Our Northern Patagonia Photo Tour is a comprehensive photographic itinerary devoted to the remote Aysén (southern Chile), ensuring an unforgettable and rewarding experience documenting these pristine, vast landscapes. We will be marveled at the peak of the fall colors of the Patagonian forests, which form a wonderful contrast with turquoise lakes and rivers, white-capped peaks, indigo-colored glaciers and the golden steppe grasslands.
Northern Patagonia Photo Tour |
Dramatic Fall Colors in the pristine regions of Aysén, southern Chile
As an optional extension to this trip, we recommend you to consider a visit to the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park, in combination with one of our puma safaris in southern Patagonia.
During this 11-day itinerary, we will visit very contrasting and photogenic locations. The boat trip to Laguna San Rafael takes us through deep fjords lined with lush evergreen forests; when we arrive at the lagoon, we will be in awe at the imposing and vast, tide-water glacier of San Rafael. The next highlight are the marble caves and the turquoise waters of Lake General Carrera. The Exploradores Valley, which extends west from Puerto Rio Tranquilo, impresses also by its rugged nature, abundant waterfalls and intense autumn colors. Further south, along the Carretera Austral (Southern Road), we visit the recently established Patagonia National Park. On this dedicated photo trip, with private transportation and guide, we provide full flexibility for our photo sessions, in order to constantly stop along the roadsides, as we detect photographic opportunities and viewpoints, enjoying the extremely picturesque, diverse and rarely visited landscapes of the Aysén.
Join us on this photography workshop through Patagonia in April 2025 and 2026. You will be amazed by the untouched, colorful nature, which always provides surprises and rewards. Enjoy the advantage and comfort of traveling in a small group, led by one of our experienced, seasoned and knowledgeable tour leaders.
Next Departures |
April 15 to 25, 2025
April 14 to 24, 2026
11-day trip from Balmaceda, Chile
Maximum Group Size: 6 Guests
Click for space request |
Fall colors in Lenga Patagonian Forests, Estancia Punta del Monte, Aysén, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
Itinerary in Brief |
Day 1 • Flight to Balmaceda (BBA), Chile – Drive to Coyhaique
Day 2 • Estancia Punta del Monte – Condor watching
Day 3 • Cerro Castillo National Park – Drive to Puerto Chacabuco
Day 4 • Boat trip to Laguna and Glacier San Rafael
Day 5 • Drive towards Puerto Rio Tranquilo – General Carrera Lake
Day 6 • First boat trip to the marble caves – Visit the Exploradores Valley
Day 7 • Second boat trip to the marble caves – Drive to Cochrane
Day 8 • Full day visit to Patagonia National Park
Day 9 • Drive back to Puerto Río Tranquilo
Day 10 • Cerro Castillo National Park – Trip back to Coyhaique
Day 11 • Transfer to Balmaceda – Flight back to Santiago
Trip Highlights |
• Dramatic colors during the peak of the fall (autumn), in the midst of pristine wilderness.
• Fascinating and comfortable boat trip to Laguna San Rafael and its calving glacier.
• Unique trip to explore the wild and remote Exploradores Valley.
• Two boat rides to the marble caves of General Carrera Lake, providing great photographic opportunities.
• Comprehensive visit to the Chacabuco Valley and the recently established Patagonia National Park.
• Scenic drive through the epic Carretera Austral or Chile’s Southern Road.
• Visits to charming communities and villages, still underdeveloped for tourism.
• Rio Baker, Chile’s largest and Patagonia’s most scenic river.
• A variety of wildlife, including Guanacos, Leopard seals, foxes, Andean Condors plus several bird species.
Trip Map |
San Rafael Glacier, Aysén, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
Detailed Itinerary and Activities |
Our landscape and wildlife photography tour in northern Patagonia begins today, with a direct flight from Santiago (or Punta Arenas every Tuesday) to Balmaceda. Afterwards, we will drive directly to Coyhaique, Aysén’s regional capital. Along the way, we will have several opportunities to stop and photograph the colorful landscapes, as our visit has been planned to occur during the peak of the fall season.
Overnight Hotel Dreams, Coyhaique (Dinner) (Guide)
Today we will visit a typical gaucho farm, Estancia Punta del Monte, a working cattle and sheep station, located right at the border between Chile and Argentina. Its remote setting is just overwhelming, comprising rugged hills, grasslands, valleys and forests. We might have the opportunity to spot Andean Condors with the first light, as we will visit the cliffs where they roost. Using 4×4 vehicles, we will explore the tracks leading us to its dense and colorful Lenga and Ñirre forests. We hope to see gauchos and take their portraits as they round the livestock, riding beautiful horses and accompanied by its skilled dogs.
Overnight Hotel Dreams, Coyhaique (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
We set off early towards the south. At Cerro Castillo National Park we can expect a spectacular backdrop of rugged mountains, colorful forests, a river winding through the valley, and perhaps the first hints of fresh snow over the jagged peaks. We will have plenty of time to take shots at different locations along this spectacular road. Later in the day we will head west and drive to the fjords. The landscape will swiftly change to dense rain forests and dramatic waterfalls. Our destination will be the coastal town of Puerto Chacabuco.
