YACUTINGA LODGE: IGUAZU NATIONAL PARK
ENJOY IGUAZU FALLS FROM YACUTINGA LODGE

An environmentally friendly Lodge and Private Wildlife Nature Reserve located in the heart of the Argentine Rainforest, surrounded by the Iguazú National Park.

The Iguazú Falls are located in a strategic area of any travel plan to South America, connecting Rio and Sao Paulo with Buenos Aires and vice versa in a perfect balance.

The Falls provide to thousand of visitors each year an incredible experience with nature, reason why Yacutinga Lodge & Wildlife Nature Reserve is an ideal site for those who want to enjoy nature in a close contact.

Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve still maintains its richness in bio-diversity,
far away from massive tourism You can enjoy diverse out-door activities
with a soft adventure and eco tourism focus,
such as: floating trips, hiking tours, bird-watching,
which will provide you with a variety of information unlocking the mysteries and peculiarities of the Rainforest.

YACUTINGA LODGE: LOCATION
Yacutinga Lodge & Wildlife Nature Reserve is located on the Iguazú River in the northeast of Argentina, a country full of contrasts and traditions; Patagonia and its glaciers in the south, the Andes and its peculiar geological formations along the spine of the country, the Pampas and the gauchos, Buenos Aires with its tango and the subtropical Rainforest in the north with its richness of wild fauna and the spectacular Iguazú Falls situated 42 km down-river from Yacutinga Lodge.

The Iguazú Falls are an important highlight of any travel-plan to South America, and can easily be reached from Buenos Aires (Argentina), Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo (Brazil).

You are completely surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle while traveling through the heart of the Iguazú National to reach the Yacutinga Lodge & Wildlife Nature Reserve.

YACUTINGA LODGE: SERVICES
Staying at Yacutinga Lodge means entering in communion with Nature.

The Yacutinga Lodge buildings follow smoothly with the natural step of the terrain and maintain harmony with the surrounding jungle. Only 4 hectares of the 570 total have been used for the facilities of the lodge and special care has been taken to use local materials, such as stone and large wood pieces gathered from naturally fallen trees that have been incorporated into the general architectural concept.

An absolute minimum of forest has been disturbed to accommodate the buildings. The main building, which contains the reception, an indoor restaurant and a terrace bar, provides a special atmosphere enhanced by the Palmetto palm forest formation, which surrounds the whole place.

Our open-air bar is situated in the Palmetto forest, to its left an observation tower with its cat-walk raise from the ground, which has a length of 80 meters and allow the Naturalist to observe birds in the medium stratum of the Selva Misionera.

Torches and fireplace are being lit on at sunset. Magic takes over And this ¨Monte Misionero¨ can be enjoyed in all its splendor and wisdom.

Descending the impressive wooden stairs from the main building you arrive at the central botanical garden with a BBQ area, the pool, an herb garden and the self-guided catwalk allowing you to enjoy and observe the canopy of the surrounding native forest from a unique perspective

Yacutinga Lodge facilities consist in separate sleeping areas called “Butterflies”, spread through the forest around the common areas.

Each Butterfly contains four private suites, all with the comfort of 42 sq. meters. The suites provide accommodation with rustic details comprised of an entrance porch, the bedroom, leading up to the bathroom. Each suite has private facilities with 24-hour warm water.

During wintertime, wood stoves provide heating in remembrance of the colonial period. Nice jungle views are common to all suites providing a relaxing environment, in-touch with the “green”.

YACUTINGA LODGE: ACTIVITIES
Yacutinga Lodge has been created to offer very comfortable lodging to Nature lovers who would like to discover the ¨Monte Misionero¨. Its careful design in harmony with nature offers various possibilities to participate on organized walks and excursions in the Reserve area.

These walks are based fundamentally on observations and interpretations of wild fauna and flora, therefore inside the property nine perfectly signed path have been designed, which transit through the various natural areas.

