Rio to Buenos Aires with Antarctica

18 days
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USTOA

Small Ship Cruise
Contrast the vibrant and sultry pulse of two of South America’s liveliest cities with the stark and glacial beauty of Antarctica on this 18-day tour, including a trip to one of the world’s grandest series of waterfalls. Take in the unique atmosphere of Rio before flying to immense Iguazu Falls. Continue to Buenos Aires to learn the tango and soak up the heat ...

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • With two full days at Iguazu Falls, you can marvel at this beauty up close on the Argentinean side and get sweeping panoramas from the Brazilian side.
    • Gaze over the dazzling city, mountains and bay of Rio de Janeiro from the foot of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue.
    • Be among orca and humpback whales, hear cracking glaciers pierce the Antarctic silence, and experience, with all the senses, scenes that seem windows to another world.
    • Our experienced leaders have made hundreds of polar voyages. Learn about the history, geography and wildlife of the Antarctic from experts in marine biology, glaciology and history.
    • Rest assured you will leave only footprints behind. Our Antarctica expeditions are carbon offset, we serve only sustainably-sourced seafood, avoid single-use plastics and use biodegradable cleaning products on board.

What's this trip about?

    Contrast the vibrant and sultry pulse of two of South America’s liveliest cities with the stark and glacial beauty of Antarctica on this 18-day tour, including a trip to one of the world’s grandest series of waterfalls. Take in the unique atmosphere of Rio before flying to immense Iguazu Falls. Continue to Buenos Aires to learn the tango and soak up the heat before flying to the world’s southernmost city for an unforgettable expedition to the Great White Continent. Feast your eyes on white mountains, incredible wildlife and towering icebergs to cap off the ultimate adventure.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 200 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityRio de Janeiro
End CityUshuaia

Travel Themes

  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Antarctica

Attractions

  • Antarctic Peninsula
  • Buenos Aires
  • Iguazu Falls
  • Ushuaia

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Rio de Janeiro

Hola! Welcome to Rio! Enjoy a complimentary transfer from the airport to this evening’s accommodation. Your adventure truly begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have the time, you’re free to explore on your own before the meeting, but don’t feel too rushed – there will be a full-day tour of the city tomorrow to acquaint you with it.

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro

Embark on a full-day guided tour of Rio. Visit Santa Teresa, a beautiful artistic neighbourhood situated on a hill overlooking the city. Continue to scenic Corcovado and witness the grand open-armed Christ the Redeemer statue that surveys the city. Give your feet a br...

Day 3 Iguazu Falls

This morning fly to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina (2 hours), gateway to the mighty Iguazu Falls. Travel to the Brazilian side of the falls to get a panoramic perspective on this immense wonder of nature. The falls are two-kilometres-long and are made up of 275 waterfall...

Day 4 Iguazu Falls

Rise and shine at 7.30 am to visit the Argentinean side of the falls. Walk along the boardwalks built into the hard rock on top of the falls, which allow you to feel the power (and water spray) of these immense falls. You can choose to get another exhilarating perspec...

Day 5 Buenos Aires

Board a flight to Buenos Aires and arrive in the afternoon. The rest of your day is free for you to explore this vibrant city at your leisure. Tomorrow brings with it a guided tour of essential local sights, so perhaps spend today discovering at a more relaxed pace. Y...

Day 6 Buenos Aires

Enjoy a morning exploring Buenos Aires. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of some of the city’s most famous residents. Walk around La Boca and its well-known ‘Caminito’ district, before moving on to the lesser-known side of this colourful neighbourh...

Day 7 Buenos Aires

Enjoy a free day in delightful Buenos Aires. Perhaps explore the antique markets of San Telmo or browse the museums in the well-to-do neighbourhood of Recoleta. If you’re a foodie or a wine connoisseur, maybe take part in the Malbec Trail of Palermo or Gourmet Buenos Aires Food Urban Adventure day tour.

Day 8 Ushuaia

Your Antarctic adventure begins with a transfer to the airport and domestic flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. On arrival at the airport in Ushuaia, meet a Peregrine representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Attend a briefing at 7.30 pm to run...

