Yacutinga is not the name of the latest loft television adventure show, far from that.

Located in the North-East of Argentina, in the Misiones region, only a few miles away from the Brazilian border and the very famous Iguazu falls, Yacutinga is an ecology-friendly turistical complex in the Amazonian jungle. The lodge itself extends onto an area of no more than 12 acres in a forest of small palm trees (Euterpe edulis). It is a wonderful experience of 3 or more days at the lodge that can be combined with several more days visiting the extraordinary Iguazu falls.

THE PHILOSOPHY

Yacutinga Lodge's eco tourism concept is devoted to produce a wonderful relationship between the visitor and the surrounding Nature. This means that everyone visiting and living at Yacutinga Lodge takes part in different environmental activities, such as environmental education-based walks, Native trees planting, Wildlife observation and classification, and interpretation of Natural processes to understand and discover this Forest. The aim is to give the most complete information on Misiones Forest, on their traditions and habits. Also, to have the opportunity to communicate how and why the hosts are protecting this Natural Sanctuary, probably one of the last relicts of the richest and most varied Eco-region in Argentina. If you are planning to visit Yacutinga, we recommend staying for at least 3 days. It is very easy to combine the Yacutinga Experience with the traditional visit to Iguazú Falls. The result will be an itinerary of high tourism content to enjoy Misiones Forest.

THE INTEREST OF THE LOCATION

The astonishing presence of several plant strata overlaying from the ground to the high tree tops; profuse vines of all types and sizes, creating an intricate and entwined frame for numerous epiphytes that hang from all that can serve as support. At the same time this site is part of a global network of places recognized for their outstanding value to bird conservation. The free space between the different vegetation layers is the home to colorful birds like toucans, black fronted piping guans, trogons and woodpeckers. Life in one of its richest expressions within a frame full of species, shades, dimensions and colors, makes it almost impossible to describe this Forest with words. This combination of such abundant bio diversity is the result of a natural chaos, which makes up a whole, and which can only be understood by someone who has seen and admired something similar and unforgettable. The subtropical Forest impresses as a whole, is admirable in its parts and its details arouse curiosity. The majestic silence that at times dominates the Forest lets our ears enjoy an immense sensation and, at the same time, warns us of a coming change of weather. The song of birds, the buzzing of insects, and the rustle of breeze moving across branches create a conspiracy that may disrupt this silent and oppressive calm. While staying at the Natural Reserve we reunite with our evolutionary roots, we discover our senses, which are almost atrophied by urban life.

THE BUILDINGS

The buildings are adjusted to the natural relief of the terrain, in harmony with surrounding Nature. Native materials, such as stones and large logs from fallen trees have been successfully incorporated into the architectural concept of our place, which integrates completely with the natural Environment. Only 4 hectares out of the 570-hectare area of the property have been used to build this unprecedented eco tourism complex in Argentina. During the construction process special care has been taken to minimize negative impacts on nature. Accommodations consist of independent lodging modules. The rooms are dispersed throughout the Forest and surround the main building from a certain distance. Each lodging module has four rooms. The very comfortable, rustic-style rooms have private bathrooms with 24-hour hot water service . There are matrimonial, double and triple rooms. Mornings can be cold in the Forest during our winter season (June/August), therefore each room also has a woodstove, which in a way reminds us of early settlers. All the rooms have an exclusive view to the Forest.

YACUTINGA: A SUSTAINABLE ECOLOGICAL TURISM PROJECT

Yacutinga Lodge is not just an eco tourism project located in the Argentine Jungle. They believe that there is an important worldwide need of protecting nature while generating an economical income. At Yacutinga they are doing it. The eco tourism activity is one of their economic stilts, but there are also other sustainable projects, which are being developed in the Yacutinga area. With the biological technical support of the Fundacion Vida Silvestre Argentina (WWF associated organization) and the outcomes of the researches that have place at the Yacutinga Biological Station they are conducting different projects to create a general use of our Private Reserve without spoiling Nature.