Self-Launched Argentina & Brazil: Buenos Aires to Rio via Patagonia & Iguazú
14 days · Argentina & Brazil
The Dragon Trip charges £2,550
No-markup version: ~£1,195 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of The Dragon Trip's 14-day Buenos Aires–Ushuaia–Iguazú–Paraty–Ilha Grande–Rio route, done as an independent solo traveller using domestic flights, long-distance coaches and local guides. You keep all the headline experiences — empanada-making and wine in Buenos Aires, the Laguna Esmeralda trek in Patagonia, the Devil's Throat at Iguazú, waterfalls and cachaça in Paraty, Lopes Mendes on Ilha Grande, and Christ the Redeemer in Rio — but you book everything yourself at hostel/budget rates. Flights and long-haul travel are the big cost drivers, so book domestic flights 4–8 weeks out and consider a Brazil-to-Argentina routing if fares look cheaper in reverse. All figures are approximate per-person estimates in GBP and exclude international flights to/from South America.
Day-by-day
Arrive Buenos Aires – empanadas, wine and Spanish basics
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Land at Ezeiza (EZE) and take the Tienda León shuttle (~£10) or the cheaper bus combo (~£3) into the city. Check into Milhouse Hostel in Montserrat or a comparable hostel in San Telmo — this is exactly the hostel the group tour uses, and you can book it direct. In the evening, swap the organised group session for a small-group empanada-making and wine-tasting class booked on GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£35–45), where you'll also pick up some basic Spanish and meet other travellers. Budget ~£25 for dinner and drinks in San Telmo if you skip the class.
🚌Airport shuttle EZE to city centre ~£10; walking and SUBE card metro trips ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Montserrat/San Telmo (Milhouse Hostel or similar) — ~£15
- →Empanada-making and Argentine wine tasting class
- →Evening wander around San Telmo
- →Optional Tango Porteño show (~£25–50)
Buenos Aires by bike: Plaza de Mayo, Caminito & La Boca
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Self-book a half-day city bike tour (GetYourGuide, ~£30–35) covering Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, La Boca's Caminito and La Bombonera, and the Puerto Madero waterfront — the same route the group rides. Afternoon: free entry to Recoleta Cemetery (small donation) and a wander through the Sunday San Telmo antiques market if your dates align. Evening: dinner and drinks in Palermo Soho — grab a parrilla steak or choripán for ~£12–18.
🚌Bike tour included in activity; metro/bus ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Montserrat/San Telmo — ~£15
- →Half-day guided bike tour of Buenos Aires
- →Recoleta Cemetery self-guided visit
- →San Telmo Market
- →Palermo nightlife
Fly south to Ushuaia, end of the world
Ushuaia, Argentina
Fly Buenos Aires (AEP) to Ushuaia (USH) with Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART — book early for fares around £90–150 one way (2h flight after the ~1h Aeroparque transfer). The group tour flies the same route. Check into Anum Hostel or a similar central hostel, then take a slow walk down to the harbour and the 'Fin del Mundo' sign. Rent trekking gear here rather than packing it — boots, waterproofs and poles are cheap in town (~£10–15 for a day).
🚌Domestic flight Buenos Aires–Ushuaia ~£120; airport transfer ~£4 (taxi/remis shared)
🛏Hostel dorm, Ushuaia (Anum Hostel or similar) — ~£16
- →Ushuaia harbour walk
- →Trekking gear rental for tomorrow's hike
- →Optional dinner of king crab or centolla
Laguna Esmeralda trek in Tierra del Fuego
Ushuaia, Argentina
The signature day. Do the Laguna Esmeralda hike independently — a well-signposted ~6-hour round trip (easy-moderate) through peat bogs and lenga forest to a turquoise glacial lake. A shared shuttle from the Ushuaia tourist office/your hostel drops you at the trailhead for ~£15–20 return; there's no entry fee. Alternatively join a small guided group trek via GetYourGuide (~£45) if you want the local knowledge the operator's leader provides. Bring layers, water and lunch — weather turns fast. Evening: cafés and bars along San Martín.
