BRAZIL, ARGENTINA & URUGUAY         

PAT KIELY SOUTH AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

November 17 – December 2, 2006
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ITINERARY

NOV 17 FRI   LOS ANGELES / RIO DE JANEIRO (D in-flight)

Depart from LAX early afternoon on your international flight to South America.  Enjoy complimentary dinner, movie and cocktails on overnight flight.

NOV 18 SAT   RIO DE JANEIRO (B in-flight, D)

Welcome in Rio de Janeiro!

Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, the cidade maravilhosa, early in the morning.  After clearing customs and immigrations, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the IPANEMA PLAZA HOTEL, located half-block from the beautiful Ipanema Beach. Here, your four (4) night stay includes hotels taxes and daily Brazilian breakfast.

Your guide will assist you with early check-in, give you a briefing on the hotel and neighborhood and advise you of the optional meeting for this evening’s dinner.

The balance of the afternoon is at leisure.

This evening you will be met by your guide for your Welcome to Brazil Dinner at Porcao Santos Dumont.  Feast on an all-you-can-eat array of meats, vegetables, seafood, salads and more. The highlight is the rodizio style of serving where astounding variety of meats will be carved right onto your plate. Followed by Plataforma

NOV 19 SUN   RIO DE JANEIRO (B, L)

Hippie fare Tour - This tour visits Rio’s famed version of a crafts fair/flea market, where you may find great buys on souvenirs, jewelry and arts and crafts. 

From here we proceed for lunch at Confeitaria Colombo, a beautiful belle époque tearoom and one of the most traditional restaurants in “Old Rio,” boasting great food and the elegance of a bygone era.

After lunch we burn the calories at a dance Workshop that will challenge your dance creativity and enthusiasm. The important aspect is the collective spirit and the respect to the other. It will be conducted by one of the professors at Casa de Dança Jaime Arouxa. This cultural space includes the Brazilian authentic rhythms such as samba, forró, maxixe, xaxado, lambada and international rhythms such as swing, tango, salsa and rock.

In the evening you are met by your guide for an evening event as the locals do at the Vinicius, a traditional barzinho (Brazilian pub) named after Vinicius de Moraes, who wrote the lyrics for The Girl from Ipanema.  At this site where he once met with friends to create so many popular songs, we listen to Bossa Nova as well as sample various forms of Brazilian traditional music, such as jazz, samba or MPB (Brazilian Popular Music).

NOV 20 MON   RIO DE JANEIRO (B, L)

Late afternoon optional tour suggested Corcovado, Santa Teresa & Downtown Old Rio tour
This morning, after breakfast you will be met by your guide for your Corcovado, Santa Teresa & Downtown Old Rio tour. This tour will show you the “must see” sights and places that make Rio such a fascinating city! First, travel by vans to the base of the imposing Statue of Christ with arms outstretched over Rio on Corcovado Mountain, perhaps the most recognized icon of South America. The views of the ocean, city, and lagoon are spectacular from this vantage point.
Then board on rugged four-wheel drive jeeps and head through the soaring peaks of the Tijuca National Forest. Explore this lush and beautiful jungle (the largest urban rainforest in the world) traveling along switchbacks with magnificent views of the city below. End the drive at the charming Santa Teresa district. This area, once favored by Rio’s wealthy and powerful, fell into neglect as the chic beachfront neighborhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana came into favor after World War II. Today Santa Teresa is enjoying a renaissance era as artists and bohemians who have moved to the area are renovating this funky and colorful part of Rio.
Finally, descend by cable car through this delightful neighborhood, over the famous “Arcos da Lapa” to downtown Rio where you will get a feel for the dynamic rhythm of this of this bustling metropolis.

Late afternoon optional tour suggested: Sugar Loaf Mountain Tour

This tour takes you to the base of the famous Rio landmark Pao de Acucar, set dramatically at the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Board the first of two cable cars to the smaller of these two mountains off the coast of Rio. Then continue up on yet another cable car to the summit of the second mountain. The view from this peak of the city of Rio, the bay, and the ocean is breathtaking. After a time, descend to the base at Urca Beach and proceed to a driving tour of downtown Rio, including the Flamengo Park, the majestic Avenida Rio Branco and other landmarks of the city. (Half-day - approx. 4 hours – $30p/p)

Balance of day and evening at leisure.

 Jardim Botanico – must
 Historical Tours with Museum and churches – optional
 Brazilian Cooking class – optional
 Jewelry shopping – must
 Free time
 Shopping tour

NOV 21 TUE    RIO DE JANEIRO(B, L)

Full day – Day in the Country Tour with Feijoada at Araujo

NOV 22 WED   RIO DE JANEIRO / IGUASSU FALLS (B, D)

After check out you will be met by your guide for your transfer to the airport in time for your international flight to Iguassu Falls, Brazil.

