Gardens of Argentina & Brazil

Meet your Ross Tour Leader, Paula Benneian at Sydney Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.

Check into our hotel for the next 5 nights.

Welcome dinner at our hotel tonight.

Morning city tour including Avenida de Mayo, the main artery of Buenos Aires and lined with fine examples of French academicism, the Teatro Colon, Argentina’s famous Opera House, the Barolo Palace, built in 1935 to house the commemorate the genius of Dante Alighieri (now a National Monument).

Morning tour finishes at Cafe Tortoni built in 1858 and inspired by the Fin de siècle coffee houses.

Walk back to your hotel along famous Florida Street, an elegant pedestrian shopping street.

Discover the barrios (neighbourhoods) of Buenos Aires today. First visit is to La Boca with brightly painted houses, eccentric bars and restaurants and local artists working. This was the principle port on the boca (mouth) of the Riachuelo River until Puerto Madero was created at the end of 20th century. Italian immigrants settled here in the late 19th century. Many arrived during the booming 1880s to work in meatpacking plants to process Argentinas beloved beef. On the main pedestrian Street, Caminito, tango dancers perform outside parrillas (taverns). Nearby is Calle Lanin, a beautiful little street in the barrio of Barracas.
Next visit is to St Telmo, BAs oldest barrio; sensual and sultry, full of history and personality with colonial and art nouveau buildings, antique, curio and collectible shops and bars. Note the decorative painting style. The aristocratic portenos(BA inhabitants) deserted in 1871 because of yellow fever and the grand buildings became tenements for poor Italian immigrants. Restoration began in the 1970s with artists, pubs and tango clubs on Plaza Dorrego.
Afternoon visit to Recoleta, an elegant district known as Little Paris for its architecture, squares, parks, cafes and galleries. Its famous cemetery, La Recoleta, is one of Argentinas, indeed the worlds, most important cemeteries with people such as Evita Peron, presidents and writers, buried here. Recoleta is home to BAs wealthy residents. Fin de Sicle palaces and villas were built in this area. Many of the buildings are now considered national monuments, grand Belle Epoche buildings, wide avenues, beautiful monuments and parks.

A tour of the cemetery then free time to explore.

Return to your hotel with time to rest before tonights tango/dinner show at La Ventana. In the very heart of San Telmo barrio, this refurbished historic conventillo is a classic building of the Buenos Aires culture. 35 artists with two tango orchestras, a folklore band, dancers and singers will entertain you. Menu consists of several traditional and international dishes and a list of excellent Argentine Wines.

Visit some private gardens this morning, where the owners share their stories & passion with you.

Lunch is included today.

Afternoon visit to Palermo, one of the city’s most interesting and diverse barrios (suburbs) with leafy streets, restaurants, bars, boutiques, artisan workshops and museums. Visit Buenos Aires Botanical Garden.

Full day excursion on a Tigre Delta and River Cruise. Travel through Avenida del Libertador, the most beautiful access to downtown Buenos Aires, and through the narrow streets of the residential suburbs of Vicente Lopez, Martinez, Olivos, San Isidro and Acassusso, with their yacht clubs and mansions before you reach Tigre. For more than 100 years, the maze of rivers and channels of the Tigre Delta have been a favourite weekend getaway for ‘portenos’ (Buenos Aires inhabitants).

Leaving the bustling city behind you enter a world little changed since the 1920’s. Depart from the pier on board a typical ‘island launch’ to explore the islands, travelling along channels and streams. Enjoy views of riverside villas, Victorian docks, English gardens and traditional rowing and boating clubs.
Stop at one of the Island restaurants for lunch.

Once back at Tigre’s pier, you’ll re-board your coach for the drive back to your hotel in the city.

Leave Buenos Aires this morning for your flight to Bariloche, a city in the province of Rio Negro, Argentina. Situated in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by lakes, this is a famous ski resort in winter. A small circuit tour and forest walk today. Stop at a series of beautiful panoramic lookouts and Colonia Suiza to discover the European influence Enjoy a short walk to see luma (Myrtle) and nothofagus (Antarctic Beech) in a protected native forest. You will have the chance to see local handicraft.

Check in to your hotel situated in the centre of town.

