Chile, Argentina and Brazil

 

Day 1 - Santiago, Chile 

We arrived in Santiago, Chile early in the morning from Miami. Even though two of our bags were tagged for food items, they passed the second customs scan. Our driver picked us up and took us to the W Hotel, where we were lucky to get an early check-in. After spending some time at the gym, we got ready and had lunch at VOP (Very Organic People). The food was delicious. We got to try the Chilean bean and corn soup too. 

In the afternoon, we took a half-day city tour.

Santiago is situated in a basin between the Andes mountain range to the east and the Chilean Coastal to the west. We first visited San Cristobal Hill, went up by cable car, and enjoyed beautiful views of the city, including the tallest building in South America and the financial district. We came down by funicular.

Our guide mentioned that southern terminus of the Inca trail is in Santiago. 

On the way, we walked past several streets and the noble laureate Pablo Neruda’s house. Our guide, Maria Pili, explained many things along the way.

We then visited the vegetable market, which reminded us of markets in India. We bought oranges and enjoyed them as we walked. After that, we went to Plaza de Armas and saw the main buildings like the old city hall (which was once a jail), the Museum of Natural History, and the post office. We also saw stone carvings of the Mapuche people and many Jacaranda trees with purple flowers across the city.

Santiago pictures

Day 2 - Chile

We woke up early and left the hotel by 6:30 AM with our packed breakfast. We reached the airport around 7 AM for our 9:00 AM flight to Puerto Natales. The views of Torres del Paine from the plane were spectacular. We landed a little early and waited for our rental car. The lady explained the contract in Spanish, and Vivek helped translate. Because of the strong winds in the region, we decided to buy extra coverage for windshield damage. She then took us to a gas station to fill the tank and dropped us at Hablemos Coco, a vegan restaurant, where we enjoyed lunch. We tried two soups—pumpkin and pea-mint—and also had a nice Thai curry.

After lunch, we drove to our stay for the night, an amazing geodesic dome built by David. He welcomed us, showed us around, and shared his story. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he felt at home while ice climbing in Argentina, lived there until the volcanic eruptions in 2018–2019, and later moved to Chile. He bought land from a local resident and built two solar-powered geodesic domes with incredible views of the Andes.

We relaxed for a while, then went to a local supermarket to buy groceries. We noticed that many food packets were labeled with warnings like “high calories,” “high sugar,” and similar alerts. Back at the dome, we enjoyed reading the guest book and added our note to it. We ended the day having dinner while watching the sunset.

Puerto Natales

Day 3 - Chile

We woke up to beautiful views from our dome in the morning and enjoyed breakfast while taking in the scenery around us. After packing our lunch, we checked out at 11 AM and began the two-hour drive along the scenic route toward Torres del Paine and enjoyed the views. We checked into our apartment at Maravilla and had lunch there.

Later, we headed into Torres del Paine National Park, bought the 3-day permit, and did the Mirador Cóndor hike. The weather was perfect—only a bit windy at the top—but the views were incredible. We even saw condors soaring above us. On the way back, we spotted a few guanacos, or Andean deer.

After the hike, we stopped at a couple of viewpoints and walked across the bridge near Lake Pehoé. We then returned to our apartment and enjoyed a home-cooked dinner.

Mirador Condor hike pictures

Day 4 - Chile

We woke up feeling relaxed, had breakfast, and prepared our lunch and dinner. We ate a light lunch and then stopped at the Lake Pehoé viewpoint. We also saw the Salto Grande waterfall from a lookout point. After that, we did the Mirador Cuernos hike, where we saw a waterfall at the start and beautiful glacier views at the end. On the way back, we spotted a couple of guanacos and even had to wait for one to cross the trail.

Later, we took a 2.5-hour boat tour to see the Grey Glacier. We saw three arms of the glacier, along with large icebergs, and even witnessed some calving. The views were amazing.

