Wild Patagonia has touched my heart. When I traveled to this wild, untamed and rugged region in the south of South America for the first time in 2017, my heart was completely taken over within a few days. Never before had I seen such a beautiful, yet harsh and hostile landscape as in the untouched vastness of Patagonia. Ever since my first visit to Patagonia, I have wanted to return.
To return with more time to enjoy the epic landscape and brave the harsh climate. With more patience to take in the stunning motifs and finally capture them with my camera. With my Patagonia photo tour, I am fulfilling this dream and invite you to experience it with me!
Patagonia photo tours – the best of Chile Argentina
Do you love hiking, untouched nature and never leave home without your camera? Then my photo tours to Patagonia are just right for you. Together with my experienced travel agency partner Andean Expeditions Dirninger, I have put together two spectacular trips that leave nothing to be desired. In 20 days, we will explore the southern tip of the South American continent and be mesmerized by the vast landscapes of Chile and Argentina. Nowhere are the panoramas more spectacular, the natural beauty more lavish and the peaks more imposing than in untamed Patagonia.
We will discover huge glaciers, marvel at turquoise-blue lagoons and capture dramatic peaks while the typical wind blows around our noses. On our journey through the foothills of the Andes, we will roam the territories of guanacos and condors and, if we are lucky, we may even spot a puma.
Initially, we only offered one version of the trip, but we have now added a breathtaking trip in the Patagonian autumn to our popular standard trip. While the standard trip focuses on photography as well as hiking in El Chaltén and Los Glaciares National Park and also includes the legendary W-Trekking in Torres del Paine National Park, the autumn trip has an even stronger photographic focus. In addition to landscape photography, the absolute highlight of the fall trip in April 2025 is puma tracking.
But no matter which of my two trips to Patagonia you choose, you are choosing the best Patagonia has to offer! Which of these two trips suits you better depends largely on your personal preferences.
And if you can’t get enough of South America, we will be happy to organize an individual extension for you, for example to the fascinating Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, the impressive Atacama Desert or the mighty waterfalls of Iguazú.
Experience Patagonia with like-minded people
When putting together my Patagonia photo tours, it was important to me to design a comprehensive all-inclusive package with all the highlights that particularly caters to the needs of photographers. Especially in an area like Patagonia, where the weather is unpredictable and changeable, you should allow enough time at the important locations. We will be traveling partly with private and partly with public buses and will always have an expert guide at our side.
Of course, I will also accompany you on the trip and share my photographic knowledge with you. In addition to an introductory lecture on the first evening, I will be on hand with help and advice throughout the trip and support you with any technical uncertainties or questions about your choice of subject and composition. This trip focuses on landscape photography. I will show you how to conjure up exciting effects with the ND- filter or create impressive panoramas and thus duly set the scene for the mighty nature.
Depending on the weather conditions, we will also deal with the basics of astrophotography, because the lonely expanses of Patagonia offer great conditions for fascinating Milky Way photos – if the sky is clear. We will also have the opportunity to photograph interesting animals in their natural environment. Fluffy guanacos, majestic condors and shy Andean jackals live here and make the hearts of wildlife photographers beat faster. The autumn trip also offers the best conditions for puma photography in Torres del Paine.
As usual, I will provide you with a detailed packing list and tips for the right camera equipment in advance . We will be spending a lot of time outdoors and will cover quite a few kilometers on the hikes, so the right equipment is essential for a relaxed and unforgettable trip. On my first trip to Patagonia in February 2017, I was already able to get a good impression of this fascinating region and discover some great photo spots. I am all the more pleased to be able to share these with you now as part of my photography trips.
I have already been to Patagonia 8 times and can call myself a real expert on this region. I have an excellent local network and know every worthwhile photo spot and virtually every stone on the W-Trekking and the hikes in El Chaltén. You can now profit from this knowledge and fully concentrate on enjoying the breathtaking scenery!
