XTS IGUACU FALLS EXTENSION - BRAZIL

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The Iguacu Falls are known throughout the world as one of the most beautiful and majestic natural waterfalls man has ever seen. The falls themselves sit on the Iguacu River and rest on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Visited by many people every year, the Iguacu Falls are one of the more popular natural tourist destinations in South America.

The first European explorer to find the Iguacu Falls was Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish Conquistador, who came upon them in 1541. The falls went mostly unvisited after that until being rediscovered once again in the late nineteenth century. The name Iguacu comes from a local Indian language and roughly translates as "Big Water".

The magnitude and overall length of the Iguacu Falls insures that it will be kept in the pantheon of great waterfalls of the world. The Iguacu Falls belongs right up there with Victoria Falls and Niagara Falls when it comes to the most beautiful waterfalls of all.

This extension is an excellent addition to our Pantanal Wildlife Tour and is also organised by your hosts on this ride.

Trip length 2n/3d Ride price detailed prices price promise 2012: double pp £455/€535/$729 Departure dates Any day arrival Group size Any Meeting point Iguaçu Airport, Brazil (IGU) Transfer Included from meeting point Single supplement detailed prices 2012: £129/€149/$205

SAMPLE ITINERARY - XTS IGUACU FALLS EXTENSION

Day 1
Your guide picks you up at Iguaçu Airport and transfer to the Hotel San Martin for overnight. The hotel features a lush tropical park and swimming pool and is located right next to the Parque das Aves (Birds Park).

Day 2
After breakfast your guide picks you up to visit the Brazilian side of the world famous waterfalls. The falls are located within the limits of the Iguaçu National Park. In 275 cascades the Iguaçu River rushes with an average height of 60 m down the horseshoe-shape canyon over a length of almost two miles, an unforgettable natural spectacle. We suggest: a sightseeing helicopter flight (optional), which gives an even better vision of the overwhelming dimensions of the falls.
In the afternoon you will be escorted for a visit to the Itaipu dam and hydro electric power plant, where nature is tamed for the use of man and 14.000 MW of power are generated. The energy is delivered to Paraguay where it supplies 70% of its energy needs and to southern and southwestern Brazil, supplying some 17% of Brazil´s energy consumption. This gigantic capacity tops the Yangtze 3 Gorges dam in China.
Back at the hotel you will take a one-hour walk, or so, through the Parque das Aves or Birds Park. Over 150 different species of tropical birds, but also alligators, snakes, butterflies and monkeys, amidst a beautiful natural habitat, can be observed. For the rest of the day you may want to stroll through the Hotel gardens and enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool.

Day 3
Today you head for the Argentine side of the falls. A mini train rails you through the Iguacu National Park. A panoramic boardwalk leads to the roaring Garganta del Diablo, where you look right into the Devil's Gorge. Our suggestion is to do the adventurous and breathtaking raft ride right beneath the falls (optional). If you wish to return to the Hotel for shower, changing travel cloth and packing gear, we can arrange a late check out for you (please let us know in advance). Otherwise you need to check-out prior departure for the tour as we transfer you straight from there to the airport for flight to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo and connections.

Please note this itinerary is intended as a guideline and may be altered due to prevailing conditions at the time. This itinerary may also change in accordance with arrival and departure schedules. Your guide will offer you the best options.

NOTES - XTS IGUACU FALLS EXTENSION

We recommend late evening arrival and departure to/from Iguaçu.

The hotel used on this extension is the San Martin Hotel and Resort. Specifically designed and crafted to integrate man with the natural world it is a stunning oasis on the doorstep of the Iguacu National Park. 135 apartments and suites are spread out over 130,000 square metres of beautiful gardens.

All rooms have:
• Phone
• Air Conditioning
• Minibar
• Safe
• TV
• Internet

Breakfast and dinner are served buffet style. The hotel has 2.4 km of nature trails, an outdoor football pitch (this is Brazil after all!), table tennis, volleyball, a gymnastics academy and swimming pool.

The park lies within the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests ecoregion.The fauna of the park includes several endangered species: jaguar, jaguarundi, South American Tapir, Ocelot, tirica, anteater, pavas de monte, the Harpy Eagle, and the Yacare Caiman. One can also find birds like the vencejo de cascada and large toucans, mammals like the coatí, and a diversity of butterflies. The Vinaceous Amazon, named for its wine-colored plumage, is found in this park.

The Iguacu River ends in the Paraná River 23 km beyond the falls, after a 1320 km course. Inside the park it becomes up to 1,500 m wide and turns first south, then north, forming a large U-shape. Its banks are densely populated by trees, including the ceibo (Cockspur coral tree), whose flower is Argentina's national flower. The flora of the park also features lapacho negro and lapacho amarillo (family Bignoniaceae), as well as palmito trees and the 40-metre-high palo rosa (family Apocynaceae).

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Two nights accommodation at the San Martin Hotel with breakfast and dinner. Transfers from Iguacu Airport. Services of a multilingual guide. Excursions as per itinerary.
For price details click here

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Iguacu Airport. Lunches. Helicopter flight. Rafting. Late check out. Tips. Items of a personal nature.

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	What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.