Join us to discover the surreal beauty of Bolivia’s southwest on this immersive 6-day overland tour through the Altiplano’s southern high desert and the incomparable Salar de Uyuni. Designed especially for photographers, though welcoming also adventurers, and nature lovers, this journey takes you deep into the heart of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve — home to colorful high-altitude lagoons, ethereal rock formations, steaming geysers, vast deserts, and ancient volcanoes.
Highlights include flamingo-filled lakes like Laguna Colorada and Laguna Hedionda, the green waters of Laguna Verde beneath towering Volcán Lincancabur, the bubbling geothermal fields of Sol de Mañana, and the wind-carved rock formations of the Siloli Desert. You’ll soak in natural hot springs, explore fossilized caves, and sleep under some of the clearest night skies in the world, with unforgettable views of the Milky Way over volcanic silhouettes.
The journey culminates on the iconic Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, where you’ll visit Isla Incahuasi, photograph cactus-studded landscapes at sunrise and sunset, and experience the dazzling white expanse stretching to the horizon.
Along the way, you’ll stay in remote lodges and desert refuges—including Tayka del Desierto and accommodations near Tunupa Volcano — for a truly off-the-grid experience. Whether you’re capturing astrophotography, exploring unique geology, or simply taking in the silence of Bolivia’s high plains, this tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime connection to one of Earth’s most otherworldly landscapes.
SPECIAL NOTE: Complimentary Pre-Expedition Altitude Evaluation
For guests arriving in La Paz prior to the expedition, we offer a complimentary high-altitude fitness evaluation by Prof. Dr. Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja, a recognized expert in cardio-pulmonary adaptation and Director of the High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology Institute (HAPPI-IPPA) in La Paz. Prof. Dr. Zubieta has advised athletes, researchers, and travelers from around the world on safe acclimatization and performance at altitude. This evaluation is optional and included in your tour price, and may be scheduled in advance of your departure to Uyuni.
Day 0 | Arrival on the Edge of the Salt Land
Our journey begins with a scenic drive from La Paz to the town of Uyuni, traversing the wide-open spaces of the Bolivian altiplano. We’ll settle into a unique salt-built hotel — a fitting introduction to the world’s largest salt flat. If daylight and timing allow, we may make a brief visit to Uyuni’s Train Cemetery, where rusting locomotives sit against a backdrop of endless sky, a reminder of the region’s mining and railway past. Depending on arrival, we might even step out onto the salar for a sunset shoot, though we’ll have an early departure the next morning for our first full day of exploration.
Day 1 | Cities of Stone
We set out toward the Ciudad del Encanto, a surreal maze of wind-carved rock towers and narrow passages. The formations create an otherworldly landscape that’s a dream for both wide-angle shots and intimate detail work. From here, we drive to the small community of Guadalupe, our gateway to the Ciudad Roma. The route is a photographer’s delight — sweeping views, shifting light, and occasional wildlife sightings often call for spontaneous roadside stops. After lunch in Guadalupe, we head toward the Ciudad Roma trailhead. A short but rewarding hike brings us to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking vast stone “cityscapes” framed by distant peaks. After soaking in the view and capturing it from multiple angles, we return to Guadalupe for the night.
Day 2 | Volcanoes, Ruins and Flamingos
The day begins at the haunting San Antonio de López, a colonial-era mining town now abandoned to the wind and sun. Stone walls and crumbling structures tell a silent story of centuries past. Climbing higher, we reach Laguna Morejón at 4,600 m, where the still surface reflects the twin summits of Volcán Uturunku, one of Bolivia’s highest peaks.
We pause in San Pablo de Lípez before continuing to Laguna Hedionda, home to James’s and Andean flamingos, often framed by mirror-like reflections. At Laguna Kolpa, locals harvest salt used in traditional soap-making — a glimpse into altiplano livelihoods. The day’s landscapes shift again at the Salar de Chalviri, where shallow pools and salt-crusted shores reflect the sky’s deep blues and passing clouds.
We end at the emerald waters of Laguna Verde, set against the perfectly conical Licancabur Volcano, before arriving at our hotel near the Polques hot springs. Those who wish can slip into the warm mineral waters under a canopy of stars — perhaps even setting up a tripod for some high-altitude astrophotography.
Day 3 | Steam and scarlet waters
We rise early to greet the dawn at Sol de Mañana, a geothermal wonderland nearly 4,900 m above sea level. Jets of steam erupt from the earth, and bubbling mud pots cast up mineral-rich spray — a scene as primeval as it is photogenic.
From this high plateau, we descend toward the Laguna Colorada, a vast, shallow lake stained crimson by algae and microorganisms, where thousands of flamingos feed in the shallows. The lake’s color shifts with the wind and light, making it a mesmerizing photographic subject.
Our final stop is the Árbol de Piedra, a wind-eroded stone formation rising from the Siloli Desert, where the stark beauty of sand and stone meets the horizon. Overnight at Hotel Los Flamencos, with views toward the shimmering waters of Laguna Hedionda.
Day 4 | Islands and galaxies
Today’s route includes Laguna Honda and a return to Laguna Hedionda, each offering unique angles and light for photographing flamingos and mountain reflections. We then descend to the Gruta de las Galaxias, where ancient coral-like formations — remnants of a prehistoric lakebed — create intricate patterns in the rock.
In the afternoon we reach Isla Incahuasi, a cactus-covered island rising from the heart of the salt flat. Late-day light transforms the surrounding expanse into a glowing mirror, and after sunset the true magic begins: astrophotography under a crystal-clear, moonless sky, with the Milky Way arcing over the salar’s horizon. Overnight on the island.
Day 5 | Crossing to Tunupa
We begin with an early shoot on Isla Incahuasi, capturing both the coral cave formations and the 360° sweep of the salar from its summit trail. Then we set out across the salt flat toward the towering Volcan Tunupa, its flanks painted in streaks of ochre, red, and gold. Arriving in Coquesa, we explore the lakeshore and prepare for a sunset session that blends the warm light on Tunupa’s slopes with the salt’s endless geometry. Once darkness falls, we can shoot starfields and long exposures before retiring to our lodging in Coquesa.
Day 6 | Farewell to desert, salt and stars
Dawn crowns Volcán Tunupa as you depart Coquesa, crossing the vast expanse of the Salar de Uyuni toward the southeast. The salt shifts from lavender to brilliant white under the rising sun. Along the way, pass the Dakar Monument and hand-stacked salt pyramids — sharp geometry against the horizon. At Colchani, see artisans refining salt and browse crystalline keepsakes before continuing to Uyuni. As evening falls, return to the salar for one last sunset — pastel light stretching across the flats, clouds igniting in orange and violet, and the salt glowing under a sky that feels closer to the stars than to Earth.
Trip Style | Private Small-Group Photography Expedition
This is an immersive, small-group photography journey into one of Earth’s most otherworldly landscapes. We travel with a trusted local driver-guide — a Bolivian native with nearly 20 years’ experience navigating the salt flats and surrounding high desert, and a track record supporting professional-level photography groups. His deep regional knowledge, timing instincts, and functional English ensure we’re in the right place, in the right light, without wasting a moment.
Our group size is intentionally limited: no more than three guests per private 4×4 vehicle, so there’s space for you, your gear, and your creative process. For larger groups, additional vehicles (and drivers of the same caliber) are included. This low guest-to-vehicle ratio is a major advantage in the field — we can split to chase different conditions, reposition quickly for changing light, and avoid the compromises that come with full tour buses or crowded shared jeeps.
While accommodations are basic but clean — no Tayka-level properties — they’re strategically located to keep us close to key photographic sites. This means more sunrise and sunset sessions, more time under the Milky Way, and less time lost to long back-and-forth transfers. All meals, snacks, purified water, and park entry fees are included, so you can focus on creating images without logistical distractions.
This is not a sightseeing loop. It’s a dedicated photography expedition designed for those who value access, expertise, and flexibility above luxury trimmings. The price reflects the cost of keeping the group small, the vehicles private, and the guidance at a level that matches your commitment to the craft.
Investment
$6850 USD pp/single occ (1 pax)
$5950 USD pp/double occ (2 pax)
$4950 USD pp/double occ (3 pax)
$4550 USD pp/double occ (4 pax)
$3850 USD pp/double occ (5-6 pax)
Inclusions
- Private 4×4 transport with experienced local driver/guide (max 3 guests per vehicle)
- Fuel, driver expenses, and all vehicle operating costs
- Lodging en route (basic-level, clean and functional)
- All meals, snacks, and purified water during the tour
- All park and site entry fees
- Complimentary pre-expedition altitude evaluation
- Photography guidance and location planning throughout the trip
Exclusions
- Transportation to/from Uyuni before/after the tour
- Lodging and meals before/after the tour
- Gratuities for staff and guides
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal travel insurance
