Jewish Heritage Tour in Argentina - Uruguay
10 days / 9 nights
Overview
Start your trip in sophisticated Buenos Aires - the “Paris of South America” - where we visit top-sights, lively Jewish neighborhoods and Eva Peron’s final resting place. Experience Tango and other exceptional cultural encounters in Buenos Aires. Sail across the Rio de la Plata, visit Montevideo, Capital City of Uruguay and explore its historical neighborhoods, its river walks as well as its Jewish Institutions. Welcome Shabbat at a local Synagogue and experience an unforgettable Shabbat dinner with members of the Jewish community of Montevideo. Visit the posh resort area of Punta del Este and discover its fabulous beaches, residential areas and legendary Casapueblo district, designed by architect Paez Vilaró. Continue to Puerto Iguazu to discover the most awe-inspiring waterfalls of Iguazu Falls (3x the size of the Niagara Falls). The journey ends in Buenos Aires city to spend a last day and have time to explore on your own or do some shopping before flying home.
Memorable Moments
- Connect with the local Jewish community members of Buenos Aires.
- Visit the most stunning Ashkenazi and Sephardic Synagogues of Buenos Aires.
- Enjoy a guided tour lead by local Jewish guides and visit the most important Jewish Institutions of Argentina.
- Shabbat dinner with members of the Jewish community of Montevideo.
- Explore Uruguay’s glamorous coastal resort of Punta del Este and marvel at the magical architecture of Casapueblo.
- Wander the leafy plazas and cobbled streets of Colonia del Sacramento and have a panoramic view of this picturesque town atop the lighthouse.
- Trek along a series of trails, footbridges, and vista points to witness more than 200 magnificent cascades, including the stunning Devil’s Throat.
- See the waterfalls from the boat and enjoy breathing scenery as you travel down the river.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 – Buenos Aires – Arrival Day & Introductory Tour
Day 2 – Buenos Aires – Historical & Jewish Tour
Day 3 – Montevideo – Comprehensive Tour & Jewish Tour
Day 4 – Montevideo – Jewish Institutions
Day 5 – Punta del Este –Landmarks and main beaches
Day 6 – Colonia del Sacramento –Colonial Town & highlights
Day 7 – Buenos Aires –Main Jewish Institutions and meeting with experts
Day 8 – Iguazu Falls –National Park & Boat ride through the falls.
Day 9 – Iguazu Falls –National Park and fly to Buenos Aires.
Day 10 – Buenos Aires – Departure
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Full Itinerary
Arrive at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) where you are personally greeted and transferred to your hotel by your private guide and separate driver. Arrive at your hotel in the heart of elegant Recoleta district. Following check in, relax in your room or join us for a walking tour of the charming neighborhood of Recoleta to get your bearings and discover its major attractions.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Buenos Aires
Enjoy an in-depth tour of the highlights of Buenos Aires. Visit lively Jewish districts and traditional cafes, historical neighborhoods, colorfully painted tin houses, modern glass towers and large avenues, palaces of the belle époque as well as parks. We include stop-offs at some of Buenos Aires most impressive monuments and major attractions. At the end of the tour, join us in a walking tour of the famous Recoleta Cemetery, Eva Peron’s final resting place. In the evening, enjoy dinner and the best tango show in Buenos Aires.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation: Sofitel Buenos Aires
After breakfast, join us in the hotel lobby and enjoy a transfer to Puerto Madero port, where we’ll board a ferry to the capital city of Montevideo. This is a scenic sailing trip through the Rio de la Plata River. Once in Montevideo, transfer to the hotel. After check in, depart for a complete overview tour of Montevideo. Experience Montevideo through the eyes of a local private guide, who will take you to explore Pocitos, the neighborhood where the main Jewish institutions are located and most of the Jews live. After lunch, head back to the hotel. Your afternoon is free to explore the city of Montevideo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Sofitel Montevideo
In the morning, we will meet students at Instituto Yavne, one of the city’s two Jewish schools. Following this activity, visit the main Jewish institution in Uruguay known simply as “La Kehila” to connect with the local Jewish community members.
In the afternoon, take a walk along the tranquil shores of Rio De La Plata River or stroll along La Rambla, Montevideo’s scenic waterside promenade. In the evening, experience an unforgettable Kabbalat Shabbat at “Bait Hadash” Synagogue. Afterwards, have Shabbat dinner at hotel with members of the Uruguay’s Jewish community.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Montevideo
This morning, we’ll drive to Punta Del Este – the posh summer resort for South America’s super –rich. Visit landmarks and residential areas, such as San Rafael, Cantegrill and Beverly Hills. Continue the tour to the popular La Barra and cross the world-famous wavy Maldonado bridge for a panoramic view of the beaches. Head back to the peninsula through the Brava coast, admiring its spectacular art buildings. Arrive at Punta del Este Yacht Port for lunch. After lunch, have free time to walk around downtown area and check out the local shops on Avenida Gorlero. On our way back to Montevideo, stop in Casapueblo, the majestic architectural masterpiece and former residence of famed artist Carlos Paez Vilaró, now used as a museum and a hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Sofitel Montevideo
Check out of Montevideo hotel. Following check out, travel to Colonia del Sacramento and spend an unforgettable full day tour along its cobblestone streets and visiting old colonial buildings and museums of Spanish and Portuguese origins. Tour the charming Historic Center with a local guide and learn the history of Colonia, its legacy of Spanish and Portuguese cultures and the distinctive architecture that reflects the city`s dual character. Enjoy Lunch in Colonia at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will have some time to explore the area on your own before boarding ferry back to Buenos Aires. Arrive in Buenos Aires Ferry Port and be transferred to hotel in Recoleta.
