October 10-18, 2026 (10-days, 9-nights)
Patagonia—especially Torres del Paine National Park—is one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth. Words and even photographs can hardly do justice to its breathtaking landscapes, where dramatic weather conditions add an extra layer of magic. But that certainly won’t stop us from trying! Just take a look below to see what we mean—the towering mountains, the ever-changing skies, and incredible wildlife make this truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This journey will be unlike any of our previous Patagonia trips. With an intimate group of just four to six guests, instruction and guidance will be more personalized than ever. We’re also dedicating spending multiple days on “the ranch”, focusing exclusively on puma photography, with just three people per vehicle (a guide and two guests). This means unmatched opportunities to observe and capture these elusive predators in their natural habitat.
Since we’ll be in the Southern Hemisphere during spring, stunning spring colors—from bright greens and yellows to deep reds and magentas—will enhance our compositions. The pumas, with luck, will have new litters of cubs, now several months old and beginning to explore the world. Nature is aligning in our favor to make this an unforgettable photographic adventure!
Your Experience Includes:
- Expert bilingual photographers from Argentina and Chile, offering local insights and extensive experience capturing the beauty of this unique destination.
- Comfortable accommodations near prime shooting locations, with double occupancy arrangements. Single occupancy is available at an additional cost, due to the small group size.
- Private transportation for seamless travel and convenience.
- Full days in the field dedicated to photography, with expert instruction tailored to your skill level for an immersive learning experience.
- A dynamic and engaging tour designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and enjoyment, making every moment memorable.
- Personalized guidance on image processing, along with constructive feedback and critiques to help you refine your technique and achieve your ideal shots.
- All entrance fees included, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Cost: $8,795/person, double occupancy, Single Supplement – $1500 (due to the small group size)
Deposit: $1,500/person
To Register: Use our Contact Page to register. This was we all avoid fees. 🙂
Guides: Denise Silva, Geff Bourke, Alejandro Capelli, and local guides in Chile
Group Size: min: 4 guests/max 6 guests
Photography Highlights of This Trip:
Patagonia is a photographer’s dream, offering jaw-dropping landscapes, dramatic weather, and incredible wildlife. Patagonia’s ever-changing light and rugged beauty make it one of the most rewarding places for photography. Here are some of the top photographic highlights:
📌 El Chaltén – A photographer’s paradise, offering some of the most dramatic landscapes in Patagonia. The legendary peaks of Mount Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre dominate the skyline, providing breathtaking compositions, especially at sunrise when they glow in fiery hues. Guanacos, condors, and even elusive pumas roam the area, providing incredible opportunities for wildlife shots with these amazing peaks as a back-drop. Patagonia’s unpredictable weather creates ever-changing skies, misty peaks, and dynamic lighting conditions that make every shot unique. El Chaltén is a place where every turn offers a new photographic opportunity, whether it’s a grand landscape or an intimate detail.
📌 Torres del Paine National Park – Home to the iconic Los Cuernos (The Horns) and the towering Torres del Paine peaks, this park offers breathtaking mountain vistas, turquoise lakes, and golden grasslands.
📌 Perito Moreno Glacier – One of the few advancing glaciers in the world, its massive ice walls provide stunning compositions, especially when capturing glacier calving.
📌 Puma Photography – Torres del Paine is one of the best places to photograph wild pumas, often spotted against dramatic backdrops.
📌 Guanacos, Foxes, Condors, and Birds of Prey – Patagonia’s wildlife is as photogenic as its landscapes, with guanacos, foxes, condors, and other birds of prey providing incredible subjects.
📌 Spring Colors & Dramatic Skies – The region’s moody weather creates stunning light conditions, while autumn brings vibrant foliage in shades of green, yellow, red, and magenta.
📌 Remote Fjords & Icebergs – Southern Patagonia’s glacial fjords and floating icebergs offer surreal, otherworldly compositions.
📌 Gauchos – Gauchos are an iconic part of Patagonia’s cultural and photographic landscape. These skilled horsemen, often referred to as South American cowboys, embody a rugged and independent way of life that has been passed down for generations. Patagonia’s gauchos are more than just a photographic subject—they represent a living tradition that continues to thrive in the region.
- Authentic ranch life – From herding cattle to tending horses, gauchos showcase a deep connection to the land.
- Traditional attire – Their distinctive clothing, including wide-brimmed hats, bombachas (loose trousers), and leather boots, adds a timeless quality to images.