🚌Shared shuttle to Laguna Esmeralda trailhead ~£18 return
🛏Hostel dorm, Ushuaia — ~£16
- →Laguna Esmeralda self-guided hike
- →Optional guided trek
- →Ushuaia waterfront and San Martín street cafés
Beagle Channel, penguins or Tierra del Fuego National Park
Ushuaia, Argentina
Pick one big optional day. Best value is a Beagle Channel boat trip — book direct at the harbour kiosks or via GetYourGuide for ~£35–55 (3–4h), with sea lions, the Les Éclaireurs lighthouse and penguin colonies (Nov–Mar). Alternatives: shuttle plus entry to Tierra del Fuego National Park (~£25 total) for Lake Acigami and Lapataia Bay walks, or a taxi up to Martial Glacier for free trails and panoramic views. Save energy for tomorrow's travel day.
🚌Harbour walking distance; or shared shuttle to national park ~£15 + park entry ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm, Ushuaia — ~£16
- →Beagle Channel boat cruise
- →Tierra del Fuego National Park
- →Martial Glacier Reserve viewpoint
Fly north to Puerto Iguazú
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Travel day: fly Ushuaia to Puerto Iguazú (IGR), usually via Buenos Aires — book as a single ticket with Aerolíneas Argentinas/JetSMART (~£120–180 total). Expect a full day of travel. From IGR airport, the local bus or a shared remis gets you to Puerto Iguazú town for ~£3–8. Check into Tucan Hostel or a similar hostel a few blocks from the bus terminal, and eat cheap at a local comedor (~£8).
🚌Domestic flight Ushuaia–Iguazú via Buenos Aires ~£150; airport bus ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Iguazú (Tucan Hostel or similar) — ~£14
- →Travel day
- →Evening stroll to the Hito Tres Fronteras viewpoint (free)
Iguazú Falls – Devil's Throat day
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Take the local Rio Uruguay bus from the terminal to Iguazú National Park (~£2 each way; park entry ~£22 for foreigners). Inside, ride the eco-train to the Devil's Throat walkway — the same included activity as the group tour, just self-guided with signage in English. Walk the Upper and Lower Circuits for more viewpoints. Optional: the Gran Aventura boat into the falls (~£35) for a soaking. Evening back in town: asado night (~£12) or live music bars.
🚌Local bus to park ~£4 return
🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Iguazú — ~£14
- →Iguazú National Park and Devil's Throat
- →Upper and Lower Circuits
- →Optional Gran Aventura boat ride
- →Tres Fronteras sunset
Cross into Brazil and travel to Paraty
Paraty, Brazil
Cross the border to Foz do Iguaçu by local bus (~£2) — bring your passport, it's a straightforward land crossing. Then fly Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to Rio Galeão (GIG) with GOL/LATAM/Azul (~£80–130, ~2h) and take the Costa Verde bus from Rio's Novo Rio terminal to Paraty (~£12, 4h). Long day — alternatively split it with a night in Rio. Check into Che Lagarto Paraty or a similar hostel inside the cobbled historic centre.
🚌Border bus ~£2; flight Foz–Rio ~£100; Rio–Paraty coach ~£12
🛏Hostel dorm, Paraty historic centre (Che Lagarto or similar) — ~£15
- →Land border crossing
- →Paraty historic centre evening walk (cobblestones — bring a torch)
Serra da Bocaina waterfalls and cachaça
Paraty, Brazil
Book a shared 4x4 waterfall day trip through your hostel or GetYourGuide (~£30–40) to Serra da Bocaina — Pedra Branca and Tobogã waterfalls plus the natural slide at Poço do Tarzan. Many tours include a stop at a cachaça distillery for a tasting (or visit one independently, ~£5). Lunch at a traditional riverside restaurant is ~£10. Evening: walk the historic centre with a free walking tour (tip-based) or self-guided.
