u/cekaff

Hi all!

We're planning our honeymoon in Patagonia (14 full days). We love hiking, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, caving, seeing animals, and experiencing other cultures. We want this to be a big adventure since we plan on starting a family after and know it will be several years before another epic trip. Thank you for everyone who posts since I have gotten a lot of ideas and tips here! Here's what we're thinking:

Option 1:

- Friday fly into Punta Arenas

- Rent a car & drive to El Chalten (Saturday)

- Sunday through Tuesday in El Chalten

- Wednesday & Thursday in El Calafate

- Friday through Monday in Torres Del Paine

- Tuesday in Punta Arenas

- Wednesday return car, fly to Puerto Montt, fly to Chaiten, rent car to drive to Futaleufu

- Thursday & Friday in Futaleufu (possibly drive back to Chaiten tonight depending on home flight)

- Saturday fly home

Option 2:

- Friday fly into El Calafate & rent car

- Saturday through Monday in El Chalten

- Tuesday & Wednesday in El Calafate (return car)

- (transfer via bus) Thursday through Sunday in Torres Del Paine

- (transfer via bus) Monday & Tuesday in Punta Arenas

- Wednesday fly to Puerto Montt, fly to Chaiten, rent car to drive to Futaleufu

- Thursday & Friday in Futaleufu (possibly drive back to Chaiten tonight depending on home flight)

- Saturday fly home

Are these schedules too packed realistically or leaving too little time to travel between places? We want to do the classic Patagonia hikes but also rafting in Futaleufu sounds too good to pass up (if possible). And we both would love to do a glacier hike!! (Glacier Grey &/or Perito Moreno)

Would it be easier to just opt for the bus instead of losing a day driving N (and enjoying the scenic drive), or is it way nicer to have the independence of a vehicle vs a bus schedule? If we rented, we'd want to return to the same location given the cost for a one-way rental.

A lot of people have said it's nice to have flexibility in case one town has better weather. Any tips on how to do so with these points of interest or is that not really possible given our short time? I also wasn't sure if it's too risky not to book lodging etc. in advance (both for availability or price)

If we tried to save on flights and booked the legs separately (e.g., US to Buenos Aires then same day to El Calafate etc.) is that too risky for flights getting delayed/cancelled or taking too long to re-check baggage? We're bringing our trekking poles & crampons otherwise I'd try carry-ons only.

Are there any caves we could explore/tour? The kind without actual walking trails and railings

Thank you all for any tips, advice, and help!!