Torres del Paine National Park sits in southern Chile’s Magallanes and Antarctic region, where the Patagonian Steppe meets the Andes and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field shapes both the land and the weather. Covering over 1,800 square kilometers (700 sq mi), the park offers a dense concentration of landscapes: granite spires, glaciers, wind-swept lakes, and wide valleys—all accessible within a compact area. At the center lies the iconic Cordillera del Paine, with its signature towers and jagged skyline.
The name “Torres del Paine” carries deep meaning. “Paine,” from the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language, means “blue” (pronounced PIE-neh), while “Torres” translates to “towers.” The area was officially designated a national park in 1959 as Parque Nacional de Turismo Lago Grey and later renamed Torres del Paine National Park in 1970 to reflect its most defining features. It became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and is now part of the End of the World Route, a scenic trail linking several national parks across Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.
This tour is timed for autumn (April)—a brief but ideal season for photography. The winds ease, crowds thin, and the lenga forests turn orange and red, adding contrast to the already dramatic terrain. Days are crisp and clear, with temperatures typically ranging from 0°C to 10°C (32–50°F). Light is consistent and low, ideal for both wide landscapes and detail work.
We’ll photograph landmarks such as the Torres del Paine—Torre d’Agostini (2,500 m), Torre Central (2,460 m), Torre Monzino (2,260 m)—alongside the Cuernos del Paine, Paine Grande (2,933 m), and surrounding peaks. These features rise sharply from the plains and lakes, allowing us to frame strong compositions from multiple angles throughout the day.
The itinerary includes overland drives, short hikes, and a boat trip on Lago Grey to photograph the glacier’s calving face. We’ll work locations along Lago Pehoé, Lago Nordenskiöld, Lago Sarmiento, and the Paine River, and visit remote viewpoints that offer a broader perspective on the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the world’s second-largest outside Antarctica and Greenland.
Located just 112 km (70 mi) north of Puerto Natales, the park sits at the ecological transition between the Magellanic subpolar forests and the Patagonian steppe. Wildlife photography opportunities include guanacos, foxes, rheas, condors, and—on rare occasions—pumas. Light changes quickly here, as weather systems sweep in from the Pacific and the Ice Field. Expect to experience sun, wind, snow, and clear skies—sometimes all within hours.
This tour is led by Sergio Ballivian, a veteran photo expedition leader with over four decades of field experience in South America. With Sergio’s guidance, you’ll not only get to the right place at the right time, but also learn how to adapt your gear and shooting style to Patagonia’s demanding conditions.
Whether you’re building a new portfolio or refining your landscape approach, Torres del Paine delivers the raw elements needed: structure, light, space, and weather—without the logistical headaches of other remote regions. Everything is arranged so you can focus on the work: scouting, shooting, refining.
Group size is limited, so talk to an expert and save your spot now.
mid-March to mid-May
10 Guests
private vans and AWD vehicles
Hotels & Hostels
Level 2 - Easy Level
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.
Arrive in Santiago, Chile (SCL), transfer to domestic flight to Punta Arenas (PUQ). We will pick-up at airport upon arrival and transfer to your hotel in Punta Arenas. After a brief rest, we depart for a visit along the Atlantic coastline before dinner. Overnight Hotel Isla Rey Jorge.
Hotel: Isla Rey Jorge (4*)
Meals included: L, D
The Strait of Magellan Park is a protected area documenting and protecting the first Chilean settlement at the end of the world with the establishment of a crude fort made of local hardwoods. Considering the harsh weather in this part of world it’s remarkable that most of the people in the area survived for many years before moving permanently to Punta Arenas (Sandy Point). After lunch in Punta Arenas we drive north (2 hrs.) to a 100+ year-old sheep estancia for dinner. Overnight at Estancia Rio Penitente.
Hotel: Estancia Rio Penitente (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
After a hearty breakfast and a visit around the natural escarpments above the Rio Penitente, we head north to Puerto Natales, the entrance city to Torres del Paine National Park. We should arrive in time for lunch. After checking-in at our hotel on the waterfront with stunning views of the Sound of Last Hope, we will head out to see some estancias and the rugged Andes mountains on the western horizon. After sunset we will return for dinner (not included) in Puerto Natales. Overnight at Hotel Costaustralis.
Hotel: Hotel Costaustralis (4*)
Meals included: B, L
It’s worth looking out your window in the morning to catch the sunrise hitting the Andes to the west! After breakfast we depart north along a combination of paved and gravel roads until we arrive at the southern entrance to Torres del Paine National Park. Our basecamp for the next couple of days is at Rio Serrano, just outside the park boundaries that offer stunning views across the Serrano River towards the “horns”…the iconic pointed towers cutting into the cold Andean sky. Depending on the current weather conditions we have lots of destinations to choose from, so we will make our decisions on what the finicky Patagonia winds bring to us. Dinner and overnight in Villa Serrano. Overnight at Hotel Del Paine.
Hotel: Del Paine (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
There are fewer more pleasant events than sitting in the dining room looking at the sunrise across Rio Serrano and hitting the Torres del Paine while enjoying your coffee! We head out and see what the weather dictates today; some of our objectives are Toro Lake, Nordenskjold Lake and the Cisnes lookouts. Lunch en route. We will find the best location for sunset based on what the weather gives us. There are lots of options to choose from. Afterwards we return to our hotel to freshen up and have dinner. Overnight at Hotel Del Paine.
