Cono de Arita in Argentina

Near the south border of Salar de Arizaro, the 6th largest salt flat on earth and the 2nd largest in Argentina, 70 kilometers from the village of Tolar Grande, lies a strange volcanic pyramid. An almost faultless cone, it rises suddenly in the middle of the salt pan. This is Cono de Arita and it looms splendidly 122 meters above the Salar. Its name comes from the Aymara language where Arita means “Sharp”. In the early 20th century it was supposed that such a perfect cone could only have been built by man. However Cono de Arita is natural and assumed to be a minor volcano which lacked strength to burst through the curst and so never threw lava or developed a crater. The entire thing around the cone is black salt brought to the surface by ancient magma flows underground. As per archaeological remains found in the cone, the place was a ceremonial center earlier to the arrival of the Incas.

Paso Internacional Los Libertadores

Paso Internacional Los Libertadores is also called Cristo Redentor, is a beautiful mountain pass in the Andes between Argentina and Chile. This is the foremost transport route connecting the Chilean capital city of Santiago to Mendoza city in Argentina. The route is carries quite heavy traffic with 29 hard switchbacks on a tremendously steep incline; it is also one of the most challenging roads to navigate.

The road starts on the Chilean side with a steep rise, nearly 50 kilometer from the city of Los Andes which lies 70 kilometers north of Santiago. The switchbacks start soon after. The first twenty switchbacks stretch over 4 kilometers with a change in elevation from 2,275 m to 2,550 m. Then road climbs gently for 2 kilometers to an altitude of 2,650 m. The next nine switchbacks take you up to an altitude of 2,800 m over a distance of 2.5 kilometers. From this point, it’s another 5 kilometers to the Chilean immigration post and then two more kilometers to the start of the old road leading up to the summit. 

There’s a few kilometers beyond the Chilean immigration post, at an elevation of 3,175 m, lies a tunnel leading across the border into Argentina. Which was opened in 1980, the tunnel of the Christ is 3,080 m long, and serves as a significant land crossing between Chile and Argentina. Wind combined with the high altitude will make for some pretty slow going, but don’t worry, there’s a refugio at the top where you can take rest over a cup of hot chocolate. The summit is at 3,840m, and it is here that you’ll find the Redeemer statue and enjoy breathtaking views of Aconcagua and out over the valley below.

The path normally closed during winter seasons because of heavy snows blocking both ends and the threat of rock fall and land sliding. The pass on the Argentine side is well maintained and gentler grade and much better sustained. It also carries extra traffic as lot of tourists drive up and back to enjoy the views. From the summit, you will descend approximately 1,000m over 9km before reaching the Argentine immigration post at Las Cuevas. The travelling on this road is best to take on in the summer months, as the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores can close due to snow and severe weather during the winter. On 19 September 2013, approximately 15,000 Chileans got stranded on the Argentine side, when the pass had to be closed for almost 10 hours because of freezing temperatures between 40-50 centimeters of snow.

“Iguazu Fall” Brazil and Argentina

One of the great natural wonders of the world, the Iguazu Falls are situated near the border of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Iguazu Falls, called Foz do Iguaçu in Portuguese, and Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish, lie on the Argentina & Brazil border and are on the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The name of the waterfalls comes from the Guaraní word for "great water". The Iguazu Falls is Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River. The magic beauty of Iguazu Falls is the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth.

In 1541; the first Spanish traveler to see the falls was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca but the vast power of the falls was not fully utilized until the construction of the huge Itaipu hydroelectric power plant built jointly by Paraguay and Brazil. It was completed in 1991 and opens for public. The dam provides substantial 12,600,000 KW of power almost 40% of Argentina and Brazil power needs. The dam is one of the largest in the world and touted by both countries as a masterpiece of modern technology.

During the rainy season of November - March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second. To view the matter of fact, the tremendous amount of water thundering down 269 feet. The sheer beauty is bigger than four times the width of Niagara Falls. Iguazu Falls are divided by numerous islands into separate waterfalls. One of the best known is Devil's Throat or Gargantua del Diablo with its continuous spray high over the falls. Other notable falls are the San Martin, Bossetti, and Bernabe Mendez. 

