Bolivia.
Beyond the horizon.
Balance due 30 days before departure.
Where earth
meets the sky.
Eight days exploring Bolivia’s high-altitude landscapes with a small group of ten travellers. Discover colourful lagoons, sculpted rock formations and the vast Salar de Uyuni, with photographic guidance from José D. Riquelme.
See differently.
Follow the light.
Keep learning.
Discover more about the journey
Bolivia, a country located in the heart of South America, is a treasure trove of varied landscapes and vibrant cultures.
Our first stop on this journey will be the stunning Altiplano Lagoons. Situated on the Andean plateau, these crystal-clear lagoons are home to a rich variety of wildlife, including the graceful pink flamingos that paint the landscape. From the mystical Laguna Colorada, with its reddish waters contrasting against the blue sky, to the enigmatic Laguna Cañapa and the serene Laguna Hedionda, each lagoon offers a unique and captivating photographic experience, especially at night when we engage in night photography to capture the magic of this place under the stars.
Our next stop will take us to the mysterious Stone Tree, a rock formation sculpted by erosion that resembles a solitary tree in the middle of the desert. This iconic natural monument offers a unique opportunity to capture stunning images, particularly at night, when we undertake night photography to capture the majesty of this place under the starry canopy.
Finally, we will head to the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat and a true natural wonder. Spanning over 10,000 square kilometers, the Salar de Uyuni offers a surreal landscape that defies the imagination. During the rainy season, the salt flat becomes a giant mirror reflecting the sky, creating a dazzling optical illusion that is a dream for photographers, especially at night, when we conduct night photography to capture the beauty of this place under the starry sky.
This photographic tour offers you the opportunity to capture the very essence of Bolivia in its purest state.
Join us on this unique expedition and discover the magic of Bolivia through your lens. Prepare to capture memories that will last a lifetime!
Bolivia, through our lens.
Your journey, day by day.
Arrival in La Paz: Welcome to Bolivia, a land of stunning landscapes and unforgettable adventures. At La Paz airport, our team will be waiting to greet you with a warm welcome and provide you with all the necessary information to start your exciting photographic journey. We will spend the day welcoming tour participants and offering an informational session on the planned itinerary and precautions to consider during the adventure. If you arrive early, you can stroll through the vibrant streets of La Paz.
Flight to Uyuni and Exploration of the High Andean Lagoons: Early in the morning, we will transfer to the airport to take a flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival, we will head to a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious traditional Bolivian breakfast, and then we will begin our expedition to the stunning high Andean lagoons. We will visit the picturesque Laguna Cañapa, known for its crystal-clear waters and the migratory birds that inhabit it, as well as Laguna Hedionda, whose waters reflect the imposing beauty of the Andes. In the evening, we will move to our accommodation at Hotel Ojo de Perdiz, where we will prepare for an unforgettable night photography session at the mysterious Stone Tree, a unique rock formation that stands solitary in the middle of the high plateau.
Exploration of Laguna Colorada and Surroundings: After a delicious breakfast, we will venture towards the mystical Laguna Colorada, a natural spectacle of reddish waters that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including pink flamingos. Along the way, we will make stops at the Aguascalientes Viewpoint and the impressive geysers, where we can capture unique images of the region’s geothermal activity. After enjoying a typical lunch in Polques, we will continue our journey exploring the Dali Desert, a surreal region that evokes the paintings of the famous artist. We will return to Laguna Colorada just in time to witness a beautiful sunset over its waters, and later, we will immerse ourselves in another night photography session to capture the magic of this place under the starry sky.
Heading to Uyuni with Photographic Stops Along the Way: After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Laguna Colorada and begin our journey back to Uyuni. Along the way, we will make photographic stops at iconic places such as Italia Perdida and the stunning Laguna Catal. Upon arriving in Uyuni, we will settle into our accommodation at Hotel Casa de Sal and prepare for another night photography session at the Train Cemetery, a fascinating place where old and rusted locomotives become the stars of our images under the night sky.
Exploration of the Salar de Uyuni and Sunset Photography: After a comforting breakfast, we will review and edit our photographs until lunchtime. After the meal, we will delve into the legendary Salar de Uyuni for a unique experience. Our first stop will be Incahuasi Island, a rocky oasis covered with giant cacti offering stunning panoramic views of the salt flats. As the evening approaches, we will prepare to photograph the spectacular sunset over the salt flats and the emergence of the Milky Way in the night sky, creating a celestial landscape that will leave an indelible mark on our cameras and hearts.
Photo Review and Editing: After breakfast, we will take some time to review and edit our photographs, sharing experiences and tips among tour participants. In the afternoon, we will continue exploring the Salar de Uyuni in search of new angles and perspectives for our images, making the most of every moment of our photographic adventure in this unique landscape in the world.
Return to La Paz: In the morning, we will say goodbye to the Salar de Uyuni and take a flight back to La Paz, where our tour will conclude. The flight will arrive at La Paz airport around 10:30 a.m., and we will have time to share our experiences and say our goodbyes before ending this unforgettable photographic adventure in Bolivia.
End of the tour and return home.
Nature sets the pace.
Every detail, considered.
Included in your trip
- All transfers in comfortable private vehicles throughout the itinerary.
- Round-trip flight from La Paz to Uyuni.
- Accommodation in comfortable hotels (shared double room).
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Photographic guidance from our professional photographers.
Not included
- Round-trip flight to the starting point of the journey.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed as included.
- Single room supplement: +$1,100.
A room of your own.
Where you will stay
During our photographic journey through Bolivia with Ice Monkey Tours, we will stay in a selection of hotels, chosen for their closeness to key photographic sites and their comfort. To align with our dynamic photographic schedule, we will switch accommodations as we travel, positioning ourselves near each day's photographic highlights. You will enjoy comfortable double rooms with private bathrooms to enhance your experience on this photographic adventure.
Experience in the field.
José D. Riquelme
Travel with José D. Riquelme, landscape and night photographer and founder of IceMonkey Tours. Personal guidance in the field helps you make the most of each location, from the Altiplano’s lagoons to the wide-open skies of Uyuni.
Across the Altiplano.
Ready for the photograph.
- A Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera or a mirrorless camera
- A sturdy tripod with a ball head
- A wide-angle lens, such as a 14-24 mm
- A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70 mm
- A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens
- It is important for a lens to have a good aperture for Milky way, such as a 14 mm f/2.8
- A camera bag to carry all your equipment
- 6-stop ND filter
- A headlamp for night sessions
- Batteries, cleaning kit, and memory cards
- Drone
Dressing Tips for Your Trip to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia in April:
During your journey, it’s important to wear comfortable and suitable clothing for various activities and weather conditions. Here are some recommendations:
Light and breathable clothing: Opt for fabrics like cotton or linen that allow air circulation and keep you cool during the day. Temperatures can reach up to 20°C, but they can drop to 0°C at night. Therefore, it’s essential to bring a good jacket or coat for the night.
Sun protection: Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays, especially in areas with direct exposure to the sun on the salt flat.
Comfortable footwear: Choose comfortable and sturdy shoes for walking, as you’re likely to explore both natural and urban areas during your trip.
Useful accessories: Consider bringing a lightweight scarf or bandana, as well as a small backpack to carry water and other essentials such as sunglasses.
Preparing with the right clothing will allow you to fully enjoy your photographic adventure in the Salar de Uyuni in April.
Wi-Fi will be available in all hotels. You can purchase a virtual e-SIM in advance from websites like https://esim.holafly.com/ or other similar services and activate it upon arrival in Bolivia.
You can exchange your currency for Bolivian peso in La Paz.
Bolivia uses American type A electrical outlets, so if you’re coming from Europe, you will need an adapter.
Flights to La Paz
Your journey to the Photography Workshop begins by booking your flight to El Alto International Airport in La Paz, Bolivia (LPB), which will serve as our designated arrival and departure point. We recommend arriving in La Paz before 12:00 noon on the first day of the workshop to ensure you are present for the orientation session. Consider arriving a day earlier to start the workshop refreshed and well-rested, especially if you are coming from a long flight.
Documentation
To enter Bolivia, some travelers may require a visa, depending on their nationality. Make sure your travel documents are in order before your departure.
Meals
All meals are included in the tour starting from the second day. When visiting La Paz, we recommend not eating street food and always drinking bottled water throughout the tour.
A few things worth knowing.
The workshop will take place in Bolivia, a diverse and captivating landscape that offers a variety of extraordinary photography opportunities.
The workshop is led by José D. Riquelme, founder of IceMonkey Tours, who will share his knowledge and techniques. You will also have the opportunity to learn about aerial photography with drones.
The workshop is designed for photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Sessions will be adapted to meet the needs of all participants, including an introduction to using drones for photography.
Absolutely! We recommend that you bring your drone to capture stunning views from the skies over Bolivia.
Yes, there will be specific sessions during the workshop dedicated to aerial photography with drones. Our experts will guide you on best practices and techniques for capturing spectacular images from the air.
Yes, our instructors will be happy to provide guidance on selecting and configuring drones for photography, both before and during the event.
Yes, we recommend it for learning editing techniques.
Let’s talk about your trip.
Plan your expedition.
The reservation will be confirmed once a payment of 1,000 US dollars has been made.
No spots will be reserved without the deposit.
Final Payment: The remaining balance must be paid 30 days before the start of the trip.
We understand that attending our workshops requires prior commitment, and also that life events can occur that may force you to cancel a trip. Depending on the cancellation date, the following conditions will apply:
- More than 90 days before the start date of the workshop: Full refund of payments made.
- Between 90 and 60 days before the start of the workshop: 50% of the booking will be refunded.
- 60-30 days before the start of the workshop: 35% of the booking will be refunded.
- Within 30 days prior to the start of the workshop: No refund will be made.
Accidents:
- IceMonkey is not responsible for accidents involving participants during the workshop and will not cover medical expenses if necessary. During the workshop, each participant is responsible for their own safety and physical integrity.
- IceMonkey is not responsible for accidents or losses of photographic equipment during the workshop. Each participant is responsible for their own photographic equipment.
- Travel insurance is mandatory.
Punctuality:
- Each day of the expedition, all participants must be punctual at the established time. All participants must be at the starting point of the expedition for its commencement. In case of delays due to inconveniences, the participant must communicate with someone from the IceMonkey staff as soon as possible.
Respect:
- Participants may have different levels of knowledge about the subject, which requires patience when explaining topics that are already familiar to them. Each participant’s photographic area must be respected. Disrespect towards a participant or a staff member will not be tolerated. This is a discrimination-free space. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Weather:
- The tour and its itinerary depend on the weather and can change at any time. We will always be attentive to the best weather conditions to determine where to go and optimize photography.
- Date: From April 26 to May 3, 2027
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Languages: english / spanish
- Places: 10
- Activity Level: All levels
Your next extraordinary
photograph starts here.
Your next extraordinary photograph.
Let’s talk about Bolivia.
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