Atacama Plateau

Voyager Series Day & Night Photography Tour

The Atacama is a high-altitude desert that is mostly in Chile, but the plateau extends into Argentina and Bolivia. Most people are familiar with the out-of-this-world landscapes of the Chilean Atacama, but we’ve been dreaming about the volcanoes, lava fields, cinder cones, dramatic mountains, massive sand dunes, endless salt fields, and seas of sand and pumice rock that make up the even more fascinating Puna de Atacama in Argentina. And if that isn’t enough, you’ll have the option to check off your bucket list: the reflecting salt flats of the Uyuni in Bolivia on our add-on excursion.

photos © Gabriel Biderman

Tour Details

MAIN TOUR
April 3-14, 2026

This is a 11-night, 12-day tour. Your adventure begins with your arrival in Salta, Argentina, on April 3, and ends back in Salta on April 14.

$11,995 + applicable taxes.

Skill level

Intermediate and above. Participants should have a firm grasp of the basic principles of photography and of their cameras, and have a comfortable understanding of night photography fundamentals.

Group size

12, with 2 instructors — 6:1 ratio

Tour Leaders

Add-On: Uyuni Salt Flats
April 14-18, 2026

This is an optional 5-day, 4-night add-on to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, available only to attendees of the main tour. More information below.

$8,995 single, $15,590 two people sharing a room + applicable taxes. Registration information will be sent to attendees of the main tour.

Group size

12, with 2 instructors — 6:1 ratio

Registration

• Deposit of $2,995 is required to reserve your spot.
• Balance of $9,000 is due on December 3, 2025.
Pay balance here.
• You may choose the “Pay in Full” ticket if you desire to pay all at once.
• Last day for a cancellation request is December 2, 2025.
(see cancellation and refund policy)
• See “Ticket Info” further down the page for details about what the tour fee covers.

The Atacama Plateau Experience

Get ready for a palette of colors that will take your breath away at the Atacama Plateau. The deep blacks of the volcanic fields blend into the rich reds of the surrounding Andes mountains and sandwiched between them all are scintillating salt flats. Rich turquoise and other geothermal colors can be captured under the endless southern hemisphere constellations.

All along these fascinating landscapes you’ll also find unique wildlife, such as the vicuna (a wild relative of the llama), suri (a relative of the turkey and symbolic bird of the region) and the famous pink flamingos.

Then there are the pristine dark skies, like none other we have seen before. We’ll spend the evenings realigning ourselves to vivid nebulas and southern constellations such as Crux, Carina and Centaurus. The Large and Small Magellanic clouds will certainly steal the show, while Taurus, Orion, Canis Major and Gemini will also vie for our attention. Mars, Jupiter and Venus will also dominate the starry dome in the sky.

The tour will start with a gibbous moon that will wane smaller and rise later until we reach the new moon in Uyuni.

Expect long days of exploring the wild landscapes before settling into our hand-picked locations for sunsets and starry night sky adventures.

Our journey starts with our arrival to the provincial capital of the north, Salta. Café-lined streets intertwine with Spanish colonial architecture and Andean heritage. Salta is the gateway city to the Atacama Plateau. We’ll spend an R&R day there after your long flight and get ready for the next leg of the trip: the red hills and vineyards of Cafayate.

Over the next two days we’ll explore the Quebrada de las Conchas, a canyon sculpted over 50 million years into vast deposits of minerals, specifically clay and sandstone. This geological masterpiece unveils a narrative of a bygone era. You’ll also have the option to tour historic vineyards, sampling exquisite wines and learning about their meticulous winemaking process, and to shop with local artisans and immerse yourself within this local community.

After three days of fun and acclimating to the elevation, we will climb to the higher altitudes of 10,000 to 13,000 feet, winding our way past groups of vicunas, giant white sand dunes, volcanoes and lagoons. We will follow the ancient passage that caravans used to traverse the desert in search of the biggest oasis in the region, the Antofagasta de la Sierra.

For the next three days the guides will drive our 4x4s all over this vast volcanic region. Some of the highest peaks of the Andes will surround us, and the contrast of colors will mesmerize us. Highlights will be the pink flamingos wading in the vermillion lagoon, an enormous sand dune, and the Campo de Piedra Pomez. This strange and stunning landscape looks like endless sandstone waves that boast a distinctive ivory-orange color, and powdery characteristics that have been sculpted by the arid and harsh winds of the Andean region.

Known as “the place where the sun shines,” Antofagasta de la Sierra is surrounded by uncountable volcanic peaks. We’ll stop to hike the hidden sand dunes that offer 360-degree panoramas that include the Sacred Macon Mountain and the Llullaillaco Volcano. At the peak of this volcano is where an Inca ritual sacrifice site was discovered in 1999 with three of the best preserved mummies in the world.

