PATAGONIA & BUENOS AIRES
November 30 – December 11 2021
Patagonia is not a country….it is a vast region across Chile and Argentina in the southernmost tip of South America. On this program, we will stroll into both Chilean Patagonia and Argentinian Patagonia by crossing the border to capture the pristine and spectacular landscape.
We start the journey from Torres del Paine, the natural wonder in Chilean Patagonia, then head to El Chalten, the base town of iconic mountain, Fitz Roy. We keep moving to El Calafate, where the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier sits.
We finish the trip in the magical city of Buenos Aires, where Latin passion and European sophistication emerge.
PROGRAM DATES:
November. 30 (Tue) – December. 11(Sat). 2021
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Torres del Paine…. 3 nights (Nov. 30 – Dec. 3.)
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El Chalten…. 4 nights (Dec. 3 - 7.)
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El Calafate…. 1 night (Dec. 7 - 8.)
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Buenos Aires…. 3 nights (Dec. 8 -11.)
RATES:
Chile & Argentina - 11 nights /12 days
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double occupancy TBA (around $9000)
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single occupancy TBA (around $10000)
Rates are per person, U.S. Dollars. Program rates include all accommodations, all ground transportation, some meals (see the itinerary), entrance fee for national parks, tango show, Tango lesson.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare ( international & domestic in Chile and Argentina )
Any extra hotel expenses in Santiago or Buenos Aires
Insurance
Patagonia, Chile
Torres del Paine
DAY 1
Transfer from Punta Arenas to our favorite hotel, explora Patagonia.
Start photographing late afternoon at Salto Grande, the spectacular waterfall.
DAY 2
Sunrise shoot:
Wake up early and visit Lake Norgeskjold for the sunrise shoot, trying to capture the changing the color of the mountains with the reflection of the peaks on the water.
Hike to Lago Grey:
Crossing Lake Pehoe by explora’s catamaran boat, we start hiking to Grey Lake and Grey Glacier, trying to capture the massive ice field from top of the hill. At the end of the walk, the boat will pick us up and we can see the glacier up close again.
DAY 3
Base of the Tower:
Full day hike going into the base of three famous Torres Towers, trying to capture an indescribable trifecta of granite peaks.
Alternative program will be prepared for those who skip this hike.
Patagonia, Argentina
El Chalten
DAY 4
Crossing border:
Depart hotel in the morning with our van, our guide will accompany us both in El Chalten and El Calafate, crossing the border and enter the Argentinean side of Patagonia.
Local estancia and Mt. Fitz Roy:
Stop by the local estancia, where we photograph the herd of sheep and have BBQ lunch. Along the way to El Chalten, the stunning view of Mt. Fitz Roy will start showing in a dramatic fashion.
Hotel: Los Cerros, (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 5
National Park:
Driving from the village of El Chalten, we will venture into the northern part of the national park and visit Lake Azul, Lake Verde and some waterfalls.
Deep forest and macro shoot:
Along Las Vueltas River is a dens forest, a perfect place to practice macro photography.
Hotel: Los Cerros, (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 6
Laguna de Los Tres:
Highlight of El Chalten is a full day hike to Laguna de Los Tres. Stunning view of turquoise blue lake with the majestic tower of Mt. Fitz Roy.
Hotel: Los Cerros, (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 7
Sunrise shoot:
Step out of the village, there are various spots to capture the massive mountains with the changing colors of sunrise.
Local life:
Visit another local estancia, either Bonanza or Canigo, we try to document the simple yet tranquil life of legendary gauchos.
Night photography:
Let’s try some star shoot if the weather permits !
Hotel: Los Cerros, (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
El Calafate
DAY 8
Depart early morning and long drive to El Calafate, the center of Los Glaciares National Park. We pass through the magnificent Lago Viedma and Lago Argentina.
Boat ride to gigantic glaciers:
Take a boat ride to Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers, the biggest glaciers in South America.
Hotel: Xelena Hotel & Suites, (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 9
Perito Moreno Glacier:
World famous glacier rises 240 feet high up in front of you. You might be able to witness the huge chunks of ice mass fracture off and crash into the water.
Afternoon, we fly from El Calafate to Buenos Aires. Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Puerto Madero district, a riverfront area which once forgotten, now is the most trendy area with architectural beauty and new city development.
Hotel: Hotel Madero Buenos Aires, (Breakfast, Lunch)
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
DAY 10
Colon Theater:
Let’s start the journey in Buenos Aires by visiting the architectural jewel, Colon Theater. It is one of the most important opera houses in the world with its prestigious history and exceptional acoustics.
La Boca:
Rugged port area, once a birthplace of Tango, is now the popular destination with colorful houses and pedestrian street.
Model shoot with Tango dancers:
We set up professional tango dancers on the narrow cobbled street for the model shoot. Let’s capture their sensual form of dance and incredible passion.
City never sleep:
Night is long in Buenos Aires. Bars and restaurant, shows and clubs…city offers variety of entertainment. We will go to see one of the premier Tango shows.
Hotel: Hotel Madero Buenos Aires, (Breakfast )
DAY 11
San Telmo:
San Telmo is the most attractive neighborhood with colonial houses and local buzz.
Parrilla is religion:
For Porteño (people in Buenos Aires), Parrilla (steak house) is something like religion. Once you choose your favorite, you stay with it whole life… Parrilla experience is something you can’t miss !
You are Tango!:
Tango lesson is another experience you can’t miss in Buenos Aires. The dancers you photograph the day before will teach you in the studio. It’s your show time !
Hotel: Hotel Madero Buenos Aires, (Breakfast )
DAY 12
Leaving hotel late afternoon, flying back home from Buenos Aires.
“The itineraries are subject to modified and changed. We will try all our effort to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur based on the weather and other conditions.”
STAFF:
Our expeditions are led by NY based photographer and Latin America specialist Katsuyoshi Tanaka, who has traveled extensively in Patagonia and Buenos Aires. In addition to Katsuyoshi Tanaka, a bilingual guides will accompany you on each exploration, introducing you the history, flora & fauna, geography and other key features of the area.
TESTIMONIALS:
" This was a masterfully-curated adventure of a lifetime! I am so grateful for your amazing efforts at creating this incredible gift of an opportunity for me and the rest of the group. I loved the chance to experience the different feels and flavors of the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia. Particularly Torres del Paine seems like a secret to the rest of the world and it’s humbling and awe-inspiring to breathe in the fresh Patagonia air and realize the power of nature. And to end the trip with the electricity of Buenos Aires was a spectacular idea! I loved everything about every different tango experience that we had, especially the street shoot and the tango lesson. ”
(Erica Keller, Michigan, USA)
" Great trip! I wouldn’t have included the Buenos Aires portion of the trip for my basic interests in nature and landscape photography, but at the same time I really enjoyed seeing the city and the Tango culture! The city was amazingly European and had incredible architecture (which is also a primary interest of mine). The diversity of trekking in National Park areas (which are my primary interests) contrasted significantly from the big city experience of Buenos Aires. It was a very novel experience and I am glad we did it. ” (David Johnson, Oregon, USA)
"The variety of the photo opportunity was treat through 3 destinations of Chilean Patagonia, Argentinean Patagonia and Buenos Aires. It stimulated creativity and good group interaction!”
(Robert Medesker, Michigan, USA)