Patagonia
The land of Ice and Fire
Adventure Photo Tour 24-31 March
Horseback Tour 31st March - 2d April
Why Patagonia?
The moment I stepped on the historical ground at the airport of Puerto Natales on my first trip to Patagonia, the major parts of myself - a photographer, a travel writer and an adventure seeker were exalted over its majestic landscape and eternal feeling of freedom in which I stayed emerged the whole journey. The life-changing experiences I lived through in Patagonia couldn’t be fully felt through photos and stories, I noticed, so I came up with a goal of bringing a small and special group of people along - and providing them an opportunity to see this wild land and let it change them from the inside - through visiting local ranches and learning about gaucho’s lifestyle, through being challenged by saw-toothed mountains and going on hikes at sunrises, through getting to know unique nature of the region and taking photographs which will become life-lasting memories and stories, through tasting local wines while star-gazing at night by the bonfire in a group of like-minded folks, through hauling gales, sun-kissed top-hills, dry fawn pampas, free-running criollo horses and so many more discoveries which are awaiting you on the way.
Together with a licensed guide and a talented photographer herself Elena Bam we have created a tailored tour through chilean Patagonia which would suit both photographers and travel enthusiasts, who seek not only for a great adventure - but for an experience which would forge their spirit, bond them with Nature and inner roots of themselves and enrich their memory box with some precious mind-blowing moments.
Main activities on the tour:
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Photo Workshops (practical shoots every day + master classes from Zhenya Swan
and Lena Bam, 1 editing session)
Puma Trekking
Gourmet Tasting
Wildlife Sighting
SPA and Sauna
General Information:
Overall trip duration - 8 days / 7 nights
Accommodation - 3 to 4 star beautiful hotels with scenic views / spa / lecture area
Group size - minimum 6, maximum 8 people
More Q&A find here
Meet the Team
The tour is led by 2 inspiring photographers and travellers who have roamed the world and now are ready to share their experiences with others.
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International photographer, Travel Writer and EntrepreneurZhenya is an international travel, hotel, lifestyle and commercial photographer and travel writer who has hosted photography workshops in more than 10 countries and who’s work has been published in Conde Nast Traveler, Elle Voyage, Vogue Brides and other renowned magazines. She has partnered with major camera brands, such as Leica, Sony and Canon. On the tour she will be your photographer guide and mentor helping to bring the beauty of Patagonia to your camera screens and reveal the beauty around through her unique vision. Zhenya speaks fluent English and German.
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Travel and Horse Photographer, Licensed Guide, EquestrianLena has been travelling the world for many years as a director of photography before she settled in Patagonia 3 years ago and and became a licensed photographic tour guide in the region. She has led many groups to the most scenic areas of the region. Being passionate about gaucho lifestyle, she is also an experienced horseback leader and horse photographer selling her prints to clients worldwide. Lena speaks fluent Spanish and English.
8 Day Itinerary
8 Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to Puerto Natales
24th of March. We arrive to Puerto Natales, the closest airport to the Torres del Paine national park in Chile (1,5h drive). After you check-in at the hotel in Puerto Natales, you may adjust yourself a little, take a decent nap after the long journey or explore the surroundings of the town. The recommended time of arrival is around 1 p.m. – shuttle from the airport to the hotel will be organised at 1 p.m. Later we meet each other for dinner at the local restaurant, get to know each other in person and talk through the possible details answer your questions while having a glass of local chilean wine and having the first bites of traditional cuisine. The night will be spent at a cozy hotel with a rooftop mountain view.
Day 2
Estancia la Peninsula
25th of March. We get up early in the morning at 6 am, have quick breakfast at the hotel and head out by 7 am to a boat which will take us to the Peninsula, where we going to spend the whole day. We meet the sunrise over the mountains on the boat and after about an hour arrive to the ranch. First we drink some coffee and explore the ranch, have an excursion around, learn about holistic farming and gaucho’s lifestyle, visit stables and facilities and then by 9-30 - 10 am we will have a few models organised for us who we will shoot with the horses. Zhenya Swan will be leading the shoots and helping participants to get the best shots. At around 1 pm a gourmet lunch from local ingredients will be served in a traditional dining room with a panorama view to the mountains. After lunch the tacked up horses will be waiting for us and we will start a 2,5 hour horseback tour to the most scenic views. The ride is suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders, but it is not obligatory to join, if you decide to stay at the ranch and enjoy some time there. After the ride we will have some more free time to shoot in the nice evening light and by 18-30 pm the boat will be waiting for the group and bring everyone back to Puerto Natales, where we will dine at the same hotel where we will be staying. During dinner we will discuss the shoots and exchange the reflections on the day.
