Photo Tours in El Chaltén
Live the ultimate photography experience
Be guided to the most photogenic locations in El Chaltén while learning the art of photography.
El Chaltén Photo Tours, led by Alex DeMets, an award-winning US photographer with over a decade of experience in South America, offer a unique perspective on the stunning landscapes of El Chalten. Having spent three years in the area, Alex established an art gallery showcasing his work and gained extensive knowledge of the park’s terrain. His passion for photography and expertise in composition, settings, editing, and printing make him an invaluable guide for photographers seeking to capture the best locations and techniques.
Choose your tour
Custom private
For those looking for a photography guide willing to work with their schedule and needs.
March-April, 2027.
4-Day No Camping
For photographers who want to capture images without camping, by hiking daily for four days.
From March 24 to 28, 2027.
4-Day Camping
For participants looking to spend as much time in the mountains as possible during their stay.
From March 31 to April 4, 2027.
Custom Private Tour
Description
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to photo tours. It is often preferable and more cost effective for travelers to choose their own dates, lodging and tour style, rather than having photo tour companies decide where, when and how you will spend your time. While Alex does offer 2 group tours per year during the month of April, he leaves the majority of his calendar open for those looking to book private photo tours. Private photo tours offer more flexibility and customizability than group tours.
For those looking for a photography guide willing to work with their schedule and needs, a photo tour run by Alex is their best option.
Why book a private custom tour?
When booking a custom tour, the sky's the limit! You can consult directly with Alex to put together your very own itinerary. You choose the length of the tour; a minimum of 3 days as an individual client, 2 days with multiple clients is required. Price per day is reduced when booking with more clients and/or more days. After consulting with Alex and explaining your specific idea for a tour, Alex will send you a quote for the total cost. Custom tours start at 1350 USD (individual client for 3 days).
Custom tours are great for clients who:
- Are avid hikers who are looking to hike and photograph as much as possible during their stay, and find that group tours tend to be too easy for them.
- Are photographers looking to do less hiking than what is typically offered during group tours*.
- Are photographers with specific locations they'd like to visit already decided.
- Are non-photographers looking for a professional photographer to accompany them. Alex has photographed engagements and mountaineering groups before—he does not limit himself exclusively to guiding photographers.
*For these clients, it is recommended that they bring a rental car from El Calafate to use during the tour.
When can I take a photo tour in El Chalten?
Tours run from late March through April, allowing participants to photograph El Chaltén during the peak of the fall colors. Alex offers three types of Autumn tours, which happen on different dates; Customizable private tours (choose your own dates), 4 day camping, 4 day non-camping.
Learn more about Alex DeMetsCustom Private
Details
- March - April, 2027 (flexible)
- Custom tours start at 1350 USD (individual client for 3 days)
Please review our Reservations, Cancellations and Bad Weather policies.
4 Day No Camping Tour
Description
Photographers will be taken on numerous day hikes over the duration of the 4 days; those needing a break from hiking will be allowed to opt out of hikes at any given time in order to rest in El Chalten.
Photographers should keep in mind that the itinerary laid out for the 4 day tour is meant to give prospective clients a general idea of what a typical 4 day tour looks like; Alex strives to maintain flexible itineraries in order to maximize clients’ chances of being in the right places at the right times. Photographers interested in this tour should keep in mind, this tour is hiking intensive. “Non-camping” should not be interpreted as “non-hiking.” Those looking for a photo tour which is not hiking intensive should contact Alex directly to set up a custom private photo tour.
Itinerary
Day 1 of the tour, photographers will meet at 11:30am for lunch at La Esquina Cafe. Photographers should arrive ready to head out for their first hike post lunch. Backpacks should be packed, with everything from camera gear, to cold weather clothing, to snacks to eat during the hike. Photographers should refer to the packing list below, and sent via email for a detailed breakdown of what they need to bring on every hike. The first hike of the trip will be to a photogenic waterfall with a backdrop of Fitz Roy. Photographers will photograph sunset at this waterfall, hang around until the stars appear, and then, post photographing the waterfall with a backdrop of stars, make their way back to Fitz Roy.
