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Worldwide Photography Tours since 1980

Patagonia's Mountain Landscapes in Austral Spring

Photograph one of Earth's Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges

Mt. Torre Alejandro Capelli - patagonia

Comparable in size to Washington, Oregon and California combined, the flat temperate desert plain of Patagonia rises to meet the jagged granite spires of the Southern Andes. Verdant forests, fed by the meltwaters of an 8,000-square-mile ice cap to the west, surround pristine lakes considered to be among the world’s most beautiful. Images of craggy snowcapped peaks lie reflected in the cold, blue water. Massive glaciers grind on their slow course, calving blue icebergs into jewel-like lakes.

Our Patagonia tour concentrates on panoramic landscape and wildlife imagery in two incredible national parks. We shoot in the spectacular mountainous region of the Andes at Los Glaciares National Park where we should have outstanding photo opportunities at the Fitzroy Massif (11,073 feet) and Cerro Torre (10,280 feet). The Patagonian spring is a vast, living tapestry of blooming wildflowers, migratory birds and newborn wildlife.

DSC2231 - patagonia

The second photographic highlight is our days spent at the foot of the dramatic peaks of the “Towers” and “Horns” of Torres del Paine National Park. The more temperate weather and longer daylight hours of the southern hemisphere’s spring season offer a wide variety of photographic opportunities. We have plenty of time to capture these magnificent mountains in the wondrous light of sunrise and sunset. Patagonian foxes and guanacos are at the beginning of their birthing season and the possibility of a puma sighting provide exciting wildlife photography experiences—and it is not uncommon to see condors, eagles and other birds of prey during our travels. We also organize a photo session of gauchos driving horses across grasslands.

Join us for a journey to a place called a “Living Eden” in a stunning documentary filmed for public television. The mountains of Patagonia provide some of the world’s most inspiring scenic photography and are a destination all serious nature photographers should shoot at least once in a lifetime!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Depart on overnight flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Day 2 (Nov 5, 2024)
Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon visit to Costanera Sur Wildlife Preserve and Palermo Lake. (D)

Day 3
We fly to El Calafate and drive to El Chaltén, located at the foot of the Fitzroy Massif, where we are based for four nights. Along the way we photograph spectacular steppe landscapes. After arriving at our lodge we drive along the west side of Las Vueltas River and visit a picturesque waterfall surrounded by sylvan beech forest. (Morning snack at the airport on your own, LD)

Days 4–6
The jagged spine of the Andes is the backdrop for this—one of the world's most magnificent wilderness areas. We are provided with awesome views of Fitzroy and Cerro Torre. Amidst these granite spires we should see Andean condors gliding effortlessly. Each morning we look for sunrise light on these spectacular massifs from different locations along Las Vueltas Canyon, shooting mountains, clouds and the warming light of the austral spring. (BLD)

Day 7
Following sunrise photography, we drive to El Calafate. Afternoon photography at Laguna Nimez Wildlife Reserve, time permitting. (BLD)

Day 8
Explore one of South America's most spectacular and active glaciers, the Perito Moreno, as it flows into the southern arm of Lago Argentino. Here we can closely observe great chunks of chill-blue ice calving from the glacier into the lake. (BLD)

Day 9
We depart early for Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We drive a new scenic road traversing ranches, grasslands, forests and mountainous terrain. We arrive at Torres del Paine in the afternoon and start our exploration of this amazing national park. (BLD)

Days 10–14
We have five full days in Torres del Paine where the famous and utterly captivating granite massif consumes our attention with the constant play of light across its sheer vertical walls. The compelling grandeur of these jagged peaks is complemented by the abundant and relatively unwary wildlife in birthing, nesting and migratory season within the park. (BLD)

Day 15
After a morning shoot in Torres del Paine we drive to El Calafate and take a late evening flight to Buenos Aires. (BL, Dinner airport snack on your own)

Day 16 (Nov 19)
After a morning rest and lunch, we photograph a tango dance before departing to the international airport for late evening flights home. (BL)

Day 17
Arrive home.

Tour Details

Nov 04 2024 – Nov 20 2024
Please Join Our Waitlist!
Join Waitlist
Fee: $9,995 from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Deposit: $2,000
Limit: 16 participants
Activity Level: Easy
*Fee notes: Internal flights arranged at additional cost; approximately $700
Single Supplement: $1,890
» Terms and Conditions

Special Terms and Conditions Apply

Tour Highlights

  • Shoot the landscapes and wildlife of two of the most spectacular mountain photography destinations—Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks
  • More than five full days at Torres del Paine
  • Capture soaring granite mountain peaks, massive glaciers and pristine lakes
  • Prime time for spring wildflowers, fewer people and longer daylight hours
  • Photograph foxes, guanacos and birds in birthing and nesting season with chance of puma sighting
  • Trip includes all meals, lodging, ground transportation, national park fees, photo guides and instruction

Testimonials

“My recent trip to Patagonia was the first trip I had taken with Van Os tours…even though I had heard about them for years. Their reputation was well founded. The guides were outstanding…knowledgeable, helpful and cheerful. I simply wouldn’t have come home with the same quality of images if I had tried to do this trip on my own. Worth every penny!”
— Jeff S.

