ADVENTURE TOURISM IN THE
IGUAZU FOREST

The Iguazu Forest operator has added to the traditional Iguazu Falls excursions various boat trips, visits to Guarani native communities, photo safaris in the rainforest of Misiones, visits to the Falls during the full moon, and a renewed adventure tourism that combines 4WD vehicle trips, trekking, "tope rope", canopy exploring and rappelling close to Iguazu National Park.

The Iguazu Forest circuit is in the Puerto Península Forest Reserve, 7 km from Puerto Iguazu, on the steep shores of the Parana River, a place where the traveller will find excellent weather, minimum humidity, and skies with few clouds.

Comfortable clothing is recommended. It is also useful to take a change of clothes with you, so that you will be able to change into dry gear after rappelling from a waterfall.

The trekking begins immediately after leaving the 4WD. On the way, different species of flora are identified, and the complex relation between competition and balance in the wonderful world of nature is discovered.

The walk is over "natural carpets" towards one of the most important eco-laboratories in the kingdom of Flora where ferns, giant stinging nettles, orchids and trees more than 150 years old such as cedars, ceibos, ibirapitás or María Preta, are seen surrounded by climbing lianas.

During the walk you will hear the local birds singing, but sometimes their songs are not fully appreciated because the perennial foliage of the rainforest muffles them.

After the trekking, travellers are taken for a visit of the giant drumstick tree area. There, they are given safety gear (harnesses, helmets) and offered the help of specialized staff), to climb a rope ladder up to a platform set in the crown of a tree more than 30 m tall. From the platform the roof of the rainforest canopy can be fully appreciated.

After a few minutes observation, the visitor is invited to make a bird-flight from the platform to another tree. There is no doubt that throwing yourself into space in a Tyrolese halter and hanging from a cable to the next tree, while letting gravity do its thing is an indescribable experience.

Excited from this experience in the air, the atraveller is straight away invited to go to the waterfall to do the rappel. A fantastic waterfall in the midst of the rainforest is the point of departure for this activity. After a demonstration and safety briefing, the visitors dare to defy the weight of the water falling on their bodies as they descend the 35 m of the fall. After changing clothes, they will return to the city in the 4WD vehicle. The adventure will take five hours. This can be done either in the morning or in the afternoon.

UNDER THE GLOW OF THE MOONLIGHT

During the nights of full moon it is possible to walk along the Devil's Throat walkway and observe an amazing, unique spectacle: the clear rainbow formed by the moonlight, glinting on the refreshing spray of the Waterfall. In fact, the magic starts when a traveller arrives in the Park. After being met by the National Parks Administration, he will be taken in the ecological train along its route to the Garganta Station.

During the 20 minute journey, the rainforest begins to establish its sounds and mysteries. Once the darkness of the night has covered the sky, many animals begin looking for food. This little tour is a good idea for anyone who wants to get a broader perspective on this part of the Natural Heritage of Humanity. The time between boarding the 1000 m walkway and coming off it is limited, but it is enough to enchant anyone with its unique spectacle.

Standing in front of the magnificent falls, watching it under a full moon, is an unforgettable experience.