Walking the rainforest path to Arrechea WaterfallThe Macuco rainforest path is one of the easiest opportunities to experience nature in the Iguazu National Park and a stupendous chapter of our family vacation getaway in Iguassu Falls. This walk will provide a close encounter with the jungle’s inhabitants and a big surprise at the end of the journey. The length of this rainforest path is 3.550 m (11.650 ft), which makes a total round trip of 7.100 m (23.300 ft) that you can walk in about 2 to 3 hours depending on how frequent and lengthy are your stops to observe things. And believe me, there is much to observe above, below and to your sides!
This is like walking inside a cathedral made of plants and the parishioners are not human! But don’t worry; there is no danger as long as you keep yourself on the trail.
This page will make reference to our Iguassu Falls Map . References will be made using the title “Rainforest path # 1, #2 and so forth. Search for the numbered reference on the map to see its location inside the Iguazu National Park. You can open the map clicking on the link above. This map includes the most relevant attractions you can visit on the Argentinean side of the falls. Our adventure begins at the Central Station (Rainforest path # 2) but this time we are not taking the train, this is where the access trail starts. After walking a little and crossing the railroad and a nearby paved road we reach the entrance to the Macuco Trail. The dense vegetation makes it difficult to see wildlife so sharpen your senses. If you are a keen observer you will find animal tracks and discover many kinds of insects. Listening to the sounds of the jungle is keen to discovering its inhabitants.
My sons, Santiago, Raquel and Pablo did not agree to this "vote of silence" and were quacking all the time as we walked the trail. We are now located on Map Ref. # 17.
Rainforest path # 18) Birding in the Jungle When you walk in the jungle your ears can discover birds more easily than your eyes. Once you’ve heard a bird call then is when you can see it. It’s not easy but so fun and an exercise of patience! Early morning hours are the best to observe birds, they are busily marking their territories with their calls after the night break. If you hear clicking sounds above your head the source is a small bird about 4 inches (10 cm) long the White-bearded Manaking . The male is colored with a striking black and white and the female is olive green. The Spanish name of this bird “Bailarin” (dancer) refers to the spectacular dances the male performs to attract the female in courtship. Several males perform the dance on a dancing ground but the female chooses only one of them for mating. This is a “I take you out dancing you take care of the consequences” type of relationship. Once they mate the female takes care of the fledglings all by herself, isn’t it unfair? Another interesting bird you may be lucky to observe in the rainforest path (I’ve seen it on the canopy) is the incredible Toco Toucan . It’s like a living drawing taken out of a cartoon (I guess I’ve seen too many cartoons). I’ve also seen it flying when driving the access road to the Park so it seems it’s pretty common here or I’m very fortunate! The Toco Toucan has a striking plumage with a black body, white throat and blue eye rings. The large yellow peak looks heavy but is light due to air pockets, a masterpiece of nature’s design! Toco Toucans are mainly fruit eaters but can also eat insects and eggs. They nest in tree holes and the female usually lays two eggs after mating.
The Macuco rainforest path is named for the largest member of the Tinamidae family of birds, a curious bird that looks like the Galiformes (Chickens) but evolved separately from them. Ornithologist consider it an interesting case of convergent or parallel evolution (two similar families of birds with completely different origins) and an interesting clue of how similar environmental conditions in different continents may produce similar separated species. With an average weigh of 1 to 1.5 kg (2.2 to 3.3 lb) the Macuco is heavily hunted for its meat and in the list of endangered species. The Macuco bird photo to the right is cortesy of Haroldo Palo Jr.
Reading our birding page will introduce you to the listings, pictures and sounds of the fascinating world of Iguassu Falls birds. Continuing with our walk (Rainforest path # 19), here’s another inhabitant of the Macuco rainforest path we encountered,
It looks frightening but harmless. We saw this grayish-green Iguana on the rainforest path near a stream. Temporary little streams come from the depths of the forest fed by rainfall. These streams are important for different forms of life needing water for the early part of their life-cycles like insects and amphibians and this young iguana probably is searching for insects to eat, though they eat mostly leaves and fruits from the trees. Iguanas have long fingers and claws that help them climb and grasp to the tree branches, have good senses of smell and hearing, and a superb vision. They usually spend most of the time in the forest canopy 10 – 15 m (30-50 ft) above the ground and away from predators. In case of danger they are capable of diving from the trees into the water and are good swimmers. Since Iguanas are cold-blooded (they don’t regulate their body temperature) they depend on the warm climate to live. Basking on the trees on strategic spots where the sun filters among the dense vegetation is one of their main activities.
Here’s a better picture of a captive adult Iguana I took in the Parque das Aves or Bird Park in the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls.
Rainforest path # 20) The Palmito Tree Among the many trees living in the Macuco rainforest path the Palmito deserves a special mention.
These palms grow 15-20 m (50-65 ft) tall with pinnate leaves up to 3 m (10 ft) long and a very slender trunk with soft rings. The flowering head is yellow. Small insects like bees and wasps pollinate the florets. The fruit is a small, round, black-purple similar in size to a grape, but with less pulp and a single seed. They are produced in branched panicles of 700-900 fruits which are an important resource to many animals and birds like toucans, peccaries, monkeys, agoutis and even the large tapir.
The growing tip where the new leafs of the tree are formed is wrapped in the green bases of the fronds. It is white, tender and one of the testiest delicacies of international cuisine called palm heart. Due to indiscriminate harvesting for the palm heart this tree is in danger of disappearing and also endangers the animals that depend on it for food. Since this plant is single stemmed, harvesting the palm heart kills the plant. One palmito needs 15-20 years to be harvestable.
We are walking in Capuchin monkey territory and we had the luck to meet a small troupe of them. Taking pictures of them in the canopy isn’t easy without the right equipment and for an amateur like me but here’s a good picture of a Capuchin to show you how they look like...
and maybe you can distinguish the body of one upon the tree branches in this photo I took when walking there.
Rainforest path # 22) Near the end of the trail We are now reaching the end of the rainforest path, bordering a cliff over the lower Iguassu River. There is a steep slope here you have to descend to discover one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Iguassu Falls.
Here’s my son Santiago walking down the slope. Foot-wear with good grip is necessary here due to wet and slippery rocks on this part of the trail.
Rainforest path # 23) The Arrechea Waterfall Originated within the forest, a cold and clear water stream takes a leap over the edge of the basalt. A long time ago the Iguassu Falls were here, having since then receded along the main riverbed due to erosion. For an explanation of how erosion affects the Iguassu Falls please move from Rainforest Path to our Iguassu Falls Facts page . The Arrechea Falls are what remains of what once was a giant waterfall.
This beautiful cascade is about 20 m (65 ft) high. No matter how cold the water may be this German tourist didn’t miss the opportunity to shower himself under the Arrechea waterfall!
And swimming in this natural pool was also a bold experience! Will you dare?
Want to know more about our experiences in Iguassu Falls? Please move from this Macuco rainforest path page to our family vacation getaway page. If you have just entered to this site our Home Page is the best place to start discovering the Iguassu Falls.
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