Buenos Aires to Rio Unplugged

Buenos Aires to Rio Unplugged

Travel to funky Palermo in Buenos Aires, Experience farm life during a Uruguayan estancia stay, Visit Rio de Janeiro and party with the locals, See the Iguazu River crash into the Garganta do Diablo, Enjoy the laidback city of Montevideo, Discover Brazil's most beautiful beaches on Ilha Grande, Get lost in the backstreets of Colonia

Hug the coastline of eastern South America on this amazing unplugged adventure. Discover a myriad of colourful Argentinean attractions, travel to Rio de Janeiro to soak up 'la vida' Brazil style and explore the spirited capital of Uruguay. South America will reveal itself as a fun, feisty and flamboyant continent that will leave you giddy and wanting more, more, more!

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1pm on Day 1.
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, 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 the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Your leader will take you on a walking tour of the San Telmo neighbourhood where you can see the tango being danced in the streets.

Included Activities

•Leader-led walking tour

Optional Activities

•Tango show, Buenos Aires - ARS1540.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

The World Heritage-listed Barrio Historico is situated on a peninsula and is a great place to get your bearings. Stroll down the cute cobblestone streets and rub shoulders with locals as they go about their day continually sipping from their cup of mate (tea). The Plaza Mayor is especially lovely, with loads of parrakeets in its palm trees. The town has many small museums to poke around in.

 

Optional Activities

• Lighthouse visit, Colonia - UYU15.00

Accommodation

 

Hotel (1 nt)

We travel here by local bus (approx 3 hrs).

Despite all the trimmings of a modern metropolis it retains a laidback atmosphere and has lots of students. Most of the interesting buildings and many good museums are in the Ciudad Vieja, home to the Plaza Independencia with its eerie underground Mausolea Atigas mausoleum. There are good beaches to chill out on or visit the Mercade del Puerto where artists and musicians hang out on Sundays.

There's plenty to see on a stroll around town as well. There's the clash of attractive architectural styles, cafes playing tango music, buzzing markets, pretty plazas and interesting museums to explore.

Optional Activities

City tour, Montevideo - USD18.00

Gaucho Museum, Montevideo - Free

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

 

We travel to Tacuarembo by bus (approx 5 hrs). The bus has reclining seats and you'll be provided with a typical Uruguayan snack, although it's recommended you also bring your own food as the bus doesn't stop. From Tacuarembo, it's a further hour by truck and 4WD to the ranch.

 

Our stay on a local estancia is the real deal as we spend a few days experiencing a working farm. If you are up for it, you can fully involve yourself in the day-to-day jobs (which change according to any given day and the season) and may include herding the sheep and cows (on horseback), branding cattle, and marking and injecting the lambs against worms.

 

Don't expect luxury: things are simple down on the ranch - the accommodation is dorm style, there's only hot water and electricity for a couple of hours a day and the working day starts at 7.30am (although you are free to laze around and just relax). What you'll get is a warm Uruguayan welcome from our hosts, some of the best home-cooked food you have ever tasted and the chance to experience real farm life.

 

On the afternoon of your last day at the ranch we travel to Concordia in Argentina to take a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu. The bus has reclining seats, toilets, shows movies and a simple dinner is provided on board.

 

Accommodation

 

Hacienda (3 nts), Overnight bus (1 nt)

 

We travel to Tacuarembo by bus (approx 5 hrs). The bus has reclining seats and you'll be provided with a typical Uruguayan snack, although it's recommended you also bring your own food as the bus doesn't stop. From Tacuarembo, it's a further hour by truck and 4WD to the ranch.

 

Our stay on a local estancia is the real deal as we spend a few days experiencing a working farm. If you are up for it, you can fully involve yourself in the day-to-day jobs (which change according to any given day and the season) and may include herding the sheep and cows (on horseback), branding cattle, and marking and injecting the lambs against worms.

 

Don't expect luxury: things are simple down on the ranch - the accommodation is dorm style, there's only hot water and electricity for a couple of hours a day and the working day starts at 7.30am (although you are free to laze around and just relax). What you'll get is a warm Uruguayan welcome from our hosts, some of the best home-cooked food you have ever tasted and the chance to experience real farm life.

 

On the afternoon of your last day at the ranch we travel to Concordia in Argentina to take a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu. The bus has reclining seats, toilets, shows movies and a simple dinner is provided on board.

 

Accommodation

 

Hacienda (3 nts), Overnight bus (1 nt)

 

We travel to Tacuarembo by bus (approx 5 hrs). The bus has reclining seats and you'll be provided with a typical Uruguayan snack, although it's recommended you also bring your own food as the bus doesn't stop. From Tacuarembo, it's a further hour by truck and 4WD to the ranch.

