Autumn Photo Tours in El Chaltén
Live the ultimate photography experience in El Chaltén area!
Season
Tours run from March 28 through April 22, 2025.
Experience level
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced photographers welcome.
Tailored options
Private/custom tours available. Contact for details.
Group Size
Minimum: 2 people.
Maximum: 7 people.
5 DAY CAMPING TOUR
A spectacular adventure for photographers looking to maximize their time creating images.
Price: $ 2,200
Go to the tour4 DAY NO CAMPING TOUR
This is the option if you don't want to camp, but you don't want to miss the best photos of the area..
Price: $ 1,900
Go to the tour2 DAY CAMPING TOUR
The most affordable photography tour offers an ideal combination of exploration, duration and results.
Price: $ 550
Go to the tourWhy take an Autumn Photo Tour in El Chaltén?
El Chaltén Fall Tours are designed to be the ultimate El Chaltén photography experience.
El Chaltén Fall Tours run from late March through April, allowing participants to photograph El Chaltén during the peak of the fall colors.
Over the course of the workshops, participants will photograph in various locations around El Chaltén, with an emphasis on photographing lesser-known locations.
These workshops involve hiking; it is recommended that participants have some experience hiking with a backpack.
Alex offers three types of Autumn tours; 5 day camping, 4 day no camping, and 2 day camping.
During the tours, participants will learn Alex's photographic process in detail, while photographing spectacular scenery.
Participants will learn a wide range of shooting techniques in the field.
On rest days, students will learn editing techniques in the comfort of Alex's gallery.
Alex’s understanding of the El Chaltén landscape is unique, given that he has lived and thoroughly explored the area for years; this makes his tour ideal for participants looking to get off the beaten path and create unique images.
His knowledge of how to create complex and original compositions is unparalleled – participants will have plenty of opportunities in the field to learn the ins and outs of the techniques Alex uses to achieve his images.
Having practiced photography for over 15 years, learning portrait, macro, astro and nature photography during that time, his approach to image-making is unconventional and draws from multiple styles of photography, making his tours perfect for those seeking in-depth photographic instruction rather than simply being shepherded to photogenic locations.
5 DAY CAMPING TOUR
Experience level: intermediate, advanced.
Day 1
Meeting in El Chaltén
On the first day of the tour, participants will meet at 10am at La Lenga Art Gallery, Alex's photography gallery in El Chaltén. Upon arrival, participants will have a chance to meet each other before beginning a walk-through of Alex's gallery. During the walk-through, Alex will guide participants through his image-making process; here participants will learn how they can best approach image-making on the following days of the tour.
After the walk through, the group will head to the supermarket together to purchase food for the following days' trip, before having a quick lunch, and then beginning their hike into the mountains.
The campsite where they will be staying 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.
Day 2
Trek to Laguna Sucia
A full day in the mountains
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.
Day 3 and 4
Trek to Laguna Torre
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 several 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.
Day 5
Head to town and Editing Course
On day 5, after photographing the sunrise, the group will return to town and have a chance to rest and relax. Those looking for things to do on their rest day will find spas, restaurants, bars, gift shops, and more in El Chaltén. In the evening, the group will gather for an editing class at Alex’s gallery.
Those who have laptops will have the opportunity to receive feedback from Alex while editing their own images. Being able to edit in Alex’s gallery while seeing their finished images printed in large format provides participants with a unique learning opportunity; more than just learning what it takes to edit images for viewing at small sizes online, participants will learn the finer points of how to prepare images for printing at large sizes and on different types of paper and materials, such as canvas or aluminum. Post editing course, the group will gather for a final dinner together.
Learn more about Alex and his creative processTour dates
April 8-12, 2025
April 18-22, 2025
Price per person
US$ 2,200
Important
To bring
Services included and not included
Costs of other services
Reservation and cancellation policy
Accommodation
Check the recommended dates to book your accommodation in El Chaltén according to the chosen tour
You may also be interested in
Sunset/ Astrophotography
Spend an afternoon visiting a photo gallery and photographing, as a photographer teaches you the art of photography.