We’ll try not to get lost in the natural wonder called the Labyrinth Desert, a 10 million year-old fossil dune desert formed by clay picks and gypsum crystals. Our planned night shoot will be the 207-foot Polvorilla viaduct that was constructed across a ravine in the 1930s. It supports the popular “train to the clouds,” and we’ll aim our cameras due north and south to spin the stars around this historic bridge.

The last two days of our trip will be spent in the vast and surreal salt flats known as the Salinas Grandes. What makes these white, cracked, moon-like landscapes so unique are the geometrically turquoise pools carved by the local salt farmers. The rich blue water makes perfect reflecting pools for the stars and offers some of the best foregrounds for day and night photographs.

Located footsteps from these pools are four geodesic domes that can accommodate up to eight of our guests. This is a premium and shared occupancy. While not required, it is a bucket-list experience. These guests will enjoy lunch and dinner at these “pristine camps.” The alternate lodging is where we were the night before, a little more than an hour away.

Note: Itineraries may be subject to change due to weather and road conditions or any other conditions of an operational nature throughout the year (such as snowfall, heavy rain, strong winds, etc.), especially in places higher than 11,000 feet. As such we reserve the right to alter and/or cancel any section and/or parts of the itinerary which may be impacted by conditions beyond our control.

The Uyuni Salt Flats Add-On Experience

Want some more time in the area? Optionally, continue your journey with us north along the Atacama Plateau as we cross into the country of Bolivia and set our sights on the world’s largest salt flats, Uyuni.

Salar de Uyuni stretches over 4,000 miles at an elevation of 12,000 feet in the Altiplano region of Bolivia. Known as a night photography wonder of the world, when it rains in Uyuni the salt flats act like an endless reflecting pool and the celestial lines between heaven and earth become one.

We specifically timed this trip to fall during the “reflecting season” as well as a new moon. We’ll be able to catch a once-in-a-lifetime shot: the Southern Hemisphere Milky Way arch reflected right at your feet. A bonus on our last night will be a rare planetary alignment of Mercury, Venus, Neptune and Saturn high in the eastern skies.

Note: This optional add-on is available only to tour attendees. After registering for the main tour, you will receive a link with more information about the add-on and how to purchase a ticket (if desired).

What You Should Know

This tour caters to knowledgeable photographers with an intermediate or higher skill set. Participants should have a firm grasp of the basic principles of photography and of their cameras, and have a comfortable understanding of night photography fundamentals.

If you would like to join us on this trip but are unsure whether you have adequate night photography skills, we can offer pre-event tutoring to get you ready for your adventure with us. Additionally, a few of us have written books that may be productive pre-trip reads.

What You Will Learn

As this is a photo tour rather than a workshop, the emphasis is getting participants to great locations with great light, and making sure that everyone has the trip of a lifetime. It isn’t every day that you get to travel to the Puna de Atacama!

That said, the entire trip will be a learning experience. From one-on-one field assistance to casual Q&As during travel to learning from your fellow participants to the historical locations we'll visit, this tour will be filled with inspiration, adventure and education.

The primary emphasis of the tour is to make you a better travel photographer and to improve your landscape, wildlife and night skills. Each participant will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with Gabe and Matt in the field.

OPPORTUNITIES WILL INCLUDE:

  • Milky Way

  • Southern Hemisphere dark skies

  • star tracker education

  • starlight blends 

  • star points and trails

  • landscape compositions

  • drone photography opportunities 

  • wildlife photography

There will not be any classroom time during the tour. However, we will host a pre-and post Zoom session and send you materials, a gear list and homework to prepare you for our epic photographic tour through Argentina and Bolivia.

Night Conditions


Logistics & General Info

 

Ticket Info

Included:

  • 11 nights of double occupancy lodging    

  • all breakfasts except on your arrival day

  • all lunches

  • all dinners except for the day you travel home

  • entrance fees and permits

  • the services of local guides

  • all transportation via 4x4 vehicles, including airport pick-up and drop-off

  • oxygen equipment, first aid kits and wilderness survival trained guides

  • 24/7 logistics support

Not Included:

  • airfare

  • alcoholic beverages

  • optional two-night premium suites at the geodesic domes (double occupancy as there are only four available) 

  • visas (if applicable)

  • tips for our local guides and drivers

Travel

Your journey begins with an overnight flight to Salta, Argentina (SLA). There are no direct flights and some flights are up to four stops. The most frequent flights to Salta come via Buenos Aires. You should plan to arrive in Salta by the early afternoon on April 3. Our tour company will pick you up at the Salta Airport and you’ll have the time to rest and relax before our three-course welcome dinner. 

Experienced guides will drive us in comfortable 4x4 vehicles.

You’ll end your journey either back in Salta on April 14 or continue with us to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia.

If you want to arrive early or stay later in Salta, we can assist with bookings.

You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation to and from Salta.