 

Our stay on a local estancia is the real deal as we spend a few days experiencing a working farm. If you are up for it, you can fully involve yourself in the day-to-day jobs (which change according to any given day and the season) and may include herding the sheep and cows (on horseback), branding cattle, and marking and injecting the lambs against worms.

 

Don't expect luxury: things are simple down on the ranch - the accommodation is dorm style, there's only hot water and electricity for a couple of hours a day and the working day starts at 7.30am (although you are free to laze around and just relax). What you'll get is a warm Uruguayan welcome from our hosts, some of the best home-cooked food you have ever tasted and the chance to experience real farm life.

 

On the afternoon of your last day at the ranch we travel to Concordia in Argentina to take a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu. The bus has reclining seats, toilets, shows movies and a simple dinner is provided on board.

 

Accommodation

 

Hacienda (3 nts), Overnight bus (1 nt)

 

We travel to Tacuarembo by bus (approx 5 hrs). The bus has reclining seats and you'll be provided with a typical Uruguayan snack, although it's recommended you also bring your own food as the bus doesn't stop. From Tacuarembo, it's a further hour by truck and 4WD to the ranch.

 

Our stay on a local estancia is the real deal as we spend a few days experiencing a working farm. If you are up for it, you can fully involve yourself in the day-to-day jobs (which change according to any given day and the season) and may include herding the sheep and cows (on horseback), branding cattle, and marking and injecting the lambs against worms.

 

Don't expect luxury: things are simple down on the ranch - the accommodation is dorm style, there's only hot water and electricity for a couple of hours a day and the working day starts at 7.30am (although you are free to laze around and just relax). What you'll get is a warm Uruguayan welcome from our hosts, some of the best home-cooked food you have ever tasted and the chance to experience real farm life.

 

On the afternoon of your last day at the ranch we travel to Concordia in Argentina to take a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu. The bus has reclining seats, toilets, shows movies and a simple dinner is provided on board.

 

Accommodation

 

Hacienda (3 nts), Overnight bus (1 nt)

As soon as we arrive at Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) bus station, we take a minivan to our hotel in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil). This takes about an hour depending on traffic at the Brazil-Argentina border.

At over 2 km long, Iguazu Falls are actually a series of cataracts. There are over 270 falls in all, and with some reaching up to 80m in height, they are wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Legend has it that a serpent god intended to marry a beautiful girl called Naipi. She escaped in a canoe with her mortal lover Caroba and in a jealous rage the god chased them, collapsing the river before them so that Naipi plunged over the falls to become a rock, while Caroba became a tree, forever unable to touch his love. A more scientific explanation is that the Rio Iguazu flows over a riverbed of basalt that ends where the lava cooled, leaving the water to fall. The falls were 'discovered' in the modern day by the Spaniard Juan Alvar Nunez who named them Saltos de Santa Maria. The name we know them by today means 'Great Waters' in the Tupi-Guarani tongue.

Optional Activities

Acquamania Water Park, Iguazu Falls - BRL40.00

Bird Park, Iguazu Falls - USD17.00

Great Adventure, Iguazu Falls - BRL135.00

Helicopter ride, Iguazu Falls - USD110.00

Iguazu Falls - Argentinean Side, Iguazu Falls - USD68.00

Iguazu Falls - Brazilian Side, Iguazu Falls - USD48.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

As soon as we arrive at Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) bus station, we take a minivan to our hotel in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil). This takes about an hour depending on traffic at the Brazil-Argentina border.

At over 2 km long, Iguazu Falls are actually a series of cataracts. There are over 270 falls in all, and with some reaching up to 80m in height, they are wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Legend has it that a serpent god intended to marry a beautiful girl called Naipi. She escaped in a canoe with her mortal lover Caroba and in a jealous rage the god chased them, collapsing the river before them so that Naipi plunged over the falls to become a rock, while Caroba became a tree, forever unable to touch his love. A more scientific explanation is that the Rio Iguazu flows over a riverbed of basalt that ends where the lava cooled, leaving the water to fall. The falls were 'discovered' in the modern day by the Spaniard Juan Alvar Nunez who named them Saltos de Santa Maria. The name we know them by today means 'Great Waters' in the Tupi-Guarani tongue.

Optional Activities

Acquamania Water Park, Iguazu Falls - BRL40.00

Bird Park, Iguazu Falls - USD17.00

Great Adventure, Iguazu Falls - BRL135.00

Helicopter ride, Iguazu Falls - USD110.00

Iguazu Falls - Argentinean Side, Iguazu Falls - USD68.00

Iguazu Falls - Brazilian Side, Iguazu Falls - USD48.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

As soon as we arrive at Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) bus station, we take a minivan to our hotel in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil). This takes about an hour depending on traffic at the Brazil-Argentina border.

