Bolivia’s Altiplano Photography Workshop Tour

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting for you. The staff will take care of your luggage and transport you the company's private vehicle to the hotel. The drive from the airport descends through winding roads with breathtaking views of the valley below, taking us to Hotel Casa Grande Suites (5*) in the Calacoto-Achumani neighborhood. After check-in, you’ll have time to relax until lunchtime, which is on your own at the hotel.

At 2 pm, you’ll begin a 4-hour tour of La Paz, a fascinating city and the capital of Bolivia. You’ll explore vibrant open-air markets, historic colonial neighborhoods, and the mystical Witches' Market, with stops at viewpoints offering views of the vast canyon surrounding La Paz. You’ll return to the hotel afterward so you can unwind before dinner.

Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals included: D

You'll start the day early, heading to various locations within La Paz, focusing on the bustling open-air markets where locals gather to buy ingredients for preparing meals in honor of the departed. As you delve into the Indian quarter, you’ll encounter scenes that range from unusual to fascinating—a kaleidoscope of color, intense energy, and deeply rooted spiritual traditions. This blend of Pagan and Christian beliefs creates a unique cultural experience as locals pay homage to their ancestors.

After a break for lunch, you’ll have a brief review session to discuss the morning's shots. In the afternoon, you’ll venture into the agricultural fields within the eroded canyons near La Paz, capturing another layer of Bolivia’s stunning landscapes. Upon our return to the hotel, you’ll download photos, relax before dinner, and then it's time for a post-dinner class. Dinner and overnight in La Paz.

Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals Included: B, L, D

After breakfast, you set out, bypassing the busy city center as you head west onto the Altiplano. The route follows the shoreline of Lake Titicaca toward the pilgrimage city of Copacabana, near the famed Island of the Sun. Known as one of the most scenic roads in the Andes, this journey offers numerous stops for sweeping views of Lake Titicaca and the impressive Cordillera Real to the east. Crossing the Straits of Tiquina, you continue onto the Copacabana Peninsula, with Peru’s border just a short 20-minute drive further.

Upon arrival in Copacabana, you’ll enjoy lunch before checking into the hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll gather for a classroom session and photo review to assess your progress. Later, you’ll head to a prime spot to capture the sunset, enjoying magnificent views of the lake, the Andes, and the rugged landscapes of the Copacabana Peninsula. Dinner and overnight in Copacabana.

Hotel: Gloria Copacabana (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D

Sunrise in Copacabana is a must, offering wonderful photo opportunities before the town awakens. After capturing the early light, you'll return to the hotel for breakfast, pack up, and make your way to the end of the road to visit Sampaya, an ancient stone village. Following an Inca road, we’ll enter the heart of the village, stopping at its cemetery. Sampaya is a traditionally built village with stone walls and thatched roofs, offering beautiful views of the Island of the Moon.

From here, you’ll board a motorized boat to explore the Inca ruins on Moon Island, then continue to the southern end of Sun Island, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Your luggage will be transported by donkeys and porters to the hotel, located a few hundred feet up the island. You’ll take your time ascending via the Inca Stairs, soaking in the spectacular views and photographing locals along the way. Once at the hotel, you’ll check in and enjoy lunch.

Sun Island is a vehicle-free location, so we’ll explore the island on foot along well-established trails, with the option to take a boat to visit sites further afield. In the afternoon, you’ll have time for an image review session before heading out to capture the sunset. The island offers incredible viewpoints, it's recommended to stay at the top for the best views as the sun sets over Peru to the west, casting rays that illuminate the Cordillera Real across the lake to the east. Dinner and overnight on Sun Island.

Hotel: La Posada del Inca (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D

Don’t miss the sunrise this morning, as it illuminates the Royal Mountain Range directly across the lake—a truly spectacular sight. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, you’ll head to the northern end of the Island to explore the Chincana Inca ruins. Following lunch, you’ll make your way back across the island’s scenic heights to the hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll review photos with your guide and fellow travelers and then head to a new location to capture the sunset from a different vantage point. Dinner and your second overnight stay on Sun Island await, completing another memorable day.

Hotel: La Posada del Inca (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D

Sunrises here are often stunning, so early risers will want to be out to capture the beautiful, clear morning light. After everyone enjoys breakfast, you’ll pack up and head to the port, where a boat will be waiting. A refreshing one-hour sail will take you to the end of the Copacabana Peninsula, where vehicles will meet your group.

Today, you'll journey back to La Paz. Traveling along a dirt road, you’ll cross the peninsula and enjoy sweeping views high above the lake, passing through Copacabana and across the Straits of Tiquina. You’ll stop for lunch along the way and arrive in La Paz by mid-afternoon. Once there, there will be a photo editing session before dinner. Dinner and overnight in La Paz.

Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals included: B, L, D

After an early breakfast, you'll begin your journey south across the Altiplano. Leaving the canyon of La Paz, you'll head south past the industrial city of Oruro and smaller, traditional Altiplano towns. Your destination today is the northern edge of the Salar de Uyuni. You’ll stop for lunch along the way in Challapata, aiming to arrive at the salt flats by late afternoon with plenty of time before sunset.

You will check in to a family-run Aymara hostel that has been welcoming travelers for decades. Although the last 20 miles of the road are rugged, the breathtaking scenery makes the journey worthwhile. Towering above us is Mount Thunupa, a 17,450-foot (5,322m) volcano that juts into the northern salt flats, offering stunning photography opportunities from various vantage points. Sunrise and sunset here are exceptional year-round, and especially photogenic during the rainy season from December to March.

After capturing the sunset, you’ll return to the hostel for dinner and a restful night.

Hotel: Tayka de Sal – Tahua (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D

Today, you have a full day to explore the northern edge of the Uyuni salt flats. You’ll head out before sunrise to ensure plenty of time to set up before the first light illuminates the landscape. After returning to the hostel for breakfast, there will be an editing session to review everyone’s progress, refining each person’s vision and capturing techniques.

Following lunch and another workshop session, you’ll set out in the late afternoon to hike up the slopes of Mount Thunupa. From this elevated perch, where condors often soar, the vast expanse of the Salar de Uyuni unfolds, revealing the region's volcanic activity and glacial history. Mount Thunupa’s layers of lava from the Pleistocene era and its former glaciation until around 15,000 years ago tell a compelling story. Once an island in ancient lakes Minchin and Tauca, Thunupa now offers awe-inspiring views from 1,000 feet above the salt flats, emphasizing the sheer scale of the world's largest salt flat, where the horizon seems endless.

At the end of the route, a short 10-minute walk brings you to a hidden cave that shelters pre-Inca mummies, a fascinating glimpse into the area’s ancient past. To the west, volcanoes dot the horizon like serrated peaks along the Bolivia-Chile border. For sunset, you'll return to salar level, choosing the optimal vantage point based on the day’s weather patterns.

After sunset, you’ll head back to the hostel for dinner and a well-deserved rest. Overnight in Jirira.

Hotel: Tayka de Sal – Tahua (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D

Your adventure begins before dawn with a short drive to the edge of the salt flats to capture the sunrise as it illuminates Thunupa’s summit—a moment you’ll want to photograph as the sun rises quickly at these latitudes. Afterward, you'll return to the hotel for breakfast and a quick session to download and review your sunrise shots.

Following a brief rest, you'll head inland to the ancient Chiquini caves, where fascinating petrified plant formations await exploration. The route winds through canyons and elevated overlooks, each offering a unique perspective of the salt flats. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a scenic picnic lunch before returning to the hotel for a short break.

As evening approaches, you’ll venture across the salar one last time, positioning yourself to witness the sunset’s magic. Afterward, you'll head southeast, exiting the salt flats and arriving at the hotel in Uyuni in time for dinner. After check-in, you’ll dine at Minuteman Pizzeria—one of Bolivia’s best! Enjoy homemade beer, fresh pizzas, salads, and a chocolate cake that melts in your mouth. Tonight, unwind with fast Wi-Fi, hot showers, and comfortable beds for a well-deserved rest.

Hotel: Toñito (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D

After breakfast, you’ll head to the Uyuni airport for the 9 AM flight, arriving in El Alto an hour later. The best views are from the left side of the plane, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the salt flats, Thunupa volcano, and the Altiplano region we recently traversed. Upon arrival, transfer vehicles will be waiting, and you’ll descend quickly from the Altiplano to the lower part of La Paz in time for lunch.

After lunch and a brief rest, you’ll dive into the final session of downloading photos, editing, and personal portfolio reviews. By the end of the afternoon, you’ll have a solid portfolio showcasing the raw beauty of Bolivia’s Altiplano and its people.

There will be time to freshen up before the final group dinner. Afterward, you’ll have the evening to prepare for your departure, as many flights leave early the following morning. For those departing that night, transfers typically begin at midnight, arriving at the airport 45 minutes later, ensuring plenty of time for international flight check-in. Your guide will coordinate with anyone staying longer in La Paz or with different flight times.

Hotel: Casa Grande Suites (5*)
Meals included: B, L, D

Your guide will coordinate your departure time from the hotel based on your flight schedule. Most international flights to North America depart between 3-4 AM. The drive from the hotel to the airport takes approximately 45 minutes. For domestic flights, it's recommended to arrive 1.5 hours before departure, while for international flights, it's suggested to arrive 2.5 hours in advance.

Hotel: none
Meals included: none