Overview
On this five-day photo safari your camera is the star. Come photograph Torres del Paine’s colors and wildlife, textures and contrasts: the blue-hues of Grey Glacier, pinks and whites of the Chilean Flamingo or carpets of wildflowers contrasted against granite peaks, moody skies, scrubby pampas and autumn leaves. Photograph the largest predator of Patagonia – the Puma – while admiring and capturing it’s breathtaking surroundings and endless landscapes. The days are long but the sights are endless and there will be plenty of time for restful relaxation in a deluxe campsite.
Insider Tip: Reserve this program during September, October, March or April, when the sunrises and sunsets begin later and earlier in southern Patagonia, making for incredible lighting!
Trip highlights
• Exclusive Puma Tracking Excursion
• Daily Opportunities for Wildlife & Landscape Photography
• Private Riverside Camping
• Splendid Sunrises & Sunsets Each Day
• Chance to See Condors, Foxes, Guanacos, & Flamingos
• Shoot Grey Glacier, Icebergs, Lakes, Waterfalls & the Three Towers Up Close
• Visit & Experience Authentic Patagonia Ranches
DOWNLOAD YOUR MAPS:
• TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK MAP
• MAGALLANES & ANTARCTIC REGION
• PUERTO NATALES
DOWNLOAD YOUR PACK LIST:
• PHOTO SAFARI TORRES DEL PAINE PACK LIST
Itinerary
Day 1
Transfer to Torres del Paine — Puma Tracking Excursion
- Full Guided Vehicle Support Throughout the Day
- Chile Nativo’s Riverside Camp (BL-D)
As you begin your journey from your hotel in Puerto Natales with your private chauffeur and guide, you’ll immediately find wonderful photo-taking opportunities in the lagoons dotted with Chilean flamingos and black-necked swans that we pass.
As we enter the park, pay close attention to the condors circling the skies and guanacos (llama family) grazing silhouetted against the mountains and valleys.
After we meet up with our professional puma tracker in particular sectors of the park, we begin the quiet and slow hike to encounter the wild predator that reigns these landscapes.
Photos will be taken for only a short while to be sure not to alter or disturb the puma and it’s daily life.
Once we continue along our way, we’ll stop to capture Torres del Paine’s moody landscapes en route to our campsite on the shores of the Serrano River.
After a deliciously prepared welcome dinner, end the day with a magnificent shoot of the sunset splashed across the twilight Patagonia skies.
Day 2
Up-Close Cruise to Grey Glacier’s Ice Wall
- Full Guided Vehicle Support Throughout the Day
- Chile Nativo’s Riverside Camp (B-BL-D)
A sunrise photoshoot from our campsite begins our day, followed by breakfast and a transfer to Grey Lake.
To reach the pier we’ll take a short walk through a beech forest. Keep your camera handy while walking: woodpeckers, Austral parakeets and huemuls, or Andean deer, call this forest home!
We’ll cruise Grey Lake for about an hour, weaving through blue-hued icebergs and stopping right in front of Grey Glacier’s massive facade.
Here, we’ll stay for a while to take pictures, observe the glacier’s intricate colors and icy textures – and maybe even see ice chunks calving.
As you make your way back, take time to capture Paine Grande and its wind-sculpted “ice mushroom” peak.
Ashore once again, we’ll have a picnic lunch and walk along the beach to observe once free-floating icebergs that have been marooned at the shores by the Park’s strong winds.
We make our way back to our camp for a restful evening with fine food and company.
Day 3
Lake Sarmiento – Lake Nordenskjöld – Salto Grande Waterfall
- Full Guided Vehicle Support Throughout the Day
- Chile Nativo’s Riverside Camp (B-BL-D)
The day begins with a sunrise shoot of the western face of the Torres Del Paine from our camp. Our first destination today is Sarmiento Lake, the largest in the Park.
We’ll stop here to enjoy the view, have lunch and snap this glacial lake’s dark blue waters and the distinctive white calcium deposits that hug its shoreline.
