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Ibera Marshlands Tours - The "Argentine Pantanal"

This area, which until only a few years ago was practically unexplored because of its waters, became a natural refuge for abundant and varied wildlife. The biodiversity of the marshes and lagoons of Ibera to the north of the Province of Corrientes make it one of the most remarkable ecosystems in Argentina. To preserve this and its great variety of species of flora and fauna, Ibera Nature Reserve was created in 1983, comprising over a million hectares, including a complex network of shallows, marshes, lagoons, natural dykes and reservoirs and water courses, all originating from rainfall. This was formerly the bed of the river Parana. Ibera Reserve, (meaning "brilliant waters" in the Guarani language), is approximately 250 kilometers from north-east to south-west, with a width of 150 kilometers. The huge mass of vegetation has an immense water absorption capacity, retaining between 1,200 and 1,500 millimeters of rainfall a year.

A quarter of the rain that falls drains out through the river Corrientes, the only natural outlet from the system, into the river Parana. The rest mostly evaporates due to the extensive surface area and its shallowness, or is metabolized by the vegetation. The shallows - some 700,000 hectares - are formed by the accumulation of rainwater in depressions in the land during periods of abundant rainfall.

The more than 50,000 hectares of marshlands consist of large amounts of static water, with a depth of up to three meters, covered by a blanket of water plants that float or rise from the bottom. There are also water hyacinth beds, with their floating formations hiding the surface of the water, formed by breakoffs from the banks of the rivers and lagoons. The lagoons - more than 30,000 hectares - cover a quarter of the surface of the reserve showing well-defined shorelines, frequently formed by dykes.

These dykes grow out of the water hyacinth beds, which receive wind-deposited earth or waterborne silt, enabling various species of plants, including even some trees like the ceibo, laurel and curupi, to take root on them. The flora is very varied. On the surface of the water can be seen irupes or water-lilies, water hyacinths, lentils, repollitos, calla lilies, and small ferns; on the dykes and reed-beds, achira, weeds and trees such as laurels, Phyllanthus and large totora reeds. Ombus can be seen on the islands, and jacaranda, lapacho, ceibo, willow, curupi, timbo, guayabi and urunday trees on the banks. The most common palmtrees are the yatay, pindo and caranda.

There is also a wealth of fauna, particularly two species of caiman; the capybara, the largest rodent in the world; marsh deer, the largest in South America; neotropical otter; black howler monkeys; gray brocket deer; wildcat, and the maned wolf or aguara-guazu. The birds deserve a chapter of their own. Hundreds of them, of the most varied colors, can be seen and heard; from the largest, the greater rhea or ñandu, a running bird similar to the ostrich but smaller; different types of herons, the maguari stork, various species of eagles, snipes, woodpeckers, kingfishers, humming birds, magpie tanagers, thrushes and a wide variety of ducks and native birds with indigenous names. Snakes and amphibians, of course, can also be found .

Sample Itineraries (also see Irupe Lodge Packages)

DAY 01: POSADAS- IBERA. Morning arrival in Posadas. Meeting at the airport and transfer to your chosen property. Exploration of the shores of the ponds covered by aquatic vegetation and inhabited by capybaras, South American black caimans and spectacular waterfowls: jabiru storks, Southern screamers, wattled jacanas, bare-faced ibis, etc. Afternoon horseride in the lowlands around the marshes. Nocturnal walk or navigation in the marsh (weather permitting), a very good opportunity to photograph wood foxes, local raccoons, the large cururu toad, the tropical screech owl and many other animals. Lunch and dinner.

DAY 02: IBERA MARSHES. Full day exploration of the fascinating marshes, navigating on a traditional boat poled by local gauchos. Excellent opportunity to photograph multicolored flowers of the aquatic plants and the varied fauna: black caimans, which despite its antediluvian appearance are inoffensive to humans; roseate spoonbills; maguari storks; whistling herons; anhigas; marsh eagles; painted turtles; etc. If we are lucky enough, we will be able to watch the rare marsh deer, in danger of extinction. Dinner at the ranch after enjoying the spectacular sunset

DAY 3: POSADAS. Transfer to the airport (or continue to the North to enjoy the Iguazu Falls at extra cost).

2011 Price per person in US$:

At Ricon del Socorro, 1 child, under 2 years old, lodging with 2 paying people, is free of charge. 1 child from 3-5 years old pays 25% and 1 child from 6-10 years old pays 50% when lodging with 2 paying passengers. Add $55 per person for lunch and 1/2 day tour on last day (normal checkout is 10am and checkin is at noon)

At Posada de la Laguna, 1 child, under 2 years old, lodging with 2 paying people, is free of charge. 1 child under 10 years old pays 80% when lodging with 2 full paying passengers. Add $35 per person for lunch on last day.

It includes: Accommodation for 2 nights with full board (but no alcoholic drinks)and activities, roundtrip road transfer to Posadas airport. (transfers can also be done by plane)

4 Day - Start Posadas, End Iguassu

Day 01 - Posadas/Iberá Marshlands (245 km)
- meet at Posadas airport and transfer in 4x4 jeep to Iberá
- check in at the lodge of your choice. lodging with all meals
- rest of the day of activities in Iberá (boat ride, trekking with observation of flora and fauna)

Day 02 - Iberá Marshlands
- full day of activities in Iberá (boat ride, trekking with observation of flora and fauna)
- lodging with all meals

Day 03 - Iberá Marshlands
- full day of activities in Iberá (boat ride, trekking with observation of flora and fauna)
- lodging with all meals

Day 04 - to Iguassu Falls (530-560km)
- am transfer to Iguassu Falls visiting the Jesuitic Ruins of San Ignacio Miní along the way

2011 Price per person in US$:

At Ricon del Socorro, 1 child, under 2 years old, lodging with 2 paying people, is free of charge. 1 child from 3-5 years old pays 25% and 1 child from 6-10 years old pays 50% when lodging with 2 paying passengers.

