Iguazú Falls - dest 1

So after a mere 2 months of planning, I’m finally on my first ever backpacking holiday, alone, for 3 months in South America. Landing in Buenos Aires and taking a direct connection to Iguazú on the Argentina side, I’m actually here! I don’t think it hit me till I was on the plane cause the last day was spent realising I was actually leaving London for good :(

Luckily I had a fellow solo traveller next to me, who spoke Spanish and there it begins, your solo travel where you meet people. Everyone said it and so it began... We met another fellow traveller and the 3 of us made our way to the city / connecting airport, exchange tips, details and plans. I’m already catch up with one who’s joining my trip to Uruguay! 

Its pretty straight forward getting from the airport to your hostel once you land in Iguazú. The city is pretty small and as soon as you exit on your left is the shuttle bus that will take you directly to your hostel for $150 AR. 

The moment I landed I could feel the rainforest humidity and well rain but with a lovely 25 degrees I didn’t quite care. Handy tip I read about how to pack your backpack, put your waterproof gear right at the top at all time and viola your good to go.  

Quite comfortably reached my small but clean and nice hostel Poramba where I finally unloaded, showered and got some food. The staff there were great, spoke good English (I really need to speed up my Spanish learning) and offered great tips. 

Since I had one full day and another half day I thought of doing Argentina side first cause there a lot more to do there but they were insistent to do Brazil first and then Argentina. Immigration could take a while, airport is super close to Argentina side and also its good to see the panoramic view for Brazil before you get up, close and personal in Argentina. After a little contemplating I followed their advice, hell what do I know I just landed here.  

Covered head to toe in waterproof gear I stepped out in the heavy rain and headed to the bus station, a quick 10min walk. Bought the Rio Uruguay bus ticket near stand 11 and off I was to Brazil for just $80 AR return. Immigration luckily went super quickly perhaps because of the rain. After a good 2 hours all in all I made it to the tourist centre. 

Luckily in the Brazil side you can pay by card so you don’t need to exchange cash. The bus then takes to right to the trail. Right at the very start you turn and suddenly it’s there. The magestic, large waterfall. The full panoramic view of these great falls but the sound is what really gets you even before you see it, you can hear the sheer power of this great natural wonder.

The entire 2 hrs walk in Brazil has some great view of the falls from a distance. You even get the chance to walk out onto the base and see the Devils Throat from a great angel, all of which get you drenched. There is no way around it, the mist alone is so much and one strong gust of wind will get you soaked so do take at least  poncho with you.

After a little snack and some relaxing trying to get dry and safely on my way back to Argentina. With some much needed relaxing and getting over jet lag to do. Also my next morning is super early. So that I get enough time at the falls I took the first bus which leaves the station at 7:20 with Rio Uruguay as well and strangely is more expensive, one way is $75 ARS. With this bus you literally get there as the doors open and you’re in time for the first train up to the devils throat. 

Its a nice train journey, slow but lovely through the rainforest. At the top there a good 15 min walk to get to the throat. This was one of the most powerful spots I saw. The water has its own mind and the power and force is unnerving.  In that moment you do realise how very helpless you are against Mother Nature. In a heartbeat she can take you down and turn you into mist. Absolutely amazing.

I then had the option to chose which trail to do first as there is the upper and lower circuit. The information desk told me to take the lower one first, which also a bit shorter and so I was off, keeping track of time. This trail is as the name suggests all along the base of the falls and so you feel closer and get a chance to get wet once again.

Whereas the upper trail is where the river breaks into the fall and you can see that calm before the thundering noise. The upper trail is also full of butterflies and birds, so you get a nice chance with nature. 

With some good planning and speed walking I managed to complete all of these in 5 hours    but I did decide to skip the boat ride. Most people I met did it and of corse loved it but it was nearly $70 USD and  I’d have to seriously dry off for the plane.

And just like that my first destination of this epic adventure was finished and I was on my way to the next ...Uruguay!