Additional to these paths are the navigation on the upper Iguazú river, floating trips on the Riacho San Francisco, various observations towers and the spectacular cat-walk of nearly 80 meters length and 6 meters height.

Expert local English speaking guides with biological knowledge conduct all these excursions.

Worth mentioning is the richness in flora and fauna present in these 560 hectares. The property’s surface conforms a whole Peninsula with 6 km of river border to the Iguazú River.
The property has been declared Private Natural Reserve through a Private Refuge program promoted by the ¨Fundacion Vida Silvestre ¨ (representing the WWF in Argentina) since species close to extinction can be found.

Yacutinga Lodge is not only a tourist enterprise; it is a Reserve in a natural environment with modern concepts of sustainability, based on an eco- tourist activity.

Yacutinga Lodge & Wildlife Nature Reserve is located in the proximity of the Iguazú Waterfalls, which have been a highlight in the Brazilian and argentine roundtrips for the several years. By offering our 2 nights or 1 night packages our guests will have a chance to enjoy a more intense experience oriented towards nature, breathe the atmosphere of the jungle which is so close to the waterfalls and enjoy the ambience and the peace that comes with it.

The services include round trip transportation from our meeting point to the Lodge, navigation on the upper Iguazú River, floating trips, nine interpretation trails which provide a close contact with the Rainforest, specialized naturalist guides, observation towers, pool in a nice gardening setting with bar facility.

Basically during our trips you will receive information about the dynamic of our Jungle. We understand that Yacutingas surrounding Nature is a living thing as a whole. Each specie has a specific role in the environmental balance and we welcome you to discover this complex ecological relation between flora and fauna.

YACUTINGA LODE: NATURE WALKS
Expert guides scout you during these hikes through the Rainforest.
It is a large biodiversity area. Ancient trees, medicine plants, orchids & bromeliads, butterflies, beetles, birdlife and some mammals give us the key to interpret Nature first hand

Jungle at night
This is a trip to one of the swamps located in the Yacutinga Reserve. Humidity produces life and at the Jungle ponds are quite rich in life activity mostly at dusk. Have you ever seen toucans nesting at sunset? We wait for the jungle night. Nature sounds produce a complex symphony. In silence we are part of it. Owls approach and the Milky Way is our roof

FLOATING ON THE UPPER IGUAZU RIVER
The waters of the Rainforest are very important for the ecosystem. They are corridors of life. Floating through these gentle waters is relaxing and provides us the opportunity to pass through the Gallery Forest. In this habitat seed spreading is different. Rooting systems has adapted to flood conditions and at the riverbanks there are some occasional salty patches, which provide wild fauna minerals that cannot be found at the high Forest.

Wild fauna tracks are common at the muddy borders of these waters. Do you want to read these traces with us? It is not so difficult to understand what has happened some hours ago at the riverbank.

TOWERS AND HIDES
At the Lodge and at the Natural Reserve area, there are some constructions designed to provide you the opportunity to be alone. These shelters have been distributed in different areas not so far or too close to the main buildings.

To be at the top of the observation Tower called „ Stairway to heaven” during sunset you feel as an eagle over the Canopy.
Have you ever seen flocks of parakeets just 5 meters away from you? - It is impressive not only to see them.

RAIN FOREST RESTORATION EXPERIENCE AT YACUTINGA WILDLIFE & NATURE RESERVE

This is a project devoted to evaluate different techniques to restore degraded jungle (selva misionera). 40 out of the 570 hectares, which compose the “ Yacutinga “ area were cleared and used for cattle activities in the past. It is a priority to recuperate the natural vegetation to increase the available natural areas and furthermore the habitat of numerous species such as jaguar, tapir and peccaries. Although the restoration of natural forest in these kinds of ecosystems is turning into a priority at a State level, there isn’t enough information available on adequate techniques and its costs. Therefore the experience, which will be taken place at Yacutinga, next to recuperating these 40 hectares, is to offer information and compare the various techniques to restore native jungle.