Mirador Cuernos photos

Day 5 - Chile

We woke up, finished our lunch, and checked out. We took the longer scenic route to Puerto Natales. We also saw few birds along the scenic route. Our first viewpoint gave us a clear view of Rio Serrano area. There, we met a lady from Delhi who now lives in New York, and she kindly took our picture.

At the next view we got a clear view of the Las Torres (3 towers). We then drove to the visitor center and enjoyed the glacier views from Mirador Panorámica. We then went to the Torres welcome center to see if we could get a better view. There we met a lady from Texas who had just completed a multi-day hike. She had missed her bus to the visitor center and asked if we could drop her off so she could catch the 3 PM bus to Puerto Natales. We took a few pictures, cleared some space in the car for her backpacks, and drove her back. On the way, she told us about her W-circuit trek and how she carried her meals, stove, and a small gas cylinder, and hiked 10–12 km every day. She was very grateful for the ride.

We continued our drive and stopped at Cascada Río Paine to see the beautiful waterfall. The stone in the middle of the falls looked like an ancient carving, likely shaped by ice and water over the years. We later stopped to take a photo of the “Ruta del Fin del Mundo” sign, meaning “Route to the End of the World,” since the road leads to the southern end of Chile and South America.

We also did a short hike up Cerro Benítez, where we spotted a few condors. After reaching Puerto Natales, we checked into our hotel, bought groceries, returned the rental car, walked back, cooked dinner, and enjoyed our dinner.

Torres del Paine scenic route pictures

Day 1 - Argentina

We woke up early, had breakfast, made tortilla wraps with cabbage for our packed lunch, and checked out. We walked with our suitcases to the nearby bus station and took the 8 AM bus to El Calafate. Along the way, we stopped at the Chile border for exit immigration and again at the Argentina border for entry clearance. The scenery was nice, and the bus was very comfortable with lay-flat seats. I was lucky to get more than six hours on the bus to finish reading the entire Gita for Gita Jayanti. The bus made a short stop at Esperanza, where we messaged Alejandra, our taxi driver and guide.

When we arrived at the El Calafate bus station, Alejandra was waiting for us. She drove us to our Condor Patagonia apartment and pointed out a grocery store, ATM, and restaurants along the way. After checking in, we walked to the nearby grocery store, DistriSur, and picked up a few items. We cooked dinner at the apartment and arranged for a pickup laundry service to collect our clothes.

Later, we took a walk around town and continued all the way to the lake. The town was filled with beautiful flowers, including roses and lupines, and we also saw a few nice murals. We even noticed some streets named with dates—like “7th December.”

El Calafate pictures

Day 2 - Argentina

We were picked up around 8 AM by our guide and driver, Alejandra, and drove toward the Perito Moreno Glacier. Along the way, she explained the changing vegetation—from semi-desert landscapes to forests closer to the glacier. She mentioned that red foxes are often seen in the forest, though we weren’t lucky to spot one. Perito Moreno is the fourth-largest glacier of the Patagonian Icefield. We walked along the three boardwalk trails to enjoy different views of the glacier beautifully lit by the morning sun. We ate our packed sandwiches while watching the glacier and were lucky to see calving as icebergs broke off. In the afternoon, we took a boat ride to get closer to the glacier and saw its blue tones, along with more calving. On the way back, we stopped at a windy viewpoint where we saw a small dust storm too. Finally, we picked up our laundry on the way back to our apartment and enjoyed dinner at home.

Perito Moreno glacier pictures

Day 3 - Argentina

We checked out of our apartment, and Alejandra dropped us at the El Calafate airport at 6 AM. We had breakfast at the airport and took our flight to Buenos Aires. As we landed at the domestic airport, which is close to the city center, we saw many multi-storied buildings right near the runway. We then took our connecting flight to Iguazu.

At Iguazu airport, our taxi driver from the Iguazu Falls transfer company met us and drove us to our hotel inside Iguazu National Park. After checking in, we had enough time to walk the Lower Circuit to see the falls. On the way, we enjoyed watching toucans flying between the trees. We viewed the falls from several viewpoints and then returned to the hotel for dinner.

