Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures» Argentina

Chorrillo del Salto

admin — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:37:49 +0000

Chorrillo del Salto is one of the world’s most beautiful and tranquil waterfalls. Located in the heart of Patagonia in the Los Glaciares National Park, Chorrillo del Salto offers a pleasant experience for those who wish to see nature in all of its splendor without having to contend with massive hoards of tourists.

This Waterfall of South America is just under 66 feet (20 meters) tall. The east facing falls glisten in the morning sun, but are just as beautiful in the evening shade. Those wishing to admire Chorrillo del Salto will need to be prepared to hike a short distance up a dirt path. The trail is about 1/3 mile (500 meters) long. Those who seek more adventure can attack the a path that travels alongside the falls.

Most visitors to this area begin their journey in El Calafate. Many fly into the Comandante Armando Tola International Airport. They then explore this area before traveling north to El Chalten. El Calafate is popular because it gives tourists access to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Perito Moreno is one of the most visited glaciers both for those who wish to trek it and for those who simply want a view of its natural beauty.

The closest town to Cascada Chorrillo del Salto is El Chalten. The village is about one mile (3 km) from the waterfall. El Chalten is known to host those seeking adventure. Mountain climbers and hikers enjoy the challenges of the nearby Cerro Torre and Monte Fitz Roy peaks. El Chalten has a few spots with accommodations for tourists as well as restaurants and shops for outdoor equipment. There are also free campsites near the town.

The drive between El Calafate and El Chalten offers a unique view of the bodies of water of Patagonia. A paved road takes travelers around Argentino Lake and Viedma Lake. Argentino Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. Many visitors stop for boating or fishing. Northwest of El Chalten is a third waterway that is popular with adventure tourists. San Martin Lake is notable for being the deepest lake in the Americas. It is also notable for being claimed by both Argentina and Chile, which calls the lake O’Higgins. Visitors can take a ferry to reach O’Higgins on the Chilean side.

Iguazu Falls

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:01:44 +0000

Dividing the Iguazu River into the upper and lower Iguazu, Iguazu Falls is a gorgeous and highly impressive group of over 200 waterfalls. Much taller and wider than Niagara Falls, Iguazu Falls is often compared to Africa’s tremendous Victoria Falls. Fantastic vistas and beautiful flora and fauna await visitors to the area, and adventures abound.

Iguazu Falls is located partially in Brazil and partially in Argentina and the Falls are shared by the Iguazu National Park in Argentina and the Iguacu National Park in Brazil. The area is highly protected as a natural jungle ecosystem and remains a pristine area full of beautiful plants, trees, and rainforest animals. Iguazu Falls enjoys a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Perhaps the best time to visit is in the fall and spring when temperatures and humidity are ideal.

“Iguazu” derives from Guarani words for “water” and “big”. Iguazu Falls is located where the Iguazu River falls over the edge of the Parana Plateau. The Falls are made up of hundreds of falls, but perhaps the best known is Devil’s Throat, which is U-shaped, 82 meters high, and 150 meters wide. The border of Argentina and Brazil actually runs right through Devil’s Throat. Two other notable falls amongst the many at Iguazu Falls are the San Martin Falls and Bossetti Falls.

Access to Iguazu Falls is quite simple, making the falls one of the most popular Waterfalls of South America. There are two main towns on either side of the falls: Puerto Iguazu in Argentina and Foz do Iguacu in Brazil. Both countries protect the ecological area rigidly, but they also provide ample ways to enjoy the beauty of the falls. From the Brazilian side, there is a walkway along the canyon that leads down to the bottom of Devil’s Throat. There are also other hiking trails, helicopter rides offering aerial views, and a new transportation system consisting of double-decker buses that provide spectacular viewing opportunities. On the Argentine side, visitors can access the falls by way of a ride through the forest on the Rainforest Ecological Train, which brings visitors to the entrance of Devil’s Throat and other trails. There are also boats available that actually go under the falls.