Standing on a cat walk over two hundred feet up looking straight down The Devil’s Throat at the Iguazu Falls is enough to render even the most battle hardened person completely and utterly speechless.
It is without doubt, one of the defining moments of my travel career and one that still gives me chills whenever I think about it.
The Devil’s Throat experience is the spectacular climax to a heart pounding adventure across, over and under the mighty Iguazu Falls, one of the top ten natural wonders of the World. The Falls are made up of 275 separate waterfalls along a two mile stretch of the Iguazu River and provide a natural border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Argentina has the largest section and offers the best up close and personal experience, whilst a quick trip across the border to the Brazil side, will give you the majesty of the falls in all their panoramic glory.
A network of catwalks traverse the falls on the Argentinean side, many of them directly over some of the smaller waterfalls. It really is a lovely walk, cutting through the lush tropical landscape, the fauna and flora filled with all manner of vibrantly coloured wildlife including butterflies, toucans and hummingbirds. The network of catwalks is perfectly positioned to give you excellent views of the Falls and almost everywhere you look is a Kodak moment.
Ultimately, your goal is to make your way over to the mile-long cat walk which leads directly over the mouth of the awesome Devil’s Throat, a two hundred and seventy foot high U shaped canyon over two thousand feet wide with water mist bursting up all around you. You hear the mighty roar long before you get to it, but the spectacle of looking down below your feet at millions of gallons of water disappearing into a natural semi-circle of vastness that seems to suck you right down with it, will turn your legs to jelly.
But the fun doesn’t end here. After surviving the Devil, take the option of a speedboat ride right under one of the falls. Yes, you get wet, but it’s well worth it!
Tucked away into the north east tip of Argentina, Puerto Iguazu owes its very existence to the Iguazu Falls just eleven miles away. It still has a small village feel to it, with bars, restaurants and shops dotted about and with such a huge attraction on its doorstep it’s no wonder the town has prospered. You have the Falls of course, but you’ll find other attractions that will make at least a three day stay here worthwhile, including the Wanda gem mines, bird watching, trekking and canoeing and the chance to look into Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay all at the same time from the Three Frontiers landmark. The two national parks each side of the Falls provide many nature excursions to discover and on the Brazil side you can even see the Falls from the air in a helicopter.
The Devil won’t steal your soul at Iguazu but it will give you an adventure you’ll never forget.