Later, we went on our moonlight tour of the falls. We took a taxi to the park entrance and received a welcome drink at the restaurant, where there was live music and a local dance performance. Then we took the train to the Devil’s Throat circuit. Walking along the boardwalk under the full moon we reached the falls. The view and sound of the falls under the full moon was a unique experience. We were getting showered with water the whole time. After spending half an hour at the falls, we walked back to the train and then took a taxi back to the hotel.

Iguazu falls by moonlight pictures

Day 4 - Argentina  and Day 1- Brazil 

Since we stayed inside the park, we had early access to the falls at 7 AM. We went straight to the Upper Circuit and enjoyed beautiful views of the falls, along with sightings of birds and colorful butterflies. On the way back, we made reservations for the afternoon train to the Devil’s Throat. We returned around 9:30 AM and enjoyed a hearty breakfast—almost a brunch—at the Grand Meliá Hotel, which had a wide variety of options. After breakfast, we relaxed in the outdoor seating area while watching the falls.

Later, we got ready, checked out, and left our bags at the hotel. We took the 12:40 PM train to the Devil’s Throat area, which we had seen the previous night in moonlight. On the train, we met an Argentine couple, Malcolm and Grace, and spent time chatting with them both on the train and at the falls. The views at Devil’s Throat were breathtaking, with an incredible volume of water. We even saw a rainbow and a double rainbow.

We returned to the hotel, had some snacks, and waited for our taxi from Iguazu Falls Travel. After collecting our bags, we took a taxi to the Brazilian side. Although the Brazilian side is only about 1 km away as seen from the falls, it takes about 1.5 hours by road. We cleared exit immigration on the Argentine side and entry immigration on the Brazilian side, finishing all our leftover fruits since Brazil does not allow fresh produce. A taxi from the same company was waiting for us on the Brazilian side and dropped us at the park entrance.

From there, we took the hotel shuttle to the Belmond Hotel, where we received a royal welcome. We were offered their traditional drink, tereré, and a dessert called beijinho, which tasted like Indian milk peda. Thanks to our Amex card, we were upgraded to a room with a falls view and given a late checkout until 4 PM. The view of the falls from our room was beautiful.

In the evening, we went to see the falls from the Brazilian side, which offered stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset. After sunset, we returned to the hotel, ordered room service, and enjoyed a relaxing dinner.

Iguazu falls

Day 2 - Brazil 

Since we had early access to the park, we went in early to enjoy Iguazu Falls. We even saw double rainbows. The panoramic views of the falls and the water splashing on us made it a wonderful experience. We also went up the observation tower and enjoyed the views from the top. Near the tower, we bought a few souvenirs from the gift shop.

We then returned to the hotel and enjoyed a heavy breakfast. After getting ready, we took the shuttle to the park entrance. The driver was kind enough to drop us at the helicopter area. We were lucky there was no wait and were able to take off immediately. Vivek sat next to the pilot and even had a glass floor beneath him, which allowed him to capture amazing videos of the falls. The views from the helicopter were spectacular. It was our first helicopter ride, and we truly enjoyed it.

After the ride, we walked to the Parque das Aves bird sanctuary, where we saw many rare and beautiful birds. We then took the shuttle back to the hotel. Since our falls-view room was already booked for the next guests, we had to change rooms. After moving, we ordered room service, enjoyed our meal, checked out, and then went to our next stay on a sheep farm. There, we had a quick instant meal along with some rice from the restaurant there. We slept early since we had an early morning flight the next day.

Brazil Iguazu pictures

Day 3 - Brazil

We woke up early and headed toward the airport, taking a short walk around the sheep farm before leaving to enjoy the greenery. We had breakfast at the airport and took the 10 AM flight to São Paulo, arriving around noon. After reaching our hotel by Uber, we made a simple lunch using instant food packets. Later, we reserved tickets to visit the rooftop of Sesc Paulista building and took an Uber to Paulista Avenue. After a long drive, we enjoyed panoramic city views from the top. We then explored nearby attractions, including Casa das Rosas and Japan House. In the evening, we enjoyed dinner at Camélia Ododó, a vegan restaurant.

Sao Paulo pictures

Thailand

 

Day 1 - Chiang Rai Day Trip – A Journey Through Temples, Tea, and Tributes

We started our day with a nice breakfast at Gita’s House, a cozy bed and breakfast in Chiang Rai run by a yoga instructor. After an early start, our first stop was the iconic White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)—a striking mix of contemporary art and traditional Thai Buddhist architecture, designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. It was a fascinating temple, with surprising elements like Spiderman and other modern characters hidden in the artwork.

Next, we visited the beautiful Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), known for its vibrant sapphire-blue interiors and golden Buddha statue. This temple was designed by Phutta Kabkaew, a student of Chalermchai, and had a very calm, peaceful vibe.

For lunch, we stopped at Give Green Farm House Restaurant, where we enjoyed delicious Thai food made with fresh, local ingredients. The attached organic garden was also lovely and worth a stroll.

In the afternoon, we visited the scenic Choui Fong Tea Plantation. We loved the views of the rolling tea fields, sipped refreshing tea, and even tried their crispy deep-fried tea leaf snack, which was surprisingly tasty!

After that, we headed to Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non Cave, known for the dramatic 2018 rescue of the Wild Boars football team. We first arrived at the National Park, then took a local shuttle to the cave site. The museum and memorials, especially the statue of Saman Kunan, were deeply moving and reminded us of the courage and unity shown during the rescue.

We then made our way to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet along the Mekong River. The viewpoint offered stunning landscapes, and we enjoyed seeing the Buddha, Shiva, Ganesha, and other statues in the area.

Our final stop was the Hall of Opium Museum, which gave a powerful and eye-opening look into the history of the opium trade in the region. It was informative and thoughtfully designed.

We really enjoyed the company of our amazing guide and driver, Poppy, who was knowledgeable, friendly, and even stayed longer to make sure we saw everything. It was a full and memorable day!

Chiang Rai pictures

Day 2 - Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai

We had a peaceful and refreshing day exploring some beautiful places in Northern Thailand. Our first stop was the Mercy Temple in Chiang Rai, a quiet and serene spot perfect for reflection and prayer. From there, we visited the Wiang Pa Pao Hot Springs, where we relaxed by dipping our feet in the warm natural water surrounded by greenery.

For lunch, we stopped at Jindy Vegetarian Restaurant, a cozy place with fresh and healthy food that left us feeling light and satisfied. In the afternoon, we headed up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. The temple was stunning, with its golden stupa, peaceful atmosphere, and breathtaking views of the city below.

It was a well-balanced day filled with calm, nature, good food, and spiritual energy — a perfect reminder of the gentle beauty of Northern Thailand.

Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai pictures

Day 3 - Doi Inthanon National Park

We had breakfast at our hotel in Chiang Mai and then drove for about two hours up to Doi Inthanon. Often called “The Roof of Thailand,” Doi Inthanon is the country’s highest peak, rising 2,565 meters above sea level. It’s part of Doi Inthanon National Park — a beautiful blend of lush forests, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints. We first went on the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail and enjoyed the breathtaking views and flowering trees. We also stopped at the highest spot in Thailand. Next, we visited the twin stupas and admired the stunning gardens surrounding them. On our way down, we saw beautiful cherry blossom trees in bloom.

We had lunch at a lovely spot called At Home Pizza, overlooking peaceful rice fields. They even cultivate organic coffee there. It was a true hidden gem, run by an experienced chef who returned from Europe to open a pizzeria in his hometown. Afterwards, we visited Wachirathan and Mae Ya waterfalls, both spectacular in their own ways. On our way back, we stopped at the Shiva Brahma Narayan Temple. Although it was closed, we admired the intricate paintings and sculptures from outside.

Doi Inthanon pictures

Day 4 - Elephant Nature Park

We left early in the morning, and the vehicle from Elephant Nature Park picked us up at our hotel. There were a few more stops to pick up other visitors from different hotels in Chiang Mai, so it took over an hour to reach the park. Located in Northern Thailand, Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center founded by Saengduean “Lek” Chailert.

When we arrived, we were taken on a short tour to see some of the elephants nearby. We watched them being fed ripe, smashed bananas and banana tree parts — it was fun to see each elephant eagerly pulling the feeding tray toward itself! After our walk, we enjoyed a tasty vegan buffet lunch.

Later, we helped cut watermelons and fed them to the elephants and it was a fun experience. We also fed them sticky rice rolled into balls. After feeding time, we watched the elephants head to the lake for their bath. It was heartwarming to see so many elephants up close — especially the older ones, some of whom had vision or dental issues.

After spending the day learning about and interacting with these gentle giants, we headed back to our hotel, returning in the evening. It was a truly enjoyable and educational experience.

Elephant nature park pictures

Day 5 - Chiang Mai and Krabi

In the morning, we watched some lively Chinese New Year performances right outside our hotel. After that, we went on a walking tour around Chiang Mai, visiting Tha Phae Gate, the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center, Wat Phra Singh (the Golden Temple), and Wat Chedi Luang. We had lunch at Chada Vegetarian Restaurant before returning to the hotel to pack up. Later, we headed to the airport, flew to Krabi, and reached our hotel by evening.

Chiang Mai tour photos

Day 6 - Krabi, Railey and Phra Nan beach

Day 7 - Khao Sok

Day 8 - Khao Sok and Bangkok

Day 9 - Bangkok

Day 10 - Bangkok

Cambodia

Day 1

We had breakfast in the morning and were ready by 9 AM. Our guide Ho and Poly met us at the reception, and Poly picked up a crate of water bottles, which was very helpful. We picked up our mountain tickets in the city and headed to Kulen Mountain, which took about 1.5 hours. On the way, Ho told us about the mountain and the places we would visit.

Kulen Mountain, or Phnom Kulen, is a sacred place for the Khmer people and is considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire. The Siem Reap River flows from here and was believed to become divine after passing over carved stones. We stopped at a viewpoint to enjoy the beautiful valley views.

Next, we saw the "River of 1000 Lingas," where many lingas and a few reclining Vishnus are carved into the riverbed. Then, we visited a 16th-century Buddhist monastery and climbed the stairs to see a giant reclining Buddha. After that, we walked to two lovely waterfalls and took photos at a picture spot.

On our way back, we had lunch at Banteay Srey Restaurant. Then we visited the Banteay Srei temple, a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It’s known for its pink sandstone and beautiful carvings from the Ramayana and Puranas. We saw a detailed carving of Shiva and Uma on Mount Kailasa, with different beings on each level.

We also enjoyed local music and instruments before heading to Pre Rup Temple for sunset. We climbed to the top, saw a Shiva linga, and stayed outside to watch the beautiful sunset.

Kulen Mountain and Banteay Srey Temple pictures

Day 2

We woke up very early and went to Angkor Wat by 5 AM to watch the sunrise. The dawn colors were beautiful. As we walked out, we saw a Vishnu idol inside and Naga carvings outside, with the sunrise in the background.

Next, we visited the Tonle Om gate, where we saw carvings of the churning of the ocean (Samudramathana) with Gods and Asuras. Then we went to Bayon Temple, known for its many smiling stone faces and carvings of ancient life. It is in the center of Angkor Thom.

After that, we visited Baphuon Temple, which was first a Shiva temple and later became a Buddhist temple. We saw carvings from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Krishna’s life on the walls.

