Page 181 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

ARGENTINIAN LIT OR AL  179

Garganta del Diablo
£ 8 arranged at park entrance. 7
The biggest and most jaw-
dropping of all the falls, the
Garganta del Diablo waterfall is
reachable only by taking the
eco-train to its final destination,
Estación Garganta del Diablo.
From the station, a 1.4-mile
(2.2-km) walk way cuts across
the Upper Río Iguazú and jungle
river islands before approaching
almost to the lip of the 260-ft-
(80-m-) high horseshoe-shaped
cataract. The walk takes about
2 hours and it is advisable to
wear water proof clothing and
bring plastic bags to protect The awe-inspiring waterfall Garganta del Diablo
cameras from the vapor that
rises from the waterfall. Boat Excursions Iguazú River. Tour operator
Tel (03757) 491-469. 8 arranged at Jungle Explorer runs each of
Sendero Macuco Area de Recepción. these excursions.
8 arranged at park entrance. There are several options for
Compared to the busy Circuito boat excursions within the Brazilian Side
Superior and Circuito Inferior park. Aventura Naútica is a Open Dec–Mar: 9am–6pm daily;
trails, Sendero Macuco 12-minute powerboat trip Apr–Nov: 9am–5pm daily. & - =
(Macuco Trail) is a quieter, less along the Lower Iguazú River ∑ cataratasdoiguacu.com.br
trodden track. It leads away to the base of the 230-ft- Offering panoramic vistas of
from the waterfalls into the (70-m-) high Salto San Martín the Garganta del Diablo, the
surrounding jungle of tall waterfall. The hour-long Gran Brazilian side of the falls is a short
lapacho and palo rosa trees, Aventura leads to the same distance away. A trip can include
where several species of fauna, destination, after an open-truck a visit to Parque dos Aves Foz
including myriad birds and drive via the Sendero Yacaratia Tropicana, which has rare bird
butterflies, coatimundis and jungle track, and a 4-mile species. For a longer stay on the
capuchin monkeys can be (6-km) powerboat ride, which Brazilian side, the city of Foz do
observed. The 3-hour-long includes a mile (2 km) of rapids. Iguaçu has numerous hotel
trail ends at a small rock pool Departing from the Estación options. Brazilian immigration
located at the base of the Garganta del Diablo, the Paseo rules require some national ities,
beautiful Salto Arrechea Ecológico is a gentle boat including citizens of the US,
waterfall. The pool is a good journey that glides along side Canada, Japan, and Australia,
place for swimming. the gallery forests of the Upper to obtain a visa prior to travel.

The Wildlife of Parque Nacional Iguazú
A haven for some 430 bird and over 70 mammal species,
Parque Nacional Iguazú boasts extraordinary bio diversity.
Though much of its fauna, including the giant anteater,
the piglike tapir, and the powerful jaguar, is reclusive, a
diverse range of wildlife can be spotted along the trails.
Most visible are coatimundis, raccoon-like creatures that
approach visitors for food. The jungle canopy is home to
chattering capuchin monkeys, which descend to the forest Capuchin monkey, usually found in the canopy
floor to forage and can be observed from the Macuco Trail. of the park’s forests
Kaleidoscopically colored butterflies abound: the beautiful
heliconius, its jet-black wings emblazoned with yellow
and red flashes, is ubiquitous. Reptiles include caiman and
the often-sighted iguana. Birdlife is also abundant. Great
dusky swifts nest on rock faces behind the falls and dart
in and out of the vapor kicked up by the tumbling water.
Predatory kites can be seen gliding high in the sky and
jungle trails are enlivened by exotically plumaged toucans
(best observed early in the morning), parrots, trogons,
caciques, and other tropical birds. Wading birds fish in Coatimundi, one of the most commonly spotted
streams and at the top of the falls. mammals in the park

For hotels and restaurants in this region see p280 and pp292–3

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