Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotels in Puerto Iguazu and head towards San Ignacio, some 230 km away.
Among the thick jungle missionary relief stands the ruins of San Ignacio Reduction, the remains of a civilization, designed by Jesuits and Guarani and built by hands that stood out for its efficiency almost 400 years ago.
The facade of the temple was made entirely with pink sandstone in 1610 and its American Baroque design was rebuilt by a group of scientists in the last century. The reduction had been buried under the jungle for nearly two centuries.
Thousands of tourists visit it every year. It is located in the heart of the town of San Ignacio, on Route No. 12, 60 kilometers from Posadas. Today, the right wall of the temple looks flawless, because during the summer a group of specialists was “grooming” it.
This was made possible by the World Monuments Foundation, who donated 50,000 dollars for that. It's a step by step process to preserve all the walls of this monument, which due to the tropical climate of the region tend to be covered with small microorganisms that slowly break them down.
Then we will travel to the Wanda Mines site and view the gemstones that form in the area. Hundreds of years ago, the lava in this region rose through fissures in the earth creating enough pressure for the materials to bubble. The quick cooling of the lava created crystals, all of them in pyramidal hexagonal shapes made of amethyst quartz and agates that are today used for jewelry. Learn about the formation process of many minerals including amethysts, agates, topazes and quartz crystals.
Before returning, we will visit a local Yerba Mate producer. There, you can tour the facilities and taste local infusions. Once the tour is finished, you will have some free time. If desired, you can purchase souvenirs and regional sweets.
Then, after discovering the treasures that the Misiones Jungle can hide, you will be taken to your hotels at the end of the day in Puerto Iguazú