Patagonia in Springtime

Experience the Wild Beauty of Patagonia – A 12-Day Photographic Adventure

December 3 – 14, 2025

Led by Gerri Whitley & Rex Bryngleson

Patagonia is a land of untamed beauty — a remote, awe-inspiring region where dramatic landscapes and rich wildlife converge in breathtaking harmony. In spring, the jagged peaks remain dusted with snow, wildflowers paint the valleys in color, and the season of new life begins, offering countless moments of magic for nature and photography lovers alike.

Join us for an unforgettable 12-day photography expedition through the heart of Patagonia, beginning and ending in Punta Arenas, Chile. With expert instruction and guided access to extraordinary locations, you’ll capture the full essence of this wild region — from iconic wildlife to legendary scenery.

Photographic Highlights Include:

• A wide range of wildlife, including penguins, rheas, flamingoes, and guanacos, with chances to spot condors, foxes, pumas, and a dazzling variety of bird species.

• Iconic landscapes featuring soaring peaks, glacier-fed rivers, alpine lakes, spring wildflowers, and a majestic mountain glacier.

• A cultural encounter with Chilean history, including a visit to a working sheep ranch where we’ll photograph traditional gauchos in action.

Educational Experience:
This journey is more than a photography trip — it’s a complete learning experience.

• Before the trip: We’ll meet three times for hands-on sessions to review photography fundamentals, practice with your gear, and prepare you to shoot with confidence.  Meeting dates are October 8th, November 8th & 15th.

• After the trip: We offer two follow-up classes — one dedicated to editing your images and another “print party” to celebrate your work and share your favorite photographs from the adventure.  Meeting dates are January 10th and 24th.

Trip Details:

• All accommodations are double occupancy. Single occupancy is available for an additional $2,100 per person.

• This trip can be combined with the Pumas of Torres del Paine extension: December 14–19, 2025.

Meet Your Guide – Rex Bryngleson
Originally from Minnesota, Rex has spent decades leading wilderness adventures across the Americas. After guiding in Alaska, he was drawn to Chile’s renowned Rio Bio Bio, eventually making Patagonia his home for nearly 30 years. With a 40-year background in photography, his work has appeared in National Geographic Adventure, Sports Illustrated, Field & Stream, and Paddler Magazine, among others. He’s also contributed to campaigns for Patagonia, Wilderness Travel, and Mountain Travel Sobek.

Fluent in Chilean Spanish and deeply familiar with the region’s geography, wildlife, and culture, Rex offers unparalleled insight and access, making him the ideal leader for this immersive photographic experience

Itinerary

Dec 3: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile. Your guides will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your historic hotel on the main plaza of Punta Arenas. Orientation meeting in evening followed by welcome dinner. Overnight Hotel Jose Nogueira.

Dec 4: Boat tour to Isla Magdalena Penguin Reserve in the Straights of Magellan where over 100,000 breeding pars of Magellanic Penguins reside in springtime.  Transfer to Puerto Natales.  Opportunities to photograph Sendero Ultima Esperanza, including colorful fishing boats and Black-necked Swans with their chicks.  Overnight Hotel Natalino in Puerto Natales

Dec 5: Boatride to Estancia La Peninsula for traditional sheep ranching activities, sheep shearing and gauchos working with dogs.  We’ll enjoy a traditional Asado of roast lamb.  Overnight Hotel Natalino Puerto Natales.

Dec 6: Morning photography outing along the sound for black-necked swans and other waterfowl

Drive to Torres del Paine. En route stop for a hike (short but, steep) at Laguna Sofia where we have a good chance of seeing Condors. Picnic lunch.  Overnight Hotel Rio Serrano.

Dec 7: First light photography of the famous Cuernos del Paine.  Full day exploring the park by road and/or trail. Overnight Hotel Rio Serrano.

Dec. 8: First light photography of the Paine mastiff.  Another full day exploring the park by road and/or trail. Overnight Hotel Rio Serrano.

Dec. 9: First light photography of the Paine Massif or Cuernos.  Following breakfast, depart for Argentina by way of the Cerro Castillo border crossing and continue to El Calafate. Visit the Laguna Nimez Bird Sanctuary, a wetlands area along Lago Argentino, Argentina’s largest lake. Wonderful bird photography opportunities here, especially for Flamingos and a variety of birds of prey.   Overnight Hotel Mirador del Lago.

Dec 10: Los Glaciares National Park to visit the Moreno Glacier in with bilingual local guide.

This is a very active glacier, and it is  common to witness more than one large ice calving. The bright red “Notro” will be in bloom at this time and will add a nice foreground accent to the brilliant blue of the glacial ice. Picnic Lunch.  Drive 2 hours north to the town of El Chalten at the base of the iconic Fitzroy Range. Overnight Hotel Destino Sur.

Dec 11: First light photography of Cerro Fitzroy and surrounding peaks. Return for breakfast, then full day hike or road tour in the park. El Chalten is our best option for laundry, so we can drop that off before we go hiking. Overnight Hotel Destino Sur in El Chalten.

Dec 12: First light photography of the amazing Cerro Fitzroy and surrounding peaks. Return to El Calafate stopping mid-way for an excursion and hike through the arid Valle Los Leones, a private reserve with an extensive petrified forest and many dinosaur bones from the Cretaceous Period.  Overnight Hotel Mirador del Lago in Calafate.

Dec 13: Return to Chile.  Afternoon at Estancia Rio Penitente, a historic 5^th Generation sheep Ranch. Overnight Estancia Rio Penitente.

Dec 14: Breakfast and transfer to Punta Arenas Airport.  Connect with your afternoon flight to Santiago and connect to an evening flighthome. End of tour…..

This trip can be combined with the Pumas of Torres del Paine December 14-19, 2025

Included: All hotel accommodations, meals, ground transportation, local guides and photo instruction.

Not Included: International and domestic airfare, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (bottled water included at meals), park entrance fees, optional boat tours, gratuities for local guides and hotel/restaurant staff, laundry service.

*Note: this itinerary may require some slight modifications prior to tour date