After getting some MUCH NEEDED rest from my previous day's adventure, I was ready to go, and little did I know what fun awaited! As agreed, Walter (my taxi driver and area guide) arrived at my hotel to ferry me back to Argentina, where I would be spending most of my day. The trip to the park entrance on the Argentinean side took just under an hour (but, that included a customs crossing and all the paperwork that goes with it...Walter took care of all that for me). We arrived at the park just as it was opening and Walter assisted me with purchasing my ticket. Inside the park are ALL SORTS of adventures from walking trails to fast boat tours on the river and jungle safaris. I opted for the Grand Adventure which included an eco tour through the jungle, followed by a fast boat tour of the falls, then a walking trail that LITERALLY took me atop the falls, and to wrap things up, a short train ride back to the park entrance.
First up...the Eco Tour...Overall, there wasn't much to it, unfortunately. However, I was TREMENDOUSLY fortunate to be riding along with a great bunch of folks. So, we had a good time!
Next up...the fast boat...now, THIS is where things got exciting! From the end of the eco tour, there's a trail that we followed down to the boat.
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| The black and white markers exist to measure the water height/depth. Apparently, there are times when the river SERIOUSLY floods...YIKES! |
Once at the boat, we suited-up with life jackets and the adventure began!
After racing up the river and seeing the falls come into full view, the boat operator brought the boat to a halt and instructed us to place any items that we did NOT want to get wet into the waterproof bag provided to us. This was the point at which things "got real"...LOL! Unfortunately, I have no video or photos of what actually occurred with my boat, but the following footage will give you an idea:
The ENTIRE experience was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! We sailed DIRECTLY under several of the falls. To see them from a distance was one thing, and to even see them from the surface of the river was another. But, experiencing them pouring over top of the boat was UNREAL!
After the boat ride, I hit the nature trail, where I was able to meet some of the local inhabitants such as the one in the video, below:
The nature trail also afforded me the opportunity to get up close and personal with the many hidden falls throughout the park, as well as the major falls at the end of the trail.
Having made my way all the way to the end of the park, it was now time to leave. For some, leaving the park from this point involves a pretty lengthy trek. However, I chose to take the river raft down.
The raft took me halfway back, and after hopping off, I took the train the rest of the way. While aboard, I came across some fellow, happy travellers, too!
After ALL of that excitement, can you believe that my day was only JUST BEGINNING!?!? Walter (my area guide) had much more in store for me. So, check out my next post, where I'll be sharing my experience of the Three Frontiers (Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay).
