Patagonia Peaks and Pumas

Apr 11-22, 2026

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Join us for Patagonia Peaks and Pumas, where you'll track and photograph wild pumas on a private estancia, explore both Argentine and Chilean Patagonia’s most breathtaking landscapes, and capture iconic wildlife like guanacos, condors, and foxes—all during the peak of autumn color. With exclusive access, a private gaucho photo shoot, luxurious accommodations, and personalized instruction from pro photographers, this all-inclusive adventure is designed for passionate photographers seeking both inspiration and growth. Limited to just 10 participants, you'll enjoy a more intimate, hands-on experience in one of the most dramatic and remote regions on Earth.

Tuition

  • $11,995
  • All Inclusive

Max Group Size

  • 5 Students per Instructor
  • Max 10 Students

Instructor(s)

  • David Swindler
  • Ryan McGinty*
  • Raymond Hoffman*

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Four Full Days with Wild Pumas
Track and photograph elusive pumas with expert local guides on a private estancia—an exclusive opportunity you won’t find elsewhere.

Explore Both Argentine & Chilean Patagonia
Capture the grandeur of dramatic mountains, glacial lakes, deep fjords, waterfalls, and massive icefields—all in one epic journey.

Perfect Timing for Fall Colors
Our dates are carefully selected to align with Patagonia’s stunning autumn foliage—fiery reds, golds, and warm tones everywhere you look.

Incredible Wildlife Encounters
Photograph iconic species such as guanacos, Andean condors, foxes, rheas, owls, and more—all set against breathtaking backdrops.

Exclusive Gaucho Photo Shoot
Enjoy a private session with traditional gauchos on horseback, staged in the spectacular Patagonian landscape.

Hands-On Learning with the Pros
Boost your skills with personalized instruction from experienced professional photographers throughout the trip.

Intimate Group Size
Limited to just 10 participants for a more personal, focused experience—smaller than most Patagonia tours.

All-Inclusive
Enjoy upscale accommodations, exceptional local cuisine, and everything taken care of—just focus on your photography.

Comfortable, Photographer-Friendly Transport
Spacious vehicles with guaranteed window seats for everyone, so you never miss a shot on the road.

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Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop

Itinerary

Due to the unpredictability of Patagonian weather, the itinerary below is subject to change. We will make every effort to optimize our daily shooting opportunities. A pre-workshop zoom meeting will be held with all participants 2-3 months before the trip.

  • Day 1 (Apr 11): You will fly into Puerto Natales, Chile.  Airport pickups will begin mid-afternoon and we'll drive to Cerro Castillo - our home base for the next 4 nights.  After settling into our hotel, we'll enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and talk in depth about the days ahead of us.
  • Days 2-5 (Apr 12-15):  It's 4 full days of puma tracking and photography! Each morning we'll wake up early and drive to the Laguna Amarga Estancia where we have special access on private land. The local guides coordinate with the puma trackers to determine our best locations. From there we’ll embark on foot and can walk several miles each day to find the best photo angles of the pumas. We will photograph the pumas and other wildlife both in the morning and the evening. On the evening of Apr 15th, we'll drive back to Puerto Natales and check into our hotel.
  • Days 6-8 (Apr 16-18):  After breakfast and a post-processing session, we load up and make our way to the impressive Torres del Paine National Park. The weather and conditions will dictate our exact itinerary and we'll make sure you get the best shots possible!  Some of the highlights include the Harbors of Lake Pehoe, with its wonderful stony bay foregrounds. Enjoy panoramic views from the Mirador Condor, Glacier Grey, Nordenskjold Lake, the Salto Grande Waterfall. We'll even organize a special photo shoot with the local guachos and their horses!
  • Day 9 (Apr 19):  We enjoy a final sunrise shoot in Chilean Patagonia before packing up and hitting the road towards Argentina.  We cross the border and get settled into our new accommodations in the picturesque village of El Chalten.
  • Day 10 (Apr 20):  We are up early for a sunrise shoot under the alpenglow of the Fitz Roy massif.  The deep red hues are nothing short of impressive. Then we'll spend several hours exploring the Lago Desierto region, with waterfalls galore!  We'll conclude the day with a final sunset shoot from an area with 360-degree views with the famed Mt Fitz Roy!
  • Day 11 (Apr 21): We go out for an early sunrise shoot followed by breakfast and then begin the 3hr drive towards El Calafate. With forests full of fall colors, we find many compositions to frame the Perito Moreno Glacier with it's vivid-blue ice reflecting the golden light of the sun.  We return to town for our final group dinner.
  • Day 12 (Apr 22):  Your Patagonian adventure concludes as you depart from El Calafate. A complimentary shuttle will transport you to the airport for your onward journey or flight home.
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Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop

Physical Difficulty

This workshop is rated Moderate for physical activity. We aren't planning any long hikes, but due to the rough and uneven terrain you need to be in good health with an above average level of fitness and mobility. Make sure you are comfortable hiking 2-3 miles and 200-700 ft of elevation gain with your camera gear and tripod.

Please note that we cannot control where the pumas are and how much hiking may be required to find and follow them during the day. Most days it will be around 2-3 miles total.  But it is possible we could cover up to 3-5 miles while tracking the pumas.  This would increase the difficulty rating to Difficult on our scale on those day(s).

