This expedition is designed for photographers who thrive on wild beauty and raw contrasts. Over two unforgettable weeks, you’ll travel from the wind-lashed steppes and granite towers of Patagonia to the blazing high-altitude deserts of northern Chile—capturing the continent’s most iconic and untamed landscapes with your lens.
We begin in the far south of Chile, flying into Puerto Natales—the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where glaciers meet turquoise lakes and jagged peaks rise sharply from open pampas. With strategic timing for late-summer light and the first signs of autumn, we’ll explore this terrain through hikes, overland drives, and boat trips. Expect dramatic skies, wildlife sightings—including guanacos, condors, and possibly pumas—and world-class photographic opportunities from sunrise to sunset.
From there, we cross into Argentina to photograph Los Glaciares National Park, home to the Fitz Roy Massif and the thunderous Perito Moreno Glacier. Mornings begin early as we hike to high viewpoints for alpenglow on Mt. Fitz Roy, and spend one night camping beside Laguna Capri for an immersive shoot beneath the stars. Based out of El Chaltén, we’ll chase light through lenga forests, around glacial lagoons, and along mountain ridgelines shaped by ice and time.
Midway through the journey, we leap north—flying to San Pedro de Atacama, nestled at over 8,000 ft in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The light here is legendary: piercing blue skies, blazing sunsets, and crystal-clear nights ideal for astrophotography. We’ll shoot the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna, flamingo-lined lagoons, ancient salt flats, and jagged canyons shaped by wind and erosion. Optional observatory visits and sunrise missions complete the experience.
Throughout the expedition, we’ve built in the right mix of flexibility and structure, adjusting our routes and timing to maximize the light and minimize the crowds. You’ll travel with expert photographic guide Sergio Ballivian, who brings over 30 years of expedition experience to every day in the field—ensuring you’re always positioned for the best shot, with the logistics fully dialed in. This photographic journey ends in Santiago with the last hotel night at the airport for your convenience.
If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, expand your portfolio, or photograph South America’s extremes with purpose and guidance, this is the trip. From glacial blue to desert red, from Patagonia to the Atacama, you’ll walk away with images—and memories—you couldn’t have made on your own.
mid-October to mid-May
10 Guests
private vans and AWD vehicles
Hotels & Hostels
Level 3 - Moderate
We, of course, would do whatever is necessary in case of medical emergency and evacuate to the closest hospital or clinic to make sure you receive medical care.
We begin our journey by flying from Santiago to Puerto Natales (3.5 hours)—a remote Patagonian port town perched along the Última Esperanza Sound. Once a critical hub for sheep ranching and wool export, the town has evolved into the gateway for travelers heading into Torres del Paine National Park. Its colorful waterfront and historic architecture hint at a layered past, shaped by indigenous Kawésqar communities and early European settlers.
Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and settle in. After lunch, we head out for an exploratory photo walk along the sound or into the nearby fjords—weather permitting. This is Patagonia, where four seasons can come and go in a single day. The constantly shifting skies, wind-blown trees, and distant peaks often create ideal conditions for moody, atmospheric images right from the start.
We also take time to organize gear and prepare for the days ahead. Whether it’s your first time in Patagonia or your tenth, there’s something unmistakably wild about this place that sets the tone for what’s to come.
Hotel: Hotel Costaustralis (4*)
Meals included: D
After breakfast, we head out on a scenic 1.5-hour drive north to the southern entrance of Torres del Paine National Park. This world-renowned reserve is a masterpiece of natural contrasts—granite spires, calving glaciers, turquoise lakes, and open pampas all converge here under the dramatic skies of southern Patagonia.
As we enter the park, we’ll photograph wide-angle vistas of the Paine Massif, home to the unmistakable Cuernos del Paine (best viewed from the south) and the iconic Towers of Paine (ideal from the east). Swept by winds off the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the landscapes constantly shift, revealing new compositions with every change in light and cloud.
We make photo stops en route before reaching Villa Serrano, where we check into our eco-style domes with views of a glacier-fed river and the Cuernos in the distance—an ideal location to start capturing the scale and texture of this vast wilderness.
You’ll end the day photographing from the surrounding area, scouting light, and fine-tuning your gear for the days ahead.
Hotel: Morrena Domo (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We begin early today with a scenic drive to Lago Grey for one of the most memorable experiences of the trip: a boat expedition across the lake to photograph the towering blue ice walls of Grey Glacier.
