The main attraction of this area
are, undoubtedly, the Iguazú Falls. They
are located in the northwest extreme of the province of Misiones,
1,400 km (875miles) from Buenos Aires. The Iguazú river offers
the unique spectacle of its 275 falls that seem to emerge from the
virgin jungle of the Iguazú National Park, which protects
over 2,000 flora species and 400 bird and wild animal species. Iguazú
means "Great Waters" in the language of the Guaraníes,
aborigines that inhabited the region prior to white men arrival.
Two thirds of the falls are within the Argentine
limits. However, it is necessary to explore both sides since there
is a very good panoramic view from Brazil. To feel the falls close
enough and enjoy the beauty of its vegetation, birds and butterflies,
it is essential to walk along the walkways and paths on the Argentine
side.
At the Visitors' Center, located in Area Cataratas (Falls
Area) of the Argentine National Park, an open train is boarded for
a 15-minute trip up to Estación Cataratas
(Falls Station) (wherefrom the Superior and Inferior Walkways are
reached) and Estación Garganta (Devil's
Throat Station) (wherefrom a 1,200-meter walkway leads to the observation
balcony of the Devil's Throat, the most imposing of them all). Another
alternative to reach the Inferior and Superior Walkways is a walk
along the so-called green path (about 15-minute
long).
The Inferior Walkway permits a
closest contact with the waterfalls and the natural pools, allowing
the visitor to enjoy the impressive scenery of beautiful rainbows
contrasting with the bright green of the exuberant vegetation. On
the banks of the inferior course of the Iguazú River is placed
an improvised pier. Here you may board the small motorboats crossing
the river up to the San Martín Islands or the zodiac motorboats
to get close to the Arrechea, San Martín, Tres Mosqueteros,
Bozetti and Devil's Throat falls.
The Superior Walkway stretches
along the upper part of the falls, over the Iguazú River
superior course, where the cascades start. It is possible to observe
from this walkway the Dos Hermanas, Chico, Ramírez, Bozetti,
Adán y Eva and San Martín falls.
From the observation balcony of the Devil's
Throat you get a magnificent view of this impressive fall,
indeed the most plentiful and imposing of the whole arc of the falls.
The fall is 150 m. (500 feet) wide, 700 m. (2,330 feet) long.
On the Argentine side, the Yacaratia Path
travels 7 km through the heart of the jungle reaching Macuco Pier,
embarking or disembarking pier for the Great Adventure.
Another path specially designed for photographic safaris and bird
watching is the Macuco Path on the Brazilian side.
Both paths, leading to the inferior course of the Iguazú
River, are part of an excursion which may turn into an unforgettable
experience. With different names at each side of the border, they
are the passport to a thrilling adventure that starts at the very
moment of putting on the life jackets and peaks when reaching the
very point where the falls meet the waters of the inferior course
of the river. This excursion is known as "Great Adventure"
on the Argentine side and "Safari Macuco" on the Brazilian
side.
Near Puerto Peninsula stands a Natural Reserve
Area ideal for adventure or eco-tourism activities. Visitors can
fully enjoy the subtropical rainforest, with the possibility of
exploring the flora and fauna of the region. Activities such as
rappel, Tyrolese, trekking and canopy can be practiced in the reserve.
This tour, called Iguazú Forest, is another
option to explore the beauty that nature offers in the area.
A few kilometers from the falls, in Brazilian territory,
stands the Itaipú Dam, considered a masterpiece
of engineering. The dam is 8 km (5 miles) long and has a spillway
that can pour 60,000 m3 of water per second, a channel and an artificial
lake with a surface of 1,350 km2. It is an enormous power plant,
which can produce up to 12,6 thousand megawatts, considered one
of the seven wonders of modern world, according to the 'Civil Engineering
American Association'. Technical and tourist visits are available.
Only 60 km (37 miles) from the Iguazú Falls,
situated over the Superior Course of the Iguazú River, the
Yacutinga Lodge and its Wild Life Refuge
are settled in the core of the subtropical jungle, where the sounds
and images of the forest seem to fit perfectly with the natural-looking
constructions built with local materials such as stone and wood
from fallen trees. It is an important eco-touristic project never
attempted before in Argentina, whose philosophy is to preserve nature
and to teach visitors, through an array of different activities,
to love and respect it.
On the Uruguay River, 200 km (125 miles) from Iguazú,
the Moconá Falls appear in the middle of
the jungle. Located in the border between the Argentine province
of Misiones and Brazil, the Uruguay River forms a beautiful and
imposing fall when it splits its waters in two arms and flows over
its own course in a cascade parallel to the coast. Tourist facilities
are scarce and the area can only be reached by small expedition
groups.
A few kilometers south from Puerto Iguazú,
you can visit the precious and semi-precious stone Mines of Wanda
(agate, quartz, amethyst, among others, can be found there). A few
kilometers further south, you reach the small city of El
Dorado with its citrus, pine tree, yerba mate and tea plantations.
Going on southward, along National Route 12, the city of Montecarlo
stands surrounded by thick forestations in an area of hilly
slopes, 130 km (82 miles) from the Iguazú Falls and 185 km
from Posadas. This village, located on the banks of the Paraná
River, houses the small Zoo Bal Park with a wide variety of autochthonous
fauna species. Montecarlo stands out for its citrus production,
reforestation activities, and cellulose production. In October,
the National Festival of the Orchid and the Provincial
Festival of the Flower are held in the city. From here,
the road goes through the small cities of Puerto Rico
and Jardín América, wherein it is
interesting to see the small 10-meter (33 feet) high cascade called
Salto Tabay in the middle of the thick surrounding
forest of autochthonous species. After a drive of 240 km (150 miles)
from Iguazú you reach San Ignacio, Santa Ana and Loreto Jesuit
Ruins just a few kilometers before the city of Posadas.
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