Long before the Spanish explorer Don Alvar Nu­es reached South America's greatest waterfall in 1541, the local indians had named it Iguaçu - meaning great waters. There is no more fitting description, as thousands of visitors to Iguassú each year will testify. Once seen, the falls - all 275 of them - are never forgotten. The two-mile wide curtain of water crashing 300ft over a series of precipices into a spray-filled gorge constitutes the most spectacular sight of southern Brazil and probably the whole of South America. Even though this destination is sold as a day trip out of Rio, or even a one night stop, two or three days at least should ideally be spent in this fascinating area. This allows time to enjoy the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, ride over them by helicopter and approach them on a jungle / river trek. An extended stay, too, gives time to visit Foz do Iguassu, the Brazilian border town nearby that mushroomed in the late 1980s when Itaipu, the world's largest hydroelectric plant, was built (excursions operate to the dam); also to take in Puerto Iguazu in Argentina and Ciudad del Leste in Paraguay. But back to the falls, a trail winds towards the falls from the area in front of the Tropical Hotel das Cataratas, populated by contis, long-tailed racoon-like creatures with a well-developed sense of tourists' feeding habits. At its end, an elevator provides speedier access to a viewing platform at the foot of the falls. Focal point of the falls, best seen from above, is the Devil's Throat, a horseshoe-shaped gully in mid-stream over which seems to pour most of the Iguaçu River at the phenomenal rate of 13,000 cubic meters a second. To experience the deafening roar and feel the spray at really close quarters, a trip to the Argentinian side - by organized excursion - is a must. One walks for 20 minutes along catwalks past alligators dozing in the shallows, to stand hypnotized by the thundering waters that fill the air with spay and render conversation near impossible. Above, the helicopter swoops and turns, giving tourists a gallery view of nature's design work on a spectacular seven-minute ride back and forth across the falls' most stunning points. Longer flights take one to see Itaipu dam.

SERVICES

TRF o.w. Brazilian Airport / Hotel Tropical das Cataratas - Passengers will be met at the arrival gate and will be accompanied to the Tropical Hotel das Cataratas. Guide will assist passengers with handling of luggage at the airport, at the hotel and check-in procedures. Gratuities are not included.

TRF o.w. Brazilian Airport / Hotel Bourbon or C.District - Passengers will be met at the arrival gate and will be accompanied to the hotel. Guide will assist passengers with handling of luggage at the airport, at the hotel and check-in procedures. Gratuities are included.

TRF o.w. Puerto Iguazu Airport (YGR) / Hotel Tropical das Cataratas - Passengers will be met at the hotel lobby, assisted through checkout procedures and taken to Puerto Iguazu airport. Guide will assist passengers with handling of luggage at the hotel and airport as well as airline check-in procedures. Gratuities are included.

TRF o.w. Puerto Iguazu Airport (YGR) / Hotel Bourbon or C.District - Passengers will be met at the arrival gate and will be accompanied to the hotel in Puerto Iguazu. Guide will assist passengers with handling of luggage at the airport and hotel check-in procedures. Gratuities are included.

Guided Walking Tour for guests of the Tropical Hotel das Cataratas - Duration: 1:30 hrs. Guide will mark the time for this excursion, which starts in front of Tropical Hotel das Cataratas. Trail winds towards the falls from the area in front of the hotel, populated by contis, long-tailed racoon-like creatures with a well-developed sense of tourists' feeding habits. At its end, an elevator provides speedier access to a viewing platform at the foot of the falls.

H/D Argentina Falls Tour from Hotels Brazilian side - Duration: 5 hrs. Tour operates daily leaving at 9:00. - Departure from hotel, after a short drive and a quick customs check, crossing of the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the border between Argentina and Brazil. Once in Argentina, tour takes a scenic highway up to the Argentine Iguazu Park. Visit starts with ample time to visit the upper Argentinian falls, including the San Martin Falls. On the way back from the falls, tour stops at the Argentine shopping district, and if weather and time allows, a brief stop at the 3 Borders point, where Paraná and Iguassu Rivers as well as the borders or Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay encounter. Admittance ticket to Iguazu's National Park is included.

