Footprint Expeditions in South America

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• » 13 Days/12 Nights-Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro (STRB-OE-)

Day 01, 02.- Buenos Aires

Arrive in Buenos Aires  at anytime throughout the day. Transportation is included from the airport to the corresponding hotel, and there are no activities planned for this day until our first welcome meeting in the late afternoon, most likely in the hotel lobby.

Buenos Aires is located on the shores of Rio de la Plata (River of Silver), it has population of 13 million people. The city of Buenos Aires was first established as Ciudad de Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Ayre (literally "City of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Fair Winds") on 2 February 1536 by a Spanish expedition led by Pedro de Mendoza.

Buenos Aires depended on trade. During most of the 17th and 18th centuries, By the 1920s Buenos Aires was a favored destination for immigrants from Europe, particularly Spain and Italy.

Considered a cosmopolitan city, it has plenty European architecture and it gives a feeling of been in a European city.  This city has some well known distinct neighborhoods. Situated on the old port visit the colorful and vivid neighborhood of La Boca, walk along it main attraction Caminito (named for popular tango song), where local artists show their bright colored paintings, at the same time this neighborhood gives the name to the most popular  football team in the country: Boca Juniors. Explore the relaxed and bohemian neighborhood of La Recoleta, visit the Cemetery where Argentineans elites where buried in ornate splendor, follow the crowds and you will find Evita’s crave. You should not miss the antique fair and tango shows in San Telmo.

Tango music was born in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, notably in the brothels of the Junín y Lavalle district and in the arrabales (poorer suburbs). Its sensual dance moves were not seen as respectable until adopted by the Parisian high society in the 1920s, and then all over the world. Tango consists of a variety of styles that developed in different regions and eras of Argentina and Uruguay as well as in other locations around the world. Tango show dinner is included.

Enjoy a drink in one of the many sidewalk cafés and restaurants, and you will begin to understand the contemplative Argentine way of life. Buenos Aires has one of the best chances to try a delicious parrillada, or a juicy and tender beef.
Meals Included:Breakfast (01) Dinner show (01).

Day 03 - 04 – Colonia.

Travel by ferry  and cross the Delta of the Rio de la Plata, arrive to the picturesque and unique colonial town of Colonia, walk from the harbor to our hotel. Founded in 1680 by Portugal as Colónia do Sacramento like a contraband port and fortress. 

The Barrio Histórico (historic quarter) section of Colonia del Sacramento is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The historical section of Colonia, which has some cobblestone streets built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, is within walking distance, another great option is to rent a bikes, scooters or golf cars.
Meals Included:Breakfast (02).

Day 05-07.-  Iguassu Falls.

Return to Buenos Aires by ferry and catch a flight to Puerto Iguassu on direction of the stunning Iguassu Falls.  Located on the border of  Argentina and Brazil, this breath taking falls, consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River and up to 82 meters (269Ft.)

Iguassu falls are higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria Falls. But with the great advantage that its possible to observe it in 260 degrees. Declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1986.

Our trip will take you in two days of adventures to visit the falls of the Brazilian and Argentinean side. On day one we will visit the Brazilian side of the falls, then the afternoon is free for other optional activities like the Itaipu Dam or the Birds Park.

The second day in the morning we will visit the Argentinean side of the falls, getting very close to the Devils Troat.  There are many easy walks, and plenty time around the falls. Optional activities are; shopping in Paraguay, helicopter flight over the falls and Rafain Dance Show and Dinner.
Meals Included:Breakfast (02).

Day 08-10.- Ilha Grande.

Flight to Rio de Janeiro and travel south for two hours to the port of Angras dos Reis. Then Travel by ferry to Ilha Grande or Giant Island, noted of its scenic beauty, tropical beaches and to be road less.

This picturesque laid-back island seems to be paradise on earth. Warm waters, great and clean beaches, incredible sunrises, and beautiful short hikes, it worth to do as much as possible.

We have an included boat trip around the island, with a BBQ included at Lopez Mendez beach and a snorkel adventure in these paradisiacal shores. The party boat!!!.
Meals Included:(03) Breakfasts (01) BBQ Lunch on the Beach.

Day 11, 12.- Rio de Janeiro.

A short drive will take us to the most famous unique and exciting capital city of Latin America, Rio de Janeiro or River of January.  It main land marks and icons like the Christ Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado , The Sugarloaf, Sambodrome, Carnival,  Football Games, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the Favelas or shantytowns made of this city  a fantastic experience to our expedition in South America.

The local Cariocas say ¨God created the World in six days, the seventh he devoted to Rio de Janeiro¨ as well is referred as Cidade Maravilhosa or Marvelous City, and we agree with them, the landscape is just amazing, the combination of rocky beautiful shaped mountains, green forest, sandy clean beaches, blue oceans, caipirinhas, friendly Cariocas, the weather and it land marks make this city unique in the World.

Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.  The Statue of Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain. We will catch a local bus to the cog train Station on Rua Cosme Velho and then the train ride up hill through the Urban protected rainforest of Tijuca.  Amaze the great panorama of the Marvelous city.

Christ Redeemer, symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The carioca, original from the city of Rio de Janeiro, postal card standing 38 meters high, had its corner stone established in 1922 and its opening on October 12, 1931. The choice was well deserved. From its 38 meter of height, and 710 meters of the Corcovado Hill, the Christ is the image of the carioca people faith and sympathy and celebrates, in 2008, 77 years of existence.

Guanabara Bay was reached by a Portuguese expedition under the explorer Amerigo Vespucci on January 1, 1502 hence Rio de Janeiro, "January River." On March 1, 1565 the city is founded. Until early in the 18th century, the city was threatened or invaded by several, mostly French pirates and buccaneers.

After 1720, when the Portuguese found gold and diamonds in Minas Gerais. Rio de Janeiro became a much more useful port for exporting. Prince Pedro I proclaimed the independence of Brazil in 1822, he decided to keep Rio de Janeiro as the capital of his new empire. Rio continued as the capital of Brazil after 1889, when the monarchy was replaced by a republic.

Rio have gained the reputation as a beach party town (though, this reputation has been somewhat tarnished in recent years by favela violence resulting from the narcotics trade). On April 21, 1960 the capital of Brazil was officially moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília.
Meals Included:Breakfast (02).

Day 13.

Departure day.

There are no planned activities for today. Have a safe journey whether you are headed home or to explore another destination!
Meals Included:Breakfast (01).