To the rhythm of Brazil and Argentina – Carnival in Rio, Iguazu Falls and Tango in Buenos Aires

RIO DE JANEIRO Arrival in Rio de Janeiro at 06:05. Transfer to the hotel. Early check-in and breakfast. We'll have a few hours to rest after the long flight before getting into the rhythm of Carnival. 15:00 - Information meeting and walking tour lasting about 2 hours - The local guide will give us explanations with a presentation to benefit us during our stay in Rio de Janeiro. Where the street parties are, tips on restaurants, bars. Followed by a 1 hour and 30 minute walking tour around our hotel. Overnight.

RIO DE JANEIRO Full day excursion included, climb to the top of Corcovado by train and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Duration about 8 hours. Climb to the top of Corcovado by train - about 4 hours. Corcovado (means "humpback") mountain in central Rio de Janeiro with a 710-meter granite peak. The most popular attraction there is the statue of Jesus Christ the Savior. From the platform at the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of downtown Rio, Sugarloaf, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (the lake), Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.. We'll descend back down to sea level to start visiting the city's main attractions. We will visit the Maracana stadium (outside) and the Sambodrome (Sambadrome). We'll continue our journey to the Metropolitan Cathedral and then on to Sugar Loaf Mountain, at an altitude of about 396 metres, where we can enjoy an unforgettable and inspiring experience. Our cable car journey starts from Praia Vermelha station, ascends to Morro da Urca station and continues to Sugar Loaf mountain, which is connected by two cable car lines, offering breathtaking views at any time of the day. We will enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Atlantic Forest, the outline of the mountains, the beauty of the architecture and the city centre, the great beaches, the imposing Tijuca massif and Corcovado with the image of Christ the Saviour, Guanabara Bay and Botafogo Cove, and in the background the Serra do Mar with the Dedo de Deus peak. A panoramic tour of Copacabana's famous beaches is included along the way. We will also enjoy an included lunch at a typical Brazilian barbecue restaurant. Overnight.

RIO DE JANEIRO Free day for self-guided tours or optional excursions. Morning half-day excursion to TIJUCA National Park. Duration about 4 hours. We will visit Tijuca by open jeep and enjoy the amazing rainforest in the big city. We will drive past the Monkey Falls (Cachoeira dos macacos) and learn about the importance of the reforestation process of the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) in the Chinese construction Vista Chinesa. Tijuca National Park is the largest urban forest park in the world and the second largest urban forest complex in the world. Photo opportunities are plentiful as we pass by the Imperial Table (Mesa do Imperador), the Cascatinha (Cascatinha Waterfall) and the Capela Mayrink (Capela Mayrink). We continue with a 1-hour light hike to learn more about the unique flora and fauna of this ecosystem and have direct interaction with it. This tour features a variety of tropical fruits, trees, monkeys and the many birds and butterflies that live in this unique forest park. 13:30 - Half-day GUANABARA BAY CRUISE. Duration about 4 hours. We'll explore Rio from a different perspective on a catamaran tour where we'll see all the important sites while exploring the stunning Guanabara Bay. The tour starts at Marina da Gloria where we will board a modern and well-equipped catamaran. We depart in the direction of the Museum of Tomorrow, one of the architectural icons of Porto Maravilla, the port region of Rio. On the way we will explore the amazing Villegagnon Island , Santos Dumont Airport , Fiscal Island and the Fleet Arsenal. We continue on to the city of Niterói, passing the beautiful Rio-Niterói Bridge and the famous Concha Acústica (Acoustic Stage), before heading to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), designed by Oscar Niemeyer. We will be fascinated by its unique disc shape. Before returning to Rio de Janeiro, we will explore other sights that surround the shores of Guanabara Bay, such as the Adam and Eva Beaches (Adão and Eva) , the Santa Cruz Fortress, the Lage Fortress, the São José Fortress and the São João Fortress. We will admire the famous Sugar Head Mountain, where we will have a few minutes to take pictures of it from the catamaran. Before returning to Marina da Gloria port, we will pass by the old Urca Casino and Flamengo Beach. 7:30 p.m. - CARNAVAL PARADE excursion with an included ticket to the Sector-9 Carnival. Day of Carnival visit may vary. Duration approximately 8 hours. The must-see show that made Rio de Janeiro the carnival capital of the world. The samba schools in this group are extremely magnificent and gorgeous. The parades start at 22:00 and end around 04:00-05:00. *Carnival ticket included - Sector 9: The stands are like big concrete steps and Sector 9 has numbered seats. Overnight.