Overnight Hotel Loberias del Sur, Puerto Chacabuco (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
We have a full day trip to the San Rafael Glacier, a true highlight of our program. Starting from our comfortable base at Loberias del Sur, we will board the spacious, state-of-the-art catamaran “Aysén” for a 12-hour ride. We will sail across the Patagonian fjords, enjoying these pristine landscapes, dominated by lush, evergreen rainforests. The access to Laguna San Rafael is simply awesome, as we will see the huge tide-water glacier from a long distance. Large icebergs and growlers are usually seen as well as its regular dwellers, Leopard Seal. In a smaller suitable vessel, we will explore the surrounding ice to the glacier, giving a whole new perspective and excellent creative photography prospects.
Overnight Hotel Loberias del Sur, Puerto Chacabuco (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
Today’s drive, from Puerto Chacabuco to Puerto Rio Tranquilo, is quite long (292 kms / 181 miles). However, we have the whole day and we will split the journey by doing many photo stops along the way. We are having another chance at Cerro Castillo National Park as well as several other very photogenic spots along this section of the “Carretera Austral” (or Southern Road). Once we reach the shores of the vast General Carrera Lake, we will also enjoy the striking beauty of this region, surrounded by jagged peaks and the turquoise-colored waters of the lake. Puerto Rio Tranquilo is a charming little community and we will be based here for the following two nights.
Overnight Hotel & Cabañas Valle Exploradores (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
The marble cathedrals in Lake General Carrera offer us a unique photo opportunity. We travel to these impressive rock formations on a small chartered boat. Here we marvel at the polished marble stones that have been eroded into caves, tunnels or bizarre figures over the millennia.
In the afternoon we explore the beautiful Valle Exploradores. This wild valley impresses with its rugged nature, colorful southern beech forests, waterfalls, rugged mountain sides and the Exploradores River, which meanders along the valley floor towards the Pacific.
Overnight Hotel & Cabañas Valle Exploradores (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
Since the marble cathedrals are such a special and fascinating place, we’ll visit them again today. In the afternoon we drive south on the Carretera Austral to the small town of Cochrane. There is a lot to admire and take photos on the way there. Accordingly, we will stop every now and then and take advantage of the photo opportunities that arise.
Overnight Hotel Ultimo Paraíso, Cochrane (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
Patagonia National Park is one of the youngest national parks in Chile. It comes from a land donation from the Tompinks Conservation Foundation to the Chilean state, with the condition that the area be renatured. Since then, numerous guanacos, foxes, various birds, even pumas have been living there again, where intensive livestock farming was practiced until a few years ago. We have the whole day to explore and enjoy the park with its landscapes and animals.
Overnight Hotel Ultimo Paraiso, Cochrane (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
Today we drive back to Puerto Rio Tranquilo along the impressive Rio Baker with several wonderful viewpoints. We already know the route. However, we are now driving in the opposite direction and the lighting conditions, including the angle of the sun, are different than on the way there. Accordingly, we will once again be fascinated by the magnificent beauty here and we will make numerous photo stops.
Overnight Hotel & Cabañas Valle Exploradores (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
Once again we have the opportunity to marvel at the breathtaking area around Cerro Castillo with its rugged mountains and picturesque river valley as we make our way back to the regional capital, Coyhaique. We dedicate the day once again to marveling at and photographing the intense autumn colors in the Aysen region. In the evening we enjoy a final dinner together as part of our small group, with whom we have been able to experience so many impressive moments together over the past 1.5 weeks.
Overnight Hotel Dreams, Coyhaique (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) (Guide)
In the morning the guests fly from Balmaceda to Santiago, from where they begin their onward journey home.
(Breakfast) (Guide)
Dates and Rates |
Trip Duration | 11 days, 10 nights |
Dates | April 15 to 25, 2025 |
April 14 to 24, 2025 |
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Price per person (USD) | $6,298 (2025) |
Single Supplement (USD) | $700 (2025) |
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Departures from Balmaceda (BBA), Chile.
The above price is per person in USD, based in double accommodation.
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
The trip cost includes: all accommodation, meals and tour guide services as specified in the trip description, all private ground transportation during the trip, boat trip to Laguna San Rafael, two private boat trips to the marble caves and all park entrance fees.
The trip cost excludes: domestic flights, tips, travel insurance, entry tax to Chile, fees for excess baggage, à la carte meals, snacks, drinks, laundry service, telephone calls and all other purely personal expenses.
Trip Gallery |
Fall colors at Cerro Castillo National Park, Aysén, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions
Tour Registration |
To book this tour, please fill in our online registration form. We will process your booking and will send you a note with space confirmation and a transfer invoice with payment instructions within 24 hours. The transfer amount is 500 USD per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Note: Inquiries received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied to during the following working day.
Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation can only be accepted in writing from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the transfer amount minus 200 USD is refundable.
• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the transfer is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
• If cancellation is made less than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.
This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.