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It's a long way to travel from North America to Brazil. Now that you are there, and may never return, we have organized an extension to one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Iguazu Falls, the world's largest waterfalls, located in the Southwest of Brazil, bordered by Paraguay and Argentina.
We have been taking our Quest participants to the subtropical World Heritage Area of Iguazu Falls National Park, for many years, and they have always been overwhelmed by the many waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost three kilometres wide and 100 metres high. In turn, amidst the thunderous roar of the tumbling waters, huge, vivid rainbows hover above the thick clouds of spray. Some say that the spectacle is much more impressive than the cascade at Niagara Falls.
During our visit to Iguazu Falls, we'll be staying three nights at the Hotel Tropical das Cataratas, located in the middle of the National Park, surrounded by the subtropical Atlantic Forest, with a spectacular view to the waterfalls.
The mighty Iguazu River, a short walk from our hotel, plunges spectacularly some 90 meters, into a sheer chasm of its own creation known as the Garganta do Diablo (Devil's Throat). For the next few kilometers, more than 275 lesser falls combine with the Devil's Throat to create a spectacle of sight, sound, and the raw power of nature that must be experienced to be appreciated.
Here, in addition to the awesome splendour of the world's largest waterfalls, we will be treated to the avian spectacle of thousands of great dusky swifts, as they swirl through the mists of the cataracts and cling precariously to the vertical slabs of basalt.
During our two full days at Iguazu, in addition to viewing the more
Falls, we'll have opportunities to explore the lush forests around the hotel, the many trails along the falls and the river where tropical birds and mammals abound. Among the more spectacular birds we hope to see are the red-ruffed fruitcrow, spot-billed toucanet, toco and red-breasted toucans, rufous-capped motmot, surucua trogon, blond-crested and robust woodpeckers, and plush-crested jay.
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| FACTS: |
| • | 5 land days |
| • | Start and finish in Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| • | Does not include flights from Sao Paulo to Iguazu Falls and return |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Moderate: If you are in reasonably good health and a moderate level of physical fitness, you will be able to participate in and enjoy this tour. Most trails are quite flat with no major hills to climb. The walkways around Iguazu Falls may be wet from the spray, and possibly slippery, depending on the wind direction. You will also need to be able to get in and out of small boats. Unfortunately mosquitoes can be a nuisance on the trails, so come prepared. Although the area is sub-tropical, the occasional cold front can produce surprisingly cold weather. A Gore-Tex type jacket will be useful. |
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| ACCOMMODATIONS: |
| Hotel Tropical das Cataratas |
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| COMBINATIONS: |
| Brazil |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Start of the Iguazu Falls Extension |
| Day 2: |
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Fly to Iguazu |
| Day 3: |
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Iguazu Falls |
| Day 4: |
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Iguazu Falls |
| Day 5: |
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Fly to Sao Paulo and depart |
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 John is a field biologist who has been very active in research projects in Canada, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. He spends the month of May at Point Pelee NP, during the peak bird migration, leading bird hikes and giving bird identification workshops. John is fluently trilingual in English, Spanish and French.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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