Off the beaten track Southern Brazil and Argentina


	Lagamar estuary [Full Image]

A fully-escorted 21-nights tour that will take you to famous highlights as well as to off-the-beaten-track areas of South Brazil and Northern Argentina.

Starting off in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, an island with gorgeous beaches, we will visit the wonderful mountain region of Serra Geral, then on to Curitiba, in the neighbouring ParanÃ¡, for the most impressive train journey in Brazil and a visit to the unspoiled and remote Lagamar estuary, part of the World Biosphere Reserve of Atlantic Rainforest. Continue on to the Iguazu Falls, the most majestic of all waterfalls in the world. In Northern Argentina we visit the Ibera Marshes, one of the largest wetlands in the continent, rich in fauna and flora and totally untouched by tourism. We end this unique tour in the cultural capital of South America, Buenos Aires.

A trip that is a must for the adventurous explorer and nature lover.

Details

Price Includes

(WN-6858-P)

All accommodation in double or twin basis*. Single supplement for clients wanting to have their own room will apply

All internal transport as described

Meals as described in the text B=breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner

Entrance fees to National Parks and Jesuit Missions

Rafting nearby Florianopolis

City tours of Florianopolis and Curitiba

All activities in the Ibera Marshes and Lagamar area

English-speaking tour leader

Price Excludes

-International flights
-Travel Insurance
-Optional activities
-Meals not mentioned
-Tips

Suitability / Level

Minimum Age

Theme

Small Group Travel (Click to Search All)

Max Group Size

Itinerary & Highlights

Day 1
Arrival in Florianopolis airport and transfer to your guesthouse. Rest of the day free to unwind.

Day 2
Day free to unwind by the pool or to enjoy the beautiful local beach of Campeche. B

Day 3
An early departure for the Encostas da Serra Geral.
A unique opportunity to meet another side of the real Brazil: walk in deep, narrow valleys covered in subtropical forest, enjoy a swim pristine rivers and waterfalls then marvel at the magnificent views the 1500m-high escarpments of the stunning Serra Geral. You will stay with local subsistence organic farmers and their families, sharing for a couple of days a way of life that has changed very little in the last two centuries. A rich cultural and personal experience that will offer you close contact with the local culture, a blend of European traditions and Brazilian hospitality and warmth. B, L, D.

Day 4
We drive deeper into the Serra Geral, through the spectacular Serra do Corvo Branco mountain road, to reach the highlands of Santa Catarina, the Campos de Cima da Serra. In clear days we have views all the way to the coast. The scenery is one of rare beauty: green canyons, the highest peaks in Southern Brazil and native Araucaria forests. After a short walk to the best viewpoints we stay overnight at a local guesthouse.
The rest of the day is free to relax by the guesthouse and take in the beautiful surroundings. B, D.

Day 5
Day free for optional activities. Treks for all abilities are available from the guesthouse.
Return to Florianopolis guesthouse at the end of the day. B.

Day 6
Day free. Optional activities can be arranged locally. In the evening, you can enjoy nightlife in trendy Lagoa da Conceicao. B.

Day 7
Today we will explore the Island, visiting colonial villages, the old centre of the city, some of the beautiful beaches, stopping at a viewpoint for a stunning panoramic view of the island, the village of Lagoa and the Atlantic Ocean. Afterwards we go to Joaquina beach with its massive sand dunes and the fishing village of Barra the Lagoa. Specific sports activities (surfing, sandboarding, windsurfing, sailing) can be organised in this area for those interested. B.

Day 8
River rafting nearby Florianopolis. The Cubatao River has class II and III rapids, ideal for beginners. The river skirts the Serra do Tabuleiro Estate Park, a nature reserve with lush canyons and waterfalls. An exciting adventure in beautiful scenery. In the afternoon we return to the guesthouse. B.

Day 9
In the morning we depart to Curitiba, capital of the Parana State, a big, modern city four hours drive from Florianopolis. In the afternoon we will have a city tour of this green, well-planned city, visiting some of the neighbourhoods or strolling around the city centre for some shopping. We suggest a visit to the Oscar Niemeyer museum, which has good exhibitions of modern art. Overnight at a tourist class hotel. B

Day 10
Pick-up from Curitiba hotel at 07:30. You will be transferred to the railway station for the train journey from Curitiba to Paranagua on the coast. Completed in 1885 this railway line is still a testimony of great railway engineering and doubtless the most remarkable train journey in Brazil. On the way you will have fantastic views (weather permitting) of the lush Serra do Mar, covered by Atlantic Rainforest. After several tunnels, bridges and viaducts with vertical drops you will alight around 11:00 am at Morretes, a small colonial town.
From here you will continue by road to the village of Tagassaba, one and half hours away- the last 45min by dirt road. In the village we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant serving excellent seafood. After lunch we will embark on a small motor boat to start the descent of the Tagassaba River to a private nature reserve (about an hour and a half away by motor boat) for a 2-night stay. The area of 400 ha is part of the Environmental protection area of Guaraquessaba and is located in an estuary behind the Superagui National Park. The reserve contains almost 70% of primary Atlantic forest, plus areas of secondary rainforest and mangroves. Activities around the property will allow us to experience all this diversity of environments. B, L, D.

