El Chaltén Photo Tours
For travelers looking to be guided to great places to capture the stunning images of El Chaltén, while learning the art of photography
Why take a Photography Tour in El Chaltén?
Photography workshops, or tours, are for travelers looking to be guided to great places to photograph while learning the art of photography. Photography enthusiasts of all levels can gain something from workshops. All of the tour begin with a private gallery showing, where Alex, a professional photographer based in El Chaltén, walks students through the behind the scenes of how he makes his images. This is followed by a hike into the mountains, which lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Alex offers various length tours during different seasons to accommodate photographers of all levels and schedules. During the hike, students will be taught techniques learned during the gallery walk through, while capturing images of stunning Patagonian mountains. The emphasis of Alex’s workshops is on understanding how a photographer transitions from “taking snapshots” to “creating art”.
He teaches both technical as well as artistic elements of photography, and maintains small group sizes to be able to spend one on one time with each student. Those taking a photo-workshop in El Chaltén not only increase their chances of making stunning images while in Patagonia, but also learn the secrets to creating great images wherever they travel.
A unique opportunity
El Chaltén area is the ideal classroom to learn and practice the art of nature photography: a balance of world-class scenery plus guiding from a local master photographer makes for one of the most unique experiences El Chaltén has to offer.
About Alex DeMets
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, he finally opened his own gallery in El Chaltén.
Learn more about AlexEl Chaltén Photo Tours
Season
Tours run from November 1st through March 1st.
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 tourSunset/ Astrophotography tour
Experience level: Beginning, intermediate.
Not recommended for advanced photographers.
The Sunset/Astrophotography tour is for those on a tight schedule, or who do not wish to camp. The tour begins at 6pm with a walkthrough of Alex’s gallery, where he discusses photography techniques and the basics of composition.
Following the gallery walk-through, the group will begin hiking to a point which offers a fantastic view of Fitz Roy, and takes 1-1.5 hours to get to. Once there, students will be shown how to apply techniques discussed during the gallery walk-through as they photograph the sunset.
After sunset, the group will gather for snacks as we wait for the stars to come out.
After photographing the night sky for 1-2 hours, the group will head down together in the dark.
Learn more about Alex and his creative processIncluded
Instruction and guiding from a professional photographer.
Downloadable video course detailing Alex’s editing techniques.
Not Included
Food/drinks.
Lodging: Students camp at free campsites during the courses. Arrangements at hotels/hostels prior and post tour are left up to participants.
To bring
Must bring
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.
Insulated jacket.
Hat.
Windbreaker/Rain jacket.
Hiking shoes.
Backpack for carrying camera gear.
Recommended camera gear
Wide-angle lens, such as a 16-35mm lens.
A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70mm lens.
A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens.
Contact
El Chalten Photo Tours
Queries
WhatsApp chat
Price per person
US$ 140
If only one client has booked a tour, arrangements will be made last minute to discuss
alternative options.
Looking for a discount? Get a 10% off for signing up with a friend or significant other.
Tour Calendar
Tours run twice a week: on Mondays and Tuesdays (not including Mondays and Tuesdays which coincide with dates of 4 day 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 gallery2 Day tour
Experience level: Beginning, intermediate.
Not recommended for advanced photographers.
The 2 day tour begins at 12pm in Alex’s gallery. Alex walks students through the gallery while explaining the techniques behind the making of his photographs.
His focus is on helping students better understand composition and shooting techniques used by professional photographers- it is essential students have a basic grasp of these concepts before heading into the field. Upon finishing this mini-course, the group heads to Rancho Grande for lunch. The group will then stop at the super market to pick up food for camping, and then begin the hike to the campsite.
The group will arrive several hours before sunset, which will give them time to set up camp and explore the area long before lighting conditions become ideal.
Alex will walk students through the process of scouting locations and pre-visualizing images (predicting whether an image will be successful if photographed under ideal lighting conditions); two often ignored but essential techniques behind creating successful photographs. After having scouted the area and planned out images, students will gather for a brief snack break while waiting for sunset. Alex will review students’ images, and advise them on how to best photograph their pre-visualized images.
After photographing sunset, the group will wait until nightfall in order to photograph the night sky. After finishing the astrophotography lesson, students will head back to camp for dinner. Before heading to bed, the group will decide whether they would like to return to photograph the same area they had during sunset, or whether they’d prefer to photograph a new area for sunrise.
In the morning, students will awake early to prepare coffee and a simple breakfast (ie oatmeal, hardboiled eggs) before heading out for sunrise photos.
