Iguazu Falls

Our first glimpse seemed big until we traveled further

Our next leg of this adventure takes us to Iguazu, Argentina to visit the Iguazu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.   Previously we visited Victoria Falls in June of 2024, see our post.  It was amazing.  I couldn't imagine how Iguazu Falls could be better.  Victoria is taller and Uguazu is wider.   The real differentiator though is Iguazu provides wide expansive views from the ground. You get to walk literally over the water right before it falls down some of the falls.  Also, especially the Argentinian side is very jungle like.   Victoria you need to be airborne to take in the vastness of the falls.  Both are worth visiting.

Devil's Throat, Brazil side of the falls

After an extremely early start, we have a 2-hour flight to Iguazu. We met our guide after picking up our luggage.    Our first destination would be the Brazil side of the falls.   A short 20 minute drive later we reached the Brazilian Immigration office to show them our Visa and Passport.  Then to the park.   Along the way we saw major highway construction.   This Brazilian tourist destination was like a mini Orlando with amusement parks, animal parks and nice hotels.   Once we reach the National Park entrance, we queue up for buses to take us further into the park.   Plenty of people are in the queue, but you can see they have room for many, many more.  Our guide tells us we are lucky with the crowd size.  

After exiting the bus and a short walk, we get our first glimpse of the falls.  There is a ton of water flowing over what appears to be a mile wide sheet of water. In fact, the falls are more of a semi circle shape with a peninsula in the middle.  The guide points out the boats below that are carrying passengers into the water storm at the base of the falls, we had told him that was something we wanted to do.  

We travel down the path with many stops for photos with lots of people capturing photos of themselves with the incredible back drop.  The mist from the falls has developed a thick forest all around us.    With each step the roar of the falls and shear energy in the air grows stronger as we head towards the base of Devil’s Throat. Carol spots a rainbow at one of the smaller falls.

 

We are close now and can see a pedestrian bridge out to a viewing platform.  The amount of water is incredible.

notice the walkway over the rocks

We are getting wet from the mist

Once we satiated our curiosity, we make the climb out of the valley and take one last glimpse. Our guide took us to Brazil side first so that we could see the larger Argentinian when we have a full day to explore. It’s time to go check in at our hotel.  The Mercure hotel was very nice, set in a jungle area.  We were upgraded to a junior suite with a nice view of the Forrest and its wildlife.  

Click here for email readers or on video above to see the falls in motion

Devil's Throat, Argentinian side of the falls

The next morning, we start early to spend the day at the Argentinian side of the falls.  The majority of the park is on the Argentinian side.  Once entering the park, you line up for a narrow-gauge train to take you further into the park and its extensive trail system.   Our first destination is to view Devil’s throat from above and close up.  This requires traversing long walking bridges as our destination is near the far side of the river.   Along the way you can see where high water has washed out prior pedestrian bridges.   Our guide shares that floods can raise 3 meters above the bridges.   

Note bridge wreckage 

Along our walk we begin to see butterfly's enjoying the sunlight shining on the path, birds in the trees and several Coati with their striped tail.  The lizard below was about 3 feet long and at our hotel.  The most fascinating site was a spider who had spun a web of golden silk.  Near the falls were many birds including egrets, swifts and cormorants.   The cormorants were flying in large flocks, which was very unusual for us to see.  Our guide explained the cormorants were flying in flocks due to the high-water level. 

As we approach, we first see mist rising on the horizon.  Then the river appears to disappear into a hole in the center of the waterway.  This effect is created by the U shape of the falls here.  Once we reach the viewing platform at the end, we are greeted with a vast expanse of roaring water, even more grand than what we saw the day before.

Our approach 

The earth swallows the river here

Upper Circuit, Argentinian side of the falls

We retrace our steps and back on the train before starting our walk on the upper circuit.  Our guide planned well as many more people were heading to where we just left.   As we start our trek, Carol sees what she believes is a square hole in the rocks.

Square arch

The upper circuit takes you along a lengthy multitude of falls.  If we weren't impressed on the sheer size of the falls, we are now.  This one portion stretches a long way.  Due to the volume of water, multiple falls each with a name look like one long stretch of water.

Click here for email reader or on video above to see the falls in motion

Into the falls

We had previously watched from above as these boats traveled up stream and hover for a while just outside the mist of the falls.  Then one after another they dart into the cloud and disappear emerging minutes later.  I speculated that Carol may think I was trying to kill her.  Memories of a few past activities she considered more dangerous than I, crept into my mind.  No, she was ready to go when it was our turn. (Well holding o so tightly to the railing)

Our travel friends with Carol

Click here or on Video above to witness our boat ride into the falls

The big picture

Below is a photo that shows the two main areas with the peninsula that separates the falls.   Our visit had much more water flowing that what is depicted below.  

Courtesy Geographic Media