Waterfalls, cascades, jumps and more nature in Misiones, Argentina.
Iguazu Falls, a Natural Wonder
I could start this post by saying that it is one of the seven natural wonders or that it is a Natural World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO, but neither of the two awards is enough to describe the immensity of the place. I'm referring to the Iguazú Falls near Puerto Iguazú, in the Province of Misiones, one of the most significant and popular destinations in Argentina.
I was lucky to visit the Argentinian catwalks on many occasions, for work and tourism, and I always find something different. They are never the same, either because of the nature that surrounds them, the fauna that can be seen or the flow of water, which, reaching the greatest waterfall, the Devil's Throat, is enjoyed with a just splash or soaking completely, depending on your luck.
The walkways surrounding the Falls on the Argentinian side can be covered in one day at a fast pace or in two if you take time for the different experiences, such as the Macuco Trail, more extensive than the lower, upper, and Devil's Throat circuits or the Great Adventure, which consists of a boat ride to go under some jumps, allowing you to enjoy the power of the water in the foreground.
The night walk in full moon is also a memorable tour. It's hard to get photos because of the darkness, but with a modern cell phone, it's getting easier. The water in the Devil's Throat makes an impressive visual effect, it’s like a waterfall of milk. The experience is complete if you book the dinner pack inside the National Park to enjoy being outdoors with good gastronomy.
Sunset at Lake Urugua-í
Despite describing all the options that the Iguazú Falls have, I fail to make you feel the emotions that being there awakens.
But the province of Misiones is not just the Iguazú Falls, it is a subtropical province surrounded by nature, forests, rivers, waterfalls.
I recently visited it with the aim of finding the most hidden jumps or falls and trek among trees, plants and some spiders. Discovering paths with branches and opening them pretending I had a machete, was one of the most rewarding sensations of the trip. I stopped 40 kilometers away from the Iguazú Falls in front of Lake Urugua-í, where I was able to kayak and wait for the sunset enjoying the tranquility of the place with a beer. I repeated this experience for three days, while I also made an effort to get up early to see the sunrise bounce off the lake.
Many Waterfalls in Salto Encantado Provincial Park
In the Salto Encantado Provincial Park, a two-hour drive from the lodge, I was able to see many of the waterfalls and jumps I set out to find: from those that required a 40-minute walk to the three-hour ones with ups and downs for the most experienced hikers. I took a sandwich and some water in my bag for a healthy rest. Salto Encantado, Salto Picaflor and Salto La Olla are some of the jumps I found. To call them beauties does not do them justice.
The Piedras Blancas Waterfall, on the shores of the campsite with the same name, was one of the highlights, due to the simplicity of the place and how easy it was to get there.
The Must-See Yasi Falls
Experiences also included boat jumps. A highlight: the Yasi waterfall, which can only be accessed by boat from Puerto Libertad, specifically from Posada Puerto Bemberg (a beautiful inn to stay). Go upstream for twenty minutes along the Paraná and five minutes along the Yasi brook until you reach the waterfall. Ideal for slowing down, drinking some typical Argentinian mates and having a bite in front of an exciting view with the sound of the water falling on the rocks.
Moconá Falls, Indian Cave, and More Waterfalls in Misiones
The Uruguaí Fall also takes a tough hike. A large fall among rocks forms an ideal pool for the summer where you can spend the day. I didn’t, I appreciated it from above and spent some minutes looking for a different perspective that I couldn't find, but I know it’s there somewhere. It's a matter of reopening paths or simply finding them.
The chosen destination to spend the whole day and enjoy a barbecue was "Gruta India", it has some grills, a lawn, tables and of course, the Tres de Mayo waterfall in the background, the jewel of the place. The goal there was not trekking, but to eat in front of (more) nature.
Our excursion finished with the last two falls, however we left many more in the province for another visit. The Orchid Falls, for instance, is near the town of Dos de Mayo, and it’s suitable for the more adventurous and experienced. Good physical condition is required to arrive there. First, go along the beautiful Route 11, which has many curves and counter-curves that will take you to a gravel road: if it rains, it can be a little more difficult to enter. The road then becomes impassable for cars, and it is time for a steep descent. You can take a shortcut on foot in an even steeper descent. After a 40-minute walk, you will reach the Orchid Falls, a nice place to cool off in summertime. It is also a destination for those who like climbing. As I said before, being fit is a must to climb the steep paths on the way back. Still, highly recommended.
A trip to Misiones for a week or more to visit the Moconá Falls, near the town of El Soberbio, about 4 hours from Puerto Iguazú by car, is something you can’t miss. The excursion takes at least two days, because of the time it takes to get there from the Falls and also, once you are there, it is advisable to start the excursion to the Moconá Falls in the morning. It is important to find out the state of the Uruguay River beforehand, if the flow is too high, the falls cannot be appreciated. The only way to see them is on board. The time and traveling required to get there are worth it to get to know the second-best nature destination in Misiones. You won't understand how nature itself has managed to erode the soil to generate such spectacular scenery.
From the Iguazú Falls to the Moconá Falls, I tried to explore in this article (and in my trip) what the subtropical jungle of Misiones means. Three days are generally recommended for the Iguazú Falls and Puerto Iguazú. But if you rent a car or travel in your own car and have one week or more, there will be many more destinations worth visiting in the province of Misiones.