Colonia Carlos Pellegrini

Colonia Carlos Pellegrini is the biggest village in the Esteros del Ibera in Corrientes with about 500 permanent inhabitants. There are some hotels, hostels, restaurants and other basic tourist infrastructure. Apart from that it is very rural.

Get in

There´s a bus Monday to Saturday from Mercedes, AR$25, 3 hours on a dirt road. There might also be occasionally a transport option from Posadas.

See

Ibera Lodge - View of main house at Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, on the shores of the Ibera Lagoon

Wildlife at its purest; such as marsh deer, caimans, capybaras, giant otters, anacondas, howler monkeys, armadillos... and of course the most important of all: 350 species of birds, many of them endemic or in danger of extinction.

Ibera Wetlands is a nature reserve 1000 km north of Buenos Aires. Swamp area of 13,000 km². With the richest fauna of all the country: Caimans, capybaras, swamp deer, howler monkeys, anacondas, maned wolves, armadillos, and greater rhea. All of them at sight for the visitors when doing excursions by boat on foot/horse back. A true paradise for nature lovers, birders, eco tourists and travellers looking for relax or the ultimate gaucho experience.

Do

• Caminata. 2 hours. A walk along a defined path with a guide to see wildlife (mainly birds). AR$20. 
• Walking. Even if you are short of your own means of transportation, the walk along the road from Carlo Pellegrini to the Natural Park Head Offices across the bridge over the Ibera' is really easy and enjoyable, especially at sunset. Once there, you can take the marked walk inside the small pocket of trees where a colony of howler monkeys lingers. They tend to show if you are silent enough. It is a small walk, but you will get fascinated by everything is around you. Totally free and one of the things you will remember! 
• Boat trip, ☏ +54 377315407314. 2-3 hours. Best way to see & take pics of local wildlife! Many caimans (2 species: Caiman yacare & broaded snouted Caiman), capivaras, marsh deer and hundreds of birds (herons, ducks, jacanas, cormorans, flycatchers, blackbirds and more). There 2 places to go: Aº Corriente (SWest) and Aº Miriñay (SEast), both very interesting. It is better starting early in the morning, or in the evening; when animals are more active. US$40. 
• Kayaking. as long as you want. Renting a kayak at the camping (US$15 per hour). Maximum passagers per kayak: 3. Remember that at 19:00 the park closes, so you have to have returned 10 minutes before 
• Horse Riding, ☏ +54 377315407314. 2 hr. Ride on horse through palm tree forest and swamps. Nice experience for rookies and experts riders US$25. 

Eat

There are a few restaurants.

Sleep

There are different options for sleeping starting at about 25 pesos for a bed in a dorm to a couple of hundred dollars in one of the luxury resorts. Tell the bus driver where you are going to stay and he will drop you off there. Most accommodation places offer (the same) tours.

• Irupe Lodge (Eco Lodge Ibera), Laguna Ibera (calle Yacare e Ysipo), ☏ +54 9 3773 45-6730. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Small and exclusive eco lodge right at the lake Ibera side in the middle of the Esteros del Ibera. 9 original rooms in modern-rustic style with lake view. The offer goes from transportation to/from, excursions into the wetlands (boat safaris, night safaris, trekking, horse riding), restaurant, pool at lake side and authentic days with the gauchos. Special packages all inclusive with or without Iguazu Falls. AR$90-140. 
• Rancho Iberá, Caraguatá y Aguará, ☏ +54 379 448-8373, +57 3783 153 18594, ranchoibera@yahoo.com.ar. from AR$45. 
• Rancho Inambú, Yerutí, ☏ +57 3773 15-43-8485, ranchoinambu@yahoo.com.ar. from AR$25 (dorm including breakfast). 

Go next

There's a connection to Mercedes by bus Monday to Thursday at 05:00, Friday at 17:00. It goes to Pellegrini M-F at 12:30, Sa at 09:30.

No bus service to Posadas. Only way is taking a private 4x4 transfer at Pellegrini.