Patagonia Photo Tour 2011- Stories Here

April 1-10, 2011 - Limit 5 photographers - FULL

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10 Days of Adventure

Arrive in Santiago, Chile in the morning and take the connecting flight to Punta Arenas. We'll leisurely stroll the historic port city of Punta Arenas and stay the night at Punta Arenas hotel.

We'll travel by private transfer approx 3 hours up to Torres del Paine National Park. The private driver gives us the freedom to stop at a few places along the way to photograph the breathtaking scenery en route to Torres del Paine as well as any special light along the way. We stay tonight on the park's eastern border in Hosteria Las Torres (see photos). Wine, dine, and rest from the travel. Tomorrow, the hike begins!

After a fine breakfast at Hosteria Las Torres, our 5-day trek begins! Next stop, Refugio Chileno. The scenery around you while walking up Valle Ascencio is likely to blow your mind, so please prepare yourself for that now.

This will be the earliest start of our trip. We'll go by headlamp up the steep trail into the amphitheater of Patagonia's crown jewel—Las Torres (The Towers). The sunrise light hitting the towers could change your life forever. The scenery in all directions will be something to behold. After the long, slow rocky scramble down, we will walk around the mountain several miles to our next destination—Los Cuernos Cabanas. These are a gorgeous set of one room cabins tucked nicely at the base of Los Cuernos (The Horns) and along the edge of Lake Nordenskjold.

Today will be a slower day. We will have the morning to rest and shoot around the emerald waters of Lake Nordenskjold. The day hike today will be up into the French Valley (see photo at the top of this page). We will return and stay a second night here in our cabanas beneath Los Cuernos.

We continue along the "W" trail past the French Valley and onward to today's destination—Refugio Paine Grande. This refugio rests at the base of its namesake mountain along the edge of the gorgeous waters of Lago Pehoe (Pehoe Lake).

Today we will hike up the last section of the "W" trail to Glacier Grey. We'll shoot the electric blue light from this wild expanse of ice as it melts and calves into Lago Grey. We will return to Lago Pehoe to shoot the sunset light and spend our second night at Refugio Paine Grande.

After sunrise and breakfast, we'll board the ferry and cross Lago Pehoe. On the other side, our waiting driver will shuttle us down to Hosteria Pehoe (see photo). This location may be the most spectacular yet in terms of accomodation and unsurpassed beauty. The full view of Torres del Paine will be just out our windows on this last night inside the park. Life-changing sunset light will be a strong possibility from this location. Drink deeply of Patagonia's beauty.

On our final morning, we'll shoot sunrise over the surreal blues of Lago Pehoe as light dances on Los Cuernos (Horns). We will spend the remainder of the day shooting all around the national park from the road using our private van. We'll hope to find guanacos and other wildlife to photograph in front of the picturesque backdrop that only Torres del Paine can provide. Our driver will take his tired crew of photographers all the way back into Punta Arenas where we will stay our final night before flying home.

Drive to airport in the morning. Fly to Santiago, then home to the USA.

------------------------- Important Information ---------------------------

This will be the outdoor photography experience of your lifetime! For 5 days, we'll hike the moderate terrain of the gorgeous "W" Trail * within Torres del Paine National Park. (See below for detailed itinerary).

We'll stay at the park's hotels and refugios where a hot dinner is served and a bed awaits you each night. Not roughin' it!
In fact, all you'll carry on your back is your camera, extra clothing, and any personal items.

We'll have two complete days while not on trail to photograph the wild animals (such as guanacos) within the epic mountain landscape of southern Chile's Torres del Paine.

We'll fly into Santiago, Chile then connect a smaller plane to Punta Arenas.
The workshop will begin and end in Punta Arenas.

Space is limited to 5 people. Registration was released to the general public on Nov 23, 2010. If you are interested, act promptly while there is space.

In the interest of keeping rates as low as possible while cutting no corners on accomodations or transportation during the tour, we are asking you to pay by personal check rather than taking the 3-4% hit from online credit card services. Therefore, please mail your deposit of $595 to the address below.

The total price for the lucky travelers on this first PHP Patagonia Photo Tour is being held to $2,450 (airfare not included). This includes all lodging, ground transportation, and meals while on the "W" trail. Your second payment will be due in January. Your third and final payment will be due in February.

Your information packet will be sent immediately after receiving your deposit. This will outline all airline recommendations and the best way to book tickets into Punta Arenas. We have a fabulous Santiago-based travel agent named Charles Fairfax (originally from England, so his english is more than satisfactory). Charles will assist us with booking tickets wherever needed. Please email Paul with any questions you may have in the meantime.

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* Below is a simple trail map showing our "W" shaped route.