A nine-day journey linking three of South America's best-known destinations by domestic flight.
The circuit opens with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, with half-day tours to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car and to Corcovado, where the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks Guanabara Bay. It continues with two nights at the Iguaçu Falls, visited from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides, including the Garganta del Diablo. It closes with three nights in Buenos Aires, with a half-day city tour taking in La Boca, San Telmo, Plaza de Mayo, the Obelisco, Recoleta and Puerto Madero, and an evening tango show with dinner. Accommodation is offered in 3-, 4- and 5-star categories, and a free day in Buenos Aires leaves room for optional excursions.
Highlights
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car via Morro da Urca
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, with the Garganta del Diablo
Buenos Aires city tour: La Boca, San Telmo, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the Obelisco, Recoleta and Puerto Madero
Tango show with dinner in Buenos Aires
Domestic flights Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Buenos Aires
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro airport, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure in Copacabana.
Day2
Day 2: Sugarloaf and central Rio
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) in a small group with an English-speaking guide to Sugarloaf. From Praia Vermelha, a cable car rises first to Morro da Urca and then to the summit of Pão de Açúcar, with views over Copacabana, Ipanema, Leme, Guanabara Bay, the Rio–Niterói Bridge and Corcovado. The tour continues by car through central old Rio, past colonial-era churches, monasteries and buildings; time permitting, the Catedral de São Sebastião and the Escadaria Selarón.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, half-day tour (about 4 hours) in a small group with an English-speaking guide to Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the forest to the summit at 700 m, where the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer (erected in 1931) overlooks Guanabara Bay, the Maracanã stadium, the Botanical Garden, the Rio–Niterói Bridge and Sugarloaf.
Day4
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu. On arrival a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel. The falls lie on the Iguaçu River, on the border between Brazil and Argentina.
Day5
Day 5: Iguaçu Falls — Brazilian side
After breakfast, excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls, set within a national park. Walkways along the canyon of the Iguaçu River lead to viewpoints over the falls and the Garganta del Diablo.
Day6
Day 6: Iguaçu Falls — Argentine side and flight to Buenos Aires
After breakfast, excursion to the Argentine side of the Iguaçu Falls. Crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge, trails through the national park lead to viewpoints above and beside the falls, including the Garganta del Diablo. After the tour, transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Day7
Day 7: Buenos Aires city tour and tango show
After breakfast, half-day city tour (about 4 hours) in a small group with an English-speaking guide. It takes in La Boca, San Telmo with the Plaza Dorrego antiques market, Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, the Obelisco on Avenida 9 de Julio, the Recoleta district with its cemetery and the El Pilar church, Puerto Madero, and the Lezama and Tres de Febrero parks. In the evening, a tango show with dinner and wine.
Day8
Day 8: Free Day in Buenos Aires
After breakfast, free day for independent activities or optional excursions.
Day9
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Suggested hotels
Best Western Plus Design Copacabana
Standard
Rio de Janeiro
3-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Viale Tower
Standard
Foz do Iguaçu
3-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
Icaro Suites Buenos Aires
Standard
Buenos Aires
3-star option in Buenos Aires (3 nights).
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas
Superior
Foz do Iguaçu
4-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
474 Buenos Aires Hotel
Superior
San Nicolás
4-star option in Buenos Aires (3 nights).
Rooftop terrace
Resto bar
Garden
Conference room
Laundry service
Free WiFi
Galerías Pacífico (~0.4 km)
Av. Corrientes (~0.3 km)
Puerto Madero (~0.8 km)
Galerías Pacífico
Miramar by Windsor
Luxury
Rio de Janeiro
5-star option in Rio de Janeiro (3 nights).
DoubleTree by Hilton Foz do Iguaçu
Luxury
Foz do Iguaçu
5-star option in Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights).
InterContinental Buenos Aires
Luxury
Buenos Aires
5-star option in Buenos Aires (3 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the listed hotels or similar (8 nights: 3 in Rio de Janeiro, 2 in Foz do Iguaçu, 3 in Buenos Aires)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Airport–hotel–airport transfers with driver, in a small group
Included: Domestic flights: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Buenos Aires
Included: Half-day Sugarloaf and central Rio tour with an English-speaking guide, in a small group
Included: Half-day Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer tour with an English-speaking guide, in a small group
Included: Iguaçu Falls, Brazilian side, with an English-speaking guide, in a small group
Included: Iguaçu Falls, Argentine side, with an English-speaking guide, in a small group
Included: Half-day Buenos Aires city tour with an English-speaking guide, in a small group
Included: Tango show with dinner and wine in Buenos Aires
What's not included
Not included: International airfare (the domestic Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu – Buenos Aires flight is included)
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme, and food and drinks during transfers
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Rio by night (show) — Evening show of samba and Latin American dances. Transfers not included. Price: USD 205 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Guanabara Bay boat trip — Boat trip from Marina da Glória past Botafogo, Flamengo and Urca, with views of Pão de Açúcar, the Rio–Niterói Bridge and the Museum of Modern Art. Small group, minimum 2 people. Transfers included. Price: USD 325.
Optional, at extra cost:
Secrets of Old Rio — Four-hour tour of the historic centre: the Candelária Church, the São Bento Monastery, the Arcos da Lapa, the Municipal Theatre, Praça XV and the Confeitaria Colombo (food and drinks not included). Minimum 2 people. Price: USD 220 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Helicopter flight — Scenic flight over Rio de Janeiro, with options from 6 to 13 minutes. Price on request depending on flight duration.
Optional, at extra cost:
Botanical Garden — Visit to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, with its plant collection and imperial palms. Minimum 2 people. Price: USD 255 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Favela tour — Tour of the Rocinha favela by vehicle. In a shared group: USD 120 per person; private (minimum 2 people): USD 273 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Hang gliding — Hang-gliding flight from Pedra Bonita in the Floresta da Tijuca, landing at Pepino beach. Transfers and GoPro recording included. Price: USD 510 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Rafain show — Dinner with a show of Latin American performers at the Rafain Grill. Drinks not included. Price: USD 155 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Macuco Safari — Jeep safari through the jungle and a boat ride to the foot of the falls. Add-on to the Brazilian-side excursion. Price: USD 182 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Bird Park — Visit to the bird park next to the Iguaçu National Park. Add-on to the Brazilian-side excursion. Price: USD 90 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Helicopter flight over the falls — Ten-minute flight over the Iguaçu Falls. Minimum 4 people. Add-on to the Brazilian-side excursion. Price: USD 230 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Tigre and the northern suburbs — Excursion through San Isidro and the Tigre delta, with a boat ride along its rivers and canals. Shared group. Price: USD 168 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Montevideo (Uruguay) — Full-day excursion to Montevideo crossing the Río de la Plata by ferry: the port, Plaza Independencia, the Old Town and the cathedral. Minimum 2 people. Ferry tickets included. Price: USD 925 per person.
Optional, at extra cost:
Fiesta Gaucha — Full day (about 8 hours) at a ranch 80 km from the city, with gaucho folklore and a traditional Argentine lunch included. Shared group. Price: USD 348 per person.