Patagonia Photo Workshop

TO DO

If you have not already completed the following, please inform me via email at kahwailin@outlook.com:

  • Registration form & waiver: Please ensure that you have filled out and signed the registration form and waiver using DocuSign.
  • Let me know if you are booking for single room or double room (sharing). If you are booking double room, please let me know your roommate.
  • Arrival and departure information: Kindly provide your flight details, including the flight number, date, and time of arrival and departure.
  • WhatsApp group chat: Please add me in your contact list (+16092168607) and send me a message in WhatsApp so that I can include you in the WhatsApp group.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (4/21): Arrival in El Calafate (FTE)

Day 2 (4/22): Perito Moreno.

Day 3-6 (4/23 – 4/26): El Chalten.

Day 7-10 (4/27 – 4/30): Torres del Paine.

Day 11 (5/01): Drive to El Calafate.

Day 12 (5/02): Departure from El Calafate (FTE)

FLIGHT AND ARRIVAL

Arrival and departure at El Calafate International Airport (FTE)

Coming from abroad, you will arrive at Buenos Aires’ international airport, EZE (Ezeiza). If that is the case, you only need to switch terminals within the same airport.

If your connecting flight to El Calafate (FTE) departs from AEP (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, the domestic airport), please allow at least 4 hours between flights to account for immigration, customs, airport transfer time, and domestic check-in.

If you need to transfer between airports (EZE – AEP) or head to a hotel in the city, book a remise (a private car service, like a taxi). After clearing customs, you will pass through two sets of sliding doors, between them you will find reputable transfer companies offering direct rides to hotels and to the domestic airport. I personally avoid the most popular company, Manuel Tienda León, because they often use buses and the trip takes much longer. A remise is faster, reliable, and you can book it in advance or on the spot. They accept credit cards, USD, and Euros. Your driver will meet you inside the terminal and walk you to the car.

Do not, under any circumstance, go out to the parking lot or accept rides from anyone approaching you inside the airport halls.

If you are spending a night in Buenos Aires before flying to El Calafate, simply give your hotel address when booking your remise. When heading to the domestic airport the next day, ask the hotel front desk to call you a taxi, avoid hailing one on the street.

Upon arrival in El Calafate, you can book a taxi directly at one of the official booths inside the airport. It’s safe and straightforward.

For your return from Patagonia, double-check which Buenos Aires airport you are arriving at. If you arrive at EZE, and your international flight is the same day, you’ll only need to change terminals. If you arrive at AE, plan 5–6 hours minimum to transfer to EZE. Buenos Aires is a very large city, and traffic can be extremely heavy during rush hour.

Whenever possible, spending a night in Buenos Aires before your international flight is the easiest way to avoid stress with tight connections, I’m happy to help arrange that if needed.

We will be staying at the Calafate Parque Hotel on Day 1 and Day 12. If you plan to arrive earlier or depart later, you’re welcome to book additional nights at the same hotel. Just let me know if you’d like us to help arrange an extension for your stay.

LUGGAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTION

If your flight has luggage weight restriction of 15kg with Aerolíneas Argentinas, go to the Aerolíneas Argentinas website and pull up your flight. You should be able to purchase an upgrade for your checked luggage (up to 23 kg for around $20). It’s much better to do this in advance rather than at the check-in counter. Usually, foreigners aren’t given a hard time unless the luggage is significantly over the limit.

WEATHER

The average temperature of Torres del Paine, Chile in April/May: 55°F to 34°F (13°C to 1°C). The average temperature of El Chalten, Argentina in April/May: 54.5°F to 25°F (12°C to -1°C). Late April/May is part of the autumn season. There is a chance of rain or snow showers, and some windy days.

Weather in Patagonia can change quickly—cold, hot, sunny, windy, or wet, often all in the same day—so layered clothing is absolutely essential. Below is a recommended packing list to help you stay comfortable and prepared throughout the trip.

CLOTHING

  • Layered tops: Base layers (thermals or moisture-wicking shirts), a fleece jacket, and a down or synthetic insulated jacket for chilly mornings.
  • Bottoms: Hiking pants are ideal, they’re windproof, often water-resistant, and full of pockets, but any comfortable trekking pants will work.
  • Outerwear: A fully waterproof and windproof rain jacket and rain pants.
  • Headwear: A warm hat or beanie, a sun hat, and a buff or neck gaiter.
  • Hands: Gloves or mittens. For reference, I use a layering system from The Heat Company: 1st Layer (LINERS): Polartec Liner; 2nd Layer (SHELL): Shell Full Leather. If you would like to purchase The Heat Company gloves, please use 10% discount code kahwailin26 to shop at: https://www.theheatcompany.com/
  • Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots; optional sneakers for hotel or lodge evenings.
  • Socks: Wool or synthetic hiking socks.
  • Other: A comfortable shirt and pants for evenings in town or at the hotel.

Gear & Accessories

  • Hiking poles.
  • Reusable water bottle.

Health & Personal Items

  • First-aid: A basic kit, personal medications, and pain relievers.
  • Toiletries: Sunscreen and your usual personal hygiene items.
  • Sun protection: Sunglasses.
  • Other: Hand sanitizer and earplugs.

Documents & Power

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

  • Camera and lenses. We recommend bringing an ultra-wide angle zoom lens like the Canon 11-24 or 16-35mm, Nikon 14-24mm or Sony 12-24mm; a standard zoom like 24-70mm or 24-105mm; and a telephoto zoom lens like 70-200mm or 100-400mm.
  • Sturdy tripod.
  • A camera remote (IR/wireless or wired).
  • Filters: polarizer, ND (6 and 10-stops) and GND (3-stops soft).
  • Microfiber cloth which can be handy while shooting in the rain. Bring blower and lens brush too.
  • Memory-cards and camera batteries. Make sure to bring chargers.
  • A solid backpack for all your photography gear, preferably with a rain cover.
  • A headlight/lamp and extra AA/AAA batteries.
  • (Optional) laptop and external hard drive for backups.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Full trip cancellation insurance, along with accident, medical and baggage insurance, is highly recommended. Before you leave home, ensure your policy reflects your actual dates of travel, covering you from the date you leave home until the date you return. Update your travel insurance coverage to include extra hotel nights, non-refundable flights, etc., if applicable. Confirm that your policy covers medical evacuation from Chile and Argentina.

 

CONTACT

Please add my phone number to your contact list: +16092168607. Afterward, kindly send me a message in the WhatsApp with your name and the date of your workshop. I will then add you to the WhatsApp group chat where all the communications will be shared during the workshop.

Rest assured, my cellphone will always be switched on during my stay in Chile and Argentina, and this is the same number through which you can reach me.