The 45-minute approach walk to the lakeshore follows a sandy, gravel trail—an easy but essential part of accessing the launch point. Once aboard the 9:00 AM departure (timed for optimal light), we sail across the icy waters surrounded by drifting icebergs and the jagged skyline of the Paine Massif. As we approach the face of the glacier, the deep blue crevasses and constantly calving cliffs offer high-impact photo opportunities. The low morning sun and open perspective make this one of the most dynamic compositions in all of Patagonia.
After disembarking, we walk back to our vehicle and enjoy a hot lunch. The remainder of the day is flexible—we’ll adjust based on the light and weather to visit additional sites within the park. Options may include waterfalls, blue rivers, canyons, or lagoon viewpoints—each with its own set of challenges and photographic rewards.
We return to our lodge in Villa Serrano after sunset for dinner and well-earned rest.
Hotel: Morrena Domo (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today is dedicated to exploring Torres del Paine National Park in depth. With a vast network of roads and ever-changing weather, we’ll stay flexible—pursuing the best light, the clearest views, and the most compelling compositions.
Photographers can expect a mix of landscapes and wildlife. In the open steppe, we’ll look for guanacos, foxes, and Rheas, while Andean condors often ride thermals overhead. With some luck and patience, we may even spot a puma. From a landscape perspective, today offers everything: panoramic vistas of the Paine Massif, mirrored lagoons, winding rivers, and dramatic waterfalls, all set against moody skies and towering peaks.
We’ll end the day at a standout location: a small island in the middle of Lago Pehoé, where our hotel offers jaw-dropping views of the Cuernos del Paine. This is one of the best locations in the park to capture sunrise and sunset light directly on the mountains—right from the doorstep.
Prepare your gear and charge your batteries—this is a day packed with visual opportunities, all dialed in for maximum photographic impact.
Hotel: Hosteria Pehoe (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We begin with a morning boat ride across Lago Pehoé, heading toward the Paine Grande ranger station. This short crossing delivers unbeatable views of the massif from the water—ideal for wide-angle compositions and reflections if conditions are calm. Once ashore, we explore nearby trails and lookouts to photograph the towering peaks from new angles. As always, our plans remain flexible based on weather and light.
After lunch near the ranger station, we begin our journey east—traversing the pampas and exiting the park toward the Chile–Argentina border. As the terrain opens, the landscape shifts into broad horizons and golden steppe. If skies are clear, this region offers a final opportunity to photograph Torres del Paine under dramatic afternoon light.
To cut tomorrow’s drive time, we spend the night on the Chilean side of the border in the small town of Cerro Castillo, set amid open plains with mountain views. It’s a quiet, comfortable place to rest, recharge, and reflect on the wild beauty of Torres del Paine.
Hotel: Ovejero Patagónico (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we cross the border from Chile into Argentina, aiming to beat the tour bus crowds and maximize our time on the other side. After clearing customs, we drive through the rugged plains of Argentine Patagonia, where the vast, open landscape gives a sense of scale unlike anywhere else on the continent.
By mid-morning, we arrive in El Calafate, a lakeside town on the shores of Lago Argentino, and continue straight to one of the continent’s most iconic natural landmarks: the Perito Moreno Glacier. Stretching over 19 miles long, this active glacier is one of the few in the world still advancing. An extensive series of boardwalks offers elevated, panoramic views of the glacier’s calving face—perfect for both telephoto details and wide-angle context shots.
After lunch, we retrace our route to El Calafate, then head north toward El Chaltén, arriving by sunset. The road offers occasional glimpses of Mount Fitz Roy as we approach—weather permitting. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and prep for the next phase of our journey deep into the Fitz Roy range.
Hotel: Hostería El Puma (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today we head into the mountains for one of the most rewarding photographic experiences of the expedition—an overnight camp at Laguna Capri, in the shadow of Mount Fitz Roy.
Departing from El Chaltén, we hike gradually uphill along a well-established trail. The first section takes about 1.5 hours at a casual pace to reach the mesa, followed by another hour through lenga forest to our secluded campsite beside the lake. There’s no rush—we’ll take our time, stopping often to photograph the shifting views and changing light.
Our campsite offers front-row access to one of the most iconic scenes in Patagonia: Fitz Roy’s jagged granite peaks mirrored in the still waters of Laguna Capri. This is a prime location for both sunset and sunrise, allowing us to shoot in golden light without needing to travel.
