Jesuit Missions & Iguazú Falls

Begin the fantastic 6-day Iguassu Falls & Jesuit Missions tour in the city of Oberá, Argentina. Arrive at the Posadas airport, meet your guide and set out on a city tour. Oberá is the second largest city in the province of Misiones and blessed with lush green hills, streams and waterfalls. Founded by European immigrants in the late 19th century, it retains the legacy of the significant Scandinavian and Lebanese communities who still live alongside the fifteen indigenous groups from the region. Each year, the city hosts an Immigrants’ Festival to celebrate Oberá's unique cultural heritage. While roaming the streets, marvel at the bell towers and steeples of the more than thirty churches here, for which the city is also nicknamed the "City of Churches”. Afterward, check into your hotel in Posadas and relax for the night.

Explore the soul and spirit of various Jesuit Missions in the Paraná and Itapúa areas of Paraguay. Encounter La Santísima Trinidad and Jesús de Tavarangue, both built in 1609 and central to the Jesuit and Guarani reduction for 150 years. The ruins feature impressive brickwork, Baroque details and extensive foundations and grounds that hint at their former architectural glory. In the late afternoon, return to your hotel in Posadas.

Travel through the Misiones Province of Argentina today and visit the Reduction of Our Lady of Saint Ana, originally founded in 1633. Along with the Reduction of Our Lady of Loreto, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through the ruins and learn about the history of the Jesuits in South America on a guided tour and get tangled up in the surrounding jungle vegetation.

Discover one of the best-preserved Jesuit missions today, the impressive San Ignacio Miní mission located in the scenic San Ignacio Valley in Argentina. Established in 1632, it features intricate Baroque architectural details. These ruins were abandoned for many decades and hidden underneath dense vegetation until 1897. An expedition in 1903 and subsequent restoration projects in the 1940s led to the inclusion of the missions on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in the 1980s. After the archaeological tour, head to the Wanda gem mines, a treasure trove of semi-precious stones such as agate, quartz and amethyst. Continue to Puerto Iguazú and check into your hotel, resting for the evening while anticipating the highlight of the trip, the phenomenal Iguazú Falls on the following day.

Venture out to witness the impressive Iguazú Falls this morning. Wander through the Iguazú National Park, a dense jungle surrounding the Falls on the Argentine side of the border. Hear the roar of the torrential water and peer over the edge to to be astounded by the sight of the San Martin Falls and the Devil's Throat, the most magnificent falls in the area. Water cascades from a heady height of some seventy meters, forming a halo of mist around the forest canopy. Observe the Falls from every aspect, stopping at different outlook points along the trails. Look out for exotic wildlife along the way such as delicate butterflies, playful monkeys and several species of birds, as well as an amazing array of flowers and plants. Then, board a boat ride and approach the Iguazú River canyon at the base, gaze up in awe at the spectacular falls and get soaked by the spray.

Embark on an adventure to the Brazilian side of the Falls today. The Brazilian national park includes several walkways leading out onto the Iguassu River where you can walk out over the water. Head to the upper falls, meander along the paths and spy more birds and wildlife. After appreciating the splendor of Mother Nature, transfer to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination in South America.