The best of Patagonia – at a sensational price!
So how much does this dream trip to the most beautiful end of the world cost? South America has long ceased to be a cheap destination and Patagonia in particular is very expensive. That’s why I’m particularly pleased that we can offer both versions of the Patagonia photo tour at a really fair price.
I almost dare to bet that you won’t find a comparable offer with so many highlights and a similarly personalized service with any other provider! On our photo tour through Patagonia, we cover all the important highlights in Chile and Argentina and have deliberately planned enough time so that we remain flexible with regard to the weather and thus have the best chance of taking unforgettable photos.
What does the Patagonia photo tour cost?
Our photo tour through Patagonia is available in the standard version from just € 4,499,- (approx. US $ 4,759,-) per person in a double room (for 9-10 participants). We can organize the trip for groups of 6 to 8 people, in which case the price is € 4,849 per person (approx. US $ 5,149,-) in a double room (US $ 390,- small group surcharge for 6-8 participants). In order to be able to offer single travelers a good price, “shared double rooms” are available on request, i.e. two travelers of the same sex can share a room and thus avoid the single room surcharge. Of course, single rooms are also possible, in which case the supplement is a fair € 650,- (approx. US $ 700,-) per person.
The tour price includes mid-range standard accommodation with breakfast (tent full board during the W-Trekking), all transfers, 3 domestic flights, 3 boat trips, local guides and photographic support throughout the trip. Not included are all other meals and the international flight as well as extra activities (e.g. glacier walk, tango show), souvenirs and any visa costs (please note: US-citizens do not require a visa for Argentina and Chile).
The fall trip costs € 5,599,- (approx. US $ 6,100,-) per person in a double room. The higher price is due to the puma tracking and the 6 nights full board in the Torres del Paine National Park (Rio Serrano Village). Single rooms are only available on request on this trip due to the shortage of rooms in Torres del Paine.
Travel dates Patagonia photo tour 2025
The next dates for the Patagonia photo tours workshops are:
New trip “Autumn colors in Pumaland” 29 March to 19 April 2025 from € 5.599,- / US $ 6,100,- per person
Photography and hiking trip “Wild Patagonia” November 01 to November 22, 2025 from € 4,499,- / US $ 4,759,- per person
Please note: The fall trip (travel period April) has a different itinerary and includes 2 days of puma tracking and 6 nights full board in Torres del Paine National Park, hence the higher price. You can download the detailed itinerary as a PDF here!
To register for the photo tour Patagonia, please fill out the booking form at the bottom of this page carefully. As soon as the minimum number of participants (6 per date) is reached, I will contact you with the next steps.
Please note that both travel organization and payment will be handled by my travel agency partner Andean Expeditions.
Photo tour Patagonia – The itinerary in detail (Standard trip, next date 11/2025. Itinerary fall trip 04/2025 see PDF)
(Legend: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner)
Argentina: Buenos Aires Los Glaciares National Park
Day 0 (Nov 1, 2025): Departure from the US (the international flight is booked individually)
Day 1 (Nov 2, 2025): Arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina and transfer to the hotel. Free time and rest. In the evening we will meet at the hotel for a welcome get-together, Q A and an introductory lecture on the basics of landscape photography. Afterwards, those who wish may join for dinner in a genuine Argentinian steakhouse in the trendy district of San Telmo.
Day 2 (Nov 3, 2025): Today we have a full day to get to know the vibrant metropolis of Buenos Aires. In the morning, we will explore the most important Buenos Aires sights together with our English-speaking guide. The afternoon is at leisure and is ideal for an individual city tour. How about a detour to the impressive “Ateneo Grand Splendid” bookshop or a coffee in the famous Café Tortoni? A guided tour of the Teatro Colón or a visit to the Palacio Barolo are also worthwhile. In the evening, we can organize a visit to an impressive tango show on request (not included in the tour price, approx. US $ 85 incl. 3-course dinner). (B)
Day 3 (Nov 4, 2025): We set off early for the South and fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate in Argentina, where we have the rest of the day at leisure. El Calafate is located next to the turquoise-blue Lago Argentino and is considered the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. An excursion tip in the immediate vicinity of the hotel is Laguna Nimez, where numerous bird species can be observed and photographed.