Later we’ll drive to Lake Nordenskjöld to the Salto Grande waterfall to photograph its waters and the wildflowers blooming nearby (orchids, calceolarias and neneos depending on the season).
A picnic lunch and well-deserved siesta.
Once rested, we’ll head east to another prime location for observing guanacos, to photograph their antics among the backdrop of Patagonia’s pristine beauty.
Day 4
Sunrise at Laguna Azul
- Full Guided Vehicle Support Throughout the Day
- Night at Hotel Las Torres (B-BL-D)
Today we’ll set off very early to the eastern side of the park to shoot the sunrise from Laguna Azul, an enchanting lake bordering the park; home to ducks, swans, coots, woodpeckers and blessed with an incredible view of the Three Towers.
Our departure before sunrise means there is a chance of glimpsing a puma as they are active during the nocturnal hours!
You will surely be left with an appreciation for the splendid sights and an unforgettable experience! As we turn in for the night, rest well in the luxury of Hotel Las Torres’s first class accommodations and exquisite dining experience.
Day 5
Iconic Ranches – Transfer back to Puerto Natales
- Full Guided Vehicle Support Throughout the Day (B-BL)
Early in the morning after a freshly prepared breakfast we start our last day with several highlight visits to iconic Patagonia ranches.
We will have many opportunities to observe the daily life of a working cattle ranch which dates to the last century, capture local gauchos as they care for their estancia and land, and visit natural wonders that are unknown to most travelers.
During our visits we’ll be keen to search the woodlands and landscapes for sightings of native birds, including the Upland Goose, Pygmy Owl, Southern Lapwing and Magellanic Oystercatcher.
We’ll enjoy our final lunch together in the afternoon before we end our journey and return to Puerto Natales.
INCLUDED
- All the private transportation indicated in the schedule
- All meals indicated in the schedule (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
- Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Three nights at Chile Nativo's Riverside Camp in Torres del Paine (Double Deluxe Tents)
- Welcome Drink in Riverside Camp (PiscoSour, Glass of Wine, Beer, or Sparkling Champagne)
- One night Hotel Las Torres (Double Standard Room)
- Boat navigation to Glacier Grey
- Professional Puma Tracker
- Professional Guide (English-Spanish) & Driver
NOT INCLUDED
- Any international or domestic flights
- Any additional nights
- Additional alcohol in Riverside Camp
- Medical expenses
- Insurance of any kind
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for Guide & Driver
Lodgings
Riverside Camp
Far away from the crowded park refugios and campsites, Chile Nativo Riverside Camp is our fully supported base camp located in Torres del Paine National Park. This area is ideal for families and special groups setting off to the park or for those looking for an alternative and unique outdoor experience.
Dates & Prices
Program prices are determined on the final number of confirmed guests in a group. The per person price lowers as more guests join the group. Chile Nativo operates with a maximum of 8 guests per departure which allows for a high level of individualized service and an unforgettable personalized experience.
PRICES FOR SEASON 2023/2024: (valid until April 2024)
3 Nights in Chile Nativo Riverside Camp & 1 Night in Hotel Las Torres
Private Departure for 1 Guest: USD$ 5.895
Private Departure for 2 Guests: USD$ 4.395 per person
Private Departure for 3 Guests: USD$ 3.895 per person
4-8 Guests Total in Group: USD$ 3.295 per person
Single supplement, ask a trip specialist
*Departure Dates Available Upon Request & Availability
FAQ's
Q: Where do I keep my luggage that I won´t need during my excursion in the park?
A: The majority of the hotels and hostels will store luggage for their guests who are staying with them prior to and after their travels in the park. If not, we will happily store your luggage securely in our office until you arrive back from your program. During your guided photo safari program you will have full vehicle support for the safe transport of your luggage and equipment needed during your excursion.
Q: Will I need to carry a backpack each day during this excursion?