Day 3-7
Exploring Torres del Paine
26th - 30t of March. Over the next three days we will explore the spectacular landscape of Torres del Paine National Park together. Mighty granite cliffs, noisy waterfalls and turquoise-blue lakes create an unique composition that makes every photographer's dream come true. We start our days with delicious breakfasts. In the early morning we leave the hotel together in order to be able to capture the nearby landscape in the most beautiful light just in time for the sunrise. Depending on a weather forecast (it is very unpredictable in this area) we will choose daily activities and places to explore a few days prior, but this what we plan to do:
- explore and enjoy Lake Pehoe and its surroundings including a relaxing picnic by the lake. The lake is known for its brilliant turquoise blue glacial water and spectacular view to the saw-toothed mountains;
- a day visit to sustainable ranch Estancia Sierra Guido with an excursion to the ranch, possibility to shoot the ranch and the horses with a spectacular view, delicious lunch and 1,5 hour walk (alternatively - a horseback ride at an additional cost) in an nearby are. We will shoot gauchos at work, the stables, a process of working with a sheep and the ranch itself with numerous photogenic details and scenes;
- 2-3 moderate hikes in the park with the most iconic views (hikes to Nordenskjold lake, Mirador Cuernos view point and the dead forest on the way, Condor lookout South Trail);
- Day puma trekking with a professional tracker and additional animal sighting where we can find foxes, condors, guanacos and other wild animals of Patagonia;
- sunset shoot at the Explora Hotel viewpoint;
- relaxing in Rio Serrano hotel panorama pool and spa area
- Visiting Laguna Amarga with salty edges and high chances to see pink flamingos feeding
- All the activities will be shot by me and Lena and you will get a personal online gallery with 150-200 professional photos from the trip in high resolution. Here is the example of the gallery;
Day 8
Departure
On the 31st of March after breakfast we are going to check out from the hotel and those who end the trip will be taken to the airport of Puerto Natales by transfer and those who join on a 3-day horseback tour, will be picked up at the hotel reception at 10 am be driven to Rio Serrano. The 3 day horseback tour is developed for experienced riders and include a 3 day program in the remote and picturesque area of Sierra Baguales. The full description and itinerary is written below.
Gallery March 2021
Horseback 3-day tour in iIerra Baguales
Horseback 3-day tour in iIerra Baguales
March 31
Arrival to Sierra Baguales
Leaving from Rio Serrano at 10 am and driving to Baguales Glamping, which is situated on the Northern side of Torres del Paine, right next to the border of Argentina. Upon arrival we will be greeted by a welcome drink and Javier, the owner of the glamping. After checking in at our exclusive domes with panorama windows, we will have warm lunch and then off to meet the horses. We will start then a 3-4 hour ride which includes scenic places of Sierra Baguales unique region and a stop for shooting sunset. After the ride we are headed back to the glamping and have cozy dinner with some wine included. At night we practice some night photography if weather conditions allow.
April 1st
Exploring Sierra Baguales
Getting up, having hot breakfast with aromatic coffee or tea and getting out to prepare the horses. Leaving the camp at 9 am for a 6-7 hour ride. Exploring the untamed, wild landscapes of Sierra Baguales which remind of scenes from westerns or adventure movies. We will have prepared lunch in an old Puesto, a place where the gaucho (Patagonian cowboy) lives during his working days. After plenty of galloping and exploring the most remote areas, we will get back to the camp where traditional lamb on grill is being cooked for us (for vegetarians we will have plenty grilled vegetables). In the evening we will be seating outside around the bonfire, having some drinks, sharing stories and also shooting the night sky if the weather allows.
April 2s
Sunrise ride and departure
We will get up very early at around 6 am and start a 2-hour ride to meet the sunrise from some mountain tops from where the whole valley can be seen in its unprecedented beauty. Zhenya will take photos of the group and some individual styled portraits (possibly with a model). After the ride we get back to the camp, have hot breakfast, pack and drive back to Puerto Natales / Airport.
8 day tour package
Includes:
Two professional photo guides.
Breakfasts and 2 dinners (first and last)
2 Gourmet lunches at ranches
Professional driver services
Professional licensed local guide services
Transportation in a bus, all transfers included
Organised photoshoots and models
2 master classes from Zhenya Swan and Lena Bam
Accommodation in most amazing Patagonia hotels. Rooms with private bathrooms.
All national parks entrance fees
11 day tour package
This package includes everything from an 8-day package + offers a 3 day (2 nights) horseback tour on top (31.03. - 2.04) in a less travelled but incredibly beautiful Sierra Baguales area (around 3 hours from Torres del Paine) with exclusive accommodation in glamping domes, outdoor grill evenings, practicing night photography and scenic horse-back day rides where you unveil the unprecedented beauty of this region and join on a once in a lifetime adventure!
* If you are only interested in a horse-back tour, please fill out a form below and we will calculate all the costs for you individually.
* Only for experienced riders.
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