Patagonia photo workshop, 20 – 29 April 2022
Dates 2022 year:
20-29 April (guided by Daniel Kordan and Iurie Belegurschi)
Patagonia is a place of magical light. You can encounter the moments of true revelation of nature with a men. Amazing sunsets with lenticular clouds, wilderness of nature and enormous Andes ridge mountains await you in the most beautiful season – Patagonia Autumn. Beautiful red colors frame mountains in April, fresh snow lays between the waterfalls and on tops of diamond peaks, birds are singing in the woods and almost no tourists disturb this serenity. We planned the most amazing locations for you on the tour, so check our itinerary and join:
Day 1 – 20 April
Our Patagonia photography adventure starts in Chilean town Punta Arenas. It’s known as the gateway to the breathtaking Patagonia. Arrival airport Punta Arenas (PUQ), recommended arrival time will be provided later to the group. You will fly via Santiago by Latam. Please note that complimentary shuttle will be organized for this recommended time. You are flexible with your flights this day – there are no activities except welcome dinner planned during this day. It is also recommended to arrive a day or two earlier before the trip start.
After the welcome dinner we’ll settle in for the night at the hotel.
(D)
Day 2
After the breakfast in hotel we move towards Torres del Paine national park, located in Chile (5-6 h).
You’ll see many animals on the way, including guanaco, ostrich, armadillo and maybe even puma! As we enter Chile landscapes become more wild and strict with beautiful ridges of Andes on horizon. On the way we may have short stops to meet and greet Patagonia fauna.
Last part of the road (60 km) is gravel, through the inner territories in the park. We check in to our hotel inside the park, have a bit of rest and continue to the sunset location depending on the weather. April is the end of tourist and hikers seasons so you’ll see only photographers in the park. The first hotel we settle in will be themed as nested among pampa – best place to photograph gauchos, horses and pampa landscape. We will also explore more remote corners of East Sector of the park – laguna Amarga, Azul.
(B, LB, D)
Day 3
We spend the whole day in the East sector exploring both landscape and wildlife and having traditional dinner with gauchos – famous cordera patagonico made on slow fire! Great opportunities for wildlife today as well because we take with us an animal spotter who knows very well behavior of pumas!
(B,LB,D)
Day 4
As we make our way through the heady scenery and near the peaks of Torres del Paine, with any luck we’ll also see plenty of animals too. A puma or two isn’t unheard of, but much more likely is a photogenic combination of guanaco, ostrich and armadillo, or maybe a glance of fox?
Nearing the park center the landscape will become more wild, and the imperious ridges of the Andes will begin to loom on the horizon. Naturally, we’ll take plenty of time to stop and shoot the local flora and fauna. The last part of today’s journey is made on a gravel road, as we traverse through the inner territories of Torres del Paine.
Today we’ll check in to our next hotel Las Torres near the famous “Towers” – Torres del Paine. We’ll have a short rest before heading out to our sunset location – amazing waterfall 15 min drive from hotel. The autumn here brings with it the end of the tourist season, so it’s likely that only photographers will be left in the park.
(BLD)
Day 5 – 20 April
After sunrise at Laguna Amarga and breakfast at our hotel Las Torres, the group will start the journey toward towards the South West sector of Torres del Paine national park. It is Lago Pehoe and Lago Grey area.
Days 5 – 9
We spend 5 days and 4 nights in the park visiting many beautiful diverse locations. We know area very well, so we will choose photography locations depending on the next day’s weather forecast. Among places to visit (incl at sunsets, sunrises) will be:
– Harbours of Pehoe lake, including stoney bays with variety of foregrounds to choose
– Panoramic view from Explora hotel
– Optional 1-hour hike to Mirador Condor with a stunning 360-view to Cuernos, Paine Towers, Lake Pehoe and Glacier Grey
– Easy hike to the Nordenskjold lake: we’ll see the dead forest on the way and plenty of small bays
– Salto Grande waterfall
– Laguna Amarga with salty edges and high chance to see pink flamingo feeding
– Laguna Azul and wonderful waterfall on the way to the lagoon
– Rio Serrano Sector with wonderful bends of the river, gaucho and horses in the water
One day we depart to lago Grey to the full day excursion to the Grey Glacier. The cruise will take up to 4 hours.
(BLD)
Day 9
We photograph sunrise, have breakfast at hotel and later we can spend the time before lunch inside the Torres del Paine park. After lunch we are leaving to Punta Arenas (Chile) and stay overnight in 4* hotel in the city center.
(BLD)
Day 10, 29 April – departure
Today is the last day of what will be an unforgettable photography adventure in Patagonia. Departure flight is from Punta Arenas, recommended flight by Latam will be announced later to the group. Complimentary airport shuttle will leave hotel to catch recommended flight.
Included in the price:
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- Two Professional photo guides.
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- Professional driver services
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- Professional licensed local guide services
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- Transportation in a bus offering ample room for you and your photography gear, all transfers included
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- Accommodation in most amazing Patagonia hotels. Twin Rooms with private bathrooms (single with additional single supplement)
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- Lago Grey cruise at Torres del Paine park
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- All national parks entrance fees
Full board (all meals included!)
Price: 7900 USD
Not included in the price:
– Airfare
– Visas (if applicable)
– Single supplement (1000 USD)
What to bring
Gear:
– DSLR camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 16-35. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes – mountain photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm
Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (consider the average temperatures 0 – 10 C)
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops
Full list of recommended wear will be sent to participants.
Tour leaders
Daniel Kordan
Daniel was born in Moscow area. In his childhood he graduated the art school. After that, he is studied in Moscow institute of Physics and Technology and became an optics physicist. During the study he gain experience not only in physics, but also in mountain climbing and hiking, guiding tourist groups in winter and in summer in Russian mountains. Right after graduation he became a guide of photo-workshops and chief editor of “Continent expedition” magazine. This magazine is about travel and adventures all over the world. He has got several awards in photography: Golden Turtle’ 13 Nature nomination winner, National Geographic Russia contest 2013 and 2014 finalist, Best of Russia’13 and ’14 winner, best photographer’13 finalist and others. He is spending most of his time in Norway, Lofoten islands and in Tuscany at villa Gaia, guiding groups of photographers.
I consider Baikal lake as top place for photographers from all over the world. I will help you to reveal its beauty.
Iurie Belegurschi
Iurie Belegurschi is a landscape photographer based in Iceland, where he runs photo tours and workshops. He was born in Moldova and has been living in Iceland since 2006. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality. His photos have been published worldwide in books, calendars, greeting cards, magazines and some of the most popular newspapers like The Daily Mail, The Independent, The Sun, The Huffington Post, and The Telegraph.