At Posada de la Laguna, 1 child, under 2 years old, lodging with 2 paying people, is free of charge. 1 child under 10 years old pays 80% when lodging with 2 full paying passengers.

It includes: Accommodation for 3nights with full board (but no alcoholic drinks)and activities, road transfer from Posadas airport to lodge and to Iguassu from lodge.

Estancia Rincón del Socorro
The Estancia (farm) founded back in 1896 has been transformed and adapted to tourism, respecting the original classic Spanish architecture. The restoration of the building required two years of exacting work, using the same wood of this region for the windows and doors. Every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of the original structure while adding the comforts of first-class service.The service is both refined and personalized. It is part of a greater local recovery plan of ecosystems heavily impacted by cattle raising and hunting exploits. It is now a 30,000 acre wildlife refuge and eco-retreat. The project includes the reintroduction of native animal species now extinct.

It is 275km from Posadas.

The main house has 6 apartments; 50 meters from the main house, three smaller houses with twin and couple accommodation. The farm has its own non-asphalted landing strip. All meals and tours as well as guide services in
both Spanish and English. The laguna next to the hosteria provides a never-ending wildlife show with carpinchos, friendly alligators and up to thirty bird species in residence. Every day, as the sun goes down, guests are treated to a spectacular show as hundreds of herons return to their nests at the lagoon for the night.

Meals are predominantly prepared with organic fruit and vegetables, most from our kitchen garden. Meat is all free-range. The hostería is equipped with a professional kitchen and offers a full bar service. We specialize in fine organic cuisine and honor the Argentine barbecue tradition in our well known barbeque dining area with a wide variety of free range meat, grilled vegetables, good Argentine wines, homemade breads and special deserts. When the weather is good, lunch and dinner can be served outdoors. Special diets can be accommodated with prior notice. Our standard is to provide the same high quality food and eating experience one would find in the finest restaurants in Buenos Aires.

Services of laundry, email/fax/telephone, boat rides, horseback riding, biking, auto washing and babysitting with notice are also available.

Rincón del Socorro is an excellent place for birding; if you are not already a birdwatcher, it is very easy to become one here! In the four different habitats of this large former ranch, you can see an amazing number of different types of birds in a short time, including endangered species from the surrounding region that have found shelter here. You will learn about their behavior, habitats, migrations, and the problems caused by the degradation of their environment. Much to the surprise of several ornithologists, the nearly extinct yellow cardinal can be seen hopping around in the lettuces in our organic garden! The estimated number of species identified in the Esteros del Ibera ecological system is nearly 400, and though we are still in the process of doing an inventory of the birdlife found in Socorro, we do know that a good percentage of those counted can be found on the estancia.

Arrangements can be made to make the ten-minute flight from Socorro to the sister Estancia San Alonso, located in the middle of the Esteros del Ibera. There a boat and guide can take fishermen to the likeliest spots for good dorado fishing.

Posada de la Laguna
This beautifully built Inn, is set in a privileged part of the small village of Carlos Pellegrini, 245 km from Posadas. Overlooking the lagoon, and surrounded by a lovely park full of native trees, we find the building where the most comfortable rooms, all with private bathrooms, welcome us for a cozy and restful stay.Built in a typical provincial style and decorated in a simple but exquisite style, the shady verandahs offer a fresh and quiet atmosphere where you can rest and be part of this prolific natural world.

In the big house, just a few yards away, we find the bar, where the best drinks are served by the owner, Elsa Güiraldes, the living room, with homely armchairs and a warm fireplace for chilly winter nights, and the dinning room where exquisite menus are served in every meal. On the shore, also a stone-throw way from the dorms, we find the quay from where we set off on the boat trip on the lagoon. Maximo, our local guide will take us on a most dazzling excursion on the marshes showing us the most varied fauna and flora you have ever, or very seldom witnessed.

There’s also the swimming pool, where you can go in for a cool splash. It has a fantastic view of the lagoon and the palm forests on the horizon.

Scrumptious dishes prepared by Miriam, our head cook, will overwhelm your palate beyond your wildest “gourmet” dreams. Home made jams and marmalades, together with excellent cakes, will add that sweet touch to superb meals. All recipes are supervised by the renowned Chef, Pancho Gonzalez Alzaga. With all the fresh vegetables grown locally, the eggs freshly laid by hens that feed naturally, and a lot of imagination, we will surprise you with our most popular dishes.

"In my report about Argentina I forgot to mention our experience at Posada La Laguna in the Ibera reserve. This was a most pleasant experience. The Lodge was perfect: small, clean, not fancy, very nice people. We met the owner and she was very friendly and informative. On New Years Eve she had a generous reception and a special dinner for all her guests.. We had a phantastic boat trip in the mornings and one in the afternoons for three days with a very fine guide. The amimals were very tame, much more so than in Pantanal Brasil. I hope you can send more people to that beautiful place. A three day stay is possibly too much for people not as intensely fixed on wildlife as we are,
but anybody would enjoy two days in paradise." - Ursula Jander

"The hotel we stayed at was incredibly nice. I can sum up that place in one word, Paradise! It was really a phenomenal place and the staff and food was really great. We saw 50 species of birds, caimans, howler monkeys, cabybara, and 2 species of deer and we were only there for a day and a half! I absolutely loved it and I think everyone who goes to Argentina needs to go there! Ibera was incredible, absolutely one of the highlights of any trip I've ever taken!" Lisa Smith