Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Bienvenidos. Welcome to Argentina. Your Lonely Planet Experience 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.

Included Activities:
-Welcome Meeting
-Buenos Aires - Orientation walk

Optional Activities:
-DISCONTINUED Buenos Aires - Tango, Tango, Tango! Urban Adventures
-Buenos Aires - Malbec Trail of Palermo Urban Adventure
-Buenos Aires - Gourmet Buenos Aires Food Urban Adventure
-Buenos Aires - Polo day

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.

Optional Activities:
-Colonia - Lighthouse visit

Today is a long travel day. Take a comfortable local bus from Colonia to Montevideo (approximately 2.5 hours). From Montevideo, it's a further 5-hour journey to Tacuarembo by bus. The bus has reclining seats, and you'll be provided with a typical Uruguayan snack, 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.

Included Activities:
-3-night stay on a working estancia including meals and activities

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 wirh 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.

Optional Activities:
-Estancia - Horse riding - Free
-Estancia - Horse riding - Free

In the afternoon, bid farewell to your hosts and cross the border to Concordia in Argentina. Board a 12-hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu.

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.

Included Activities:
-Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Brazilian side of the falls

Optional Activities:
-Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride
-Iguazu Falls - Bird Park entrance
-Iguazu Falls - Acquamania Water Park

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.

Included Activities:
-Iguazu Falls - Entrance & tour of the Argentinian side of the falls

Optional Activities:
-Iguazu Falls - Boat ride

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.

Optional Activities:
-Rio de Janeiro - Santa Teresa Discovery Urban Adventure
-Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Tour Combo 2: Old Town, Sugarloaf & Urca Urban Adventure
-Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain cable car
-Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Tour Combo 1: Santa Teresa, Corcovado, Christ & Copacobana
-Rio de Janeiro - Maracana football game (schedule dependent)
-DISCONTINUED Rio de Janeiro - Favela feelings Urban Adventure
-Rio de Janeiro - Botanical Gardens
-Rio de Janeiro - Santa Teresa tramcar

Your Lonely Planet Experience comes to an end after breakfast.