2026 FALL PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR IN PATAGONIA
EXPERIENCE THE MOST DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN PEAKS ON EARTH FROM BOTH CHILE AND ARGENTINA IN THIS SOUTH AMERICAN PARADISE
APRIL 7 - 16, 2026
Located at the tip of South America between Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is often referred to as “Land’s End” and showcases some of the most dramatic interplays of jagged mountain peaks, waterfalls, fjords, turquoise lakes, and deep glacial crevasses in the world! Fall is a great time to visit as it is the end of tourist season and the vibrant colors of the Lenga trees fill the landscape as they’re leaves start to turn. Imagine yourself wandering the forested slopes and hillsides here surrounded by red and orange bonsai looking trees when through it all you get a glimpse of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy. Moving further along, the view opens up and there you are looking at the full mountain range in all its stunning beauty that you’ll sweat had to be sculpted by the hand of the gods themselves.
This workshop is designed for everyone without strenuous hikes, yet remaining accessible to many of the most coveted landscape vistas for nature photography on both sides of the border. The light and weather patterns here create some spectacular conditions that can be a bit challenging. But when it all comes together with this backdrop of the most ruggedly beautiful peaks on earth, it will be hard not to be in total awe with your jaw on the floor.
On this 10 day and 9 night Photography Workshop all lodging and transportation is included. Our accommodations are adjacent to the parks and will give the opportunity for spectacular and unique drone photography right from the hotel property. We have partnered up with excellent local guides and each day our group will be led to some of the most iconic locations as well as some off the beaten path. Throughout the experience you will be provided with expert instruction on how best to capture the light and interesting compositions with your camera. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune your photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping students create a portfolio of images they are excited and proud of is priority number one on all of our workshops. One thing is certain for our visit to Patagonia: you will be blown away by the mountains, landscape, and fall colors. And we will do everything possible to help you take home photographs that do this incredible place justice.
INSTRUCTORS: CHRIS BYRNE & TY LEKKI
GROUP SIZE: 10 PARTICIPANTS
COST: $8250 (Double Occupancy) / Single Room Supplement $1500
INCLUDED: All Transportation and Lodging for 9 Nights
DEPOSIT: A 35% deposit is required to secure a spot. A second 35% payment is due 180 days in advance with the final 30% balance due 120 days prior to workshop.
ITINERARY
Participants should plan your travel to arrive no later than 2PM on April 7, 2026 in Punta Arenas, where you will be received at the airport and transported to our hotel. Later this evening, we will gather for a welcome dinner and go over logistics and more detailed plans for the days to come. The following day on March 23 after breakfast we will begin our 6-hour journey to majestic Torres del Paine National Park in Chile where we will stay deep in the park’s interior at our luxurious lodge offering panoramic views of Torres del Paine National Park. This stunning location will be homebase for the next 3 days as our expedition takes us to a myriad of photographic locations such as Pehoe Lake, Mirador Condor, Paine Towers, Salt Grande, Laguna Amara, Glacier Grey and more.
Following our time in Chile we will then cross over the border transferring to the Argentina side staying in the quaint village of El Chalten and our beautiful accommodations. This drive will take approximately 7-8 hours, including the border crossing, and on our arrival we’ll be on the doorstep of the breathtaking jagged peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre! Over the next 4 days we will visit our favorite photography locations, showcasing the rugged beauty of these snow-capped peaks. Locations on the itinerary include the picturesque Chorillo del Salto waterfall, panoramic overlooks such as Los Condores and Las Aguilas and many other photographic gems.
On day 9 of our adventure we will move on to El Calafate and visit the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier in the afternoon, and then to our hotel and dinner in the evening. This will be the last night of the tour and participants should plan to fly home the following day on April 16, 2026 after 10am from El Calafate airport.
Important Notes: Dates may shift slightly (by 1-2 days) depending on availability of local guides and hotels.