Go to this tour2 Day tour
Visit a gallery! Learn photography from a pro! Camp in the mountains! What more could a photographer ask for?
Go to this tour4 Day tour
An immersive photography experience. Hike, camp, and photograph, as a pro teaches you the art of photography.
Go to this tourLa Lenga Art Gallery
A space in El Chaltén showcasing the artwork of photographer Alex DeMets.
Go to the gallery4 DAY NO CAMPING TOUR
Experience level: intermediate, advanced.
Day 1
Meeting in El Chaltén
On the first day of the tour, participants will meet at 12am at La Lenga Art Gallery, Alex's photography gallery in El Chaltén. Upon arrival, participants will have a chance to meet each other before beginning a walk-through of Alex's gallery.
During the walk-through, Alex will guide participants through his image-making process; here participants will learn how they can best approach image-making on the following days of the tour.
After the walk through, the group will head to the supermarket together to purchase food for the following day hike, and then will head out together for a sunset hike and photography session, then return to town for dinner.
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.
Day 2
Sunrise trek to Laguna de los Tres
A full day in the mountains
On Day 2, participants will wake up and start hiking at 5 am, and arrive at a waterfall in time to photograph the sunrise on Fitz Roy.
After photographing, the group will continue hiking until they arrive at Laguna de los Tres. After coming down from Laguna de Los Tres, the group will have lunch at the Poincenot Campsite before making our way back to Chaltén. The group will stop along the way to photograph Laguna Capri at sunset. After sunset, participants will stay out to photograph the night sky before hiking back to town.
Day 3
Rest day and Editing Course
On day 3, participants will sleep in, and then head out mid day on an easy hike to a nearby waterfall. After photographing the waterfall, the group will return to town and gather in Alex's gallery for an editing course.
Those who have laptops will have the opportunity to receive feedback from Alex while editing their own images. Being able to edit in Alex’s gallery while seeing their finished images printed in large format provides participants with a unique learning opportunity; more than just learning what it takes to edit images for viewing at small sizes online, participants will learn the finer points of how to prepare images for printing at large sizes and on different types of paper and materials, such as canvas or aluminum. Post editing course, participants will have a chance to rest and relax. Those looking for things to do on their rest day will find spas, restaurants, bars, gift shops, and more in El Chaltén.
Day 4
Laguna Torre
On day 5, the group will head out early once again, in order to get to Laguna Torre in time for sunrise.
After photographing sunrise at Laguna Torre, the group will head back to Chaltén together.
After returning to El Chaltén, the group will share a last lunch together in El Chaltén before sendoff. Those staying in El Chaltén longer will be welcome to join Alex later that night for dinner.
Learn more about Alex and his creative processTour dates
April 1-5, 2025
Price per person
US$ 1,900
Important
To bring
Services included and not included
Costs of other services
Reservation and cancellation policy
Accommodation
Check the recommended dates to book your accommodation in El Chaltén according to the chosen tour
You may also be interested in
Sunset/ Astrophotography
Spend an afternoon visiting a photo gallery and photographing, as a photographer teaches you the art of photography.
Go to this tour2 Day tour
Visit a gallery! Learn photography from a pro! Camp in the mountains! What more could a photographer ask for?
Go to this tour4 Day tour
An immersive photography experience. Hike, camp, and photograph, as a pro teaches you the art of photography.
Go to this tourLa Lenga Art Gallery
A space in El Chaltén showcasing the artwork of photographer Alex DeMets.
Go to the gallery2 DAY CAMPING TOUR
Experience level: intermediate, advanced.
Day 1
Meeting in El Chaltén
On the first day of the tour, participants will meet at 10am at La Lenga Art Gallery, Alex's photography gallery in El Chaltén. Upon arrival, participants will have a chance to meet each other before beginning a walk-through of Alex's gallery. During the walk-through, Alex will guide participants through his image-making process; here participants will learn how they can best approach image-making on the following days of the tour.
