Iguazu / Iguaçu Falls
The Iguazu / Iguaçu National Parks in Argentina and Brazil: Amazing places that protect and display the Simply Spectacular Iguazu Falls! Iguazu Falls consists of a two layer cascade that is almost 2.5 km / 1.5 mi long, about 80 meters / 270 feet of total vertical drop (Niagara is about 170 feet) and has roughly 275 individual waterfalls in the waterfall system.
Combined, Argentina and Brazil received a shared international UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. From the original award, UNESCO noted: "Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The surrounding subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans."
We spent a day in Argentina's National Park, hiking all three trails (about 10 km / 6 miles) and getting up close and personal with many of the individual waterfalls. We also spent a day in the Brazilian National Park, riding an inflatable boat on the Iguazu River to the falls and hiking the Path of the Falls Trail for stunning panoramic views of the falls. We were amazed at the complexity and beauty of this very special place
THE ARGENTINIAN SIDE: The Parque National Iguazu
Train transportation in the park. No private vehicles allowed!
The Inferior (Lower) Trail offers views from the middle of the two levels of waterfalls
Along the Inferior (Lower) Trail, Argentina
Adam and Eve Falls, Argentinian side
The 2+ km Devil's Throat Trail crosses the Iguazu River on a metal walkway to reach the thunderous Devil's Throat, a massive feature near the Brazilian side. On the way to the Devil's Throat, we had a surprise meetup with Mel, a hiking buddy from the Patagonia part of my trip!
This is the Devil's Throat, reachable from the Argentinian side
The Devil's Throat in motion. We got a good soaking here! Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/gq1R4xNzAcNUzvEP9
The Superior (Upper) Trail winds along the top of the upper level of the falls, and provides fabulous top-down views of the cascades
Iguazu Falls in motion; Superior Trail; The Three Sisters
Iguazu Falls, Superior Trail, Argentina
Signpost to a few more spectacular National Parks. Been to any of them?
THE BRAZILIAN SIDE: The Parque National Iguaçu
An amazing second day visiting Iguaçu Falls, this time from the Brazilian side. After getting to the Parque Nacional Iguaçu, we boarded a double decker bus to a company that provided an informative ride and short hike through the jungle followed by a fabulous boat trip to the base of the falls. The tour guide guaranteed that we'd get very wet, and he was not wrong! We got soaked and had a blast! A bonus was meeting a young Australian named Thomas, who was nearing the end of a ten week trip through South America. Above: Double Decker Transport in the Park
The Rigid Inflatable Boat we rode for a close up view of the falls on the Brazilian side
On the boat tour, looking toward the Devil's Throat
Iguaçu Falls in motion, from the river
Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/WT1rEjq2LEZBjTLN9
The Iguaçu Baptism by Boat. A total soaker!
Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mxz29SEyUUeYrhxZ7
With our new friend Tom, a real adventurer!
Panoramic views along the Path of the Falls Trail... (Brazilian side)
Along the 3 km / 2 mi Path of the Falls Trail
...toward the Santa Maria Falls Viewing Platform
The Viewing Platform, at the edge of the Santa Maria Falls and at the end of the Path of the Falls Trail
From the viewing platform at the end of the trail
Santa Maria Falls, above the Path of the Falls Trail
A few of the waterfalls from the viewing platform at Iguacu, Brazil
A Wildlife Sampler, along the way
A Plush-crested Jay in the Argentinan park
A mother and baby capuchin monkey in the Brazilian Park
A big lizard, about 2 feet long, Argentinian side
A Iguazú Catfish; Argentinan side
A South American Coati; Argentinan side
These were fabulous National Parks, protecting and displaying the most spectacular waterfalls I have ever seen. The Argentinian side has a more extensive set of trails and they permit closeup views of individual waterfalls as well as broader views of waterfall groups and at multiple levels (between and above the upper and lower layers). The Brazilian side provides better panoramic views, especially of the Argentinan side, and with a shorter walking trail, offers more time to soak up the views and participate in optional activities like our boat ride and jungle tour.
Links to more pics and info here:
Iguazú National Park, Argentina: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zpfgeSfVsrMVttMd8
Iguaçu National Park, Brazil:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EfxUY7nnGvi7pDXSA
Iguazu / Iguacu Park Videos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/roaxETDvHpVGxYnw7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguaz%C3%BA_National_Park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igua%C3%A7u_National_Park
https://iguazufalls.com/national-park/
Comments
Post a Comment