Tonight we will enjoy a typical local barbecue “Cordero al Asador” in a cozy atmosphere (3 courses incl. drinks, not included in the tour price, US $ 70,- /person). My good friend Diego prepares a locally reared lamb for us on his barbecue in the garden of his home and also shows us how to make real Argentinian empanadas. (B)
Day 4 (Nov 5, 2025): Today, we look forward to visiting the first major highlight of this trip. Accompanied by our local guide, we travel from El Calafate through the Patagonian steppe to Los Glaciares National Park, where the mighty Perito Moreno glacier awaits us. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that does not retreat, but advances by about one meter every day. Due to the tension in the ice field, large blocks of ice repeatedly break off at the break-off edge and fall into the lake with a huge rumble. This phenomenon is also known as glacier calving.
We will observe and photograph the spectacle from various viewpoints and also take a boat trip on Lago Argentino alongside the Northern wall of Perito Moreno. (B)
Day 5 (Nov 6, 2025): After breakfast, transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén. The journey takes around three hours, but depending on the weather, various photo stops are planned along the way. With a bit of luck, the legendary peaks of Cerro Torre and the Fitz Roy massif will be visible on the way. El Chaltén is considered an absolute hiking mecca in Argentina and is the starting point for many spectacular tours around the Fitz Roy mountain.
If you like, you can hike to the viewpoints “Mirador Condores” and “Aguilas” today and enjoy the view over the town and the surrounding peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. And who knows, maybe you’ll even spot a mighty condor during this hike? (B)
Days 6-8 (Nov to Nov 9, 2025): Stay in El Chaltén. We have three full days for hiking and photography. The program includes tours to the classic Laguna de los Tres on day 6 or day 7 long exposures photography at the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall. We will also try to photograph the Fitz Roy massif from various vantage points in the morning light or at sunset (depending on the weather). Other recommended tours in El Chaltén are the hike to Laguna Torre at the foot of Cerro Torre and the scenic climb to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado.
Return to El Calafate in the late afternoon of day 8, leaving enough time for photography and another hike in the morning. (B)
Day 9 (Nov 10, 2025): After breakfast at our hotel, transfer from El Calafate to Punta Bandera and a full day excursion to the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers. With a width of 13 kilometers, the Upsala Glacier is the third largest glacier in South America. The Spegazzini Glacier, on the other hand, is impressive with its walls that stand up to 100 meters high. We will travel by boat through the mystical fjord landscape and take a short hike in the national park before enjoying magnificent views of the eastern face of the mighty glacier and the lightning-blue icebergs. Depending on which provider we are traveling with, we may also visit the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier again. (B)
Chile: Torres del Paine National Park Punta Arenas
Day 10 (Nov 11, 2025): After breakfast, we take the public bus to Puerto Natales in Chile. But don’t worry, the buses are comfortable and the journey is easy to endure. The border formalities are usually completed quickly. In the evening, we still have time to explore the small town or try the local fish specialties. Depending on the weather, pictures of the sunset at the old pier are also a good idea. Overnight stay in a centrally located hotel in Puerto Natales. (B)
Day 11 (Nov 12, 2025): Today, we embark on a special highlight of this photo tour. We will travel by boat through the “Seno de la última Esperanza” (Last Hope’s Fjord) deeper and deeper into the Patagonian mountain landscape of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park and enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. We take photos from the boat and also head out on a short hike.
