|
From $2700 per person Double Occupancy
After seeing Buenos Aires and/or ending your South American
Cruise, travel the Jesuit Missions and Iguazu Falls Tour to see these
mysterious places of South American History!
The Jesuit Missions were the product of a cultural mixture and
represent a real example of a political and social organization; its
architecture and artistic manifestations were devoted to decorate the
missions, which, after the expulsion of the Jesuit Fathers, turned
abruptly into ruins that are nowadays visited by tourists from all over
the world. |
|
Day 1: Parana ö Jesuit Mission Ruins - Oberá
Transfer from Posadas airport to Oberá city.
The Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de
Tavarangue are located in the Itapúa Department, Paraguay, and are
religious mission that are sill preserved and that were founded by the
Jesuit missioners during the colonization of South America in the XVII
century. These religious missions were created in 1609 and developed
for 150 years. Both Jesuit missions were declared Historical Patrimony
of Humankind by the UNESCO in 1993.
The Jesuit Missions of Paraguay are considered some of the most
impressive creations of the religious work of the Jesuit, and are
testimony of the historical richness of the country.
Afterwards city tour at Oberá, the second city in size and importance
of Misiones province, and the core of the Sierras Centrales region. The
area is a colorful landscape, with luxurious vegetation, streams,
cascades and hilly areas. Obera is also the educational and cultural
capital of the central region of the province. Its economy is based on
agriculture and industry.
The local culture is marked by European influences, since the area was
settled by numerous colonies of immigrants, starting in 1897. The first
community that settled in the site of today's Obera (then known as
Yerbal Viejo) arrived in 1909 and was composed of Finns. French,
Norwegian, Swedish, German, English, Lebanese and Danish joined them,
before and after World War I.
Oberá was officially founded on 9 July 1928. Its name was taken from a
renowned aboriginal chief, and it means "bright, shining". More than 15
national/ethnic communities of people descended from immigrants
coexist, keeping their legacy and traditions. In the first fortnight of
September every year they celebrate this diversity with the Immigrant's
Festival. Oberá is also known as the "City of the Churches", since it
features more than 30 churches, belonging to a diversity of
denominations and rites (including Eastern and Western Catholic rites,
Eastern Orthodox, and several Evangelical/Protestant churches). On June
13, 2009, Obera was made the see of the newly erected Roman Catholic
Diocese of Obera. The latter was created with territory carved out from
the Diocese of Posadas.
|
|
Day 2: Jesuit Missions Ruins
São Miguel das Missões is a Unesco World Heritage site located in the
small town of São Miguel das Missões in the northwestern region of Rio
Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil. It is also known as São
Miguel Arcanjo and by its Spanish language name San Miguel. It was one
of the many Jesuit Reductions in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and
Bolivia. Jesuit missionaries founded the mission in the 18th century in
part to catechise the Guaraní indian population and to protect the
natives from the Portuguese slave traders known as the Bandeirantes.
The mission was built between 1735 to around 1745. The Treaty of Madrid
in 1750 handed sovereignty over the area from Spain to Portugal and the
Jesuits were ordered to leave. Their refusal to comply led to the
mission's termination in a battle with a Portuguese-Spanish army which
had been sent to enforce the newly agreed upon frontier between the two
colonial powers. The cathedral in nearby Santo Ãngelo city is modeled
after the São Miguel das Missães reduction.
The ruins of São Miguel das Missões are protected by UNESCO since 1983.
|
|
Day 3: Jesuit Mission Ruins
Reduction of Our Lady of Saint Ana was one of the many missions or
reductions founded in the 17th century by the Jesuits in the Americas
during the Spanish colonial period. The ruins of the Jesuit reduction
founded in 1633 are located in the Candelaria Department of the
Misiones Province, only 2 kilometers away from the department's head
Santa Ana, and not far from the San Ignacio Miní ruins.
The complex of Jesuit reductions located both in Argentina and Brazil
were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1984.
Reduction of Our Lady of Laurel was other of the many missions or
reductions founded in the 17th century. The ruins of the Jesuit
reduction founded in 1610 are located in the same department.
They were declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, together with
other reductions in the area. The ruins have been taken over by
vegetation, and are not as well preserved as those of San Ignacio Miní,
also in Misiones.
|
|
Day 4: Jesuit Mission Ruins ö Iguazu Falls
San Ignacio Miní was one of the many missions founded in 1632 by the
Jesuits in the Americas during the Spanish colonial period near
present-day San Ignacio valley, some 60km south of Posadas.
