Argentina is an endless land of surprises and discovery. The country is widely known as the capital of tango and steak, but this is just the tip of the iceberg for such a vast and diverse territory, a dream for any adventurer. From the salt desert in Jujuy to the glaciers of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina has the most varied and magical landscapes that can be found in South America. Undeniably, one of the country’s many highlights include the Iguazú Falls, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The impressive Iguazú Falls are located within the Iguazú National Park, a nature preservation area which extends to 167,340 acres at the northern end of the Province of Misiones. The well-known Falls form a system of 275 waterfalls and cataracts in the middle of the Paranaense Forest, located about 10.5 miles from the river mouth of the Iguazú River into the waters of the Paraná River on the border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
This natural phenomenon, around 1.7 miles in length and varying between 200 and 269 feet in height, has an average water flow of 1,800 cubic meters per second. In the middle, the star of the Falls can be found: La Garganta del Diablo (or The Devil’s Throat), a long U-shaped abyss that creates a stunning visual impact. It is the most well-known and towering sector, rising over 260 feet tall, almost 500 feet wide and 2,297 feet long.
Besides its natural wonders and phenomena, the Iguazú National Park allows visitors to get in touch with a flora and fauna that is as diverse as it is unique. It’s the natural refuge that houses endangered species such as the jaguar, the tapir, the ocelot, tyrians, the anteaters, turkeys such as the yacutinga, wild eagles and the yacare overo, among others. All of these animals coexist in an arboreal flora that has more than 90 species, where the forest of palmetto and palo rosa outstands, a tree that rises 131 feet tall with a diameter of about 78 inches.
If such an offer of adventure can seem overwhelming, the Park counts with diverse circuits and facilities so that all its visitors can live it up close and in their own way. The Ecological Train of the Forest allows visitors to get up close and personal with nature and is a very relaxing way to enjoy the stunning waterfalls. The train connects the Central Station, providing a wide variety of services. Visitors are able to access the Upper and Lower trails via the Cataratas Station, ending the tour at the “Garganta del Diablo” Station.
The Lower Trail offers intimate contact with nature through a tour that awakens sensations and offers endless views. It shows the water falls up close in their splendor and invites to push out into the jungle with the unique possibility of standing right below the Falls. The Upper Trail is where allows visitors to walk on top of most of the falls and take in panoramic views of the Falls from the High Iguazú River. From there, you can appreciate the water falls Bosetti, Adan y Eva, Bernabé Mendez, Mbiguá, Dos Hermanas and a panoramic view of majestic San Martín Island.
Iguazú is also a synonym for adrenaline and emotion. To fully experience these sensations, there is nothing better than the Great Adventure. This is an excursion that combines the jungle with the water of the Falls. Those who are interested inparticipating must take a truck that departs from the Visitors Center to the base of the Macuco Port. Once there, the passengers take a boat that invites them to ride 3.7 miles through the canyon of the Lower Iguazú River to, finally, dive below the falls.
Argentina is without a doubt one of the main cultural capital cities in Latin America, but its astonishing geography, flora and fauna, position the country as one of the most attractive natural destinations for adventure and discovery. The Iguazú National Park is one of the greatest exponents, where a wild and natural spirit combines with endless unique activities to meet the expectations of tourists and adventurers alike.
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