Overview
One of the most stunning natural wonders in the world, Iguassu Falls (also spelled Iguazú) stretches a full mile across the Rio Parana, with 275 separate cascades—one third on the Brazilian side, two thirds on the Argentinian side—laced with rainbows and plunging hundreds of feet in a mist-shrouded subtropical landscape, truly an other-worldly spectacle. We'll walk along the footbridges near the falls on both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides for a chance to spot colorful toucans and other birds. The Falls were declared a Natural World Heritage for Humanity by UNESCO in 1984. The Falls can be reached by paths, footbridges, and Zodiac, offering a number of different perspectives.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Iguassu Falls
Arrive at Foz do Iguaçu Airport and transfer to Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. After checking in to your room, transfer to the falls and explore the many paths that wind around the area, enjoying your first views of the cascades and the thundering sounds of the water. The birdlife around the Falls is abundant and fascinating. Overnight at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas...B
View Lodging
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights)
With its superb location as the only hotel in Iguassu National Park, Hotel das Cataratas is a wonderful escape without sacrificing amenities. Portuguese-style guest rooms are airy and bright, with large windows letting in lots of natural light. A beautiful pool is perfect for relaxing with a book in hand, and there are also tennis courts on the property. Two on-site restaurants serve international and Brazilian dishes. If you have time, be sure to check out the bar where musicians perform live music.
Day 2
Argentinian Side of the Falls
Visit the Argentinean side of the falls with a two-mile walk on the Sendero Macuco jungle trail. This path leads through dense forest to the nearly hidden Arrechea Waterfall, a 60-foot-high cascade that has carved a lovely natural pool below. During the walk, there are six interpretive stations along the trail explaining the rich biodiversity of the area. Afterward, visit Devil’s Throat Lookout. Here a catwalk trail brings you to a viewing platform right by the horseshoe-shaped main cascade, where several powerful falls unite (bring a dry bag to protect your camera from the heavy mist). Overnight at hotel...BL
View Lodging
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights)
With its superb location as the only hotel in Iguassu National Park, Hotel das Cataratas is a wonderful escape without sacrificing amenities. Portuguese-style guest rooms are airy and bright, with large windows letting in lots of natural light. A beautiful pool is perfect for relaxing with a book in hand, and there are also tennis courts on the property. Two on-site restaurants serve international and Brazilian dishes. If you have time, be sure to check out the bar where musicians perform live music.
Day 3
Depart
Enjoy a morning at your leisure, or join the optional visit to the Bird Park where you can see chicks and fledglings, and learn about the conservation and rescue programs. Transfer to the airport and depart...B
Details
Length:
3 days
Arrive:
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Depart:
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Meals:
Meals as indicated
Activity:
Walking, Wildlife and Natural History, Photography, Hiking / Trekking
Trip Level:
Nature walks, optional boat tours
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples: