Tango, Steaks and Glaciers : My South American RollerCoaster

Where do I even begin? Planning my first trip to South America was like stepping into a whirlwind of excitement and chaos. Argentina and Chile have been on my bucket list for ages, and this trip promised to be the perfect little "taster" to see if they lived up to the hype. So, I did what any adventurous soul would do—I joined a JOYNTRIPS group, not entirely sure what I was getting myself into, but definitely ready for the ride. Little did I know, this trip would turn out to be quite the rollercoaster. Between visa requirements, endless flights, and crossing three countries, I quickly realized that South America isn’t a destination you just “pop” over to. But once everything fell into place, I knew it would be an adventure worth every single moment.

The adventure kicked off with a marathon 28-hour journey to Buenos Aires. I arrived a few days early, eager to explore the city solo. Buenos Aires turned out to be a vibrant mosaic of culture—old-world charm fused with modern energy. I strolled through La Boca, where tango dancers seemed to appear on every corner, and the streets were painted with the bright, bold colors of Argentina’s soul(lets not forget Diego)

I wandered the stylish streets of Palermo, indulging in cozy cafes and boutiques, then found myself in the Bosques de Palermo, a dreamy park filled with trees, and a sense of peace that felt like a little escape from the city buzz. Graffiti is legal in Buenos Aires, unless the property owners say otherwise, so the streets are basically an open-air art gallery. As a lover of all things artistic, I couldn’t stop snapping pictures of the stunning murals .

Buenos Aires offers a food scene that's truly on another level. The steaks are legendary, cooked to perfection and rivaling the best in the world. But it doesn't stop there—if you're a fan of sweet treats, the city’s ice cream and alfajores are a must-try. The rich, creamy ice cream and the iconic alfajores, (delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche) will leave you craving more. Don't forget to indulge in the city's irresistible pastries, heavily influenced by Italian heritage-you’ll be hooked before you know it!

Buenos Aires is an artsy capital, so it’s no surprise that the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is a must-visit. With masterpieces ranging from Renoir to Van Gogh, this museum showcases private collections that are nothing short of spectacular. I also visited the iconic Teatro Colón, a grand opera house with stunning acoustics and luxurious marble staircases—truly a jewel of the city. The Evita Perón Museum offered a deep dive into the life of one of Argentina's most influential figures.

The Recoleta Cemetery, with its maze of elaborate mausoleums and towering statues, felt like something out of a gothic novel, each grave holding a story of its own. And of course, I couldn't leave Buenos Aires without experiencing the mate ritual—while I may not have fallen in love with the bitter brew, I was absolutely captivated by the intimate ceremony and the connection it fosters.

From there ,we boarded our first domestic flight to El Calafate, in Argentina’s Patagonia. I was instantly smitten with this magical place. We headed straight to Cerro Frias Ranch, where we got to ride the steppes like the gauchos of old. The landscape was so picturesque, it felt like we were riding through a postcard. No photo could truly capture the beauty of it, but trust me—it was unforgettable

The next day, we visited the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, and wow, nature really knows how to impress. The glacier stretched out before us, an icy giant. As we hiked, I marveled at the layers of blue ice, while trying not to be blown away by the fierce winds that Patagonia is notorious for. The hike was beginner-friendly, but even so, the views were jaw-dropping. I felt like I was in an ice kingdom, surrounded by towering walls of frozen blue.

From there, we ventured to Bariloche, and oh my goodness—this place was like stepping into a fairy tale. After landing, we grabbed some ice cream (because, hello, it's Argentina), and then had lunch on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi, surrounded by mountains that looked like they’d been plucked from a dream. The place was every bit as beautiful as I had heard. We also took a chocolate tour and I’m pretty sure I gained 5 pounds just from tasting the deliciously rich creations. We capped the day with a cable car ride to the top of Cerro Otto, where we were greeted by a panoramic view of the lake. Some moments are so beautiful that you simply put the camera down to soak it all in. White-water rafting was next on the list . The water was absolutely freezing, but diving in was an invigorating adventure. “Refreshing” didn’t quite cover it.

Our journey continued into Chile, where we embarked on a 12-hour, 3-lake, 3-ferry, 3-bus journey—a total travel marathon! The views were insanely beautiful and the colors of the lakes changed to a different shade of blue with every ferry ride. Crossing the Chilean border was quite the experience! Due to the heat, my chocolate gifts melted in my bag and ended up spilling all over the customs officer (oops, sorry!)

When we finally arrived in Puerto Varas, Chile, it felt like stepping into a dream. The majestic Osorno Volcano loomed over us, a perfect twin of Mount Fuji. We arrived just in time for sunset, and let me tell you, it was a sight to behold.I was racing to the lake’s edge, gear in hand, to catch the last hints of the soft, pink-orange alpenglow that bathed everything in a dreamy blush. I thought to myself, “If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see whats next!”

Our first day in Chile was an adventure from the get go. Zip-lining was on the agenda, and it was my first time! I was terrified, but the laughter and beautiful views made it all worthwhile. After a delicious lunch, we wandered around the charming town, where I picked up local jams and indulged in more ice cream. The fresh air, stunning scenery, and good company made for a perfect afternoon

A quick note on domestic flights in South America: to connect to another destination, you often have to fly back to the main city—so for us, that meant a flight back to Santiago. It’s a bit of a hassle, but hey, its part of the adventure. From the cool lakes of Puerto Varas, we ventured to the blazing heat of the Atacama Desert. The dramatic climate shift was a reminder of how vast and diverse Chile is. I’m a desert lover, so I was absolutely in my element.That night, I headed to the "Hands Holding the Sky" sculpture by a Chilean artist  Mario Irarrzabal.  The 4-hour drive took us under a blanket of stars, and while it wasn’t the perfect time to see the Milky Way, the stargazing was still incredible. By the time I returned to the hotel, the sun was already starting to rise. Who needs sleep when you’re experiencing magic?

