Iguazu Falls

 

Iguazu Falls

It was an early start to go to Iguazu Falls, a UNESCO site and one the 7 wonders of the world. However I didn’t have the best start as the transport organised by the private tour company (Signature Tours) never turned up and there was no response from any of the tour company’s contact numbers. So after waiting half an hour, the hotel receptionist got me a taxi. Luckily I had my flight details and checked in easily.

It was a 90 minute flight to Iguazu, I was lucky to have a window seat and watched the countryside change from dry fields to a much greener landscape.

I was relieved to see Javier, the guide, waiting for me at the airport, with a taxi ready to take me to the National Park. His English was quite good in explaining what we were going to see and do. It was warm, at least 35 degrees with 85-90% humidity! We began our walk around the park up to the falls. 75% of the falls is on the Argentine side with the rest in Brazil, with the Iguazu river forming a natural border. 

There are several different trails that you can use to go through the park, each taking a different time and some more suitable for people using pushchairs / wheelchairs. There is also a train you can use, but I opted to walk instead. 

Iguazu Falls Map 

The path was often on metal walkways which were raised above the ground to let the animals, snakes and insects walk around undisturbed below. We gradually made our way along the side of the falls eventually reaching the top. We stopped often for photo opportunities and to take a breather. Javier told me he was a runner and often ran marathons in this heat, I was impressed - just walking uphill was a challenge. The noise was unbelievable as this mass of water roared past. 

The jungle was full of noise with the clicking and buzzing of the cicadas and then the sound of the water. We saw monkeys, large lizard, birds and hundreds of butterflies. There were butterflies with a 88 or 89 patterns on their wings. 

Near the path we passed many smaller waterfalls. After walking all the way up to the top of the falls and back down again, Javier persuaded me to do the boat trip which takes you right up to the falls. It was another $14,000 Argentine pesos. The trip would take around 2 hours. I was surprised the trip wasn't mentioned in the information and but thought it would be worth it.

We started our journey on a truck which took us through the forest and down to a stepped path which would take us to the river. On the way we picked up a dry bag to put our things in (Javier told me to put my shoes in the bag as well) and then we were given a life jacket. I noticed several people were in swim were and all the crew had full waterproofs - we were definitely going to get wet!

The boat powered up the river and and we then approached each side of the falls so people could take photos, I wished I’d had my waterproof camera or brought a GoPro. Then they told us to put everything in our bags and do them up tightly. All the crew then put on their waterproofs.

And then they steered the boat right under the waterfalls. I now know what it might feel like to go through a car wash! Luckily the water was quite warm but I was soaked through. Thank goodness I had put my trainers in the dry bag. But I so wish I had taken some spare clothes, My only dry piece of clothing was a fleece cardigan, but it was warm and I was only slightly damp as I got on the plane. 

I had a great view of Buenos Aires as we came into land in the evening. This time there was a driver waiting for me and he apologised for the problem in the morning and refunded me the cost of the taxi fare.

I enjoyed a complimentary glass of wine back at the hotel, before a shower, writing an emails to the tour company with some feedback about my trip to Iguazu and finally falling into bed.

On reflection I think if I went there again I might have organised it differently, perhaps researching local guides and organising the flights myself. It was not too busy at the national park that day, but apparently it can get very busy and perhaps then it wouldn't have been such a good experience.