Tour Highlights

  • Shoot the landscapes and wildlife of two of the most spectacular mountain photography destinations—Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks
  • More than five full days at Torres del Paine
  • Capture soaring granite mountain peaks, massive glaciers and pristine lakes
  • Prime time for spring wildflowers, fewer people and longer daylight hours
  • Photograph foxes, guanacos and birds in birthing and nesting season with chance of puma sighting
  • Trip includes all meals, lodging, ground transportation, national park fees, photo guides and instruction

Tour Details

Nov 04 2024 – Nov 20 2024
Please Join Our Waitlist!
Join Waitlist
Fee: $9,995 from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Deposit: $2,000
Limit: 16 participants
Activity Level: Easy
*Fee notes: Internal flights arranged at additional cost; approximately $700
Single Supplement: $1,890
» Terms and Conditions

Special Terms and Conditions Apply

  • Tour Description

    Tour Description

    Mt. Torre Alejandro Capelli - patagonia

    Comparable in size to Washington, Oregon and California combined, the flat temperate desert plain of Patagonia rises to meet the jagged granite spires of the Southern Andes. Verdant forests, fed by the meltwaters of an 8,000-square-mile ice cap to the west, surround pristine lakes considered to be among the world’s most beautiful. Images of craggy snowcapped peaks lie reflected in the cold, blue water. Massive glaciers grind on their slow course, calving blue icebergs into jewel-like lakes.

    Our Patagonia tour concentrates on panoramic landscape and wildlife imagery in two incredible national parks. We shoot in the spectacular mountainous region of the Andes at Los Glaciares National Park where we should have outstanding photo opportunities at the Fitzroy Massif (11,073 feet) and Cerro Torre (10,280 feet). The Patagonian spring is a vast, living tapestry of blooming wildflowers, migratory birds and newborn wildlife.

    DSC2231 - patagonia

    The second photographic highlight is our days spent at the foot of the dramatic peaks of the “Towers” and “Horns” of Torres del Paine National Park. The more temperate weather and longer daylight hours of the southern hemisphere’s spring season offer a wide variety of photographic opportunities. We have plenty of time to capture these magnificent mountains in the wondrous light of sunrise and sunset. Patagonian foxes and guanacos are at the beginning of their birthing season and the possibility of a puma sighting provide exciting wildlife photography experiences—and it is not uncommon to see condors, eagles and other birds of prey during our travels. We also organize a photo session of gauchos driving horses across grasslands.

    Join us for a journey to a place called a “Living Eden” in a stunning documentary filmed for public television. The mountains of Patagonia provide some of the world’s most inspiring scenic photography and are a destination all serious nature photographers should shoot at least once in a lifetime!

  • Itinerary

    Tour Itinerary

    Day 1
    Depart on overnight flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Day 2 (Nov 5, 2024)
    Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon visit to Costanera Sur Wildlife Preserve and Palermo Lake. (D)

    Day 3
    We fly to El Calafate and drive to El Chaltén, located at the foot of the Fitzroy Massif, where we are based for four nights. Along the way we photograph spectacular steppe landscapes. After arriving at our lodge we drive along the west side of Las Vueltas River and visit a picturesque waterfall surrounded by sylvan beech forest. (Morning snack at the airport on your own, LD)

    Days 4–6
    The jagged spine of the Andes is the backdrop for this—one of the world's most magnificent wilderness areas. We are provided with awesome views of Fitzroy and Cerro Torre. Amidst these granite spires we should see Andean condors gliding effortlessly. Each morning we look for sunrise light on these spectacular massifs from different locations along Las Vueltas Canyon, shooting mountains, clouds and the warming light of the austral spring. (BLD)

    Day 7
    Following sunrise photography, we drive to El Calafate. Afternoon photography at Laguna Nimez Wildlife Reserve, time permitting. (BLD)

    Day 8
    Explore one of South America's most spectacular and active glaciers, the Perito Moreno, as it flows into the southern arm of Lago Argentino. Here we can closely observe great chunks of chill-blue ice calving from the glacier into the lake. (BLD)

    Day 9
    We depart early for Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We drive a new scenic road traversing ranches, grasslands, forests and mountainous terrain. We arrive at Torres del Paine in the afternoon and start our exploration of this amazing national park. (BLD)

    Days 10–14
    We have five full days in Torres del Paine where the famous and utterly captivating granite massif consumes our attention with the constant play of light across its sheer vertical walls. The compelling grandeur of these jagged peaks is complemented by the abundant and relatively unwary wildlife in birthing, nesting and migratory season within the park. (BLD)

    Day 15
    After a morning shoot in Torres del Paine we drive to El Calafate and take a late evening flight to Buenos Aires. (BL, Dinner airport snack on your own)

    Day 16 (Nov 19)
    After a morning rest and lunch, we photograph a tango dance before departing to the international airport for late evening flights home. (BL)

    Day 17
    Arrive home.

  • Tour Leaders

  • Testimonials

    Testimonials

    “My recent trip to Patagonia was the first trip I had taken with Van Os tours…even though I had heard about them for years. Their reputation was well founded. The guides were outstanding…knowledgeable, helpful and cheerful. I simply wouldn’t have come home with the same quality of images if I had tried to do this trip on my own. Worth every penny!”
    — Jeff S.

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Van Os Photo Safaris uses the information you provide to contact you about our upcoming tours, special offers, and trip reports. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.
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