Andes & Cape Horn Grand Adventure: 2-18 Off to Iguazu Falls

This morning we're up early to begin our travel to Iguazu Falls. Tony & I head downstairs to the hotel lobby with ALL of our luggage in tow. I've emptied out our smaller backpack into the suitcases which we will leave with the hotel. For our side trip to Iguazu we have only one carryon and a backpack.

By 7:15 am our taxi has arrived and we're off to AEP, the local and much smaller airport only 5 miles from our hotel. We have our boarding passes printed. But being unfamiliar with the airport procedure, and with advice from a luggage handler, we stand in the checkin line. At the counter the attendant checks our carryon bag, at no cost and we head up to the boarding area. When our flight is called to board, we head down a jetway and board a bus which takes us to our plane sitting off to the side of the terminal. The airport is expanding and gate access is very limited. We quickly settle in to the very new Aerolineas 737, put on our newly acquired, and by now much loved noise reduction headphones and less than 2 hours later we land at the 2-gate Iguazu airport.

Our First view of Iguazu Falls - The puff of mist under the wing.
The water is the upper Iguazu River

Aeropuerto Internacional Cataratas Del Iguazu

Because of the short time, and for convenience we are staying at the Melia, the one hotel inside the park. Linda & Gordan, who are traveling with us on this excursion, had arranged a driver to the hotel and within 45 minutes of getting off the plane we are being handed iced tea and checking into our hotel for the next 48 hours. Interestingly, he did not want payment until our return transfer on Wednesday. We were going to hire a guide once we got to the park. But our driver gave us great advice for seeing the falls. There are 3 paths in the park, the upper, middle and lower circuit. Our driver suggested walking the middle circuit that afternoon. And then the upper and lower over the next day and 1/2.

We arrived at the hotel by 11 and our room wasn't ready yet. But Linda & Gordon's room was. So we dropped our luggage in their room and headed down the path to the middle circuit. Although walkable, we opt for the park train which delivers us to the beginning of the .6 mile footpath over the gathering waters of Garganta de Diablo.

All aboard

As we approach the Falls, it begins to sprinkle. And the sound of the rushing waters increases and by the time we see the Falls conversation is nearly impossible. But what a site!! We are standing above the drop-off of Devil's Throat!