Guarani Lands - Terra Argentina Tailor-Made tours

Heart of Wilderness: Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and Posadas

Itinerary idea for a trip to Argentina in 10 days

Your journey begins at the famous Iguazu Falls and takes you beyond the touristic sites, to meet the inhabitants of this beautiful region. In Salto del Mocona and Salto Encantado, preserved from mass tourism, you will meet the Guarani people, discover the culture of maté, teas, and aromas. Your trip ends at the Esteros del Ibera, the second largest wetlands in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil. Home to an incredibly diverse and vibrant wildlife, the Esteros del Ibera invites you to watch the caimans, boas, deers and countless birds. Its biodiversity incited the Tompkins to fund a Natural Conservation Trust to care for all the wildlife around.

Length of stay: 10 days

Kind: Our Favourites

Fix: For all public

Countries visited: Argentina

Puerto Iguazu

Iguazu National Park, Argentinean side

Iguazu National Park Brazilian side

Saltos del Moconá, El Soberbio, Misiones Province, Argentina

Saltos del Mocona

Salto Encantado

Puerto Valle

Posadas Airport

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Day 1 : Puerto Iguazu

Pick up your rental car.

Category : Chevrolet Etios or similar, unlimited mileage included.

Free day in Puerto Iguazu – here are a few suggestions:

Relax by your hotel’s swimming pool to cool down from the tropical weather.

For nature lovers, go visit the Jardin de los Picaflores: in a private garden, a local family started to take care of hummingbirds – a wonderful opportunity to watch these small, colourful animals.

Finally, you can go visit the Hito Tres Fronteras, a monument celebrating the triple border between Argentina – Brazil – Paraguay.

Night at La Aldea de la Selva Lodge – standard room.

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Day 2 : Iguazu National Park, Argentinean side

Suggested itinerary:

Set out to the argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls this morning – the park is located 18km away. Follow the upper trail which offers panoramic views of the Bosetti, Mbiguá and San Martín falls. Move on to the lower path to discover Dos Hermanas Falls and the San Martín Island.

The “Garganta del Diablo” trail, which towers over the “Devil’s Throat”, an 80-meters high and 150-meters long waterfall. This impressive waterfall, shrouded in a dense mist, is one of the main attractions of the National Park, which is home to intense animal life and lush vegetation.

Note: Please remember to bring light waterproof clothing.

Night at La Aldea de la Selva Lodge – standard room.

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Day 3 : Iguazu National Park Brazilian side

Suggested itinerary:

Departure to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Waterfalls.

Follow the 1,200m trail over boardwalks and panoramic decks to admire the Floriano and Teodoro Da Fonseca falls.

The visit culminates at the Santa María falls, which offer a breathtaking panoramic view over San Martín Island and your surroundings.

Note: bring waterproof and light clothing.

Note 2: from mid-October to mid-February, Brazil is one hour ahead of Argentina (daylight saving time).

Night at La Aldea de la Selva Lodge – standard room.

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Day 4 : Puerto Iguazu

Suggested itinerary:

This morning, leave Puerto Iguazu to reach Comandante Andresito: the luxurious “paranaense” forest border the typical red dusty trails. Its biodiversity is one of America’s most diverse.

You will spot many trucks filled with Yerba Maté along the road: this native plant, originally gathered by the Guarani indians in northeast Argentina, is used to make the typical mate so dear to Argentinian people. Traditionally served in a small gourd, mate is drunk through a metal straw, and passed on from hand to hand between friends or family, a typical moment for sharing.

The trails lead you through small villages lost in the forest before you reach Surucua lodge.

Your host Adrián will propose various activities to choose from, depending on the season and weather conditions (in English or Spanish):

– Bird watching and nature photography. Among the most significant species, you will find Surucua Trogons, band-tailed Manakins, Araçaris…

– Hikes in the Parana forest

– Kayaking – navigation on the Iguazú river…

Night at the Surucua Lodge – standard room, full board.

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Day 5 : Saltos del Mocona

Suggested itinerary :

Leave Surucua Lodge to head east. The famous 101 road passes by numerous reserves and natural parks, famous for their well-preserved fauna. Continue to El Soberbio, a charming little town, with an interesting and exotic aroma museum. We recommend the Yasi Yateré Reserve on your way (6 USD entrance not included): a fascinating introduction to the numerous edible species cultivated locally (tropical fruits, coffee and yerba mate plantations, aromatic crops), and a short visit to the native jungle where several endangered species are found.The guided walk lasts approximately two hours, with a local guide – walks are short and easy.

You reach your hotel near the Mocona Falls in the middle of nature.

Arrival at the Mocona Virgin Lodge located in the Yabotí Reserve, where you can explore the trails, natural waterfalls and included activities supervised by a local English-speaking guide.

Night at the Don Mocona Virgin Lodge in a standard room

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Day 6 : Saltos del Mocona

Several activites are available at the Lodge:

– hiking trails

– kayaking

– Zipline

– visit to the Mocona Falls (navigation not included)

Night at the Don Mocona Virgin Lodge in a standard room

 

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Day 7 : Saltos del Mocona

Enjoy some activities in the morning before you leave.

Suggested itinerary:

Follow the Río Uruguay (Uruguay River). The road crosses many small villages founded by European settlers: German, Polish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, etc … The region lives mainly from agriculture, tea and wood.

A few kilometers further, nature takes over. Several Guaraní communities live around the Salto Encantado Natural Reserve. In the middle of the luxurious green forest, Salto Encantado (which means “Enchanting Fall”) is the main attraction of the park, discovered in June 1936.

A Guaraní legend tells that the Salto Encantado was born from the tears of Yate-í (Sweetness), a young Guaraní who fell in love with the son of the chief of the enemy tribe. Yate-í mourned the conflict between the two tribes so much that strings of water fell from her eyes and turned into a waterfall.

Night at the Cuna Piru Lodge in a tree-hut, 8 meters above the ground.

(other options are available)

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Day 8 : San Ignacio Miní Mission

Suggested itinerary:

Drive to the town of Jardín América through the panoramic valley Cuña Pira.

You are back on the Yerba Mate Road, with the opportunity to visit some well-known Yerba Mate farms (Pipore, Las Marias…).

A few kilometers further on are the ruins of San Ignacio, living testimony of the works of the first Jesuit missionaries. The best preserved building is the church whose facade still stands. A guided path takes you back to the 17th century, explaining the rise and fall of the missions in this area.

Continue to Posadas.

Night and full board at the Puerto Valle hotel in a standard room.

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Day 9 : Puerto Valle

The hotel is located in the heart of Esteros de Ibera, a natural reserve settled over 13 000 km2, host to 30% of the Argentine biodiversity with 4,000 fauna and flora species.
Watch and learn about the unique diversity of exotic birds, reptiles such as jacara caimans, and rare mammals like the swamp deer.

Enjoy the included activities:
– Visit the Ibera wetlands with an excursion to Laguna Valle
– Navigate the Parana River
– Kayak in the area
– Visit the crocodile farm
– Visit the refuge of wild fauna
– Monkey Trail
– Horseback riding

Night and full board at the Puerto Valle hotel in a standard room.

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Day 10 : Posadas Airport

Drop off your vehicle at the airport.

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