The Río de la Plata and Iguazú:
Trails and Landscapes from the Río de la Plata to the Iguazú Falls

12 days - 11 nights

Day 1 - Arrival in Buenos Aires

Reception at Ezeiza International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 - Classic City Tour of Buenos Aires & Navigation on the Tigre Delta

Traveling along the main avenues of Buenos Aires, we will embark on a journey through the city’s most iconic neighborhoods: Recoleta, Retiro, San Nicolás, Montserrat, San Telmo, and La Boca. Each neighborhood offers a unique experience and a window into the rich history and culture of Buenos Aires. In Recoleta, we’ll admire luxurious palaces and the elegance of Avenida Alvear, while Retiro and San Nicolás showcase some of the city's most recognizable landmarks, such as the majestic Teatro Colón and the imposing Obelisco, symbols of local identity. San Telmo will take us along its narrow, cobbled streets filled with history, antiques, and the bohemian essence of the city. Montserrat and historic Plaza de Mayo immerse us in the political and cultural heart of Buenos Aires, with emblematic buildings and a fascinating past. Finally, in La Boca we’ll discover the famous and colorful Caminito street, full of art, tango, and tradition, and stroll through the modern revitalized area of Puerto Madero, with its contemporary architecture, top-tier restaurants, and waterfront promenade reflecting the city's urban transformation. This tour allows us to appreciate the architectural, cultural, and social diversity of Buenos Aires, blending history, art, tradition, and modernity into an unforgettable experience.

We will take a boat tour through the Paraná River Delta in the Tigre area, navigating its internal channels that form labyrinths. Afterwards, we will explore the northern residential suburbs of the city. To get to Tigre, we will take a bus heading north. Along the way, we will pass parks, Jorge Newbery Airport, and the River Plate stadium. Once in Tigre, we board a boat to begin navigating the Delta, passing islands, islets, rivers, and streams. We will connect with wildlife, observing native flora and fauna in a 16,500 km² area mostly covered by subtropical jungle. The Paraná Delta originates in the province of Entre Ríos and is divided into three main sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower Delta. It empties into the Lower Delta at the Río de la Plata. We will also visit the exclusive neighborhood of San Isidro, including the early 20th-century Gothic Cathedral (optional) and its historic center.

Day 3 - Day at the Estancia in Buenos Aires Province

This is a very popular excursion. We take a trip to a large country estancia of more than 2,000 acres that is dedicated principally to agriculture but has become an excellent tourist site showing some of the renown Argentinean country culture. We are received in the general store with empanadas and red wine and then can visit the estancia museum and chapel. At lunch we are treated to a country barbecue. We also have the opportunity to see a Tango Show and gaucho folklore and dance. Amongst the other activities offered are rides in horse and carts observing the landscapes, their crops and the unequalled charm of the wild and rustic. We finish the day with a spectacular exhibition of typical gaucho horsemanship with a troop of horses.

Day 4 - Walking through La Recoleta & Tango Dinner Show

In this tour, we will immerse ourselves in the elegant and mysterious soul of Recoleta, one of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. For two hours, we will walk among aristocratic mansions, architectural gems, and spaces filled with history, art, and secrets to discover. We begin our walk in front of the Church of Our Lady of Carmen, from where we delve into the colonial past and urban evolution of the neighborhood. We cross Rodríguez Peña Square, a green space with history, and continue towards the imposing Pizzurno Palace, home to the Ministry of Education and an example of Buenos Aires architectural eclecticism. Then, we approach the Tango Promenade, where the spirit of the 2x4 comes alive in the heart of Recoleta, and visit the magnificent Ateneo Grand Splendid, a former theater converted into one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. We continue to the monumental Palacio de Aguas Corrientes, a true cathedral of 19th-century engineering, covered in glazed ceramics and full of urban history. Finally, we pass by the buildings of the Faculties of Medicine and Economics, icons of the city’s and country’s educational development. Throughout the walk, we will discover anecdotes, legends, and little-known details that make Recoleta a unique place, where history, culture, and Buenos Aires elegance intertwine in every corner.

In the evening we enjoy a dinner and Tango show at one of the best venues of Buenos Aires ( Homero Manzi / Complejo Tango / Señor Tango / La Esquina de Carlos Gardel / Madero Tango). The Tango has a special charm outside of its origin: From New York to Sydney, people that have never visited Argentina are left seduced by its mystique and sensuality. Others stay captivated by the music. This original tour traces in parallel the history of the city and that of the tango journeying by its different stages of development from its birth in the slums, to its consummation in the Avenida Corrientes and its later internationalization.

Day 5 - From Buenos Aires to Iguazú

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the Jorge Newbery Metropolitan Airport in Buenos Aires to take the flight to Iguazú. Reception at the Iguazú Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 6 - Iguazú Falls: Argentina Side

Iguazú Falls: Argentina Side

We will do one of the most interesting excursions through the hanging bridges, which will lead us to visit the stunning Falls from the Argentine side. Then we will get to the Devil's Gorge and be dazzled by its rough waters, a nature spectacles at a height of 80 meters. In the Lower Area (Circuito Inferior) we will enjoy the rich wildlife around us, as we go down the flight of steps where we can watch the spectacle offered by this water curtain surrounded by thick vegetation. We will pass by Álvar Núñez Fall, from where we will enjoy the first views of the Devil's Gorge. Following the path, we will find San Martín Island and the homonymous Fall. Finally, at the end of trip we will find Bosetti and Dos Hermanas Falls. We can stay and appreciate this spectacle of waters and get refreshed since the steam from the waves breaking on the rocks will spray us completely.