After photographing sunrise, the group will head back to town together.
Learn more about Alex and his creative processIncluded
Instruction and guiding from a professional photographer.
Downloadable video course detailing Alex’s editing techniques.
Not Included
Food/drinks.
Lodging: Students camp at free campsites during the courses. Arrangements at hotels/hostels prior and post tour are left up to participants.
To bring
Must bring
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.
Insulated jacket.
Hat.
Windbreaker/Rain jacket.
Hiking shoes.
Backpack for carrying camera gear.
Tent*.
Sleeping bag*
Sleeping mat*.
Recommended camera gear
Wide-angle lens, such as a 16-35mm lens.
A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70mm lens.
A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens.
Polarizer.
*These items generally can be rented in El Chalten at sporting goods stores.
Contact
El Chalten Photo Tours
Queries
WhatsApp chat
Price per person
US$ 440
If only one client has booked a tour, arrangements will be made last minute to discuss alternative options.
Looking for a discount? Get a 10% off for signing up with a friend or significant other.
Porters can be hired for approximately $100 USD per day to carry equipment to and from campsites.
However, everyone will be expected to carry their own camera equipment during the day hikes.
Tour Calendar
Tours begin on Thursdays and finish Fridays (once a week) - Not including Thursdays/Fridays which coincide with dates of 4 day tours.
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 gallery4 Day tour
Experience level: Intermediate and advanced photographers.
The Chalten 4 Day tour is similar in content to the overnight course, but meant for those looking to spend several days in the mountains, while receiving more one-on-one instruction time with Alex.
Students will be based in 2 different campsites during the workshop, and day-hike to numerous surrounding locations each day.
The 4 day tour gives students enough time to see all the classic views of the park, as well as lesser known areas.
This course covers all of Alex’s shooting techniques, some of which are not covered in shorter tours.
This course is hiking intensive; expect to spend between 3-7 hours per day hiking (although, not necessarily with a fully loaded backpack).
The tour concludes in Alex’s gallery with an in person editing lesson where he show students how he edits his own images.
Those who wish to bring a laptop with Adobe Photoshop will have the chance to receive assistance in the editing of their own images.
Learn more about Alex and his creative processIncluded
Instruction and guiding from a professional photographer.
Downloadable video course detailing Alex’s editing techniques.
In person instruction.
Certified Mountain Guide accompanying us during hiking/camping portion of tour.
Cooking equipment for camping trips (camp stove, pots/pans/plates/cups, water purifier, etc.).
Not Included
Food/drinks: Tours with camping involved include a trip to the supermarket to buy food.
Lodging: Students camp at free campsites during the courses. Arrangements at hotels/hostels prior and post tour are left up to participants.
To bring
Must bring
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.
Insulated jacket.
Hat.
Windbreaker/Rain jacket.
Hiking shoes.
Backpack for carrying camera gear (60+ liters recommended.).
Tent*.
Sleeping bag*
Sleeping mat*.
Harness and Carabiners*.
Recommended camera gear
Wide-angle lens, such as a 16-35mm lens.
A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70mm lens.
A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens.
Polarizer.
*These items generally can be rented in El Chalten at sporting goods stores.
Contact
El Chalten Photo Tours
Queries
WhatsApp chat
Price per person
US$ 1,450
If only one client has booked a tour, arrangements will be made last minute to discuss alternative options.
Looking for a discount? Get a 10% off for signing up with a friend or significant other.
Porters can be hired for approximately $100 USD per day to carry equipment to and from campsites.
However, everyone will be expected to carry their own camera equipment during the day hikes.
Tour Calendar
November 30th- December 4th.
January 16th- January 20th
February 16- February 20th
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 galleryAbout 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
Bad weather policy
In the event of weather which is forecast to make photographing impossible for the entire duration of the tour, (ie overcast+rain/ snow), the tour will be canceled.
Clients will have the option of either switching to a different tour happening in the following days, or receiving a refund.
Because everyone has varying definitions of what qualifies as suitable weather for photography, it is up to me, your guide, to make the final call on whether or not a tour will be run. For those who choose to opt out of a tour because they deem the conditions/forecast unsuitable, either the option of switching to a different tour, or a 30% refund will be offered.
As a photographer living in the region who understands the local weather patterns, I am the most qualified person to make judgments on whether or not conditions are suitable. That being said, I can not guarantee great light, and it should be kept in mind that there is always an element of luck when it comes to weather and photography.
All photos and videos courtesy of El Chaltén Photo Tours.