4* & 5* Paraguay Tour to German Towns

Day 1: Asunción
Arrival at the international airport Silvio Petirossi in Asunción and transfer to your hotel, where you have time to refresh after the long trip. In the afternoon we will start our journey with the city tour in Asunción. We will visits sites from the beginning in 1537, the foundation of Asunción, The Independence 1811, rules of President Lopez and today. We will visit the house where the Independence got proclaimed "Casa de la independencia", the cathedral, the train station, the oldest in whole South America and the national pantheon. You also have the chance to try one of the typical foods, the empanadas in one of the most famous restaurants in Asunción the "Lido".
At the end of our tour we will stop at the market Silvio Petirossi which is a typical market for Latin America.

Day 2: Asunción - "Golden Roundtrip" - Asunción
Today we will explore the surrounding areas of Asunción. Beginning in Yaguaron where we will visit the oldest church of Paraguay, built by Franciscan monks in the 18th century. Then we will drive to Paraguarí with its colonial buildings via Piribebuy to get to Caacupe which is known as the Lourdes of South America. On the way back to Asunción we will stop in San Bernadino, the first German colony, in Aregua that is known for its ceramic art crafts and finishing with Luque the capital of silver jewelry. In the evening we will be back in Asunción where you have time to try one of the numerous meat restaurants.

Day 3: Asunción - Chaco / Filadelfia
We will leave Asunción in the morning driving direction Filadelfia, the capital of the department Boqurón. The Chaco starts after passing one of the two bridges that connect the east and the west of the country. During the travel we will stop a few times so you have the chance to get an impression of the bio-reserve Chaco. We will arrive in Filadelfia in the afternoon. After a little repose we will explore the city and visit the Jakob Unger museum, which tells the story about the beginning of the Mennonite colonies Filadelfia, Loma Plata, Neuland and Menno. We will also visit the diary oft he Mennonites. From here the Mennonites attend the whole country with creamery products.

Day 4: Filadelfia
Today we will spend the day by visiting the salt lakes of Loma Plata, there we also visit the stock farming station of the Mennonites. After this we will hit the way to one of the numerous Estancias where you can show your abilities as a real Gaucho, by milking the cows or throwing the lasso for example. In the afternoon we will drive back to Filadelfia where we spend the night.

Day 5: Filadelfia - Estancia Aventura
After breakfast we first visit Boquerón. One of the place of the Chaco War which happened between Paraguay and Bolivia in 1932-35. Germans fought for both sides for their countries. After the visit we drive closer to Asuncion to our next destination the Estancia Aventura. There is plenty of time for short stops so you may enjoy the nature and the tranquility of the Chaco. We arrive at the Estancia Aventura in the late afternoon were we will stay for the next few days.

Day 6: Estancia Aventura
Today you have the choice of different activities. You could ride a horse; go for a walk or just relaxing at the pool. You could enjoy the outdoors with one of the natural rivers which pass the estancia. In the evening you will have a typical barbeque (Assado).

Day 7: Estancia Aventura - Independencia - Villarica
After breakfast we leave the estancia and follow the Route 2 toward our next stop; Villarica which was founded in 1879 and today it is the capital of the state Guaria. In the afternoon we will have the time to visit the palace of the government. But Villarica is also known for hit musician and poets. So when open we might to visit one of the plenty museum. Before driving to Independencia we have a short rest in our hotel and we drop of our luggage. Independencia was founded in the 1920's by German immigrants. German is the 3rd language in Paraguay after Guaraní and Spanish. Apart from visiting Independencia we will hike to the salto suizo and walk to the top of the hill curuzu. From there we will have a wonderful view over the surrounding of Independencia. In the afternoon we drive back to Asuncion and we will arrive in the early evening.

Day 8: Villarica - Yegros - Bella Vista
This little adventure takes us to the south. Driving off road from Villarica to Yegros, crossing rivers by old bridges of wood and small villages were most of the people only speaking the natural language of Guaraní. Passing large cattle ranches till we arrive Midday at the Yegros where we will have lunch. Yegros is an old German colony and now in the 4th generation of German immigrants. After lunch we drive southward still we get back on the road again. Before driving to Encarnacion we are going to make a stop in San Cosme y Damián, were the German Jesuit Padres Unger, Gilde, Scal and Enis had a big influence in these reductions. In the late afternoon we will arrive in the German colony Bella Vista were our hotel is located. Please be informed that if it rains it might not be possible to drive from Villarica to Yegros. In this case we drive through the Route 1 over Villa Florida.

Day 9: Bella Vista
After breakfast we will visit the ruins of Trinidad and Jesus which have been a world heritage site 1993. In the Jesuit time more than 4000 people lived in these reductions under the command of the padres. In Trinidad you will see the dimension of this open air museum. Then drive through the area of the Deutsch founded colonies. There you get a great view of the river Parana. In the evening, we enjoy a show of lights in the reduction Trinidad. Subtle play of light and baroque sounds brings the past to life.
Later return to the hotel.

Day 10: Bella Vista - Foz do Iguaçu
After breakfast we take the direction to Ciudad Del Este to visit Itaipu - the most powerful hydro plant in the world. It is also called one of the wonders of the world in modern times. Here they produce more energy than 12 nuclear plants. We visit the museum of the Guaraní (Tierra de los Guaraní) and cross the bridge to get to our Hotel on the Brazilian side.

Day 11: Foz do Iguaçu
In morning we will visit one of the biggest waterfalls in the world; the Falls Of Iguacu has more than 275 falls in a length of 4km and a height of 90 m. Explore on one of the many trails in the natural habitat of this national park and be impressed by these massive falls. After the visit we will drive you to the airport of Foz where you fly to you next Program or your can catch your connecting flight home.