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Patagonia
embark with us on an unforgettable journey to
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Patagonia is a region known for its sharp mountains, lakes, wildlife, rivers, glaciers and it's ever changing climate.
Our proposal on this trip is a little different from the usual. Think of a road trip with friends, with the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want to take pictures, all in your own time.
Hosted by Ricardo Braz & Leo Cavazzana
20-30 November 2024
The trip
Our trip will be 100% focused on photography. Everyone is welcome, regardless of photography level, age, equipment or physical condition.
Some days will be more relaxed than others - we will do 1 long trail of medium difficulty and we wake up practically every day for the sunrise and shoot until it gets dark. Do not expect an "easy" trip - nature rewards those who make them present in all conditions :)
All activities are optional, but we highly recommend doing them!
In this expedition, we intend to pass on to participants all our photographic knowledge, from planning a photo to final editing, tips on the market, prints and much more. There will be 10 days of photographic experiences in different landscape and light conditions, in addition to part of our time being devoted to theory and post-editing. The group will be relatively small - between 8 and 10 people and all journeys and will be made in 3 private cars and accommodation in double or triple rooms, depending on the group's disposition. We will camp on the mountain for 1 night.
Itinerary
Day 1 - 20/11
Our meeting will be in the city of El Calafate, Argentina.
The idea is to have lunch together around noon and continue to El Chalten (2 hours by car). We recommend arriving in El Calafate on the morning flight or, preferably, the night before.
In the afternoon we will go to El Chalten. The road is incredibly scenic, so we'll take our time. After dropping off our bags at the hotel and depending on the weather, we'll take pictures of the sunset from the panoramic view of the city (Mirador del Paredon), the road itself or from the Mirador Rio de Las Vueltas.
Overnight: Alma de Patagonia
Day 2 - 21/11
Our first sunrise!
Let's get in the car and see the sun in one of the most special and "classic" places in Patagonia - the road to El Chaltén! After sunrise, we head back to the hotel for breakfast and rest for our first big adventure!
After a light lunch, we'll trek to Laguna Torre, where we'll camp overnight. We will leave our suitcase at the hotel and walk with only what is necessary. It is one of the most accessible trails to the famous lagoons of El Chalten (+- 8km, 3 hours each way). The campsite is sheltered and is very close to the lagoon. We will photograph the sunset, the stars, and the sunrise. Get ready for a night full of photography and little sleep :)
If you don't have or don't want to bring your camping equipment, you can rent everything in El Chaltén for a very affordable price. (we even recommend it - the whole kit will cost around 50 USD!)
*This activity can be suspended/modified according to the weather conditions.
Day 3 - 22/11
After taking pictures in the morning, we'll have breakfast at the campsite and head down to the city. It will be a quiet day, as we will be tired. We will take the opportunity to sit down and edit together. Sunset will be free, but we can definitely photograph somewhere nearby, keep editing, or just have a chill dinner!
Overnight: Alma de Patagonia
Day 4 - 23/11
We have a long day ahead! We will continue our journey to Chile. A 6-hour drive will take us to the lovely city of Puerto Natales, where we'll have another peaceful day of rest and urban exploration.
Overnight: Anroc Patagonia
Day 5 - 24/11
After waking up in the city, we are going to have some free time for more walking around downtwon and we'll head to Torres del Paine after lunch. A short drive trough a wonderful road, with open fields and guanacos everywhere will take us the Torres NP, a magical place surrounded by wilderness. We will stay right next to the main gate of the park, close to Lake Pehoé, a true postcard of the region. We will photograph the sunset on the lake and sleep.
Overnight: Pampa Hostel
Day 6 & 7 - 25 and 26/11
Full day at Torres del Paine! We'll photograph sunrises and sunsets. We have a few locations in mind to photograph, but we're free to explore the park as we want. The afternoons will be free so we can edit together. For the adventurous ones, there is the possibility of doing long hikes to several viewpoints and lagoons and also booking a puma trekking tour or a horseback ride.
Overnight: Pampa hostel
Day 8 - 27/11
We will wake up early once again and head back to the park for sunrise. We'll go back to the hotel, have breakfast, get in the car and head back to El Calafate for the last part of our trip.
Overnight: Austral Suites
Day 9 - 28/11
We will spend the whole day on the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the highlights of our trip. Perito Moreno is one of the main tourist attractions in El Calafate and the only glacier in the world that is growing, not shrinking!
*This tour is optional and not included in the package.
For that day, we will have 3 tour options: Only the walkways/lookout, "Small trek" and "Big Trek". The last two options consist of crossing the lake by boat and walking on the glacier with appropriate shoes, an indescribable and unmissable experience. For more information: https://hieloyaventura.com/tarifas/
After a long day, we'll head back to El Calafate for dinner and sleep.
