Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls & Buenos Aires

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)

This private luxury tour features two of South America’s most rewarding cities—Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires—as well as time at breathtaking Iguazu Falls.

Begin in Rio de Janeiro, the most beautiful city in Brazil. With your private guide and driver, experience the best of Rio's vibrant culture and spectacular landscapes. Venture up Corcovado Mountain for panoramic views over the city. Stroll through the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood. Browse local art galleries. See the highlights of the historic center of Rio. Experience samba at an atmospheric local club. Visit the lush botanical gardens. One day, learn about Brazilian cuisine during a private cooking class, shop for local fashions in top boutiques, take the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, visit an NGO to learn about life in a local favela (shantytown), or enjoy a bicycle tour along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange additional touring in and around Rio upon request, such as visiting noted museums, taking private samba lessons or seeing iconic buildings designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Continue to Iguazu Falls, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the world. Stay in a private villa at Awasi, an exclusive luxury lodge in the rainforest on the Argentine side of the falls. With your private guide, venture onto catwalks to see the most breathtaking sections of the waterfall, such as the thundering Garganta del Diablo ("Devil's Throat"). Also venture to the Brazilian side for a private boat excursion to the base of the falls. Depending on timing and interests, relax in your private plunge pool at Awasi or enjoy additional lodge-based activities such as kayaking on the river, hiking and birding in the rainforest, seeing the UNESCO-listed ruins of Jesuit missions or visiting a local indigenous community. Alternatively, stay at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, a grand historic hotel surrounded by jungle and wildlife that's a short walk from the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Upon request, we can also arrange scenic helicopter flights over Iguazu Falls.

The tour concludes in Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina. With your own private guide and driver, visit the city’s most evocative neighborhoods such as San Telmo, La Boca, Palermo and Puerto Madero, and see highlights around the city such as the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada and Recoleta Cemetery. Visit local museums according to your interests, such as the Evita Museum or MALBA, a museum of Latin American art. One evening, attend a top-rated tango performance at an intimate, upscale dinner theater. If desired, take a private excursion to San Antonio de Areco and an estancia in the pampas to learn about gaucho culture and experience the traditional estancia lifestyle. Alternatively, take a private excursion to Tigre and the Parana River Delta to enjoy a relaxing private cruise on the canals of this “rural Venice,” passing gardens and upscale vacation houses. Also enjoy time to take advantage of the exciting contemporary art and design scene, world-class restaurants and great shopping. All touring is flexible and can be customized to incorporate special interests such as art, tango, polo, Jewish history, family activities, adventure, gastronomy and more.

This tour can easily be extended with additional time in Brazil, Argentina or other countries in South America.