Intrepid Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

• Enjoy incredible home-cooking and hospitality during your estancia stay, and learn about Uruguay’s gauchos – legendary cowboys.
• Soak up the cosmopolitan charms of Buenos Aires and explore the sights of its historic city centre on foot.
• Spend three days at a working estancia (farm) in Uruguay, where you can spend your time getting involved in farm work, riding horses or simply relaxing in the sun.
• Stop in colourful Colonia del Sacramento, where vintage cars line the streets and an old drawbridge leads to the UNESCO-listed Old Quarter.
• The mighty Iguazu Falls straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil, and you’ll cross the border to see it from both countries.

Meals

8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Transport

Plane , local bus , ferry , overnight bus

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Estancia (3 nights), Overnight Bus (1 night)

Included Activities

• Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
• Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
• Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
• Tacuarembo - 3-Night Stay on a Working Estancia

Day - 1

Location: Buenos Aires - Bienvenidos. Welcome to Argentina. Your trip begins with an orientation walk around Buenos Aires’ Microcentro district at 1 pm. Your leader will be waiting in the lobby of your joining point hotel. Pass by historic buildings along the Avenida de Mayo, including the Casa Rosada (Argentina's government house) and perhaps have a coffee in the traditional Cafe Tortoni. Stroll around the picturesque streets of San Telmo and its antique markets. Attend a group welcome meeting at 6 pm to prepare for the rest of your adventure.

Day - 2

Location: Colonia del Sacramento - Today cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Colonia del Sacramento by ferry (approximately 1.5 hours). On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this charming colonial city, known as the oldest in Uruguay. The World Heritage-listed Barrio Historico (Old Quarter) is a great place to start. Stroll down the cobblestone streets and rub shoulders with locals as they sip their yerba mate (tea). Listen to the noisy parakeets in the Plaza Mayor, or comb Colonia’s small museums. For great views over the city, climb to the top of a 19th-century lighthouse that’s still in operation.

Day - 3

Location: Estancia Stay - Today is a long travel day. Take a comfortable local bus from Colonia to Montevideo (approximately 3 hours). From Montevideo it's a further 5-hour journey to Tacuarembo by bus. The bus has reclining seats, but as the bus doesn’t stop it's also recommended that you bring some extra snacks at your own expense. From Tacuarembo, take a 1-hour truck and 4WD journey to the ranch, where you can get to know your hosts.

Day - 4-5

Location: Estancia Stay - Spend a few days experiencing life on a working Uruguayan farm. Although you’re welcome to relax and explore your surroundings at your leisure, you can also get involved with day-to-day jobs around the ranch. As a working farm, the digs aren’t fancy, but the incredible surroundings and hospitality are something special. Enjoy three home-cooked meals a day and the chance to ride horses, in true gaucho (cowboy) style.

Day - 6

Location: Overnight Bus - Iguazu Falls - In the morning bid farewell to your hosts. Travel to the Uruguay/Argentinian border (3 hours). Cross the border to Concordia in Argentina. Board a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu.

Day - 7

Location: Iguazu Falls (Brazilian Side) - As soon as you arrive at Puerto Iguazu bus station this morning, take a minivan across the border into Brazil and head straight to the national park to witness the majestic Foz do Iguacu/Iguazu Falls. After some time spent admiring this force of nature, head to your hotel in Foz do Iguacu. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

Day - 8

Location: Iguazu Falls (Argentinian side) - Return to Argentina today to see Iguazu Falls from a different angle. Following a series of boardwalks, it’s possible to get so close to the thundering waters that you can almost touch them. At over two-kilometres long, Iguazu Falls are made up of over 270 separate cascades, with some reaching up to 80 metres in height. For a more exhilarating experience, take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls! In the afternoon return to your accommodation in Foz do Iguacu in Brazil.

Day - 9

Location: Rio de Janeiro - Take an included flight to Rio de Janeiro. Settle into your hotel room then head out with your leader for an orientation walk. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to Copacabana or Ipanema Beach or, if the time of year is right, check out a soccer game at the famous Maracana Stadium. You might like to take the tramcar up to the hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa or head up Corcovado Mountain, where you’ll find sweeping views over Rio from the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Day - 10

Location: Rio de Janeiro - Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you'd like to spend more time in Rio de Janeiro, we would be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).