Please DO NOT book flights until we have confirmed with you the date of the trip. You will fly into Punta Arenas, Chile for this workshop and back home out of El Calafate, Argentina. Your flight from El Calafate should connect in Buenos Aires. Flight suggestions will be provided at a later date.
USEFUL INFO / PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
This workshop if for everyone and the physical difficulty will be easy to moderate. Any hikes are optional and there will be great locations close to our vehicles. However, it is important for participants to be in good physical health and able to hike a couple miles with camera gear.
Participants are responsible for their own travel to Puntas Arenas, Chile and from El Calafate, Argentina and must have a valid passport to do so. Temperatures this time of year can vary drastically (40F - 60F), and extremely high winds are typical which can make the temperature much colder. Rain, sleet and snow are also a possibility, therefore it is crucial that you come prepared with the proper gear to be comfortable in the elements. We have gear lists below, and will be sending out further recommendations as the trip gets closer.
AIRPORT / ACCOMODATIONS / FOOD
Participants should fly into Punta Arenas (code PUQ) on April 7, 2026 by 2pm. Departure city will be different and plan on making arrangements to fly home from El Calafate (code FTE) after 10am on April 16, 2026.
All transportation is included and we will be traveling in spacious vans with plenty of room for all luggage and camera gear.
Lodging included in this workshop is double occupancy rooms with an option for a single room at an additional cost.
Meals and drinks are not included in this trip. Typically we will have breakfast at the hotel and dinner at a nearby restaurant with flexibility for lunches.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
To put it simply, there are stunning views at every turn and we cannot use that word enough to describe what you will see. The mountain ranges of Torres Del Paine and Cerro Chalten have been meticulously carved and chiseled by Mother Nature like none other on earth and the way the light hits these peaks and changes throughout the day is something to behold. Mix in the colorful trees turning for the season and it’s no surprise that visiting Patagonia in autumn is on so many photographer’s bucket list.
Our guides are seasoned professionals and have extensive local knowledge and photographic expertise here. Our team will be there to help throughout to ensure you don’t miss an opportunity to capture this beautiful land by getting you to the best places and assisting with both the technical aspects of your camera and seeing creative compositions in the field.
Photography sessions are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. In the field techniques and tips will be provided to help capture images correctly "in camera" with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of landscape and nature photography. Post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into Lightroom to processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. We have you covered from start to finish on this trip and will help as much or as little that you need.
FIELD & CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WILL INCLUDE:
Creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images
Controlling your camera in manual mode
Understanding and using the Histogram
Finding foregrounds
Filters - when & how to use them and avoiding their pitfalls
How lens selection affects the scene
Technical Tricks: Bracketing, Focus Stacking, Perspective Blending
Understanding and using light
Capturing Difficult Scenes (getting all the pieces in the field to put together in post processing)
Lightroom - importing and organizing
Development tools in Lightroom and Photoshop
Cleaning up images - cloning tools, warping and stretching, eliminating distractions
Blending images in Photoshop
Dodging and burning
Using layers and masks
Mindful sharpening (depending on the output)
Image Critiques
RECOMMENDED CAMERA GEAR, ETC
DSLR & Lenses ranging from wide angle (12mm) to telephoto (400mm).
Drone and plenty of batteries
Camera manual
Memory cards
A very sturdy tripod (Do NOT bring a Peak Design tripod)
Camera backpack while in the field (must go on your back, not a roller bag)
Cable Release Trigger
Circular Polarizing Filters for every lens and Solid ND filters (for long exposures). Do NOT bring a Variable ND filter, they are worthless. Also Graduated ND’s are no longer necessary with today’s editing tools
Lens cloths, rocket blower, etc.
Computer with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
Notebook
RECOMMENDED GEAR - CLOTHING, ETC.
Layers of warm clothing
Winter jacket, hat, gloves
Shoes that can get wet or muck boots
Hat
Sunglasses
Rain coat
Sun Block
Umbrella
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Meals and snacks
Airfare
Camera Gear