Tango, Candombe, & Samba

Land in Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital Buenos Aires and feel the energy of the city as soon as you step outside the airport. After unpacking your bags, explore the romantic Buenos Aires on a half-day city tour. Start at the striking Obelisk in the center of 9 de Julio Avenue and continue to the public squares of Plaza de Mayo and the Plaza San Martín. Discover the distinctive character of each of the barrios of La Boca, San Telmo, Montserrat, Palermo, Recoleta and Puerto Madero. After getting a taste of the city’s highlights, spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Experience the natural refuge of El Tigre Delta. Travel a short distance north of Buenos Aires to discover this green and tranquil hideaway popular with locals. Cruise through the zigzagging rivers in a catamaran boat and take pleasure in the lush vegetation while listening to birdsongs. Return to your hotel in Buenos Aires in the afternoon.

Enjoy a free day to explore the city on your own. When evening draws near, put on your finest threads and get ready to paint the town red. Dine on a 3-course meal accompanied with wine, and watch a riveting tango performance set to live music at one of the most famous tango houses in the city.

Travel to the tranquil city of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Sail on a ferry across the Rio de la Plata and be greeted by your guide at Montevideo pier. Set off on a city tour and see the impressive Independence Square, the stately Legislative Palace, the traditional Prado neighborhood and the residential zone of Carrasco. Note the contrast of architecture and layout of the streets in the Old City and visit key cultural monuments such as the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the Mercado del Puerto, where you can stop to enjoy a delicious lunch (not included) after working up a healthy appetite. Make your way back to your hotel and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.

Tonight at the heart of Old Montevideo you can enjoy a dinner theater with an important display of music and choreography of candombe, tango, milonga and folk music.

Discover the charming UNESCO World Heritage city of Colonia on a full-day tour. Ramble along the cobblestone streets, be astounded by the ancient forts and walls then delve into the history of the region at the Spanish and Portuguese Museums. Explore the seaside with a walk to the port, and feel the sand between your toes at Ferrando Beach. Understand the true spirit of the city when you wander down the colorful Coastal Rambla from the Old City to the Real de San Carlos and visit the bullring, the horse racing stadium and the old port. Spend the night in Colonia.

Rise early and catch the ferry back to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Iguazú. It’s the closest city to the Iguazú Falls, the magnificent waterfalls in the heart of the Misiones Forest in northeastern Argentina. Check into your hotel and relax for the night.

Spend the day exploring the Argentine side of the phenomenal Iguazú Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are over 275 waterfalls plunging down an incredible 72 meters, and the spectacular spray can be seen from the town. Walk along hiking trails through the Argentine part of the National Park discovering exotic subtropical vegetation, toucans, butterflies and capybaras. Perhaps jump on board the Ecological Train that transports passengers from the entrance of the park to the shores of the Falls. Here, marvel at the astonishing Devil's Throat, the largest of the waterfalls at Iguazú. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Appreciate the Falls from a different perspective today. Cross over the border into Brazil and enter the Foz do Iguassu National Park. Although not as extensive as Argentina's section of the Park, there are more chances to view every facet of the Falls and venture out over the water on the catwalks. Or choose to take a boat ride underneath the cascading torrents and feel the spray on your skin. Return to the hotel and take a rest, then transfer to Foz do Iguassu Airport, board a flight to Rio de Janeiro and check into your hotel upon arrival.

Feel the cultural soul and spirit of the carioca city on a full-day tour. Pass by the Sambodromo Stadium where dancers from all corners of Brazil perform during the Carnival in February. Next, visit the striking Metropolitan Cathedral and the traditional Cinelândia Square to view the historic Municipal Theater, the stately National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Continue to Sugar Loaf Mountain and ascend in a cable car to Urca Hill at 215m-high to gaze at the wide blue Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and the majestic Corcovado Mountain. Ride a second cable car to reach Corcovado’s summit at an altitude of 586m and bask in the fantastic scene created by the gorgeous Copacabana Beach and the imposing Santa Cruz Fortress. Descend down the mountain via cable car and transfer back to your hotel in the late afternoon. Spend the remainder of the day sunbathing or take a refreshing swim in the ocean at one of Rio’s world-famous beaches.

Discover even more of Rio on another tour and see the city from a bird’s eye perspective. Head to the Cosme Velho Train cogwheel station at the foot of Corcovado Mountain. Look out to see the dense, green Tijuca rainforest before reaching a viewpoint to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue that stands at an altitude of 38 meters. Observe the statue in greater detail and take in the incredible sweeping views of the bay and the city. In the evening, be seduced by the charm and rhythm of the cariocas at a Samba Dinner Show that includes a mouth-watering meal and a vibrant live dance performance. Return to your hotel after a full day experiencing the highlights diverse and colorful city.

Remember the sights and sounds of this fantastic tour and get ready to leave behind three very different countries in the region. Transfer to the airport for the flight home or to your next destination in South America.