program dated: May 18, 2014

STEPHEN S WISE TEMPLE

TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA
LED BY RABBI RON STERN
September 30 October 8, 2015

D a y O n e : We d n e s d a y , S e p t e mb e r 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
DEPARTURE

Depart the U.S.A.

Overnight: Flight

D a y T wo : T h u r s d a y , Oc t o b e r 1 , 2 0 1 5
ARRIVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Arrive at Rio de Janeiro International Airport.
Welcome by our representative and assistance with arrival formalities.
Panoramic tour of the city to get a glimpse of what Rio de Janeiro is about - from the trendy
Ipanema neighborhood to the traditional Copacabana and the historical buildings dating from
the colonial times.
Board a cog-train for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain where the
towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view
unfolding below, descend by train.
Lunch on your own, en route.
Tour the downtown area, passing by the financial and business center and by other attractions
such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre,
National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rios famous Carnival
parade.
Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Late afternoon drive along Rios world-famous beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable
car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain for a breathtaking sunset view of
Corcovado, Guanabara Bay, Niteroi, the downtown area and the beaches.
Opening dinner at a restaurant.

Overnight: Rio de Janeiro



D a y T h r e e : F r i d a y , Oc t o b e r 2 , 2 0 1 5
FREE DAY IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Breakfast at the hotel.
Day at leisure to explore the city.
Kabbalat Shabbat services with a local Progressive congregation.
Shabbat dinner with members of the local Jewish community.

Overnight: Rio de Janeiro

D a y F o u r : S a t u r d a y , Oc t o b e r 3 , 2 0 1 5
RIO DE JANEIRO - IGUAZU

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Transfer to the airport and check-in for the flight to Foz de Iguacu.
Arrive in Iguazu, home to one of the worlds widest waterfalls.
Visit the Brazilian Falls, walk along the pathways and catwalks that lead you to the most
ferocious part of falls, aptly named the Devils Throat.
Lunch on your own, en route.
Visit the renowned Bird Park containing more than 500 different species of birds, both local
and from different continents.
Cross the border to Argentina and check into your hotel.
Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

Overnight: Iguazu

D a y F i v e : S u n d a y , Oc t o b e r 4 , 2 0 1 5 E r e v S i mc h a t T o r a h
IGUAZU THE BIG WATER

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Depart for the visitors center and the Iguazu National Park entrance. Board a gas-propelled
train at the Main Station to the upper falls circuit and the Argentinian side of the Devils Throat
(Garganta del Diablo).
Walk along the Iguaz River Canyon, via the lower circuit and the upper circuit to gain a better
appreciation of the flora and fauna of the sub-tropical jungle, and the many falls surrounding.
Lunch on your own, en route.
Transfer to the airport and check-in for the flight to Buenos Aires.
Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel.
Check into the hotel.
Celebrate Simchat Torah with a local congregation.
Dinner at a restaurant.

Overnight: Buenos Aires




D a y S i x : Mo n d a y , Oc t o b e r 5 , 2 0 1 5 S i mc h a t T o r a h
INTRODUCTION TO BUENOS AIRES

Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart on a guided tour of the center of Buenos Aires, including:
Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, which is surrounded by the Casa
Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall,
built during Spanish rule).
The Congress Building, located at the other end of Avenida de Mayo.
The Puerto Madero area, one of the largest projects ever undertaken in Buenos Aires. The
former docks of the port have been very attractively recycled converted into luminous
offices, lofts and commercial sites. The visit will include a 20-minute navigation of Puerto
Madero aboard a premium boat in order to get another view of the city.
Lunch on your own, en route.
Visit the Recoleta area, one of the citys most glamorous spots and home to elegant boutiques,
excellent restaurants and the cemetery where Eva Pern (Evita) is buried.
Enjoy a special visit to MALBA, the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires, which houses
the works of many well-known Latin American artists.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.

Overnight: Buenos Aires

D a y S e v e n : T u e s d a y , Oc t o b e r 6 , 2 0 1 5
EXPLORING BUENOS AIRES

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit San Telmo, the best kept historical neighborhood and oldest district of Buenos Aires.
Stroll around Plaza Dorrego.
Visit La Boca, a most colorful area with its famous Caminito Street.
Lunch on your own, en route.
Visit Palermo with its beautiful parks, the City Zoo, Botanical Garden, Argentine Horse Track
and National Polo Fields.
Visit the Colon Theatre, the famous opera house where the worlds most prominent artists and
musicians perform.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner on your own and evening at leisure, with the opportunity to see a Tango show on your
own.

Overnight: Buenos Aires



D a y E i g h t : We d n e s d a y , Oc t o b e r 7 , 2 0 1 5
JEWISH LIFE IN BUENOS AIRES

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Visit the Once District, a neighborhood that concentrates the majority of Jewish institutions
in Buenos Aires, including the Hebraica JCC, numerous synagogues, Jewish theatres, Jewish
schools, as well as rabbinical seminaries.
Visit the site of the terrorist bombing at the AMIA in 1994. See the new building and the
memorial dedicated to the 89 victims and meet with local Jewish leaders.
Guided visit to the Jewish Museum at Libertad Synagogue, the Grand Synagogue of Buenos
Aires.
Lunch.
Daat Encounter Visit to Club Hebraica for an opportunity to learn more about Argentinian
Jewry past, present, and future, including meeting with members of the community.
Early farewell dinner at a restaurant.
Transfer to Buenos Aires International Airport.
Departure flight to the U.S.A., arriving the next day.

Overnight: Flight

D a y N i n e : T h u r s d a y , Oc t o b e r 8 , 2 0 1 5
RETURN TO THE USA

Arrival in the U.S.A.