Signature Buenos Aires to Rio

From Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Wildlife and Nature
  • Signature Tours
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Tour Description

Take in the highlights of Argentina and Brazil on this 9 day tailor made tour.

Discover the wonderful culture, elegance and Latin energy of modern day and historic Buenos Aires. Explore the landmarks of this impressive capital city on a day tour, and soak in the atmosphere of the "Paris of the South" over an intimate Asado dining experience, enjoying an Argentinean BBQ along with some of the best boutique wines from Argentina. Buenos Aires is also great to explore on foot, a local guide will accompany you and give you some insights into this wonderful city.

Visit Iguazu Falls, considered to be the largest and the most impressive in the world, and the magnificent national park that surrounds them. The energy, force and and volume of water cascading over 270 vertical drops from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides is incredible!

Next, explore the vibrant and exciting city of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful cities on earth. In Rio de Janeiro we will travel up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer and visit Sugarloaf Mountain. Let the colourful culture wash over you in the busy streets and plazas or relax on the world-famous beaches. 

Discover South America's charms on this tailor made tour.

This itinerary is also offered in reverse - Signature Rio to Buenos Aires.

Video Highlights

Viva's Best Bits...

Includes the Fogon Asado Experience in Buenos Aires
“The small venue makes this authentic Argentinian dinner special. The meat is cooked in front of you and the wine pairing completes the experience. I enjoyed every minute of it." Pia, Team Viva

Witness the mighty Iguazú Falls or Iguaçu Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. A couple of days give you time to explore both the Brazil and the Argentinean side, for different angles and dramatic viewpoints.

Visit two of Rio's landmark sites; Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain and immerse yourself in the culture and history of Rio De Janeiro in the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa.

Tour Itinerary

Customisable ? This tour can be customised to suit your tastes and timing. Enquire here for more information.
Day 1
Buenos Aires

On arrival into Buenos Aires you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s elegant, historic and cosmopolitan capital, is known as the “Paris of the South” due to its European atmosphere with glamorous avenues lined with fashionable shops and Parisian-style restaurants and cafes. Located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires has many fascinating neighbourhoods to explore including the colourful and lively La Boca, home to art galleries and tango shows; San Telmo with its restored mansions and antique stores and Recoleta, the city’s most exclusive area.

Once you have left the airport and started your journey into the city, your Spanish speaking driver will hand you a phone where you will be greeted, welcomed to Buenos Aires and explained your itinerary for the following days by our local amigo in English. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and be given all the tips to help you enjoy your stay while visiting the Paris of South America.

Overnight in Buenos Aires

Day 2
Buenos Aires

Morning at leisure.

This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a half day tour of the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. Your tour has been specifically designed for our travellers and is based on our teams’ own experiences and expertise. Discover the history of the Plaza de Mayo Square, the site of Argentina’s most important historical events - see its surroundings and the most emblematic buildings and learn all about them. Continue onto San Telmo. Live and feel the original Tango in the neighbourhood of La Boca: walk along the famous Caminito Street. Here you will have the chance to wander around and soak up the atmosphere and if the timing is right, see a short tango demonstration. Pass by the Boca Juniors soccer stadium. Return to Recoleta. Here you will enter into the Recoleta cemetery with your guide. Experience shadowed walkways with towering marble mausoleums that are rich in Art Deco, Art Nouveau, baroque and neo-gothic architectural styles. You will find the final resting place of Eva Peron, "Evita", along with many other notable people.

