Iguazu Falls Self-Launched Add-On: Both Sides of the Falls, Independently
4 days · Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil)
Exodus Adventure Travels charges £1,150
No-markup version: ~£420 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, budget-friendly version of Exodus's Iguazu Add-on: fly or bus into Puerto Iguazú, explore the Argentine side walkways (Upper, Lower and Devil's Throat circuits), cross into Brazil for the panoramic Foz do Iguaçu views, then return to Buenos Aires. Everything the operator includes — both sides of the falls, national park entry, transfers — bookable independently at roughly a third of the package price. Perfect as a bolt-on to a longer South America trip.
Day-by-day
Arrive Puerto Iguazú & settle in
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Fly Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE) to Puerto Iguazú (IGR) with Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART — book 4-8 weeks ahead for fares around £45-70 one way. Budget alternative: a 17-18 hour overnight bus from Retiro terminal (£35-50, cama class is worth the small upgrade). From the airport or bus terminal take the local 'El Practico' / Rio Uruguay bus into town (£0.40) or a shared taxi (£4). Check into a hostel or guesthouse near the main drag, then spend the afternoon at the Hito Tres Fronteras viewpoint where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. Buy your park tickets online tonight to skip the queue.
🚌Domestic flight from Buenos Aires (~£55) or overnight bus (~£40); local bus from airport/terminal (£0.50)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Puerto Iguazú — e.g. Hostel Inn Iguazú or a private room at a small posada (£18-25/night)
- →Hito Tres Fronteras border viewpoint
- →Puerto Iguazú town and riverside stroll
- →Pre-book Iguazú National Park tickets online
Argentine side — Upper, Lower and Devil's Throat circuits
Iguazú National Park, Argentina
Catch the 7:30am park bus from Puerto Iguazú's main terminal (£4 return, 30 min) and be at the gates for opening — you'll beat the tour coaches. The Argentine side is the immersive one: start with the Upper Circuit (green trail, 2km, easy), then the Lower Circuit where you stand almost under the cascades and can splash on the free San Martín Island boat if water levels allow. Mid-afternoon ride the little train (included in park entry) to the Devil's Throat walkway, a 1.1km catwalk over the river ending at the thundering Garganta del Diablo. Optional jet-boat ride into the falls is bookable on site (~£30). Take your own water and snacks — park food is pricey.
🚌Local park bus from Puerto Iguazú (£4 return) or taxi (£10 each way)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Puerto Iguazú (£18-25/night)
- →Upper Circuit walkway
- →Lower Circuit walkway
- →Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo) train and catwalk
- →Optional Gran Aventura jet-boat ride (~£30)
- →Coati and toucan spotting in the subtropical forest
Brazilian side — panoramic views, then fly to Buenos Aires
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil → Buenos Aires
Cross the border to Brazil: local bus #120 from Puerto Iguazú terminal to Foz do Iguaçu plus the park bus, or a shared taxi/minivan door-to-door (~£12). The Brazilian side is shorter but delivers the postcard wide-angle view of the whole horseshoe — walk the single 1.2km trail from the visitor centre down to the lower Devil's Throat platform, with the Naipi and Floriano falls and an elevator back up at the end (or stairs if you prefer). Have your Argentina exit stamp and Brazil entry stamp sorted (UK/EU passport holders: no visa, just a stamp; US/AU/CA need the Brazil e-visa — apply two months ahead, ~£65). Afternoon: fly Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) back to Buenos Aires with GOL or LATAM (~£55) and check into a Palermo or San Telmo hostel.
🚌Cross-border bus/shared transfer (~£12); flight Foz do Iguaçu to Buenos Aires (~£55)
🛏Hostel in Buenos Aires — e.g. Palermo or San Telmo area (£15-22/night)
- →Brazilian side panoramic trail
- →Lower Devil's Throat platform and Floriano elevator
- →Iguazú Canyon and Salto Rivadavia viewpoints
- →Rainbow-spotting in the permanent spray
Buenos Aires — depart or extend
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depending on your flight time, spend the morning independently in Buenos Aires: San Telmo market (Sundays), Recoleta Cemetery, or a £6 group walking tour of Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada. Take the Manuel Tienda León airport bus (£9) or a fixed-rate taxi (£20) to Ezeiza for your onward flight. If you're continuing elsewhere in Argentina, this is an easy jumping-off point for Mendoza, Bariloche or Montevideo by ferry.
🚌Airport bus (£9) or taxi (£20) to Ezeiza
🛏Not included — day room/day pass if needed
- →Free walking tour of central Buenos Aires
- →San Telmo market or Recoleta Cemetery
- →MALBA or Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Self-launched vs. Exodus Adventure Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Adventure Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£420 | £1,150 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £730 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Adventure Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£420
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Iguazu Falls Self-Launched Add-On: Both Sides of the Falls, Independently cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £420 per person for 4 days in Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus Adventure Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Adventure Travels charges around £1,150 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £420 — a saving of roughly £730 (63%) per person.
How long is the Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil) trip?+
This itinerary runs 4 days, covering 4 day-by-day stops through Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, backpacker, budget trip through Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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