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GALAPAGOS LEGEND ITINERARY AB - 8 DAYS

DAY 1,

ARRIVAL TO RIO DE JANEIRO

Once you arrive in Rio, you will be met at the airport by one of our guides who will take you to your hotel, GRAND MERCURE, located in the heart of Copacabana. Enjoy a four-night stay in double and twin rooms, with local taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 2,

FULL DAY TOUR OF RIO DE JANIERO & CARNIVAL EXPERIENCE

Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and will take you to explore Rio de Janeiro. Every year, over a million visitors go to the famous Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain), an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Its name was given due to the resemblance to the traditional shape of a refined sugar loaf. The journey to the top is made in glass cable cars. The first cable car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay and its surrounding islands. At Urca Hill, passengers take the second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf, which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360-degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, Corcovado Hill, and Rio’s downtown. The Carnaval Experience offers a guided tour of the history of Samba and Carnival in Cidade do Samba. The tour provides visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the artistry and imagination of Carnival by exploring the backstage area, meeting the people working behind the scenes, and observing the preparations for the parade. During the tour, visitors can witness the construction and production of floats and over 3,000 costumes for the show. This visit includes a guided tour of the factory of the 2022 Carnival champion Samba School, Grande Rio. The experience also gives guests a chance to dress up in authentic parade costumes, enjoy samba dancing, and sip on a delicious Caipirinha welcome drink.

DAY 3,

HALF DAY TOUR OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER.

Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and will take you to explore Rio de Janeiro. It is frequently said that God is Brazilian. The real truth is unknown, but at least a piece of Him lies in the Rio statue, Christo Redentor. Towering above the marvelous city with open arms extending almost 30 meters since 1931, this figure has become one of the most famous symbols of Rio. It stands 100 feet tall, visible night and day from most parts of the city. After enjoying the visit to this icon of Rio de Janeiro, your guide will take you back to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy—either at the hotel or relaxing at Copacabana Beach, one of the most iconic beaches of all time.

DAY 4,

RIO DE JANEIRO

Enjoy a free day in Rio de Janeiro for your own exploration. Take in the sun at the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, and immerse yourself in the one and only carioca vibe.

Day 5,

RIO DE JANEIRO – IGUAZU

Your guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel and will take you to the Rio airport in time for your flight to Iguazu (IGR). Once you arrive in Iguazu, you will be met by your local guide who will take you to your hotel after a tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. The tour goes towards the Iguaçu National Park, one of the largest vegetation reserves in Brazil. Upon arrival at the visitors’ center, passengers transfer to a bus for a tour inside the park and up to the beginning of the boardwalks located at the edge of the cliffs of the Iguazu River, which extend almost a kilometer. During the walk, it is possible to see San Martín Island and be amazed by the sight of the waterfalls of Bossetti, San Martín, and Three Musketeers. The observation deck found towards the end of the walk offers a unique view of Devil’s Throat from just 150 meters away. This breathtaking scenery is often enhanced by the constant formation of rainbows. The visit ends next to the Salto Floriano fall, where there is a small store with access to a panoramic elevator available to visitors. At the end of the tour, a long stairway leads to the area where guests are transferred back to the hotel. The daily tours are scheduled preferably in the mornings due to the position of the sun over the waterfalls. (B) Your guide will then take you to your hotel, PANORAMIC GRAND or a similar property. After the tour, your stay will be for two nights in double and twin rooms, with taxes and breakfast included.

DAY 6,

ARGENTINEAN SIDE OF THE FALLS

Depart from the hotel to visit the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls, located within the Iguazu National Park. Spanning 67,000 hectares, the park has been declared a Natural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. The falls are composed of 275 individual cascades that drop from an average height of seventy meters. The journey begins at the “Central Station,” where visitors can choose to take a train to either “Falls Station” or “Devil’s Throat Station.” From these points, multiple excursions are available.

The Superior Walk is an 800-meter path along elevated footbridges designed to avoid disturbing the local fauna. This route offers panoramic views of waterfalls such as Dos Hermanas, Bosetti, Bernabé Méndez, and M´Bigua Falls. It takes about one hour to complete and has a low difficulty level, with no stairs.

The Inferior Walk is a 1,600-meter trail also along elevated footbridges, where visitors can view the Two Sisters, Alvar Nuñez, San Martín, and Bosetti Falls, as well as Rock de la Bella Vista. This path also provides a panoramic view of Devil’s Throat and the Río Iguazú Inferior Canyon. It takes about two hours to complete and has a moderate difficulty level due to stairs.

The Devil’s Throat Excursion begins at the “Devil’s Throat Station,” followed by a 1,200-meter walk along footbridges that lead to the most powerful and iconic waterfall in the park. This walk takes approximately two hours, is low in difficulty, and contains no stairs. The return trip is made by train back to the Visitors Center.

