Torres del Paine Landscape Photography at the End of the World

J

Julian Elliott

Suspended / Banned
Messages
493
Name
Julian Elliott
Edit My Images
No
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be taken to Torres del Paine national park in southern Chile.

Over 4 nights there was much exploring and what has to be the most incredible sunrise that I have ever witnessed. It was truly an awesome display of colour from Mother Nature.

The vlog is short and sweet because there was a lot of other things going on in the background which meant I could do a whole lot.

Take a look at what happens when the Gods shine down on you.

 
SFTPhotography said:
I'm gonna have to put my hand in my pocket and fly down there. Been meaning to for ages
Click to expand...

Be prepared for a LONG flight!!! I ended up on a 13.5 hour flight from Santiago to Amsterdam then another flight to Paris.

It was hell!!!

Be very very aware that in the National Park there are NO petrol stations. You have to plan really carefully.
 
Julian Elliott said:
Be prepared for a LONG flight!!! I ended up on a 13.5 hour flight from Santiago to Amsterdam then another flight to Paris.

It was hell!!!

Be very very aware that in the National Park there are NO petrol stations. You have to plan really carefully.
Click to expand...

I was looking at flying Glasgow to Gatwick, Gatwick to Madrid - Madrid to Santiago. I'll fly premium economy for the main leg. Can't afford business/1st.

What was the airport after Santiago you flew too? Then how far to drive. Approximate costs of hotels/rental cars etc.
 
Clearly Patagonia is an incredible place for photographers. I have given up travelling outside the UK so will never end up there. A photographer friend went there recently and while he got some good shots of the glaciers, his shots of the mountains were not what he had hoped for. The problem is that he was on a fairly tight schedule and 3 others travelled with him all non-photographers. So comments like can we stay a little longer as the light is improving did not interest the non-photographers.

Dave
 
SFTPhotography said:
I was looking at flying Glasgow to Gatwick, Gatwick to Madrid - Madrid to Santiago. I'll fly premium economy for the main leg. Can't afford business/1st.

What was the airport after Santiago you flew too? Then how far to drive. Approximate costs of hotels/rental cars etc.
Click to expand...
From Santiago you go to Punta Arenas. Then it’s a 5 hour or so drive through mostly nothing to the National Park.

Hotel you’re looking at a minimum of $350 or so per night if you stay in the park.
 
SFTPhotography said:
That's insane - might hire a large car and sleep in that.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is insane. You also have to be VERY aware of the rules of the national park. If you break any rule, and sleeping in your car inside the boundaries maybe one of those, then you could be facing a lifetime ban from the NP.

The hotel I mentioned, that's the cheapest.
 
Julian Elliott said:
Yes, it is insane. You also have to be VERY aware of the rules of the national park. If you break any rule, and sleeping in your car inside the boundaries maybe one of those, then you could be facing a lifetime ban from the NP.

The hotel I mentioned, that's the cheapest.
Click to expand...

Do you have to book/apply for permits to go into the NP in advance?
 
SFTPhotography said:
Do you have to book/apply for permits to go into the NP in advance?
Click to expand...

I personally didn't do the permits etc as that was taken care of by others.

Upon reaching the park boundary there is a ranger station where, from memory, you can purchase the permit. You have to stop there as they have a gate :)

I wouldn't mind going back there. I'm looking at 2024 as I'd kind of like a week or so there if possible.
 
Julian Elliott said:
I personally didn't do the permits etc as that was taken care of by others.

Upon reaching the park boundary there is a ranger station where, from memory, you can purchase the permit. You have to stop there as they have a gate :)

I wouldn't mind going back there. I'm looking at 2024 as I'd kind of like a week or so there if possible.
Click to expand...

I was looking at several accommodation options - I am guessing a car is a must - given the size of the NP I cannot imagine walking everywhere for the shots I'd like to take and I am a photographer - not a hiker.

I saw you can go by bus Punta Arenas to the NP - but I don't think getting around without wheels of my own would be easy. Some of the roads look unpaved so a 4x4 would be ideal.

Did you have a rental vehicle?
 
SFTPhotography said:
I was looking at several accommodation options - I am guessing a car is a must - given the size of the NP I cannot imagine walking everywhere for the shots I'd like to take and I am a photographer - not a hiker.

I saw you can go by bus Punta Arenas to the NP - but I don't think getting around without wheels of my own would be easy. Some of the roads look unpaved so a 4x4 would be ideal.

Did you have a rental vehicle?
Click to expand...

Nope. I was in a minibus provided by my accommodation. I was going to have a rental car but I started seeing the potential issues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top