The thundering Iguassu Falls are twice as wide as Niagara Falls, showcasing a breathtaking array of 275 separate cascades straddling the Argentina-Brazil border.
For travelers seeking to extend their The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords adventure, O.A.T. offers a captivating post-trip extension to Iguassu Falls. We spoke with veteran Trip Experience Leader Julio Llanos to gain insight into this awe-inspiring destination that straddles the border of Argentina and Brazil.
Julio smiling for the camera during an O.A.T. adventure.
Julio was eager to emphasize the stark contrast between the main Patagonia trip and the Iguassu Falls: Thundering Cascades of Argentina & Brazil post-trip extension: "Taking the post-trip allows our travelers to experience the contrast between Patagonia and Iguazú," he explained. "The main trip is focused on Patagonia with the national parks, the open Patagonia steppe, snowed capped mountains, fjords, glaciers, and the jagged picks of Torres del Paine. During the main trip it can be cold and snow even in the summer—there are winds that can reach 40 knots. These are the famous ‘roaring 40s.’ On the other hand, the trip to the falls takes us to the land of red soil, where the dense Atlantic rain forest displays all kinds of greens. When we go to the falls we forget about the cold climate of Patagonia, and we get to wear our summer clothing—temperatures range between the 60s in the morning to even high 90s in the afternoon."
The falls themselves are a spectacle unlike any other, Julio told us: "It is hard to describe the view, the sound of the running water, how the water snakes down the basalt cliffs. And while the main star is the running water, there are many colorful butterflies and other insects that are worth stopping for."
"There are many colorful butterflies and other insects that are worth stopping for," Julio said.
Visitors have the unique opportunity to view the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides, each offering a distinct perspective. "The Brazilian side gives us the panoramic view of the falls," Julio noted. "As we walk on the trail the view changes and depending on the level of the water the different cascades move and even change color. Sometimes it is white and sometimes brown." He added a unique feature of the Brazilian side: "Fortunately, the Brazilians built an elevator with AC to take people to the parking area. Not only that, when the elevator's door opens, you walk straight into an area with ice cream, juice, and beer. Life does not get any better than this!"
Regarding the Argentinean side, Julio said, "The Argentinean side is probably the most challenging day in the trip. It has the longest walks, and to see the falls we must walk and walk and then we keep walking. The view from the Argentinean side is different because most of the river is on this side. Therefore, the running water and falls are closer." For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Julio recommended the optional "Great Adventure" tour on the Argentinean side. "We get wet. But using this adjective is not enough to describe the level of 'wetness'. It is not like jumping into a pool, it is like having a pool dumped on you," he said.
Julio takes pride in helping travelers personalize their experience. For nature enthusiasts, he pointed out often-overlooked details: "I make sure they keep an eye on the waterfalls, but also at the trees, floor, handrails. There are thousands of colorful insects that are missed when people only focus on the falls." He also shared a special off-the-beaten-path experience: "If there are some birders in the group, I always make an invitation to visit 'the hummingbird garden' after the tour. This bird sanctuary is a private house with a huge garden... It gets so quiet that it is easy to hear the fast-wing movement of the hummingbirds."
It’s hard not to become entranced by the thundering rapids, but Julio always urges his travelers to divide their attention amongst the colorful insects, flower, and fauna of Iguassu Falls as well.
Balancing scheduled activities with free time is crucial, especially towards the end of a long trip. Julio said, "The day before the flight to the falls I let the group know what things we can do during our free time: hang out at the pool, a massage in the spa, hummingbird garden, ferinha (the bar area in town)." Julio also introduces travelers to local customs and flavors. "When we visit the Brazilian side of the falls, we go for a local ice cream flavor: acai. This has all the energy (sugar) that we need to walk the trails," he explained. "After the tour and while we are waiting at the border, we normally share some local snacks with the group: chipa (a kind of cheese bread)."
For photography enthusiasts, Julio offered some tips: "Panoramic pictures are great. To attract the butterflies and have them pose for the camera: put a little bit of water near it because they love to drink. If you want to attract them to your hand you can put some water on your fingers or hand and slowly put it next to the butterfly."
Julio recommends that photography enthusiasts bait butterflies with water if they want to snap the perfect shot.
Reflecting on memorable experiences, Julio recounted a unique moment with a group visiting a Guarani community (an Indigenous people of South America): "At some point they asked us to take off our shoes and hug a tree. The idea was to feel nature and the earth below our feet. After hugging the tree, the group asked if we could continue the last part of the activity barefooted too. And so, we did. We ended the walking tour barefooted. It made us walk a bit slower and gave us a true sense of being in the area."
As Julio's insights reveal, the Iguassu Falls extension offers O.A.T. travelers a perfect blend of natural wonder, cultural immersion, and personalized exploration. It's a fitting finale to an already extraordinary Patagonian adventure, leaving visitors with lasting memories of one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.
Visit Iguassu Falls during the Iguassu Falls: Thundering Cascades of Argentina & Brazil post-trip extension to our The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords adventure.