The results will have an important incident for future plans regarding the restoration of degraded areas in the “green corridor” and especially in other problem areas of the Province, such as cero production and inadequate use of the forest areas. At the present these areas are being used for mono cultivation of exotic trees (pinus) and in smaller quantities for extent pasture. We believe that this rainforest restoration experience will be an important contribution to one of the most threatened eco-regions of South America, and at the same time an example of investment in conservation as a product to an eco-tourist project.

CAPYBARAS RE-BREEDING STATION
Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), is the biggest rodent in the world. It can weigh up to 80 kilos. Although this mammal is not threatened specie; its population in the area has been decreased substantially due to the hunting pressure.
The re-breeding station of Capybaras at Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve has various purposes with the following objectives:

Repopulation: Reintroduction of the individuals into their natural surrounding

Eco-tourism: the rebreeding station is part of the touristy attractions visited by our guests during their stay in Yacutinga.

Use of the specie and sale of the meat in rural production: The local population (15%) is accustomed to consume meat from wildlife fauna periodically. This custom is common in the whole region, including Brazil and Paraguay. The rebreeding station in the different farming areas of the local farmers would allow them to have fresh meat for their own use and the sale of the surplus, increasing in this way the life level and diminish the hunting pressure.

Maintenance of the yerba mate plantations: the idea is to study the behavior in the cultivation area of the Yerba Mate plantations. The Yerba Mate is a tree and is planted as a crop in corridors. If we can breed Capybaras and send them to our Yerba Mate producing neighbors, we will be giving Capybaras the opportunity to re-populate while being protected by the locals who at the same time will be helped by these animals ,reducing fixed costs of maintaining the Yerba Mate crop, creating a symbiosis between rural people and capybaras.

The responsable use of wildlife fauna species is one of the most effective actual systems to protect the specie against extinction

PACKAGE YACUTINGA EXPERIENCE ( 3 Days / 2 Nights )

Day 1 - Iguassu Falls / Yacutinga Lodge
P.M.transfer from Puesto Tigre ( Argentina) through the Argentinean Iguazú National Park, during this ride the guide will explain some details and curiosities of the rain-forest.
Arrival at La Blanquita Bay, located at the shore of the Iguazú river. Navigation in motor-boats through these waters for about 45 minutes up to Yacutinga Port. Upon arrival jeep transfer through the Yacutinga Wild Life Nature Reserve to the Lodge.

The combination of various means of transportation provides a great start as this allows the visitor the opportunity to "melt" in a comfortable way with the wonderful natural world of wild fauna. Check in and briefing about the place , the system of the Lodge and activities. Welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Yacutinga Lodge
Early breakfast and short hike to the San Francisco river and floating through quiet waters, ideal for photo safari. This floating tour is very secure , the water of the river is gentle and it goes down current. The possibility to observe wild fauna through this “ Gallery Forest” from a very close distance exists, since fauna is more active in the early morning. Return to the Lodge. Lunch.

Afternoon escorted wild life excursions to the various interpretation trails and at the early evening visit of one of the observation towers for night games with scopes, binoculars and strong spotlights. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Yacutinga Lodge / Puesto Tigre
Breakfast and time for track scouting, listing (complete checklist of viewed fauna) , packing and relaxing at the pool area. Self guided tours at the hanging "cat-walk " and the "orchid's trail" .

Transfer back to Puesto Tigre (Argentina) ,arriving at 13:30 hs. ( Lunch-box)

In addition to this 3 days/2 nights PKG, Yacutinga Lodge offers different tours for Nature Lovers

DAY 1 - Arrival to Puerto Iguazu Airport and transfer to hotel. 03 nts of accommodation with breakfast

DAY 2 - Excursion to Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side. Boat Navigation to enjoy the Devil`s Throat

DAY 3 - Excursion to Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side (** Check VISA requirements to enter to Brazil)

DAY 4 - Transfer to airport

This is a basic program to visit Iguazu Falls Area. Please visit our tour list to see more tours combining this area and others place in Argentina and Chile

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