Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mesopotamia · 9 days
Paths of Water and Rainforest
Puerto Iguazú · Iguazú Falls · Moconá Falls · San Ignacio · Iberá Wetlands
Nine days through Misiones and Corrientes, between the rainforest and the water. Three nights in Puerto Iguazú to see the falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, two at a lodge in El Soberbio to reach the Moconá Falls by boat and, after the Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio, three in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, in the Iberá Wetlands.
Highlights
- Iguazú Falls from the Argentine and Brazilian sides
- Gran Aventura boat ride to the falls
- Moconá Falls by boat, with two nights at a lodge
- Jesuit ruins of San Ignacio Miní
- Iberá Wetlands: three nights with full board
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Buenos Aires · Puerto Iguazú
Departure from Buenos Aires on a direct flight to the city of Puerto Iguazú. Arrival and transfer to the selected hotel. This city, a cornerstone of the province's settlement in the early 20th century, is today one of the most important towns in Misiones, with more than 60,000 inhabitants, and also serves as the gateway to the Triple Frontier with Brazil and Paraguay. In the afternoon we will visit La Aripuca, a theme park that aims to raise awareness of the effects of indiscriminate logging and the importance of caring for the environment, while showing what the Misiones rainforest once looked like. An “aripuca” is a Guaraní trap that was used to catch animals without harming them. This agro-ecotourism project reproduces one on a giant scale, built from reclaimed timber of native species to illustrate the richness of the Misiones forest. During the visit we learn about the characteristics of the trunks that form it, their approximate growth and geographic distribution, as well as their potential and real uses. It also teaches us about Guaraní culture through this native device, which was used in their hunting practices. Return to the city and accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in Puerto Iguazú.
Day 2 · 36 km
Puerto Iguazú · Argentine falls · Puerto Iguazú
Breakfast. In the morning we set off on a full-day excursion to discover Iguazú Falls, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, made up of 275 waterfalls that drop from a wide range of heights. The highest, at 80 meters, is known as the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo). Set in an extraordinary natural environment in the heart of the Misiones rainforest—home to half of the bird species recorded in Argentina and to the country's greatest diversity of orchids—we find more than 2 km of waterfalls over 70 meters high, a spectacular display of one of the planet's increasingly scarce resources: water. The falls stretch along cliffs and islets, arranged in the half-moon shape of this geographic feature. We will walk its three circuits: the Lower Circuit, the Upper Circuit and the Devil's Throat circuit. The Lower Circuit leads to the base of the falls, where the force of the water turns into a mist that soaks visitors: a unique experience well worth the adventure. On the Upper Circuit the walk is calmer, and the panoramic views from the walkways and viewpoints make the visit unforgettable. On the way to the Devil's Throat, we will gradually begin to hear a roar that will fill us with emotion as we first see the most impressive and majestic waterfall in the park, more than 80 meters high and with an abundant flow. We will enjoy a traditional Argentine grill lunch at the Fortín Cataratas restaurant. Afterward we will take the Gran Aventura excursion: we drive along the Yacaratiá trail to the landing, where we board a boat with an outboard motor. In it we will ride up the rapids of the Iguazú River, coming within a few meters of the falls, where we will receive the customary “baptism.” After this adrenaline-filled ride, we will continue with a more relaxed trip along the Iguazú River to learn about the Paraná rainforest. Rocky shores and riverside forest frame a boat ride that links the protected nature of the National Park with the Three Frontiers Landmark (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay), at the confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers. From there, at sunset, we will disembark in Puerto Iguazú. Transfer and accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in Puerto Iguazú.
Day 3 · 35 km
Puerto Iguazú · Brazilian falls · Puerto Iguazú
Breakfast. Early departure for Brazil across the Tancredo Neves International Bridge. After going through immigration, we are 20 km from the entrance to Iguaçu National Park, which covers 1,750 km² and is home to countless species of animals and plants. Nature will welcome us with friendly butterflies that will delight us with their colors. Since 80% of the falls are on the Argentine side, the Brazilian park has a single walkway of about 1,000 meters, from which we can enjoy a variety of panoramic views. At its end, facing the Floriano fall, a viewpoint reached by elevator offers one of the most imposing views of the falls. Optional lunch (not included). Return to Puerto Iguazú, arriving around 2:30 p.m. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in Puerto Iguazú.
