After a morning flight from Buenos Aires, we'll head to Brazil to see the magnificent Foz do Iguaçu, or Iguazú Falls, which converge at the borders of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. But first, experience a unique visit to the G Adventures-supported Jasy Pora community in the morning. Meaning “Luna Bonita,” this community is located just 20 minutes from the center of Puerto Iguazú in the area known as Las 600 Hectáreas. The region is home to the native Guaraní communities and Jasy Pora was formed by 20 different families whom are opening their doors to share culture and knowledge with travelers. From there, it's on to the main attraction! The Falls are protected by two National Parks – one in Brazil and another in Argentina. Tours utilize trails and catwalks adapted to the landscape of the area, and walking is easy for all ages. The torrential Iguazú River crosses the State of Paraná in Southern Brazil from East to West. A few kilometers before its junction with the Paraná River, one of the most splendorous natural beauties of the world, Iguazú Falls, takes shape. Over 2.7 kilometers long and an average flow of 1,750 cubic meters per second, this wonder is located in a very special place. The contrast between the green of the vegetation and the dark color of the basalt rocks with whirring waters plunging from a 72-meter-high cliff is magical. At Iguazu, there are 275 falls in all, spread over a 3-km area, some over 80 m (262.4 ft) in height, making these cataracts wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara! It should come as no surprise that UNESCO declared the region a World Heritage site in 1986. To see the falls properly, you need to view them from both the Brazilian and the Argentinean sides. The Brazilian side offers the grand overview and the Argentinean side provides a closer look. Today, we visit the Brazilian side of the Falls to get a panoramic view of one of the world's largest and most impressive waterfalls. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by plane; 1.5-2 hrs by private vehicle. Accommodation: Hotel Del Rey (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Spend the whole day on the Argentina side of Iguazú Falls, exploring the paths over the Falls or experiencing the UNESCO World Heritage site from a boat tour. Explore trails that will bring you directly over the falls of the Devil's Throat—the highest and deepest of the falls. Other trails allow access to the stretch of falls across the forest on the Argentine side. Opt to take an inflatable boat to the base of the thundering falls. Accommodation: Hotel Del Rey (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

This morning we fly to São Paulo and continue by van to Paraty, a quaint colonial town on the coast renowned for its architecture. Opt to visit the cachaça distilleries or take a boat into the bay to explore the nearby islands and beaches. Paraty is a lovely colonial town. Sitting on Brazil's southeastern coast, it lies on the border of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states, and it is popular among those who want to get away from it all – Brazilians and visitors alike. Considered one of the world's most important examples of Portuguese colonial architecture by UNESCO, the historic center is a well-preserved national historic monument. Today, the center is closed to vehicles as a means of preserving its laid-back colonial ambiance. During high tide, the Portuguese cobblestone streets are partly flooded by seawater, adding to the fairy tale atmosphere. In the 1700's, when the mines of Minas Gerais were pouring out gold, the perfect bay of Paraty was a busy port, the second most important in Brazil during the "Golden Century." The best pinga or cachaça (sugar cane liquor) of Brazil was produced here, and the name "Paraty" became synonymous with the liquor. Later, coffee was brought from the valley of Paraiba to be shipped to Portugal, sparking another economic boom. In 1888, with the end of the slavery, Paraty became almost forgotten in time, and a large exodus left only a population of around 600, a considerable drop from the 16,000 when the town was in its prime. In 1954, a road was opened linking the town to the inland through the valley of Paraiba, but it was not until 1973-1975, with the opening of the highway BR-101, that Paraty's rebirth as a tourist town began. It was declared a national monument in 1966. Paraty's bay, Baia Carioca, is filled with over 65 tropical islands and dozens of beaches, each offering something different, and all covered with vegetation that remains lush and colorful year-round. The water of the Baia is always the right temperature for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. The national parks that encircle the town are filled with trails, wildlife, and waterfalls. Hiking or horseback riding, for the sports-minded, or a jeep or van tour are both excellent ways to appreciate this natural wilderness. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs. by plane (Iguazu to São Paulo); 5-6 hrs. by shared van (São Paulo to Paraty). Accommodation: Pousada Laguna Blue (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Optional activities include a Caipirinha boat trip, kayaking, and horseback riding. See our list of more possible optional activities toward the bottom of this page. Accommodation: Pousada Laguna Blue (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we have a short, scenic drive along the coast to Angra dos Reis, where we board the ferry to Ilha Grande, home to some of Brazil's most beautiful beaches. Enjoy free time to soak up the sun, snorkel, hike, and cruise to various beaches, not to mention feast on fresh seafood and sip caipirinhas in the plaza in the evenings. Ilha Grande truly defines what we imagine when thinking of a tropical beach paradise. Cars on the island are limited to essential services only (fire, ambulance, etc.), it is largely undeveloped, and there are many hiking trails leading to deserted white sand beaches. Once a favored hangout for pirates, slave traders, and, up until the late 20th century, a political prison. Now, Ilha Grande is a pristine remnant of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest. The flora and fauna on Ilha Grande, a Nacional Patrimony protected area, are extremely diverse. The state park was created in 1971 and encompasses 4,500 hectares of wilderness. Mountain range, coastal, mangrove, and prairie vegetation are all found here, along with an astonishing collection of bird life, including parrots, woodpeckers, Brazilian thrushes, and saracuras. There are also different kinds of monkeys, squirrels, armadillos, pacas, hedgehogs, and snakes, as well as endangered species such as the Alouatta Fusca, more commonly known as the Bugio monkey. Approximate travel time: 2 hrs by shared van (Paraty to Angra dos Reis); 1.5 hrs by ferry (Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande). Accommodation: Pousada Mata Nativa (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Today, we enjoy a free day on Ilha Grande. You might consider hiking Pico Do Papagalo or Lopez Mendez, going snorkeling, or relaxing on the beach. There's plenty to see and do on Ilha Grande—see our list of some possible optional activities toward the bottom of this page. Accommodation: Pousada Mata Nativa (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

