Iguassu Falls

Day 1 Iguassu Falls

Arrive at either the Brazilian or Argentine airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the night in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. (Note: If preferred, accommodation can be booked in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina instead for an additional cost. Please request at the time of booking). The next few days will be spent exploring this tri-border region where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet at the junction of the Parana and Iguazu rivers, however, the focus is the magnificent Cataratas do Iguaçu, or Iguassu falls.

Day 2-3 Iguassu Falls (2B)

Today take a half-day excursion to National Park Iguazú on the Brazilian side. On Day 3, we tour the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls, wandering the extensive walkways through the jungle. Optional tours available include the bird park, jet boat and helicopter ride over the falls.’

*Please note: this boat ride is on the Argentine side of the falls, therefore US, Canadian and Australian citizens will need to pay the reciprocity tax for Argentina to do this activity. If you choose to stay on the Argentinian side there will be an additional fee at the time of booking.

In order to see the falls properly you need to view them from both the Brazilian and the Argentine sides: the Brazilian side offers the grand overview and the Argentine side a closer look. Today we begin our visit of the National Park Iguazú on the Argentinean side. Here we are able to get close enough to almost reach out and touch the waters from the many jungle walkways. If that isn’t close enough there is also the option of a Zodiac cruise into the heart of the falls. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Foz do Iguaçu.

The torrential Iguassu River crosses the State of Paraná in Southern Brazil from East to West. A few kilometres before its junction with the Paraná River it forms one of the most splendorous natural beauties of the world: Iguassu Falls. Over 2.7km long and an average flow of 1.750 m3/s, this wonder is located in a very special place: the contrast between the green of the vegetation and the dark colour of the basalt rocks with whirring waters plunging from a 72m high cliff is magical. At Iguassu there are 275 falls in all, some over 80m (267 ft) in height, making these cataracts wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara! It should come as no surprise that UNESCO declared the region a World Heritage Site in 1986.

Originally “discovered” in 1541 by the Spaniard Juan Alvar Nuñez, he named the falls Saltos de Santa María. The name we use today means “great waters” in the Tupi-Guarani tongue. The falls are protected by two National Parks—one in Brazil and another in Argentina. Tours utilise trails and catwalks adapted to the landscape of the area, and walking is easy for all ages; guided tours of the complex are available several times a day. The best time of the year to visit is from August to November, as during the rainy season from May to July flooding will likely prevent closer viewing from the catwalks.

Film buffs will remember that Iguassu was the site of several scenes from the film “The Mission.” A few hours south of the Falls, the ruins of the Jesuit missions of the era can still be visited on a day trip. An exhilarating optional boat tour at the top of the bottom of the falls or a short ride on a safari vehicle are optional activities worth considering.

Day 4 Iguassu Falls (1B)

Today is a departure day, and no activities are planned. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.