Lodging & Food

We’ll be staying at a variety of hotels and homestays. Rest assured that every night you’ll come home to a clean, spacious and comfortable room. Everything is set up for double occupancy, however single supplements will be available for these days:

  • Day 1 (Finca Valentina, Salta)

  • Days 2-3 (Patios de Cafayate Wine Hotel)

  • Day 7 (San Antonio de los Cobres)

On the last two nights we’ll have access to three geodesic domes in the middle of the Salinas Grandes (Salt Flats). This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to literally live under the stars. Limited supplemental double or triple occupancy tickets will be made available after you have signed up. 

Food

  • Expect excellent Argentinian and hyper local cuisine including several parrillas - the full Argentinian grilling experience!

  • All meals are included from when you arrive April 3 through your farewell lunch on April 14.

Weather

Expect daytime highs of 80 F, and nighttime lows in the 40s.

Recommended Attire

  • The sun at high altitudes can be intense. Protect your skin and eyes with sunscreen, sunglasses, buffs, wide-edged hats and clothing with UV protection.

  • Lightweight and breathable clothing. 

  • Layers are essential on this trip as we’ll experience a variety of temperatures at different altitudes. Bring a windbreaker for daytime, and a packable insulated jacket, warm hat and gloves for night.

  • Comfortable and protective shoes are recommended for getting around. There won’t be long hikes, but we will be on trails, so quality trail shoes or hiking boots would be optimal.

Exertion Level

The exertion level of this tour is Active. (See more about our classifications.)

Please consider your physical abilities prior to registering. There won’t be any long hikes, but we will be doing short hikes on unmaintained trails, and you should be comfortable carrying your own equipment over uneven ground in the dark.

Puna de Atacama ranges between 9,000 and 14,000 feet in elevation. Altitude sickness can become a concern at over 8,000 feet, and some people can experience it at elevations as low as 6,000. The itinerary is structured so that we have three days at the beginning of the trip to acclimate before going to the higher elevations. If you are especially sensitive to high elevations, have high blood pressure or heart issues, we recommend that you check with your doctor before registering. If you would like to arrive even earlier to acclimate, we can help you arrange accommodations. We also advise staying well hydrated.

Each vehicle will have oxygen, trained staff, blood pressure cuffs and first aid kits. It is not uncommon that someone needs to be driven back to Salta or lower elevations for altitude-related reasons.

Considerations

IMPORTANT: We encourage reading our FAQs page for more information about skill and gear requirements, and other information that pertains to all our trips.

If you have questions, please contact us—we're happy to talk it over with you.

 

A Call from the Atacama …

I was a kid in the southern skies candy store.
— Gabe

The Atacama has been calling me for many years. The southern celestial skies and surreal landscapes are on every night photographer’s bucket list. However, the more I researched it, the less I was interested in the Chilean Atacama, which visually just doesn’t have as many strong foregrounds. My good friends Seth Resnick and John Paul Caponigro introduced me to a less-traveled-to and wildly more exciting Atacama Plateau region in Argentina.

I did some research. Known as the Puna de Atacama, this region is at even higher altitudes than the Chilian side and has insanely vivid volcanic landscapes. The highest Andes mountains surrounded the area and the images I saw of the pumice stone fields and geometric turquoise water-filled salt flats were absolutely stunning.

So I started scheming an adventure to the Puna. I had a trip to the Galapagos planned with my father in 2023. I figured we were on the same continent as Argentina, so let’s go!

It isn’t easy to get to any of the gateways to the Atacama. It is very remote and often entails two to four plane rides. However, Dad and I made it to Salta at 5 a.m. and started our adventure with our guide affectionately known as Taco.

First, we aimed our 4x4 comfortable truck to the wine country of Cafayate in the Salta Province. We spent a couple days there acclimating from the sea level we had been accustomed to in Galapagos to the equivalent of Denver elevation.

The wine was sumptuous, but even more of a surprise was the red rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas Canyon. We spent a few days exploring before taking our next elevation leap to the lunar landscape of the Pumice Fields in the Antofagasta region. Now at 11,000 to 14,000 feet we could feel the thinner air, but we stayed hydrated and photographed the vicuna, suri and pink flamingos in colorful lagoons. At night, I was a kid in the southern skies candy store as I composed wave-like sandstone rocks against vivid nebulae and new-to-me constellations.

Our journey continued past cinder cones, rugged peaks and colorful lagoons. We met plenty of friendly locals, but didn’t bump into many tourists. Taco and the 4x4 truck took us to locations off the beaten path and we felt like we were in a land of wonders.

One of the other highlights was finally getting to the Salinas Grandes—the stunning salt flats with polygonal shapes of water that perfectly reflect the sky.

My dad and I still dream of the Puna de Atacama. It was unlike anything we had seen before. I’d be happy to spend the rest of my nights there.