A distant murmur reminds us of the purpose of our visit long before we catch our first glimpse of the cataracts from the dining room of the Sheraton hotel within the Argentine National Park. It gets louder as we clamber onto the jungle train, a short distance from the hotel, that takes us to long, creaky, metal catwalks spanning the Iguazu river and cutting through dense jungle.
Midway through, we spot a Caiman on a rock in the middle of the river. An excited group of school kids spoil his reverie – and ours – and he slinks off into the water looking for a more peaceful perch.
The loud murmur is now a deafening roar as we turn a corner onto the viewing platforms and then…..
WOW!!!
We stare dumbstruck at the sheer drama of the whirling cascades spilling over the precipice, and into this deep, dark chasm!
This is the Garganta del Diablo – the Devils Throat! Awe inspiring, overwhelming, humbling.
‘Iguazú‘ in Spanish – as also ‘Iguacu‘ in Portuguese – are corruptions of the Guarani words for ‘Mighty Water’ and the Cataratas del Iguazu*, straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, are mighty without a doubt! Legend has it that the Serpent God Mboi demanded the sacrifice of a beautiful Guarani princess named Naipí, who escaped with her lover Tarobá in a canoe. Enraged, Mboi sliced the earth creating the waterfalls, to plunge the lovers to their doom. Mboi then turned Tarobá into a palm tree, that we can see from the upper circuit, and the long hair of the beautiful Naipí into the falls!!
We decide to do the upper circuit, the Passeo Superior, while there is still enough light and the park is being emptied of tourists returning to town. Meandering metal walkways take us through lush tropical forest to viewing platforms at the lip of some of the larger falls, hurtling into vertiginous depths that are obscured by the mist! Butterflies, Coatis and brilliant plumed birds keep us company while I warily check the undergrowth for snakes.
Early next morning on the lower circuit (Passeo inferior) we get impressive eye level perspectives – of the more than 275 falls arrayed along the cliff face over 2700 meters – from various viewpoints along the trail.
The highlight being the lowest gangplank which is cantilevered out under the sheer drop of one of the largest cascades. I am not a religious person and avoid religious places if I can. But standing as far out as I dare, and looking up at the magnificent fury of that massive curtain of water, is the closest I have come to experiencing GOD! A heart-stopping moment of fear, awe and intense joy!!
In the afternoon, we cross the border to Brazil and spend a lazy evening with the gorgeous birds at Parque des Aves, and halt overnight in a hotel right outside the Brazilian National Park. We walk across very early next morning to view the panorama of the cascades from across the river.
The morning light bounces off the misty spray and straddles the banks with iridescent bands of colour. The walkways are generally shorter here, but there is one that strikes out almost to the middle of the river, directly in front of the Garganta del Diablo, drenching us in voluminous plumes of mist as we gasp in wonder one final time.
*Last week Argentina and Brazil held joint celebrations to mark the official naming of the Iguassu Falls as one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world!
The Urge To Wander 
Amazing as always!
Thank you Mehmudah 🙂
Great great nature and great shots too… 😉
Thank you Ledrake. Nature is easier to photograph 🙂
Amazing story, Madhu! I never knew one can walk BEHIND the falls, must be an extraordinary experience! I wonder how it compares to Niagra Falls (Canada side) …
No comparision! Eleanor Roosevelt is supposed to have said “Poor Niagara” when she stood in front of these falls 🙂
Hahaha … that’s funny! Good to know! I guess since seeing Niagra Falls (Canada side), I haven’t been really been too impressed with many other waterfalls around the world! I will need to come to Iguassu to see for myself! Thanks! =D
Victoria falls is the largest, (and Angel falls the highest) but by all accounts Iguassu is considered the most spectacular because of its 260 degree views. You will be impressed for sure 🙂
Wow! Thanks for the added notes, Madhu! I’m putting them on my list! =D
you have experienced the sublime! Oh how wonderful it all sounds 🙂
Sublime is the word 🙂
What a beautiful and awe-inspiring experience, Madhu!! 🙂 And of course your photos are awesome!
Thank you so much.
Madhu, I can only imagine what it must have felt like to be standing there and seeing those waterfalls in person! I love your photos and the vivid descriptions, what a privilege it was to experience Iguassu from both Brazil and Argentina!
