Mount Fitz Roy — Patagonia photography workshop

4 spots remaining

12-day workshop · April 6–17, 2027

Patagonia: Glaciers & Fitz Roy

Torres del Paine · El Chaltén · Perito Moreno · Los Glaciares

€6,500 per person Max 6 photographers Boutique Lodging Van + Walking 4 spots left

Neil's take

From Neil

"The first time I stood before the scale of Patagonia, I was completely blown away. It is a region of such intense, untamed beauty that it instantly gifted me some of my favourite images. The way the light carves the granite monoliths and the speed at which clouds rush across the sky changes your approach entirely. It demands a return to the Analog Ritual — the patience to wait for the exact moment the light breaks. And for those who want to begin the adventure even further south, I've added an optional pre-expedition extension to Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego — a three-night photographic journey at the end of the world before we continue north into Patagonia."

▶ Neil's Patagonia · Journey Vlog Full series

About this trip

12 days. Two countries. The edge of the world.

Beyond the technical mastery of camera settings, Patagonia requires a shift in how we inhabit a space. We will spend our days embedded in the elements, from the fractured blue walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier to the vertical drama of Mount Fitz Roy. Here, the landscape doesn't just ask to be photographed; it asks to be felt. This workshop is about moving beyond the superficial scenic view to capture the heavy, atmospheric silence that only exists at the edge of the world.

Timed perfectly for the autumn gold of April, this is a deep dive into the heart of the southern wild. We wander through the labyrinthine spires of Torres del Paine, the moody shadows of the Andes, and the electric fire of the fall forests. This isn't a tour; it is a shared journey to capture the soul of a land that remains, quite stubbornly, beyond human control.

Logistics in a landscape as raw and shifting as Patagonia require deep-rooted expertise. That is why I am delighted to be teaming up with the wonderful team at Andean Trails for our 2027 adventure. Having navigated the recent regional changes and logistical shifts in Patagonia, they bring a level of local knowledge and operational excellence that allows us to focus entirely on the art of seeing. It's a collaboration built on a shared love for these wild places.

What you'll master

Four things you'll be better at by journey's end

Autumnal luminance

Mastering the physics of light during the transition of seasons — when low-angle sun ignites the granite

Advanced composition

Working with monumental scale and Andean geometry — finding order in the immensity

Long-exposure mastery

Capturing the kinetic motion of Patagonian clouds, wind-whipped water, and shifting ice

The editorial eye

Learning to see and sequence a cohesive visual narrative across the expedition. Optional image reviews during downtime

Itinerary

How the expedition unfolds

Day

Arrival Punta Arenas — transfer to Torres del Paine

Airport pickup. Drive into the park as the Andes rise around us. First evening orientation shoot at sunset — the horns of the Paine massif in golden light.

2–4

Days

Torres del Paine — the labyrinth

Three full days navigating the park's granite spires, turquoise lakes, and autumn forests. Sunrise at the Cuernos viewpoint, guanaco herds in golden grassland, and the wind-scoured shores of Lago Pehoé. Optional evening editing sessions at the refugio.

Day

Cross into Argentina — arrive El Chaltén

Private van transfer across the border. Afternoon arrival in El Chaltén — the trekking capital of Argentina. First walk to a nearby viewpoint to catch Fitz Roy in evening alpenglow.

6–8

Days

Fitz Roy massif — Laguna de los Tres & beyond

The big hike: 20km round-trip to Laguna de los Tres for the iconic Fitz Roy dawn reflection. Additional days exploring Laguna Torre, the lenga forests in full autumn colour, and the wind-carved ridges above town. Our walking group accesses trailheads directly from our accommodation.

9–10

Days

Perito Moreno Glacier — the blue giant

Drive to El Calafate and into Los Glaciares National Park. Two days photographing the 5km-wide face of Perito Moreno — one of Patagonia's most extraordinary glaciers. Crackling ice, fractured blue walls, and the thunder of calving. Long-exposure work from the boardwalks at multiple times of day.

Day

The Patagonian steppe — final landscapes

The vast emptiness between the mountains. A day of road-trip photography — estancia gates, wind-blown grasses, the immense sky. Final evening group dinner in El Calafate. Optional portfolio review session.

Day

Departure — El Calafate

Group breakfast followed by transfer to El Calafate airport for onward flights. You leave with a body of work that feels like Patagonia actually felt — shaped by granite, wind, ice and the extraordinary autumn light of the far south.

Optional pre-extension

Begin at the end of the world

Pre-expedition extension · April 2–5, 2027

Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego — 3 Nights · €1,500

Before the main Patagonia expedition begins, join Neil for a three-night photographic journey to Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego — where the Andes finally meet the sea at the southern edge of South America. Arrive directly into Ushuaia and spend three days photographing autumn forests, the Beagle Channel, rugged mountains and the extraordinary landscapes surrounding the world's southernmost city before continuing together to Punta Arenas for the start of the main expedition.

This is not simply an extra sightseeing stop. The extension has been designed as a small photographic journey in its own right, with a distinctly maritime and sub-Antarctic character that complements rather than repeats the landscapes of Torres del Paine and El Chaltén.