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Logistics

You will fly into Puerto Natales, Chile (PNT) and fly out of El Calafate, Argentina (FTE). Please do NOT book your flights until we give the go-ahead to do so approximately 6 months before the departure date.  We will send you a detailed document to help you plan your international travel.

We will be staying at very nice hotels throughout the workshop. Each room will have private bathrooms. Double occupancy is assumed in the base price and single rooms are available for a surcharge (see Pricing section below).

The weather in Patagonia is highly unpredictable.  During the fall season we can have rain, snow, high winds, or beautiful sunny days. You need to be prepared for the worst weather.  Please see the gear list further down.

*Ryan McGinty will be instructing the pumas portion on Apr 11-16. Raymond Hoffman will be instructing the landscape portion on Apr 16-22. David Swindler is instructing the entire workshop dates.

Approx 2-3 months before the workshop, we'll hold a zoom meeting with all participants to help answer questions and talk in more detail about your camera gear, clothing needs, and the itinerary.

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Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop

Pricing

$11,995/ PERSON + TAX

Trip Includes:

  • 11 nights double occupancy lodging in well-appointed hotels with private bathrooms.  Single rooms available for an additional $1900/person.
  • Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
  • Spacious ground transportation where everyone gets a window seat.
  • Services from licensed local guides.
  • All airport transfers.
  • Park entrance fees
  • In-field photography instruction
  • Post-processing and image critique
  • Pre-workshop zoom meeting

Trip Does NOT Include:

  • Flights to and from your home to Chile/Argentina.
  • Beverages and snacks you wish to purchase.
  • Optional gratuities for local guides, drivers, and instructors.

The Fine Print:

  • 25% deposit required to hold your spot.
  • Another 25% payment is due 10/11/2025.
  • Remaining balance is due 12/11/2025 (120 days prior).
  • If you need to cancel, a full refund less a $300 cancellation fee will be given once your spot is filled by another participant.
  • Travel Insurance is highly recommended for this workshop.
  • We cannot offer the Loyalty Discount on this workshop as it is an international collaboration.
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Recommended Camera Gear

  • Digital SLR or mirrorless camera body.
  • Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range or wider.
  • Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
  • Long telephoto zoom lens in the 100-400mm range.  Note: 200mm will not be long enough for wildlife.
  • Tripod and L-bracket for your camera.
  • Circular polarizers and ND filters will come in handy.  If you like shooting with grads, bring them along.
  • Backpack to carry your camera gear.
  • Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
  • Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or do any post-processing.

Personal Gear List

  • Waterproof and windproof shell jacket.
  • Waterproof pants
  • Warm layers, warm hat, warm gloves (prepare for winter-like conditions)
  • Thermal underlayers
  • Sturdy footwear and long pants.
  • Headlamp
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat.
  • Water bottle.
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Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop
Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop

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David Swindler Photographer

David Swindler

Founder - Photography Instructor

David Swindler is an award-winning landscape and wildlife photographer. Among others, he has been recognized by the International Photography Awards, Siena International Photo Awards, Sony World Photography Awards, International Landscape Photographer of the Year, and National Geographic. He received a degree in chemical engineering and worked in the semiconductor industry specializing in optics and photolithography. In 2014, he left his day job to follow his true passion. He has traveled to some of the most remote regions of the world and has extensive experience photographing a wide variety of subjects and conditions. As the founder of Action Photo Tours, he finds great satisfaction in helping others learn photography, especially in the wild desert environment near his home in Kanab, UT. David is an expert in night photography and loves to get out and shoot the starry night skies.

Gallery    Awards and Media Coverage

Having guided photo tours for years, David is very familiar with many different types of cameras.  He is a master with light and composition. But most importantly, his dedication to his clients is what really sets him apart! But don't take our word for it - read what others are saying: Trip Advisor.

Ryan McGinty Profile Photo Olympics

Ryan McGinty

Photography Instructor

Ryan McGinty is a seasoned landscape photographer living in the Palouse area of southeastern Washington.  His first-hand experience in this unique agricultural area makes him the perfect instructor to lead people to out-of-the-way places for those once-in-a-lifetime rainbows, sunsets and sunrises in the beautiful rolling hills. He loves chasing the light and diligently checks weather apps to get the latest sun and rain predictions, cloud formations, wind and temperatures for the best locations and light.

His interest in photography started at an early age and continued in college with graduate work at Brooks Institute of Photography.  His experience in portrait, wedding, film, and medium and large format photography give him an extraordinary background for his award-winning landscape photography.

His passion for the Palouse is only exceeded by his passion for photography and his desire to show people his favorite places.  He takes a legitimate interest in his clients and strives hard to ensure they get the best shots. His photographs have been published in books, calendars and travel guides.

Raymond Hoffman Profile

Raymond Hoffman

Raymond is an award-winning photographer known for his magnificent landscape photos. His career took off in 2011 when he was voted "Best Nature Photographer" by one of Europe’s largest online photo communities.  Raymond’s work has been featured in various publications, and he actively takes on assignments for publishers and advertising agencies.

Raymond also works as a nature photographer, leading tours across the stunning nordic nations.