3-week family trip of Northern Argentina & Brazil

21 days – from €8,985 per person

nature – culture – city

Day 4 | Buenos Aires – Salta

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to Buenos Aires airport. Here, you will board your domestic flight to Salta. On arrival, a rental car will be waiting for you to take you to your accommodation (approx. 15 km | 30-minute drive). In Quechua – the language of the Incas – ‘Salta’ means ‘very beautiful’, and the province certainly lives up to its name. The region boasts stunning, rugged mountain landscapes with multicoloured mountains and desolate high plateaus (punas), dotted with metre-high cacti, salt lakes and bizarre rock formations.
Your accommodation: Khala Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Salta – Cafayate

Today you’ll collect your rental car and drive to Cafayate. During this drive, you may spot guanacos, foxes or condors, and you’ll drive right through the striking landscape of the Quebrada de Cafayate gorge. Prepare to be amazed by the stunning rock formations of Los Médanos, Los Castillos and El Fraile! (approx. 190 km | 3-hour drive)
Your accommodation: Patios de Cafayate | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Cafayate

A day off is planned in Cafayate. For example, you could visit some of the local wineries. This will give you an insight into the production process of the export product that has made Cafayate so famous. You could also visit the main square, Plaza San Martín. Here you’ll find charming shops, outdoor cafés and restaurants. Everything is within walking distance – even a number of bodegas where you can enjoy a free guided trip and wine tasting. We highly recommend trying the Torrontés wine – the ‘Malbec’ of white wines. In Mendoza, they’re proud of their Malbec; in the north-west, they’re proud of the white wine Torrontés: a delicious wine with an aromatic character and a floral bouquet, yet dry and crisp on the palate.
Your accommodation: Patios de Cafayate | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Cafayate – Salta

Today you’ll drive back to Salta, where you’ll return your rental car at the end of the day. If you’re back in time, you can spend the afternoon visiting Salta’s main attractions, such as the cathedral, the Church of San Francisco or Mount San Bernardo, which offers a magnificent view of the city. You can also visit the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña, where you can admire, amongst other things, three perfectly mummified children. They were excavated from the nearby summit of Mount Llullaillaco. More than 500 years ago, they were sacrificed there as part of a religious ritual. (approx. 190 km | 3-hour drive)
Your accommodation: Khala Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Salta – Salinas Grandes

After breakfast, you will be collected and taken by private transport to your next accommodation: Pristine Camps Salinas Grandes. The route to the Salinas Grandes (salt flats) takes you through the breathtaking mountain landscape of the Andes. The salt flats, situated at an altitude of 3,450 metres, glisten like a white desert. Along the way, you’ll pass winding roads, colourful mountain formations and small villages before reaching the natural wonder of the Salinas Grandes.
Your accommodation: Pristine Camps Salinas Grandes | full board

Day 9 | Salinas Grandes

Today you can take part in an activity organised by Pristine Camps; this will be discussed with you in advance. Examples of excursions include a visit to Barrancas or Alfarcito. During the Barrancas excursion, you will visit the municipal nature reserve and the Piedra Mapa trail. You will also visit the Barrancas Archaeological Interpretation Centre. During this day trip, you will enjoy a gourmet lunch near the banks of the Barrancas River. On a visit to Alfarcito, you will explore the village of Alfarcito and the main nearby attractions, including a viewpoint and the hamlet of Rinconadilla. Lunch will be served at the Alfarcito Community Centre or at the Guayatayoc lagoon (depending on the season).
Your accommodation: Prisine Camps Salinas Grande | full board

Day 10 | Salinas Grandes – Salta

It’s time to leave this wonderful accommodation behind once again. You’ll be taken back to your hotel in Salta, where you’ll spend one final night before continuing your journey.
Your accommodation: Khala Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Salta – Puerto Iguazú

You will be taken to Salta Airport, where you will board the domestic flight to Puerto Iguazú. On arrival, you will be welcomed by a local representative and taken to your hotel for the next few nights.
​Your accommodation: Pristine Camps Iguazú | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Puerto Iguazú

