Month long trip to South America with a 4 day W trek in Torres Del Paine in Chile. Starting in Buenos Aires, then going to Patagonia to El Calafate, El Chalten and then Puerto Natales to depart for W trek. Once W trek is complete, head to Pucun and then Iguazu Falls. From there off to Brazil, first Rio and two beach towns on coast of Brazil to relax for the last week.&nbsp;Accomodation Budget: Since it's a 30 day+ trip, tried best to find lodging between $100 to $200 a night. opted for hotels instead of Airbnb's for the services (ex. daily cleaning) and amenities (ex. gym, room service, concierge etc)&nbsp;PACKING LIST:Luggage / bags:<ul><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3VC04a1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">65L travel backpack with wheels</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3EVjL58" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Locks for bags</a>&nbsp;(also TSA approved):</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3ucpuPe " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20-30L Day pack</a>&nbsp;+ waterproof cover:&nbsp;Used for daily excursions &amp; day hiking</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3Fgrex4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fanny pack</a>: use for city walking&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3ERYQjx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moneybelt</a>: This might be dorky, but I always use one</li></ul>Footwear:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Hiking shoes (with ankle support)&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3H0eU5n" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walking shoes</a>&nbsp;(with max support):</li><li>waterproof beach&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3AYfGMu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sandals</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>Cold weather (need for Patagonia W trek)&nbsp;<ul><li>Windproof / waterproof rain jacket + pants (can rent in Puerto Natales)</li><li>Fleece top/sweater</li><li>2 Merino wool long sleeve shirts&nbsp;</li><li>2 pair pants: joggers + yoga&nbsp;</li><li>Warm Hat, scarf, gloves&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3ufOeGd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smartwool Socks</a></li><li>Pajama set</li></ul>Warm clothes:&nbsp;<ul><li>Shirts + tanks</li><li>Sun hat</li><li>Shorts / Sundress&nbsp;</li><li>swimsuit&nbsp;</li></ul>Toiletry bag:&nbsp;<ul><li>Shampoo / conditioner / soap&nbsp;</li><li>Sunscreen + face &amp; body&nbsp;</li><li>Mosquito repellent&nbsp;</li><li>Hand-sanitizer&nbsp;</li><li>Skincare routine&nbsp;</li></ul>Electronics:<ul><li>Camera - recommend a waterproof&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3B0UTrP" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GoPro mini</a>&nbsp;+ battery + charger&nbsp;</li><li>Outlet adapter</li><li>Phone + charger&nbsp;</li><li>Computer or iPad + charger&nbsp;</li></ul>Misc:<ul><li>First-aid kit</li><li>Flashlight</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3EV66vf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reusable water bottle</a></li><li>Hiking poles (can rent in Puerto Natales)</li><li>Sunglasses</li><li>Face masks + Covid tests&nbsp;</li><li>Pen + paper&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3EQHvHK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sleeping bag liner</a>&nbsp;(for W trek, sleeping bag provided by G adventure)&nbsp;</li><li>Snacks (Ex. protein bars)</li></ul><a href="https://amzn.to/3H5uBIR" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Documents holder</a>&nbsp;for the following:<ul><li>Passport - keep photocopy separate</li><li>Flight info printouts</li><li>Insurance info - printout of plan: recommend&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imglobal.com/img-producer-insurance-plans?imgac=542664&amp;svi=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IMG for medical travel insurance</a></li><li>Covid Vaccine Card - keep photocopy separate&nbsp;</li><li>cash, credit &amp; debit cards&nbsp;</li></ul>

El Chaltén

Explore Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina. Immerse yourself in tango culture, savor delectable steaks, and wander through historic neighborhoods.

Buenos Aires

🛌 4 nights in Palermo district at Dazzler hotel. Spend days walking around. 

Thurs, Dec 15: Buenos Aires 🇦🇷

Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires Palermo

Cab to La Boca to start the day and start walking back to Palermo stopping and eating along the way.

Friday, Dec 16: Buenos Aires 🇦🇷

Walk around Palermo and enjoy all of the parks and gardens 

Sat, Dec 17: Buenos Aires 🇦🇷

Day trip - take 1 hour ⛴️ ferry from Buenos Aires to walk around Colonia Del Sacramento in Uruguay. 

⛴️ to Colonia Sacramento🇺🇾 for day 

Colonia del Sacramento

✈️ Early morning flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate. 🚗 Rent car at airport, 3.5 hour drive north to El Chalten. Make stops at beautiful sites along the way. 🛌 2 nights in El Chalten. 

Mon, Dec 19: ✈️+🚗 to El Chalten 🇦🇷

El Calafate

Patagonicus

Day hike to see Mt Fritz via Laguna Capri trail 

Tuesday, Dec 20: ⛰️ El Chalten 🇦🇷

Laguna Capri

Laguna de los Tres

🚗 Drive from El Calafate to El Chalten and drop off car rental. 🛌 2 nights in El Calafate.

Wed, Dec 21: 🚗 to El Calafate 🇦🇷

La Cantera Hotel Boutique Calafate

Thurs, Dec 22: 🏔️ El Calafate 🇦🇷

Perito Moreno Glacier

Take 5 hour 🚌 bus from El Calafate to Puerto Natales. Unable to rent car b/c of Argentina to Chile border crossing. 🛌 2 nights in Puerto Natales.

Friday, Dec 23: 🚌 to Puerto Natales 🇨🇱

Puerto Natales

AKA Patagonia

Booked 4 day Torres Del Paine W trek with G adventure, it starts and ends in Puerto Natales. Spend day in Puerto Natales prepping for the trek before departing. Camping gear + food provided by G adventure, only have to carry 30L bag, other suitcase (large 65L bag) stays in Puerto Natales, and porter carry's 10 pounds for each person. 

Sat, Dec 24: Torres Del Paine W trek prep

- Merino wool socks
- Hiking shoes with ankle support 
- Quick dry wool base layer 
- Fleece jacket mid-layer 
- Quick dry joggers 
- Hat & sunglasses
- 30L backpack
- Hiking poles (rent in Puerto Natales)

Wear during trek

- 1 pair extra socks 
- waterproof jacket & pants (rent in Puerto Natales) 
- scarf & gloves
- First aid kit
- Camera & phone 
- passport, medical insurance printout, wallet 
- Protein snacks 
- Water (in reusable water bottle)
- Sunscreen & bug spray 

Packed inside the 30L day pack

- 1 pair pajamas - top & bottom set
- 4 pair of underwear 
- 2 pairs extra socks 
- toothbrush, toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, face wash, face lotion 
- Sleeping bag liner 
- Electronics: camera & phone charger 
- Extra snacks

Carried by the porter (10 pounds)

- The best clothing is wool since it’s quick-drying and can keep heat in better. Wear layers. 
- When hiking in Patagonia, even in summer, weather can shift to cold quickly. Wear layers. 
- Instead of buying, can rent hiking poles, and rain/wind pants & jacket in Puerto Natales

Trek Packing Tips

Sun, Dec 25: ⛰️🥾 W trek 🇨🇱

Mon, Dec 26: ⛰️🥾 W trek 🇨🇱

Tues, Dec 27: ⛰️🥾 W trek 🇨🇱

Wed, Dec 28: ⛰️🥾 W trek 🇨🇱 

Camping Laguna Azul

Refugio Los Cuernos

Nordenskjöld Lake

Mirador Torres Del Paine

Camping Paine Grande

Grey Lake

Lake Pehoé

Hotel Capitan Eberhard

✈️ 2 hour flight from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt. Rent car at Puerto Montt airport (with different drop off location of ZCO airport). 🚗 Drive 4 hours to Pucun. 🛌 3 night stay at Selina.

Thurs, Dec 29: ✈️ + 🚗 to Pucun

Pucón

Selina Pucón

El Tepual Airport

Fri, Dec 30: 🌋 Pucun

Sat, Dec 31: 🌋 Pucun

Chabad Pucon

Villarrica

Full travel day.🚗 2 hour drive from Pucun to La Araucania (ZCO) & drop rental car. ✈️ Fly from ZCO to Santiago. ✈️ Fly from Santiago to Iguazu Falls. 🛌 sleep 2 nights in Iguazu Falls. 

Sun, Jan 1: 🚗 + ✈️ to Iguazu Falls

Mon, Jan 2: Iguazu Falls

Explore the Brazil side of the falls, and take a late night flight to Rio. 

Tues, Jan 3: Iguazu Falls ✈️ to Rio

El Pueblito Iguazú

Araucanía Airport (Temuco)

Foz do Iguaçu International Airport

Devil's Throat

Caminho das Cataratas Brasil

Rio de Janeiro Airport RJ Santos Dumont

Wed, Jan 4: Rio

Thurs, Jan 5: Rio

Full day of transit. ✈️  flew from Rio to Fortaleza and then hired private car to 🚌 drive to Jericoacoara

Fri, Jan 6: ✈️ + 🚌 Jericoacoara

Giant, 30-m-tall mountaintop statue of Jesus Christ, accessed by train & offering city views.

Christ the Redeemer

Jericoacoara

Sat, Jan 7: 🏖️☀️👙Jericarcara 

Full day+ of travel ✈️ Fly from Jericoacoara to São Paulo, and then directly to Newark 

Tues, Jan 10: ✈️ to New York

Rio de Janeiro

Plaza de Mayo

Palermo

- bring US dollars and exchange in non-govt place for best rate (govt rate is 180 pesos = 1 dollar, the blue market exchanges rate is 320 pesos = 1 dollar) 
- when booking hotel, do not pay beforehand, pay with peso cash at checkout for best deal 
- download DiDi app (more reliable local Uber)

Key tips for Buenos Aires

La Boca

San Telmo

Jardín Japonés

Serrano

Below was original plan, now staying in Buenos Aires for the World Cup game!

Watch Argentina play in World Cup final! 

Sun, Dec 18: Buenos Aires

Lodging at a natural hot spring site with more than 60 sources of water in a forested national park.

Argentina, Chile & Brazil

Bookable Tours and Experiences - El Chaltén

Bookable Tours and Experiences - Buenos Aires

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