A: Although you won´t need to carry a large backpack during each day´s activity, it is recommended that you have a small daypack to carry items such as your lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, glasses, and other personal items needed.
Q: How long will we be able to photograph the pumas during the tracking excursion?
A: Our expert guides will determine how long we can photograph the wild cats based on the conditions and surroundings. It is vital that we do not disturb or interrupt the pumas and leave little to no impact in their environment. We will observe the pumas and will not interact with them in any way. Our guide and tracker will also indicate the distance in which we must maintain throughout the tracking experience.
Q: Will we be hiking long distances during this program?
A: Each day we will have the opportunity to enjoy short walks and hikes ranging from 15 – 30 minutes to 1 – 1.5 hours. The hikes are generally easy and gentle treks and are not intense or physically demanding hikes. We will have full daily vehicle support which will allow for the groups´ transfer and transport of all equipment. During the puma tracking excursion there may be some steep sections of the trail in order to locate or view the puma from a safe area. On day 4 each guest will have the opportunity to select their own activity at the estancia based on the climate conditions and the availability of excursions.
Q: Are there restrooms and showers in the Riverside Camp?
A: Yes – there are 2 restrooms and 2 showers per gender in the bath house located in the camp. Hot water is available during the generator’s schedule which functions 08:00 – 23:00. We recommend that you shower at night since your mornings you will be starting early for your days´ excursion.
Q: What is the Riverside Camp like?
A: Chile Nativo Riverside Campsite is our own private home base located within Torres del Paine National Park. Perfect for families or groups, ours is a fully-equipped campsite located on the shores of the Serrano River, away from the buzz of crowded Refugios and campsites. We run all operations in-house, meaning we’re free to work with our own trusted staff, source local products, select the best creature comforts and control all the moving parts that make up an outdoor travel experience. Our double deluxe tents are located on raised platforms, protected against the bracing Patagonian elements. Inside, you’ll find double-height mattresses, cozy down covers and heaters that can be operated during the evening to ensure a warm night’s rest. Permanent, separate male and female bathrooms with hot showers are just a short walk from the tents (please note that electricity and hot water in the campsite runs from 8 AM to 0:00 hrs). Meals are abundant, delicious and shared in a dedicated dining lodge with views of the Paine Massif’s changing colors and spacious room to lounge, relax, and enjoy great company. Our buffet breakfasts, design-your-own packed lunches and chef-prepared three-course dinners are a nourishing mix of local delicacies and high-energy foods to fuel our days’ adventures. Vegans, vegetarians and guests with other dietary needs are more than catered for with a range of alternative milks, gluten free breads, vegan cheeses and soy products. And of course, beer, Chilean wine and Pisco sours mark the perfect end to a day’s trekking. Our own concierge is always onsite to answer questions and to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible. With factors such as generators, mosquitos and chilly nights in the mix, our concierge is there to advise when to close mosquito nets, charge electronic devices, close your deluxe tent and turn on the heaters.
Q: Do the deluxe tents have outlets for charging devices? Are the tents heated?
A: Each private deluxe tent has electrical outlets (C & L 220V sockets) for charging electrical devices during the hours the camp generators are operating (08:00 – 23:00). Each private tent is equipped with a small electric space heater with an auto shut-off security feature. This will allow you to heat your tent for the chilly evenings!
Add-Ons & Upgrades
PRIVATE DEPARTURES AVAILABLE – PLEASE CONTACT A TRIP SPECIALIST TO PLAN YOUR TREK!
OPTIONAL SERVICES: (must be booked in advance)
– Private Transfer to/from Punta Arenas Airport/Puerto Natales: Please Contact a Trip Specialist For Your Personal Quote
– Public Bus Punta Arenas to/from Puerto Natales: USD$ 20 per guest, per way
EQUIPMENT RENTAL: (must be booked in advance)
– Trekking Poles: USD$ 6 per pair, per day
UPGRADES: (must be booked in advance)
– Upgrade to Nightly Accommodations in Hotel Lago Grey: ask a trip specialist
