Itinerary
11 – 22 February 2012
Highlights
Buenos Aires - Iguacu Falls- Rio Carnival- Optional Beach extension in Buzios
ITINERARY
11 February
Arrival transfer in Buenos Aires from the airport to hotel selected Alvear Palace or Mansion Algodon
4 nights with breakfast included daily and taxes Alvear Palace Hotel (5*)
Located in the heart of La Recoleta, one of the most elegant areas of Buenos Aires. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel offers 197 guest rooms including 120 suites.
12 February
Private half day city tour of Buenos Aires
CITY TOUR Visit the historical centre and stop at Plaza de Mayo with the Government House, the historical Cabilo and the Cathedral; the Congress building; the old San Telmo and La Boca quarters; the Obelisk; the Colon Theatre (Opera House); the beautiful parks and gardens in Palermo; the Recoleta area and the famous cemetery.
Evening dinner and tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel including dinner, drinks and show La Esquina de Carlos Gardel
“Esquina Carlos Gardel”, is located on the spot of the famous “Chanta Cuatro”, synonymous with Argentina’s most famous man of Tango, Carlos Gardel. This beautiful 1940s-style club is decorated in Art Nouveau style recreating the elegance of the most luxurious dining rooms of a bygone era. A fabulously glamorous venue for your group’s farewell night in Buenos Aires!
Guests will enjoy superb cuisine and fine wine before the tango show begins. Worthy of a London West End show, the latest technological equipment enhances the great sounds of the band. The dancing is superbly choreographed and the performance of the artists is simply flawless.
13 February
Full day estancia trip to Estancia Santa Susana on private basis.
Lunch included and other optional activities
Estancia Santa Susana
Estancia Santa Susana is situated 80 km from Buenos Aires and is set in 2965 acres of farming land. The main house is built in Spanish colonial style and includes a small local museum showing life from the beginning on the estancia.
Guests will be greeted in the estancia’s bar area (known as the pulperia in Spanish) by staff dressed in gaucho style in the traditional country costumes. Welcome drinks and empanadas will be served.
Guests are free before lunch to walk around the estancia, ride the ranch horses, go for rides in the one-horse carriages called “sulkeys” and just enjoy the Argentine countryside. Near the “pulperia” there is a large barbecue area where the meat is grilled for the traditional Argentine asado barbecue lunch. The barbecue is served with delicious fresh salads and for the vegetarian guest there is also a range of delicious dishes.
After lunch guests enjoy a folkloric show with dancers. This is followed by a display of gaucho skills such as herding horses and the horseback race known as the sortija.
14 February
At leisure or other excursions can be recommended
15 February
Transfer to domestic airport for the flight to Iguasu
IGUAZU
The Iguazu Falls are one of South America’s most renowned landmarks and one of the great natural highlights of the world. Situated in the Iguassu National Park where the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet, the falls are formed by rapids by the confluence of the Iguassu River and the Alto Parana River. Thirty-five rivers from the principal basin with two hundred rapids covering several miles finally join to form one of nature’s most surprising spectacles, Cataratas del Iguazu.
The main falls are 20 metres higher than Niagara Falls and about half as wide again. Above the impact of the fall of the water on the basalt rocks below there is usually a 30 metre-high cloud of spray. The falls are part of a natural reserve that has been declared a National Park. The lush and wild tropical vegetation has an abundance of extraordinarily colourful fauna, including parrots, toucans, jaguars and tapirs -- all sharing this orchid-rich national park that stretches for two miles into the jungle. The town on the Argentine side of the falls is called Puerto Iguassu and offers a good choice of hotels, restaurants and other facilities.
On the Brazilian side the town is called Foz do Iguaçu. Larger than Puerto Iguassu, Foz do Iguaçu is more commercial and also has a good range of hotels and restaurants. There are two airports – one on the Argentine side and the other on the Brazilian side. During a 02 or 03-day stay in Iguazu, guests will be able to participate in a full range of activities and to enjoy some of the best of South American nature. The national parks on both sides of the Falls offer a wonderful range of tropical flora and fauna. There are many species of animals, including the black howler monkey, capybara, jaguar and puma.
On arrival transfer to Sheraton Hotel for 02 nights in a Falls View Room Hotel Sheraton International (5*)
Situated inside Iguazú National Park on the Argentinean side, the hotel is within walking distance of the falls with a view of the Devil’s Gorge. The hotel offers 175 rooms and four suites with private balcony and a view of either the falls or the jungle.
16 February
Private tour of Argentine side of Falls and Brazilian side of falls Walking tour of the Brazilian side of the Falls This tour offers fabulous opportunities to enjoy the panoramic view of the falls only seen from the Brazilian side. It is a 1½ km walk which runs part of the way down the cliff near the rim of the falls, giving a stupendous view of the whole Argentine side of the Falls. There are walkways along the banks which take you almost under the powerful Floriano Falls. From here an elevator carries visitors to the top of the Floriano Falls and to a path leading to Puerto Canoas. There are also smaller access paths for those who prefer to walk.
Guests staying at Hotel das Cataratas can start the walk from the hotel as there is a 1500m path through the gardens which then follows the rim of the falls as far as the Devil’s Throat. This whole area is now a Unesco World Heritage Site and the incredible humidity generated by the falls creates the perfect environment in which the lush vegetation and fauna thrive in this subtropical rainforest. * Approximately 1 ½ hrs walking + transfers
Walking tour of the Argentinean side of the Falls
A fascinating half-day walking tour of the Argentine side of the Falls along the lower and upper paths takes in a closer view of this breathtaking marvel. Guests walk down the well-maintained paths with stops at selected points along the way where the guide will be able to explain about the Falls and the eco-system of the area. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos.
At all times guests can enjoy different views and aspects of the Falls and the amazing views across to the Brazilian side. This tour is entirely on foot, and is suitable for all levels of walkers.
Devil’s Throat
Iguazu Falls are in fact divided into separate waterfalls by a number of different islands. One of the most spectacular is Devil’s Throat. As part of the tour of the Argentine side of the falls, you will board the small train which runs to Devil's Throat Station where there is a suspended walkway with spectacular views.
* Approximately 4 hrs of walking + 01 hour for lunch (lunch not included) + train journey to Devils throat (25mins by train from central station to devils throat, approximately 15mins at devils throat, then 25 mins back to central station by train) + transfer time/border crossing (if coming from a Brazilian side of falls hotel)
17 February
Transfer to Brazilian airport IGU for flight to Rio de Janeiro
On arrival transfer to Hotel selected Copacabana Palace Hotel or Porto Bay Internacional Hotel For 05 night special Carnival stay with breakfast included daily and taxes Carnival dates are 17 – 22 February in 2012.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Known as the “Marvellous City”, Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A beauty that comes from its natural tropical environment where mountains, forests, beaches, lagoons, vegetation and the South Atlantic blend to form one dramatic back-drop as this incredible landscape rises from the sea. With its warm climate, it is the perfect destination throughout the year.
Rio de Janeiro lies between mountains and the sea and is renowned for its stunning geography and luscious tropical vegetation and climate. The centre of Rio on the coast is a series of curving bays and beaches - Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamingo and Leblon - where you can find the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Famous over the years for the development of samba and other world-famous Brazilian rhythms and songs, favourite sightseeing routes include taking the train to the top of Corcovado, the Statue of Christ that overlooks Rio, the cable car to the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, a city tour to appreciate the history and colonial past of Rio and day trips to the tropical islands and beaches near the city or to the former capital of Petropolis just one hour from Rio up in the cool of the mountains.
For sports fans, there are opportunities for golf, tennis, sailing, swimming and even hang gliding and ultra lights!
Rio by night is a must and there are restaurants offering all kinds of Brazilian and international food and the famous “revolving” barbecues where you can eat as much as you like before sampling the delights of a typical Brazilian samba show or going to one of the smaller jazz and folk nightclubs.
Copacabana Palace Hotel (5*)
Opened in 1923, this impressive stucco-fashioned building is a landmark in Rio. Situated halfway along Copacabana Beach, the hotel offers 225 bedrooms and suites, 147 in the main building and 78 suites in the tower wing building all with air-conditioning, mini-bar and internet access. The hotel also incorporates two highly regarded restaurants and a spa.
or
Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel (4*)
Centrally located on Copacabana beach close to Rio's business centre, domestic airport, shopping areas and tourist attractions. The hotel offers 117 rooms, including deluxe rooms and suites, all equipped with veranda, cable TV and telephone. Facilities include restaurant, lobby bar, small rooftop swimming pool, poolside bar and sauna, business centre.
18 February
Private tour to Corcovado – one of the new Wonders of the World
Corcovado – the statue of Christ the Redeemer
The hunch-backed Corcovado Mountain is famous for the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer that stands on the mountain's summit. The tour to Corcovado begins with a drive from the hotel through the traditional suburbs of Cosmo Velho with its historic mansions to the cogwheel train station. A photo stop can be made at Largo do Boticario, a tiny colonial square lovingly restored to its original state. The summit of Corcovado is reached from the train station via the cogwheel railway that was built in 1884. The 3-mile ascent to the train station at the top takes 20 minutes as you pass steeply through thick vegetation past beautiful butterflies and birds and of course there are the delightful views of the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon below.
Comfortable shoes are a must to climb the steps up to the 122-foot tall Christ Statue with the entire city spread at its feet. Alternatively, there is also an elevator and escalator service. Here, at 2300 feet above sea level the view is breathtaking. All around you can see the city of Rio, Guanabara Bay, the mountains, Sugar Loaf, the nine-mile long Rio-Niteroi Bridge, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon and the wonderful expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.
19 February
At leisure or Carnival Parade ticket – please see separate information concerning Carnival tickets
In the evening transfer to the Sambadromo for the Rio Carnival Parade with carnival tickets for one of the Tribune Sectors. Choose to be a part of the Carnival in a Tribune or Street Chair. These are great places to watch the parade but do not offer the exclusivity of a private box.
A shuttle service will be available to return guests to their hotel when they are ready to call it a night. Your English-speaking guide remains with you throughout the night for as long as you are happy to party!
The Carnival Parades take place on the Sunday and Monday nights with seven different samba schools parading each night. A night to remember featuring international hit sambas with lovely mulatas, twirling baianas and courtly banner-bearers with their elegant escorts. Enjoy the thrill of the Carnival with the stream of elaborate floats and costumes: a unique showcase for the vibrant magic that makes Rio the world’s Carnival Capital! The parades start around 2000 and continue to around 0500 on either day.
20 February
At leisure – or Carnival Parade ticket – please see separate information concerning Carnival tickets
21 Feburary
Afternoon Sugar Loaf tour on private basis
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Rio’s famous landmark overlooks the entrance of Guanabara Bay. Board the cable car at the foot of the mountain for the first stage of the ride up to Urca Hill where a second cable car continues to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Both cable car rides take 3 minutes displaying a superb panorama at two distinct heights. The view from the top is a breathtaking 360º panorama of endless beaches, lush Atlantic rainforest, skyscrapers and glistening water.
22 February
Transfer to airport or for beach extension in Buzios
Buzios was brought to fame in the 60s when Brigitte Bardot was a regular visitor. It has now become a charming resort attracting people from the world over. A fisherman’s village is today a Mediterranean style village with lovely architecture, fine pousadas, hotels and sophisticated restaurants. A string of beautiful beaches and small elegant resorts make Buzios a barefoot destination at its best!
Hotel Vila d’Este
The hotel is in a privileged location with breathtaking views of the bay and private access to Orla Bardot promande. Just 200 metres from the boutiques and restaurants on Rua das Pedras, the hotel offers just fifteen rooms and suites equipped with air conditioning, TV, telephone, mini bar, individual electronic safe and hair dryer. The hotel has a lovely bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, tropical gardens, swimming pool near the bar, heated pool and Jacuzzi linked to the steam sauna.
Insolito Boutique Hotel
Located on the edge of one of the most beautiful beaches in Búzios, Ferradura beach, the hotel offers 12 individually designed unique rooms with air conditioning, LCD screen TVs, DVD players, and Wi-Fi internet. Hotel facilities include an excellent restaurant, a poolside bar, two swimming pools, Jacuzzi and sauna.
PLEASE CONTACT THE INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER FOR A QUOTATION
This itinerary can be amended to suit your individual requirements
