April 8: Arrive Balmaceda/Coyhaique airport and transfer to the Estancia del Zorro near the Argentine border. Evening lamb roast welcome dinner.

 April 9: Pre-dawn departure to photograph Condors at one of two roosting locations within the nearby Estancia Punta del Monte.  Picnic lunch with afternoon gaucho photography on the ranch.  Late afternoon drive to the well appointed Coyhaique River Lodge.

 April 10: AM departure driving south travelling through the Cerro Castillo National Park. Highlights will be the drive over the Cuesta del Diablo pass. The drive through Cerro Castillo brings us close to timberline (1100 m.) with opportunities to capture the twisted magic of the Krumholst Lengas at altitude, especially beautiful during the autumn peak in mid-April. We will travel slowly through the reserve and keep an eye out for the highly endangered Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus Bisulcus) that are prevalent in this area. Commanding views of the jagged spires of Cerro Castillo. We continue on to Villa Rio Tranquilo on Lago General Carrera, South America's 2nd largest lake. Overnight at El Puesto Lodge. 

 April 11: Today's main objective will be to explore the new road accessing the remote Valle Exploradores which offers commanding views of Cerro San Valentin, Patagonia's highest peak at 4,058 meters (13,314 ft), with views of several spectacular glaciers flowing off the north side of the Northern Patagonia Ice Field. This newly cut road penetrates deep into the heart of the incredibly rugged Patagonian Andes and the lush temperate rain forest of the Pacific coast. We take a short hike through the old growth Nothofagus forest to a viewing platform overlooking the Exploradores Glacier. If conditions favor, this can provide for one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Patagonia. If we are really fortunate and weather conditions align, we may be treated to a “Brocken Spectre”, a rainbow effect created when one’s shadow is cast upon a fog layer in the valley below. Valle Exploradores also possesses several spectacular waterfalls, precipitous snow capped peaks, lush temperate rain forest vegetation and interesting birdlife, including Andean Condors or, the endemic and enchanting Chucao Tapaculo with its amazingly exotic jungle call. Overnight El Puesto Lodge. 

 April 12: 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 amazing Baker River, Chile’s largest river and also the largest river flowing into the South Pacific (670-700 m3/sec.). The azure blue color of this immense river is truly incredible. Picnic lunch along the way. Afternoon photographic tour of the powerful Baker River Waterfall (15 minute hike). We will spend several hours here experimenting with time exposures, etc. in search of that perfect shot. Overnight Green Baker Lodge on the shore of the Rio Baker.

 April 13: 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. Depending on timing we may venture south of town for afternoon light on the exotic desert volcanic formations of the Jeinemeini area of the newly formed Parque Patagonia. If we find ourselves short of time today we may have time in the morning as well. Overnight Costanera Apart Hotel.

 April 14: Today we will take a ferry across Lago General Carrera making our way back to Coyhaique 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 15: Today we will 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 are often 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 We will stay at the Hotel Jose Noguiera on the main plaza, which is in part of the historic palace of Sara Braun, known as “The Queen of Patagonia”. 

 April 16: Today after 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. This is a good place to pick up some souvenirs to bring home with you. 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 17: Following an early breakfast we head out to photograph first light on the famous “Paine Horns” followed by 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. An optional boat excursion on Lago Grey to the terminus of the Grey Glacier is a possibility this day. Overnight at Hosteria Pehoe. 

 April 18: We have another full day to explore and photograph this magnificent park. We will seek out spectacular waterfalls, magical mountain landscapes accented by the autumn foliage and, the abundant native Patagonian wildlife such as condors, guanacos. rheas and foxes. Perhaps, if luck is on our side, we may even be able to spot the elusive Puma! Overnight at Hosteria Pehoe. 

 April 19: Today we will have one last opportunity to photograph first light bathing the paine Massif.  From there 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 wide open Patagonian pampas as we make our way up the the town of Calafate. After checking into our hotel, we may choose to visit the nearby Laguna Nimez for bird photography. This is an excellent place to find flamingos as well as several other types of ducks, swans, songbirds, etc. Overnight at Hotel Mirador del Lago. 

April 20: This morning we will drive into Los Glaciares National Park with a local guide/naturalist to visit the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier and to where its massive snout calves into Lago Argentino. This is a very active glacier and it is common to see large ice seracs calving into the lake. will spend about 3 hours photographing the glacier before returning to El Calafate and then continuing on north to the small town of El Chalten at the base of the Fitzroy Massif. Overnight at Hotel Destino Sur.

 April 21: Today we will head out before dawn to catch first light on the Fitzroy massif. Upon return from our morning shoot we will re-group and prepare for a full-day hike into the mountains (optional). We will choose what hike depending on the weather conditions and the desires of the particpants. We may choose to spit 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 22: After another early photographic excursion just out of town, we will start our journey back to Chile. Once across the border we will make our way 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. With luck we may be treated to an authentic Patagonian “asado” of roast lamb as a final farewell celebration.  

 April 23: After breakfast we will transfer you to the Punta Arenas airport airport for your flight home.  End of tour……..

 Price: US $9,175p.p. based on shared room, US $10,975 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.