Anyone who's ever seen The Mission will instantly recognize the falls of Iguaçú. The Iguaçú river - which here forms the border between Brazil and Argentina - roars over a sheer precipice 4.8 km (3 miles) wide and 81 m (270 feet) high. Among connoisseurs of great falls, Iguaçú beats out even Niagara and Africa's Victoria Falls. Unlike Victoria Falls, Iguaçú is not shrouded in its own self-generated mist half the year. Instead, in Iguaçú the very fine mist tossed up by the falls precipitates down and creates a pocket microclimate of rainforest lushness, filled with tropical birds and an abundant population of glorious tropical butterflies.

Iguaçú has been attracting visitors since the first European explorer stumbled across the area in the 1540s. In the 1930s more than 1 million acres on the Brazilian side were transformed into a national park, and in 1985 the falls were designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The spectacular falls are formed by 275 waterfalls, some of which drop as far as 81 m (270 feet), making up the largest concentration of falls in the world, pouring as much as 21 thousand cubic feet per second in a breathtaking water spectacle, where mere mortals feel small, fragile and fleeting. Tropical forests and 1.100 species of birds, along with other various fauna, surround the Iguaçú National Park.

As with Niagara, the falls of Iguaçú are shared by two nations, Brazil and Argentina. Debate is endless as to which side offers the best vantage point; it's worth visiting both sides to see for yourself.

1- Arrival in Foz do Iguaçú
Meet and greet at the airport in Foz do Iguaçú and arrival transfer to your hotel. Your room will be ready by noontime, if you prefer we can also arrange you an early check-in (at a surcharge) and you will have your room ready upon arrival, so you can freshen up and rest before exploring the Iguaçú Falls.

2- Foz do Iguaçú
Half Day Tour to see the magnificent Brazilian side of the falls. The view from the Brazilian side is the most panoramic! This tour will leave you speechless (and a bit wet!). After taking photographs of the breathtaking panoramic views from the observation deck, a guide will lead you along a walkway to almost within touching distance of the falls. There is also an elevator for those wishing to see and photograph the falls from the top. The Iguaçú Falls are located 23 km (14 miles) above its confluence with the Alto (Upper) Paraná river, at the Argentina-Brazil border. The falls resemble an elongated horseshoe that extends nearly three times wider than Niagara Falls in North America and significantly greater than the width of Victoria Falls in Africa. Numerous rocky and wooded islands on the edge of the escarpment over which the Iguaçú river plunges divide the falls into some 275 separate waterfalls or cataracts, varying between 60 m and 81 m (200 and 270 feet) in height. You may change the date of this tour at your convenience.

For people staying at Hotel das Cataratas, you can do this tour on your own as the falls are walking distance from the hotel. Other tour options are a Half Day Tour to see the Argentinean side of the falls, a Half Day Tour to the world's largest power plant - the Itaipú Dam, a visit to the Bird Park or a delightful evening with folkloric show and dinner at Plaza Foz do Iguaçú Theater.

3- Depart Foz do Iguaçú - Next City
Check-out at noon. Transfer to the airport in Foz do Iguaçú. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Private roundtrip transfer Airport IGU in Foz do Iguaçú/Hotel/Airport IGU in Foz do Iguaçú featuring air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide.

• Half Day Tour Brazilian Falls (private, approximately 2-3 hours) with English speaking guide.

• Accommodation in the hotel of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> Additional for Russian speaking guide = US$ 103 per person.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.