On day 2, photographers will head out at 6am on a hike to a viewpoint overlooking a river with a view of Fitz Roy in the background. Photographers will have the opportunity to photograph sunrise, and, if they wish, take drone videos and photos, given that this location lies outside park limits. After photographing the sunrise, photographers will head down to El Chaltén, and be given an opportunity to rest before meeting for lunch and heading out on a second day hike. Post lunch, photographers will take an easy 45 minute hike to a waterfall. After photographing the waterfall, the group will head back to El Chaltén, and head to bed early in order to be well rested for an all day photography outing beginning the next morning.
Day 3 will begin early. Clients will start hiking at 6:15 am and arrive at Laguna Capri by sunrise. After photographing sunrise, photographers will continue hiking until arriving to an area known as Rio Blanco, where they will stop for lunch, and photograph autumnal Lenga forests with a backdrop of Fitz Roy. Alex will leave it up to group vote to decide whether to head back down to El Chaltén while it's still day, or to hang out in this area until sunset, and head back down to El Chaltén in the dark.
On the fourth and final day of the tour, clients will begin hiking at 6:00 am to another viewpoint known as Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. Clients will arrive by sunrise to a viewpoint overlooking Cerro Torre, Fitz Roy, and the valley below. Post sunrise photography and snack break, clients will head back down to El Chaltén. After resting and having lunch, the group will gather in Alex's hotel, where Alex will teach them the basics of how he edits his photos, and how to prepare images for print. After concluding the editing workshop, the group will share one last dinner together before parting ways.
4 Day No Camping
Details
- March 24 - March 28, 2027
- Base price: US$ 1,250 per person.
- The following services are included:
- Guiding throughout the park
- Photographic instruction for the duration of the tour
- El Chaltén park fees
- Downloadable video course detailing Alex's editing techniques
- Accommodation
- Premium private room ($180 per person per night)
- Standard private room ($110 per person per night)
- Hiking
- Trekking poles ($20 for 4 days)
- Airfare
- Transportation to El Chaltén
- Restaurant costs
Please review our Reservations, Cancellations and Bad Weather policies.
4 Day Camping Tour
Description
The 4 Day Camping Tour is for participants looking to spend as much time in the mountains as possible during their stay in El Chalten. Photographers will stay in campsites which function as base camps from which they can do other smaller hikes without the burden of larger backpacks. Those needing a break from hiking will be allowed to opt out of these day hikes at any given time in order to rest at the campsite. Photographers should keep in mind that the itinerary laid out for the 4 day tour is meant to give prospective clients a general idea of what a typical 4 day tour looks like; Alex strives to maintain flexible itineraries in order to maximize clients’ chances of being in the right places at the right times.
Photographers interested in this tour should keep in mind, this tour is hiking intensive. Those looking for a photo tour which is not hiking intensive should contact Alex directly to set up a custom private photo tour
Itinerary
On the first day of the tour, participants will meet at 10am at La Esquina Cafe in El Chaltén. Upon arrival, participants will have a chance to meet each other while sharing an early lunch. After lunch, the group will begin their hike into the mountains. The campsite takes approximately 3 hours to reach, and offers easy access to numerous trails that lead to fantastic areas for photography. See the What to Bring section for a better idea of what is needed for the tour. Also note that Alex provides detailed packing lists at the time of booking. If you are unsure whether a certain item is required or not, please don’t hesitate to ask Alex.
On Day 2, participants will wake up to photograph sunrise, and then head back to camp for breakfast. After breakfast, they will head to Laguna Sucia, stopping along the way to photograph. The group will share lunch at Laguna Sucia, and then head down in time to catch sunset from a site near basecamp. After sunset, participants will stay out to photograph the night sky before making the short hike back to the campsite.
On days 3 and 4, post sunrise photography, participants will head to Laguna Torre Camp, which will serve as their base camp for the remainder of the trip. From this camp, participants will again have the opportunity to take day hikes with light backpacks to reach additional photography locations. Alex will show participants his favorite area to photograph in the park; a location rarely visited by other photographers and a major highlight of the trip.