We had lunch at a local restaurant and then visited Ta Prohm temple. Huge trees grow through the temple, with roots both supporting and damaging the structure. This jungle-like temple was used in the movie Tomb Raider. Restoration work is going on here with help from the Indian government.

In the evening, Poly took us to the local market in his tuk tuk, which is like an Indian auto but powered by a motorcycle. We bought a painting and some local souvenirs there.

Angkor Wat Sunrise, Bayon and other temple pictures

Day 3

We saw the sunrise in the morning at Angkor Wat and walked around the temple complex. We climbed to the second level and enjoyed the sunrise between the pillars. After that, we came down and saw beautiful carvings from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, the churning of the ocean, and the three worlds. The five towers of Angkor Wat represent Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods.

Later, we returned to the hotel, had lunch, and checked out. On the way to the airport, we visited Beng Mealea temple. It’s a 12th-century temple about 40 km from Angkor, built in the same style as Angkor Wat. The temple is mostly in ruins, with trees and roots growing through it, giving it a wild, jungle look. It felt peaceful and untouched, like a hidden temple in the forest.

Angkor Wat and Beng Meala pictures

Vietnam

 

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:35 AM, where our driver and guide, Chris, picked us up from the airport. First, we visited a handicrafts exhibition featuring beautiful handmade items created by people with disabilities. They used duck egg shells and sea shells to make the crafts.

Next, we stopped at a rubber plantation, where Chris explained that the plantations are owned by the Army. Workers cut the trees in the morning, allowing the sap to collect in containers. The rubber is exported to Japan and Korea.

We then visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 50 kilometers from the city (a 1.5-hour drive). These hand-carved tunnels were used by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. The network includes bunkers, booby traps, bomb shelters, trenches, and air ventilation systems. Soldiers lived, cooked, and worked in these tunnels, which also housed hospital. Despite chemical attacks, the Vietnamese defeated the US after 20 years of war.

The original tunnels have narrow openings, and it was fascinating to crawl inside one. We were served tea and tapioca at a restaurant and saw mannequins depicting daily life in the tunnels. We also watched a lady make rice paper, which was very interesting.

Cu Chi Tunnel photos

Day 2: 

We left our hotel at 6:45 AM and drove for 3 hours to Cai Be. Once there, we boarded a boat for a Mekong River tour. Our guide, Thien, showed us birds like kingfishers, plants like water coconut and water hyacinth, and shrimp nets. We also saw boats carrying recycled items and rice.

At Tan Phong Island, we switched to a smaller rowing boat to explore narrow canals. On the island, we bought souvenirs, including water hyacinth flowers, and a local woman gifted us a handmade bracelet.

Next, we cycled for an hour, passing fruit trees like jackfruit, mango, and durian, as well as locals growing bottle gourd. Along the way, we saw locals cleaning their trees and decorating for the Chinese New Year. After the ride, we enjoyed fresh fruits like mango, jackfruit, and tree apples while watching a traditional music performance.

We visited a workshop where coconut candy is made, saw how coconut is pressed for milk, and tasted samples. They also showed us how rice popcorn is made using hot sand, and we bought some freshly made popcorn.

For lunch, we went to Mr Kiet's house, built in 1838 and surrounded by fruit trees. The chef prepared a special vegetarian meal with lotus soup, Vietnamese crepes, tempura, and fried vegetable noodles. After lunch, we walked back through narrow streets to reach our van. Thien, our guide, was fantastic, and the Mekong Delta experience was truly enjoyable.

Mekong Delta photos

Day 3:

We walked from our hotel to Independence Palace and then to Tao Dan Park, where we saw a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Across the park, we saw preparations for the Chinese New Year.

Next, we visited Ben Thanh Market and bought some souvenirs. For lunch, we enjoyed a delicious vegetarian meal at Shamballa restaurant. The place had a lovely atmosphere with beautiful quotes.

After lunch, we returned to our hotel and then left for the airport to catch our flight to Siem Reap.

Ho Chi Minh city photos