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Experience a five-day immersive workshop in Italy's oldest national park, capturing ibex, chamois, foxes and majestic alpine landscapes under the unique light and silence of winter.
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€ 500,00
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Gran Paradiso National Park covers more than 70,000 hectares of untouched alpine wilderness, stretching from the 800-meter valleys up to the 4,061-meter summit of Gran Paradiso. The park extends across four spectacular valleysand touches two Italian regions, making it not only a natural jewel but also Italy's oldest national park, founded on December 3, 1922.
This protected area represents one of the richest and most fascinating wildlife habitats in the Italian Alps. It is home to 68 vertebrate species, including 52 mammals and over 100 breeding birds. The emblematic Alpine ibex it is undoubtedly the star of the park, yet visitors can also encounter it chamois, red foxes, mountain hares, stoats, and more recently the elusive wolf. The skies are dominated by the Golden Eagle and by the powerful Bearded Vulture, two of Europe's most iconic raptors.
From a photographic perspective, Gran Paradiso is a true masterpiece of nature. Its alpine scenery, dramatic ridgelines, and ever-changing winter light create an environment of exceptional photographic potential. The high density of wildlife, combined with the silence and purity of the snow-covered landscape, offers endless opportunities for creativity. In the winter season the park becomes a quiet, frozen world, wild and serene, where every step reveals a new story waiting to be captured.
Included in double room
Michele Bavassano
Sharon Vanadia
This workshop offers five intense days fully dedicated to winter wildlife photography inside Gran Paradiso National Park. Guided by a professional wildlife photographer, participants will explore the park's most scenic areas, moving through valleys, forests, and open snowy landscapes in search of wildlife and atmospheric alpine scenes.
The winter environment provides unique opportunities to observe and photograph Alpine ibex, chamois, red foxes, mountain hares, Golden Eagles, and Bearded Vultures. Throughout the experience, participants will receive continuous guidance on field techniques, camera settings, wildlife behavior, and creative composition, with the goal of elevating both technical skills and artistic vision.
Days will be spent learning and applying a complete photographic workflow. Mornings and afternoons will be dedicated to shooting sessions, while evenings will be focused on image review and post-production, exploring advanced editing methods such as noise management, contrast control, color refinement, and optimized export for both print and web. The workshop aims to deepen each participant's understanding of photography, fieldcraft, and alpine wildlife, while promoting ethical and responsible practices in nature photography.
Photographic activities take place at the most promising times of the day, sunrise and sunset, when light and animal behavior create the best conditions for wildlife encounters. The days are dynamic and immersive, with long explorations across the park's valleys and elevated viewpoints. Each session is designed to combine practical shooting, technical refinement, and creative experimentation.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice both fundamental and advanced techniques directly in the field. During the full post-production lesson, a complete workflow is demonstrated, from initial file selection to the final export, ensuring that every image is carefully optimized and that each photographer gains confidence in managing their digital files and enhancing their visual style.
The purpose of these activities is to provide a complete, professional-level experience that blends creativity, naturalistic knowledge, and real field photography, helping each participant understand how expert photographers approach a full day of winter wildlife work.
For the duration of the workshop, participants will stay in a charming alpine hotel located at the entrance of the park, perfectly positioned between the three main valleys where most photographic outings take place. This privileged location allows immediate access to the snow-covered landscapes of Gran Paradiso, reducing transfer times and giving us the freedom to start at dawn and return after sunset.
The hotel embodies the warmth and authenticity of a traditional mountain retreat. Surrounded by old stone houses and quiet alpine forests, it offers a peaceful atmosphere ideal for staying after long days in the field. The interior features wooden décor, cozy common areas, and a welcoming mountain ambience that enhances the overall experience. In the morning, guests enjoy a rich breakfast designed to provide energy for the day ahead, while in the evening a warm and hearty dinner awaits, featuring local ingredients and homemade dishes typical of the alpine culinary tradition.
Lunches are usually packed taken in the field, allowing us to remain outdoors in the best photographic moments. On certain days, depending on the itinerary and weather conditions, we may also stop in small mountain refuges for a warm, comforting meal in front of alpine panoramas.
Accommodation is offered in comfortable double rooms, each with a private bathroom, and it is possible to request a single room depending on availability. Thanks to its quiet setting, attentive hospitality, and ideal position for wildlife photography, the hotel becomes an essential part of the workshop experience, offering both comfort and authentic alpine charm.
Find out how the days will unfold and which activities make up the experience
The workshop begins on Day 1, with participants meeting at the hotel at midday. After settling in, we start with an introductory session focused on the fundamentals of winter wildlife photography and an overview of the park's ecosystems and species. This is the perfect moment to understand the challenges of the alpine environment and the behavior of the animals we'll be observing, from the iconic Alpine ibex and chamois to foxes, mountain hares, stoats, golden eagles and bearded vultures. Later in the afternoon, we move towards Cogne and into the Valnontey valley, one of the most emblematic areas of Gran Paradiso National Park. Here we enjoy our first sunset session surrounded by snowy peaks and the chance of spotting wildlife right from the very beginning. We then return to the hotel for a traditional dinner featuring typical local dishes.