Day 4 · 260 km
Puerto Iguazú · El Soberbio
Breakfast. We head south on RN 12 to its junction with RP 11, passing through small towns such as 2 de Mayo and San Vicente, until we reach El Soberbio, on the banks of the Uruguay River. Arrival and full-board accommodation at the selected lodge, located in the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve. The stay includes a varied program of nature experiences: zip line, rappelling, kayaking, birdwatching, archery, hiking, and campfires with tales of Guaraní myths and legends. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the lodge's facilities. Overnight in El Soberbio.
Day 5 · 130 km
El Soberbio · Moconá Falls · El Soberbio
Breakfast. Departure for Moconá Provincial Park, located within the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve (“turtle” in Guaraní). Its main attraction is its falls, a spectacle unique in the world created by a geological fault millions of years ago. They run for 1.9 km parallel to the Uruguay River—unlike traditional waterfalls, which run across a river—so their height depends on the river level. The channel into which they fall is a large geological fault that reaches 170 meters deep in places; the falls are between 2 and 4 meters high in years of high water and 6 to 8 meters in years of low water, depending on each year's rainfall. From the visitor center we travel to the boarding point, where a 20- to 30-minute boat ride begins that lets us see the Moconá Falls up close. The boats are equipped with safety gear and trained staff will accompany us. After the boat ride we will have free time to walk one of the three trails that start at the visitor center: the Místico, Chachí and La Gruta trails, the last two being the most interesting. Return to El Soberbio and full-board accommodation at the selected lodge. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the lodge's facilities. Overnight in El Soberbio.
Day 6 · 428 km
El Soberbio · San Ignacio Ruins · Colonia Carlos Pellegrini
Breakfast. We set off for the Jesuit-Guaraní complex of San Ignacio Miní. The Society of Jesus—founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola and approved in 1540—was born of the need to spread Catholicism in the overseas territories conquered by Spain. The first mission (reducción) was created in 1607, and San Ignacio Miní in 1610, founded by the Jesuit fathers José Cataldino and Simón Masseta in the Guairá region (in present-day Brazil). After the exodus of 1631 and 1632, caused by the advance of the bandeirantes (Brazilian slave hunters), it settled here in 1696. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits by Charles III (1767) and the dissolution of the order by Pope Clement XIV (1773), and despite new administrators, the mission began a slow decline, until in 1817 it was looted and burned by Paraguayan troops during the wars of independence. It remained in ruins until the 1940s, when it was restored. Built in stone, San Ignacio Miní lets us appreciate the Jesuit-Guaraní Baroque style of a mission designed to house between 3,000 and 4,000 people, with all their housing and service needs met. The restoration work carried out between 1940 and 1950 reveals the mission's urban layout precisely: the church, the residence or college, the workshops and the Indigenous dwellings can be seen in all their functional aspects, giving a complete picture of daily life in a Jesuit mission. After the visit we will have time for lunch (not included) and then continue to our final destination, Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, arriving in the late afternoon. Full-board accommodation at the selected lodge. Overnight in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini.
Day 7
Colonia Carlos Pellegrini · Iberá Wetlands
Breakfast. During our stay we will have a two-hour guided excursion each day. The included activities cannot be chosen: they are scheduled by the guides and the park administration according to the season, the weather and the hours authorized in each area by the Iberá Park rangers. The Iberá Wetlands are among the most important wetlands in the world and the second largest in South America: they cover 1,300,000 hectares, and the Iberá Nature Reserve occupies 14% of the province of Corrientes. It is a true natural sanctuary where you can enjoy being close to the animals in their habitat without disturbing them: the neotropical otter, the maned wolf, the pampas deer and the marsh deer, four species declared Provincial Natural Monuments. It is also home to Argentina's two caiman species, the yacaré caiman and the broad-snouted caiman, and to a great wealth of birdlife, with 350 different species. This unique natural paradise is one of the world's most important wetlands not only for its biodiversity, but also as one of the planet's most important freshwater reserves. Full-board accommodation. Overnight in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini.
Day 8
Colonia Carlos Pellegrini · Iberá Wetlands
Breakfast. Day at leisure to enjoy the included excursion according to the lodge's schedule, with the option of booking others. Full-board accommodation. Overnight in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini.
Day 9 · 195 km
Colonia Carlos Pellegrini · Posadas · Buenos Aires
Breakfast. Check-out and, at the agreed time, transfer to the city of Posadas, 195 km away, a drive of about three and a half hours. Arrival at General José de San Martín Airport to board a direct flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and end of our services.
Sample itinerary. Included services, hotel category and meals are detailed in the quotation.
