Iguazu & Ibera

A number of sites in northeastern Argentina combine a pleasant escape with the very best wildlife and scenery. Probably the most emblematic site is the Iguazú National Park, and its mighty waterfalls. That name, deriving from the Guaraní, means “big water”. The roar and the steam columns produced by the splashing waters are heard and seen kilometers away. A network of catwalks takes you along the very edge of the different falls, among the lush vegetation. Here, everything is thickly laden with orchids and bromeliads, and wildlife is varied. Toucans, Capuchin Monkeys, Coatis and butterflies abound. The core of the falls, the “devil’s throat”, is a remarkable spectacle, which along the rest of the falls you will see from different angles, as we visit the Brazilian side of the river for panoramic views.

Misiones province is named after the Jesuit missions, and we’ll visit the ruins of one of the most remarkable ones: San Ignacio Miní. Dating from 1610 and currently a UNESCO World Heritage site, they are surrounded by jungle, and Fichus trees still entangle some stonewalls. The open habitats of the Iberá marshes have kilometers of virgin landscapes. This large provincial reserve (13,000 km2) has marshes, wet grasslands and light woodlands, with great wildlife watching and photographing opportunities. Groups of Capybara (the world’s largest rodent), South American River Otter, Broad-snout Cayman, and the beautiful Marsh Deer are some highlights. The marshes have dense stands of water lilies, water hyacinths, papyrus and cattails.