After photographing sunrise on the 4th day, the group will hike back to El Chalten together. After arriving in El Chalten, participants will be given a few hours to grab lunch and head back to their hotels. For those interested, Alex will offer an editing class in the afternoon, and the group will share dinner together in the evening.
Porters and camping equipment rentals
Hire a porter to carry your gear for $110 per trip from town to base camps and back.
Those who are unable or unwilling to bring their own camping gear can arrange for Alex to rent equipment for them. Equipment such as sleeping bags, tents, and hiking poles are available at local sporting goods stores. Accommodation costs range from approximately $12 for a shared room in a hostel to $250 per night in a luxury hotel. Participants seeking guidance on accommodation in El Chaltén can ask Alex for recommendations or make their own arrangements.
A note about accommodation and amenities
In an effort to keep group tours accessible to a wide range of photographers, Alex allows participants to choose whether they’d prefer an all inclusive package or a DIY style package. Those choosing an all inclusive package will have things such as hotel and restaurant costs included in the cost of their tour. Those opting for the DIY package are essentially just hiring Alex to guide them and instruct them. Please visit Alex’s website for more information about his tours. Alex, an experienced traveler, understands that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution for travelers planning their trips, and thus tries to offer flexibility above all for those hoping to book a tour with him.
4 Day Camping
Details
- March 31 - April 4, 2027
- Base price: US$ 1,550 per person.
- The following services are included:
- Guiding throughout the park
- Photographic instruction for the duration of the tour
- El Chaltén park fees
- Downloadable video course detailing Alex's editing techniques
- Camping food costs (3 daily meals and snacks)
- Camp chef to prepare meals
- Rental equipment for camping (tent, hiking poles, sleeping bag, sleeping mat) ($35 per day)
- Porter to transport camping equipment to campsites ($330 to transport all camping equipment for entirety of trip)
- Essential
- DSLR/Mirrorless Camera/Micro Four Thirds Camera/High-end Point and Shoot Camera with Manual Mode.
- Camera lens.
- Tripod.
- A camera bag to transport all your equipment.
- Headlamp.
- Insulating jacket.
- Hat.
- Raincoat.
- Hiking shoes.
- Backpack for carrying photographic equipment (more than 60 liters recommended).
- Tent*.
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping Mat*.
- Harness and Carabiners*
- Recommended
- Wide angle lens, such as a 16-35mm lens.
- A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70mm lens.
- A telephoto lens, such as a 70-200mm lens.
- Polarizer.
* Items that can be rented from local sporting goods stores.
- Airfare
- Transportation to El Chaltén
- Restaurant costs
Please review our Reservations, Cancellations and Bad Weather policies.
About Alex
Where It All Began
Alex’s photographic journey began as an adventurous and creatively-driven youth trapped in Midwest of the United States. Finding photography to be the perfect blend of adventure and creation, it became his dream to pursue a career in it after finishing school. After graduation, he spent years exploring and photographing the American West. In his early twenties, feeling that the novelty of travel in his home country had worn off, he bought a one-way ticket to Peru in search of new inspiration. He immediately fell in love with South America, and a new direction for his photographic journey became clear; to explore, photograph and understand the many landscapes and cultures of this seemingly under-explored and under-photographed continent. More than ten years later, Alex’s enthusiasm for traveling and photographing South America remains as strong as it was on his very first adventure.
Crafting Unforgettable Photographic Adventures
After more than a decade exploring and photographing South America, Alex DeMets founded his own tour company to deliver high-quality photography tours to photographers looking to discover the continent’s landscapes and cultures. His mission is to guide guests to the continent’s most pristine landscapes, while providing in-depth instruction in both the technical and artistic aspects of photography. He aims to create unforgettable adventures, and lasting connections to the landscapes and cultures of South America. Alex’s photography tours are ideal for those seeking customizability, the chance to experience South American culture, in-depth photographic instruction, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and a refined, one-of-a-kind experience.
About Alex
Alex DeMets is an award-winning professional photographer from the United States. He has spent over 15 years photographing, and 10 years traveling South America. His work has been displayed in numerous publications and galleries, including his own gallery, located in El Chalten, Argentina.