Distance 465 kilometres, approximately 6½ hours journey. Founded in 1773, Concepcion appears as a quiet and rural city. One may still see many horse-drawn carts in the city and with the passing of the years the city has developed a sort of an open-air historical museum on Pinedo Avenue, the main street. On exhibition there is an old steam-engine (100 years old), a large timber cart and ancient cars amongst other curiosities. We shall visit the Virgin’s statue, the Museum and the Cathedral’s belfry from which one can have an exceptional panoramic view. Finally the port, which foments the city’s commerce. The night will be spent at a typical farm, it being optional to stay at a Concepcion Hotel.

After breakfast embark in the port in order to take a boat trip on the Paraguay River. We shall spend the entire day fishing piranhas, and though they may be feared, are not as aggressive as they have been made out to be. In the evening we shall barbeque our catch, in much the same manner as the dwellers of the region.

The Amambat region is without a doubt one of the most beautiful in Paraguay, with its impressive red-coloured rock formations and its tree-covered hills so characteristic of the area. One of the most interesting formations is that of the Memby Hill. Once the highest point between the two rock formations has been reached you’ll be surprised at the spectacular view. Following a short break and refreshments a return journey is made in order to continue to Bella Vista del Norte situated on the Brazilian border. After travelling 75 kilometres on a sand road one arrives at the town of Bella Vista where, after dinner, the day’s activities come to an end

It is over 2½ million years old, probable of volcano origin and is situated in the middle of the jungle. The trip there is already an adventure by itself: 55 kilometres of earth road through the jungle. But once having arrived, you’ll be captivated when admiring the calm lake with its shining green coloured water. No one knows the depth of the lake nor if it has underground tributaries. The Ojo del Mar represents an enigma to the scientific world. According to the tales passed on by the aborigines that live near the place, there exists a monster in the lake, something that would attract the ships of their ancestors to the bottom of the lake, and that this mysterious thing is still there. Can it be true?  Try finding out! Take a plunge into the lake! Who knows? The truth of the matter is that the place has a magic attraction. Following a refreshing swim in the Ojo del Mar and a small pick-nick by the shore we return to Bella Vista del Norte. From there we continue our journey to Pedro Juan Caballero on the Northeast border with Brazil. Dinner in Ponta Porá situated on the Brazilian side.

On the last day of our journey we shall visit the Cerro Cora National Park where in 1870 the historical Triple Alliance War ended. By a path we shall climb the Muralla Hill in order to enjoy the panoramic view. The caves to be found in the Amambay region are both historically and culturally important for in them one can still find prehistoric paintings and inscriptions, which to this day have not been deciphered. It is speculated that they do not originate from the aborigines of the area, the Guarani, but from Vikings that were left stranded in South America a long time ago. It being true, it would be a world historical novelty, as it would mean that it was not Christopher Columbus who discovered America. After visiting the caves, the return journey to Asuncion will be made with arrival that night. 

NOTE: The lodging in Bella Vista del Norte is very simple, for this frontier town unfortunately does not have a Hotel alternative. As an option, the journey from Asuncion to Concepcion  (first day) can be undertaken by boat on the Paraguay River, please consult for further details.
Private four-wheel drive car, included are the pick-nicks and lodgings with breakfast.