Welcome to Iguassu Falls!   

Upon arrival in Iguassu, and after you clear customs and immigrations, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the DAS CATARATAS RESORT HOTEL.  Here, your two (2) night stay includes hotels taxes and daily Brazilian breakfast.

Your guide will assist you with check-in and, after you have had time to freshen up, you will be taken on your walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls.

This tour will leave you speechless (and a bit wet!). After taking photographs of the breathtaking panoramic views from the observation deck, your guide will lead you along a walkway to almost within touching distance of the falls. There is also an elevator for those wishing to see and photograph the falls from the top. The Iguassu River that rises in Curitiba, the capital of Parana state, forms the Falls. The river continues some 1000 miles from east to west, winding its way through the state. Ten miles before joining the Parana River, the Iguassu flows over rough, uneven ground, and then, amidst exuberant forest, hurls itself into innumerous and irregular falls. The Falls extend over an area of 2,700 square meters, with a water volume of approximately 400 m/sec during the dry summer and 10,000 m/sec during the rainy season. The falls are located in the Iguassu National Park, which covers an area of 250 thousand hectares of forest reserve.

In the evening you are met by your guide for your Farewell to Iguassu Falls and South America Dinner and Show.  This is a Fiesta Gaucha dinner at the Rafain Restaurant, a local Brazilian barbecue restaurant.  You will also be treated to a show featuring music and dance from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, the three countries surrounding Iguassu Falls.

NOV 23 THU   IGUASSU FALLS (B, L)

This morning, after breakfast, you will be met by your guide for your tour of the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls to the National Park, (please have your passport easily available as you cross the border), where you board a narrow gauge train that takes you to a catwalk leading out to Devil’s Throat, a spectacular U-shaped formation of the Falls where thousands of gallons of water per second rush over the cataracts creating a deafening roar and veil of mist.  You then continue through the park to the various upper and lower levels of the cataracts of the Argentine Falls.  Please dress appropriately for the tour as you might get wet.

From here you will have lunch at the Porto Canoas restaurant and, for those who wish to continue their adventure, an optional tour is suggested.

Macuco Photographic Safari and Bird Park

The trip begins at the Macuco Trail in the Argentinean National Park and offers a good cross section of the rain forest and river ecosystems. Begin by traveling the Macuco trail in a rustic, open wagon pulled by 4x4 jeeps, which allows an unhindered view of the luxurious rainforest in its entire splendor. Bi-lingual guides point out some of the orchids, epiphytes and hardwood trees and impart a bit of jungle lore. With luck, animals and some of the colorful local birds may be spotted. Afterwards descend on foot along the canyon trail to the picturesque Macuco Falls. Continue to the Iguassu River where you board a twin-engine inflatable. Cruise up into the canyon, shoot several rapids, and arrive at the very base of the majestic falls. As the experienced pilot maneuvers in the midst of the falls themselves, the passenger will enjoy a completely different view and have an unforgettable, thrilling experience!

The Bird Park tour is one of the main attractions for visitors to the town of Iguassu Falls. This park is set in 17 hectares of unspoiled subtropical forest. Visitors follow a path for 800 meters through the forest and past the breeding aviaries and enclosures. The path passes through some of the largest aviaries, where the birds fly free, and can be studied and photographed without the restriction of netting and cages. The large aviaries represent different Brazilian ecosystems such as the swamp area (Pantanal aviary) and the subtropical Atlantic rain forest. Visitors are able to come into direct contact with the birds in these large aviaries. The bird park is really an extension of the huge Iguassu National Park with the same vegetation and characteristics. Currently the Bird Park has approx. 600 birds of 160 species from South America and other continents.

NOV 24 FRI   IGUASSU FALLS / MONTEVIDEO (B, D)

After check out you will be met by your guide for your transfer to the airport in time for your international flight to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Welcome to Montevideo!   

Upon arrival in Montevideo, and after you clear customs and immigrations, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the NH COLUMBIA HOTEL.  Here, your two (2) night stay includes hotels taxes and daily breakfast.

Your guide will assist you with check-in, give you a briefing on the hotel and neighborhood and advise you of the optional meeting for this evening’s dinner.

In the evening you are met by your guide for your Welcome to Uruguay Dinner & Show at the one of Montevideo’s finest restaurants (TBA). 

NOV 25 SAT   MONTEVIDEO (B)

This morning, after breakfast, you will be met by your guide for your half day city tour of Montevideo. This tour visits the Independence square, the Old City with its impressive Spanish colonial time architecture, the port market, the house of parliament, which UNESCO has declared among the seven most beautiful parliaments in the world, the romantic neighborhood known as El Prado, the hill of Montevideo where you will have the best view of the bay.  From here you will go to the José Batlle y Ordóñez Park, which has plenty of relevant monuments, specially the La Carreta, to the elegant residential areas, such as Carrasco and Pocitos by the exceptional promenade with beautiful and endless beaches.