The Iguazu falls are part of a singular practically virgin jungle ecosystem protected by Argentine and Brazilian national parks on either side of the cascades. Almost 2/3 of the falls are on the Argentinian side where you can also trip to Iguazu National Park consists of jungle trails and bird hikes. You may plan a full day trip to the park to fully adore the wildlife flora and fauna. Therefore; it is possible to grasp the falls and surrounding area in a lightning trip but it is highly recommended to make a plan for at least two days. The view from the Brazilian side is the most panoramic and there’re helicopter rides out over the falls from Foz do Iguaçu. You may also take boat rides out to the falls. 

If you want to some special photographs then you’ve to visit in the early morning, when lights are in the best shape. It is believed that best seen from the Brazilian side is the remarkable Devil's Throat, Garganta del diablo, where fourteen falls drop 350 feet with such force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of spray overhead. The amazing seen is to watch the extraordinary rainbow! For a closer view, walk through the subtropical forest of National Iguaçu Park to the base of Salto Floriano and take the elevator to the top of the falls. Or you may walk out over the falls at Salto Union. 

However; from the Argentine side you can proceeds a series of catwalks over the water rushing into Devil's Gorge. However; protective rain suits are provided. There’re some areas where it is possible to swim in the spray of the cascades. But highly recommended to seek locals guide and instructions but be sure that you might have a resulting problem with cuticle parasites. Therefore; best times to view the real beauty of Iguazu Falls are in the spring and fall. Summer is intensely tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is considerably lower. There’re hotels on both sides of the river and many tour agencies provide sightseeing opportunities around the area. 

You may found more detail of hotels on the internet for Brazilian side of the falls, or these on the Argentine side. Downstream from the falls where the Parana and Iguazu rivers meet, so do the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Each country has created a landmark in their national colors on a spot in each of their countries where you can understand all three. To the matter of reaching the location it is not too difficult as both the Brazilian and Argentinean cities have nearby airports. Upon seeing Iguazu, the United States' First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara”. Iguazu is also often compared with Southern Africa's Victoria Falls which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe. The only wider falls are tremendously large rapid-like falls such as the Boyoma Falls. With the flooding of the Guaíra Falls in 1982, Iguazu currently has the second-greatest average annual flow of any waterfall in the world, after Niagara Falls. Iguazu Falls experiences a humid subtropical climate with abundant precipitation and high temperatures all year-round.

Iguazu Falls, wonder of nature from Planetphoto on Vimeo.

Iguazú / Iguaçu / Iguassu falls - FPV Aerial videography - Scarab Reconn FPV Quad from glambert7777 on Vimeo.

"Fitz Roy" Argentina and Chile.

Human nature is always looking for something different and incredible, like Fitz Roy, which is covered by heavy snow actually a breathtaking mountain. Monte Fitz Roy is also popular as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy is a mountain located near El Chaltén village, in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Patagonia, on the border between Argentina and Chile. This is extremely popular tourists destination including Laguna de Los Tress Lagooon, Torre, and the nearby climbing the Cerro Electrico. It is also famous for mountain trekkers which circuits and departure from El Chalten offering amazing mountains views.

There are 15 routes to reach the mountain peak, and challenging indeed for climbers, and it remains among the most technically challenging mountains on Earth for mountaineers. In winter, snow scenery is on their peak with the clouds surround them must be one of unique natural phenomenon. Fitz Roy mountains range is very popular among the tourists of different countries, to watch the real beauty of mountains and sky. The climbers and trekkers are really inspired with the beauty of Fitz Roy. All tourists’ facilities are available here along with food restaurant, who are always in action to offering you delicious and tasty foods. It’s a safe and sound place for your winter holidays with your family. The mountain is first climbed by French Alpinists Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone in 1952.  

Francisco Moreno unearth the mountain on March 12, 1877, and named it Fitz Roy, well inspired from Robert FitzRoy, who was captain of the HMS Beagle had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Fitz Roy was only one of a number of peaks the Tehuelche called Chaltén. Fitz Roy has a reputation of being “Ultimate” in spite of its average height, but sheer granite, and long stretches makes him arduous technical climbing mountain. The weather of this region is exceptionally inclement and treacherous. World’s famous photographers really inspired the beauty of this area due to its otherworldly shape. Despite of recent development of El Calafate international airport and El Chalten village, the area is still fairly accessible.  

Source: Charismatic Planet