Asunción and Cruise to the Chaco - 5D/4N

photo of Asunción, ParaguayA combination visit of Asuncion, the Paraguayan capital city of colonial charm lined with calm avenues and a cruise to the Chaco. Nowadays Asuncion and its metropolitan area have an approximated population of 1,400,000 inhabitants and is a modern and cosmopolitan city. The Gran Chaco is a large region where you can see wooded as well as arid areas. It is considered as the second lung of South America, with a sensible eco-system characterized by its unique geological and weather conditions. Chaco landscapes are beautiful and have also and impressive biodiversity composed by different habitats like spiny forest, savanna, or a combination of both.
Located in the heart of South America, Paraguay is an intriguing country yet to discover, the result of the mixture of two races and civilizations: the Guaraní and the Hispanic. There are two great geographical regions, naturally separated by the Paraguay River. To the West, the area known as the Chaco, a region with desert characteristics and two seasons, the dry and the rainy, with a lot of wilderness and wild life. To the East and South the region of humid forests of the subtropical climate where part of the Jesuit missions and the Guarani Indians took place and the fertile soil where agriculture and cattle raising take place. The climate is dry tropical in the North and Northeast and humid subtropical in the capital and South allowing the visitor to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.

Rates 2009: (According to the hotel accommodation in Asuncion):

  • Deluxe: Hotel Yacht & Golf Club $ 1,010.00 USD per person based on double occupancy.
  • First Superior: Hotel Las Margaritas $ 990.00 USD per person based on double occupancy.
  • First: Hotel Chaco $ 965.00 USD per person based on double occupancy.

photo of Asunción, ParaguayIncluded: Accommodation as per hotel choice - Cruise accommodation in Standard cabin on M/V Paraguay (Deluxe cabins and Suites available on request) - Transfers as necessary - Visits as per itinerary - Meals while on cruise - Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.

Not Included: International Airfare - Passport and visa expenses - Government arrival and departure taxes - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance - All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

Restrictions: This itinerary is subject to modification in the case of closure of a part of the river to navigation, floods or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Accommodation: Our ship named “PARAGUAY”, in honor of the country who saw it born was specially built for the wonderful adventure of sailing the wild and imponent rivers. The ship is divided in 5 decks. Totally covered with magnificent tropical wood and luxurious equipment which promises 5 stars comfort during you stay. The cabins hare wide beds, private bathroom, individual air conditioning, safe, TV, interphone and music. You could also enjoy the swimming pool, cinema, convention centre, exotic cocktails in one of our delicious international meals at the restaurant. At water levels, the spectacular rubber boats give you easy access to canoes and boats with powerful engines which will take you to explore a whale world of nature and adventure. All this combines the luxurious accommodations and personal service that has become our trademark, with the excitement of discovering the unique flora and fauna of the rainforests in the company of a team of experienced botanists and zoologists.

Technical Information: Passengers: 26 Crew: 22 Length: 58 Meters Width: 19 Meters Draught: 2,10 Meters Weight: 927 Tons Motors: 03 (Tres) Caterpillar of 365 HP each Electricity 04 de 130 KVA y 100 KVA x unit. Water: System of continuous purification of 2000 liters per hour. Air Conditioning: Full air conditioned. Cabins: 27 (2 Presidential, 2 Suites, 9 Junior Suites, 6 Double King, 8 Double Queen) Communal Areas: 3 floors, meeting room (100 p.), Swimming Pool, Solarium, Restaurants, Discothèque. Boats: 2 x 15 passengers. 4 x 9 passengers. 2 x 10 passengers.

photo of a tree in Chaco, ParaguayDay by day itinerary:

  • Day 1 – Friday – Asunción / Crucero - Arrival at Asunción airport, transfer to Asunción harbor. Boarding Crucero Paraguay at 7 PM. A welcome drink will be served while meeting our staff and guides. Accommodation. Taste our French style cooking diner and enjoy our Paraguayan Folkloric night.
  • Day 2 – Saturday – Cruise / Rio Confuso / Villa Hayes - Early expedition to the Confuso River with our small prepared boats. Experience and observe wild life with our specialists. Take photo of a great variety of birds and plants, typical crocodiles of the region named “yacarés” and flora of the Chaco region. A generous breakfast will be expecting you, while cruising to the city of Villa Hayes. City tour after lunch. Villa Hayes is a small town dedicated to the steel industry; its small museum will surprise you as well as its native’s typical handcraft. In the evening attend Captain’s Special Night.
  • Day 3 – Sunday – Typical Estancia of the Chaco / Asunción - After breakfast, we will cruise to a typical ranch of the region named Estancia. You will experience its rural way of life walking in the nature, riding horses, taking photos of the Chaco’s fauna and flora. Lunch will be served on board while cruising back to Asunción. There will be special drinks at the sundeck where you can refresh yourself in the swimming pool, or appreciate the peculiar Chaco’s landscapes. Disembark and transfer to hotel in Asunción.
  • Day 4 – Monday – Asunción - Breakfast and at the indicated time, city tour in Asuncion, a combination of modern and colonial architecture, including downtown and residential areas as the “Casa de la Independencia”, the Cathedral, the “Casa de Gobierno”, the “Estación Ferroviaria” (railway station) where you can admire the oldest South American steam locomotive, the “Panteón de los Heroes”, where lies the most important heroes of our History, the “Avenida Mariscal López”, also known as the Embassies’ Avenue, finishing in the popular handmade market “La Recova”. Back to hotel and overnight.
  • Day 5 - Tuesday - Asuncion - Breakfast and at the indicated time, transfer to the airport.

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Also tagged with: Adventure Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, South America, Paraguay, Hiking, Active Travel, Educational, Cultural, Horseback, River Cruises, Hosted Tours