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Atacama Photography
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: San Pedro, Valley of the Moon. Night at Solor
Our departure point is San Pedro de Atacama the quaint and colourful desert town that will be our gateway to the magical landscapes in the area. Ideally you should arrive the day prior to departure for a two hour introduction to photography in an Atacama workshop.
We will pick you up from your hotel or meeting point in San Pedro at 0900 hours for a short transfer from San Pedro to the Pre-Columbian Fort of Quitor, a fantastic location from which to photograph San Pedro from above. This Pre-Inca construction dates back to the 12th century and is constructed of large rocks that are piled on top of each other in a way that seems to defy gravity.
Transfer back to the centre of San Pedro to photograph the adobe village and the San Pedro church whose exterior walls date back to 1744 and are still in original condition.
In the afternoon we will visit 'Valle de la Luna', located 18 km from San Pedro in the Coridllera de Sal mountain range. It features odd shaped rocks, sand formations, caverns and salt outcrops that resemble intricate sculptures and are said to resemble the surface of the moon. We will photograph the highlights of the area until the desert landscape is bathed in warm reds and oranges as the sun sets over the horizon.
Night spent at an oasis away from civilization called Solor. Country-style accommodation in indigenous hostals with twin bedrooms and facilities.
Lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
We will pick you up from your hotel or meeting point in San Pedro at 0900 hours for a short transfer from San Pedro to the Pre-Columbian Fort of Quitor, a fantastic location from which to photograph San Pedro from above. This Pre-Inca construction dates back to the 12th century and is constructed of large rocks that are piled on top of each other in a way that seems to defy gravity.
Transfer back to the centre of San Pedro to photograph the adobe village and the San Pedro church whose exterior walls date back to 1744 and are still in original condition.
In the afternoon we will visit 'Valle de la Luna', located 18 km from San Pedro in the Coridllera de Sal mountain range. It features odd shaped rocks, sand formations, caverns and salt outcrops that resemble intricate sculptures and are said to resemble the surface of the moon. We will photograph the highlights of the area until the desert landscape is bathed in warm reds and oranges as the sun sets over the horizon.
Night spent at an oasis away from civilization called Solor. Country-style accommodation in indigenous hostals with twin bedrooms and facilities.
Lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
Magical desert landscape
Day 2: National Flamingo Reserve. Night at Machuca
At 8:00 hours we will drive south of Toconao for a short walk to see an oasis of birds including the Chiguanco Thrush. Afterwards we will visit Laguna Chaxa National Flamingo Reserve where we can see Andean Avocets and birds in their natural salty habitat. Along the way we will get to see the Tawny-Throated Dotterels. After plenty of time enjoying the landscape and unusual birdlife we will stop for lunch at Socaire Altiplano.
In the afternoon we will visit the Miniques Miskanty Lakes and the National Flamingo Reserve rich with natural resources and offering spectacular views and a diverse array of wildlife. You will be able to photograph grey foxes, chinchillas, swallows, hawks, Andes seagulls, nandus, condors and the Chilean and James flamingos among others. Afterwards we will head north to catch the sunset over the forest of cactus called 'Cardones'.
Night in the small town of Machuca at around 4,000 metres above sea level. Country-style accommodation in indigenous hostals with twin bedrooms and facilities.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
In the afternoon we will visit the Miniques Miskanty Lakes and the National Flamingo Reserve rich with natural resources and offering spectacular views and a diverse array of wildlife. You will be able to photograph grey foxes, chinchillas, swallows, hawks, Andes seagulls, nandus, condors and the Chilean and James flamingos among others. Afterwards we will head north to catch the sunset over the forest of cactus called 'Cardones'.
Night in the small town of Machuca at around 4,000 metres above sea level. Country-style accommodation in indigenous hostals with twin bedrooms and facilities.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
Laguna Chaxa Flamingo Reserve
Day 3: Machuca Village, El Tatio Geysers. Camp.
Today we will make an early start at 0700 hours. We will head to the centre of Machuca to photograph the village. The village is based in a beautiful spot 4,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by soft brown mountains. The little mud-hut houses and a church with straw thatched roof blend seamlessly into the backdrop.
The Atacama desert offers an inspiring location for photography due to the sharp contrast between light, shade and colour; the burning red desert at sunset, the verdant green of the oasis and the crystalline white of the salt lakes laid out before the Andes Mountains.
After a session photographing the Machuca village we will stop to observe and photograph the wetlands of the Altiplano. We will watch the sunset at El Tatio, a Geyser Field located at 4,300 metres above sea level, one of the worlds highest elevated geothermal fields and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Its name means 'the grandfather' and it has over 80 vents that erupt to an average height of about 75 metres.
We will have a night photography session illuminated by the stars before making our way to our accommodation. Tonight there is an opportunity either to camp or sleep in country style accommodation.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
The Atacama desert offers an inspiring location for photography due to the sharp contrast between light, shade and colour; the burning red desert at sunset, the verdant green of the oasis and the crystalline white of the salt lakes laid out before the Andes Mountains.
After a session photographing the Machuca village we will stop to observe and photograph the wetlands of the Altiplano. We will watch the sunset at El Tatio, a Geyser Field located at 4,300 metres above sea level, one of the worlds highest elevated geothermal fields and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Its name means 'the grandfather' and it has over 80 vents that erupt to an average height of about 75 metres.
We will have a night photography session illuminated by the stars before making our way to our accommodation. Tonight there is an opportunity either to camp or sleep in country style accommodation.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
Typical desert oasis
Day 4: Sunrise at Tatio Geysers, return to San Pedro
Today we will make an early start at 06.30 hours to visit El Tatio Geysers. The best time to visit is at sunrise when each Geyser is surmounted by a column of steam that condenses in the cold air. The steam plumes then disappear as the air warms up.
After photographing the Geysers we will make our way to the mountains close to the border with Bolivia where we will ascend to over 5,000 metres above sea level. From here we can observe and photograph the mountains from above.
The trip ends with dinner in an indigenous gourmet restaurant in San Pedro de Atacama.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
After photographing the Geysers we will make our way to the mountains close to the border with Bolivia where we will ascend to over 5,000 metres above sea level. From here we can observe and photograph the mountains from above.
The trip ends with dinner in an indigenous gourmet restaurant in San Pedro de Atacama.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included (wine/drinks included with dinner).
Famous El Tatio Geysers
