Compare Argentina & Brazil Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Simply Brazil: Rio, Iguacu & Pipa beach by Audley Travel

Day 1 Buenos Aires

Bienvenido! Welcome to Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is the ultimate cosmopolitan city, with Latin passion, European elegance and its own distinctive style. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at the hotel reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. If you arrive early, why not visit San Telmo and its weekend antiques market and artists' displays – it's a great chance to acquaint yourself with some portenos (local residents). Alternatively, visit Recoleta (the grand cemetery) or perhaps Casa Rosada (the Pink House).

Day 2 Buenos Aires

Enjoy some breakfast, then embark on an orientation walk through this fantastic city. You'll be introduced to some of Buenos Aires' major sights – the likes of the Colon Theatre, the Obelisc and Plaza de Mayo. Along the way, learn a little more about Argentina's independence from Spain.

Day 3 Ituizangó

This mroning catch a short flight to Posadas, followed by a drive to Ituzaingo (approximately 1 hour). Ituizangó will serve as your base to explore the beautiful Ibera Wetlands region in the north of Argentina. Spanning more than 15,000 square kilometres, the Ibera wetlands are roughly the size of Belgium, which gives you an idea of how much there is to explore. The biodiversity in incredible, and the swamps, lakes and lagoons are home to such creatures as otters, alligators, deer, wolves and black howler monkeys, just to name a few. Keep a look out too for those oddly noble-looking creatures, the capybaras. These cousins of guinea pigs are the largest rodents in the world.

Day 4 Ibera Wetlands/Ituizangó

Take part on a full day (approximately 8-10 hour) walking tour and car safari with a guide, tasty lunch and plenty of snacks. You might see any number of obscure species – maybe caiman or swamp deer, perhaps even an armadillo, or a flock of rhea (which are like a South American equivalent of an emu). Anacondas, though particularly hard to spot at certain times of the year, are also known to inhabit these wetlands. Keep an eye to the sky, as you're bound to catch a glimpse of some of the 350 bird species here, from the sharp-tailed tyrant to the gorgeous and garish yellow robin.

Day 5 Foz do Iguazu

Enjoy some breakfast and prepare for a long travel day. From Ituizangó take a comfortable local bus to Puerto Iguazu (approximately 5 hours). As soon as you arrive at Puerto Iguazu bus station, you will take a minivan across the border into Brazil and continue to your hotel in Foz do Iguazu (approximately one hour, depending on traffic at the Argentina–Brazil border).

Day 6 Foz do Iguacu

Here at Iguazu, you'll visit the mighty waterfalls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides. At over 2 kilometres long, Iguazu Falls are actually a series of cataracts. There are over 270 falls in all, and with some reaching up to 80 metres in height, they are wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Enjoy the magnificent panoramas on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Seeing the falls from this side has its perks, such as a view of San Martin Island which you don't quite get from the Argentinean side. You might like to take a helicopter ride over the falls while you're here. This optional excursion gives you spectacular views of the falls and the lush green parklands that surround it.

Day 7 Iguazu Falls

Today we go to the Argentinean side of the Falls where it’s possible to follow a series of boardwalks to get up close to the thundering waters – so close you can almost touch them. Later, visit a Guarani community for the rare opportunity to meet some of the region’s few remaining indigenous people.

Day 8 Rio de Janeiro

Travel by plane to Rio de Janeiro, the festive heart of Brazil. Settle into your hotel and then set out on an orientation walk with your leader. Rio is a fascinating and diverse city best known for its contrasting images of favelas (shanty towns) and the glitz and glamour of Carnaval. With free time, you can choose from many optional activities. Perhaps head to a football game, take a cable car ride between Praia Vermelha and the Sugarloaf Mountain for incredible views over town. For further options, chat to your leader.

Day 9 Rio de Janeiro

This morning you'll be picked up at your hotel first thing in the morning and head straight to Christ the Redeemer to beat the crowds. Soak up the early morning air and take some photos of this iconic statue before heading to a traditional local Farmer's Market. Your local leader will show you some of the best foods to try as well as providing plenty of interesting facts about the market traditions. Today you'll have a free afternoon, so may wish to return to the hotel with your leader to relax. Otherwise, a visit to Sugarloaf is a great way to spend the rest of the day.

Day 10 Rio de Janeiro

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Sao Paulo.

Day 2 : Iguacu

After arriving in Brazil, catch your connection to Iguaçu. In Iguaçu, you're met by your chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotel by private transfer. Relax after your long flight. Alternatively, we recommend exploring the Brazilian side of the Falls just outside your hotel. Go for a short walk on one of the well-marked trails leading you to certain key vantage points and panoramic vistas.

Day 3 : Iguacu

Enjoy a half day private guided tour of the Argentinian side of the Falls, which offers the chance to get up close to the thundering water. Your guide takes you around the area's jungle-clad boardwalks, finishing with a close-up view of the Devil's Throat. The spray given off by this powerful fall caused local people to give it its dramatic epithet. You have the afternoon at leisure: we recommend exploring the nearby bird park, which is run as a charity.

Day 4 : Rio de Janeiro

This morning, take a two hour internal flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arriving in Rio, you're met by your chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotel by private transfer. There's time this afternoon to start exploring the city, if you wish, or simply soak up the atmosphere on the beaches near your hotel.

Day 5 : Rio de Janeiro

Today you're collected from your hotel to embark on a small-group guided tour of Rio's highlights. Travel in an open-top 4x4, an efficient way to get around but also a good way to admire the views of this hilly city. One of your first stops are the mansions and galleries of the Santa Teresa quarter, before you climb to Corcovado Hill to admire the statue of Christ the Redeemer up close. End with time in Tijuca Forest, the world's largest urban forest, before returning to your hotel. The whole tour lasts around four hours, and you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6 : Rio de Janeiro

A day at leisure in Rio. We recommend strolling along the beaches and/or taking the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. We can also arrange a cookery class or a street art tour for instance.

Day 7 : Pipa

Today you head for the beaches of Brazil's northeastern coast. A direct three hour flight from Rio takes you to Natal, where you're met by a driver who'll take you the rest of the way (about an hour's drive) to Pipa - officially Brazil's sunniest town. Your hotel is a lovely hideaway on the cliffs above the beaches. You'll have some time to relax and enjoy the laid-back culture of northern Brazil.

Day 8 : Pipa

A day at leisure in Pipa. You might like to visit nearby Praia dos Golfinhos ('Dolphin Bay'), a pristine beach and a protected nature reserve. It's only a short walk from Pipa's central beach (check tide times).

Day 9 : Pipa

Another day at leisure on the beach at Pipa. You could try activities such as surfing and kayaking or take a sunset cruise.

Day 10 : International return flight

Take a private transfer back to Natal in time for your indirect flight home.

Day 11 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.