Iguazu Falls National Park (Day 44)

Despite a late start to my night of sleep, I was up early this morning thanks to busy neighbours, which gave me an early start to head to the Iguazu Falls National Park. By 08:45, I was in the park, full moon walk ticket purchased (!!! let's just hope it isn't cancelled because that wouldn't really surprise me) maps in hand and ready to see some mind-blowing falls. And the falls didn't disappoint.

I started with the Lower Circuit trail, mostly to avoid the mass of tour-bus people herded to the Upper Circuit. The two circuit lead through the sub-tropical forest and provide a series of different lookouts and catwalks that give you all kinds of different perspectives of the falls. From the Lower Circuit, I was at water-level and could walk around and look up at the falls.

As I started out, I had a first glimpse of the plume of mist rising up from the falls and all the birds playing in the thermals from it.


Then I came across a family of coutis (the South American version of the garbage-mongering racoon- very cute too) making their lunch for the day.

As I got closer, I caught a glimpse through the trees of what was ahead:


And then I hit the first lookout of the Falls:



Then another in closer to the falls:

Until I finally got to the end of the Lower Circuit for a full view of the east side of the whole falls. Awesome.


It's pretty overwhelming for the senses- you feel the spray from the water, the sound of the crasing water is deafening, the helicopters and boats are buzzing all over the place and you're seeing this dizzying force of nature. It's incredible.

Then I got one a little zodiac that charters you the 40m across the channel onto San Martin Island for a view of the falls from the middle of the action. You walk out into the bed of mist and once you clear the other side, this is all that you see:


Yeah, wow. Rainbows everywhere, it's warm so the mist is super refreshing and the sound is absolutely deafening. It's spectacular. On the way back, I spotted a huge lizard which scurried away before I could get a photo and this cool tropical bird

Off the islands and on to the Upper Circuit, I opted to walk instead of waiting for the little train to take me to the trailhead for the Upper Circuit, and I was treated to tonnes of colourful butterflies all walkway to the trailhead.


The view from the Upper Circuit is much different. This trail led me along the upper watershed of the falls where the flatwater channels before dropping off into the falls.

The scenery was really pretty, although admittedly a little lame after the excitement of being right in the bed of the falls. But, it was well worth the walk to get to the connecting Garganta del Diable (Devil's Throat) that splits off the Upper Circuit. At the end of the catwalk, the land under the rushing flatwater disappears into this abyss, dropping what seems like an endless crash of water into this enormous crater.


So much water. It makes you wonder where it keeps coming from and how it doesn't run dry.


When I got back to the main gates, I needed some quiet time away from all the other thousands of tourist in the park, so I headed off to the Macuci Trail, south of the falls. The trail was much easier (and quicker) than the Visitor's Centre person had lead me to believe (she highly recommended I take two days to venture...yeah right!). My first sight was a lone cabybara who wandered lazily onto the path.


Then the trail lead through the forest of tropical vines and cool trees.

It started to rain just a little and I actually thought from the distant thunder that I may be in store for a tropical storm experience, but luckily it all subsided before it really got started. The trail ended up at the natural pool and waterfall that made a great shower!


The water was refreshing but pleasant and it was nice to cool off from the muggy heat. The walk back in wet underwear was not as pleasant, but I guess you can't win all the time :) With most of the sights under my belt, I hopped on the bus back to town for a bite to eat and get ready for tonight's BIG show.....the Full Moon Walk!