One of my bucket list items and literally the reason I’m on this Ultimate World Cruise. Ever since my first ride on Soarin Around the World at Epcot (Disney World), I’ve wanted to go to Iguazú Falls, and boy it did NOT disappoint! I may have shed a tear or two as we walked in, just blown away by the beauty and magnificent system of waterfalls.
Morning Trip
Bright and early, we got to the airport to start the trip to the falls. Super relaxed and our guides didn’t seem to be in a rush at all, we got to the airport like an hour and a half early and just waited around to pick up our boarding passes (that they needed to print) and then go through security.
We eventually made our 9:40 flight and headed to the falls. I ended up getting a row all to myself at the back of the plane, and just slept for most of the 1.5 hour trip to the falls. Overheard lots of people complaining about their seats and wanting to go sit in “first class” that seemed like only a couple seats anyway. I was pretty happy to just be going and could not have cared less on where I sat :D.
Park Arrival
Upon arrival, we took a quick bus ride to the park, and then got ready for the tour to start. We were doing the upper circuit first, then tram and lunch, then lower circuit.
As we waited for the Upper Circuit trail to start, I wandered around a bit and captured a couple birds. Super hot already during the day, as there was basically direct sunlight and no shade at the start.
The cage is there for people to eat their food without letting the coati and monkeys come and steal the food (and also encouraging bad behavior of wildlife and humans).
Upper Circuit
The upper circuit had us walk through some metal boardwalks and a few open spaces. The first sight of the falls had me speechless. I knew it was vast and amazing, but the sight of it is just something else completely. Pictures and videos just don’t do it justice.
The only downside, was that there were a TON of people at this point, and people kept trying to squeeze through on the very tight boardwalks. Our guides kept having to come back to get us because we were busy taking photos and “falling behind”. I understood that we had a timeline, but would’ve rather had more time up there and just wandered on my own instead of going with all the big groups of people trying to be herded.
Tram and Lunch
We then took a tram back to the lunch place and had some excellent Argentinian food.
Lunch was SUPER long. I think we ended up taking an hour and a half for lunch, but I was ready to go after half an hour. Felt like we wasted time at the lunch place instead of seeing the falls, and I was getting antsy. I think it was probably good for the majority of the tour group though, as they were able to cool down in the AC, but I was ready to go back at it ASAP :D.
Lower Circuit
We finally set back out, and I wanted to ask if I had to follow the group or just go wander and make my way out there, and meet the group back at the bus, and they said we could, so the lower circuit I definitely found more enjoyable, and had a lot more room to wander and walk around (vs the upper circuit).
Gorgeous views, and lots of shade too so that was a nice bonus.
Wildlife
The falls aren’t just about the waterfall system, but there’s an abundance of wildlife as well. We were joking that the jaguar calls from Chichen Itza would’ve been a good prank in these jungles, as there are jaguars, but they’re most likely hidden from sight.
We kept looking for toucans, but didn’t see any as people were being INCREDIBLY loud. I just don’t understand why people can’t just shut up and taking in nature in peace and quiet, but there were people literally on their phones yelling and facetiming with people back home (note: your tiny little camera and data stream aren’t coming close to the experience of actually being there…), and the tour guides were being very loud and yelling at groups, so wildlife didn’t really come out around where we were…again, would rather have been able to wander.
Did end up seeing a few fun things (trigger warning for those that don’t like insects, skip the last gallery below).
Returning to Buenos Aires
We head back out, and I ended up getting my same seat, so started to take my 1.5hr name on the way back when I heard a commotion and opened one eye to peak out the window to see what was going on, and I found that the falls were staring at me with the sunset behind it (golden hour!).
The guides had talked to the pilot and asked them to do a fly by, and the pilot expertly went about doing a banked turn around the falls (just happened to be on my side of the plane. Incredible, and definitely a top highlight in my life that I’ll never forget.
Food
Got back to the ship around 9:30pm and after a quick shower, headed up to the Windjammer to get some food. Mostly just late night food, but had a hotdog and some pizza for dinner. A hotdog has never tasted so good.
Vibe Check
5 parts joy – maybe 6 parts if I’m being honest. 10/10 would recommend.
Feedback
Leave a comment or question if you have any thoughts! Anything you want to know about as we go around the world? Any things you want to share as feedback, or any images that particularly spoke to you. I’ll try to read all of them as time permits!
Matti 
Leave a comment