After the walk through, the group will head to the supermarket together to purchase food for the following days' trip, before having a quick lunch, and then beginning their hike into the mountains. The Poincenot campsite where they will be staying takes approximately 3 hours to reach, and offers easy access to numerous trails that lead to fantastic areas for photography. .
Participants will arrive at the campsite in time to photograph sunset, and then photograph the night sky.
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.
Day 2
Trek to Laguna Sucia
A full day in the mountains
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 de los Tres or Laguna Sucia (left up to group members to decide which they'd prefer).
The group will share lunch after hiking back down from the laguna, and then head down to town. Upon arrival, participants will have time to rest and shower in their hotels, before gathering in the evening for an editing course.
Learn more about Alex and his creative processTour dates
March 28-29, 2025
April 14-15, 2025
Price per person
US$ 550
Important
To bring
Services included and not included
Costs of other services
Reservation and cancellation policy
Accommodation
Check the recommended dates to book your accommodation in El Chaltén according to the chosen tour
You may also be interested in
La Lenga Art Gallery
A space in El Chaltén showcasing the artwork of photographer Alex DeMets.
Go to the galleryImportant
To bring
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.
Walking 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.
Services included and not included
Included
Instructions and guidance from a professional photographer.
Downloadable video course detailing Alex's editing techniques.
A certified mountain guide who will accompany us while we are in the National Park.
Not included
Airfare to/from El Calafate.
Accommodation: Participants camp in free campsites during the courses. Hotel/hostel arrangements before and after the tour are left to the participants.
Restaurant costs.
Other services rates
Hire a porter to carry your gear for $100 per trip from town to base camp and back. Participants will complete 3 hikes during the tour, which involve hiking with camping gear in their backpacks. These hikes are of moderate difficulty and take between 3 and 4 hours to complete. This means it would cost $300 total to hire a porter to carry your camping gear for you on all of these hikes. Participants are encouraged to carry their own photography gear at all times, even if they have hired a porter. Food will be transported to the campsites anyway.
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. Based on the preferences of tour participants, Alex can put multiple participants in touch with each other so that they can arrange accommodation together.
Restaurant meals (vs. meals during camp) are paid for by the participants. Those who join Alex for meals will be taken to the best restaurants El Chaltén has to offer! Should a participant wish to dine elsewhere, or prepare their own food, they may opt out of a group meal at any time.
Reservation and cancellation policy
Reservations
To reserve a spot on a tour, a deposit of $1000 is required for the 4 and 5 day tours, and a $300 deposit is required for the 2 day tour. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the tour start date. However, it is recommended that participants make deposits as soon as possible, as Fall tours in El Chaltén are Alex's most popular tours. Deposits/payments can be made via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and Stripe. Details on how to make deposit payments will be explained upon contacting Alex.
Cancellations
In case of cancellation, the refund policy is as follows:
Those who cancel 3 or more months in advance will receive a full refund.
Those who cancel between 1 and 3 months in advance will forfeit the deposit, but will be refunded the tour fee.
Those who cancel less than 1 month in advance will forfeit the deposit and tour fee.
Accommodation reservations
To align with the tour itinerary, it is recommended that participants must make their accommodation reservations in El Chaltén on the following dates:
Tour 1
2-Day Camping Tour: April 28-29
Accommodation in El Chalten:
March 27th and 29th (2 nights).
See accommodation guide
Tour 2
4-day tour without camping: April 1-5.
Accommodation in El Chalten:
March 31st to April 5th (6 nights).
See accommodation guide
Tour 3
5-day camping tour: April 8 and 12.
Accommodation in El Chalten:
April 7th and 12th (2 nights).
See accommodation guide
Tour 4
2-day camping tour: April 14 and 15.
Accommodation in El Chalten:
April 13th and 15th (2 nights).
See accommodation guide
Tour 5
5-Day Camping Tour: April 18-22.
Accommodation in El Chalten:
April 17 and 22 (2 nights).
