Brazilian Falls Walkways, Macuco Safari Boat, 10-Minute Helicopter and Bird Park

Four experiences share one itinerary on the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls: the walkways facing the water, a Macuco Safari boat ride, a helicopter flight of about 10 minutes and a visit to Parque das Aves. The day starts with pickup at the hotel. Inside the national park a van or bus runs to the trails and walkways, and the walk along them takes 40 minutes to an hour, with a panoramic view of the Argentine side. Macuco Safari starts at an entrance 25 km down the Cataratas Highway. Open wagons towed by a jeep cross three kilometers of jungle, with multilingual guides pointing out orchids, palms and bromeliads. An optional 600-meter hike leads to Macuco Falls, about 20 meters high. At the dock, inflatable twin-engine boats take life-vested passengers up the river to the base of the falls, where the captain moves in close enough for a soaking. Extra clothing is advised for anyone who feels the cold. Parque das Aves sits at the national park entrance. Its walk-through aviaries and jungle trails hold hundreds of native and exotic birds, reptiles, caimans, marmosets and butterflies. Round-trip transfers from most downtown hotels in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Iguazu are included, together with a guide and the helicopter flight, the boat ride and the Bird Park ticket. The national park entrance fee, food, gratuities and the Puerto Iguazu eco tax are extra.