Asunción, Jesuit Ruins & Iguassu Falls - 6D/5N

photo courtesy of Paraguay Tourist BoardA great way to visit Paraguay while you transfer from Asuncion to Iguassu. An exploration of Asuncion is followed by a visit to the Jeuist Ruins, one of the world’s most astonishing experiments in colonization ever attempted then your journeys ends at the famous Iguassu Falls, where the three countries of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meet.

Asunción - Paraguay’s capital city is a thriving river port where quiet parks and wide plazas stand amid historic government buildings, and brand new, ultra-modern skyscrapers. Here shopping is considered some of South America’s best. Asunción rivals the Far East with a great variety of bargains in electronics, leather and handicrafts. An Asunción city tour will take the visitor to Paraguayan landmarks including the Government Palace, Museum of Natural History, House of Independence, Pantheon of Heros (replica of Les Invalides in Paris), Constitution Square, Municipal Cathedral, Recoleta Church and Cemetery, the commercial Port and Botanical Gardens.

Iguassu Falls - Although the falls themselves are not located within Paraguay the country is still known as the major gateway to the area. The Friendship Bridge at Ciudad del Este, Paraguay leads directly to the Brazilian side of the falls. The Iguassu River, which flows into the Parana River 12 miles below the falls, forms a lake some two to three miles wide above the falls. Near this point the three countries of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meet. The falls themselves lie on the border between Argentina and Brazil and form one of the world’s great natural wonders. Argentina and Brazil have well-developed natural parks on their respective sides. There are many hotels of all categories and an increasing number of motels on both sides. Reservations are recommended during the summer and on most weekends. The 275 individual falls pour over precipices 200 feet deep, spanning well over a mile. It is like Arizona’s Grand Canyon with water pouring over all sides. Iguassu’s water volume is nine times that of Niagara Falls. The surrounding jungle, now a Brazilian national park, is thick with ferns, palms, bamboo and orchids.

Itaipú Dam - Itaipú is the largest hydroelectric complex in the world and one of the largest public projects in history. The dam is as tall as a 55-story building and stretches over five miles from tip to tip. With 18 turbine/generator units of installed generating capacity of 12,600 megawatts Itaipu is almost twice as powerful as the United States’ Grand Coulee Dam and six times over that of the Aswan Dam in Egypt.

photo courtesy of Paraguay Tourist BoardThe Jesuit Mission Trail - In 1606 the first of South America’s remarkable Jesuit missions were constructed in what is now southern Paraguay. The Company of Jesus started the process of converting the Guaraní people to Christianity. As a result, the native Indians eventually agreed to live in reducciones, large villages with a fairly rigid socioeconomic structure based on Jesuit principles and values. Skilled in construction and artistic techniques, the Guaraníes left behind a heritage of churches, religious sculptures and paintings scattered throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. The missions grew and prospered for 180 years, and remain one of the world’s most astonishing experiments in colonization. Seven of the largest Jesuit missions remain in Paraguay, and those in Jesús de Taravangue and Trinidad del Paraná have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Encarnación - Paraguay’s third largest city (250 mi. south of Asunción) is gateway to southern Paraguay and the major Jesuit ruins. Passing through beautiful scenery and small towns, the road from Asunción to Encarnación passes Villa Florida, popular with sport fishermen. From Encarnación one can also reach neighboring Posadas, Argentina via the international bridge.

Trinidad - Six miles from Encarnación lies Trinidad, the largest Jesuit mission in the area, and today the best preserved. Most of Trinidad’s original walls are still standing, and some statuary has been restored. Completed in 1745, the complex contains many fine examples of flawless stone carvings made by the Guarani Indians who inhabited the mission. Also near Trinidad, the ruins of San Cosmé and San Damian (impressive altar chair, sun dial), and Jesus (Moorish facade) are major attractions. The Jesuit Mission Museum in nearby San Ignacio is also rewarding.

Included: Hotel accommodaton. Meals as mentioned in the itinerary. Airport to hotel transfers. Transfers to sights.

photo courtesy of Paraguay Tourist BoardNot Included: Any airfares. Airport taxes. Beverages. Any items of a personal nature. Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary. Entrance fees to Brazilian and Argentinean side of the Falls and Itaipu power dam.

Accommodations: Yacht - Bourbon. Guarani - Mercure International. Excelsior - Continental Inn. Las Margaritas - Recanto.

Departures: Daily.

Itinerary

  • Day 01- Asunción: You will be welcomed at the Airport and driven to your hotel, rest of the afternoon free.
  • Day 02 - Asunción: Breakfast. In the morning, a tour of the city, including downtown and residential areas. We’ll be visiting Casa de la Independencia, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Railway Station (the oldest one in South America), Palacio de López or the Government Palace, Panteón Nacional de los Héroes, Avenida Mariscal López, also known as Embassy Row, Mburuvicha Roga or the President’s official residence, and the Port, and end at the handicrafts market La Recova. Afternoon free for shopping.
  • Day 03 - Asunción / Encarnación: Breakfast. In the morning, tranfer to the bus terminal with your luggage, to board a regular line bus to Encarnación. Tranfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll be visiting the Jesuit Ruins of Trinidad, which date back to 1706, vestiges of what once was the Great evangelization Campaign by the Jesuit Priests. Accommodation. (Transportation onboard a private vehicle, visiting on the way the Franciscan Church of Yaguaron and the Museums of San Ignacio Guazu and Santa María).
  • Day 04 - Encarnación / Foz do Iguassu: Breakfast. Tranfer to the bus terminal at Encarnación to board a regular line bus to Ciudad del Este. Upon arrival in Ciudad del Este, you’ll be taken across the border to your hotel, rest of the afternoon free. (Transportation onboard a private vehicle, visiting on the way the colonies of Polish, Ukranian, and German immigrants, the yerba mate processing plant, and Ciudad del Este).
  • Day 05 - Foz do Iguassu: Breakfast. In the morning, we’ll visit to Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side. In the afternoon, visiting the Itaipu Dam. Return to the hotel.
  • Day 06 - Foz do Iguassu: Breakfast. At the scheduled time, you will be driven to the airport.

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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, South America, Paraguay, Join-In Tour, Module


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.