Hotel: Del Paine (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We depart early today so we can get the 2nd ship sailing on Lago Grey for the best light illuminating Grey Glacier in the late morning. This is a 3-hour sail on a very spectacular route, surrounded by the Andes and seeing the southern Patagonian Ice cap with your own eyes. You will feel it too, as the cold winds come across the ice cap and buffet the lake. No matter, the views are so stunning you will be concentrating on making beautiful photos instead. There are bathrooms and seating inside and hot drinks and snacks on board. After we dock and walk back to the departure point (45 minutes) we will have lunch. We return towards the heart of the park for the rest of the day and find another great location for sunset. We return to our hotel for dinner and rest. Overnight at Hotel Del Paine.
Hotel: Del Paine (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
As you will get accustomed to, the weather is hard to predict, much less nail down in southern Patagonia. Today we depart this hotel and head to another hotel, located on an island, in one of the most amazing locations in the park – Lake Pehoe! As you will see, we have lots of amazing viewpoints, routes and trails to choose from to catch the best light on the iconic Torres del Paine massif. Lunch en route. We will get to the best location for sunset based on what the weather is doing. After sunset we return to our hotel to freshen up and have dinner. Overnight at Hosteria Pehoe.
Hotel: Hosteria Pehoe (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
You don’t need to go far on this island to catch the sunrise at the top of the hill. Sunrises at this location are truly hard to beat, so don’t miss them. After breakfast we depart to the Condor Lookout, Salto Grande, and Pehoe Lookout. Lunch en route. In the afternoon we head to the Paine waterfall en route to Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul. After sunset, we return to our island hotel for dinner. Overnight at Hosteria Pehoe.
Hotel: Hosteria Pehoe (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We make our way from Lago Pehoe northeast until we exit Torres del Paine National Park and head to a working Patagonia ranch shooting landscapes en route. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. We arrive at the Estancia Tercera Barranca in the mid-afternoon with great views of the steppe and torres to the west. We hope to meet with the gauchos, the cattle and sheep wranglers, who call this windswept region home. After checking-in we freshen up before dinner. Overnight at Estancia Tercera Barranca.
Hotel: Estancia Tercera Barranca. (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We have a fabulous opportunity to head to a mountain range deep into the Patagonia wilderness, the Serrania de los Baguales; the Wild Horse Range. We will take our picnic lunch with us as there are only remote ranches in the area. The rugged beauty of this range becomes apparent as we see massive rock walls, deep canyons cut by freezing Patagonia rivers and vast, open estancias as far as the eye can see. This is a rugged and beautiful land! We will catch sunset with great views of canyons where condors are seen flying and nesting and guanacos run wild and free. After sunset, we head back to the estancia to clean-up before dinner. Overnight at Estancia Tercera Barranca.
Hotel: Estancia Tercera Barranca. (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
We have our last morning in the area so we head out to say hello and farewell to the gauchos, we met a few days ago, located at an outpost at the foot of a canyon that is over 100 years old. As we drive south, keeping Torres del Paine on our right, we begin our journey back to Puerto Natales through wide-open steppe and massive estancias. This location has lots of wildlife; southern Rheas, foxes, Guanacos, geese, armadillo and much more. We will have lunch at Cerro Castillo. We plan to arrive in Puerto Natales in the late afternoon. Our final dinner together in a local restaurant in Puerto Natales. Overnight at Hotel Costaustralis.
Hotel: Hotel Costaustralis (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D
Depending on your return flight from Punta Arenas (usually to Santiago), we will depart at an appropriate time. The scenic drive takes 3 hours from Puerto Natales at a steady pace. We will have lunch in Punta Arenas before heading to the airport (30 minutes from downtown). We should arrive at the airport 2 hours before your departure since you likely have an international connecting flight in Santiago. The flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago is 3.5 hours long. Upon arrival in Santiago you will self-transfer to the international concourse for your connection back home.
Hotel: none
Meals included: B, L
End of our services
Sergio,
Sam and I had a great trip! The colors in autumn were really spectacular and I am so glad we didn't get too much wind! I think I got some really nice shots of the waterfalls and the sunset across the horns! The guanacos with the Torres in the background were keepers for sure even though it's a classic shot, I am very happy with it. Man, the snowstorn/gale on Grey Lake was something else, but I think we got the best sailing window of the day. They guys before us saw clouds and the group after us saw rain. You can't take credit for the timing but Sam and I got some killer shots of Grey glacier and the snow-covered mountains. Thanks so much for sorting out the hotels. We slept like kings. Let's visit the Atacama Desert next time! Nora says hello and we send you our best wishes!
Hola amigo,
Just managed to download all my photos of Patagonia. Holy cow, I got more shots that are possible prints than I remember. Bob called the other day, he's headed down to Miami in a month, so I am sure we're going to look and share photos of Chile. Considering the great weather we got, April really was the perfect choice for the colors and the warmer temps. The day at the ranch was great! That real gaucho looked like he came out of the Marlboro ad...tough looking dude...smoking and riding his horse. The light was awesome and I did get one shot with him in silhouette that is a favorite. The infrared photos of the vicuñas and the lonely roads...came out great! I'll post a few to Instagram, make sure to follow me. Hopefully your flight was not as bumpy as ours. Let's stay in touch. I may be up for another trip soon. Take care and be good. Sam
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 | $ 11,875 / per person |
| Average Price | 4-6 travelers | $ 12,960 / per person |
| Optimum Price | 2-3 travelers | $ 14,740 / per person |
| Highest Price | 1 solo traveler | $ 19,770 / for 1 solo traveler |
| Single Supplement Fee | Per Person / Per Tour | $ 1035 / 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.
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