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Argentine side of the falls. When you look straight down into the ‘Garganta del Diablo’ (Devil’s Throat) from above, you’ll immediately understand how this section got its name. Here, nature reveals its true nature. It really is a unique experience to stand so close to this waterfall. You’ll end up getting soaked, mind you, but nature will see to it that the sun dries you off again!
Your accommodation: Pristine Camps Iguazú | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Puerto Iguazú

Today you’ll be setting off on a cycle ride. You’ll start the cycle trip at your hotel’s main building and then explore the entire historic centre of the reserve. During the cycle trip, you’ll learn more about the region’s flora and fauna and pass by the manor house and chapel of the Puerto Bemberg reserve. (Subject to availability, this cycle trip can also be swapped for a mountain bike trip, for example).
Your accommodation: Pristine Camps Iguazú | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Puerto Iguazú – Rio de Janeiro

You will be collected from your hotel today and, together with your guide, you will visit the Brazilian side of the falls. The word Iguaçu means ‘big water’ in the indigenous Tupi-Guarani language. Foz do Iguaçu comprises around 275 waterfalls, and these are best visited in the morning when the light reflecting off the water is at its most beautiful. As the sun rises, rainbows appear on all sides. There is a path leading right down to the base of the thundering cascade, with several beautiful viewing points along the way. Afterwards, you will be taken to Foz do Iguaçu airport, where you will board your flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival in Rio de Janeiro, our local representative will be on hand to welcome you to Brazil and take you to your hotel in the city.
Your accommodation: Hotel Arpoador | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Rio de Janeiro

The famous Corcovado, with its enormous statue of Christ, is the very symbol of the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. Today you’ll visit the statue accompanied by an English-speaking private guide and enjoy the magnificent view that unfolds before your eyes. You’ll then drive through the city to Sugarloaf Mountain, where you’ll take a cable car to the summit. From here, you’ll have a completely different view of the city and the Christ the Redeemer statue you’ve just visited. The indigenous people called this mountain ‘pau-nd-acuqua’, which loosely translates as ‘high pointed peak’. To Brazilian ears, this sounded like ‘pão de açúcar’, which is how the name Sugarloaf Mountain came about.
Your accommodation: Hotel Arpoador | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Rio de Janeiro

Today you’ll go on a cycle trip along the beaches and lagoons of Rio de Janeiro. This is a unique and active way to explore the city. You’ll cycle along the iconic boulevards of Copacabana and Ipanema, where you’ll soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the views of the ocean. You’ll stop at tranquil lagoons such as Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, surrounded by nature and the mountain peaks of Rio. Along the way, you can enjoy panoramic views. In the evening, you’ll get a taste of the Cariocas’ nightlife. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll visit Rio’s less touristy spots featuring live music. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the laid-back culture of Rio’s nightlife. Exactly which spots you end up visiting is a surprise. You’ll visit at least two venues, which may range from a small pub, an outdoor samba party or a public stage with live music (such as samba or forró). You’ll enjoy watching the Cariocas dance beautifully. The trip starts around 9.00 pm and lasts until around 1.00 am.
Your accommodation: Hotel Arpoador | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Rio de Janeiro – Ilha Grande

Today you will be collected from your hotel and travel to Ilha Grande. The journey is partly by land and partly by boat. Upon arrival on the island, you will be taken to your hotel, where you are free to spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Your accommodation: O'Sitio Ilha Grande | bed and breakfast

Days 18 & 19 | Ilha Grande

Free day(s) planned. Spend these days enjoying the beautiful island. Visit one of the many beaches, go for a walk through the jungle or go snorkelling in the beautiful blue sea. You’ll also have the chance to book various activities on the island, such as different boat trips. Don’t forget to withdraw cash in Rio de Janeiro, as there are no cash machines on the island!
Your accommodation: O’Sitio Ilha Grande | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Ilha Grande – Rio de Janeiro – Amsterdam

Your trip of Argentina and Brazil comes to an end today. You will travel back to the mainland and be taken to Rio de Janeiro airport, where you will board your intercontinental overnight flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.