From Buenos Aires to Iguazú

Arrival at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Immediate transfer to our hotel in the San Telmo district to freshen up, drop off our bags and visit one of the most productive urban bird reserves in South America. La Costanera del Sur, located on the northeastern edge of the Argentine capital, is wedged between the urban area and the La Plata River. In the riparian and forest vegetation of the pampas more than 60 species live here.

Return to the hotel to freshen up.

Dinner in town and overnight stay in a comfortable hotel

After breakfast we will fly to one of the most emblematic sites in Argentina, the Iguazú National Park, with its incomparable waterfalls. After a stopover in the Argentinean capital, we arrive at the end of the day in Puerto Iguazú, located in the north-east of the province of Misiones. Immediate transfer to our rural accommodation and first bird watching.

After breakfast and meeting our local guide and driver, this morning we will take the 101 road to the east and the Atlantic forests of the Andresito area, located along the Iguazu River. Several stops will be made along this dirt road to look for some of the common species but also some rarities. Arrival in the early afternoon at our new lodge. After settling in to our cabins and eating, we will take one of the many trails to look for the local birdlife. We will cross the palm groves, which are home to some special wildlife, and take a moment to photograph some of the other birds around the lodge from the many platforms. First night walk, to try to find several owls.

Dinner and overnight in standard accommodation.

The list of birds in the Sucua reserve is over 270 species. We will focus this day on the missing species of the area with the option of visiting the riparian areas around the lodge and along the Iguazu River, but also the bamboo forests, rich in specialties. We can also explore some of the more remote trails. Between the forest trails that penetrate the deep tropical vegetation and the forest roads that cross the more open forest, we will be able to alternate our observations and practice easier photo sessions. We will also look for leks of different species of manakin. The undergrowth is teeming with life, with many rare species of birds, orchids, mammals and insects. Before dinner we will have the opportunity to go for a final night walk around the lodge.

Dinner and overnight stay in standard accommodation.

This morning it will be time to return to the Iguazu area. We will take one of the roads leading west, stopping at Urugua-í. This reserve located at 600 meters is unique for the region, as most of the forests in the province are located lower down. This particular ecosystem has a very dense undergrowth of bamboo, which is very attractive to a number of special species. We will spend the whole day exploring the different areas of the reserve, including the vegetation along the Uruzú River. On the way back to Iguazu, in the early evening, we will also try to find nocturnal birds such as owls and nightjars.

Dinner and overnight in rural accommodation.

This morning we will walk the paths of the Iguazu National Park. We will enjoy the many viewpoints, along the range of cascades formed by more than 250 individual waterfalls. From the park entrance, the small train will take us to the beginning of the trails and then to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's throat), one of the most spectacular. In addition to waterfalls, unique orchids, small primates, rare bats and a wide variety of mammals, these interior Atlantic forests are home to many attractive and common birds. We will take advantage of the various forest trails to look for noisy flocks of parrots and toucans, mixed flocks of colourful tanagers and, on the open areas, we will look for large flights of swifts and raptors. These magical forests are bathed in the ubiquitous song of the solitary tinamou, and countless species of anteaters and antbirds.

Dinner and overnight at the same accommodation.

We will finish our trip in the area with a visit to a private garden with an incredible variety of hummingbirds. The feeders here and there normally attract no less than seven species of these flying gems throughout the year. A few accidental species that are expanding in the area have recently been observed here. In addition to the hummingbirds, many colourful species of passerine birds flit around the garden, making it easy to take photos. After lunch, transfer to the Puerto-Iguazu airport for our flight to the capital. We will then enjoy a "Gardellian" moment by attending a tango show and enjoying a good typical meal, to immerse ourselves in the "porteña" culture.

Dinner in town and overnight stay in a comfortable hotel.

After breakfast we will have a short cultural tour of the city before freshening up at the hotel and collecting our luggage for your international flight back from Ezeiza airport.