RIO DE JANEIRO Free day for self-guided tours or optional excursions. Half-day, FOLLOW-UP excursion "Botanical Garden, PARQUE LAGE and MARACANA". Duration about 4 hours. The Botanical Garden (closed on Wednesdays) of Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1808, around the same time that the Portuguese royal family arrived in Brazil. Dom João VI, then a prince, wanted to know if Caribbean spices would adapt to Rio's climate. We start with a visit to the Environmental Museum, before walking around the grounds and admiring the local vegetation. We will enjoy the beauty of Frei Leandro Lake and Victoria Amazonica, a type of flowering plant and the largest of the water lily family of the Amazon rainforest. We will enjoy the collections of orchids and bromeliads. We'll learn 19th century Brazilian history from our guide as we walk among the buildings in the garden. We will admire the beauty of the Musas fountain and explore the Pedro Cachimbo rose garden. We will take pictures among palm trees and stop at the Japanese Garden, created in 1935 from the donation of 65 species of typical Japanese plants. As a bonus, we will also enjoy complimentary admission to Parque Lage. We'll explore the English-style gardens, wooded trails, man-made caves, and the stunning mansion at the center of this beautiful park. We will immerse ourselves in the history and passion of a world famous football stadium: the Maracana. We begin our guided tour of this stadium, which was built for the 1950 World Cup and renovated for the 2014 World Cup. We will explore the secrets of this space that has witnessed unforgettable moments and is home to the glory of Rio de Janeiro's teams. We will visit the exterior of the stadium where we will see the iconic statue of Mauro Bellini, the historic captain of the Brazilian national team. Inside, we will learn about the fascinating history of Brazilian football by viewing valuable historical objects. There we will also discover items donated by famous players, including balls, jerseys and legendary shoes, as well as those of 'King' Pele and stars Zico and Garincha. We'll visit the heart of the stadium as we tour the changing rooms and warm-up room. Finally, we will experience the excitement of the players on match day as we walk through the tunnel leading to the pitch. We'll also take a walk on the sacred grass of the Maracana Stadium. Overnight.

RIO DE JANEIRO - Iguazú FALLS 11:30 - Transfer to the airport. Flight Rio de Janeiro - Iguazu. Arrival in Iguazu. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight.

Iguazu FALLS Half-day excursion included in the price - BRAZIL FALLS with entrance fees included. Duration about 4 hours. We will be dazzled by one of the great wonders of the world, Iguassu Falls , home to more than 270 breathtaking waterfalls. After passing through the visitor center, we will continue our tour to the magnificent Iguassu Falls. We'll take a 1km walk and admire the surrounding beauty. We'll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the falls, in particular Devil's Throat Waterfall. Our tour will end at the top of Iguazu Falls, which can be reached by stairs or the panoramic elevator. We will then continue along Porto Canoas (Porto Canoas Space) where we can see the Iguazu River. After the tour, we will enjoy a meal at the Porto Canoas restaurant and have the opportunity to buy souvenirs from the craft shops. Optional excursion: the Macuco Safari boat trip - done on the same day as the Brazilian Falls, duration 2 hours. This amazing tour is divided into three stages: jungle, trail and boat. The adventure begins with a 2 km. ride through the jungle of Iguazu National Park, where we will be transported by eco-friendly vehicles powered by electricity, which, in addition to being silent, guarantee panoramic views of the countless species of vegetation that make up the route . This is followed by a 600-metre walk through the forest and a talk about the local fauna and flora. At this stage of the tour the contact with nature is greater and we have the chance to see the animals that inhabit the park! The end of the trail leads to the deck, a structure that has a gift shop, bathrooms, and storage rooms to leave our belongings until we complete the hike. The third leg of the tour gets even more exciting: our electric tram will transport us to the pier on the Iguazu River, where we'll take one of the twin-motor boats for a spectacular view and a chance to take a dip in Iguazu Falls! Optional excursion: the BIRD PARK, duration 2 hours: we will head to the Bird Park near the Iguazu National Park Visitor Centre. We will make our way through the middle of the jungle. We will explore the nurseries, enriched with cascades, bridges and vegetation where we can observe different species of birds. In other smaller nurseries we can also see different species of birds from Southwest Asia, Oceania and Africa. The park is home to more than 900 birds of 150 different species, mostly from Brazil, a third of which are endangered. All of the birds in the park come from zoos, IBAMA-authorized breeders and rehabilitation centers. All animals are registered according to the Zoological Association of Brazil and IBAMA. We can also see moths, hummingbirds, alligators, reptiles and beehives in the nurseries. At the end of our walk there is a restaurant where we can enjoy an exceptional view of the flamingo lake. Overnight.