See accommodation guide
A note about accommodation and amenities
In an effort to keep the tours affordable to a wide range of photographers, Alex allows participants to choose what amenities/lodging they would like during their tours. Most photography tours are based in expensive hotels; these hotels act as a meeting point for clients when they are not camping in the field. Since Alex’s gallery acts as a meeting point and classroom during the tours, the need for everyone to stay in the same hotel is eliminated. This gives participants the freedom to book stays at any hotel or hostel they see fit! Those who are unsure of where to stay in El Chaltén can consult with Alex, who will help them find accommodations that fit their needs.
Things like camping equipment rentals, porters, and eating out with the group at restaurants are amenities that participants have the freedom to opt in or out of. Alex, an experienced traveler, understands that photography and travel are expensive enough, so he runs his tours on an a la carte basis. This allows participants, rather than tour guides, to decide how their money is spent. Those interested in signing up for a tour will receive a registration form prior to making their deposit, where they can specify which amenities they are interested in having during the tour. This email will also explain the dates that participants will need to book their stays to align with the tour itinerary.
About Alex DeMets
"My journey as a photographer began as a kid growing up in the Midwest of the United States, surrounded by cornfields. Bored with school, the surrounding landscape, and the prospect of living a mapped-out future, I began looking at nature photography as a kind of escape from the reality I was living in. The combination of creativity, exploration, and risk required to succeed as a landscape photographer appealed to me from a young age. By the time I finished high school, I had determined that I would commit myself to the lifestyle of the most talented photographers in the world, and stick with photography until my work was equal to or better than that of those same photographers. After years spent traveling in the western United States, I began to feel as if the novelty of traveling in my home country had worn off. Confused about what direction to go in as a photographer, I decided on a whim to buy a ticket to Peru. I immediately fell in love with travel in South America, and it wasn't long before I started dreaming about moving there permanently, and opening a gallery. After tens of thousands of miles covered via backpacking, hitch hiking, and by motorcycle, countless months spent camping under the stars, and years struggling as an artist trying to achieve excellence while simultaneously make a living off his craft, I finally opened my own gallery in El Chalten, Argentina."
My creative process
"As a photographer, my goal is to create one of a kind images that capture both the bigger and smaller aspects of a landscape. While it has become commonplace among photographers to prioritize quantity over quality in the search to gain followers on social media, I decided to take the opposite approach. As a result, I have made under 20 images in the past several years, which are what you see here. Not a single image was complete after the first attempt. Most of the images required much scouting in advance. This often means spending countless hours researching in order to find unknown but promising locations, and multi-month expeditions exploring these locations in order to find places which, if I'm lucky, may have a vague paragraph written online explaining how to arrive. Once I have visited a place that has potential for a great image, I will typically return anywhere from 5 to 15 times to perfect the shot, photographing it at different times of year, under different lighting conditions, and experimenting with different compositions. None of the compositions in my portfolio have been done before by other photographers, and many of the locations where my images were made are unknown in the world of photography. In reality, most locations I explore lack critical elements such as symmetry, visual flow, unusual light, etc. needed to create an outstanding composition, and thus, maybe only one in ten of the places I visit results in an image. The adventures and experiences I have while in search of the perfect image more than make up for the many times I walk away empty-handed."
– Alex DeMets
Other photo tours in El Chalten
Season
This tours run from November 1st, 2024 through March 1st, 2025.
Experience level
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced photographers welcome.
Tailored options
Private/custom tours available. Contact for details.
Group Size
2-6 people per tour.
Sunset/ Astrophotography
Spend an afternoon visiting a photo gallery and photographing, as a photographer teaches you the art of photography.
Go to this tour2 Day tour
Visit a gallery! Learn photography from a pro! Camp in the mountains! What more could a photographer ask for?
Go to this tour4 Day tour
An immersive photography experience. Hike, camp, and photograph, as a pro teaches you the art of photography.
Go to this tourAll photos and videos courtesy of El Chaltén Photo Tours.