We cover the last stretch on the Rio Serrano in a speedy Zodiac before a private bus takes us to our simple accommodation at the turquoise-colored Lago Pehoé in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park. With a bit of luck, we will experience a spectacular sunset this evening. (B)
Start of the great hike through the Torres del Paine National Park
Day 12 (Nov 13, 2025): After a hopefully unforgettable sunrise and a hearty breakfast, it’s time to lace up our hiking boots today, as the first stage of the world-famous W trek in Torres del Paine National Park is on the cards. Beforehand, we will visit the impressive Salto Grande waterfall, a real highlight of the national park. We will also take a photo of the famous boardwalk at the legendary Explora Hotel and stop at the Puente Weber viewpoint.
Afterwards, our transfer will take us to the hotel at Lago Grey, where we will take a boat trip to see the massive ice field of the Grey Glacier up close. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely hike to the Refugio Paine Grande (11 km, approx. 4 hours without photo stops), where our tents (alternatively two shared 6-bed rooms) are already waiting for us. (B, D)
Day 13 (Nov 14, 2025): On the 2nd day of the W- trek we have a long leg ahead of us. After breakfast, we walk with our guide from Refugio Paine Grande to Campo Italiano (approx. 7.5 kilometers, 2.5 hours). Here we can take a detour into the Valle Frances, from where one can enjoy wonderful views, weather permitting (approx. 5 kilometers, 2.5 hours). We can store our luggage temporarily at the Italiano ranger station. We then continue to the Los Cuernos mountain hut (approx. 5.5 kilometers, 2 hours), where we will spend the night in a tent again. Of course, we will also take enough time to photograph the magnificent landscape during this hike. (B, L, D)
Day 14 (Nov 15, 2025): The third stage takes us along a picturesque route through forests and valleys to Campo Chileno (approx. 11 kilometers, 4 hours), where we will spend the night tonight. If you still have energy and are motivated, you can climb up to the three towers today (approx. 9 km, 2.5 hours) and enjoy a spectacular sunset there. However, I recommend a hot shower and an early dinner to be prepared for the next day. (B,L,D)
Day 15 (Nov 16, 2025): The fourth and final stage of the W trek takes us to the world-famous Torres del Paine (approx. 9 km, 2.5 hours) early in the morning. We will get up very early today (between 2 and 3 am), as the morning light at sunrise lends the granite towers a special magic. The last section is a steep climb, but the view at the top makes up for all the effort.
We soak up the energy of the place and take plenty of time to take photos before heading back to camp and finally to the Welcome Center, where our bus is already waiting for us. On the way back to Puerto Natales, we will stop at a few photo spots worth seeing, such as Laguna Amarga, the impressive Cascada Paine waterfall and the picturesque Laguna Azul. Then it’s time to leave the national park for good and drive back to Puerto Natales. If you feel like it, you can join us for a quick dinner, otherwise you can relax at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 16 (Nov 17, 2025): If the weather is suitable and the motivation is there, there is an opportunity to photograph the sunrise at the old pier today. After breakfast, we have another transfer day ahead of us. We take the public bus to Punta Arenas. The ride takes around 3.5 hours. In the afternoon, we can explore the town or take it easy to recover from the strenuous trekking and reflect on the experiences of the last few days. Punta Arenas is the capital of the region and boasts some interesting museums, a cemetery worth seeing and excellent restaurants. (B)
Day 17 (Nov 18, 2025): In the morning, an excursion to Isla Magdalena is planned (depending on the weather!). During the tour we will cross the Strait of Magellan and visit a large penguin colony. The clumsy birds are always a great photo opportunity and we have an hour to take pictures of them and watch them interacting.
In the afternoon, we take a short flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt, which promises magnificent views of the Patagonian ice field and the peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, if the weather is good.
