Excursions
Excursions are a fundamental part of the Arcos Journeys Abroad experience and are included as part of your program. We seek different locations in the program region or country that are of natural beauty or cultural or historical significance. These are day trips or overnight outings, which typically occur on weekends. Excursions support us in accomplishing our goal of connecting students to the experience and creating moments of learning and understanding while abroad. This can only occur by going out into the field and encountering these new places firsthand. The most memorable moments in our lives are from impactful experiences that are unique to our daily existence. Below is a list of our available excursions.
El Tigre River Boat Ride & Old Market
Visit the fascinating river town of El Tigre, located on the banks of the Río de la Plata. Here, the Paraná and Uruguay rivers flow into Río de la Plata, making it the third largest estuary in the world. The region is known as the Delta and El Tigre is the main town. In the Delta, life is the river. People live on the hundreds of islands in the waters around El Tigre and to get anywhere, you must go by boat. We will visit the colonial town of El Tigre, with its famous weekend Fruit Market, and the 200 year-old riverbank mansions of San Isidro. We will also take a boat trip along the mystical river passing countless islands covered with beautiful vegetation and rich in wildlife. Along the way you will see homes built on stilts, typical of the area. This is a unique experience and a voyage into a world unaffected by the bustle of modernity.
Colonia, Uruguay (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Cross the immense Río de la Plata, the widest river in the world, into the Uruguayan town of Colonia. Founded in 1680, Colonia was the only Portuguese settlement ever established along the river. Here it served as a contraband port against the Spanish. Due to its Portuguese past, the town has a very different feel than that of any Spanish colonial city. Today, Colonia’s narrow cobblestone streets and colonial homes are reminiscent of historic Lisbon, Portugal and this unique flavor has earned the town the distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are non-US citizens and come with a special visa, unfortunately you may not be able to participate in the Uruguay excursion due to visa regulations.
Argentine Cowboy Ranch (Gaucho)
Escape for the day from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires for a weekend excursion to the quiet and expanse of the Argentine Pampas. The rural pampas plains are defined by peaceful villages and wide-open terrain. This is an ideal excursion to the lands of the mythical Gaucho, or Argentine cowboy, a symbol of the Pampas and Argentina itself. We will visit an area steeped in the rich cultural history of ranching and the gauchos. You will spend the day exploring a traditional ranch (or estancia) and going on a carriage ride on the property. For lunch, you will enjoy a typical Argentine asado, or barbeque, complete with a show including local musicians and dancers. After lunch, enjoy a performance by the gauchos displaying their skill on horseback through races and traditional gaucho games.
