Iguazu Falls Extension

Our extension trip starts at the airport in Puerto Iguazu, the gateway to the mighty Iguazu Falls. If you're joining from another of our tours, and we're booking these international flights for you, we'll book the internal flight from the end point of your trip to Puerto Iguazu. It's worth noting that even if you're booking your own international flights, we can still book this connecting flight to Puerto Iguacu for you - please speak to our customer services team.

Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be collected and transferred to our comfortable hotel in Puerto Iguazu, our base for the next three nights, located on the Argentinian side of the falls. Flanked by the Paraguayan border to its west and the Brazilian border to its north, the small outpost of Puerto Igauzu is set amongst tropical jungle and is almost entirely encircled by the rivers that feed the mighty falls. It's a small but lively town with a selection of bars, restaurants, and local markets selling artisan crafts.

While we aim to get you to Iguazu in the morning, your flight may arrive at any time of day. If you do have an earlier arrival, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax or explore the town. Alternatively, there are several optional activities including a half-day guided jungle bike ride along quiet tracks to spot the incredible flora and fauna found in the area (all equipment provided). You could visit the Wanda Mines, an extensive quartz mine and there is also a tree-top canopy adventure consisting of a number of walkways and exhilarating zip lines.

Please note, this is a stand-alone extension and can be booked on any date of your choosing, subject to availability. Whilst this itinerary has been designed to complement several of our group tours and Polar cruises, we'd like to point out that you may not be travelling with other Explore customers. Your transfers and excursions in Iguazu are not private and might be shared with others who are not booked through Explore.

Set amidst the lush landscapes of the Parque Nacional do Iguazu Reserve, the falls are one of nature's true masterpieces, a spectacular cascade of 275 interconnecting falls that hurtle over high cliffs into a marvellous curved amphitheatre - a breathtaking sight that extends 3 kilometres across the Rio Iguazu. The park itself was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986 and its trails are a paradise for nature lovers. The surrounding spray-soaked forest provides a rich haven for flora and fauna, with over 2,000 plant species and over 400 different types of birds being recorded here, as well as countless mammals, insects, and reptiles. The canopy is alive with an array of brightly plumaged toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, and colourful butterflies, whilst the forest floor boasts jaguars, mountain lions, tapirs and capuchin monkeys.

Today is a full day visit to the Argentinian side of the falls, from where you'll get an extensive view of the cascade. A walk to the churning cauldron of the Garganta del Diablo (the Devil's Throat), presents you with one of the most powerful waterfalls on the planet, where a series of 14 separate falls merge into one, to produce a spectacular torrent.

Today there is an included half day excursion to visit the Brazilian side of the falls to get a panoramic view of these mighty cataracts, offering a different perspective and atmosphere to that on the Argentinian side. Four times wider than Niagara, the falls hurtle over high cliffs into a marvellous curved amphitheatre several miles wide. The noise is tremendous and huge clouds of mist are churned up by the cascade. The surrounding spray-soaked forest is alive with brightly plumaged toucans, parrots, hummingbirds and colourful butterflies.

This afternoon is free, where you can choose to visit the Tropicana Bird Park lying in the rainforest near the entrance gate - this is a must for ornithologists and anyone interested in local wildlife. Another option is an excursion to Itaipu Dam, the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, with an 8-kilometre long dam and a reservoir that covers 1,400 square kilometres. The output from the plant supplies some 80% of Paraguay's electricity and 25% of Brazil's.

Our tour ends in Puerto Iguazu this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. A shared transfer is included back to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR) in time for your return flight.