Day 2 starts early with breakfast before heading towards the wild and secluded valley of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. From here we begin a moderate hike that takes us through forests and open alpine terrain, exploring areas where ibex and chamois often grace on the slopes and where foxes and mountain hares leave unmistakable tracks in the snow. As we move deeper into the valley, we keep our eyes on the sky as golden eagles and bearded vultures frequently patrol these ridges. After a packed lunch outdoors, we continue photographing until sunset, taking advantage of the soft winter light before returning to the hotel for another warm and hearty dinner.
On Day 3, we shift our exploration to Valsavarenche, a valley known for its rich biodiversity and excellent chances of observing ibex resting on rocky outcrops, chamois moving across steep snowy slopes, and foxes wandering near tree lines. After breakfast, we set out on another moderate hike designed to offer a variety of photographic opportunities: close-up encounters with ungulates, long-lens shots of raptors in flight, and wide-angle compositions of frozen alpine landscapes. As always, we enjoy a packed lunch in the field and continue photographing until the last light of the day before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 4 takes us back towards Cogne for a new hike from the village of Valnontey. This valley is famous for its winter wildlife density and for offering some of the most scenic alpine views in the park. Throughout the day we may encounter ibex resting on sunlit ridges, chamois crossing the open slopes and, with a bit of luck, the white winter coat of the mountain hare or the quick movement of a stoat. After lunch outdoors, we return to one of the previously visited locations, choosing the area that offers the best photographic conditions depending on weather, light and wildlife activity. We conclude the day with another dinner based on local culinary traditions.
The experience ends on Day 5, starting with breakfast followed by a complete post-production session. Using the images captured throughout the workshop, we analyze shooting choices, composition, light management and editing techniques. This is an essential part of the experience, transforming fieldwork into a refined final image ready for print or web use. It is also the perfect opportunity to review the species encountered during the week, including the emblematic ibex and chamois, the curious foxes, the rare ermine, the elegant golden eagles and bearded vultures, and the unpredictable yet always thrilling possibility of observing wolves during winter.
By the end of these five days, participants not only return home with a rich portfolio of winter wildlife photographs but also with a deeper understanding of the alpine ecosystem, improved technical skills and an unforgettable experience in one of Europe's most extraordinary national parks.
The organizers reserve the right to change the program for the sake of a
better photographic experience.
Passionate about nature, he travels in search of the perfect shot, exploring pristine areas around the world. Through his camera he tries to share moments and emotions. Michele defines his photography as “A search for art in nature”. He works as a professional photographer and proposes events in the most interesting and important destinations in Italy and abroad. His images have been used by Discovery, BBC, ENEL and have been published in numerous magazines around the world.
Born in Rome in 1994, she showed a strong sensitivity towards nature from a young age. Graduated in Biological Sciences and specialized in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, she became a professional photographer. He leads nature workshops and tours around the world, combining his passion for biology with nature photography. With years of experience in the field, she is followed internationally for her work and dedication to nature conservation.
Discover all the places and views that you can admire during this trip. All the material shown here comes from our trips
Registering for the workshop is very simple.
Just follow the booking procedure by clicking “Book Now” and enter your personal details.
You will only be asked to pay a deposit, not the full amount.Once the payment is completed, your spot will be immediately confirmed and you will receive a confirmation email with all the details.The remaining balance is due according to the terms listed at the top of the page, typically 60 days before the start of the tour.
We can arrange a private transfer from Milan Airport upon request.
However, if you are not traveling with your own vehicle, the most convenient option is to rent a car directly at the airport. The roads leading to the area are usually easy to drive on during winter and are perfectly manageable with standard winter tires.
For this workshop, we recommend a main lens with at least 300 mm of effective focal length. Shorter lenses are still useful for wider shots, environmental portraits, and landscapes.
If you don't have a long lens, you can easily rent one during the booking process. Feel free to contact us for any assistance or suggestions regarding equipment.
We recommend dressing in layers to comfortably adapt to temperatures ranging from –10°C to +15°C. Waterproof hiking boots, a rain and snow shell, a sturdy tripod, a rain cover for your camera, and a small ground pad for low-angle photography are all highly recommended.
Do not forget sunglasses and sunscreen, as winter light can be very intense at higher altitudes.
Snowshoes and trekking poles are strongly recommended for the winter terrain, and rentals are available upon request
By booking by paying the deposit to the organizers you accept the following clauses:
1. Since this is a pre-registration, the organizer will endeavor to promptly communicate any possible change in the price of the tour, characterized by cost fluctuations. An annual price fluctuation of around 5% is highly likely if booking is made more than one year in advance. in relation to potential changes in prices of ground services (for example changes influenced by fluctuating costs of electricity, fuel and more).
2. The price of the entire workshop will be paid via the payment methods offered by the organizer, such as bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or cash according to the procedures and deadlines established by the organizers, taking charge of the transaction costs.
3. In the event that the tour does not take place due to the organiser, the entire amount paid will be refunded.
4. In case of cancellation for personal reasons of any kind and in any case not dependent on the organizer, the deposit and any other registration fees will be retained as a reimbursement of expenses.
5. In case of cancellation for personal reasons within 60 days of departure, the entire balance of the tour will be required.
By registering, paying the deposit and sending your personal data you again accept clauses 1,2,3,4,5.
We will reply to you by email as soon as possible
JUST EXPLORERS SRLS
VAT number: 01708500556
Address: Via G. Verdi 86 Castel Viscardo 05014
PEC: just.explorers@pec.it
+39 328 856 6896
info@justexplorers.com
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