Finish in the Chilean lake region
In Puerto Montt, we will visit the picturesque fishing port (depends on the flight schedule!) before continuing on to Puerto Varas, where we will check into our hotel. Behind the town, you can already see the snow-covered peak of the mighty Osorno volcano, which we will explore and photograph while on a tour the next day. (B)
Day 18 (Nov 19, 2025): To round off our Patagonia photo tour, we will take a hike by the Osorno volcano and enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside. We will also stop at a spectacular waterfall “Saltos del Petrohué” and take a short boat trip on Lago Todos Los Santos. We will spend the last night back in Puerto Varas and have dinner at a renowned local fish restaurant (B).
Day 19 (Nov 20, 2025): Today it’s finally time to say goodbye to Patagonia. After a well-earned breakfast, we take the plane to Santiago de Chile, the capital of Chile. Three fantastic weeks lie behind us and we travel back home with lots of indelible memories and, of course, great photos of the most beautiful end of earth.
Please note: As most return flights do not depart until Friday, one night in a centrally located hotel in Santiago de Chile is included in the trip fee, but no excursion program. On request, I can organize a dinner together at the end of the trip. (B)
Day 20 (Nov 21, 2025): Individual journey home from Santiago de Chile to the USA / Europe or individual extension.
Day 21 (Nov 22, 2025): Arrival in Europe / USA.
What is included in the Patagonia photo tour (standard tour)?
- 16 overnight stays with breakfast in good middle-class hotels. Other meals as specified.
- 3 nights in a tent with full board during the W-Trekking
- 3 domestic flights: Buenos Aires – El Calafate | Punta Arenas – Puerto Montt | Puerto Montt – Santiago de Chile
- 5 boat trips on Lago Argentino/ Perito Moreno, the Upsala Glacier, the Fjord of Last Hope, the Grey Glacier and Lago Todos los Santos.
- Excursion to the Magellan penguins near Punta Arenas
- City tour in Buenos Aires
- All transfers (mostly private, 2x by public bus)
- Entrance fees to the national parks
- Local Guides
- Lecture on landscape photography and photography support throughout the trip.
What is NOT included in the Patagonia photo tour?
- International flight (USA – Buenos Aires | Santiago de Chile – USA)
- All meals and drinks not mentioned in the tour description
- Tango show in Buenos Aires (approx. US $ 85,-)
- Authentic barbecue (approx. US $ 70,-)
- Insurance (we recommend an international health insurance, as well as a travel cancellation insurance)
- Any vaccinations (no special vaccinations are required for Patagonia)
- Any costs for visas (US citizens do not need a visa for Argentina and Chile)
- Souvenirs and other personal expenses
- Tips for local guides, drivers tour leader
What camera equipment do I need to take part in the trip?
First of all: The trip is open to everyone, even non-photographers or smartphone photographers are welcome to take part, as long as they can be patient when the other participants are taking their photos! It goes without saying that photography is the main focus of this trip and we will take plenty of time for it.
I will do my best to ensure that you significantly improve your photography skills during this trip! To get the most out of your stay in Patagonia, I recommend the following equipment:
- A camera that allows manual settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed).
- A standard zoom that covers a focal length range from a slight wide-angle to a slight telephoto. Reason: we have to reduce our luggage on the hikes and this also applies to our photographic equipment. With full-frame cameras, for example, we are talking about a 24 – 120 mm lens, with APC this would be approx. 16 – 85 mm focal length. On the autumn trip, a telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 400 mm is also necessary for puma photography.
- Filters: Polarizing filters, ND- filters (ND 64 and ND 1000) and UV filters (to protect the lens) for the standard lens mentioned above should not be missing in your camera bag! Make sure you buy round filters with the right thread size! If you like, you can also take graduated neutral density filters (GND) with you.
- Lens hoods for all lenses
- A cleaning set with bellows, brush and cleaning cloths
- A lightweight tripod for ND- filter, long exposure and night sky photography or a gorilla pod.
- At least one spare battery, preferably two (this is especially important for users of mirrorless cameras with electronic viewfinders!)
