Yacutinga

“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life. To put to new all that was not life, and not, when I came to die, discover I had not lived” – Henry David Thoreau

Misiones Forest and Yacutinga Lodge feature the kind of serenity among lush forests that not even Thoreau could have imagined. Located in the Northeastern most part of Argentina along the Iguazu River and only 26mi (42km) from Iguazu Falls, Yacutinga Lodge is a commingling of nature and civilization; constructed of fallen trees and built to blend in with its surroundings, this eco-resort is just that. Water is supplied from a well 85m deep; the plethora of food stuffs served come from local farms; waste water from showering, hand washing, and food washing is recycled through a constructed marsh full of rainforest swamp plants; an intricate system of tree cover and natural convection currents are employed to keep the resort at a comfortable temperature throughout the year; and solar power, supplemented by clean natural gas, is used to provide all of the lodge's energy needs.

Apart from experiencing the natural beauty of the lodge, visitors are taken on guided treks through the forest where they have the pleasure of seeing an assortment of insects, bird and animal species, and exotic plants. Tranquil voyages on the San Francisco River, with numerous opportunities to capture the surreal surroundings on film and camera, can also be experienced from the perfectly located Yacutinga Lodge.

A typical excursion to this remote area includes:

Day 1 – Transfer from Puerto Iguazu on land through the forest to Yacutinga Lodge.
Day 2 – Early morning float on the San Francisco River, lunch at the lodge, and then a magnificent tour through Misiones Forest. A possible late evening owl watching under the shining stars and moon.
Day 3 – Exploration of one of the self-guided tours, relaxation at the lodge, and a return to Puerto Iguazu. (and we can easily extend your trip for another night or two within Iguazu proper to include a great Iguazu Falls experience!)

Thoreau envisioned the forest as a peaceful place where one could explore their inner self and experience the magnificence of the natural world around them. Well, Yacutinga Lodge is the venue, we’re the guides to get you there. Contact us by email (info@latitudeworldtours.com) or call our Argentina desk (866.949.9940 x701). –Raul L.

Iguazu Primer

A great excursion to combine with whatever else you do (an extended stay in Buenos Aires, wine touring in Mendoza, trekking in Patagonia, etc. etc.), is a short 2 night jaunt up to specatcular, "wonder of the world" Iguazu Falls.

Since its European discovery in 1542, Iguazu Falls has been explored again and again and became a protected area on 1 January 1935. The Falls derive their name from the native people of the area with Iguazu literally meaning water (“I”) and big (“guazu”).

There are hundreds of falls and they extend a length of about 23km (14.26mi) from inception at the outlet of the Iguazu River on the Parana to culmination at Garganta Del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), one of the most impressive of the group with a height of 80m. Iguazu National Park and the Falls are easily visited and observed from the numerous catwalks and trails that traverse the area; the lower circuit allows for a more intimate exploration of the Falls while the upper gives the visitor a panoramic view. A beautiful catwalk at the culmination of the Falls allows for an unforgettable view of Devil’s Throat.

All of the beauty of Iguazu National Park and the Falls is just a quick one hour and fifteen minutes flight from Buenos Aires and provides for a memorable extension to a trip to Argentina. It is best to plan for a 2-night/3-day visit in order to be able to enjoy the Falls and the numerous activities throughout the park; the areas’ great hotels (St. George, 3-star; Cataratas and the Panoramic, 4-star; and the Sheraton, 5-star) make for a comfortable stay.

After visiting the Falls during the morning and early afternoon, travelers can take a one and a half hour 4X4 vehicle ride through the Jungle that gives them a view of the magnificent vegetation and wildlife with a boat ride on the Iguazu River up towards the Falls to finish off the day. If visitors would rather spend more time seeing the Jungle, they can take the Green Trail (600m) into the forest, where they will see numerous birds and wildlife and varying species of plant-life. Visitors may also ride the Train of the Jungle that runs through the forest, and due to its open wagons, allows for an interactive adventure.

Travelers leave this marvel of Argentina with memories and experiences to last a lifetime. For our help in experiencing it, contact us by email (info@latitudeworldtours.com) or call our Argentina desk (866.949.9940 x701). Online visit our Iguazu page at http://www.latitudetours.com/pages/la-3-day-iguazu-falls-extension. - Raul L.