Meals:
Accommodation: Sofitel Buenos Aires
This morning, gain an intimate understanding of Jewish life in Buenos Aires. Your Jewish Heritage Tour begins in the Once neighborhood, the heart of the Jewish Community of Buenos Aires to visit AMIA (equivalent to Jewish Federation in the USA) and continues to other neighborhoods to visit meaningful Jewish Institutions and districts. Share insightful conversations with your locals and experts on the local Jewish community.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Sofitel Buenos Aires
In the morning, check out and depart towards Jorge Newbery airport to take flight to Puerto Iguazu. Upon arrival, transfer to Melia hotel, the only hotel located in the heart of the National Park. Following check in, enjoy a captivating guided tour inside the Iguazu National Park (Argentine side) and explore the parks’ two main trails: Superior and Inferior paths, both offering unforgettable views of the Iguazu Falls. In the afternoon, take a fun and exciting sightseeing boat ride through Iguazu Falls. See the waterfalls from the boat and enjoy breathing scenery as you travel down the river. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the Melia hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Loi Suites Iguazu
Tour inside the Iguazu National Park and visit the stunning waterfalls of Salto San Martin and the most famous of all, Devil’s Throat. Take a ride on the ecological train to get to “Devil ́s Throat.” From there, take a 30 minute-walk along the catwalks to reach the most Devil ́s Throat. Return to your Hotel for lunch and checkout. Fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to hotel in the district of Recoleta.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Sofitel Buenos Aires
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FAQ
Currently, proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test is required to enter Argentina and Uruguay. Given the fluidity of the situation, updated entry requirements will be provided 30 days prior to travel.
All travelers entering Argentina and Uruguay will need a passport, valid for at least 6 months after they depart the country. Citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 3 months. Check with your nearest Uruguay Consulate to determine entry requirements.
There is really not a bad time to visit Buenos Aires and Iguazu falls with the weather being fairly consistent throughout the year. Probably the best times to explore Iguazu Falls are during the months of September, October and November. The weather is nicer, the falls are beautiful and the Park is less crowded than during summer ( mid-December to late February).
The best time to visit Uruguay is October through March with sunny days and mild temperatures. Weather is great through the year. Average temperatures are 62°F (17°C) in spring, 73°F (23°C) in summer, 64°F (18°C) in autumn, and 53°F (12°C) in winter.
Bear in mind that the period between Christmas and New Year is also a very busy time of year and you should expect to pay more for hotels and other services due to high demand.
Absolutely. The idea of this itinerary is that you experience Argentina’s and Uruguay’s beauty, culture and Jewish community in a way you could never do on your own. We designed an itinerary which includes Buenos Aires and Montevideo city’s most magnificent hidden treasures. Depending on the day of the tour (weekends most all buildings are inaccessible), and season of your tour (Jan and Feb are holiday months), the itinerary may vary. Regardless, you’ll find the itinerary meaningful.
The price of the trip includes meals, accommodations, and excursions as indicated in the itinerary; services of the Ideas expert and local guides; ground transportation; all airport transfers; baggage handling and electronic pre-trip materials. Included meals are noted at the end of each day on our itineraries.
Once I book my trip, what information and materials will I receive?
After you sign up for a trip with us, you will receive several pre-trip mailings with specific information about your destination and journey. Besides, you will be able to download our app and have your own password. You will have access to your itinerary, real-time flight alerts and relevant information to help you prepare for your trip.
Included meals are mentioned in the itinerary. In major cities where there is a wide variety of restaurants, we usually do not include meals, to allow our travelers the flexibility of choosing their own food preferences. Special diets should be requested on the Ideas South America booking form.
Yes. We work hard to make sure you have Kosher food delivered to you for each day of your trip. Also, before you start your trip, you’ll receive a detailed information pack about your upcoming trip, including information on the local area, kosher facilities, Shul times and Shabbos times.
As well as arranging all your meals, we also provide you with a Shabbos pack with candles, grape juice and other supplies. In some destinations such as Buenos Aires and Montevideo (you can choose to spend Shabbat with a Jewish family and get to know more about the local Jewish community.
Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately, and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. Alternatively, we can help you arrange these flights.
If you are planning to travel during high season (mid-December through end of February) we recommend to book your trip 12-15 months in advance. Most people book their December vacations a year in advance, and so should you. If you are planning to travel during mid-season you can start booking 8-6 months in advance.
Yes. We publish special offers periodically throughout the year. Check out our Offers page for the latest offers and on-going discounts. Or contact us and our travel expert will tell you which are the best discounts available at the time you contact us.