Bienvenido! Welcome to Buenos Aires. Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital has Latin passion, European elegance and its own distinctive style. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Your leader will leave a note at the hotel reception telling you where it will take place. If you arrive early, why not take a stroll around the historic San Telmo neighbourhood filled with murals, mansions and markets? After the meeting, maybe head out for dinner with your group to get to know each other. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. As some departures of this trip are part of a combination trip, some of your fellow travellers may have started their trip 20 days ago in Lima on Ultimate Peru, Argentina & Brazil (GGSAC) or 8 days ago in Lima on Explore Peru, Argentina and Brazil (GGSGC).

After breakfast, head out on an orientation walk of the city with your leader. You'll be introduced to some of Buenos Aires' major sights – the likes of the Colon Theatre (considered one of the most beautiful opera theatres in the world), the historic monument of Obelisk and Plaza de Mayo – home to the original town hall and the presidential palace known as the Pink House. The rest of the day is free to explore as you like – how about a beginner’s tango class or some people-watching with a glass of malbec? For dinner tonight, you could ask your leader where to find the best traditional asado (barbecue).

This morning, take a short flight to Posadas followed by a drive to Ituzaingo – a riverside city on the banks of the Parana River and your base to explore the Ibera Wetlands region. Spanning over 15,000 square kilometres, these wetlands are roughly the size of Belgium, which gives you an idea of how much there is to explore. The biodiversity is incredible, and the swamps, lakes and lagoons are home to many creatures including otters, alligators, deer, wolves and black howler monkeys to name a few. Also keep a look out for those oddly noble-looking creatures, the capybaras – cousins of the guinea pig and the largest rodents in the world. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today you’ll do full day tour and safari of the wetlands with a local guide. You could see an array of mammals, reptiles and birds – maybe caiman or swamp deer, 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 yellow robin. For lunch, tuck into a delicious asado and maybe even have a go at kneading some dough for Argentinian bread. The evening is free to unwind or grab dinner with the group.

Have a hearty breakfast and prepare for a long travel day. Take a comfortable local bus to Puerto Iguazu. From here, you’ll transfer to a minivan and drive to a Guarani community. The Guarani are one of the region’s remaining Indigenous peoples, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn about their way of life and how they've preserved their traditions on the edge of one of South America’s most popular attractions. Later, cross the border into Brazil and continue to your hotel in Foz do Iguazu. Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Today you'll visit the mighty Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides. At over two km long, the falls are actually a series of cataracts (large waterfalls). There are over 270 in total, with some reaching up to 80 m tall, and they're wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Enjoy the panoramas on the Brazilian side – including 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 while you're here. This optional activity gives you spectacular views of the cascades and the lush parklands that surround it.

Today you'll go to the Argentinean side of the falls where it’s possible to follow a series of boardwalks and get up close to the thundering waters – so close you can almost touch them. For a more exhilarating experience, you could also jump on a Zodiac tour that takes you around the base the cascades. Return to your hotel later in the afternoon to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s journey to Rio de Janeiro.

Today you'll take a flight to Rio de Janeiro, the festive heart of Brazil. When you arrive, settle into your hotel and then join your leader for an orientation walk. Rio is a diverse city best known for its beaches, Carnaval and contrasting images of favelas (informal settlements) and luxury districts. After, enjoy some free time to explore your way – your leader can provide recommendations. Perhaps head to a football game, take a cable car ride between Praia Vermelha and the Sugarloaf Mountain for views over the city or enjoy a caipirinha at a beachside bar. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

This morning you'll be picked up at your hotel and head straight to Christ the Redeemer to try and beat the crowds. Soak up the early morning air and take some photos of this iconic statue before heading to a local farmers’ market. Your leader will show you some of the favourite local foods to try and introduce you to market traditions. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore more of the city. As it’s your last night together as a group, you could head out for a farewell dinner and say saude (cheers) to your adventure.

With no activities planned, you’re free to leave your hotel after breakfast. If you'd like to extend your time in Rio, just let us know and we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).