Vantage World Travel

Asunción, Jesuit Ruins & Iguassu Falls - 8D/7N

A discovery of the best known sites of Paraguay starts with an exploration of Asuncion, then a visit to the Jeuist Ruins, one of the world’s most astonishing experiments in colonization ever attempted and finally 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.

The 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.

Not 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 - Recanto. Las Margaritas - Rafain Palace.

Departures: Daily.

Itinerary

• Day 01- Asunción: you will be welcomed at the Airport and taken to the selected hotel. Rest of the afternoon free.
• Day 02 - Asunción: Breakfast. In the morning, a tour of the city. We are going to visit Casa de la Independencia, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Asunción, Palacio de López or the Government Palace, the Railway Station (where will take a look at the oldest steam engine in South America), Panteón Nacional de los Héroes, the mausoleum where the remains of the greatest heroes of our history lie, Avenida Mariscal López, also known as Embassy Row, and end at the popular handicrafts market of La Recova. Afternoon free for shopping.
• Day 03 - Asunción / Encarnación: Breakfast. In the morning, you’ll be leaving for the bus terminal with your luggage and board a regular line bus to Encarnación. Arrival, reception, and transfer to the selected hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Jesuit Ruins of Trinidad, which date back to 1706, vestiges of what once was the Great Evangelization Campaign by the Jesuit Priests. Return to the hotel and rest of the afternoon free.
• Day 04 - Encarnación / Foz do Iguassu: Breakfast. In the morning, you’ll be leaving with your luggage for the bus terminal in Encarnación, to board a regular line bus to Ciudad del Este. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and taken across the border to Foz do Iguassu to the selected hotel. Rest of the afternoon free.
• Day 05 - Foz do Iguassu: Breakfast. In the morning, we’ll be visiting the majestic Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side, with a panoramic view. In the afternoon, we are going to visit the Itaipu Dam, the largest one in South America. Return to the hotel.
• Day 06 - Foz do Iguassu: Breakfast and day free for personal activities (we suggest taking an optional tour to Iguassu falls on the Argentinean side).
• Day 07- Foz do Iguassu / Asunción: Breakfast. In the morning, you’ll be leaving with your luggage for the bus terminal to board a regular line bus to Asunción. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon free for personal activities.
• Day 08 - Asunción: Breakfast. At the scheduled time, you will be driven to the airport.