Birds · Scheduled departure
The Gallardo Tango.
Ten days for one of the rarest birds on Earth. In December the hooded grebe pairs dance on the basalt-plateau lakes of Santa Cruz, and we photograph them at eye level from the shore. Then the road runs south past Cueva de las Manos and Perito Moreno National Park, and the trip ends at the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
December 2027
10 days · 9 nights
2–6 photographers
At a glance
The expedition in four lines
Dates
December 2027
Courtship and nesting season on the plateau. Exact days announced well in advance.
Group
2–6 photographers
Led by Crhistian Austin, with a local specialist on the plateau. A window seat for everyone.
Route
Plateau to glacier
The basalt plateau above Lago Buenos Aires, the Pinturas canyon, Perito Moreno National Park and the ice.
Fitness
Moderate
Strong wind and cold on the plateau even in summer, rough basalt underfoot, pre-dawn starts and one long day on the road.
Day by day
Four chapters, ten days
Days 1–4 · Water
The dance on the plateau
Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires
Three full sessions on the plateau lakes, out before sunrise, working low from the shore as the pairs display. Magellanic plover on the same shorelines. One day is held in reserve for the wind.
Day 5 · Stone
Hands on the canyon wall
Cueva de las Manos · Río Pinturas
Thousands of painted hands on the cliffs of the Pinturas canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with condors riding the thermals above. Afternoon drive to Lago Posadas.
Days 6–7 · Forest
Huemul country
Perito Moreno National Park
One of the most remote parks in Argentina. Huemul deer, condors, guanacos and lesser rheas, turquoise Lago Belgrano below Cerro San Lorenzo, and steppe flowers against lenga forest.
Days 8–10 · Ice
The glacier face
Los Glaciares National Park
South across the steppe, arriving in time for flamingos and black-necked swans at Laguna Nimez. A full day at the Perito Moreno Glacier waiting for the ice to fall, then farewell dinner and image review.
From the field
Also on the way
Photography
Gear and conditions
Hooded grebe: 600 mm with a 1.4× converter, or a 200–800 mm. A body with fast autofocus and a deep buffer for the display sequences. We shoot lying at the waterline and never approach the colonies.
Wind: a ground pod or bean bag to stay low. A tripod with gimbal head only works on sheltered shores.
Light: at 46° south in December the sun rises around 5:30 and sets after 21:30. We work the edges of the day and rest at midday.
Huemul, condors and landscape: 100–500 mm for wildlife, 16–35 and 24–105 mm for plateau, canyon and glacier, and 100–400 mm for calving ice.
Bring: winter layers even in summer, dust covers and sensor cleaning kit.
What is included
Included and not included
Included
9 nights in double rooms
Meals from the welcome dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 10, with a farewell dinner; one free evening
4×4 transport throughout the expedition, a window seat each
Expedition leader and a local specialist guide on the plateau
Entrance fees: Cueva de las Manos, Perito Moreno and Los Glaciares national parks
A contribution to hooded grebe and park conservation
In-field photo guidance and evening image reviews
Not included
Flights, and the transfer to the starting point (quoted separately)
Travel and medical insurance with emergency evacuation, minimum USD 100,000 (mandatory)
Single room supplement
Optional glacier boat trips and ice trekking
Alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses
Booking
Price and reservation
Price on request
Non-shooting partners welcome
Write to us first
We reply personally with dates, price and how to reach the start. A 30% deposit holds your place; the balance is due 90 days before departure. Cancel more than 90 days out and only the deposit is kept; after that there is no refund unless your place is filled. We recommend cancellation insurance.
Wild birds keep their own schedule. Three plateau sessions and a reserve day give you the best realistic odds, but sightings are never guaranteed.