Iguazú FALLS - BUENOS AIRES Full day excursion included in the price - ARGENTINA FALLS with entrance fees included. Duration about 6 hours. We'll start the tour on the Argentine side of the park at the Visitor Center, then continue to the train station to take a 10-minute ride to the "Devil's Throat", the largest water stream in the entire complex, at an impressive elevation of 107 meters. The lower loop consists of a trail approximately 1.3 km long, which allows us to get close to some of the smaller waterfalls on the Argentinian side. We'll hike the trail, which is equipped with both restrooms and snack bars, and get close to Carlos Bozzetti Falls, where we can take some great photos. The elevation allows us to see the top of the majestic waterfall from the Argentine side and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the area. The view stretches from the Argentine Falls to San Martin Island and parts of the Brazilian Falls. Transfer to the airport. Flight Iguazu - Buenos Aires. Arrival in Buenos Aires. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

BUENOS AIRES Half-day excursion included in the price SIGHTSEEING TO BUENOS AIRES. Duration about 4 hours. The City Tour Premium offers a tour through the past and present of the city of Buenos Aires, starting in the north of the city, passing through the neighborhoods of Retiro, Palermo and Recoleta. An area with wide green spaces where the beautiful French-style mansions are concentrated, a reflection of the years of glamour of Buenos Aires' high society and the most refined sectors of the city. We will make our first stop and disembark in this area to see the symbol of the city: the Floralis Generica sculpture and the Recoleta cemetery - ticket not included. We will continue towards the center, taking the famous Avenida 9 de Julio, where we will see the Obelisk and reach the main square of the city, Plaza de Mayo. We continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral. We'll continue south, where we'll explore the suburbs, through the San Telmo neighbourhood, along with the colourful La Boca district - the site of the famous Bombonera, the stadium of the Boca Juniors athletic club, and next to it, the picturesque Caminito street, with its colourful buildings. We will give you free time. To finish the tour, we will reach the trendy neighborhood of Puerto Madero, the most extensive and diverse gastronomic area of Buenos Aires. Additional excursion DANGO SHOW WITH DINNER. Duration about 4 hours. "Café de los Angelitos, with its original bohemian charm, is located at the corner of Rivadavia Avenue and Rincón Street, dressed in all its splendour to welcome one of the best tango shows in the city. Modern and innovative, it has piqued the interest of younger generations of composers who are developing the electronic tango that is heard around the world. Rebuilt according to an ambitious architectural design, its 1500 square meters spread over two floors and a basement show luxury and excel even in the smallest details. The three-course menu includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, coffee, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The show features a quintet band: piano, bass, two bandoneons and violin, singers and five pairs of dancers, choreographed and directed by Sandra Butz and Gabriel Ortega. The show goes through the history of tango from the 1920s to Piazzolla, with some modern touches. It is a dynamic and intense performance that amazes the viewer in a very special environment. Overnight.

BUENOS AIRES Free day for self-guided walks or optional excursions. Excursion to MONTEVIDEO INCLUDING LUNCH. Duration about 4 hours. We will discover the charm of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, on a day trip from Buenos Aires. We'll cross the Rio de la Plata Bay by ferry and spend the day strolling the cobblestone streets, admiring the impressive architecture and stopping at the city's museums and parks. We'll learn about the city's history and culture while enjoying a walking tour. Overnight.

BUENOS AIRES Free day for self-guided walks or optional excursions. Half-day excursion TIGRE & DELTA. Duration approx. 5 hours. We start with a hike to the city to the north, enjoying the impressive views of the Rio de la Plata. Outside the city we will pass through the Liberator Boulevard (Avenida del Libertador), an area with beautiful residences that aristocratic families used as summer homes. Then we will arrive in Barrio de San Isidro, the town where we will see fruit trees on the streets , which tell of their past, to finally reach the Tigre district, located 36 km from the city center. A traditional boat trip follows, about one hour, crossing not only the main rivers but also the narrow canals that represent the most attractive part of the region. After sailing, we will visit the Paseo Victorica Park, the Mate Museum , the Naval Museum and the Tigre Art Museum. Arrive in Puerto de Frutos , where free time follows and we return to the city of Buenos Aires. Overnight.

BUENOS AIRES - SOFIA Transfer to Buenos Aires airport for flight to Sofia.

SOFIA Arrival in Sofia at 17:00