We will continue our trip, this time in the Upper Area (Circuito Superior), where we will go around the same falls but from a different point of view of the Falls and their surroundings. Besides, we will get close to our next destination, the most stunning, which will guide us through the roaring of the water currents. We will get to the Devil's Gorge's station by train, and start our trip around the islands, and thus, have a wider view of this great nature "mistake" in the middle of the forest created, according to a legend, by the angry God of Iguazú River.

Full Moon (optional in Argentine Falls) We will enjoy this unique trip at night with a full moon, which will allow us to appreciate the sounds and secrets of Misiones forest. We will leave on the Ecologic Train and head for Devil's Gorge Station, where we will capture the first sounds of nature, which creates a magic and mysterious environment. The spectacle offered by the Falls, with the rainbow that appears from the waters with the moon reflection, will completely dazzle us. Besides, once within this overwhelming environment, we will get the movements and sounds of the animals that go for their food. After such a magnificent experience, we will return by train to the travelers' center.

Day 7 - Iguazú Falls: Brazil Side

Iguazú Falls: Brazil Side

Here we will have a very beautiful trip through the only hanging bridge of 1 km to enjoy the view of Iguazú Falls from the other side, the Brazilian region. During this trip we can also learn more about the fauna and flora, enjoy a unique landscape of the falls since the area is more open regarding falls because most of them are on the Argentine side and form a water curtain of 2.700 meters wide. So from this side we will be dazzled by the beauty of the Devil's Gorge to the full.

Besides, this place is home to rare wildlife species, some of them in danger of extinction such as giant otters, anteaters, jaguars, red deer and yellow alligators. We will also see native flowers such as orchids, bromelias and thousands of butterflies.

Note: We have to bear in mind that this trip is available only 5 days per month during the full moon; two days before, two days after, and during that period. We have also to take into consideration that the capacity for this activity is limited and, of course, it depends on the weather conditions that day. If you want to see other excursion options in Iguazu, click here: Tours in Iguazu.

Day 8 - From Iguazú to Montevideo

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Puerto Iguazú Airport. Reception and transfer from Jorge Newbery Metropolitan Airport to the port terminal to depart for Montevideo. Reception and transfer from the Montevideo port to the hotel.

Day 9 - Montevideo

Breakfast in the hotel. We are taken to the maritime port of Buenos Aires to catch a ferry-bus to the capital city of Uruguay, Montevideo, through Colonia. It is the headquarters of the South American economic grouping of the Mercosur and of the ALADI. With its nearly 2 million people it accounts for nearly 60% of the total population of Uruguay. It is considered one of the most secure capitals of the world and for that reason, together with the climate and beaches, it has a better quality of life. At the end of the 18th century was the first dwelling census and planification of the city and they named it San Felipe and Santiago de Montevideo.

In the afternoon we go out to see the capital city. We begin in the old town with its interesting architecture, the Port Market, the Plaza Independencia, the Legislative Palace where is the National Parliament that was inaugurated at the beginning of the 20th century in commemoration of the first centennial of Independence, the residential barrio 'El Prado', el Cerro de Montevideo and the green parks bordered by monuments. Additionally we visit the traditional residential barrios of Carrasco, Punta Gorda and Pocitos bordering the classic 'Rambla' of Montevideo that shelters the beaches alongside the Río de la Plata.

Day 10 - Punta del Este

Breakfast in the hotel. We leave to go to Punta del Este following the coasts of Montevideo, Canelones and Maldonado. The first point of leaving the Atlantic coast is Atlántida in Costa de Oro, where we find the Pablo Neruda museum. We carry on the itinerary by the route up to Piriápolis, a beautiful beach resort that is hidden between the hills and the beaches. After, we climb the San Antonio hill to have an exclusive view of the coast and its beaches. We continue the journey until Punta Ballena to visit Casapueblo with its outstanding architecture, the work of the sculptor and painter Carlos Páez Vilaró. There, we are very close to Punta del Este which we enter by passing a number of importance residencies in front of the beach until we arrive at the eastern Port. We take our time over lunch and then visit the shops in the commercial centre of Punta del Este. At the end of the afternoon we return to Montevideo.

Day 11 - Colonia del Sacramento

We go to the boat terminal to board and commence our journey to Colonia del Sacramento in the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, found on the Cape between the San Pedro and Santa Rita Points and characterised by its cobbled streets and its peaceful colonial ambience. We start by visiting the sandy coastal front where we can see the Colonia Bay and its Islands. Later we go to the Real de San Carlos and the old Plaza de Toros. Following the designed route we go by the port and the town centre until we arrive at the historic barrio where in its 120,000 square metres there are mixed different styles of architecture such as Portuguese, Spanish and post colonial. This area was declared a Historic Patrimony of the Humanity site by UNESCO. Other places of interest are the house of the Virrey, the Azulejo Museum, the Spanish Museum, the Matriz Church, the Regional Archive, the Iso Suspiros Street, la Plaza Mayor and the house of Eva Peron. The original city plans were Portuguese and do not coincide with with the standard plans determined by Spanish Law in relation to 'las Indias Occidentales'. In the afternoon we return to the port of Colonia and Buenos Aires.

Day 12 - Return to Buenos Aires

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the Montevideo port to take the ferry back to Buenos Aires. End of our services.