H/D Itaipu Dam Tour from Hotels Brazilian side - Duration: 3 hrs. Tour operates on request, except Sundays and Brazilian and Paraguayan public holidays. Visiting hours are limited to 08:00 / 10:00 and 14:00 / 16:00.

Duration: Itaipu is the world's largest electrical generating capacity and could be considered a technological wonder. Passing through the Iguassu National Park and downtown Foz do Iguassu. After a 35km ride, arrival at the Itaipu Public Relations Center, for a 30-minute film presentation showing the phases of construction and operation of this engineering monument. After this visit, tour the dam by bus and stop at different panoramic viewpoints. The spectacle of the spillway of the dam, with its huge flow of water is particularly impressive.

H/D Paraguay Shopping Tour from Hotels Brazilian side - Duration: 3 hrs. Tour operates daily leaving at 9:00. After a 30-minute ride to the Brazil / Paraguay border, passing through forest, farmland and downtown Foz do Iguaçu. Crossing the Friendship Bridge (533 meter span) over the Paraná River to Ciudad del Leste, Paraguay. This is one of the largest Freeport in the world. Here, one may find first-rate imported goods as well as all kinds of handicrafts, trinkets and realistic imitations. It is very crowded, disorganized and noisy, but it is definitely a real commercial phenomenon.

H/D Itaipu + Paraguay Shopping Tour from Hotels Brazilian side - Duration: 3 hrs. Tour operates on request, except Sundays and Brazilian and Paraguayan public holidays. Visiting hours are limited to 08:00 / 10:00 and 14:00 / 16:00. Itaipu is the world's largest electrical generating capacity and could be considered a technological wonder. Passing through the Iguassu National Park and downtown Foz do Iguassu. After a 35km ride, arrival at the Itaipu Public Relations Center, for a 30-minute film presentation showing the phases of construction and operation of this engineering monument. After this visit, tour the dam by bus and stop at different panoramic viewpoints. The spectacle of the spillway of the dam, with its huge flow of water is particularly impressive. After Itaipu tour will cross the Friendship Bridge (533 meter span) over the Paraná River to Ciudad del Leste, Paraguay. This is one of the largest Freeport in the world. Here, one may find first-rate imported goods as well as all kinds of handicrafts, trinkets and realistic imitations. It is very crowded, disorganized and noisy, but it is definitely a real commercial phenomenon.

H/D Excursion to Macuco Falls + Boat Ride to the falls ( Hotel Tropical das Cataratas ) - Duration: 1:30 hrs not including transfer time. Tour schedule is adapted to Macuco's operating hours, from 7:30 to 18:30. This has become one of the most popular tours in the area. Transfer to the Macuco Trail in the Iguaçu National Park, to board jeeps. Jeeps are the best form of transport in this rain forest because the road is unpaved but accessible year round. On this trip, passengers will get to know several different species of sub-tropical plants and trees, including orchids and the heart-of-palm, which grows in abundance at the park. With luck, animals and some of the beautiful birds of the region may be sighted. After a 3-km jeep ride, a 600-meter walking trek passing by the picturesque Macuco Falls, hidden in the forested canyon. The trail brings one to the banks of the Iguaçu River, where passengers will board a twin-engine boat (seating capacity: 25), specially designed for this river's sailing conditions. Cruise up into the Iguassu Canyon, shooting several rapids and arrive at the very base of the majestic waterfalls. As the experienced pilot maneuvers in the midst of the falls themselves, passengers will have a completely different view and experience a thrill never forgotten.

Barbecue Farm ­ Lunch at Recanto Gaucho - from Brazilian Hotels ­ Recanto Gaucho is a Farm that follows the gaucho tradition of the south of Brazil. At Cabeça de Boi one will enjoy a day in a farm and the many activities in handling the horses, cattle and the breeding animals.