South American Adventure Tour

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

The vibrant, bustling and beautifully located city of Rio de Janeiro makes a great place to start our tour across two of South America’s most fascinating countries. Named from the Portuguese for River and the month of January, it is a hard location to beat. With 120 miles of marvellous beaches, and a mountain backdrop to die for, it is a city that lives up to its name – Cidade Marvihosa. These first couple of days have been left free for you to choose from a number of optional trips and really explore the city. First though, we head out with our tour leader to orientate ourselves with the area, probably heading to the world-famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. Highly recommended is a guided tour to see more of the city travelling by bus, metro and tram to visit, amongst other parts, the historical city centre and the picturesque barrio of Santa Teresa taking in real life in Rio. Or a trip out to Sugar Loaf Mountain, the giant rock at the entrance of Guanabara Bay where you can take a cable car up to the breathtaking views of Rio. Your tour leader can also organise a visit to the towering summit of Corcovado (712m) topped by the immense statue of Christ the Redeemer, or if it is possible you may prefer to watch a local football match in the Olympic Stadium. England may be the home of soccer, but Brazil is still very much its temple and to experience a game is a memorable event. A visit to the old bohemian district of Lapa, where every night the authentic samba still can be enjoyed should not be missed.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving the amazing city of Rio behind us today, we journey down the Atlantic coast by public bus to Angra dos Reis. This will be our gateway out to Ilha Grande, a beautiful island preserve of spectacular scenery, unspoilt beaches and atmospheric ruins. We take a boat from Angra dos Reis later this afternoon, travelling the short distance to the colonial port of Vila Do Abraão (about 1.5 hours), a picturesque coastal town lying beneath the shadow of towering mountains. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

A free day on this lush island paradise. The island covers nearly 200 square kilometres and a number of trails lead off into the rich interior of the island, offering some quite spectacular walking. The jungle canopies are alive with the sights and sounds of squawking parrots, colourful butterflies and playful monkeys, making for an idyllic setting in which to spend your day. A more adventurous trek will take you to the mountainous summit of Bico do Papagaio (the Parrot’s Beak), whilst closer to home are the ruins of the Antigo Presídio, a once infamous prison for political detainees. Alternatively you may prefer simply to relax on the unspoilt beaches, taking a boat trip out to enjoy some snorkelling in the Atlantic waters off the coast. Your tour leader will be able to offer advice and help with any optional trips you wish to try.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Boarding the ferry this morning, we head back to the mainland before catching the public bus along a lush forested coastline to the coastal town of Paraty and one of the most important examples of Portuguese colonial architecture anywhere. We have a full day to explore at leisure this most delightful of towns. Once an important port of trade during the height of the Brazilian gold rush, the town today is a visual treat, its cobbled streets hiding a collection of majestic whitewashed buildings along the Rua do Comercio and no fewer than four stunning colonial churches, including the dominant Nossa Senhora dos Remedios. This is also an ideal spot to relax, by taking a boat trip out to some of the outlying islands and tropical beaches in the bay, with the chance to stop off and swim and snorkel in the clear, lukewarm Atlantic waters. Another option is to take a trip back in time and explore the trail through the mountains once used by the miners to bring their gold.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Transferring to the bus station this morning, we have a full day’s drive ahead of by comfortable long distance bus. Heading away from the coast and stopping only on the outskirts of the 16 million metropolis of São Paulo to change buses, we arrive in the modern city of Curitiba, capital of Paraná state. Once a gold mining centre, this pleasant town is very much an immigrants’ city, with its modern streets now playing host to the descendants of the 19th and 20th century settlers who flocked here from Western Europe, Poland, the Ukraine, even Japan and the Middle East. We arrive late at our hotel to plan our sightseeing for tomorrow.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We have the day to wander the streets of this attractive city, explore its historic quarter, or visit some of its numerous parks and museums. The city has a distinctly European feel to it and many of its preserved buildings are very reminiscent of its colonial past. But there is also the option today to take the train, to the forested tranquillity of the Serra do Mar mountains, along Brazil’s most spectacular railway journey. Descending from 1000m to almost sea level the train traverses a landscape of high cliffs, plunging waterfalls and dense Atlantic rainforest to reach the subtropical plains. This masterpiece of railway construction was built between 1880 and 1885 by Belgian engineers and European immigrants and still transports many export crops like soya beans and coffee to the harbour of Paranaguá. A visit to the pleasant colonial village of Morretes completes this optional tour.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Another long distance public bus journey takes us further inland today. The landscape becomes lusher as we head into a tropical region of jungle and fast-flowing brown rivers. We arrive in the early evening at Foz do Iguacu, gateway to the Brazilian side of the mighty Iguacu Falls.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Four times wider than Niagara, the falls hurtle over high cliffs into a marvellous curved amphitheatre several miles wide – a breathtaking sight. The noise is tremendous and huge clouds of mist are churned up by the cascade. The surrounding spray-soaked forest is alive with brightly plumaged toucans, parrots, humming birds and colourful butterflies. This morning we have an included trip to the Brazilian side of the falls which allows for the best front-on views of the impressive cataracts. This afternoon has been left free for a number of optional trips, you could always visit the Tropicana Bird park lying in the rainforest near the entrance gate – this is a must for ornithologists and anyone interested in local wildlife. For a more spectacular view of the falls you may like to take a 10 minute helicopter flight or a boat ride, for a breathtaking, but very soggy, journey to the base of the Macuco Falls. Another option this afternoon is an excursion to the 65 stories high Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, with an 8km long dam and a reservoir that covers 1400 square kilometres. The output from the plant, supplies some 80% of Paraguay’s electricity and 25% of Brazil’s.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, we cross to the Argentinean side of the falls where you have a free day to explore the falls from a different angle. Later this afternoon we will board our comfortable long distance public bus for the overnight journey to Buenos Aires. The coach has reclining seats, a toilet on board and snacks and drinks are also available.

Overnight Public Bus (U) Included meals: Breakfast

From the tropical forests of Iguacu, we arrive in one of South America’s most cosmopolitan cities and home to passionate and intense tango dancers. We go to our hotel before heading out this afternoon with our tour leader on an orientation tour. Since its founding by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536, the city has thrived on trade and its bustling streets are filled with an eclectic mix of European architectural styles, with Spanish, French and Italian classicism rubbing shoulders with remnants of Victorian grandeur. Gaining independence from its Spanish overlords in 1816 the city grew to rival the great cities of Europe, its wide avenues and elegant squares earning it the title of the Paris of the South. This afternoon we plan to explore come of the city on foot with our tour leader, especially the major landmarks around the Plaza de Mayo, site of the famous mass demonstrations by supporters of Juan Domingo Peron in 1945, organised by his wife Eva.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Today has been left free for an optional guided tour of the city when you can visit the elaborate mausoleums of the famous Recoleta Cemetary, the final resting place of some of Argentina’s most revered figures, including Eva Peron herself. Also take the opportunity to visit Palermo Park or take a tour to the colourful vibrancy of La Caminito in the La Boca district of the city. Settled originally by Italian migrants, the area is famed for its colourful houses and lively street performers. Or for something a little further afield you could take a trip across the River Plate to Colonia, the beautiful colonial city in Uruguay. On any of our evenings here you can enjoy Buenos Aires’ dazzling nightlife and soak up the pulsating rhythms of one of South America’s most captivating cities, perhaps taking the opportunity to enjoy a tango show (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast