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Tango to Samba
9 Days
Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Tour Code: TSTAN
9 Days
Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Tour Code: TSTAN
From US$ 1,939
Reviews
Tour Overview
Visit Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, two of South America's most dynamic and exciting cities, pausing in between at the magnificent Iguazu Falls. Be seduced by the sultry sights and sounds of tango at home in the city where it all began. Let yourself be captivated by the many other highlights in the Argentine capital, the city they call the Paris of South America. Then head north to stunning Iguazu Falls, before hitting the sunny beaches and bustling streets of Rio and bathing in the infectious rhythms of Brazil's lively samba music and dance.
Please note: This is a sample itinerary and can be tailored to suit your own personal needs and budget. Click here for more information on our Tailor-made Tours.
Included Activities
- Arrival Transfer
- Half day tour of Buenos Aires
- Tango Show
- Iguazu Falls from Argentina
- Iguazu Falls from Brazil
- Full day tour of Rio de Janeiro
- Departure Transfer
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is an astonishing metropolis that looks a little like Europe, but with a Latin American twist; indeed it is known as the Paris of the Americas. The city's residents, Portenos ("people from the port"), are passionate and friendly.
There are many very different neighbourhoods that make up this cosmopolitan city and each have an identity all their own. The city is easy to negotiate by public transport and it is lovely to cycle around. Check out what the city has to offer on your doorstep or jump on the metro to explore further afield. Buenos Aires is a food lover?s heaven with cuisine from all over the world; Italian food in particular is very good. Of course most people know Argentina for its steaks, and Parrillas (steakhouses) sit on practically every corner.
Included Excursions
Arrival Transfer
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels 
Day 2 - Buenos Aires Panoramic City Tour
Today you will join a group to discover the different barrios that make up the city on a panoramic tour. Once everyone has been collected, you will begin with a drive along 9 de Julio Avenue where you will find the renowned Colón Theatre, as well as the Obelisk which you will see rising high above the porteños below. You will also get a glimpse of the 10-story high portrait of Evita Peron which has been placed on the Health Ministry building as a tribute. The tour will then take you through the luxurious neighbourhood of Palermo, filled with beautiful buildings, all the way to Recoleta. Here, the incredible cemetrey of the same name is the final resting place of the city’s most famous residents with countless stunning mausoleums that range from Art Nouveau to neo-Gothic in style.
Your first stop of the day will be at Plaza de Mayo which is surrounded by historic buildings such as the Casa Rosada, the Cathedral and the City Hall. From here you will continue through the bohemian neighbourhood of San Telmo and on to the famous La Boca Juniors Football Stadium where there will be a stop and you can pay an optional visit inside if you wish.It is then time to make the short transfer to the colourful and iconic barrio of La Boca. This area retains a strong European flavour and you are likely to see Tango performances all around you as you stroll around. Next you will continue along the fashionable Avenida de Mayo and the dynamic Avenida Corrientes to the final stop and end of this trip which is Puerto Madero, a busy gastronomic and entertainment area with many restaurants and bars to choose from.
This evening you will head out to watch Argentina's most famous dance, the passionate and dramatic Tango. Folklore has it that it began in the bordellos of long-ago Buenos Aires as men waiting for their 'ladies' passed time by dancing amongst themselves. Today, tango shows are supremely entertaining with their grand feats of athleticism and you will witness these as you enjoy dinner.
Included Excursions
Half day tour of Buenos Aires,Tango Show
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 3 - Buenos Aires
The next day is a free day at leisure. If you would like a little time to relax there are many green spaces such as Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, an 865-acre swath of marshland along the Rio de la Plata. Follow the path from the park's southern entrance and you will soon be surrounded by reeds poking out from ponds which are home to egrets and swans with green parrots squawking overhead.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 4 - Flight to Puerto Iguazu
This morning you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Iguazu where you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel on the Argentinian side of the falls. After settling in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. The Falls were declared a Natural World Heritage in 1986 by UNESCO. The park has 458,000 acres that borders the Argentinean and Brazilian National Parks and the two countries are divided by the Iguazu River. Together they make this region one of the largest natural protected areas in South America.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 5 - Full Day Argentinian side of the Falls
Today you will be collected after breakfast to join your private guide to visit the National Park from the Argentinian side. The Lower Circuit is composed of a trail nearly a mile long that allows you to get close to some of the smaller waterfalls such as the Carlos Bozzetti Waterfall where you can take some great photos.