Thank you James. We skipped the boat ride under the falls which is supposed to be thrilling as well. Helicopter rides are banned in Argentina because of ecological damage to the rain forest, but that does not seem to deter Brazil or the tourists who insist on doing it.
Did you get wet that day? 🙂
Completely drenched 🙂
Such a beautiful place! The miracle of nature 🙂
Absolutely! Thank s for stopping by 🙂
Incredible!!!
The falls are truly incredible!
Amazing, Breathtaking, Cool Photos – thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much 🙂
beautiful shots Madhu,gotta tell you That Caiman is a sadhu and a showstopper 😆
And our first Caiman in the wild 🙂 Thanks for the kind words Soma.
These photos are absolutely amazing. We have Niragra Falls (Which are beautiful)but nothing like this. I love the mass greatness of them, the twin falls, The walkway that takes you so near. Thank you for sharing again.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you Francine 🙂
thanks for sharing this water wonder with your photos!
You are most welcome Frizztext 🙂
Lots of fabulous pictures and cannot say a favourite, all great. 😉
Thank you Gerry. Glad you liked them 🙂
Wow Madhu these photos are absolutely amazing and you’re brave getting that close. I’m not afraid of heights at all but heights with water and wooden walkways may be a bit different!
They are metal actually. But still a bit scary, especially since they are wet and slippery! I chickened out of going under the falls in a boat though 🙂
I had no idea! Our German friends made a special trip when they were in Brazil to see the falls, but all I had for images was Niagara Falls. This is on a TREMENDOUS scale, and is —- as you say — truly awesome.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonder with the rest of us.
You are welcome. Good to see you survived the Chennai stopover 🙂
Hi,
Wow, that is just amazing, the force of the water, this is truly the true force of nature at it’s best. What spectacular views you had and the walkway looks very strong and sturdy, and a good width as well, you don’t often see that in National Parks.
Fantastic photos, you have captured the falls beautifully, I would love to go and see this.
Thank you Mags. It is truly amazing! Hope you get to see it someday.
I can feel the power of the water falling.
Glad you did. Wish I had taken a video for the sound effects. Thank you for the visit Michel.
Thank you, Madhu. These photos were a particular pleasure.
Glad you enjoyed them Bumba, thank YOU 🙂
I’m seriously envious of you this morning:) My only consolation is that I have now seen more, or better photographs than I have ever seen before, and can construct, in my mind, a little of the geography of the falls (which before were just a mass of roaring water). Wonderful post, Madhu – and fantastic pictures. 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Perhaps I should have borrowed an aerial photo to better illustrate the layout.
Na – what you have given us is marvellous:)
awesome!!! should visit this place at least once in a life time……..
Without a doubt! Thank you for the comment Naresh
Your photos are stunning! I can almost feel the power of the falls.
Thank you Happysherlock!
Breath taking shots of the waterfalls….
Couldn’t go wrong with a subject like that Eric 🙂 Thank you for dropping by
What an amazing experience, Madhu. Love your photos and excellent narration. Thanks for sharing. 😉
Thank you AD. Looking forward to reading about your new adventures 🙂
Spectacular shots, Madhu!
Thank you Marina 🙂 I am surprised my little point & shoot captured this much!
How fantastic! I’d have loved to have visited the Iguassu Falls when I travelled to Argentina, but alas didn’t have the time or funds to get there – (after spending a month in Patagonia!) I’m glad you have shared these brilliant photos – makes me want to go there more so 🙂
Wow! A month in Patagonia! We never got there. There is so much to see in South America, it is hard to prioritise. I am definitely going back when we recoup from last years trip 🙂
Thanks for an amazing virtual journey Madhu. I google mapped Iguazu for a site plan: http://goo.gl/maps/tE1j – your photos says a lot more. They are beautiful.
You flatter me Anette 🙂 Thank you!
one of nature’s wonders, and you have shown it so beautifully, a great tour thank you madhu!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you Dadirri.
Great photos, Madhu. It was pouring buckets when we were in Iguazu last summer. It looks like you got some lovely rainbow weather! Loved to hear your perceptions. It was awesome. Made Niagra Falls look like a wading pool.
Thanks Naomi. A pity about the rain!
Haven’t been to Niagara myself but the comparision is apparently inevitable 🙂
What an amazing sight! I must make it out there one day, fabulous photos.