Leaving the port after returning from Ilha Grande, we travel north along a dramatic road up the coast through superb scenery before rounding the cliffs at Vidigal, where we get our first glimpse of one of the most memorable cities in the world: Brazil’s ocean-side jewel, Rio de Janeiro. "God made the world in 6 days, the seventh he devoted to Rio," so say the Cariocas, residents of this beautiful city. This is a densely packed metropolis of over 9 million inhabitants, whose economic foundations lie in the cultivation of sugar cane and gold mining. Referred to as the “cidade maravilhosa” (Marvellous City), few cities enjoy such a dramatic setting as Rio. Brilliant, white beaches at Copacabana and Ipanema, the deep blue waters of the Atlantic, the luminescent green of Guanabara Bay, and the bare blue slopes of Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) combine to make Rio unique. Standing over it all, atop Corcovado (Hunchback), is the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer, the best place from which to appreciate the city. Superb panoramic views of the city and area can also be found from the top of Pão de Açúcar, which can be reached by cable car. Head to some of the famous beaches and prepare yourself for an experience unlike anything else on Earth. Although the Portuguese first sailed and entered the bay, it was the French who first established a settlement in the area, logging Brazilian wood along the coast. Their first permanent settlement lasted a brief 5 years, when they were attacked and driven from the area by the encroaching Portuguese. A series of skirmishes ensued, with the Tomaio people allied with the French against the Portuguese. In 1567, the Portuguese began construction of a fortified town to repel invaders, naming it São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. Amassing wealth with the gold rush of Minas Gerais, in the early 18th century, Rio became Brazil’s most important city and a great temptation to the French who, in 1710, waged war against the Portuguese, at one point holding the city for a sizeable ransom in gold. Again in the 19th century, under threat of Napoleon’s invasion, what remained of the Portuguese monarchy fled to Brazil where they set up court in grand style. Many of today’s older structures date from this period. The gold rush was followed by a coffee boom in the mid-1800's and the wealth generated led to the city’s initial modernization. Replacing Salvador de Bahía as the colonial capital in 1763, the city remained the capital until 1960, when it was replaced by Brasilia. Today, the city is a magnet for tourists who come to walk the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana and generally partake in the Carioca zest for life. Many ascend Pão de Açúcar, whose image is nearly synonymous with Rio and Carnival. Modern Rio is perhaps best known for the contrasting images offered by the favelhas (also spelled favelas; shanty towns), and the glitz and glamour preferred by the Samba schools and their Carnival celebrations. Rio is definitely a tale of two cities: the city is divided into a Zona Norte (North Zone) and a Zona Sul (South Zone) by the Serra da Carioca, steep mountains that are part of the Parque Nacional da Tijuca. These mountains descend to the edge of the city center, where the two zones meet. The upper and middle classes reside in the Zona Sul, the lower class in the Zona Norte. Favelas cover steep hillsides on both sides of town. Rocinha, Brazil's largest favela, is in Gávea, one of Rio's richest neighborhoods. Most industry is in the Zona Norte, as is most of the pollution. The ocean and beaches are in the Zona Sul. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by ferry (Ilha Grande to Agra dos Reis); 3.5 hrs by shared van (Agra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro). Accommodation: Royalty Rio Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast

There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Rio de Janeiro at any time. The nearest airport is Rio's Galeão International Airport (GIG). If you wish to extend your stay in Rio de Janeiro, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off the lesser-value program(s) (up to three programs per year). If you would like to extend your time abroad but don't see another GEEO program that interests you, let us know. We can help you find a trip from our partner tour's much larger catalog. Their tours are open to the general public and not designed specifically for educators, but we can still offer you and your travel companions a discounted educator price on any of their tours, and you would still receive GEEO's fast and attentive customer service. Meals included: Breakfast