Best of Paraguay

General Info

Get well and truly off the beaten track on this trip through Paraguay’s highlights. Explore the capital Asuncion, with its colonial architecture and tree lined plazas, before traveling north to the remote and rugged Chaco Region, a haven for wildlife lovers and photographers. Visit UNESCO Heritage Listed Jesuit ruins and remote Mennonite communities before finishing the tour at the magnificent Iguazu Falls.

Itinerary

Day 1 Asuncion

Arrive at Asuncion International Airport. Asuncion, Paraguay’s energetic capital and largest city, is built on unassuming hills above the east bank of Paraguay River. There are thankfully few high rises, downtown. El Centro retains its intimate 19th century feel with low balconied buildings and orange trees lining the narrow streets. Upon clearing customs and Immigration, you are met and transferred to your accommodation for check-in and overnight stay.

Day 2 Asuncion

Breakfast and early visit to the city of Asuncion, with its colorful combination of modern and colonial architecture, including downtown, residential and other areas such as Independence House, the National Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Railway Station, the National Heroes Pantheon, Mariscal Lopez Avenue, in addition to the well-known Avenue of the Embassies, finishing in the popular artisan market, the Recova. Return to the hotel, overnight. (B)

Day 3 Asuncion/Chaco

Breakfast and private transfer to Central Chaco (500 kms), arriving in time for dinner (not included) and overnight stay. The word Chaco means “abundance of wildlife” and Gran Chaco would mean more than that: conditions are ideal for nature lovers and anglers. Be forewarned, however, that a trip to this region tends to have some rugged aspects – but travellers with a strong interest in photography and nature will enjoy it. (B)

Day 4 Chaco

Breakfast and early departure for a full day of bird watching in Campo Maria and its surroundings, also a visit to the Salty Lagoon full of birds and other mammals and if we’re lucky we’ll have the possibility to see big cats. Lunch-Box included. Return to the hotel and overnight. (BL)

Day 5 Gran Chaco/Asuncion

This morning, we visit the great Mennonite colonies and producing cooperatives of the region. The Chaco is a remarkable area consisting of an almost featureless plain, with a substantial population of Indian people. Its only paved highway, the Ruta TransChaco, Leads to the religious community of Filadelfia, which was settled by the Mennonites in the late 1920s. Lunch included and back to Asuncion, overnight stay. (BL)

Day 6 Asuncion/Santa Maria de Fe

Breakfast and early departure to Encarnacion by private vehicle, visiting Yaguaron on their way. Yaguaron is known for its large baroque church and fine resorted Franciscan missionary carvings. The 12 stations of the Cross line a pleasant path up the hill behind Yaguaron to a small chapel – there is a good view of the surrounding countryside. Right after that we continue to Santa Maria de Fe, a small town known as the most northerly of the Treinta Pueblos. It has the best museum of any of the Reductions, including those in Argentina and Brazil, arrival and overnight stay. (B)

Day 7 Santa Maria de Fe/Estancia Tacuaty

Breakfast and tour to the museum with carved wooden statues of saints, the mural of the Jesuit history of the village, painted by Nino Sotelo, the sewing workshop of craft embroidered with appliqué, the tour of the Square, with its monument to Bonpland, the Garden of the Resurrection, the organic sugar cooperative, time for lunch (not included), then we continue to take a tour of the village, including Ykuateja – a spring – and the Cerrito (Little Hill) which has a Calvary: both are from the Jesuit period, the big Hill – a traditional pilgrimage destination. Continue to head up to Estancia Tacuaty, arrival and Overnight. (B)

Day 8 Estancia Tacuaty/Encarnacion

Breakfast and possibility to take and do all the activities of the Estancia, for example, horse riding, walk in the woods, fishing, photographic safari, pool, milking, football and volley ball courts, lunch and dinner included, in the late afternoon we head up to Encarnacion, arrival and overnight at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 9 Encarnacion

Breakfast and departure to visit the Trinidad and Jesus de Tavarangue Missions, declared a World heritage Site in 1993 by UNESCO. In addition to their artistic interest, these missions are a reminder of the Jesuitic’ Christianization of the Rio de la Plata basin in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the accompanying social and economic initiatives. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. (B)

Day 10 Encarnacion

Breakfast and departure to visit the Missions of San Cosme and San Damian, continue to visit the Buenaventura Suarez Astronomical Center to see how the Guarani and the Jesuitic communities had already studied the stars and the constellations, chance to look through a telescope during the visit, entrance fee included; continue to Iguassu, arrival, check in at hotel and overnight. (B)

Day 11 Encarnacion/Iguassu Falls

Breakfast and, we leave to visit Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side, with a majestic view of the waterfalls, you will have the chance walk along the sideways right next to the waterfalls, time for lunch (not included) then we’ll head up to the Itaipu power Dam, the largest one in South America. It is the greatest hydroelectric in the world of using power. Its Maximum capacity, generates 12 million and 600 thousands kw. Producing energy for all Paraguay and a third of Brazil. (B)

Day 12 Iguassu Falls/Iguazu Falls

Breakfast and, visit to Parque Nacional Iguazu (Argentinean side); inside the park, we are going to travel onboard an ecologic train to the point of departure of the trek known as Devil’s Throat. Then we’ll resume our visit by walking along the upper and lower portions of the waterfalls. On our way back to the hotel, we’ll visit Tri-Border Landmark, which from the Paraná and Iguassu Rivers mark the borders of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. Or the Duty free shop Return to the hotel. Overnight. (B)

Day 13 Iguazu Falls

Breakfast and transfer to Airport two hours before passenger’s departure time, end of our services. (B)

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