Iguazu are the widest falls in the World.

Our journey on Monday involved two flights from Rio to Iguazu. We arrived at the hotel in time for a very late dinner, then off to bed for an early morning start.

“Bruno”, our guide at the Rio Botanical Gardens accompanied us to Iguazu. He and the local guide, “Doug” worked extremely hard helping us to see as much as possible in the time available.

Our hotel was on the Brazilian side but we started by crossing through passport control to the Argentinian side.

From a bridge on route to the falls you could see river banks in all three bordering countries, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

The Argentinian Side

The map shows, in the order that we travelled:

• In blue: “Circuito Superior” (the upper circuit)
• A sweeping yellow train track from the right to the top
• In yellow at the top: “Circuito Garganta Diablo” (the Devils Gullet circuit)
• In yellow at the bottom “Circuito Inferior” (the lower circuit)

Circuito Superior (Upper Circuit):

There are lots of monkeys in the area also plenty of racoons. The guide also mentioned that pumas are seen occasionally.

A train then took us to the “Circuito Garganta Diablo”

Circuito Garganta Diablo (the Devils Gullet circuit):

We were fortunate. The walkway to the Devils Gullet had only just been reinstated after being partly washed away during recent flooding.

There was an abundance of wildlife:

Even a turtle was seen getting warm on a rock:

As we approached the Devils Gullet the deep guttural sound of the cascading water grew louder and louder.

Circuito Inferior (Lower Circuit):

After a very active morning, lunch at a local restaurant was welcome. After that it was back through Passport Control to Brazil.

The Brazilian Side

It was a very hot day, perhaps 35deg, so people didn’t mind getting soaked in the spray on the viewing platform below:

This was a view from the platform:

A Power Boat to Get Up Close

We were already pretty wet from the mist and spray on the viewing platform, so we shouldn’t get much wetter in the boat, or so we thought.

Off we went at high speed, through the rapids, swerving to avoid the rocks.

Several phones and cameras were ruined that day.

We got absolutely soaked. The water cascading from a great height stung our heads and faces. It was a relief when we came out the other side, but then we went through again and again!

Back at the terminal, we eventually staggered out of the boat. We were dripping wet but it was great fun and I’d certainly do it again given the chance.

Tomorrow we have a visit to a bird sanctuary, then fly to Salvador where we stay overnight before reuniting with Balmoral when it arrives on Thursday.