At over 2 km long, Iguazu Falls are actually a series of cataracts. There are over 270 falls in all, and with some reaching up to 80m in height, they are wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Legend has it that a serpent god intended to marry a beautiful girl called Naipi. She escaped in a canoe with her mortal lover Caroba and in a jealous rage the god chased them, collapsing the river before them so that Naipi plunged over the falls to become a rock, while Caroba became a tree, forever unable to touch his love. A more scientific explanation is that the Rio Iguazu flows over a riverbed of basalt that ends where the lava cooled, leaving the water to fall. The falls were 'discovered' in the modern day by the Spaniard Juan Alvar Nunez who named them Saltos de Santa Maria. The name we know them by today means 'Great Waters' in the Tupi-Guarani tongue.

Optional Activities

Acquamania Water Park, Iguazu Falls - BRL40.00

Bird Park, Iguazu Falls - USD17.00

Great Adventure, Iguazu Falls - BRL135.00

Helicopter ride, Iguazu Falls - USD110.00

Iguazu Falls - Argentinean Side, Iguazu Falls - USD68.00

Iguazu Falls - Brazilian Side, Iguazu Falls - USD48.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

Today is a long travel day as we fly to Sao Paulo (approx. 1hr) and move on to Sao Paulo's bus station to catch a local bus to Paraty (approx. a 6hr)

This World Heritage-listed town was originally settled in 1531 on the opposite side of the river but in the 17th century the Indians who lived on the current site were driven away and the town moved. Paraty later became a booming port town, famous for its sugar cane liquor but after the abolition of slavery it was slowly forgotten. With the opening of new roads, the town was 'rediscovered' and declared a national monument.

The patron saint of Paraty is Our Lady of the Medicines. Three hundred years ago a wealthy benefactor donated land for a church in her honour. In return, she asked only for an annual mass. Each year a wooden effigy of the virgin, adorned with silver is carried in a procession through the town during the Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios.

At high tide, some of Paraty's cobblestone streets are partly covered in sea water, adding to the rustic, colonial charm. The water of the bay is always right for swimming and the surrounding national parks are filled with trails, wildlife and waterfalls.

Optional Activities

Boat trip, Paraty - BRL60.00

Trindade excursion, Paraty - BRL3.50

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

Today is a long travel day as we fly to Sao Paulo (approx. 1hr) and move on to Sao Paulo's bus station to catch a local bus to Paraty (approx. a 6hr)

This World Heritage-listed town was originally settled in 1531 on the opposite side of the river but in the 17th century the Indians who lived on the current site were driven away and the town moved. Paraty later became a booming port town, famous for its sugar cane liquor but after the abolition of slavery it was slowly forgotten. With the opening of new roads, the town was 'rediscovered' and declared a national monument.

The patron saint of Paraty is Our Lady of the Medicines. Three hundred years ago a wealthy benefactor donated land for a church in her honour. In return, she asked only for an annual mass. Each year a wooden effigy of the virgin, adorned with silver is carried in a procession through the town during the Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios.

At high tide, some of Paraty's cobblestone streets are partly covered in sea water, adding to the rustic, colonial charm. The water of the bay is always right for swimming and the surrounding national parks are filled with trails, wildlife and waterfalls.

Optional Activities

Boat trip, Paraty - BRL60.00

Trindade excursion, Paraty - BRL3.50

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

Today is a long travel day as we fly to Sao Paulo (approx. 1hr) and move on to Sao Paulo's bus station to catch a local bus to Paraty (approx. a 6hr)

This World Heritage-listed town was originally settled in 1531 on the opposite side of the river but in the 17th century the Indians who lived on the current site were driven away and the town moved. Paraty later became a booming port town, famous for its sugar cane liquor but after the abolition of slavery it was slowly forgotten. With the opening of new roads, the town was 'rediscovered' and declared a national monument.

The patron saint of Paraty is Our Lady of the Medicines. Three hundred years ago a wealthy benefactor donated land for a church in her honour. In return, she asked only for an annual mass. Each year a wooden effigy of the virgin, adorned with silver is carried in a procession through the town during the Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios.

At high tide, some of Paraty's cobblestone streets are partly covered in sea water, adding to the rustic, colonial charm. The water of the bay is always right for swimming and the surrounding national parks are filled with trails, wildlife and waterfalls.