Expect a fully supported camping experience with quality meals, comfortable tents, and unbeatable views. For those unable or preferring not to camp, we have reserved backup lodging at Hostería El Puma in town.
Lodging: Tent camping at Laguna Capri (*alternative: Hostería El Puma)
Meals included: B, L, D
We begin before dawn to capture sunrise over Mount Fitz Roy—a moment where alpenglow ignites the granite walls and reflects off the still waters of Laguna Capri. This is one of the most photogenic scenes in Argentine Patagonia, and having it just steps from camp gives us the flexibility to work the light as it evolves.
After breakfast at camp, we explore nearby ridgelines and forest trails to shoot additional perspectives of the Fitz Roy range. The twisted lenga trees, high-altitude meadows, and glacial backdrops offer plenty of variety for mid-morning compositions.
We descend back to El Chaltén at a relaxed pace, with time to photograph along the way. Expect to arrive mid-to-late afternoon, with time to rest and reset before heading out again for a sunset shoot at a nearby location—determined based on weather and light.
Hotel: Hostería El Puma (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today is a full travel day as we make our way back across the border into Chile, retracing our route through the sweeping landscapes of Patagonia. We depart El Chaltén early to maximize our daylight hours and make the most of any photographic stops along the way.
The direct drive takes about five hours, plus an additional hour to complete border formalities. If all goes smoothly, we plan to reach Cerro Castillo around lunchtime for a relaxed meal and final views of the open pampas before continuing toward Puerto Natales.
As we drive south past Torres del Paine National Park, we’ll have a chance to revisit some familiar vistas—now under different light and conditions—offering another chance to capture this dramatic region before heading north.
Once in Puerto Natales, we settle into our hotel and enjoy a final dinner in Patagonia. Tomorrow, we trade glaciers and steppe for volcanoes and salt flats as we fly north to the Atacama Desert.
Hotel: Hotel Costaustralis (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today we leave the windswept south behind and head toward the high-altitude deserts of northern Chile. Our journey begins with a 9:30 AM flight from Puerto Natales to Santiago (approx. 2.5 hours), followed by a connecting flight at 3:30 PM to Calama—the nearest airport to the Atacama. We land around 5:30 PM, where our private vehicle will be waiting.
From Calama, we drive 1.5 hours east to San Pedro de Atacama, a remote desert outpost perched at over 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level. As we ascend, the terrain changes dramatically—from scrub plains to towering volcanoes and salt-crusted valleys bathed in late-day light.
Depending on energy levels and arrival time, we may head out for a short sunset shoot near town. If not, we’ll take the evening to settle into our new environment, adjust to the elevation, and enjoy a well-earned dinner.
The Atacama marks a new chapter in the expedition: surreal geology, extreme clarity of light, and otherworldly landscapes await.
Hotel: Casa de Don Tomás (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Our first full day in the Atacama Desert begins with a visit to the iconic Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), best explored in the early morning when the crowds are minimal and the light rakes across the terrain. Towering sand dunes, salt ridges, and twisted rock formations provide endless abstract compositions—perfect for working with long shadows, textures, and contrast.
After our morning shoot, we return to San Pedro for lunch and a short break from the desert heat. We depart to different locations during the afternoon until it’s time in the late afternoon, to return to Valle de la Luna for a second round of photography in completely different light and new locations. As the sun sets behind the Cordillera de la Sal, the landscape shifts from ochre to gold to deep red—offering some of the most vivid color transitions you’ll see on this expedition.
After dinner, we venture outside of town for a night sky session at a local celestial observatory. The Atacama’s elevation and dry air create some of the clearest skies on Earth, making it ideal for astrophotography and stargazing. With professional telescopes and local guides, we’ll learn about the southern constellations and, conditions permitting, capture the Milky Way arcing over the desert landscape.
Hotel: Casa de Don Tomás (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today we head deep into the Atacama Plateau (part of the Altiplano) to photograph some of the region’s most spectacular high-altitude lagoons and volcanic landscapes. These locations sit above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), so we pace ourselves to account for the thinner air while still maximizing our time in the field.
Our first stop is Chaxa Lagoon (south of San Pedro), a shimmering salt flat where Andean flamingos wade through mirror-like pools. The combination of vibrant birdlife, crystalline reflections, and sculpted salt patterns creates a powerful visual contrast against the stark desert horizon. We head to Socaire for lunch then continue southeast and ascend toward Miñiques and Miscanti Lagoons, set in a surreal basin surrounded by snow-dusted volcanoes and ochre cliffs. These twin lagoons offer striking symmetrical compositions and bold color palettes—perfect for wide-angle shots and layered depth.
