Paraguay's wealth


Trip description

Three or four weeks allow you to discover Paraguay, its more or less lively cities and isolated villages. The first week can be devoted to the Asunción region, with three days in the capital and excursions to the small craft towns in the surrounding area. Visit the cultural centre of Manzana de la Rivera (and have a drink, in front of the Palacio de Gobierno), the Andrés Barbero ethnographic museum, or the Museo de las Memorias, which is morally more difficult to access, showing the cruelty of the repression during the dictatorship. Less than an hour from the capital, the Guildo Boggiani Ethnographic Museum in San Lorenzo and the Ramón Elías Museum in Capiatá (dedicated to Guaraní mythology) are also interesting. The South American Football Museum in Luque will appeal to fans who are sure to attend a match one evening in a stadium in Asunción. The second week can be devoted to the south of the country, where the famous missions of Trinidad and Jesus are located, to be completed by visits to interesting sacred art museums in San Ignacio and Santa María de Fé, two very pleasant small towns, as well as the former mission of San Cosme y Damián, which has a modern astronomical observatory, to immerse you in the magnificent Guaraní sky. In the region, you can also go surubí fishing in Ayolas on the banks of the Paraná River. A little away from the traditional circuits, go to Pilar and the small villages steeped in the history of Ñembucú. The third and possibly fourth week will be dedicated to adventure in the Chaco and/or Pantanal: visiting Mennonite settlements in the Chaco and nearby lagoons, observing the exceptional fauna and flora of these wild regions.

Day 1: Discovery of the city of Asunción

Day 2: The capital in depth

Day 3: Shopping day

Day 4: Around Lake Ypacaraí

Day 5: Local culture and thrills

Day 6: Day relaxing

Day 7: Stroll in the surroundings

Day 8: At the foot of the Villarica volcano

Day 9: Nature excursion

Day 10: Museum day to discover the local culture

Day 11: Morning in Santa María and overnight stay with a local resident

Day 12: Along the Río Paraná

Day 13: Visit by Encarnación

Day 14: Visits to former Jesuit missions

Day 15: Discovery of the world's largest hydroelectric power plant

Day 16: A walk in the heart of nature

Day 17: Impressive Waterfalls

Day 18: Heading for the Mbaracayú Reserva

Day 19: Observation of wildlife and flora

Day 20: Road to Concepción

Day 21: Excursion to sumptuous landscapes

Day 22: Escapades in deep Paraguay

Day 23: End of stay

Day 1 : Discovery of the city of Asunción



Visit of the monuments of the historical centre and the banks of the Río Paraguay. Fast boat crossing to Chaco'i to admire the capital on the other side of the river.




Day 2 : The capital in depth

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Visit of the Museo del Barro. Botanical garden in the afternoon. Sunset on the beach of La Costanera.




Day 3 : Shopping day

©Nicolas LHULLIER


In the morning, go and get lost in the Mercado 4 near the centre, where you can have lunch. In the afternoon, if you want to continue shopping, in a very different atmosphere, the shopping centres of Villa Mora or shopping del Sol await you. Drink a drink in the evening at Paseo Carmelitas or in a pub in the historic centre.




Day 4 : Around Lake Ypacaraí

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Visit Luque, then Areguá or San Bernardino, a pedal boat on Lake Ypacaraí at sunset.




Day 5 : Local culture and thrills

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Visit one or more villages in the region known for their crafts: Itá, Itauguá, Tobatí... In the latter village, schedule a bike ride to Chorro Karumbé, a climb in the rocks, or a parachute jump.




Day 6 : Day relaxing



Stay in a estancia of the region. Rest!




Day 7 : Stroll in the surroundings



Take advantage of this stopover to take a horseback ride and enjoy a typical asado




Day 8 : At the foot of the Villarica volcano

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Visit Villarica and explore the Ybyturuzú mountain range with a guide.




Day 9 : Nature excursion

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Visit Salto Cristal or the Ybycuí reserve. Night at La Colmena or Ybycui.




Day 10 : Museum day to discover the local culture

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Return to Ruta 1 to visit the museums of San Juan Bautista, including one dedicated to the guitarist Agustín Barrios Mangoré, or the sacred art of San Igancio. A peaceful night in Santa María de Fé, if the howler monkeys of the central park are wise.




Day 11 : Morning in Santa María and overnight stay with a local resident

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Discover the Jesuit Art Museum and the brand new museum dedicated to the French botanist Aimé Bonpland. Road to San Cosme y Damián. Night at the inhabitant's house, in one of the posadas turísticas.




Day 12 : Along the Río Paraná

©Guillaume Violette


Departure early in the morning to reach the sand dunes in the middle of the Río Paraná. In the late afternoon, visit the mission and the astronomical centre (at night).




Day 13 : Visit by Encarnación



Drink on the beach while admiring the lights of Posadas on the other side of the river.




Day 14 : Visits to former Jesuit missions

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Discover the world of mate grass in one of the yerbateras of Bella Vista, then go to the ruins of the Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesus, close to each other. Travel to Ciudad del Este.




Day 15 : Discovery of the world's largest hydroelectric power plant

©Diego Grandi - Shutterstock.com


Visit of the barrage d'Itaipú




Day 16 : A walk in the heart of nature



Discovery of the natural reserves around Itaipú.




Day 17 : Impressive Waterfalls



Excursions at the Iguazú Falls (Brazilian and Argentine sides). Night in Puerto Iguazú in Argentina.




Day 18 : Heading for the Mbaracayú Reserva



Long day of travel to reach the Mbaracayú Reserva




Day 19 : Observation of wildlife and flora



Walk by canoe or foot in the reserve to observe wildlife and discover the rich ecosystem of the Atlantic forest of the upper Paraná.




Day 20 : Road to Concepción



Visit this charming city on the banks of the Paraguay River. Overnight in town or at El Roble farm in Belén, a village where the Tropic of Capricorn passes through.




Day 21 : Excursion to sumptuous landscapes



Day at the farm, or day in his hammock aboard the Aquidaban, to reach Bahia Negra, in the Pantanal; or head for the equally wild Chaco, by bus or 4x4.




Day 22 : Escapades in deep Paraguay



Bahia Negra, biological station of Tres Gigantes, ecotourism in the Pantanal. Or discover the landscapes and populations of the Chaco. In both cases, the use of a guide is essential and at least 3 days on site are necessary to enjoy it.




Day 23 : End of stay

©Nicolas LHULLIER


Allow some margin if you have a flight to catch to Asunción from the Pantanal or Chaco. Last artisanal shopping and night outings of despedida with your new Paraguayan friends.




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