The Upper Circuit allows you to see the top of the majestic falls on the Argentinian side and you can enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view of the area. The view stretches from the Argentinean falls to San Martin Island and parts of the Brazilian falls. The Ecological Jungle Train takes you up to the Devil's Throat - the largest waterfall in the region. ?As you stand at the top of the impressive altitude of 107 metres, you get a feeling of the incredible power unleashed by millions of gallons of water cascading into space. Thanks to the newly built catwalk, you can get pretty close to this site. The entrance fee for this excursion is included.
Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Included Excursions
Iguazu Falls from Argentina
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 6 - Half Day Brazilian side of the Falls and fly to Rio
Today you will take in the Falls from the Brazilian side as you stroll the 1,200 metres of catwalks with your private guide on this half-day excursion. Walking along, take in the breath-taking views of the 275 waterfalls from a number of different perspectives. The four main rapids on the Brazilian side are: Floriano, Deodoro, Benjamin Constant and Salto Union or The Devil's Throat.
As you come to the end of the path, you can hear the roar and see the spray long before you see the water itself. Prepare to get wet, even from a distance, as the spray travels a long way and watch out for the almost permanent rainbow. The entrance fee for this excursion is also included.
Afterwards, you will be taken to the airport by private vehicle to catch your flight on to Rio. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Copacabana by private vehicle. Rio de Janeiro never fails to impress with its effervescent modern outlook that reflects the progression throughout its 500 year history. The historic sites, sparkling beaches, green belts music and literature, yearly Carnival celebration and jubilant attitude of the locals rightly attract millions to the city. ?The evening is yours to explore at your own pace.
Included Excursions
Iguazu Falls from Brazil
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 7 - Rio de Janeiro Day Tour
Today you will be collected from your hotel for a full day small group jeep tour, to discover Rio's most stunning points. Your day will start at the Tijuca Forest which is an ecologically preserved area and the biggest urban forest in the world. You will stop at the Chinese View Turret where you will have spectacular views of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, Guanabara Bay and the city of Niteroi. Walk around the crystalline waterfalls and hike through gentle trails in the forest. After the visit to the National Park, you will continue to Corcovado Hill, located in the Tijuca Forest, where the Christ Redeemer Statue is located. From the observatory, you will see several landmarks including the Maracana Stadium and the Sugarloaf Mountain.
After lunch you will continue on to that very site, located at the mouth of Guanabara Bay, which once acted as a visual reference for navigators. Its privileged location and significance to Rio's history make it an iconic landmark in the city. To finish the tour, you will visit the Botanical Garden, created by D. Joao VI in 1817 to serve as a cultivation centre for exotic plants. With many pleasing hiding places, it was one of Tom Jobim's favourite spots who was the co-inventor of Bossa Nova music.
The rest of the day is free.
Included Excursions
Full day tour of Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)
Day 8 - Rio de Janeiro
Today is yours to explore a little at your own pace or just head straight to a beach. Of course the city has more beaches than you can shake a stick at and there is one to suit every mood. Copacabana is the place to see and be seen, Ipanema is the stylish and elegant section while Leblon is the more cosmopolitan quieter beach.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 9 - Depart Rio de Janeiro
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
At the scheduled time, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport by private vehicle to meet your onwards flight.
Included Excursions
Departure Transfer
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Essential Information
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
Enquiry
Prefer to speak to a specialist?
0800 804 8435
Tailor-made Specialist
Rob
Why I love this trip
Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro share a sense of Latin flair that’s rarely matched elsewhere on the continent. Contact me to learn how a trip to these cities – and anything that’s in-between – can be personalised for you.