Day 9 Ushuaia – Embarkation Day

Embarking late afternoon, cruise down the gorgeous Beagle Channel. This channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of excitement as you depart, and the last glimpse of land disappears into the distance. The next time you see land you will find yourself in the world’s southernmost continent.

Day 10-11 Drake Passage

The time has come to cross the Drake Passage, the legendary body of water named after the famous English explorer Sir Francis Drake. If the conditions are right, enjoy some time out on deck to spot dolphins, orcas or perhaps albatross. If the waters are a little rough...

Day 12-15 Antarctic Peninsula

As the Antarctic Convergence is left in your wake, the adventure really begins. Four incredible days of exploring the Antarctic Peninsula ensue. Feast your eyes on glaciers, mountains and an extraordinary array of wildlife, as the immensity and beauty of the regions r...

Day 16-17 At Sea

Say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula as we set off for Ushuaia. Take the opportunity to share photographs with fellow travellers, scout for wildlife once again from on deck, enjoy final lectures from the onboard experts, and make use of the Ocean Endeavour’s health and wellness facilities.

Day 18 Ushuaia – Disembarkation Day

Farewell your shipmates as the adventure draws to a close back in Ushuaia.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $9,360
Price per day$520
Last Updated: 4/9/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),Hotel Feature Stay (2 nights),Expedition Voyage (9 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,Plane,Boat,Expedition cruise ship,zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle,Plane,Boat,Expedition cruise ship,zodiac
Guides
Your voyage will be led by an experienced Expedition Leader. In addition, a number of experts will be on board to add knowledge of their field to your experience. These experts will be on shore for your excursions, will drive the zodiacs and deliver lectures on board the ship. Kayaking and snow shoeing specialist guides will also be on board for those participating in these activities. All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of travel that you have taken out a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover you for all eventualities and that covers you for travelling in the Polar regions.
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends. No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands. However, you will need to have your passport with you on the ship, as port authorities will wish to inspect passports on departure from Ushuaia and also again at the end of your voyage. For all departures, the Ocean Endeavour departs for the Antarctic continent from the port of Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina. At the time of printing, no visas for Argentina are required by holders of Australian, New Zealand, British, Canadian, U.S.A. or European passports. Passengers holding passports issued by other countries should carefully check the situation with their travel agent or Argentinean consular authorities. For the voyages scheduled to visit the Falkland Islands, visitors from Britain, the Commonwealth, North America, Chile and the European Community do not need visas as at the time of printing. Visitors should check their particular situation with us, their travel agent, the nearest British Consulate, or contact the Travel Co-ordinator at the Falkland Island Government Office in London (tel: 020 7222 2375). If you receive an immigration card upon entry, please ensure you keep this safe as it may be requested at point of exit. For further information regarding country entry and exit fees, please refer to the 'Money Matters' section of this document.  BRAZIL: Australian, EU, Great Britain, Canadian, New Zealand, South African and US passport holders do not currently require a visa for Brazil. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa or entry requirements with the Brazilian consulate in your home country. If you are a passport holder of a country not listed above, you may require a visa for Brazil and this must be applied for before leaving your home country. You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Brazil. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave. ARGENTINA: Americans, Australian, Belgians, British, Canadians, Dutch, Germans, New Zealanders and South Africans do not currently require a visa for Argentina. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa or entry requirements with the Argentinean consulate in your home country.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/safety-guidelines On your way to join your voyage, you may take advantage of the opportunity to visit a larger South American city such as Buenos Aires or Santiago. It is worth researching matters of personal safety and security in these places before your departure. Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Ushuaia Pier Array Ushuaia ARGENTINA Alternate Finish point For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point. 28 Oct 2020 (GQSBA201028), 06 Nov 2020 (GQSBA201106), 15 Nov 2020 (GQSBA201115), 24 Nov 2020 (GQSBA201124), 29 Jan 2021 (GQSBA210129), 07 Feb 2021 (GQSBA210207) Ushuaia Array Ushuaia ARGENTINA
Trip ID
intrepid-GQSBA

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