A scenic boat tour of Nahuel Huapi Lake, surrounded by the stunning Patagonian landscape. Glide across the crystal-clear waters, taking in the majestic mountains and lush forests.

We will stop at Isla Victoria for lunch. Enjoy a leisurely meal amidst the island’s natural beauty before continuing your exploration of the lake. In the late afternoon, we return to Bariloche for a wine and chocolate tasting experience. Sample a selection of fine wines from the region, paired perfectly with artisanal chocolates. Learn about the local winemaking and chocolate-making processes while savoring the rich flavors.

Leave Bariloche for your flight to Puerto Iguazu via Buenos Aires, a border city in the province of Misiones, Argentina. The world-renowned Iguazu Falls are only 18 kilometres away from the city.

This afternoon we visit the Iguazu National Park on the Argentina side, known for its stunning waterfalls and diverse wildlife. Check into our hotel for 3 nights. Dinner is included tonight.

Morning visit to the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls, where you can experience the falls up close through a network of trails and viewpoints. Marvel at the sheer power and beauty of the cascades, including the iconic Devil’s Throat. Option for the ‘Great Adventure’ boat trip into the falls, a fantastic ride along the river and under the Falls.

In the afternoon, cross the border to Brazil and explore the towns of Puerto Iguazu and Foz do Iguaçu. Stroll through the charming streets, visit local shops, and soak in the cultural atmosphere of these border towns. The Brazilian side offers a different perspective of the falls, with panoramic views that capture their grandeur.

In the evening, enjoy a dinner show, featuring traditional music and dance from the region.

Spend the day exploring the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Once inside Iguazu National Park, immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the falls, marveling at the panoramic views and the thundering cascades.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Puerto Iguazu, giving you time to explore the town or relax.

After lunch, prepare for an afternoon transfer for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Check into your hotel for 6 nights.

A guided morning tour of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, home to diverse plant species, including towering palms and exotic orchids. Learn about the garden’s history and its significance in conservation efforts.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Rio at your leisure—perhaps visit a museum, stroll along the beaches, or shop in local markets.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Brazilian barbecue ‘churrascaria’.

Morning tour of Rio de Janeiro’s famous beaches. Visit iconic spots like Copacabana and Ipanema, learning about their history and cultural significance.

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. At the top, enjoy panoramic vistas and photo opportunities, capturing the beauty of Rio from above. As you ascend, take in breathtaking views of Rio’s coastline and cityscape.

Morning visit to Sitio Roberto Burle Marx, the home, studio and garden of Brazil’s best-known landscape architect, who was also painter, ecologist and naturalist. His designs of parks and gardens made him world famous. He introduced the modernist landscape to Brazil. He bought this sitio in 1949, restored the two buildings and moved his collection of plants. He lived here from 1973 until his death in 1994. He donated the Sitio to the Brazilian Government in trust for posterity. Burle Marx wanted to guarantee his desire for the maintenance of the integrity of this garden with one of the most important collections of semi-tropical and tropical plants of the world in a series of open-air gardens. This valuable collection was deemed a National Monument in 1995.

Lunch included today in a local restaurant.

Take the cog railway to Corcovado (Hunchback Mountain) to the statue of Christ the Redeemer with arms outstretched, a powerful symbol of this city that was dedicated as a national monument in 1931. It can be seen from many parts of the city, especially illuminated at night.

Travel by special 4WD vehicles into Tijuca Forest, the green spine of Rio. This is the worlds largest urban forest covering 32 square kms. The original forest was destroyed to make way for coffee plantations. Mayor Maual Gomes Archer, with the help of 6 slaves, hand planted the forest in the late 1800s in order to protect Rios water supply. You will need walking shoes, water and a tight fitting cap today.

Picnic lunch is included. Remainder of day at leisure.

Full day cruise of Guanabara Bay. As you sail through the tranquil waters, soak in panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic landmarks, including Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the bustling city skyline. Enjoy lunch onboard.

After a relaxing day on the water, meet your fellow travellers at our farewell dinner at Aprazível, a renowned restaurant nestled in the hills of Santa Teresa, overlooking the twinkling lights of the city.

Checkout of the hotel and head to Rio De Janeiro airport for onward flights.