Iguazú Falls & the Northeast - Argentina - page 191

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the Salto Bossetti water fall, a small pathway leads do wn to a small pier , where you can
catch a free boat to San Martín Island.
Once on the island, climb the stairs and walk along clearly mar ked trails for remark-
able views of the surr ounding cataratas (falls). To the left, y ou see the enormous Gar-
ganta del D iablo, Saltos Brasileros (Brazilian Falls), and Ventana; to the right, y ou
overlook the mighty Salto San Martín, which sprays 30m (98 ft.) high after hitting the
river below. This panoramic view looks out at dozens of falls forming an arch before you.
San Martín Island also has a small, idyllic beach per fect for sunbathing and swimming.
Garganta del Diablo is the mother of all waterfalls in Iguazú, visible from observation
points in both the B razilian and Argentine par ks. You'll notice that the water is calm as
it makes its way do wn the I guazú River, then begins to speed up as it appr oaches the
gorge ahead. In front of you, Mother Nature has created a furious avalanche of water and
spray that is the highest water fall in Iguazú and one of the world 's greatest natural spec-
tacles. You might want to bring a raincoat, because y ou will get wet.

Outdoor Activities
INSIDE THE PARK The par k's official tour operator is Iguazú J ungle E xplorer
( & 3757/421-696; www.iguazujunglexplorer.com), located both inside the national park
and in the Sheraton Internacional Iguazú. This company offers the N autical Adventure tour
($30/£20), which visits the falls b y inflatable raft; the Ecological Tour ($20/£14), which
takes you to D evil's Throat and lets y ou paddle r ubber boats along the U pper Iguazú
Delta; and the G ran Aventura (Great Adventure) tour ($50/£34). This last tour begins
with an 8km (5-mile) safari ride along the Yacoratia Path, the original dirt road that led
through the for est and on to B uenos Air es. D uring the ride, y ou'll vie w the jungle 's
extensive flora and might catch a glimpse of some of the region's indigenous wildlife (see
“Behind the Falls & into the Jungle,” below). You will then disembark at Puerto Macuco,
where you'll hop into an inflatable boat with y our tour gr oup and navigate 6.5km (4
miles) along the lo wer Iguazú River, braving 1.6km (1 mile) of rapids as y ou approach
the falls in D evil's Throat Canyon. After a thrilling and w et ride, the raft lets y ou off
across from San Martín Island. From there, catch a free boat to this island with excellent
hiking trails and a small beach for swimming and sunbathing. You can combine the
Ecological Tour and Great Adventure by buying a full-day Pasaporte Verde for $60 (£41).
An increasingly popular tour is a guided walk ar ound the falls under a full moon, wher e
nighttime rainbows appear.
If you want to arrange a priv ate adventure tour for y our specific inter ests, the best
outfit is Explorador Expediciones, with offices in the S heraton Internacional I guazú
and in Puerto Iguazú at Perito Moreno 217 ( & 3757/421-632 ). The guides are experts
on life in the I guazú jungle. A jungle safari costs $35 (£24) and an ex

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cursion to the

waterfall $25 (£17). English guides are available, and tours last 2 hours.
Outside the Park
CANOPY & ROCK CLIMBING Jungle F ly, Selva I riapú s/n ( & 3757/423-330;
[e-mail]), is based in the jungle lodge La Aldea de la S elva, 7km
(4 1 / 3 miles) outside to wn. They specializ e in zip lining and rappelling. Yguazu E xtreme,
Santuario Sta. Maria ( & 3757/423-660; [e-mail]), also organizes
rock climbing and boat excursions on the Parana River. Iguazú Forest, Mariano Moreno 58,
Puerto Iguazú ( & 3757/421-140; www.iguazuforest.com), will sho w you how to climb a
waterfall in a nature reserve 7km (4 1 / 3 miles) south of the to wn.