• Wednesday 03 February 2010

If you were to design the perfect waterfall then Iguassu would have to be it. Straddling the border between Brazil and Argentina, where it is known as Saltos do Iguacu and Cataratas do Iguazú respectively, it comprises a range of cataracts. One such is the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo), which has a classic horseshoe shape and drops into a deep chasm. A walkway runs from the Argentinian side to the edge of the cataract, allowing you to stare directly at the wall of water as it drops into the void below. The Santa Maria Cataract, which falls over the Brazilian side of the border, is interrupted halfway down by a plateau. Here the water is dotted with moss-encrusted rocks and spanned by a walkway that provides views up and down the falls and is festooned with rainbows. Both walkways provide an experience for all the senses, the endless rushing sound that grows to a roar as you approach, the sheets of cooling spray as you get closer, and the buffeting winds caused by the great volume of water pushing the air out of the way. The whole waterfall stretches for a couple of kilometres and includes many cataracts, some approachable only by boat, others visible only from an island that sits in the middle of the river above the falls. Iguassu is surrounded on both sides by verdant rainforest, which has been made into two national parks. For this particular trip an early start is not required as the sunlight barely hits the lower parts of the falls until an hour or two after dawn. While most of Iguassu is in Argentina, some of the best views are on the Brazilian side, especially at sunset. It is a simple process to cross over for the day as travel agents on both sides offer inexpensive trips. The Brazilian side of the border is probably the least developed, and those seeking-seclusion should consider staying at the Tropical Las Cataras eco-hotel. Built in a Portuguese colonial style, with some rooms over looking part of the waterfall, and a clock tower from which you can watch the sunset, the hotel is actually inside the national park. Although there are signs warning about jaguars and snakes you can stroll down to the falls at night, when the dull roar seems even louder, and you might just be able to make out the spray in the moonlight. If you combine your visit with a full moon, there are special night visits open to everybody, and the moonlight is bright enough to make out many details of the falls. Please Guys If you are going on holidays, Get to Brazil and Argentina and get to Iguazu, It has to be seen to be believed.