April 7: Arrive Balmaceda/Coyhaique airport (BBA) and transfer to our hotel in Coyhaique. Evening orientation and welcome dinner at a local restaurant in town. Overnight Nomades Botique Hotel.

 April 8: Pre-dawn departure to photograph Andean Condors within the Estancia Punta del Monte, 1 hour to the East of Coyhaique near the Argentine border.  In the afternoon we are treated to an authentic “Asado” of lamb roast at the quaint ranch home of the Galilea family. Following lunch we will photograph some local gauchos and their dogs working with the sheep.  Late afternoon drive back to Coyhaique. Overnight Nomades Botique Hotel.

 April 9: AM departure travelling south through the Cerro Castillo National Park. The drive through Cerro Castillo brings us close to timberline (3,000 ft.) with an opportunity to capture the stunning autumn colors of the Southern Beech forest, especially brilliant during the autumn peak in early to mid-April. We will travel slowly through the national park and keep an eye out for the endangered Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus Bisulcus) that are often sighted in this area. Later, if weather conditions are favorable, we will be treated to a commanding view of the jagged spires and hanging glaciers of Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain). We continue on to Villa Rio Tranquilo on shore of Lago General Carrera, South America's 2nd largest lake. Overnight at El Puesto Lodge. 

 April 10: We will make an early departure to meet our guide for a morning boat excursion to photograph the exotic Marble Caves along the shore of Lago General Carrera. Afterwards we make a leisurely drive south to Puerto Bertrand, birthplace of the mighty Baker River, the largest river flowing into the South Pacific (670-700 m3/sec.). The azure blue color of this immense and pristine river is truly remarkable. Picnic lunch along the way. Afternoon photographic tour of the powerful Baker River Waterfall (15 minute hike). We will spend an hour or two here experimenting with time exposures, etc. in search of that perfect shot. If time allows, we may venture into the nearby Patagonia National Park to catch some afternoon light and likely encounter our first Guanacos, the representative camels of the Patagonian Pampas. Overnight Green Baker Lodge on the shore of the Rio Baker.

 April 11: Early morning departure driving back north and then east along the southern shore of Lago General Carrera to the remote border town of Chile Chico. We will stop for short but, steep hike to a scenic waterfall along the way and a picnic lunch.This is a very scenic and rugged road following the precipitous southern shoreline of Lago General Carrera. Overnight Costanera Apart Hotel.

 April 12: Today we have a full-day to explore the remote Jeinimeini area of the Patagonia National Park. We first take a moderate hike to explore the exotic volcanic formations of the Jeinemeini Valle Lunar. Later we continue into the forested area surrounding Lago Jeinemeini for more fall colors, returning to Chile Chico in the afternoon. Overnight Costanera Apart Hotel.

 April 13: This morning we will take an early ferry ride across Lago General Carrera to Puerto Ibanez, later passing once again through the Cerro Castillo National Park. The autumn colors in Cerro Castillo are typically stunning at this time so, having another opportunity to photograph here may be very welcome. Overnight in Coyhaique at the Nomades Boutique Hotel.

 April 14: Today we will have a leisurely morning and then return to the BBA airport to catch a direct flight to Punta Arenas (included in your trip cost). The 55-min flight will take us along the southern Patagonia Andes and we hope to be treated to spectacular aerial views of both the Fitzroy and Paine massifs. Upon arrival at the Punta Arenas airport we will be met by our van driver and transferred to the city of Punta Arenas on the Straits of Magellan. Here we will stay at the Hotel Jose Noguiera on the main plaza, which is in part of the historic “Palacio” of Sara Braun, who is known as “The Queen of Patagonia”. 

 April 15: Today after perhaps spending sometime photographing along the shore of the Straits of Magellan, we will make our way north to Torres del Paine National Park. We typically stop along the way for lunch at the seaside town of Puerto Natales on Last Hope Sound. From here it is roughly a 2 hr drive to Torres del Paine. Overnight in Torres del Paine at Hosteria Pehoe with a commanding view of the Paine Massif. 

 April 16: Following an early breakfast we head out to a nearby location to catch the first light on the famous “Paine Horns”. We will then make a full-day photographic journey of the national park. We will choose what to do this day considering the weather, views, and desires of the group. Overnight at Hosteria Pehoe. 

 April 17: Today we will have one more opportunity to photograph the first light bathing the spectacular Paine Massif.  Then we will make our way out the east side of the park and to the Argentine border at Cancha Carrera. Once across the border we will experience the vast open Patagonian pampas as we make our north to the the bustling tourist mecca El Calafate, gateway to the famous Moreno Glacier. Overnight at Hotel Mirador del Lago. 

 April 18: This morning we will drive into Los Glaciares National Park with a local guide/naturalist to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is a very active glacier and it is common to see large ice seracs calving into the lake. Will spend 2-3 hours exploring the extensive walkways photographing the glacier before driving out and stopping for a picnic. We pass back through El Calafate and then continue on north to the small town of El Chalten at the base of the Fitzroy Massif. Overnight at Hotel Destino Sur.

April 19: Today after an early breakfast, we will head out to catch first light on the amazing Fitzroy massif. Upon return from our morning shoot we will re-group and then prepare for a full-day hike into the mountains (optional). We will choose what hike to do depending on the weather conditions and the desires of the particpants. We may choose to split the group with some going for a long hike and others doing something less strenuous. The autumn foliage will be at its peak and the old growth native Lenga (Southern Beech) forest will be ablaze with color. There is a very nice waterfall near town where we may spend several hours playing with time exposures, etc. In this environment we are always on the look out for the very large and impressive Magellanic Woodpecker. Overnight at Hosteria Destino Sur.   

 April 20: After another early photographic excursion just out of town, we will start our journey back to Calafate. Following lunch we will check into our hotel and then allow everyone to have the afternoon and evening free to do as they wish. Overnight at Hotel Mirador del Lago.

April 21: This morning we will make an optional early AM visit to the Laguna Nimez Reserve on the edge of town for some bird photography. This is an excellent place to find flamingos as well as several other types of ducks, swans, songbirds, etc. Later we will drive back to the border and returning to Chile. We will later stop in Puerto Natales once again for a coffee and a bit of last minute shopping. We then drive another hour south to the Historic Estancia Rio Penitente. Established in the late 1800’s this working sheep ranch still remains in the hands of the 5th generation descendants of the original pioneering Scottish settlers. We will have some time to explore around the ranch property before enjoying a delicious farewell dinner.

 April 22: After breakfast we will transfer you to the Punta Arenas airport (PUQ) airport for your flight home. *Please book an afternoon flight out this day. Some may consider an overnight stay in Punta Arenas this night and then schedule a flight home for the following day.  End of tour……..

 Price: US $9,850p.p. based on shared room, US $11,650 single private room.

 Included: All hotel accommodations, meals, ground transportation, local guides and photo instruction. 

Not Included: International and domestic airfare, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (bottled water included at meals), park entrance fees, optional boat tours, gratuities for local guides and hotel/restaurant staff, laundry service. 

 *note: this itinerary may require some slight modifications prior to tour date.