Paraguay & Iguazu Falls Tour

Arrive at Silvio Petirossi International Airport in Asunción and transfer to your hotel, where you will have time to refresh after the long trip. After some rest, start your afternoon with a journey into the city. On your city tour in Asunción, visit sites dating back to 1537. Visit the foundation of Asunción and the house where Paraguay's Independence was proclaimed at the "Casa de la Independencia." Continue to the cathedral, the oldest train station in South America, and the pantheon. After a busy day of sightseeing, indulge in some tasty empanadas at Lido, one of the most famous restaurants in Asunción. To finish the city tour, stop by the Silvio Petirossi market, a traditional Latin American market.

Today you will explore the surrounding areas of Asunción. Start in Yaguaron, where you will visit the oldest church of Paraguay, built by Franciscan monks in the 18th century. After, drive to Paraguarí and walk along its beautiful colonial buildings via Piribebuy to get to Caacupe, known as the Lourdes of South America. On your way back to Asunción, stop in San Bernadino, the first German colony, in Aregua, known for its ceramic art crafts. Finish the day with a stop in Luque, the capital of silver jewelry. At night, you will return to Asunción where you will have time to try one of the fantastic local restaurants.

In the morning, depart Asunción and head to Filadelfia, the capital of the department Boqurón. Cross over two bridges that connect eastern and western Paraguay. You will have a few opportunities to stop and get an impression of the bio-reserve, Chaco. By afternoon, you will arrive in Filadelfia. After a little repose, explore the city and visit the Jakob Unger Museum, which tells the history of the Mennonite colonies Filadelfia, Loma Plata, Neuland and Menno. You will also visit the diary of the Mennonites, a prime producer of creamery products.

Spend the day visiting the beautiful salt lakes of Loma Plata and the stock farming station of the Mennonites. Later, drive to one of the numerous estancias, where you can test your abilities as a real Gaucho, by milking the cows or throwing the lasso. In the afternoon, head back to Filadelfia for the rest of the night.

After a hearty breakfast, get ready for your visit to Boquerón. Boquerón is one of the places where the Chaco War occurred between Paraguay and Bolivia in 1932-35. Later, enjoy your drive to Concepción, where you will have opportunities to make short stops to see the nature and tranquility of Chaco. You will arrive in Concepción in the late afternoon. Choose to explore the city and its cafes for a drink, or relax in your hotel for the night.

Today you will change the pace with a new mode of transportation. Drive north in a little motorboat on one of the numerous rivers nearby Concepción. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready because this area has a wide variety of animals. If you're lucky, you might see a caiman, a capybara or perhaps a nandu. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to fish for piranhas with an expert guide. At night, enjoy dinner of the fish that you caught earlier. If you still have energy, spend some time exploring the city on your own. The nearly 300-year old buildings are sure to captivate your attention.

After breakfast, say your goodbyes to Concepción. On your journey, you will stop at one of the cigar manufacturers, where you will learn about the Paraguayan cigar industry. Enjoy having an expert explain to you how the cigars are still rolled by hand, just like they were 100 years ago. You might even get the courage to try and roll one. After your visit, continue to your next destination, Ciudad Del Este, the border town to Brazil. After crossing the "Friendship Bridge," you will arrive in Foz do Iguacu where you will spend the night.

Our program today consists of visiting the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Here, there are more than 275 waterfalls with a length of 4 km and a height of 90m. There are many different ways to explore the Falls and the national park. Consider a Macuco Safari, where you can experience Falls while floating underneath the Falls. At the national park, you will be surrounded by thousands of butterflies, iguanas, and lizards. At night, consider eating at the restaurant Rafain for some delicious Brazillian barbecue and a show (not included). After dinner, head back to your hotel.

In the morning, cross the border back to Paraguay, and visit Itaipu one of the eight wonders of the world in modern time. Itaipu means "the singing stone" in the language of the Guaraní. Right next to Itaipu is the Tati Yupi National Park and the Tierra de los Guarani Museum. You will visit both.

Later, your trip will take you down south to the ruins of the Jesuit reductions Trinidad and Jesús. Founded at the beginning of the 18th century, the ruins gave more than 4000 people a home. The Jesuit padres showed the Guaraní Indians how to live in organized communities, the art of agriculture, music, painting, and sculpture. Take a guided tour, and you will learn about the history of the land and people. From the ruins, you won't' have to travel far to reach your hotel for the night.

Sadly this is the last day of your journey, but before it ends you will stop in Obligado to visit one of the biggest factories for the yerba mate. Yerba Mate is the national drink of Paraguay. During the winter, locals will drink it hot. In the summer, it turns cold and is renamed Terere. After, follow Route 1 to San Ignacio where you will visit the most important museum about the Jesuit time. Your last stop before arriving Asunción will be Yaguaron with the oldest church of Paraguay. By late afternoon, you will be back in Asunción where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

After breakfast transfer to the airport Silvio Petirossi.