Dates Nov 6–19, 2008
Leaders Joe Van Os and
Alejandro Ronchetti
Fee $5,495 from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Includes internal tour airfare
Deposit $400
Limit 14
Terms and Conditions

At first light we stand at the edge of a towering precipice. Here, Andean condors, the largest of the New World “vultures”—with impressive wingspans of up to ten feet—ride the thermals and soar through the sky, sometimes only a few feet from our precipitous perch. Below our viewpoint and stretching into the distance is the vast open landscape of the Patagonian steppe. As the morning sun brushes these lofty escarpments, the “Condors Castle” awaken with the warmth of the golden light. Thermals build and the condors set forth to reclaim the wind for another day.

We’ll photograph condors at the sheer boundary that separates earth and sky, high above the steppe, as these incredible birds sweep through the air or land on the isolated ledges below us. Dozens of condors may be on hand during the day as we obtain amazing flight shots of the spectacular black and white males and females, and the drab
juveniles, as they cruise by. For this shoot, fast auto focus and image stabilizers are the most useful features on your long lenses.

The condor has been venerated by numerous Andean cultures as a messenger of the gods. One of the healthiest populations of condors is found in Argentina, where the birds are protected in several national parks along their wide range. And one of the best places to photograph the condors is from a private estancia (ranch) located near San Carlos de Bariloche, in the northern Lake District of Patagonia. In a transitional landscape between the Andes and the Patagonian steppe, an area of erosion-carved rock formations known as Castillos del Condor or Condors Castle—crowned by 5,250-foot-high Mt. Buitrera—one of the largest concentrations of condors in Patagonia can easily be photographed. In November, the courtship displays of the male condor—bands of white wing feathers flashing— include dramatic aerial acrobatics.

Residing at our rustic, but comfortable, estancia we have four full days to capture these massive birds at dawn and dusk. Our conveniently-located lodging eliminates the need for long daily drives
out from town—placing us in the midst of the action at first light! While the early morning and evening hours will be devoted to the condors, we will have time to photograph throughout the vast expanse of the estancia lands and the surrounding area—a variety of habitats, including lakes, rivers and forests of old growth Nothofagus beeches draped with lichens—as well as ranch gauchos driving cattle. Iguazú Falls is one of the finest scenic locations in the world—a legendary landscape where hundreds of magnificent cataracts pour over a basalt rock precipice over one mile in width. Colorful birdlife and butterflies abound in the surrounding subtropical forest and along park pathways. Troops of coatis often appear along the road.

Iguazú Falls is one of the finest scenic locations in the world—a legendary landscape where hundreds of magnificent cataracts pour over a basalt rock precipice over one mile in width. Colorful birdlife and butterflies abound in the surrounding subtropical forest and along park pathways. Troops of coatis often appear along the road.

We photograph this expansive array of 250- foot-high cascades from both the Argentine and the Brazilian sides. Classic panoramic images with rainbows hanging in the mist will be possible from the Brazilian side, while from the catwalks on the Argentine side we are truly in the “wet and wild”—especially at the Garganta del Diablo, the Devil’s Throat, an unmatchable vantage point.

We have scheduled a visit to Guirá Oga, a rehabilitation park for endangered rain forest birds, where we will have an opportunity to photograph a variety of southern eagles (the spectacular, ornate hawk-eagle a possibility) as well as other raptors, both perched and in flight.

Join us for a remarkable shoot combining iconic Andean condors and the fabled cataracts of Iguazú Falls—along with a diversity of landscapes and hard-to-access birdlife.



Day 1
Depart on overnight flights from the US to Buenos Aires.

Day 2 (Nov 7)
Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon visit to the Buenos Aires Zoo for an introduction to the Condor Project, which breeds condors in captivity for reintroduction into the wild. Photography at Costanera Sur Ecological Preserve. (BLD)

Day 3
We transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Bariloche. Drive to the Estancia El Desafío, our accommodations for the next five nights. Afternoon photography of Andean condors gliding above the Patagonian steppes. (BLD)

Days 4–6
Three full days to devote to photography at the Condors Castle and Mt. La Buitrera. (BLD)

Day 7
Morning for condor photography. In the afternoon drive to Los Juncos Lake for several species of Patagonian birds, including black-necked swans and Chilean flamingos. (BLD)

Day 8
Morning photography at Nahuel Huapi National Park, an area of turquoise-blue lakes, beech forests, waterfalls and snow-covered mountain peaks. Afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. (BLD)

Day 9
Transfer to the domestic airport for our flight to Puerto Iguazú. We drive to the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls to our lodging located inside the park. Afternoon photography of the most spectacular waterfall in the world. (BLD)

Day 10
Photograph Iguazú Falls in the early morning light and visit a local aviary where we may see up to 5 species of toucan. In the afternoon, we cross to the Argentine side of the falls. Sunset photography at the Devil’s Gorge. (BLD)

Day 11
Early morning photography on the Argentine side. Afternoon visit to Guirá Oga, a raptor rehabilitation park, where we will shoot numerous elusive species on hand at the time. (BLD)

Day 12
Morning at the Brazilian side of the falls and a second visit to Guirá Oga before our return flight to Buenos Aires. (BLD)

Day 13 (Nov 18)
An opportunity for local photography or rest before a late afternoon transfer to the international airport for flights home. (BL)

Day 14
Arrive home.





Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
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