Capture the legendary beauty and serene seclusion of Chile during your 8-day photography tour of Patagonia and the fantastical scenery of Torres del Paine National Park. The marvels of Chilean Patagonia feature ancient forests, glinting glaciers, vast pampas, and the rugged splendor of the Southern Ice Field spread against the backdrop of the Andes. Find inspiration in nature as you trek past elusive pumas and sail across sparkling translucent water to reach the soaring ledge of Grey Glacier....
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Punta Arenas – Day at Leisure in Punta Arenas
The city of Punta Arenas overlooks the Strait of Magellan in the southern corners of Chilean Patagonia. The historic port and a tradition of sheep-breeding has supported the sophisticated European architecture wrapping around Plaza Muñoz Gamero. Opulent mansions reminiscent of the regional wool-boom decorate the skyline in view of the statue of Ferdinand Magellan, which was erected to commemorate the voyager’s 400th anniversary. Your flight will land at Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport, where your private transfer escorts you to the luxurious Hotel Cabo de Hornos.
Your gorgeous accommodations are located in the heart of town near the main square of La Plaza Central. The building harkens back to the days when Punta Arenas stood as the capital of Chile’s “white gold” rush, referring to the quick pace and incredible demand of wool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The cozy ambiance welcomes you to Chile with views of the stunning cityscape and reflective waters from the Strait of Magellan. The light and cheerful décor of your room effortlessly combines the history of Hotel Cabo de Hornos with the comforts of modern luxury.
Before you explore the charms of Punta Arenas, you will meet with the celebrated photographer and local guide, Justin Hofman, for more insight into the remarkable adventure to come. The acclaimed photographer, scuba diver, and naturalist has a spent a career documenting wildlife acquiring an extensive knowledge of ecology and animal behavior along the way. After meeting Justin and your guide, you will set out to visit Cementerio Municipal, one of the most interesting cemeteries in South America. Elegant and opulent tombs decorate the grounds, which contrasts with the humbler graves of immigrants who often worked the farms. The grand José Menéndez’s tomb is an imitation of the Vittorio Emanuele II monument in Rome, made to scale.
What's Included:
Day 2
Torres del Paine – Milodon Cave en route to Torres del Paine
Day 3
Torres del Paine – Panoramas and Condors with a Viewpoints
Day 4
Torres del Paine – Western Lakes Scenery and Sail to Grey Glacier
Day 5
Torres del Paine – Photo Safari and Puma Tracking Excursion
Day 6
Torres del Paine – Absorbing Hike to the Base of Cerro Torres
Day 7
Punta Arenas – Scenic Punta Arenas by way of Puerto Natales
Day 8
Punta Arenas – Magdalena and Marta Islands before Departure Home
Trip Highlights
- Learn the best ways to capture the natural splendor of Torres del Paine National Park with guidance from acclaimed photographer and naturalist Justin Hofman
- Relax in the comforts of luxury accommodations that offer sensational amenities at the heart of Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine National Park
- Complete the challenging hike to the base of the Torres del Paine summit for rewarding views of the famous granite towers
- Scour the marvelous scenery along a private ranch in Torres del Paine National Park in search of captivating wildlife including the renowned puma
- Sail the frigid waters of Grey Lake for fantastic views of icebergs, beech forest, and the remarkable icy expanse of Grey Glacier
- Experience the thrill of viewing Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat on Isla Magdalena in the Strait of Magellan
- Stand atop a marvelous vista to watch Andean condors glide across the sky in search of food
- Witness the sensational natural history of Chilean Patagonia when you visit Milodon Cave, where the fossils of a giant ground sloth were discovered
Detailed Description
Unlock the secrets of Patagonia during your exclusive photography tour. The trip is tailor-made for photography novices, experts, and all-around enthusiasts. Enjoy time in the secluded reaches of Torres del Paine National Park with acclaimed professional photographer and scuba diver Justin Hofman on an expedition into the legendary untamed landscape of Chilean Patagonia. This area is home to gray fox and guanacos, and glaciers and beech forest. The marvels of your tour through Patagonia will blend the grandeur of exploration with the ability to snap captivating photos commemorating the beauty of the scenery, wildlife, and remote ambiance.
The sensational expedition will begin with your arrival in Punta Arenas, an urban enclave at the edges of the Patagonian expanse. The city is a unique mixture of historic architecture from the wool boom and expansive streets deriving from the importance of the port. Your night here will bring insight into the diverse layers of human history before you venture deep into the landscape. Meet your guide and the celebrated photographer during your time in Punta Arenas for a tutorial on the coming adventure. Outside of Puerto Natales, also referred to as the Gateway to Torres del Paine, you get acquainted with the exceptional views of the massif from the mouth of Milodon Cave, where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the late 19th century.