3 nights boutique accommodation in Ushuaia (twin share)

Tierra del Fuego National Park — autumn forest, mountains & coastline

Beagle Channel photography cruise — wildlife, islands & lighthouse

Martial Glacier area — mountain and Beagle Channel viewpoints

Ushuaia harbour — sunset & blue-hour photography

Photography tuition and field guidance with Neil throughout

April 2 — Arrival & Ushuaia: Arrive in Ushuaia, settle into the hotel and begin with a relaxed evening photography session around the harbour and Beagle Channel beneath the mountains.

April 3 — Tierra del Fuego: A full photographic day exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park, working between autumn lenga forests, lakes, mountains and the wild coastline around Bahía Lapataia.

April 4 — Beagle Channel & Martial: Photograph the Beagle Channel by boat, including its wildlife, islands and iconic lighthouse, before heading into the Martial mountain area for autumn forest and elevated views across Ushuaia and the channel.

April 5 — Journey to Punta Arenas: After breakfast we leave Ushuaia and travel together to Punta Arenas, arriving ahead of the main Patagonia expedition beginning on April 6.

The extension runs immediately before the main workshop. Final onward transport between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas will be confirmed according to the most reliable scheduled option available for April 2027. Flights to Ushuaia are not included. Mention the Tierra del Fuego extension when you enquire and Neil will provide full joining details.

The rhythm of the trip

What a typical day feels like

First light

We're in position before dawn. Patagonian sunrise light is fast and fierce — Neil has already scouted the spot and knows where the first rays will hit. You arrive, set up, and shoot. No guesswork.

Midday is yours

After the morning session, we eat. The middle of the day is deliberately unscheduled. Rest your legs, edit if you want to, or simply sit and absorb the scale of the landscape. Neil is around if you have questions.

The second session

Late afternoon we head back out for sunset and twilight. Patagonian light at this hour is low, golden, and fast-moving — the granite spires catch fire for minutes, not hours. We chase it.

Evenings

Dinner together, often in a warm refugio or local parrilla. Some nights we review images as a group if people have the energy. Others, we simply eat, drink, and rest for the next dawn. No pressure either way.

What's included

Included

Airport transfers at start and end of trip
Expert photography instruction & 1-on-1 field workshops
All ground transport on tour dates
All accommodation on tour dates
Local guiding services in National Parks
All park entrance fees and permits
Breakfast on all tour dates

Not included

International airfare to Chile / from Argentina
Lunches and dinners
Mandatory travel and medical insurance
Personal spending and gratuities
Optional Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego pre-extension (€1,500)
Visas or border reciprocity fees (where applicable)

Price per person

€6,500

accommodation & transport included

Dates April 6–17, 2027

Duration 12 days

Start / end Punta Arenas / El Calafate

Group size Max 6 photographers

Fitness Low to High (20km max hike)

Transport Private Van + Walking

Accommodation Boutique 3* Superior

Availability 4 spots left

Small group of 6. A €1,200 deposit holds your place immediately. Optional 3-night Ushuaia pre-extension available.

Book full workshop → Secure with €1,200 deposit →

Neil replies personally to every enquiry, usually within 24 hours. Ask about the April 2–5 Ushuaia pre-extension.

Is this trip right for you?

Be honest with yourself before you book.

This trip is for you if…

You know aperture, shutter speed and ISO — you don't need to be a pro
You want to photograph landscapes that feel genuinely wild, not manicured
You're comfortable with early starts and variable weather — Patagonia demands both
You can handle a 20km round-trip hike to Laguna de los Tres with significant elevation gain
You want to come home with images that feel like they have weather in them

This trip isn't for you if…

You've never shot in manual mode — try a shorter workshop first
You need guaranteed comfort — Patagonian weather is unpredictable and we work in it
You prefer a relaxed pace — this is a physically demanding trip
You're not comfortable hiking 15–20km in a single day with camera gear

Questions

Things people ask before they book

Who leads the workshop and who does the driving?

Neil leads all photography sessions. We utilise a private van and professional local driver for all international transfers and logistics between Chile and Argentina.

What experience level do I need?

Open to all levels. A basic understanding of manual exposure settings is beneficial for the fast-changing Andean light. If you can shoot in manual mode, you're ready.

Tell me about the Ushuaia pre-extension.

The Ushuaia extension is a 3-night pre-expedition journey from April 2–5, 2027. We meet in Ushuaia before the main workshop and spend three days photographing Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia harbour and the Martial mountain area. On April 5 we travel together to Punta Arenas ahead of the main Patagonia expedition beginning April 6. The extension costs €1,500 per person based on twin-share accommodation. Final Ushuaia–Punta Arenas transport will be confirmed once the most reliable April 2027 schedule is available.

Are editing sessions mandatory?

Not at all. All editing and review sessions are optional. Patagonia days are long and physically demanding — if you'd rather rest during downtime, that's completely fine. Neil makes himself available during midday breaks and occasional evenings for those who want feedback on their images. No pressure, ever.

How many people are in the group?

To ensure a high-quality, personal experience, the group is strictly limited to 6 participants.

What is the fitness level required?

High fitness level required. Includes a 20km round-trip hike to Laguna de los Tres with significant elevation gain. You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable on your feet for extended periods on uneven terrain. If you have concerns, mention it when you enquire.

What camera gear should I bring?

Suggested focal range: 16mm to 200mm. A sturdy tripod is essential due to the high winds frequently encountered in the field. A full kit list is sent after booking.

How do bookings and deposits work?

A €1,200 deposit secures your place via Stripe. The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure. Cancellation terms and a liability waiver are provided with your booking confirmation.