Awasi Iguazú: a wonderful stay

A unique ecosystem

The Mata Atlantica rainforest, in which Awasi Iguazú is located, is a unique ecosystem with a totally different flora and fauna than the more famous Amazon rainforest. The area originally stretches from northeast Brazil to the south over a length of about 2,500 kilometres. Unfortunately, more than 85 % of the original Mata Atlantica rainforest has disappeared. One of the largest pieces of Mata Atlantica, still intact, is in the Argentine state of Misiones, particularly known for the Iguazú Falls on the border with Brazil. The natural spectacle is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The pride of the Mata Atlantica rainforest

Because the airport of Puerto Iguazú on the Argentine side of the waterfalls is closed, I arrive at the airport of Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side. Here my driver Pica and guide Carlos are waiting for me enthusiastically. Carlos is Brazilian, grew up in the surroundings of Foz do Iguaçu and Pica comes from one of the farming communities in Puerto Iguazú on the Argentine side. Both men, who grew up in the region and are proud of their roots, have decided to introduce me to the special environment in the best possible way. As soon as we are in the car on our way to the lodge, I tell them that I have visited the waterfalls several times already. I even slept twice in the beautiful Belmond hotel. This is the only hotel that is located in the national park of the waterfalls so her guests can visit the waterfalls outside the opening hours of the national park. So I do know the waterfalls and, although this spectacular natural spectacle never becomes too much for me, I would like to see what else this region has to offer.

After crossing the Argentinian border, we follow the main road for a few minutes, after which we take the exit to enter a reserve. The Awasi lodge is located in this reserve. Upon arrival I am welcomed by the manager and I get a delicious cold local beer pressed in my hand. I walk through the beautiful main building and fall into a lecture about the jaguar at the sitting area. This feline, which is found in the Mata Atlantica rainforest, suffers greatly from deforestation, which drastically reduces its habitat. I've only been in Awasi for a good hour, and with everyone I meet here, I can sense the deep love for the Mata Atlantica rainforest and the need to protect this ecosystem.

With Carlos I walk to a table with books about nature and some maps. He tells me extensively about nature in this region, about the history of the state of Misiones, which is named after the mission posts of the Jesuits, who came here in the seventeenth and eighteenth century to help the Guarani Indians to the Catholic religion. We agree to leave early the next morning, before dawn, to follow a route to a protected nature reserve, where we can mountain bike along the way.

After a few hours, when the sun is high in the sky , we load the mountain bikes into the pick-up and drive to another nature reserve. We continue on an unpaved path and drive past small farms with fields. At one point we go back into the dense forest. Pica stops the car and the men walk to a place where some kayaks are waiting for us. With Carlos I go up a small river. We each kayak in our own kayak and enjoy the surroundings. We see a swarm of birds fly over. On tree trunks disappearing into the water are brightly coloured butterflies and turtles and we see a family of monkeys crossing the river by swinging from one tree to the other.

On the road in Awasi style

After we have solid ground under our feet again, we move on. Carlos and Pica take me to a very nice spot at the edge of a river, near a small rapids. Here I recognize the Awasi style again, when here  a real barbecue has been prepared for me. While I take a refreshing dip, lunch is prepared. It turns out to be a sublime lunch with fresh salads and delicious tender pieces of meat. In the afternoon we go to another nature reserve where among other things ant-eaters can be found. We make a walk through the forest.

As night falls we return to the lodge. I take a nice shower and rosy from a beautiful day I sit down for dinner, where I am once again served the most delicious dishes. In the evening I listen to some music on my terrace before I crawl into my bed where I soon fall into a deep sleep and dream away at all the beautiful things I saw that day. The next day we go out early again. We leave for the Paraná river, which separates Paraguay from Argentina. On the bank there is another boat ready, with which we go up the river. After about 10 minutes of sailing, we take a side branch of the river and soon we arrive at a small waterfall. Again a lovely place for a refreshing dive or just to enjoy in silence.

Unfortunately I can't stay here any longer, because I have to go back to Iguazú to catch my flight. During this short but sweet stay I have learned that this region really is not only made up of the famous waterfalls of Iguazú. I'd definitely advise you to look further and explore the Mata Atlantica rainforest. And if you really want to do it in style, then Awasi Iguazú is definitely recommended!