You will have five nights in the stunning preserved wilds of Torres del Paine. This natural park encompasses more than 561,665 acres of forests, tundra, ice fields, lakes, and rivers that emerged from the receding glaciers around 12,000 years ago. The wonders of the natural landscape will be yours to capture through your camera’s lens during guided tours with seasoned professionals. The diverse landscape provides opportunities to view the wildlife up-close, from spotting Andean condors to guanacos.
Your time in Torres del Paine National Park will take you into the mountains on guided hikes to reach stunning viewpoints and along private ranches in search of the elusive puma. The challenging hike to the base of the famous granite towers rewards you with a serene ambiance and incredible light that hits the granite peaks. Then, sail the waters of Grey Lake, which reveals the remarkable topography of the shoreline, the dense forestry made of beech trees, and the blue and white hues of fallen icebergs casting a trail like breadcrumbs to the edge of Grey Glacier. Upon returning to Punta Arenas, you will visit Magdalena Island to wander the walkways that wind around the largest penguin colony in Chile and bring a wild end to your time photographing the natural majesty of Chilean Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park.
Starting Price
$3,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.84 stars based on 568 reviews.
I have already mentioned Zicasso to many others for planning their future trips.
Reviewed By Mark L.
Zicasso's travel company and our agent were a pleasure work with. We adapted an itinerary to our interests and created a special private tour for ourselves. When we had a pharmacy need, they went out of their way to help us locate our medicines. Our guides were wonderful! I would recommend our tour company for future travel!
Reviewed By Katrina D.
We just returned from a spectacular three-week journey through South America (Peru, Chile, and Argentina) and, once again, Zicasso, along with our trip planner, delivered an unforgettable experience. This was our second time using Zicasso and it’s clear why we keep coming back.
From the very beginning, our trip planner was a true partner in planning. He listened closely to our interests, helped shape an itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, culture, and relaxation, and offered thoughtful insights that only someone deeply familiar with the region could provide. His attention to detail in the pre-trip phase was impeccable. We felt fully prepared and taken care of before we even left home.
Once on the ground, everything ran like clockwork. The in-country communication was seamless. Our agent and his team were always just a message away and incredibly responsive. Every driver was prompt, professional, and personable. The tours were consistently outstanding, with guides who were knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely engaging. The accommodations were beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly situated, offering unique charm and excellent service at every stop.
It’s not easy to plan a multi-country trip with so many moving parts, but Zicasso and our agent made it look effortless. We came away with lifelong memories and we’re already dreaming about our next adventure. Zicasso continues to exceed our expectations and we wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.
Reviewed By Devon R.
We had a great time on our trip to Chile. The itinerary the Zicasso trip planner suggested was wonderful. We especially enjoyed staying at the lodges in Rapa Nui and Torres del Paine. The level of service and all of their guides were great.
All of the arrangements the trip planner made for us were on time, dependable, efficient, and enjoyable. Everything went as planned.
Reviewed By Daniel K.
Zicasso travel agents surpassed all expectations. They were responsive, dedicated professionals. From initial planning to the actual implementation, they were there every minute. This was the most worry-free three-week trip I have ever done. The itinerary and planning suggestions were spot-on, which meant there was very little help required. However, when there was, it was immediate. Using this travel agency has changed the way I will travel in the future. Using experts can make travel almost stress-free. Thank you.
Reviewed By John M.
We just returned from our two-week trip to Chile, planned for my 60th birthday. My boyfriend and I had the most spectacular trip! Zicasso's travel company put together an amazing itinerary, designed to meet all our requirements for experiences, logistics, uniqueness, and our desired activities. From my first call with the travel specialist, I felt the responsiveness, personalization, and high level of service his company provided. I couldn’t have asked for anything more in a travel partner.
We had three stops – a winery in the Colchagua Valley, a boutique hotel in the Patagonia Lakes region, and a lodge in southern Patagonia, near Torres del Paine National Park. The recommendations on lodging were so perfect. Each was intimate, with such a high level of service and uniqueness. We loved that they were all inclusive, with meals and excursions included. This allowed us to adjust our plans day to day, based upon weather and how we were feeling. The travel specialist also made arrangements to make sure I had a very special birthday celebration, which was absolutely wonderful.
Reviewed By Linda N.