By booking this workshop you contribute to environmental conservation in Patagonia through the association Amigos Parque Nacional Los Glaciares ZN
On Darwin's footsteps: among Pristine Landscapes and Penguins
This Photographic Journey combines the adventure of getting to know and capturing the beauty of the Patagonian coastal fauna with the untamed wilderness of the heart of the steppe.
Starting our journey, following in the footsteps of the naturalist and adventurer Charles Darwin, our boat will sail for Penguin Island, hopefully, with the company of Commerson’s Dolphins.
On the island we will find Magellanic Penguins, Sea Lions and Southern Rockhopper Penguins, the stars of our journey, as well as ruins of old buildings, the old boilers that were used to extract the oil for the luminaries in Europe and a beautiful lighthouse.
Then our boat will take us to the Ria Deseado Natural Reserve, the Chaffers, Elena and Larga Islands, where we will be able to photograph more dolphins, penguins, cormorants and sea lions.
During this itinerary we will visit the site where Charles Darwin camped during Christmas 1833 with the Beagle expedition, led by Fitz Roy. An incredible landscape will be waiting for us: an amazing triangular rock in the middle of the Deseado River bed, in the middle of the most remote steppe. Canyons, viewpoints over 60 meters high, caves with rupestrian paintings up to 7,000 years old and rock formations that awaken our imagination.
We will have a Unique Opportunity to Photograph these places during the Best Light Hours of the Day.
In this area, we will also visit the wharf where, since 1912, the sheep production of the estancias of the region was shipped, as well as the rocky landscapes of the Cañadon de las Animas.
ITINERARY
To book flights, please consult schedules! We suggest flights arriving in Comodoro Rivadavia before 9 AM and returning after 4 PM.
For flights out of this time range, we cannot be responsible for missed services. The suggested schedule is indicative, it is very important to check the schedule with us before booking flights.
We will meet with the group at the Comodoro Rivadavia Airport to take a private transfer with the group to our hotel in Puerto Deseado (350km / 4hs trip).
Around 2 PM we will have a lunch, and the Lead Photographer will give an introductory talk about the workshop.
Then we will take a walking tour to get to know the historic town of Puerto Deseado.
At 5 pm we will navigate and hike to the Toba Stone.
Night in Puerto Deseado.
After breakfast, we will sail to Penguin Island. On the island we will encounter many wildlife: Magellanic Penguins, a colony of Southern Rockhopper Penguins and Sea Lions. In addition to an abandoned lighthouse and the stations of an old oil mill.
After lunch, we will sail to the Ría Deseado and its canyons passing by Chaffers, Elena and Larga Islands, with colonies of Magellanic Penguins, Cormorants and Sea Lions.
At the end of this route we will move to the Estancia “Cerro Paso”, where the Darwin Camp is located, in the middle of the Patagonian steppe.
Night at the Darwin Camp Eco Lodge.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will leave in a 4×4 vehicle to reach the site where Charles Darwin camped during the Christmas of 1833 during the expedition of HMS Beagle, led by Robert Fitz Roy.
There a surprising triangular-shaped rock awaits us in the middle of the Deseado River bed, a place where ocean waters enter for almost 40km.
An incredible landscape, typical of the steppe, with rocky canyons and caves with rupestrian paintings more than 7,000 years old.
Night at the Darwin Camp Eco Lodge.
On the morning of the fourth day we will make a tour to the Cañadón de las Ánimas, in the western sector of the estancia, with opportunities to photograph the typical steppe environment, canyons, and wildlife.
After lunch, we will leave with a private transfer to the city of Puerto Deseado.
Night in Puerto Deseado.
In the morning, after breakfast, we will review together the work done.
Then we will leave with a private transfer to Comodoro Rivadavia airport (350km / 4 hours trip).
There we will say goodbye until the next workshop!
What's included?
- Professional Photographer
- Certified Guide
- Small Group Size
- Analysis of the Work Done
- Accommodation for 4 Nights
- All Excursions and Photography Activities
- All Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches + 2 Dinners
- All Transfers at Destination
- Entrance Ticket to the Penguin Island
What's not!
- Transport from your origin point to Comodoro Rivadavia
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Tips
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Please note that these are only suggestions given by our experience. It is not necessary to have all the equipment reported, everyone prepares for the journey according to their needs.
For example, some people may only want to take pictures with a smartphone while others will want to take a drone with them. But it is our duty to guide you to a better choice.
Although you can participate with any type of photographic device, we recommend a reflex or mirrorless camera, which allow much more freedom and creativity.
Considering the wide variety of photographic situations this workshop presents, it is advisable to have available focal lengths ranging from wide-angle (shorter distances) to telephoto (longer distances).
For Landscape Photography, we suggest a wide focal lenght: ideally around 15 – 50 mm. You can also get a good landscape with a longer focal length by using a stable tripod.
For night photos (Astrophotography) the shorter the focal length, the better. This makes it possible to include more elements in the frame.
For terrestrial wildlife, a 300mm or longer telephoto lens is the best choice.
Consider also buying a tele converter to increase the focal length of the lens: 1.4x or 2x. Even if with loss of luminosity.
Finally, choosing the right set of lenses is not easy. If you encounter difficulties and need some suggestions do not hesitate to contact us.
The most important feature of a tripod is its stability. Since every journey includes some trekking, we must also take into account the weight.
We suggest a good carbon tripod that maintains a good balance between weight and stability, that can easily change from one height to another and that locks in little space.
Aluminum is also fine, as carbon is generally much more expensive. We know that choosing a tripod is not easy and we are available to help you choose the right model for you.
A Polarizing filter will be very useful to neutralize water reflections in the lagoons.
For those who love Landscape Photography, ND filters with 6 or 8 steps will be also very useful to play with the movement of water and clouds.
It is recommended to carry UV or Skylight filters, useful to protect the lenses from Ultraviolet rays (even more important in these altitudes), dust and splashes.
Finding the right photo backpack can be a difficult challenge. We recommend you to rely on a brand with quality and experience in the market.
The type of backpack clearly depends on your equipment. But what really matters is that you feel comfortable with it and possibly fitted with a rain cover.
You can’t miss in your backpack: a cleaning kit for the lenses, a remote control to shoot without touching the camera, hood for the lenses (to avoid flare) and a robust / comfortable camera strap.
It is also important to take spare batteries and memory cards with you.
If you are interested in POST-PRODUCTION we suggest bringing your laptop with some editing software already installed. The Lead Photographer, at the end of the day, will answer your questions.
MORE ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
In this workshop we will have the opportunity to photograph the typical wildlife of the Patagonian coast of Argentina.
Among them are the Southern Rockhopper Penguins, Magellanic Penguins, Sea Lions, Cormorants, Commerson’s Dolphins, Guanacos. etc.
We recommend wearing heavy clothing and a waterproof or windbreaker jacket.
Hat, neck cover, gloves and sunglasses.
Sturdy, comfortable footwear (hiking type) for walking.
Comfortable and robust backpack to carry your gear and protect it from dust, water and bumps.
Sunscreen.
The round trip between your city of origin and Comodoro Rivadavia is not included in the price.
However, we can coordinate it with the Tour Operator.
Yes, in this workshop all transfers at destination are included.