Optional Activities

Boat trip, Paraty - BRL60.00

Trindade excursion, Paraty - BRL3.50

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

We take a local bus and ferry to Ilha Grande (approx 5 hrs).

Ihla Grande is an island untouched by development, a paradise of tropical beaches and virgin rainforest. The island has a fascinating history, as it was variously a pirate's lair, a leper colony and a prison for violent criminals. The oppressive ruins of the prison can still be visited.

Trails through the forest lead to beautiful and remote beaches, like the Praia de Lopes Mendes, reputedly Brazil's most attractive beach. Spend time contemplating the sandy beaches with a caipirinha in hand or snorkelling and swimming in the beautiful warm waters.

Spend a day beach-hopping on a boat tour of Ilha Grande Bay all the way to the Blue Lagoon. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for fresh seafood and to swim and snorkel through the crystal clear waters.

Optional Activities

•Boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, Ilha Grande - BRL40.00
•Scuba diving, Ilha Grande - BRL150.00

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

We take a local bus and ferry to Ilha Grande (approx 5 hrs).

Ihla Grande is an island untouched by development, a paradise of tropical beaches and virgin rainforest. The island has a fascinating history, as it was variously a pirate's lair, a leper colony and a prison for violent criminals. The oppressive ruins of the prison can still be visited.

Trails through the forest lead to beautiful and remote beaches, like the Praia de Lopes Mendes, reputedly Brazil's most attractive beach. Spend time contemplating the sandy beaches with a caipirinha in hand or snorkelling and swimming in the beautiful warm waters.

Spend a day beach-hopping on a boat tour of Ilha Grande Bay all the way to the Blue Lagoon. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for fresh seafood and to swim and snorkel through the crystal clear waters.

Optional Activities

•Boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, Ilha Grande - BRL40.00
•Scuba diving, Ilha Grande - BRL150.00

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

We take a local bus and ferry to Ilha Grande (approx 5 hrs).

Ihla Grande is an island untouched by development, a paradise of tropical beaches and virgin rainforest. The island has a fascinating history, as it was variously a pirate's lair, a leper colony and a prison for violent criminals. The oppressive ruins of the prison can still be visited.

Trails through the forest lead to beautiful and remote beaches, like the Praia de Lopes Mendes, reputedly Brazil's most attractive beach. Spend time contemplating the sandy beaches with a caipirinha in hand or snorkelling and swimming in the beautiful warm waters.

Spend a day beach-hopping on a boat tour of Ilha Grande Bay all the way to the Blue Lagoon. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for fresh seafood and to swim and snorkel through the crystal clear waters.

Optional Activities

•Boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, Ilha Grande - BRL40.00
•Scuba diving, Ilha Grande - BRL150.00

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

We first take a boat to the small port of Mangaratiba (approx 2 hrs), then board a minivan to Rio (approx 2 hrs).

The French were the first to settle here as they logged wood along the Brazilian coast, but they were soon driven out by the Portuguese, who built a fortified town, naming it Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and quickly amassed wealth in the gold rush of Minas Gerais. In the 19th century, the Portuguese monarchy fled from the threat of Napoleon in Europe to Rio where they built grand buildings, still in existence today. These days Rio is known best for its contrasting images of favelas (shanty towns) and the glitz and glamour of Carnaval.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Optional Activities

Botanical Gardens, Rio de Janeiro - BRL5.00

Christ the Redeemer lookout, Rio de Janeiro - BRL25.75

Favela tour, Rio de Janeiro - BRL75.00

Maracana soccer game, Rio de Janeiro - BRL80.00

Santa Teresa tramcar, Rio de Janeiro - BRL1.00

Sugar loaf cable car, Rio de Janeiro - BRL53.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

We first take a boat to the small port of Mangaratiba (approx 2 hrs), then board a minivan to Rio (approx 2 hrs).

The French were the first to settle here as they logged wood along the Brazilian coast, but they were soon driven out by the Portuguese, who built a fortified town, naming it Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro and quickly amassed wealth in the gold rush of Minas Gerais. In the 19th century, the Portuguese monarchy fled from the threat of Napoleon in Europe to Rio where they built grand buildings, still in existence today. These days Rio is known best for its contrasting images of favelas (shanty towns) and the glitz and glamour of Carnaval.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Optional Activities

Botanical Gardens, Rio de Janeiro - BRL5.00

Christ the Redeemer lookout, Rio de Janeiro - BRL25.75

Favela tour, Rio de Janeiro - BRL75.00

Maracana soccer game, Rio de Janeiro - BRL80.00

Santa Teresa tramcar, Rio de Janeiro - BRL1.00

Sugar loaf cable car, Rio de Janeiro - BRL53.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

@variation

Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner