South American Adventure: Two Weeks in Patagonia, Buenos Aires and Cartagena

Overview of day 1: Travel day

Your journey kicks off with a day dedicated to air travel, layovers and transfers — don’t let that deter you! By starting with the farthest destination, Patagonia, you’re setting the stage for a perfectly paced adventure. Think of it as "ripping off the band-aid" so the rest of your two-week trip flows more smoothly. From Patagonia’s breathtaking landscapes, you’ll gradually work your way north, creating a relaxed rhythm and ending the trip closer to home. After all, no one wants to face the longest travel leg when you’re ready to wrap up and return refreshed!

Take a full-day tour to explore Perito Moreno. Your tour bus, or private driver, will pick you up at your hotel first thing in the morning. You’ll have an approximate 90-minute ride to the port of Lake Rio where you’ll take a boat across the lake to see the glaciers up-close and personal from below. You’ll then begin your multi-hour journey with your group, or private guide, trekking in, around and on the glacier and surrounding forests. A truly unforgettable once in a lifetime exploration.

Rent a car for the day, or hire a guide, for another full-day of hiking and/or trekking. You are less than two hours away from some of the highest peaks in all of Patagonia and the most southern tip of the continental South American border.
Spend a day exploring the outskirts of El Calafate riding horseback or kayaking through a vast nature preserve. Discover canyons, streams and share stories at lunch over a fire with your local southern gaucho guide.

Relax & explore El Calafate:

El Calafate is an ideal base for exploring Patagonia, with its convenient access to airports, walkable shops, restaurants and tour operators. Stay at a spa hotel like Xelena Hotel & Suites to unwind after your travels. Indulge in spa treatments and their swim-in/swim-out pool with stunning views of Lake Argentina, ensuring you're refreshed for your full-day adventures.

Take time to leisurely explore El Calafate’s many shops, restaurants and cafes. For a great funky little place to brunch and people watch checkout Elbar Calafate. Another great place to lounge and enjoy a coffee and a crepe is Viva La Pepa. Or if you’re craving a more traditional bacon, egg and cheese checkout Olivia’s Coffee Shop.

When in Argentina, enjoy the two best loves of the country's landscapes - eat the steaks and drink the Malbec, no questions asked. . For a more traditional Argentinean dinner go to Don Pichón, for a more upscale experience dine at La Candelaria, or inquire with your travel advisor (ahem, me) for a more bespoke dining experience with a local chef in their home enjoying an intimate/small-group traditional Argentinian Asado experience with other travelers from around the globe.

Buenos Aires is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, five times the size of New York City, and renowned as “the Paris of South America”. Due to its size and vast number of different neighborhoods, all bringing something different to the table, Buenos Aires could have an entire two-week itinerary of its own. The city's purpose in this itinerary is to get a taste for the capital and serve as a midpoint landing pad between the frosted adventures of Southern Patagonia and the warm beaches of Cartagena.

Although large in size, the city is very easy to get around, some neighborhoods by foot, by renting an e-bike, or taxis/Ubers are extremely affordable. Suggested neighborhoods to explore include:

• Puerto Madero is a newer and modern neighborhood with many shops and restaurants along the manmade Darsena River.

• Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Soho, and Villa Crespo are all hip up and coming neighborhoods. Be sure to visit Falena, an unimposing bookstore from the outside, however, inside it has gorgeous courtyards and a rooftop garden.

• San Telmo has a lively open-air market spanning more than 10 blocks down Defensa Street, beginning at Plaza de Mayo and ending in Plaza Dorrego. Spend your afternoon shopping, eating (ALL the empanadas) and watching live performances. One block before Plaza Dorrego is the indoor San Telmo Market, which you can visit any day of the week.

• Recoleta is known for its business and shopping districts. Get custom-made leather pieces (think boots, leather jackets, pants, etc.) at Uru Recoleta. It takes 36-48 hours to make your custom pieces, which they will ship to your hotel or all the way home for you! This neighborhood also hosts the famous Cementerio de la Recoleta, a 17th-century cemetery, with hundreds of catacombs, including the famous Eva Perons.

Colombia’s Caribbean gem, old-town Cartagena, or “the walled city”, is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 1500s as one of the principal ports in Spanish America for the transatlantic slave trade. Bursting with color, rich-history and mixed culture, Cartagena has plenty to not be missed.

Begin by settling into your hotel. I recommend staying at Hotel Movich for its central location, luxury accommodations and its rooftop for taking in views of the colorful city.

Take your time getting lost in the cobblestone alleyways enjoying the colorful Spanish Colonial architecture. Make sure to find your way into the Abaco bookstore and cafe, walk along Las Murallas (the walls surrounding the city), visit the Zenú Gold Museum which hosts a large collection of gold artifacts many of which were brought ashore by pirates and walk around and explore the Getsemani Neighborhood, specifically Plaza Trinidad, the bohemian heart of the neighborhood, with great cafes and restaurants.

Your stay in Cartagena is not complete without at least a day exploring the surrounding islands, Rosario Islands, Isla Baru, Tierra Bomba and the San Bernardo Islands to name a few. There are many ways to enjoy the islands, including group tours, private boat rentals, beach club day passes and even luxury overnight accommodations.

Cartagena is also known for its varied food scene and nightlife (especially if you like to dance!). For cuban food and live music, La Vitrola can’t be missed. For local food in a more upscale and open air setting, Donjuan will be your go to. For sustainable dishes and creative cocktails, check out Carmen Cartagena. And for an unforgettable evening of authentic vibes and dancing, Cafe Havana is where you’ll find yourself.