Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil
10 Days
From AUD $3270
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Journey along the eastern side of South America on this 10-day adventure from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. Start by sipping yerba mate and exploring the markets of Argentina’s fiery capital before embracing ranch life with horse rides, homecooked meals and campfires at a Uruguayan estancia.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (8), Lunch (2), Dinner (2)
Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), Estancia (2 nights), Overnight Bus (1 night)

Highlights

  • Soak up the cosmopolitan vibes of Buenos Aires and explore the highlights on foot – including the Avenida de Mayo and the San Telmo area, filled with colourful markets and murals.
  • Get to know the gaucho (cowboy) way of life during a stay at a traditional estancia (ranch) in Uruguay. Explore the land on horseback, help your hosts make empanadas and feast on a classic asado (barbecue).
  • Explore the Historic Quarter of Colonia del Sacramento, one of Uruguay’s oldest cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll cobbled streets lined with vintage cars and rub shoulders with locals sipping yerba mate.
  • See the mighty Iguazu Falls – the world’s largest waterfall system, which straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil – from different vantage points in both countries.
  • End your trip in Brazil’s famous beachside city, Rio de Janeiro. Make the most of your local leader’s recommendations – how about finding a local samba bar or wandering the bohemian streets of Santa Teresa?
Best of Argentina, Uruguay & Brazil

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Plane, local bus, ferry, overnight bus

Guide Language

English

Starts

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Finishes

Rio de Janeiro, Argentina

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Bienvenido! Welcome to Buenos Aires. 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. After the meeting, maybe head out for dinner with your group to get to know each other.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Buenos Aires
This morning begins with an orientation walk around Buenos Aires’ Microcentro district Pass by historic buildings along the Avenida de Mayo, including the Casa Rosada (Argentina’s government house), explore antiques markets in the picturesque San Telmo area and perhaps have a coffee in the famous Cafe Tortoni. This afternoon is yours to explore Buenos Aires. Perhaps you’ll kick things off in La Boca, where you can visit iconic Caminito Street, which gives the neighbourhood its distinctive spirit. Then maybe continue towards Retiro and Recoleta, famously known as the ‘Paris of South America’ for their opulent architecture, grand palaces and tree-lined boulevards. La Recoleta Cemetery is worth a stop for its ornate mausoleums – Eva Peron’s grave is located here. This evening, maybe head to a tango show for your new travel pals.

Included Activities:

  • Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional Activities:

  • Colonia - Local Wine & Cheese Tasting (20 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Colonia Del Sacramento
Today, jump on a ferry to cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. When you arrive, enjoy some time on your own to get acquainted with one of the country’s oldest cities. The World Heritage-listed Barrio Historico (Old Quarter) is a great place to start. Listen to the noisy parakeets in the Plaza Mayor or comb Colonia’s small museums. For great views, climb to the top of the city’s 19th-century lighthouse – still in operation today.

Optional Activities:

  • Colonia - Lighthouse visit (35 UYU)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Tacuarembo
Today you’ll take a bus to an estancia near the area of Mercedes or Tacuarembo where you’ll meet your hosts – they’ll take great care of you for the next couple of days. Tonight, enjoy the warm hospitality and the rural setting rich in history, culture and gaucho traditions.

Included Activities:

  • Estancia Stay - 2-Night Stay on an Estancia

Accommodation:

  • Estancia (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Tacuarembo
Spend the day taking in the gorgeous views across the estancia. Depending on the estancia, you can head out on a horse ride to explore your surroundings or make your way into nearby Mercedes for a river walk and an ice cream or help your host with the roundup of the cows and sheep. The digs aren’t fancy, but the surroundings and hospitality are something special. Eat homecooked meals, including a traditional asado (barbecue), enjoy music around the campfire and maybe saddle up for a horse ride in true gaucho style.

Optional Activities:

  • Estancia - Horse riding - Free

Accommodation:

  • Estancia (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Tacuarembo
After breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts and travel to the Uruguay-Argentinian border. Cross the border to Argentina, then prepare for an overnight bus ride to Puerto Iguazu – the gateway to Iguazu Falls. There’ll be a chance to grab a light dinner and some snacks before the journey.

Accommodation:

  • Overnight Bus (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Foz do Iguazu
When you arrive at Puerto Iguazu bus station this morning, jump in a minivan across the border into Brazil and head straight to the national park. Now, you can stretch your legs and take in the mighty Iguazu Falls! After admiring this force of nature, head to your hotel in Foz do Iguacu, where you have free time for the rest of the day.

Included Activities:

  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls

Optional Activities:

  • Iguazu Falls - Bird Park (25 USD)
  • Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride (145 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Foz do Iguazu
Return to Argentina today to see Iguazu Falls from a different angle. Following a series of boardwalks, it’s possible to get so close to the thundering waters that you can almost touch them. At over 2 km (1.2 mi) long, Iguazu Falls are made up of over 270 separate cascades, with some reaching up to 80 m (262.4 ft) in height. For a more exhilarating experience, why not take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls? After, head back to your hotel to relax.

Included Activities:

  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls

Optional Activities:

  • Iguazu Falls - Zodiac ride up to the falls (cash only) (95 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Rio de Janeiro
Today you’ll take a flight to Rio de Janeiro. Settle into your hotel room, then head out with your leader for an orientation walk. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to Copacabana or Ipanema Beach or, if the time of year is right, check out a football game at the famous Maracana Stadium. You could also take the tramcar up to the artistic hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, or head up Corcovado Mountain for sweeping views over Rio from the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Optional Activities:

  • Rio de Janeiro - Santa Teresa tramcar (20 BRL)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Maracana football game (schedule dependent) (100 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Botanical Gardens (admission fee) (18 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer (admission fee) (20 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Samba School Rehearsal (october-february) (105 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car (45 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Rio de Janeiro
With no activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time in Rio, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.

Optional Activities:

  • Rio de Janeiro - Adventure & History at Tijuca Forest (70 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Tijuca Forest Express Hike - Pedra Bonita (65 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Secluded Beaches Hike - Prainha & Grumari (90 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Rio Nature Secrets "Eco-City-tour" (90 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Sunset Tour: Sugarloaf, Selaron & Kobra Grafiti (85 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Half Day City Tour (105 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Full Day City Tour (125 USD)
  • Rio de Janeiro - Behind the Scenes Carnival Tour (85 USD)
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $3,270
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Journey along the eastern side of South America on this 10-day adventure from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. Start by sipping yerba mate and exploring the markets of Argentina’s fiery capital before embracing ranch life with horse rides, homecooked meals and campfires at a Uruguayan estancia.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 04 Jun 2027

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.0
Leeann
Traveled, March 2024

04/08/2024

This is a fantastic trip that gives a superb overview of life in both Argentina and Uruguay (we spent very little time in Brazil and really none at all in Rio). Luciano was a wonderful group leader and the group gelled (sp?) well and quickly. We had a blast! Herding cattle on horseback at the ranch and wandering through the rainforest at Iguazu and getting soaked in the boat ride there were highlights for me. There are some very long travel days but it was worth it. Again, no time in Buenos Aires nor in Rio so just know that and add a few days (or the Buenos Aires Short Break and Rio Short Break that Intrepid offers). Otherwise you’ll miss the gem that is Buenos Aires and iconic Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy!!

4.5
Ciara
Traveled, March 2024

03/24/2024

The tour of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil was absolutely fantastic. Our tour guide, Santiago, was amazing. The entire experience was incredible and I'd highly recommend this tour!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989