Great Adventure Excursion:

This exciting tour combines both jungle and river experiences within the Iguazu National Park and on the waters of the Inferior Iguazu River. It is divided into two parts: first, a thrilling boat ride on semi-rigid Zodiac boats brings you close to the base of the San Martín, Bosetti, and Three Musketeers waterfalls, and into the Devil’s Throat canyon. From there, you’ll navigate the river’s rapids to Puerto Macuco, about three kilometers from the falls. The second part of the tour leads you through the jungle via the Yacaratiá trail in specially designed trucks, offering an educational look at the flora and fauna of the region. Visitors may choose to begin with either the boat ride or the jungle walk. Departures occur every hour from the Jungle Explorer Company’s Central Station or from the pier across from San Martín Island. (B, L)

DAY 7,

IGUAZU – BUENOS AIRES

Your guide will take you on a private transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires. Once you arrive in the capital of Argentina, your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel, GRAND BRIZO, for a three-night stay in double and twin rooms, with local taxes and buffet breakfast included.

DAY 8,

CRUSING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS AM: HIGHLANDS TORTOISE RESERVE (Santa Cruz Island)

Free time to explore Buenos Aires on your own and discover the beauty of a European style city in South America.
At night you will be taken to enjoy of a Tango Show:
Enjoy free time to explore Buenos Aires on your own and discover the charm of a European-style city in the heart of South America. In the evening, you will be taken to enjoy a traditional Tango Show. Departure from the hotel will take you towards the southern districts of Buenos Aires, where Tango music was born in the late 19th century in the “arrabales” (southern suburbs), home to a mix of “criollos” (Argentine natives), Italian and Spanish immigrants, African descendants, and others. Their struggles, passions, and hopes sparked the creation of this deeply emotive and iconic piece of Argentine culture. Tango lyrics are often difficult to interpret and nearly impossible to translate, yet always rich in poetry. In 1920, an old colonial house was transformed into the traditional bar “El Querandí,” known for its Art Deco façade, dark wood boisserie, and Solomonic columns. Over the years, it became a favored meeting place for writers, artists, and students. Today, El Querandí is one of the city’s iconic venues, offering visitors exquisite cuisine and an authentic Tango Show in a historic setting. By midnight, after the show, you will return to your hotel. (B, D)

DAY 9,

BUENOS AIRES DAY TOUR

Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city that unveils its immigrant heritage at every step. The tour begins at Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political heart of the city, where you’ll discover significant buildings and monuments such as the Pirámide de Mayo, the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace), the colonial Cabildo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. From there, we continue along Avenida de Mayo, notable for its diverse architectural styles, and then reach the grand 9 de Julio Avenue, known for its eight lanes adorned with lawns, fountains, sculptures, and the iconic Obelisco—an undisputed emblem and focal point of the city. From here, the tour takes you back in time to San Telmo, the city’s oldest neighborhood, famous for its Sunday antiques market and vibrant nightlife filled with gourmet restaurants, lively bars, and classic tanguerías (tango restaurants). Heading south, we reach the colorful port district of La Boca, home to the famous alleyway Caminito, where tin houses, local customs, and the European immigrant legacy are preserved in traditional cantinas and tenement houses known as conventillos. The tour then visits Puerto Madero, a revitalized waterfront district where former port warehouses have been transformed into sleek offices, apartments, high-end restaurants, and bars offering impressive views of the docks and the Rio de la Plata. We continue on to Palermo, a residential area known for its elegant mansions and expansive parks, and finally arrive at La Recoleta, where you’ll see notable landmarks like the Church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the Cultural Center, and the circular Palais de Glace building. A highlight of this stop is a visit to the Recoleta Cemetery, famed for its elaborate architecture, intriguing stories, and the resting place of historical figures including the legendary Eva Perón (Evita). Afterward, return to your hotel.

Later, step into the heart of Argentine football with a guided tour of La Bombonera, the iconic stadium of Boca Juniors, located in the vibrant La Boca neighborhood. Known for its steep stands, electric atmosphere, and deep cultural ties to football history, La Bombonera is a must-visit for any sports enthusiast. The experience begins at the Boca Juniors Museum, “Museo de la Pasión Boquense,” where you’ll relive the club’s greatest moments through displays of historic trophies, jerseys, and multimedia exhibits celebrating legends such as Diego Maradona. You’ll then explore the stadium itself, including access to the locker rooms, the players’ tunnel, and the pitch—where you can imagine the roar of 50,000 passionate fans. From the stands, admire the stadium’s unique vertical design, which has earned its reputation as one of the most intimidating venues in the world for visiting teams. To complete your experience, stroll through the colorful Caminito streets just outside the stadium, where tango dancers, murals, and fans dressed in Boca’s blue and gold colors capture the true essence of this legendary club’s spirit. (B, L)

END OF SERVICES

The schedule and all touring arrangements herein are subject to change without notice and can be altered by weather conditions. If so, your tour will be operated in a different sequence, depending on operational considerations. All hotels are subject to availability and can be substituted for similar hotels.

TOUR PRICE PER PERSON: not include

Prices include:

  • Accommodation with taxes in the hotels mentioned above or similar
  • Daily breakfast at hotel
  • Private transportation
  • Private local English-speaking guides
  • Transfers in Rio: airport – hotel – airport
  • Transfers in Iguazu: airport – hotel – airport
  • Transfers in Buenos Aires: airport – hotel – airport
  • Tours as specified above
  • Meals as specified (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
  • Entrance fees to the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the falls
  • Entrance tickets to attractions
  • Carnival experience
  • Great Adventure

Prices do not include:

  • Early check-in / late check-out, unless specified in the itinerary
  • Any flights
  • Airport taxes
  • Local city taxes where they apply
  • Beverages
  • Extras and personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • No other meals other than breakfast at the hotel in Iguazu

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