when you’ve worked up an appetite. Or, maybe just plonk yourself on the beach with a good book and laze the day away.

Tonight, why not meet up with some of your travel pals and relax with a caipirinha at a restaurant or bar in Vila do Abraao – the island’s main town.

Bid farewell to Ilha Grande as you board a boat to the small port of Mangaratiba, before travelling to Rio de Janeiro. Home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Rio has lots of daytrip opportunities to take advantage of, if you decide to extend your stay. Settle into your accommodation, then head out with your leader for an orientation walk through the city. You’ll take the metro to Cinelandia, where you’ll see iconic landmarks like the Municipal Theatre and National Library.

Next, make your way to the Selaron Steps. Covered in colourful mosaics and designed by Chilean artist Jorge Selaron, this is one of Rio’s most photographed spots. Continue to Pedra do Arpoador, a rocky peninsula that separates Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. From here, you can get an excellent view of the sunset over the Atlantic. Return to your hotel in the evening, then maybe get together with your new friends for a final night of food, drinks and some samba – speak to your local leader who’ll have some great recommendations for what to do tonight.

With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end. But that doesn’t mean your adventures have to stop here! If you would like to continue soaking up the sun in Rio, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you do decide to stay, you could explore Tijuca National Park and its lush rainforest, visit the botanical gardens for a relaxing walk or take in sweeping views over Rio from the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue.