Photo adventure Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia 24.03 - 06.04.2025

This breathtaking photography tour will take you to the Altiplano plateau in western Bolivia at an altitude of over 4000 meters, where you will discover spectacular and unique landscapes. Passing abstract volcanic landscapes, colorful lagoons and flowing desert formations, you will enter the largest salt desert in the world, the Salar de Uyuni.

Let yourself be inspired by the uniqueness of Western Bolivia on this adventure tour, which leads with 4x4 off-road vehicles through the middle of these seemingly endless landscapes. You won't believe your eyes when you see the perfect reflection of the starry sky in the Salar de Uyuni for the first time. One of the most impressive moments ever! Other highlights are the Sajama National Park with the highest mountain in Bolivia and one of the highest volcanoes in the world, the Sajama (6542m) as well as the Laguna Colorada, which will captivate you with its approximately 30000 flamingos.

Experience breathtaking landscapes by day and by night!

The adventure photo tour is aimed at all lovers of landscape and especially night/astrophotography. You will visit and photograph the most beautiful places of western Bolivia at sunrise, sunset and during the night. Since this is an adventure photo tour, sufficient fitness and experience at altitudes is required. We strive for the best comfort and maximum well-being, but extreme altitudes (over 4000m) as well as remote places without civilization (adventure) can lead to compromises (altitude sickness). Since we are located in high alpine regions above 4000m, warm clothing and medicine against headaches and nausea are necessary. It is an adventure photo tour with a focus on photography. On the journey, you will learn everything related to landscape and astro photography, from the theory of image capture, planning to post-processing. We start with the theoretical and technical basics and apply them in the wonderful and unique Altiplano. We discuss the photos together and go into the post-processing. The goal of the trip is to return home with beautiful memories and terrific shots.

Info: The photo tour was extended by 2 days to spend an extra day at the largest salt lake in the world and to ensure a relaxed and safe return journey to La Paz (starting point of our trip).

Day 1 (March 24, 2025) and Day 2
La Paz

Arrival La Paz on March 24, 2025
Pick-up from La Paz El Alto International Airport (LPB)
Check in at the hotel (5 stars).
City tour through the highest seat of government in the world, La Paz (4000m).
Visit the photographic highlights such as Valle de la Luna and Valle de las Animas.
Sunset over La Paz with a view of the Illimani (6460 m)
Important: The first two days are for acclimatization to the altitude! It is a high alpine tour and we are at altitudes above 4000 meters. Headaches and nausea can occur and La Paz offers relaxation and the best medical care.


Day 3 and Day 4
Sajama National Park

Breakfast (included)
Drive to Parque Sajama, (6 hours) with Bolivia's highest mountain and one of the highest mountains on earth the Sajama with an altitude of 6542m including stops for a typical lunch, for natural sites such as the Quartz Valley, Rock City and the Canyon Viewpoint.
Arrival at the lodge, check-in,
Explore past geysers, llamas, and alpacas, plus optional activities like hot springs for bathing.
Sunsets on lagoons, mountain slopes or churches with views of Chilean volcanoes and the Sajama.
Dinner (included)
Astrophotography at impressive sites such as the Huañakhota Lagoon, ancient
churches and the Queñua forest.

Day 5 and Day 6
Salar de Uyuni

Breakfast (included)
Drive to the largest salt lake in the world, the Salar de Uyuni
Check in to the hotel (5 stars).
Visit the most beautiful places around the salt lake such as the village of Colchani, Cactus Island and our private island with its own cave (some places cannot be reached if the water in the Salar is too high!)
Lunch in the salt desert.
Sunsets inside the salt pan.
Dinner (included)
Overnight stay in the salt hotel and when reaching the island an overnight stay with organized camping on the island to be able to take unique astrophotos during the night.
Astrophotography in the Salar de Uyuni: The Milky Way and the stars will be reflected under our feet. As well as an attempt at astrophotography on an island in the Salar (weather permitting)


Day 7 , Day 8 and Day 9
Stone valleys, volcanoes and lakes of the Altiplano

After the terrific experience in the Salar de Uyuni, we continue our tour through the Altiplano.
You will now get the feeling of being on another planet:
Stone valleys, colored lakes, volcanoes, snow, deserts and typical animals of the Andes.
Visit to the Laguna Colorada with the colorful Andean flamingos.
Photography of sunsets and sunrises as well as photography of the
Milky Way over the lagoons and in stone valleys.


Day 10 and Day 11
Back to Uyuni

Drive back to the city of Uyuni
Check In Hotel in Uyuni
Image processing
Sunset and astrophotography at the railroad cemetery in Uyuni.
Sunset and night over the Salar de Uyuni.


Day 12
Oruro

Breakfast (included)
Drive towards La Paz, the starting point of our journey
Check In at hotel in Oruro
Discussion and editing of the photos
Sunset at the Monumento a la Virgen in Oruro
Supper


Day 13
La Paz

Breakfast (included)
Drive back to La Paz.
Final presentation and discussion of the tour during dinner


Day 14 (April 6, 2025)

Departure from La Paz on April 6, 2025

For optimal supervision, the maximum number of participants is limited to 6 people.
The minimum number of participants for the tour is 4 people.

Participation is possible with English or German language skills.

The costs include:

-Accommodations
-Meals if they are mentioned in the itinerary of the photo tour.
-Transfers with your own van
-Intensive support
-Supporting documents

The cost does NOT include:

- Travel insurance that covers medical insurance/baggage insurance
- International flights
- Local costs
- Other meals
- Supplement for a single room (600 euros)
- Anything that is not specifically mentioned as "includes".

The recommended photographic equipment consists of an SLR or system camera with three lenses, a fast wide-angle lens (F < 2.8) and a medium zoom lens (approx. 70-200mm) as well as a tripod. Optionally recommended: Photo filter and remote shutter release with interval function.

- Headlamp and flashlight
- Additional batteries (3 or 4)
- Several wipes for cleaning the lenses
- Replacement memory cards

We will be at altitudes above 4000m. That's why we need to be protected from the cold and wind! It is best to choose clothing in such a way that you can add or remove individual layers depending on the weather. Example: thermal underwear, fleece mid-layer, a windproof and waterproof jacket. Possibly a down jacket as an extra layer. Hat and gloves must be provided because of the cold. Spare socks and waterproof walking shoes are recommended. Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are highly recommended.

Documents:
- Passport / ID card valid for international travel.
- Possible visa.
- The local currency is the Boliviano.
- Visa/MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted.

Medicine:
-Headache tablets
-Anti-nausea medication

The total price of the photo tour is 5400 EUR

The single room supplement is EUR 600

A deposit of EUR 1600 is required to book the trip and the balance must be paid up to 30 days before the start of the trip.

If a participant decides to cancel their reservation, they can do so at any time by communicating it as soon as possible through the official email address of one of the two organizers.
However, you should bear in mind that the cancellation by a participant will lead to administrative difficulties in the bookings, as well as the risk of not reaching the minimum number of participants for the trip (and consequently the need to look for a new person).
For this reason:

- If the cancellation is submitted MORE than 60 days (prior to departure), you can get a refund of the booking fee.

- If the cancellation is submitted LESS than 60 days prior to departure, it is NOT possible to receive a refund of the booking fee.

*Unless the customer who wants to cancel their booking brings another person who is willing to take their place by paying the total amount of the trip themselves.

The entire amount paid (deposit or full fee) will be fully refunded in case of cancellation of the event.