Overnight in Buenos Aires

Day 3
Buenos Aires: Walking tour and Asado dinner

Today your guide will meet you at your hotel or a central meeting point in Recoleta and take you on a tour to see the city on foot. You will start by exploring the streets of the upscale and exclusive neighbourhood of Recoleta through a local’s eyes. Marvel at some of the classical architecture of the area while your guide points out hidden gems and must visit bars and coffee shops. Continue on through the beating heart of the city, Retiro. This suburb is home to many government buildings and you can learn more about the fascinating history of Buenos Aires, which was once one of the wealthiest and most prosperous cities in the world. Chat with your guide over a local Patagonian Ice Cream or a coffee and then jump in a taxi (or if you are feeling adventurous take a local bus!) and head over to the bohemian barrio of San Telmo. This is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires and has a fascinating past, starting as an industrial area, becoming a settlement, then home to Jesuits and inhabited by African slaves and eventually becoming one of the most multicultural parts of the city. The areas eclectic air began attracting local artists. You will explore the San Telmo market, feasting on a tasty empanada while learning about the rich history. Wander the cobblestone streets and perhaps pop into a local antique shop or visit an artisan and learn more about their expert craftsmanship. You’ll also visit an old Conventillo and the quaint Plaza Dorrego, which hosts an authentic antiques market on certain days of the week.

End your tour with a taxi ride back to Recoleta for a demonstration and tasting of yerba mate – a traditional tea that is drunk in Argentina and other parts of South America before wandering back to your hotel. If you prefer your guide can drop you off at a speakeasy bar that is hidden inside a flower shop.

This evening you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Fogón to immerse yourself in their Asado Experience. From the chefs of the famous Uco Restaurant in Buenos Aires and Butterfly in Bariloche comes Fogón - a new way of living the traditional Argentine Asado, served with a twist. A closed-door dining experience awaits you that explores new ways of serving Argentine Asado classics. While seated at the bar you’ll see, feel and taste traditional and modern grill cooking techniques up close and personal as you sit with the chefs around the parrilla. Every Asado is unique but always includes the best cuts of meat available and fire roasted seasonal vegetables. The chefs have designed the tasting menu to combine new grill techniques with tried and true Argentine recipes that elevate the Asado to new heights. The wine pairing menu has also been designed to best enhance the flavours of the ingredients, while presenting you with some of the best boutique wines from Argentina. On completion of your experience, please make your own way back to your hotel.

Overnight in Buenos Aires

Day 4
Buenos Aires Iguazu Falls

Today we transfer you to the airport for your flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls.

Upon arrival you will be met & transferred to your hotel
The spectacular Iguazu Falls that straddle the Argentine-Brazil border, are made up of 275 individual waterfalls lining a 2.7km wide horseshoe-shaped gorge. The Falls are located where the Iguazu River cascades over the edge of the Paraná Plateau. The Falls can be viewed from both the Argentinian and the Brazilian sides, the Brazilian side offering a broader, panoramic view, with the Argentinian side offering a series of catwalks that allow you to experience the Falls from close range.

Overnight in Iguazu, Argentina

Day 5
Iguazu Falls

In the early morning we will visit the Iguazu Falls on the Argentinian side. We will ride the Rainforest Ecological train and then explore panoramic views from above and below the waterfalls. We will visit the Devils Falls, which is said to be one of the most spectacular falls and you have the option of taking a boat ride under the Falls (additional costs apply. Payable locally). National Park fees included.
Overnight in Iguazu, Argentina

Day 6
Iguazu Falls Rio De Janeiro

Today enjoy a half day tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. If you are staying on the Argentine side of the falls, you will be required to bring your passport as you will be crossing from Argentina into Brazil. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the Visitors Centre. From here board one of the Park Authority’s tourist buses and enter the National Park. Equipped with panoramic windows, the buses are designed to maximize your views of the falls, while the walkways and steps provide you with great panoramic views of the Argentinian side of the falls. Views of the Floriana Falls, the Devil’s Gorge Canyon and the Iguazu River are spectacular and are guaranteed to impress. Please note this is a small group tour and National Park Entrance Fee is included.

*Optional - Add on a visit to the Bird Park, or why not book an amazing helicopter flight over the falls. Additional costs apply. Please ask for more details.

At the end of the tour you will be taken to the airport for your onward flight to Rio.

