Itinerary

Day 1: Buenos Aires

Your trip starts today in Buenos Aires. No activities are planned during the day, so you may arrive at any time. Please refer to your itinerary for the joining hotel name and address. Please note that there are two airports in Buenos Aires. The international airport is called Ezeiza and the domestic airport is called Aeroparque Jorge Newberry. There is a pre-departure meeting with your tour guide at 6:30pm this evening. Please check the notice board in the foyer of our joining hotel for any further details of this meeting and for any messages from your Gecko's tour guide. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the briefing.

Day 2-3: Buenos Aires - overnight bus

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

You will love Buenos Aires! Home to nearly 13 million people it is the world's tenth largest city. Vibrant and stylish, it boasts grand avenues, impressive colonial buildings, bustling streets, old-worldly cafes and a multitude of restaurants. A walking tour introduces us to the main attractions in the centre of town, but you also have time to make some great discoveries of your own. La Boca is an interesting neighbourhood famous for the brightly painted houses in a pedestrian walkway known as Caminito. Recoleta has an amazing cemetery that includes the tomb of Evita (Eva Peron). You might want to try the tango or perhaps enjoy the thrill of an Argentinean football match (season runs from March to December). Whatever you choose to do you are in for a great time! Late in the afternoon of Day 3 we head to the massive Retiro Bus Station, where we board an overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu. Please Note: If your group size is less than six passengers you will not be accompanied on the overnight bus journey. You will be farewelled by your Buenos Aires guide and met by another local site guide on arrival in Puerto Iguazu.

Day 4-5: Iguazu Falls - overnight bus

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We arrive into Iguazu mid morning and check into our hotel before heading off by bus on the short drive to the Iguazu National Park and its spectacular waterfalls. 20 metres higher than Niagara Falls, Iguazu Falls are without doubt one of the most impressive in the world. Located at the confluence of the Rio Iguazu and the Rio Alto Parana, the water cascades over the edge of a 2.5 kilometre-wide plateau in 275 separate waterfalls. We spend the afternoon on the Argentine side of the falls before returning to our hotel in Puerto Iguazu for the night. The next morning we farewell our Argentine tour guide and meet our Brazilian tour guide, as we cross the border into Brazil. Our Brazilian tour guide will remain with us until the end of our trip in Rio de Janeiro. From the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguacu we visit the Brazilian side of the falls, where the panoramic views of the falls are breathtaking. In the evening we catch an overnight bus for the journey from Foz do Iguacu to Curitiba.

Day 6: Curitiba - Atlantic Rainforest

We arrive in Curitiba in the early morning. Here we recommend that you leave some of your excess luggage in storage (approx US$1 per day) to lighten your load, as the next three days are full of activities on the move. From the main railway station in Curitiba we board the train for an incredible ride through the Atlantic rainforest to Marumbi State Park. The ‘Serra Verde Express’ is one of Brazil's most famous train rides and has linked Curitiba with Paranagua since 1885. Beautiful rainforests and superb mountain and riverine scenery make for an exciting and spectacular journey. We disembark at Marumbi and begin an easy trek along the Itupava Colonial Rainforest Trail to Rochedinho Peak and Marumbinistas Waterfall. From here we continue for another three hours down to our 'posada' or lodge, situated on the edge of the rainforest in the town of Porto de Cima. Accommodation in the lodge is on a twin or triple share basis, depending on room availability. In the afternoon there is time to relax, swim or embark on further exploration of the rainforest.

Day 7-8: Paranagua - Honey Island

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

We head into Morretes and discover the charm of this small historical town before descending to the coast at Paranagua. Here we board a boat and explore some of the islands that make up the Superagui National Park, as well as seek out the local wildlife. We stop at Pescas Island for a lunch prepared for us by local villagers. You need to pay approximately US$8 each for this lunch, but this helps the local community as the proceeds go directly to them. We enjoy a walking tour around the village with a local site guide and visit Dolphin Bay. There is also an opportunity to try our hand at fishing. In the afternoon we head to Honey Island - our home for two nights. This beautiful island is a great place to relax, swim, fish, party or just laze around on sensational sandy beaches. During our stay we have time to visit the historical fortress and the Enchanted Grotto. It is worth noting that the views from the lighthouse are quite amazing. Our accommodation at the hotel here is based on multi-share rooms.

Day 9: Honey Island - Curitiba - overnight bus

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We have the morning free to make the most of our time on Honey Island before boarding the boat back to Paranagua and catching the local bus back to Curitiba. Here we collect our stored luggage and catch the overnight coach service bound for spectacular Rio de Janeiro.

Day 10-11: Rio de Janeiro

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Nothing quite equals the excitement and setting of Rio de Janeiro. Known as ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ (the Marvellous City), Rio is truly a feast to the senses. A Portuguese navigator landed in the area in January 1502 and mistaking the bay for a river named it Rio de Janeiro which means 'River of January'. During the 17th century Rio became an important sugar town and port, but the city really flourished with the gold rush at the beginning of the 18th century. In 1763 the city took over as the colonial capital and remained the country's capital until the creation of Brasilia in 1960. Rio is characterized by beautiful sandy beaches with rolling surf and towering mountains forming spectacular backdrops. The inhabitants of this city pursue pleasure like no others and we have two days here to soak up all that Rio is famous for. During our stay we visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer that stand on top of Corcovado. In our free time we also have plenty of opportunities to visit the other major sites. The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain and the sound of samba all combine to make for a colourful and unforgettable end to our epic adventure.

Day 12: Rio de Janeiro

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Your short overland adventure comes to an end after breakfast.

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