Days 11-12:
Choice of activities in and around the lodge including:
-Trekking through nature trails inside the reserve accompanied by a naturalist guide, to observe fauna and flora typical of the Atlantic rainforest. Stop at various points for refreshing dips in natural pools and waterfalls.
-Guided kayak trips through the mangroves and estuaries that border the reserve. You will spot aquatic birds and might see even small caimans and river otters.
-Late afternoon visit by motor boat to the Pinheiro Island, to see the amazing spectacle of the flight home of hundreds of red-tailed parrot, an endangered endemic species.
Fishing in the traditional local fisherman way in the nearby estuary
-Night trip to a platform built in the forest for wildlife observation (pumas have been heard many times in these nocturnal trips - spotting them is, however, very difficult).
-Visit by boat to the Superagui National Park and its deserted 30km-long beach
B, L, D.

Day 12:
Return by boat to Guaraquessaba at the end of the day, where will overnight. Guaraquessaba, located on a gorgeous bay with the peaks of Serra do Mar dominating the background, is the oldest town in Parana. It has a few quaint colonial buildings remaining on the seafront but most interesting is the feel of a town where time stopped. Its absolute tranquility (for most of the year- Carnival and New Year can be a bit busier) is due to its inaccessibility: you either arrive by boat or through 100 km of impassible dirt road B, L..

PLEASE NOTE: the itinerary and the activities in the Lagamar area are dependent on the weather and specially tide conditions. Also the order of stay in Guaraquessaba and form of transport back to Curitiba and to Foz do Iguazu might be changed depending on tides.

Day 13:
Early departure by boat to Paranagua then by road to Curitiba airport for the flight to Foz de Iguazu. The hotel is located near the entrance of the national park with the famous falls. The hotel has a good size garden with swimming pool which is ideal for relaxing. B, D.

Day 14:
Today, we remain in Foz. In the morning we explore the waterfalls from the Brazilian side. For the afternoon, there are various options, you can pay a visit to of the largest operational waterpower plant in the world, Itaipu, or to a bird park neighbouring the hotel. In the National Park, you can choose from several optional adventurous trips. B, D.

Day 15:
In the morning, we cross the Brazil-Argentina border. We spend most of the day on the Argentinean side of the Iguazu waterfalls, where you can walk through a network of suspended platforms to get very close to the falls. These walks through the National Park are a good opportunity for wildlife spotting. An optional speedboat trip approaches the falls from the lower side, practically entering the falls main canyon, a fantastic (and soaking) adventure. In the afternoon, we drive to Posadas, the capital city of the Misiones province in Argentina. Time permitting we will visit the ruins of the Jesuit missions, founded three hundred years ago. Stay at a city centre hotel in Posadas B

Day 16:
Depart after breakfast to the Ibera Marshes. This is one of the largest wetlands in the Americas and has an impressive diversity of flora and fauna: hundreds of species of birds, caimans, deer, capybaras, beavers, marsh wolf and many other marsh animals. The area we visit is exclusive for our group so we will have a unique, unforgettable experience.

From the village of Virasoros we will travel by 4x4 vehicles to a typical Estancia on the shore of Lagoons Galarza and Luna. Lunch at the Estancia. Late afternoon for activity of your choice: guided walks on the shore of the lake for bird watching, horse-riding or wildlife spotting by boat. Dinner at the estancia. B, L, D.

Day 17
Choice of activities to explore the marshes. You can also experience gaucho life at the Estancia. B, L, D

Day 18
We travel back to Posadas/Virasoros to take the coach to Buenos Aires. B, L, D.

Days 19-20
Buenos Aires, the old districts, the old ports, the tango, the antique market on Sundays, a city to be explored during two complete days and evenings. You can explore Buenos Aires alone or accompanied by a guide (optional). B

Day 21
Transfer to the airport for your flight home from Buenos Aires. B

Departure dates 2006 (from Florianopolis)
22 October, 19 November.

Groups of minimum of 6, maximum of 10.
Fully escorted from Florianopolis by guides that speak English, Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

Optional activities in Florianopolis:
-treks, canoeing, surfing lessons, whale watching trips, paragliding and many other activities â€“ please request separate information.

******Please consult about a pre-tour stay in Rio de Janeiro*****

Accommodation & Centre Details

Accomodation in guesthouses, simple lodges and tourist class hotels. All accommodation in double or twin basis. Single supplement for clients wanting to have their own room will apply.

Please note: accommodation with the farmers, in the jungle lodge and in the Estancia is very basic.

In the jungle lodge accommodation is dormitory-style and there is no electricity, but there are toilet facilities and hot showers.

Off the beaten track Southern Brazil and Argentina

Lagamar estuary

Details

Itinerary & Highlights

Accommodation & Centre Details

Holidays Extras