The next day, we explored a local pottery center and attended the lively festival of the virgin of Candelaria. It was so hot that I opted to walk back to the hotel, drenched but smiling.

The Valle de la Luna was up next, and although we didn’t have much time there, I could’ve easily spent hours exploring the otherworldly landscape. Yes, it was hot, but being in the desert, I guess one would expect that. After a refreshing snack, we went to our sunset spot, and it was nothing short of mesmerizing. As a photographer, I would’ve loved to stay longer, but this trip was all about soaking in the experience, not just capturing it.

Our final stop in the Atacama was Laguna de Miscanti, a stunning lake at 4,500 meters above sea level. The sheer beauty of the lake was a perfect conclusion to our desert adventure.

It was finally time for Easter Island.

Three days on this remote, mysterious island was like stepping back in time. The Moai statues, standing silently in their sacred places, are full of history and intrigue. Visiting Rano Raraku, the quarry where they were carved, and Ahu Tongariki, where a row of statues faces the vast Pacific, was an unforgettable experience. The Moai represent the island’s ancestors, a connection between the living and the spirits. Standing there, surrounded by these ancient statues, I felt a deep sense of respect for the craftsmanship and heritage of the island.

I also had the chance to witness a local celebration, with colorful dances and music that brought the island’s heritage to life. It was a vibrant, joyous experience, and I felt so fortunate to be part of it. Easter Island’s culture and history left a lasting impression on me, and I left feeling like I’d discovered something truly unique.

Time to leave Chile and the next destination was none other than Brazil, where the grand finale of our journay awaited at Iguazu Falls.

My first glimpse of the falls was from a helicopter, but the weather wasn’t great, and I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. However, when we reached the falls in person, my mind was blown. The sheer power of the falls, combined with the rain and mist, made for an experience that was nothing short of magical. The boat ride at Iguazu Falls is a must ! The driver kept making circles to get us right underneath the falls, and while the water was freezing, it was incredibly refreshing—soaked but totally worth it!  Our final night together was bittersweet.I missed the sunset (major bummer!) while getting ready for our farewell dinner , but the sunrise the next morning more than made up for it

On our way to the airport, we made a final stop at Marco das tres frontieiras (the Point of Three frontiers) , where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet. The view of the river and the surrounding landscape was absolutely breathtaking. It was a perfect moment to pause and take in the beauty of the spot.. A perfect place to end our trip

As our adventure came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have shared these magical moments with such an amazing group of people. From the laughter to the shared memories, it was an experience I’ll never forget. Ladies you totally rock - love you all! Guys, we know we made the trip special just by being there!

Mejroxy, you’re the mastermind behind these wild and wonderful itineraries, always pushing us to the edge! We’ll be back for more Always a Mejroxite, always an adventurer!!!

TRAVEL TIPS:-

Visa requirements :.

Argentina : For bahrain passport holders, a visa is required . if you have a “validated American visa you can apply online and it costs around $400 .if you don’t then you have to apply to the embassy in riyadh .Start the application process at least three months in advance . trust me you need the time.

Brazil: A visa is required . this time its via the embassy in Kuwait . keep in mind two weeks is required . you need to upload all the documents on line . Get a printout from all the documents and dhl them to the embassy along with the passport . (two weeks)

Chile/Easter Island : Application is online very easy ,very straightforward .Between application and getting a reply is usually 4 weeks . Be patient .

-My esim from Airalo worked fine in Argentina but didn’t do as well in Chile .However keep in mind that even with that the net is very slow and at times unaccessible.

Drink bottled water at all times . the restaurants are great in all three countries .the seafood is to die for .

Pile up the sunscreen and keep it in your backpack at all times . Keep a first aid kit . Meds are readily available unless you have prescribed ones maybe it’s safer to stick to what you know. In all honestly I did’t feel at any moment that I didn’t have access to a well stocked pharmacy .

A power bank is a must as the you are out all day long and taking photos and videos non stop . .

Cameras and lenses : You will be using the mobile most of the time . get a mobile stand because you can get beautiful time lapses .As this was a touristy trip I was happy to have one camera at all times but if you plan to do this trip on your own then :

-Travel with a minimum of two camera bodies. Easier than switching lenses.

-Bring as many camera batteries as possible.

-A tripod is must if you plan to do long exposures or night photogrpahy and the tripod head should have a gimbal .I used Jobu Deluxe Jr . Also keep an extra mounting plate .
wide angle lens for landscape and night photography .
Clothing : we were in all weather conditions extreme cold weather in Patagonia and blazing heat in Atacama so do the math

• Get enough clothes for a week you won’t have time to do laundry . t-shirts and hiking pants (waterproof is always the safest as it can rain ) warm clothing for the Patagonia part and summer for Atacama . Rain hoodies for Easter Island

  Footwear : Do not bring flats most of the streets are cobbled . Trainers will suffice preferably waterproof .maybe an open toe for when you are walking in the town . as it may heat up . but you will end up using the trainers most .

Sunglasses//sunscreen/ shampoo/lotion/soap/hats/ a full medical kit (paracetamol,vita c , anti nausea, anti diarrhea , hand sanitiser )

Tour Organizer : Musaad Albanwan

instagram : @mejroxy @joyntrips