We return to San Pedro for sunset to explore nearby eroded canyons or the Cordillera de la Sal. These locations provide dramatic sunset photography, with jagged red-rock formations glowing under soft, low-angle light.
Hotel: Casa de Don Tomás (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We rise very early (depart at 5:30 AM) to explore the remote eastern edge of the Atacama Plateau, beginning with the expansive wilderness of the Salar de Tara which is 2 ½ hours away. Breakfast at location. This area is known for its vast salt flats, towering rock spires, and open skies that feel almost Martian in scale and color. Isolated and rarely crowded, it offers bold compositions and uninterrupted horizon lines—ideal for both landscape and minimalist photography.
We return at an appropriate time to San Pedro for lunch and a brief rest. We depart in the mid-afternoon to head south to the Piedras Rojas at the Salar del Carmen and get to our shooting location for sunset.
We return to Socaire then continue onto San Pedro for dinner after a long day shooting spectacular landscapes. This is our final night in the field, and a chance to reflect on the diverse visual journey during the past few days—from glaciers to flamingos, granite towers to lunar valleys.
Hotel: Casa de Don Tomás (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today is another travel day as we head south to Santiago. We depart San Pedro and drive to Calama (1 ½ hours) for your flight to Santiago. Final flight times TBD. Depending on when you want to depart, we could have a sunrise shoot, then have breakfast then depart to Calama for the flight to Santiago. Spend a final night in Santiago and prepare for your international departure the next day.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Airport (3*)
Meals included: B
End of our services.
Dear Sergio and staff,
Jerry and I were more than pleasantly surprised with the professional services you afforded us. You were right, Bolivia is stunning, rugged and full of history. It's also rough around the edges, and you made sure we understood what we would be getting in the middle of nowhere. Nonetheless, the operation was run like a tight ship, Jose was a superb guide and he knew his mountains! It seems he also climbed a lot of the ones we saw on the trail. Very impressive! Jerry, the picky eater was more than pleased and you know me, coffee, some fresh fruit and some cereal took care of my needs in the morning. I don't know how Maria cooked such amazing food in a tent, at 11,000 ft in the chilly Andes, night after night. I think we both gained a pound or two. We commend you and we can't recommend your services enough to our friends at the photo club. Yup, they were jealous of the photos we took! Let's hope in a couple of years we can visit the Quimsa Cruz Range Jose talked so much about. Take care and our heartfelt thanks from the Washington DC!
With warm wishes,
Barbara and Jerry K.
Best photography guide ever
My friend, YY and I did a four week trip to South America covering several countries in November last year. We had the privilege of having Sergio and his trusted driver, Oscar to cover the Bolivian sector. That was by far the best photography trip that I have done to date. Sergio not only takes great care of us with all the travel and accommodations but his advise, coaching and tips on photography were most helpful and enlightening. Always professional and cool, we never felt rushed or wanting more. We were only together with him for days but we left as lifelong friends. Thank you my friend.
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. More guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure. Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis. All prices are in U$ Dollars.
Contact us for guidance on a quote for your group or private trip.
| Lowest Price | 7-10 travelers | $ 13,195 / per person |
| Average Price | 4-6 travelers | $ 13,695 / per person |
| Optimum Price | 2-3 travelers | $ 14,195 / per person |
| Highest Price | 1 solo traveler | $ 17,985 / for 1 solo traveler |
| Single Supplement Fee | Per Person / Per Tour | $ 1,235 / for a single room |
Deposit & Terms (universal — identical on every tour. Custom tours have special terms, please contact us. ): A 30% deposit (minimum $1,000 per person) reserves your space. Of that, $1,000 per person is a non-refundable administrative fee — but it’s never lost: it’s always credited toward your trip, even if you change trips or dates, and it’s part of the total price, not an extra charge. Balance due 90 days before departure. Trip insurance (with a “cancel for any reason” rider) is required. See our Terms & Conditions for full details, or contact us for a custom or private quote.
Start Date: October 10, 2026
End Date: October 23, 2026
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End Date: November 20, 2026
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End Date: December 18, 2026
Start Date: December 20, 2026
End Date: January 2, 2027
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