NOV 26 SUN   MONTEVIDEO (B)

Colonia de sacramento, L & D.

NOV 27 MON   MONTEVIDEO / BUENOS AIRES (B, D)

After check out you will be met by your guide for your transfer to the airport in time for your boat trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Welcome to Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America!   

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the ARGENTA TOWERS HOTEL.  Here, your three (3) night stay includes hotels taxes and daily breakfast.

Your guide will assist you with check-in, give you a briefing on the hotel and neighborhood and advise you of the optional meeting for this evening’s dinner.

In the evening you are met by your guide for your Welcome to Buenos Aires Dinner and Show at the Esquina de Carlos Gardel.
The evening starts with a steak dinner (Argentina is well known for its beef) followed by a Tango Show. Tango is part of the background music of Buenos Aires.  Enjoy a special Porteña music night at the Esquina, where typical songs and dances are performed.

NOV 28 TUE   BUENOS AIRES (B, L)

After breakfast this morning, you are met by your guide for your full day tour of this spectacular city as well as the Northern suburbs.  Major points of interest include: Libertad Synagogue, historic Plaza de Mayo; the Metropolitan Cathedral with the mausoleum of General San Martin, Argentina’s greatest national hero; the Cabildo, the colonial town hall built in 1751, and the picturesque Boca District where the first Italian immigrants settled.  There is free time in colorful Boca District to have lunch on your own.  You then proceed to the Recoleta area with its elegant restaurants, sidewalk cafes and the cemetery where the famous are laid to rest (including Eva Peron); the 9 de Julio Avenue; the Obelisk commemorating the first founding of the city in 1536, and the Colon Opera House. You will enjoy beautiful Palermo Park with its jacaranda and palo borracho trees that flower in the spring and late summer, the polo field and the racetrack.  Afterwards you continue to the Northern residential suburbs, including Olivos (where the presidential residence is located), Martinez, San Isidoro and its Neogothic Cathedral, returning to downtown along the Panamericana Highway.

Evening at leisure.

NOV 29 WED   BUENOS AIRES (B)

Day at leisure.

Fiesta Gaucha Tour with lunch

You will be met by your guide for your tour outside of Buenos Aires (the Pampas), to the fabled land of the gauchos (Argentine cowboys).  Here, you will visit one of the local ranches for a day of hayrides, horseback riding, Argentinean typical barbeque lunch and drinks.  Entertainment includes local song and dance.  You will return to Buenos Aires and to the hotel late in the day.

NOV 30 THU   BUENOS AIRES (B)

 Colonias
 Estancias
 Backstage tour Opera House
 Ticket for Opera House event
 Free time
 Shopping
 Home dinner

DEC 1 FRI   BUENOS AIRES / SAO PAULO / LOS ANGELES (B, D in-flight)

This morning, after breakfast and check out you will be met by your guide for your transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Sao Paulo where you will then connect to your international flight to Los Angeles.
Enjoy complimentary dinner, movie and cocktails on overnight flight.

DEC 2 SAT   LOS ANGELES (B in-flight)

Arrive in Los Angeles early in the morning and clear customs and immigration. Welcome home!  

End of services
Prepared by Sandra Machado
Destination Partners
November 15, 2005
 

INCLUDED FEATURES

 International Air: Los Angeles/ Rio de Janeiro/ Iguassu Falls/ Buenos Aires/ Montevideo/ Los Angeles
 Thirteen (13) nights accommodation:
 Four (4) nights at Ipanema Plaza Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
 Two (2) nights at Das Cataratas EcoResort in Iguassu Falls, Brazil
 Three (3) nights at NH Columbia Hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay
 Four (4) nights at Argenta Towers Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina
 Daily breakfast at the hotels
 All airport transfers and local transportation for tours
 All meals and tours as per itinerary
 All hotel taxes and service charges
 Local guides services throughout

NET COSTS

Net prices for the above package with all included features:

 Based on 15-19 paxs:
 Double Occupancy: $3359 per person
 Single Supplement: $580 per person

NOT INCLUDED

 Cost of international airport taxes (approximately $150)
 Service and cost of required passport and Brazilian visa (approximately $110)
 Items of a personal nature, including drinks at meals and evening excursions
 Tips to guides/drivers

TERMS & CONDITIONS

 NET rates are based on a minimum of 15 paid passengers; reduction in group size will result in re-cost of program
 01 free Tour Conductor for a minimum of 15 fully paid passengers as follows: international air provided (airport taxes are NOT included); land services and hotels in single accommodations.