Introduction
This is an amazing journey to visit one of the world’s most sparsely populated and remote regions on Earth. Patagonia is a landscape and nature photographer’s Garden of Eden. The legendary Ruta 40 cuts its way through the barren and forbidding plains leading down to the dramatic rock and glacier formations of the west coast.
If landscape photography is your thing then joining this trail to Patagonia will be an experience to savour. We will shoot classic scenes such as the Fitzroy Massif and other sights in Los Glaciers National Park. Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier including a trip on a boat in the lake that takes almost to the foot of the towering ice. We’ll also visit the splendid Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile. Besides the incredible vistas there are opportunities to shoot Guanaco and Vicuña as well as some of the many bird species resident here. If we are truly lucky, we could spot one of the highly elusive Puma still roaming in this area.
To ensure we are fully immersed in the environment, we’ll get on the trail for a shoot with some local Guachos (cowboys) to photograph them in action and to shoot the most magnificent horses in the world.
In contrast to the wildness of Patagonia, our trail actually starts in the cosmopolitan Argentine capital of Buenos Aries. Here we will enjoy a fine glass of Malbec and take in a Tango show. What better way to prepare for our trip of a lifetime.
Like all Creative Trails journeys, this trip is tailored to put you right in the middle of the best shooting opportunities with the most comfort and preparation that’s possible. This allows you to concentrate on what this trip is all about – coming home with a portfolio of images that are simply stunning.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Buenos Aries.
Arrive to Buenos Aries and transfer to the joining hotel. We’ll meet in the early evening and go over the itinerary for the trip, check equipment and discuss our shooting plans. Afterwards we’ll go to a local restaurant for a meal and glass of Malbec. Afterwards we will visit a Tango show for a flavour of Latin romance.
Day 2. Shoot in BA and transfer to El Chalten.
A late breakfast in the hotel followed by a city tour. We’ll get into the swing of things shooting some local sights in the city before heading off to the airport for a flight to El Calafate. On arrival we’ll transfer to El Chalten in a comfortable mini bus and settle into our hotel which will be our base for the next 4 nights. Over dinner we will review our shots from earlier.
Day 3. Explore the formidable Los Glaciers National Park.
We explore Los Glaciers NP shooting some wide angle shots of the stunning scenery. There are numerous photography opportunities here and if we are lucky we see some condors and other wildlife.
Day 4. Shooting around El Chalten and trip on Lake Vadiuma.
We take a boat trip on Lake Vadiuma for more shooting and back to some local areas around El Chalten for some sunset shots. Dramatically formed for granite outcrops with rushing rivers this area is also blessed with some incredible light which early in the morning and just before dusk throws hues of crimson, orange and yellows over the landscape.
Day 5. Trek to Mount Fitzroy Mirador.
There is an optional trek to the Mount Fitzroy Mirador (lookout). This is a fairly easy trek of about 5 hours total for a reasonably fit person and will be led by Mike. From this point we will shoot the amazing Fitzroy Massif and even during the day the light usually changes rapidly creating a multitude of alternative views and compositions. Alternatively, there is no shortage of more shooting opportunities around El Chalten.
Day 6. Transfer to El Calafate.
We transfer by private mini bus to El Calafate and check into our comfortable hotel in the town centre, stopping many times on the way as we come across photogenic scenes. In the afternoon we’ll go through our images and start working on our selects.
Day 7. Visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
After breakfast we’ll take a private tour to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. We’ll have plenty of time to shoot this amazing natural wonder including wide angle shots and close ups. Later, we’ll take a boat on to Lago Argentina and move as near as we can get for some super close detail shots. We’ll be there and ready if a gigantic chunk of ice falls in to the water, the cracking sound of which reverberates around the valley. For the fit and adventurous there is an optional walking tour on to the glacier.
Day 8. Transfer into Chile and the Torres Del Paine National Park.
Today we cross into Chile to visit the incredible Torres Del Paine NP. Arriving early evening we’ll check in to our accommodation which will be our base for the next 5 nights.
Day 9 – 12: Shooting in Torres.
The landscape here is breathtaking and unlike anything else in the world. Torres is located a long way south and here the weather is as dramatic and changeable as the landscape. There are numerous options for shooting here and for the real hardy; there is a 4 day trek, known as the ‘W walk’ that takes in all of the major points of interest.
With countless lagoons, rivers, mountains and open park land the 4 days here will pass quickly. For wildlife lovers there are opportunities for shooting Vicuna and the particularly uncommon guanaco. These mammals are part of the four camelid family of South America the other 2 being llama and alpaca. Puma are rare and elusive but are occasionally spotted, more usually in the middle of the day relaxing the in the shade of a large rock. There are also many other endemic species such as the endangered South Andean Deer and Andean Fox. Condors again are easily spotted but difficult to get good shots of due to the height they are usually soaring to.
We will accommodate individual preferences while in the park. If your desire is to try for the classic Torres Peaks shot at dawn it will be necessary to camp overnight along the trail. For those that prefer to stick closer to base and spend their time on day hikes and visiting nearby places this can also be arranged.
Day 13: Visit to Puerto Natales.
We leave the park and travel to Puerto Natales on the Chilean coast. This windswept harbour town provides many photography opportunities. We will spend time at the port and also get comfortable in a warm dry place for some lunch and to review all of our images. We’ll spend the night here relaxing.
Day 14: Transfer back to BA.
Today we make the journey back to the Argentine capital arriving sometime in the early evening.
Day 15: Final shoot in Argentina.
After breakfast we will go out for our final shoot with a visit to the harbour area and some shots of the Puente del Mujer (woman’s bridge). When our shoot is finished you will be transferred back to the airport to connect with your international flight.
What’s included
- All of the accommodation listed in the day to day itinerary.
- Internal flights from Buenos Aries to El Calafate and return.
- Services of the Creative Trail leader, local guides and drivers.
- Park entry fees, permits where applicable and excursion from El Calafate to the glacier.
- All meals except in Buenos Aries.
- Ground transport in Patagonia and BA pick up and drop off.
- Photography tuition and guidance from your leader.
Not included
- International flights to and from Buenos Aries.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa costs and airport taxes if applicable.
- Tips and local payments to guides, porters and drivers.
- Meals, other than those listed and drinks, bar bills or snacks.
- Souvenirs, curios or other purchases and personal expenditure.
- Payments, other than those listed, for taking photographs of local people, events, museums etc.
- Any optional tours or activities not included in the itinerary for example hike on Perito Moreno.
- Any personal variations to the itinerary while in Torres Del Paine National Park.