I've visited over 50 waterfalls now and I must say you don't often get a crap one (except for a few years ago on the Great Ocean Road in Australia when a waterfall advertised was literally just a drip! I've narrowed this list down to a top three as these three are head, shoulders and currents above the rest. I'm basing it only one waterfalls I've been to by the way (yet to do Angel Falls in Venezuela or Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe).
1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:
Gullfoss could be a surprise inclusion, it could also be unknown. But believe me - if you ever visit Gullfoss you won't forget it. Iceland has a cold, windy, stormy climate and my visit to Gullfoss was a mixture of them all. It was just amazing. An unbelievable flow of endless constant water just runs and runs and you wonder to yourself - where on earth is all that water coming from! At the first sighting of Gullfoss you will be suitably inspired. An amazing place. To get to it, the best idea is to do the Golden Circle Tour when you're in Iceland and your driver will more than likely take you there. Don't miss it - there's also a souvenir shop nearby plus a coffee shop and restaurant.
2. Niagara Falls and Horsehoe Falls (on the border between CANADA and USA):
The Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. You can do it for free from the many viewing platforms in both Canada and the USA. The waterfall straddles the border and there's even a bridge you can cross to do passport and immigration. But the Maid of the Mist tour is the one I did which gets you up close and personal to the falls itself. You get wet and you get to keep your blue and white trademark poncho. You'll be flabbergasted by the immensity of this fall of water. You can still do this tour for less than $20 Canadian Dollars. Either that or stare down at it for free.
3. Iguazu Falls (on the border of BRAZIL and ARGENTINA):
SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:
Iguazu Falls, Argentina:
Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.
Viewed from Brazil:
The Brazil Side of the falls featured wooden platforms right up close and personal to the waterfalls and a decent view over the border into Argentina. On the Brazil side the method of transport was by bus when I was there in 2010. There are a few walks along the side of the waterfall. Iguazu is just incredible!
One thing to note is that both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy such is the marvel of these natural flows of water.
Well that's my top three waterfalls - feel free to disagree or comment. You have to love Iguazu though...it's probably my favourite of the three!
1. ICELAND: Gullfoss:
Gullfoss could be a surprise inclusion, it could also be unknown. But believe me - if you ever visit Gullfoss you won't forget it. Iceland has a cold, windy, stormy climate and my visit to Gullfoss was a mixture of them all. It was just amazing. An unbelievable flow of endless constant water just runs and runs and you wonder to yourself - where on earth is all that water coming from! At the first sighting of Gullfoss you will be suitably inspired. An amazing place. To get to it, the best idea is to do the Golden Circle Tour when you're in Iceland and your driver will more than likely take you there. Don't miss it - there's also a souvenir shop nearby plus a coffee shop and restaurant.
2. Niagara Falls and Horsehoe Falls (on the border between CANADA and USA):
The Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. You can do it for free from the many viewing platforms in both Canada and the USA. The waterfall straddles the border and there's even a bridge you can cross to do passport and immigration. But the Maid of the Mist tour is the one I did which gets you up close and personal to the falls itself. You get wet and you get to keep your blue and white trademark poncho. You'll be flabbergasted by the immensity of this fall of water. You can still do this tour for less than $20 Canadian Dollars. Either that or stare down at it for free.
3. Iguazu Falls (on the border of BRAZIL and ARGENTINA):
SO the ongoing debate continues - which country is the best to view the Iguazu Falls from? And the answer is BOTH Argentina and Brazil. Plus the only way to experience it properly is actually to visit it from both sides, which I did in 2010 when I visited. Both National Parks are fairly close to each other and there are frequent border buses so you are best to view it from Both Argentina and Brazil. The Brazil one costs slightly more to get, which I noted, here's a rundown of them both:
Iguazu Falls, Argentina:
Reaching the Argentina side of the falls isn't that difficult. You can get a bus that goes along Ruta 12 - it leaves from the centre of Puerto Iguazu and heads along the main road into the national park. This also goes past the Hostel Inn Iguazu Falls (the hostel I stayed in). Once you arrive at the national park, get a day pass (it was 85 Pesos in 2010 on my visit) and you have 3 real options (try and do all three): 1. Upper Falls route - a higher hike of the falls - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas 2. Lower Falls route - this goes closer to the falls itself and leads you down to the bottom parts - start the hike at Estacion Cataratas as well. 3. Garganta del Diablo/Devil's Throat - the most recommended part of the falls - this place is immense - after walk a few kilometres over a bridge you arrive at the waterfalls on a wooden ledge. You can also do boat trips, watch animals and eat in the restaurants inside the park.
Viewed from Brazil:
The Brazil Side of the falls featured wooden platforms right up close and personal to the waterfalls and a decent view over the border into Argentina. On the Brazil side the method of transport was by bus when I was there in 2010. There are a few walks along the side of the waterfall. Iguazu is just incredible!
One thing to note is that both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy such is the marvel of these natural flows of water.
Well that's my top three waterfalls - feel free to disagree or comment. You have to love Iguazu though...it's probably my favourite of the three!
About the Author:
You can find more articles like three top waterfalls by visiting Jonny Blair's extensive travel, work and lifestyle site Dont Stop Living which is updated daily.
No comments:
Post a Comment