- A remote shutter release for long exposures (alternatively, your camera’s self-timer will do)
- A power bank for charging during the trek
- Sufficient memory cards (I recommend several 32GB, 64 GB or 128 GB cards)
- A sturdy camera bag or rucksack. Lens cases that can be packed in a waterproof bag in your hiking rucksack are suitable for hiking. I personally use the F-Stop Gear system and am very happy with this combination of camera and hiking backpack.
If you are not afraid of extra kilos on your back, bring the following items with you:
- A fast wide-angle lens (< f/2.8) for night sky shots
- A telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 200mm for wildlife
- A fast fixed focal length lens for street photography in Buenos Aires.
Note: During the trekking in Torres del Paine National Park, it is possible to store some of your luggage and equipment at the hotel in Puerto Natales!
If you would like to purchase a filter or two before your photo trip to Patagonia, you can use my discount code “NOWNISI” at nisioptics.at to get a 5% discount on your purchase and free shipping to Austria and Germany* (only applies to customers from Austria and Germany).
Not sure if this trip to the most beautiful end of the world is for you or if you have enough photography experience? Just send me an email and we can talk about it. In any case, this trip is all about the joy of photography and the love for nature, you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy this photo workshop in Patagonia to the fullest!
Photo gallery Patagonia
Because pictures say more than a thousand words, I’m showing you a selection of the best pictures from past Patagonia photo trips and my private stays between 2017 and 2024. The weather is of course an important and unpredictable factor, but as you can see, my participants and I were usually very lucky while traveling through the most beautiful end of the world!
About your trip leader:
Lisa has been working intensively with digital photography since 2008. In recent years, she has attended countless courses and workshops and has also expanded her knowledge through self-study on numerous trips around the world. She also completed a 2-semester diploma course in photography in 2020/21.
In 2014, she started this travel blog together with her brother Philipp, initially with the idea of having a platform to share her travel photos with friends and family. Over time, however, the part-time blog imprintmytravel.com developed into one of the most successful Austrian travel blogs, which now has over 50,000 page views per month and is growing rapidly.
Lisa has been organizing and leading photography workshops all around the world since 2019.
About the travel agency partner:
Andean Expeditions Dirninger S.A.
Represented by the Austrian Michael Dirninger and his Bolivian team. Michael’s fascination with South America began about 15 years ago on a trip through this unique continent. Since then, it has never let him go! Michael knows the world-famous cultural highlights and natural spectacles that you have to see on a trip to South America.
And he also knows the secret places, off the beaten tourist track, that you should visit if you really want to experience South America in all its diversity. He also loves photography himself and is aware of what is important on a tour tailored to photographers.
http://www.andean-expeditions.com
Video of the photo tour Patagonia 2022
Photos are not enough? Here is a comprehensive impression of the Patagonia photo tour in November 2022, filmed with an Iphone 11 Pro and the Nikon Z7ii.
Are you convinced?
I’m already incredibly excited and can’t wait to travel to Patagonia with you to show you my favorite place and take pictures together. I am aware that booking a trip is a matter of trust, so transparency and openness are of utmost importance to us. If you have any questions or concerns or if something is unclear, please send me an email and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Book a Patagonia photo tour now
New date “Autumn colors in Pumaland” (5 of 8 spots available): March 29 to April 19, 2025
New date “Wild Patagonia” (8 of 10 spots available): November 1 to November 22, 2025
To register for the trip, please fill out the form below carefully and indicate in the comment field for which date you are registering. If you have any questions in advance, please feel free to contact me by email or phone (What’s App, Facetime for international calls).
As soon as the minimum number of participants per date has been reached, we will inform all participants and ask for confirmation. Andean Expeditions will only send the invoice after confirmation by all participants. To secure the spot, a deposit of 20% of the tour price is due.
The remaining amount must be credited to the account indicated in the booking confirmation no later than 21 days before the start of the tour. You can pay by credit card or bank transfer on our booking platform. The general terms and conditions of the travel agency partner apply.
