Each day, we will have an early start to be in position to photograph the Paine Massif at dawn. We will concentrate on photographing the ‘Horns’ and Paine Grande peaks, located in the southern face of the Massif. Today we will explore the southern and western regions of this huge national park, extending for 600,000 acres (242,000 hectares).

The omnipresent Paine Massif, a magnificent set of rugged peaks formed out of granite and sedimentary rock, dominates the landscape. We'll have the opportunity to explore the Nothofagus or Southern Beech forest and its diversity of plants and animals; we will try for Magellanic Woodpecker, Austral Parakeet, and if we are lucky, the shy and scarce Huemul Deer.

Lake Grey is certainly one of the highlights of the day. Colossal icebergs are stranded on the southern shore of the lake after a long and slow journey from the glacier front. From this shore, we will board our boat (the M/V Grey II) for a 3-hour excursion through the icy waters towards the impressive and actively calving front of the Grey Glacier. Grey is one of the nearly 50 glaciers that originate from the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, world's third largest after Antarctica and Greenland. The photography is great at this particular spot; we will be treated with a glass of Pisco Sour containing hundred, possibly thousand-year old glacial ice!

Again this morning, we will have an early start to photograph the Horns at first light. In the right light, the mountain base turns orange, and the scene becomes very dramatic, with peculiar lenticular clouds moving quickly above the peaks.

We'll explore the alkaline ponds and reed-fringed lagoons located in the eastern part of the park. There are approximately 120 species of birds and nearly 500 species of plants in the park, and we'll see a considerable number of them, all very interesting subjects for observation and photography. During the southern spring and early summer (mid-October through late January), the myriad of flowers that bloom in these magnificent landscapes is an unforgettable sight.

High above the village of Cerro Castillo, countless Andean Condors can regularly be seen on a cliff face. We let ourselves be enchanted by these imposing birds as they glide majestically through the air. Thanks to our vantage point at the top of the cliff, we have an excellent view of these immense birds.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the Mylodon Cave. This outstanding natural formation, consisting of a massive cave carved by the waves of an ancient lake in the rock conglomerate, served as shelter for a large array of long-gone Pleistocene mammal species, including the Giant Ground Sloth, Mylodon darwinii, when most of the surroundings were covered by glaciers. The area's paleontology is fascinating, and we'll learn some interesting accounts from our guide.

We will have the rare opportunity to explore other minor caves at Benitez Hill; these smaller shelters were primarily used by pre-Columbian inhabitants, who reached these latitudes several thousand years ago. The trail goes through Southern beech woods, with a good chance of seeing new forest birds, raptors, and soaring Condors.

Tonight, we are staying at a more than 100-year-old estancia, founded by Scottish immigrants at the end of the 19th century and still run by the same family today.

We will drive east across the vast wind-swept steppes and along the border with Argentina. Pali Aike National Park and its many extinct cinder cones is a place that breaks the uniformity of this vast, big-sky country. Long-gone Indians extensively occupied the area, and it has a very rich archaeology and paleontology. Multiple phases of volcanic activity have left their mark here, with the most recent eruptions dating back only 16,000 to 10,000 years. Here, we have the opportunity to observe and photograph bizarre lava flows and impressive craters up close along easy walking trails.

The birdlife of the area is very interesting too, as we may find intriguing species such as Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, and the colorful White-bridled Finch.

In the afternoon, we will take a short ferry ride across the narrowest portion of the Straits of Magellan, where we expect to see the delightful and local Commerson’s Dolphin. Tonight, we are staying at a traditional estancia once again. Furthermore, Caleta Josefina is located just a few kilometers from the King Penguin colony that we will visit tomorrow.

Tierra del Fuego, the ‘Land of Fire,’ is another landmark coined by the skilled navigator, Ferdinand Magellan. In 1520, while crossing the seaway that now honors his name, he and his crew spotted a line of bonfires along the coast of a huge landmass. Tierra del Fuego is now a land of endless wind-swept steppes, rolling hills, and lush temperate forests.

On the shores of the immense Bahía Inútil (“Useless Bay”), just a few driving minutes away from Caleta Josefina ranch, there is the worldwide most accessible King Penguin breeding colony. This private nature reserve aims to preserve the small numbers of Kings that remain year-round and breed here, attracted by the bounty of the surrounding sea. We will have ample opportunities to observe and photograph the penguins from a reasonable distance (the maximum approach distance will be provided by your guide and must be respected at all times during your visit).

In the afternoon, we'll be heading back to Punta Arenas.

Complimentary transfer to the airport.

End of the tour. We hope this Patagonia Photography Expedition has provided unforgettable encounters with the remarkable wildlife and spectacular landscapes of Chilean Patagonia, and that you return home with extraordinary photographs and memories to last a lifetime.