Thank you Lucy. Have no doubt you will 🙂
What a gorgeous place. You captured it beautifully.
Thank you so much TSC 🙂
I am wide-eye looking at your pictures, Madhu. These are truly magnificent sights. You did well capturing them. I love how there are plenty of gaps like series of waterfalls and not just one whole line. Oh Madhu, thanks for taking us to different places.
You are most welcome Rommel. Thank YOU for your encouraging comments!
Oh my gosh, incredible falls and incredible images of them! I want to go there.
Thank you Susan. It is truly magnificent!
Wonderful post! These falls are incredible – I especially like the shot of the “Devil’s Throat!” You did a great job of showing the varied faces of the falls – thanks for sharing this visit!
Whoever thought of that name was brilliant 🙂 Thank you for your visit and comment
Such a joy to live vicariously through your pictures and posts!
Thank you Anne. Always a pleasure to see you here 🙂
I love travelling to all these places through your blog! I put Cappadocia into my novel, which I discovered from your blog. Have you been to Ajanta? I would love to see your pics if you have visited, the caves are so amazing ( had to add that as a location in my novel too- my Dad is Indian!)
Thank you Khaula. Glad to have you back!
No, I havn’e been to the Ajanta & Ellora caves yet!! In a hurry to do the farthest destinations before we get too old for those transcontinental flights 🙂
I need to add this to my list of places to visit. How exciting!!!
You absolutely should TBM 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful! My parents have been and have said the falls are amazing.
Thank you Ameena. They truly are!
I can’t decide which view I like the best, upper circuit, lower circuit, across the river…it looks like you did a great job of covering all angles of the falls. Such beautiful photos. I can almost feel the mist and spray. Devil’s Throat is an interesting name…
Thank you Rufina! You are right, the falls are amazing from every angle!
The shots of devil’s throat are amazing… what an adventure.
Thank you Elizabeth 🙂
Amazing post, Madhu! 😉
Thanks Malou 🙂
Stunning, awesome, spectacular, and powerful! All in one post!
Flattered Amy! But credit should really go to the falls, don’t you think 🙂
What a wonderful place! It’s amazing to see the Devils Throat from above. It looked like sucking everything nearby!
It does, and the sound is deafening as well! Much more pewerful that the pictures convey! Thanks Bama
an amazing place to witness the power of nature!
Very true Mimo! Thank you for stopping by
Oh, wow! A vision beyond words. The Devil’s Throat is both beautiful and scary. A mixture of fun, fear and excitement. Wonderful images. thanks for sharing a unforgettable encounter at Iguazu National Park. Stunning.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Wow, that is Amazing
DJ-
Thank you Darkjade 🙂
Holy crap this post absolutely rocks! I love the pictures, and my jealousy increased with each paragraph! 🙂 My wife is from Rio so I have no excuse for not getting to Iguacu some day, after reading this I hope it’s sooner rather than later!
Thanks Aaron. You have no excuses, get there pronto 🙂
WOW….!
Yeah, that’s exactly how we felt 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
Such power! Wonderful photos.
Thank you Ruth
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as clean as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
You are most welcome Russel. Appreciate the likes and the follow. Look forward to seeing you around.
Hi,Wow, that is just amazing, the force of the water, this is truly the true force of naurte at it’s best. What spectacular views you had and the walkway looks very strong and sturdy, and a good width as well, you don’t often see that in National Parks.Fantastic photos, you have captured the falls beautifully, I would love to go and see this.
Thanks for sharing with us the amazing Iguazu.
waoow !ı want to see !
Gorgeous photos! I do wish we could have seen the falls from the Argentinean side too. Spectacular… and as you said, very humbling.
Some really impressive photos here – I had exactly the same “Wow!” feelings the first time I visited Iguazu. The amazing thing for me is that (having been back a couple of times since) it’s still just as impressive when you return. Not many waterfalls you can say that about. Just to let you know, by the way, your ‘Cataratas del Iguazu’ link near the top of the page doesn’t work any more – at least, not if you don’t speak Spanish!
Thanks for sharing these. When I was visiting Brazil for a convention they had a planned trip to view those places of wonder but I had to cancel out for business reasons. Now you have been kind enough to take me there.
This is spectacular .. and your personal touch brings forth more its magnificence. Thank you for directing me to your trip.
Thank you for reading Frank.