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Patagonia Spring Photo Safari
Unknown Patagonia & Torres del Paine
with Linda Waidhofer
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Two back-to-back springtime (Southern hemisphere spring, that is.) Photo Safaris to Patagonia will be led by internationally known landscape photographer Linde Waidhofer Photographers can participate in either part, or, hopefully, both. We will begin in central Patagonia, a region of temperate turquoise lakes, tumbling crystal rivers, and magnificent forests of native beech trees. And of course, an extravagant display of wildflowers. Then, for part two of this Spring Photo Safari, we fly further south to Punta Arenas, to visit the spectacular mountainscapes of the Torres del Paine National Park.
Although Patagonia is wild, pristine and dramatic, we won't be roughing it. Wonderful local food and Chilean wine, the best local accommodations, and four-wheel drive transportation, are all included.
This trip demands a certain commitment, spending over two weeks photographing is always intense, and flying to the ends of the earth makes it even a bigger commitment. But, Patagonia is one of the most exciting destinations on the planet for landscape photography. We hope you can join us!
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Patagonia Spring Photo Safari - Itinerary
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Part One:
"Unknown Patagonia" the beech forests, rivers, lakes and wildflowers of central Patagonia.
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Day 1 (Wednesday, Dec 1):
Arrive at Coyhaique’s airport, at the nearby town of Balmaceda, by air from Santiago, Chile’s capital. Transfer to Coyhaique, the capital of Chilean Patagonia, and our hotel. Evening orientation with Linde and our local guide Cado Avenali.
Day 2 (Thursday, Dec 2):
A warm-up day, in the form of a day-trip photo excursion from Coyhaique, to some of the nearby alpine lakes and the best wildflower sites in the immediate Coyhaique region.
Day 3 (Friday, Dec 3):
A long round-trip excursion from Coyhaique, first down the Rio Simpson, then up the Rio Mañihuales valley, and over a varied mountainscape to Nirrihuao, past the Valley of the Moon and back to Coyhaique. We spend another night in Coyhaique.
Day 4 (Saturday, Dec 4):
Today we head south for the beautiful shorelines of the second largest lake in South America, Lago Carrera, driving and photographing along the Carretera Austral or southern highway — in reality, a narrow but well maintained dirt road that winds past glaciated peaks, over several passes, and along two stunning rivers, the Rio Ibañez and the Rio Murta before reaching the lake. Night in Puerto Tranquilo.
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Day 5 (Sunday, Dec 5):
Starting from Tranquilo we explore up the Rio Exploradores valley, photographing wildflowers along the banks of the river, and weather permitting, the hanging glaciers above, Normally at this time of year the native yellow lupine is out in all its glory. Returning to Puerto Tranquilo in the afternoon, we visit the amazing Cavernas de Mármol (or Marble Caves) formations in that lake by boat. Then we continue south and east around the lake, to spend the night at the Patagonia Baker Lodge, above the clear turquoise water of the river Baker.
Day 6 (Monday, Dec 6):
Today we photograph along the rio Baker. In the evening we drive back to Lago Carrera, and check into Terra Luna, a lovely European-style lodge near the village of Puerto Guadal.
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Day 7 (Tuesday Dec 7):
Today, and the next two days we will photograph along the shores of this amazing giant lake, Actual choices will depend on the weather (Patagonian weather is often fast changing) but will include a drive east along the southern shore of Lago Carrera toward Chile Chico along a dramatic cliff-hung road, and a photographic exploration of nearby waterfalls and beech forests.
Day 8 (Wednesday, Dec 8):
Another day exploring and shooting from our base at Terra Luna. The three days we are based at this lakeside lodge will also give us ample time to review digital photos on our laptops, leading to in-depth critiques and discussions.
Day 9 (Thursday, Dec 9):
Our final day working along the lake from our base at Terra Luna. Our final evening here will feature a traditional Gaucho asado or barbeque
Day 10 (Friday, Dec 10):
A long but leisurely day retracing our steps to Coyhaique, that will allow us to photograph many of our favorite wildflower and scenic locations at differing times of day.
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Part Two:
World famous Patagonia:
the granite spires
and glaciers of
the Torres del Paine.
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Day 11 (Saturday, Dec 11):
Basically a transportation day. Today our group flies on south, to Punta Arenas, the capital of Chile's 12th region, right next to the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego.
Day 12 (Sunday, Dec 12):
From Punta Arenas we drive north by van, pausing for a fresh seafood lunch in Puerto Natales, to arrive at the Torres del Paine in the afternoon. Check into the Hosteria Grey on the shores of Lago Grey.
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Day 13 (Monday, Dec 13):
A second night at the Hosteria Grey
Day 14 (Tuesday, Dec 14):
Today we head for the other side of the park, an area well known for its wildlife, especially guanacos and foxes that often seem to want to pose just beneath the most dramatic peaks. We spend the night at the Hosteria Los Torres.
Day 15 (Wednesday, Dec 15):
Another day exploring and photographing the vistas of peaks and lakes in the northern and central zones of the Park. A second night at the Hosteria Los Torres.
Day 16 (Thursday, Dec 16):
Today, we once more change our base of operations, moving to the Hosteria Pehoe, a classic hotel on a small island (reached by a footbridge) in Lago Pehoe, directly beneath the Cuernos or "Horns" of Paine.
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Day 17 (Friday, Dec 17):
After a last dawn shoot, of the Cuernos above Lago Pehoe, we pack up and head for Punta Arenas. An all day trip to be sure, with more opportunities to photograph on the shores of Bitter Lake (Lago Amargo) as well as abundant wildlife, birds and dramatic beech forests en route to Punta Arenas
Day 18 (Saturday, Dec 18):
Departure by air from Punta Arenas.
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