10 Day Puna de Atacama Photography Tour

After breakfast we'll check out from our hotel, commencing the journey towards the mountainous region of Purmamarca. This area is like an oasis within the desert landscape. It is well-known for its breathtaking and dynamic natural beauty, characterised by colourful mountains that make for stunning abstract photography.

After checking in at our hotel in Purmamarca, we will take Route 51 to Salinas Grandes, a large salt flat at about 3350 meters above sea level, where we will have a sunset session. After the session we will return to Purmamarca for a dinner and overnight.

At dawn, we will explore the surroundings of Purmamarca, a typical Andean village, and its famous Cerro de los Siete Colores. Then, we will tour the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its landscapes and cultural heritage. We will visit the towns of Maimará, Tilcara, and Humahuaca, where we will have wonderful photographic opportunities. In the afternoon, we will ascend to El Hornocal at 4,000 meters above sea level to photograph one of Argentina's most fascinating mountains, known for its incredible texture and variety of colors. After the session, we will return to Purmamarca for dinner and an overnight stay. 

Today we will begin our journey through the Puna de Atacama, an arid high plateau with average elevations near 3,500 meters above sea level, featuring volcanoes and many salt flats, where we will stay for the next few days.

Our tour starts after breakfast. We will take Route 51 to reach Susques. There, we will take Route 40, the longest in Argentina, to explore volcanic areas with numerous photographic opportunities. We will see llamas, guanacos, vicuñas, foxes, rheas, and possibly some Andean condors. At the end of our trip, we will arrive in San Antonio de los Cobres, where we will spend the night.

This day we start early to continue our ride along the high plateau. 

We will visit Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes, the Pocitos Salt Flat, and the Hombre Muerto Salt Flat, all offering many photographic opportunities. This region is the center of lithium extraction in Argentina, so we will see active mining operations. After having lunch in a mining town, we will head south. 

We can observe numerous herds of vicuñas, a wild llama characterized by having the most delicate and expensive wool on the planet. This trait brought it to the brink of extinction a couple of decades ago. After efforts and legislation banning its hunting, the population has been recovering, and it can now be seen quite frequently. We will then enjoy a sunset session at a stunning location with volcanic rock formations. Afterwards, we will proceed to Antofagasta de la Sierra for dinner and overnight stay. 

Today, we will leave the hotel before sunrise to reach Mirador del Mirihuaca for a sunrise session. This location is adjacent to a stunning canyon carved into volcanic lava. If you have a drone, you can fly it there to capture incredible aerial images of the landscape. After sunrise, we will return to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the morning is free, offering a good opportunity to process photos or explore Antofagasta. Following lunch, we will visit Alumbrera Volcano, where we can walk on its black sands and wait for sunset. We will stay overnight in Antofagasta de la Sierra.

We'll begin the day with an in-depth exploration of the volcanoes surrounding Antofagasta de la Sierra during a sunrise session amidst breathtaking lagoons. Afterwards, we'll head to the peaceful village of El Peñon, where we'll stay at a local hostería for the next three nights. The village's charm lies in its rural setting, featuring adobe-brick houses that lend themselves to stunning photographs. This evening, for sunset, we'll visit the Campo de Piedra Pomez, a vast lava field, to enjoy the dramatic and endless landscape as the sun sets.

Today we head out for an early sunrise session at the Laguna de Carachi Pampa, where stunning reflections make for dreamlike landscapes. The red-coloured lake is populated by pink flamingoes, with many wandering along the edge of the basin. Their blush-pink plumage is wonderfully offset by electric green algae at the edges of the lake, making for a breathtaking sight. Meanwhile, in the background, large black volcanoes loom in the distance, surrounded by vast lava fields.

Today, we're exploring Galán Volcano. Our first stop is Laguna Grande, a breeding ground for Andean Flamingos, with populations that can reach up to 50,000 in some years. Watching the flamingos' flight and the reflections is stunning. Next, we'll visit the caldera of Galán Volcano, which is nearly 40 kilometers across. Inside, we will find lagoons and hot springs. 

Today, we return to Salta. En route, we'll visit Laguna Blanca Reserve to see a large vicuña population. Here, local natives follow an ancient tradition of capturing wild vicuñas, shearing them, and releasing them—this occurs annually before summer. Afterwards, we'll explore Quebrada de Cafayate, known for its striking red rock formations. Finally, we'll arrive in Salta for hotel check-in and a farewell dinner.

This is where the adventure ends. After breakfast, you'll check out of the hotel and make your way back to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires – no doubt with a treasure trove of memories and photographs from this incredible adventure to the Puna de Atacama. With nothing further scheduled on this day, you are welcome to book any flight back to Buenos Aires where you'll be able to travel home or onwards to your next destination.