- Dramatic landscapes – Gauchos are often seen riding across vast grasslands, with the Andes or rolling Patagonian hills as a stunning backdrop.
- Action shots – Whether galloping across open terrain or skillfully handling livestock, gauchos provide dynamic and powerful compositions.
- Cultural storytelling – Capturing gauchos at work or sharing mate (a traditional herbal tea) offers insight into their way of life.
Itinerary – Subject to Change
Day 1 – October 10: Welcome to Argentina
Arrive in El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina, in the early afternoon. After a trip briefing, we’ll explore the charming village of El Calafate, soaking in its unique atmosphere before our adventure begins.
Day 2 – October 11: The Majestic Perito Moreno Glacier
Our day begins with a visit to the remarkable Perito Moreno Glacier, where accessible viewpoints allow for stunning panoramic shots of its immense ice wall. With a little luck, we may witness dramatic glacier calving. If conditions align, sunrise will paint the sky and mountains in breathtaking colors. After our glacier visit, we embark on a scenic journey along the famous Route 40, traveling by private bus to El Chaltén, Argentina.
Days 2, 3, and 4 – October 12/13/14: Exploring El Chaltén
Over the next three days, we’ll immerse ourselves in the beauty of El Chaltén, a small village nestled in Patagonia’s stunning wilderness. We’ll visit spectacular locations offering unrivaled views of Fitz Roy, the Andes range, and pristine rivers and waterfalls cascading through spring foliage. Each day promises fresh perspectives and unforgettable moments.
Day 5 – October 15: Journey to Torres del Paine, Chile
Weather permitting, we’ll capture one final morning shoot in El Chaltén before beginning our scenic drive to Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. This journey will provide ample opportunities to photograph breathtaking landscapes and, with luck, guanacos, gauchos, rheas (Patagonian ostriches), and more. Our hotel, located in an unbeatable lakeside setting, offers magnificent views of Los Cuernos (The Horns), the park’s iconic rock formations.
Days 6, 7, and 8 – October 15/16/17: Pumas/Wildlife & Landscapes of Torres del Paine
Each morning, beginning at sunrise, we’ll set out to explore different locations within Torres del Paine, capturing its dramatic landscapes. We’ll also work closely with puma spotters and “the ranch” to photograph Chile’s famed pumas. For 2026, expectations are high—newborn cubs should be visible, as the past two years were spent weaning the 2024 offspring. This is a rare opportunity to witness and document these incredible predators in their natural habitat.
Day 9 – October 18: Return to El Calafate & Conclusion of the Tour
After a final sunrise shoot, we transfer back to El Calafate, Argentina, where our journey comes to an end.
Depending on flight schedules, participants may begin their journey home on October 18 or opt for a morning departure on October 19.
Additional Information:
While many of our shooting locations are accessible by road, some will require hiking. Most hikes will be easy to moderate, typically under a mile one-way. However, a few may involve moderate elevation gain, longer distances, and rocky terrain, requiring a bit more effort. A reasonable level of physical fitness will enhance your experience and allow you to fully enjoy the workshop. If a longer hike feels too challenging, you’re always welcome to stay in town and explore at your own pace that morning.
Patagonia’s weather is famously unpredictable in spring, with strong winds, rain, and low temperatures (often dipping to near freezing with wind chill). To stay warm and dry, it’s essential to pack layers, including thermal base layers, a waterproof jacket, insulated pants, and sturdy waterproof footwear.
Not included:
- Airfare to and from Buenos Aires (EZE) and on to Calafate (airport code FTE). Your flight to Calafate, may need to originate from the Domestic airport (AEP), which can be accessed by taxi from EZE. We will work with you to pick the best flights.
- Although not included, we will facilitate planning for:
– Transport from El Calafate airport (FTE) to our hotel.
– Lodging in Buenos Aires or Calafate for before or after the trip if you would like to spend some additional time.
- Visas, if applicable. U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Argentina. Private U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Diplomatic or official passport holders must get visas prior to arrival.
- Local airport taxes
- Travel insurance (highly recommended). (Travelinsurance.com)
- Excess baggage charges.
- Laundry charges and items of personal nature.
- Lunches, dinners, and alcoholic beverages. Although we will have at least one group dinner as part of the tour. Breakfasts are included in our lodgings.
- Optional pre- or post-tours.
Trip Insurance:
Participants are strongly advised to purchase travel protection insurance. Travelinsurance.com offers different options from various vendors and allows for product comparison.