The ruins are one of the best preserved among the several build in a
territory today belonging to Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, and one of
the most visited due to its accessibility. Lost in dense vegetation,
the remains of the "Guaraní baroque" stile constructions were found in
1897, and gained the interest of the population after the 1903
expedition by poet Leopoldo Lugones, but its restoration didn't begin
until 1940.
In 1984 the ruins were declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and
currently hold the Museo Jesu’tico de San Ignacio Miní museum.
A few km to the south of the Iguazu Falls, on the road to the
historical Jesuit mission of San Ignacio Mini, are the precious and
semi-precious mines of Wanda (agate, quartz, amethyst and others). The
visit is done with specialized guides in order to visit the factories,
the manufacturing shops and the show rooms.
Transfer to Puerto Iguazu and accommodation in the Hotel International
Sheraton.
The hotel was built in 1978 and remodeled in 2000. It has a spectacular
location inside the Iguazú National Park and falls view rooms are
available.
Rooms are fully equipped with ensuite bathroom, direct dial telephone,
AC, cable TV and balcony. Hotel facilities include disabled access,
outdoor swimming pool with solarium, illuminated tennis court, games
room, gym with sauna, gift and souvenir shop, business center with
photocopier and internet access. Restaurant "Garganta del Diablo
(Devil's Throat)" offers international cuisine and buffet service with
local specialties in an elegant setting.
|
|
Day 5: Iguassu Falls
Breakfast at the hotel.
The Iguazœ National Park, located at eighteen kilometres from Puerto
Iguazú, was declared Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The famous
falls are inside this Park.
The Iguazœ Falls on the border with Brazil are one of the world's
natural wonders.
Lined with dense forests, the Iguazœ river flows into 275 waterfalls,
plunging more than 70 meters with a deafening noise. As this huge
volume of water reaches the bottom, spray rises, and lots of rainbows
are formed in the sky.
An incredible variety of fauna and flora completes the perfect setting
for the waterfalls within the protection of the Iguazú National Park.
Start this tour following a scenic highway up to the Argentine Iguazu
Park. Visit starts with ample time to visit the upper falls on the
Argentinian side, including the San Martin Falls and the Devil's Throat.
The Great Adventure is unique and combines the whole essence of the
Iguassu National Park in one ride: the jungle and the waterfalls. Enter
the jungle from the Sendero Yacaratía trail with special transportation
that allows a panoramic view of the environment along with experienced
guides that give a lot of explanations. Arriving at the Puerto Macuco
Base we will start the second part of this ride departing from the
floating platform. Motor-boats will take us through the Canyon of the
Iguassu River, until the falls. Enjoy the view of both, the Brazilian
and Argentinian side including the Devilâs Throat. Heading on we face
the San Martin waterfall, a wonderful and unforgettable experience, for
itâs the largest waterfall any motor-boat can approach safely. The
landing is at the base of the lower circuit where visitors reintegrate
the trails.
|
|
Day 6: Iguassu Falls
Breakfast and visit to Brazilian Falls.
The Park is located in the westernmost region of the state of Paraná,
in the Iguaçú river basin, 17km from downtown Foz do Iguaçú. It borders
Argentina, where the Iguazu National Park, which was implemented in
1934, is located. The border between the two countries and their
national parks is made by the Iguaœ river, whose source is near the
Serra (mountain range) do Mar near Curitiba and runs for 18 km
throughout the state of Paraná.
The most spectacular sightseeing of the park is the Iguaçú Falls, which
form a 2,700m wide semi-circle, while the waterfalls filled visitors
with awe as they watch the water foam that plunges down from a height
of 72m.
Visit the park's visitor's center with its exhibition of the local
eco-system. Continue down the Cataratas Highway through the rainforest
of the park to the falls. Descending a walkway, you can contemplate the
lovely waterfalls in all of nature's exuberance, with panoramic views
of both sides of the falls - Brazil and Argentina. Reaching the
elevator, you can ascend to have a bird's eye view over the falls from
the lookout.
Afterward transfer to International Airport to flight back home
|
|
Highlights
- Oberá
- Jesuit Mission Ruins
- Iguassu Falls
|
