Tour Overview
Paraguay was once so isolated it was called an island surrounded by land. But in recent years, this small, landlocked country has opened up to the outside world. It has adopted democracy and free trade. It's friendly and relatively safe. Still, it's not often given serious consideration by travelers planning South American itineraries. Perhaps that's because its attractions aren't as dramatic as those of its neighbors. What it does have is a surprising variety of unspoiled terrain for bird-watchers, anglers and nature lovers -- ranging from savanna and marshland to subtropical farms, ranches and rain forest. Its stark, sparsely settled Chaco region, where most of the country's indigenous Guarani Indians reside, offers good opportunities for trekking. These days, you can have these more subtle pleasures nearly all to yourself.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Asuncion, ParaguayArrive Asuncion International Airport. Asunción, Paraguay's energetic capital and largest city, is built on unassuming hills above the east bank of the Río Paraguay. 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.
Granados Park Hotel offers a beautiful look starting from the central lobby with an architectonic style and enormous placidness. It is sophisticated yet with a warm atmosphere, made of noble materials and light colors made for the warm welcome you need.
Granados Park Hotel Day 02: Asuncion - Gran Chaco
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 (visiting the oldest steam locomotive in South America), the National Heroes' Pantheon where the remains of our nation's hero’s lie, Marshall Lopez Avenue, in addition to the well-known Avenue of the Embassies, finishing in the popular artisan market, the Recova.
Private transfer (500km) to the Chaco, arriving in time for dinner and overnight.
The word chaco means "abundance of wildlife," and Gran Chaco more than lives up to its name: conditions are ideal for nature lovers and anglers. Be forewarned, however, that a trip to this region tends to have some rugged aspects – only adventurous travelers with a strong interest in fishing, photography and nature will enjoy it.
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Filadelfia Day 03: Gran Chaco
Early departure for a full day of bird watching experience in Campo Maria and its surrounds. A box lunch is provided.
Towards the Bolivian border is the Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco, a wooded alluvial plain whose major feature is the 500m (1640ft) Cerro León. The dense thorn forest harbors some of Paraguays most endangered wildlife, and there's an excellent chance of spotting large cats like jaguars, pumas and ocelots.
Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Filadelfia Day 04: Gran Chaco
This morning, visit the mighty Mennonite colonies and producing cooperatives of the region.
The Chaco is a remarkable area of almost featureless plain, with a substantial population of Indian peoples. Its only paved highway, the Ruta Trans-Chaco, leads to the religious community of Filadelfia, which was settled by the Mennonites in the late 1920s.
Enjoy lunch and afternoon tour of Filadelfia and the Historical Museum, featuring objects that date from Chaco war (between Paraguay and Bolivia.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Filadelfia Day 05: Gran Chaco - Asuncion
After breakfast, you will return by private vehicle to Asuncion. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Granados Park Hotel Day 06: Asuncion - Encarnation
Transfer (360km) by private vehicle to Encarnacion, visit Yaguaron and San Ignacio Jesuit Museum en route.
Yaguaron is known for its large baroque church and fine restored Franciscan missionary carvings, this town, whose name means "Big Dog" in Guarani, is generally visited in combination with a trip to scenic Lake Ypacarai or the Cordillera (hills) region - one of the most beautiful areas in Paraguay. 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.
Called Guazú (big) to distinguish as being older than San Ignacio Miní (currently in Argentina.) This reduction was found in 1609/1610, chief Arapizandú invited the Jesuits to build it. The mission was transferred to its current site in 1677, on the road from Asuncion to Encarnación. In the main square of the city there is a statue of the beatified Roque Gonzalez, showing how important the priest was to the development of the mission.
Continue to Encarnacion for overnight.
This city of 50,000, which is famous for its chipa (a hard corn-and-cheese bread), is where many visitors stay while visiting the ruined Jesuit missions to the north in Jesus and Trinidad. While ruins of Jesuit settlements can be found in all parts of the country, these are being restored and are the most frequently visited.
Breakfast
Hotel Papillon Day 07: Encarnation - Iguassu
Transfer (290km) by private vehicle to Iguassu Falls, visiting en route, the Trinidad Ruins; declared a World Heritage Site in 1993 by UNESCO.
In addition to their artistic interest, these missions are a reminder of the Jesuits' Christianization of the Río de la Plata basin in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the accompanying social and economic initiatives.
Continue to Iguassu for overnight.
Breakfast
Bourbon Cataratas Hotel Day 08: Iguassu
Full day visit to Iguassu Falls National Park (Brazilian side.)
Located near the junction of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Iguazú Falls (pronounced eeh-gwa-SUE) is a must-see: It
may be the greatest waterfall in the world. There are 275 cataracts in all, stretching (4km) from bank to bank and reaching a height of 300-ft/90 m.
Although not in Paraguay, these spectacular falls are easily accessible via the 1,650-ft-/500-m-long Friendship/International Bridge at Ciudad del Este. Iguassu is made up of 475 cascades spanning a distance of 2-miles/3 km and rising to a height of 300 ft/90 meters.
This evening, visit Itaipu Dam before returning to your hotel.
Having more power than 10 nuclear power stations it supplies the second largest city on the planet with zero-emission electricity since 1984, still being extended until 1991. 26% of the electrical power consumption of Brazil and 78% of Paraguay are supplied by ITAIPU.
Breakfast
Bourbon Cataratas Hotel Day 09: Iguassu - Depart
Transfer by private vehicle to the Iguassu airport.
Breakfast