🚌Shared 4x4 tour vehicle included in activity price
🛏Hostel dorm, Paraty — ~£15
- →Serra da Bocaina waterfall tour
- →Cachaça distillery tasting
- →Paraty historic centre walk
- →Riverside lunch
Boat to Ilha Grande and hike to Lopes Mendes
Ilha Grande, Brazil
Take a local bus or shared shuttle from Paraty to Conceição de Jacareí (~£5, 1.5h), then the public ferry or flexboat to Vila do Abraão on Ilha Grande (~£4–8). Check into Balaio Hostel or similar. In the afternoon, hike the well-marked trail to Lopes Mendes Beach (~2h each way, free) — arguably Brazil's most beautiful beach. Alternatively take a water taxi one way (~£12). Dinner in Abraão's beach bars, ~£10.
🚌Bus Paraty–Conceição de Jacareí ~£5; ferry to Abraão ~£6
🛏Hostel dorm, Vila do Abraão (Balaio Hostel or similar) — ~£16
- →Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach
- →Abraão beach bars
Ilha Grande island-hopping by speedboat
Ilha Grande, Brazil
The classic Ilha Grande day: a shared speedboat or schooner tour around the paradise islands — Cataguases, Botinas and Gipóia — with snorkelling stops and a beachfront lunch. Book the evening before at the Abraão pier kiosks or through your hostel for ~£25–35 (lunch ~£10 extra). Bring cash for the boat and reef-safe sun cream. Or rent a kayak and explore the closer beaches yourself for ~£12.
🚌Speedboat tour boat (included in activity price)
🛏Hostel dorm, Vila do Abraão — ~£16
- →Island-hopping speedboat tour
- →Snorkelling at Botinas and Cataguases
- →Optional kayak rental
Ferry back to Rio – Ipanema afternoon
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Morning ferry from Abraão to Conceição de Jacareí (~£6), then the Costa Verde coach to Rio's Novo Rio terminal (~£12, 2.5–3h), then metro to Ipanema (~£1). Check into Ipanema Beach Hostel or similar, two blocks from the sand. Spend the late afternoon on Ipanema or Copacabana beach, then an optional respectful favela cultural visit with a resident-run guide (book via GetYourGuide, ~£25) or a sunset at Arpoador with the locals.
🚌Ferry ~£6; coach to Rio ~£12; metro ~£1
🛏Hostel dorm, Ipanema (Ipanema Beach Hostel or similar) — ~£20
- →Ipanema and Copacabana beaches
- →Arpoador sunset
- →Optional resident-led favela cultural visit
Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps and Sugarloaf
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Book a Corcovado ticket including the Trem do Corcovado train through Tijuca Forest directly on the official site or GetYourGuide (~£28–35) — go early to beat clouds and crowds. Then metro to Lapa for the Selarón Steps (free) and a wander through Santa Teresa by tram or on foot. Afternoon: cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain via GetYourGuide or the Pão de Açúcar kiosk (~£20), timed for golden hour. Optional beach volleyball with locals at Ipanema (free) and a farewell dinner in Ipanema (~£18).
🚌Metro and local buses ~£3; tram in Santa Teresa ~£3
🛏Hostel dorm, Ipanema — ~£20
- →Christ the Redeemer with Corcovado train
- →Selarón Steps and Lapa
- →Santa Teresa
- →Sugarloaf Mountain cable car
- →Beach volleyball at Ipanema
Depart Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Check out and head to Galeão (GIG) or Santos Dumont (SDU) airport — the Frescão/Surreal airport bus costs ~£2.50, or a taxi/ride-app ~£10–15. If your flight is late, squeeze in a last Copacabana swim or a cheap açaí breakfast before you go. Book onward international flights well in advance as Rio fares spike in high season (Dec–Feb).
🚌Airport bus ~£2.50 or taxi ~£12
🛏None — check out
- →Airport transfer
- →Optional last beach morning
Self-launched vs. The Dragon Trip
| This itinerary (self-launched) | The Dragon Trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,195 | £2,550 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,355 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more The Dragon Trip-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,195
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Argentina & Brazil: Buenos Aires to Rio via Patagonia & Iguazú cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,195 per person for 14 days in Argentina & Brazil. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with The Dragon Trip?+
Yes — The Dragon Trip charges around £2,550 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,195 — a saving of roughly £1,355 (53%) per person.
How long is the Argentina & Brazil trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Argentina & Brazil.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, backpacker, hiking trip through Argentina & Brazil, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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