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South America Triangle, a 9 day program that offers you three highlights that are not to be missed. Stroll through Buenos Aires and one of its stylish neighborhoods, Recoleta, view the impressive sight that is Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall on earth; and Brazil the fifth largest and most populous country in the world, where you will enjoy vibrant Rio with fable beaches, nightlife and Samba;
Package includes:
Not included:
Day 1 Rio de Janeiro. Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After clearing customs and retrieving your bags you'll be met by a tour representative and transferred to the Arena Copacabana Hotel for check-in and overnight. Meals: N/A
Day 2. We will leave the hotel after breakfast to visit the most famous landmarks of the city where we will see the natural beauties from up above. After a scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, passengers arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado Hill. We will embark on a comfortable train which will climb the mountain, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer, is located (2.300ft above sea level). The Christ statue known as the “wonder of Rio” was recently elected one of the 7 winners of the " New Wonders of the World ". Upon arrival at the top we have mechanized access, with panoramic elevators and escalators that take us to the foot of the statute. There, passengers enjoy a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, discover why it is called the "Marvelous City" and the view the Christ statue which is considered “ the wonder of Rio”. We make our way down on the same route and towards the other world famous landmark, the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Before getting there we will stop and have a delicious Brazilian lunch.
Over a million tourists a year visit the world famous Pão de Açúcar, or Sugar Loaf Mountain in English, which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rising up from small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. The tour is done in two steps by glass cable-cars. The first cable-car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay its islands. From Urca Hill, passengers continue in a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, the Corcovado and downtown Rio. After the tour, you will return to the hotel and overnight. Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 3. Today you have the day free to explore the city. In the evening, after a brief ride along the beaches, you arrive at a typical show house, Plataforma 1 (Scala), to watch the best Brazilian folklore show in the country. It includes native Brazilian singers, capoeira, lambada, forro, xacado dancing and other typical dances, besides Candomble ritual and the famous Samba School drums. After the show, return to the hotel and overnight. Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4. Rio de Janeiro/Iguazu Falls You will have an early morning transfer from your hotel to the airport to board your flight to Iguassu Falls. After retrieving your bags you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to the Amerian Portal del Iguazu Hotel for check-in and overnight. Meals: Breakfast
Day 5. Iguazu Falls Today you will visit the Argentine side of the Iguazu Waterfalls. Located inside the Iguazu National Park, the falls are one of the first protected natural areas in the Americas, and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From the Visitor's Center, located in the Falls area, you will take an open train to make a 15-minute journey up to 'Cataratas Station'. From there you will walk in the paths and lookouts of the superior and inferior paths, admiring really closely the imposing 275 waterfalls which precipitate to the river from a height of 70 mts. and also the amazing variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies. Then you will take the train on to 'Garganta Station' and from there you will descend walking 1200 mts. to the Devil's Throat balcony, to share one of the greatest shows on earth. Return by train to the Visitor's Center. Return to your hotel and overnight. Meals: Breakfast
Day 6. Iguazu Falls/Buenos Aires In the morning you will transfer to the airport to board your flight to Buenos Aires. After retrieving your bags you'll be met by a tour representative and transferred to the Intersur Recoleta Hotel. Check-in and overnight. Meals: Breakfast
Day 7. Today you will have a half day city tour of Buenos Aires, a cosmopolitan city that shows the influence of the numerous waves of immigration that formed it. The tour starts at the historic Plaza de Mayo Square, scenery resonant with political manifestations. The Piramide de Mayo (Pyramid of May), that rises in the center of the square, was the first National Monument, inaugurated in 1811. It is surrounded by the Government House, best known as the “Pink House”, which is the seat of the Executive Branch; the Cabildo (the old City Hal l), which dates back to 1754, and still keeps its colonial characteristics in spite of the several changes suffered; and the Cathedral. The Avenida De Mayo starts in this square, an interesting set of buildings of varied styles that reflect the diversity of its inhabitants. Through this avenue, you reach the Congress Palace, seat of the Legislative Branch, and a sumptuous building in an eclectic style with strong Neoclassic influences, situated in front of Plaza del Congreso (Congress Square), where the Monument of the Two Congresses,with its allegorical statue to Liberty, is placed.Wide avenues and green areas soften the rhythm of this vertiginous city. A good example of this is the 9 de Julio Avenue, with its eight lanes divided by small green squares with old leafy trees and enriched by sculptures and fountains. In the middle of this avenue, in the Plaza de la Republica, the Obelisk arises as a symbol of the city. Nearby, you will see the majestic Colon Theater, whose perfect acoustics make it one of the best Opera Houses in the world. Southwards, we reach the picturesque and colorful port neighborhood of La Boca with its famous alley, “Caminito”, whose architectural characteristics and customs reflect the influence of the European citizens that came here in the last years of the 19th century, especially Genoese sailors that influenced not only the architecture with its typical multicolored tin houses still inhabited nowadays, but also the cuisine of the typical “cantinas”.
The visit continues towards San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, inhabited till the last years of the 19th century by aristocratic families that then moved to the neighborhoods located in the northern areas due to a devastating yellow fever epidemic. Most of these houses turned into “conventillos”, each one shared by many poor families. San Telmo keeps most of its architectural heritage untouched-- its colonial houses and cobbled streets. Every Sunday an antiques fair is held in the Plaza Dorrego. The area also has a lively night-life as there are many tango houses, restaurants and pubs.
The tour then goes on towards the modern Puerto Madero neighborhood, with its former port warehouses, now turned into offices, flats, entertaining facilities and top-notch restaurants looking onto the Rio de la Plata. You will reach the Retiro neighborhood, whose history and traditions contrast with its glassed skyscrapers and the active New Port, center of distribution of national products, where world renowned cruise lines dock each year during January and February.
You will continue northwards to visit the residential Palermo neighborhood with its elegant residences framed by wide green areas; passing by the Rosedal, the Botanic Garden, the Zoo, the Planetarium, and the Hippodrome. Finally you will reach Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where some of the best restaurants, cafés, night clubs and boutiques are placed. The Recoleta Cemetery surprises the visitor with its location, its varied architectural resources and the personalities that are buried there, such as Eva Perón.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel and overnight. Meals: Breakfast
Day 8. Today you have the day free to explore the city on your own. Meals: Breakfast
Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions. All times indicated are approximate, and are also subject to change.