Upon arrival into Rio, you will be met & transferred to your hotel.
Known as the ''Cidade Maravilhosa'', or Marvellous City, Rio never fails to amaze with its sandy beaches, carefree lifestyle and unparalleled natural beauty. As the capital of Brazil until 1960, Rio is today one of the most culturally and economically prominent cities in the country, receiving more tourists than any other part of Brazil.
Overnight in Rio

Day 7
Rio de Janeiro: Santa Teresa

Spend a half day today on a great historical tour of Rio de Janeiro in the company of a professional guide and transportation. This tour will take you through the colonial avenues, squares and back streets of the city, and your guide will explain the important historical, political and social events that shaped Rio into South America's most exciting city. Focusing on the period or architectural style, fine examples of Baroque constructions would be the 'São Bento' and 'Santo Antonio' Monasteries, which recall the times when Brazil was a colony of Portugal. The French influence can be seen from buildings that were built as early as the 19th century and examples include the Municipal Theatre and the Fine Art museum. The city's cultural and artistic diversity is showcased on various cultural institutions such as the Cultural Centre Bank of Brasil and the Brazil-France House. Some other features of this tour are the Selaron Stairs, Lapa Arches, Metropolitan Cathedral, Candelária Church, 'Praça XV', 'Arco do Teles', Olympic Boulevard and finally the Museum of Tomorrow. Please note this is a private tour of approximately 6 hours duration.

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight in Rio

Day 8
Rio de Janeiro: Corcovado & Sugarloaf

After departing from the hotel, the tour takes a scenic drive from Copacabana beach, continuing along Botafogo beach and passing the Palácio Guanabara, official residence of the State´s Governor, on the way to Corcovado Hill (704m), and the greatest national icon – The Christ Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro. Here, you will have time to enjoy panoramic views of Rio and appreciate the giant statue, which was recently named as one of the seven new wonders of the world. From here, the tour continues to the district of Urca and the world-famous Sugar Loaf, where you will board the first cable car to the top of Urca Hill (215m), which offers spectacular views of Guanabara Bay. A second cable car will take you on to the Sugar Loaf (395m), giving you a chance to take in the spectacular 360-degree views of the city and surrounds. Upon descending from the Sugarloaf, we pass through the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema en route to a traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch at a local Churrascaria (lunch is included - all beverages are at your own expense).
Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Maracanã Stadium (Bellini´s statue and Hall of Fame. Entry into the stadium is not included) and a stop at the Sambadrome. While in the city’s historic downtown area, you will have a chance to see the Duque de Caxias Palace, Itamaraty Palace, Tiradentes Square and Lapa Arches, followed by a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral. From here the tour will also make a quick stop to visit the Selaron Stairs, an amazing urban work of art by the late Jorge Selaron.
Returning to the hotel along Aterro do Flamengo, we pass by the Monument to the Fallen in World War II and the beaches of Flamengo and Botafogo.
Lunch and all entrance fees (for Corcovado & Sugarloaf) are included.

Overnight in Rio

Day 9
Rio de Janeiro Depart

Depart Rio Any time. Transfer to the Airport is Included.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Accommodation in standard hotels
  • Included Copy 31 Upgrade to superior or deluxe accommodation
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Breakfast daily, and other meals as outlined in the included sightseeing tours
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Private airport transfers
  • Included Copy 20 Sightseeing with local English speaking guides as detailed in the itinerary
  • Included Copy 20 Entrance fees & National Park fees, unless otherwise stated
  • Included Copy 20 Internal flights as part of this itinerary*
  • Included Copy 7 Iguazu Tourist Tax payable locally. Approx. ARS50 (USD3.40) per person. Subject to change
  • Included Copy 7 International Flights, Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable), tips, travel insurance
Transportation

Land, Air, Ship, Train ...

Activities

  • Included Explore Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, two of South America’s most vibrant cities.
  • Included Visit one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World; Iguazu Falls.
  • Included Visit the famous Recoleta cemetery
  • Included Explore Buenos Aires on foot with a local
  • Included Sit with the chefs around the parrilla, at a local dining experience.
  • Included See the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio.
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

9 days

Price from

$2,383 USD

Per person, sharing

Daily departures