Overnight: Austral Suites
Day 10 - 29/11
Free day at El Calafate! We'll get together, reflect and absorb everything we experienced on the trip. We can edit, rest, go out to eat, photograph, or drive without plans. It will be the last day of the trip, so we can do whatever we want.
Overnight: Austral Suites
Day 11 - 30/11
Farewell day! We'll say goodbye with a heart full of gratitude and great memories!
Some raw moments of our previous expedition.
Photographic equipment
There is no such thing as mandatory equipment - what you have is enough! That said, here is a list of equipment and accessories that, if you have them, will provide a better photographic experience. Remember that, on trips of this type, we can always share material and equipment so that we all have an incredible experience! Feel free to contact us beforehand to ask for help when packing/getting equipment.
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Camera (DSLR/Mirrorless);
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Lenses: Both open (wide) and long (tele) lenses work super well in Patagonia. We recommend taking everything you have!;
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Tripod - indispensable for night photo shoots and video;
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Extra batteries;
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Memory cards;
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Cables and chargers;
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Polarizer/ND filter;
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HD or SSD for storage;
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Laptop (preferably with Lightroom, Photoshop and a video editing software installed);
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Drone (not allowed in many places, but worth bringing);
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External battery;
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Comfortbale camera bag;
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Etc!
Working with partner brands
One of the great differentials of this workshop is that we will learn, in practice, how to work with brands. From planning to execution and delivery, we'll get the full experience of how we can monetize "travel photography". We will have a clear briefing of what the brand is looking for as content and we will work as a team to accomplish this task in the best possible way. In this way, we will also train our commercial look so that those who are interested can enter or increase their presence in the photographic market.
Recommendations about Argentina and what to bring
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Documents accepted for entry into Argentina and Chile: Valid passport OR original identity card (RG) issued less than 10 years ago, with your recognizable photo (Brazilians only)
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No visa or entry form is required for most countries.
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Immigration may ask for proof of income and/or a return ticket to the departure country.
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Argentina has a very serious inflation problem, which has resulted in a "parallel" exchange called the "blue dollar". Credit cards are widely accepted with a slightly lower rate, but we recommend bringing US dollars and exchange in El Calafate or El Chalten. (we recommend having at least 400USD per person + international credit card like Wise or Nomad)
Clothing
The secret to a well-packed suitcase to Patagonia is to have layers. Layering is important for temperature regulation, moisture management, versatility, wind and waterproofing, weight efficiency, and safety during outdoor activities in variable conditions like those in Patagonia. If you have technical questions about outdoor clothing, feel free to reach out to us!
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Base Layer:
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Moisture-wicking thermal underwear or long-sleeve shirts and pants made of merino wool or synthetic materials. These keep you dry by wicking sweat away from your skin.
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Mid Layer:
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Fleece jacket or pullover to provide insulation and retain body heat. Fleece is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for trapping warmth without bulk.
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Outer Layer (Shell):
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Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants made of Gore-Tex or similar materials. These protect you from rain, snow, and harsh winds while allowing moisture to escape to prevent overheating.
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Insulating Layer:
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Down or synthetic insulated jacket for additional warmth during colder conditions. Choose a compressible and lightweight option that can be easily packed when not in use.
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Headwear:
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Wool or fleece beanie to keep your head warm.
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Gloves:
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Waterproof and insulated gloves or mittens to protect your hands from cold and wet conditions.
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Footwear:
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We recommend bringing hiking boots or waterproof trekking shoes. Even though we only have one big hike, having an uncomfortable pair of shoes can change your whole experience.
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Wool or synthetic moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry and prevent blisters.
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Accessories:
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Neck gaiter or scarf to protect your neck and face from cold winds.
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Sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from the glare of snow and sunlight.
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Rain cover for your backpack.
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Headlamp.
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Investment
The price of the trip is 9900 BRL/2000 USD, per person. 50% of the payment must be made at the time of booking to guarantee your place and the reminder up to 30 days before the trip (October 20th)
Payment options: Credit card - in installments (with interest, according to the Mercado Pago rate) or in cash, without interest. (Paypal), bank transfer or PIX (to pay with this method, get in touch)
What's included:
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All accommodation including breakfast and Wi-Fi in a double or triple room (for a single room there will be an extra fee if available). In Torres, the room will be quadruple.
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All tours and activities, including park entrances. (unless listed as optional)
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Guide and mentorship by Ricardo and Leo.
What is not included:
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Airline tickets
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Health insurance
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Photographic equipment insurance
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Camping equipment
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Lunch and dinner
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Other meals not mentioned in the program
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Drinks
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Optional tours and activities
Cancellation
In case of cancellation:
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Until September 20th, the cancellation is free.
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After October 20th, a 50% fee will be charged.
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After payment of the second installment (deadline: November 10th), the cancellation will not be allowed. If the participant cannot attend, the total cost of the course will be charged.
The participant is allowed to give up his/her spot/find someone else to replace him/her if his/her absence is confirmed, without any additional cost.
