Dates:

Sunday, May 4 - Monday, May 12, 2025

Cost: 

$15,995 - Single occupancy lodging in Explora's Atacama (3 nights) and Uyuni (2 nights) lodges as well as the Met Hotel in La Paz (1 night). *Two single rooms available at Explora's Ramaditas (1 night) & Chituca (1 night) mountain lodges for $1000. As there are only 4 rooms in these two mountain lodges, the other two rooms will be double occupancy.

Size:

Limited to 5 attendees

Included in the cost of the trip:

• Single occupancy lodging in Explora's Atacama (3 nights) and Uyuni (2 nights) lodges as well as the Met Hotel in La Paz (1 night)
  
• Double occupancy lodging in Explora's Ramaditas (1 night) and Chituca (1 night) mountain lodges *Two single rooms available in these mountain lodges for $1000.
  
• All meals and beverages, from dinner on night 1 to breakfast on day 9
  
• All airport transfers and ground transportation
  
• All entrance fees to national parks
  
• Guided experiences provided by Explora
• In-the-field photography instruction
• Adobe Lightroom post processing assistance
• 1-on-1 critique/review sessions
  
  

Not included in the cost of the trip:

• Airfare to Chile and from Bolivia
  
• Airfare from Uyuni (UYU) to La Paz (LPB) on BOA Airways
  
• Gratuities
• Travel & gear insurance
  
• Additional hotel nights before or after the trip
• Items of a personal nature
• Visa for Bolivia (depends on nationality, US citizens need one, UK citizens do not)
  
  

Fitness & climate


Because of the altitude (over 14,000 feet in certain locations) and hiking involved in this journey, it is essential that you are actively fit and healthy. While there are no scheduled long hikes, the altitude makes everything seem more difficult. All hiking will be done at a relaxed pace, as we will have plenty of time to get to our locations. 


We will be traveling through high elevation deserts on this trip and the temperatures can feel very warm during the day (80s°F), and quite cold at night (30s°F). It is very important to stay hydrated on this trip due to the altitude, low humidity and intense sun. A quality sun hat, UV protective clothing and warm clothing for the evenings are recommended.

Travel Insurance (required)


Due to the remote location visited during this trip, it is a requirement of booking that guests provide evidence of comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including evacuation), personal accident, injury, etc.

Getting there

You'll need Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL), and take an approximately 2-hour connection flight to the northern city of Calama (CJC). We advise you to book an early flight in order to be able to relax at the hotel and participate in an easy exploration during the afternoon. You will be picked up from Calama airport and driven to Explora Atacama Lodge (1.5 hours).

Departure

As this is a one way traverse from Chile to Bolivia. On day 8, we will fly from International Joya Andina Airport (UYU) in Uyuni to La Paz (LPB), spend the night and catch an international flight from there on May 12th. However if you wish to travel back to Calama, Chile for departure, Explora can arrange a transfer on the morning of May 11th (about an 8 hour drive).

Pre & post trip add-ons

The Explora team can arrange visits to any of their other destinations in South America if you are interested.

Signing Up

To sign up for this recce trip, checkout here on our website, call 305-921-4433 or email us (workshops@leicastoremiami.com). We are happy to answer any questions you may have. A $2995 deposit, along with the single room supplement fee should you choose it, is required to hold your spot. The balance will be due on January 4, 2025.

We look forward to seeing you in Chile!

Itinerary

Days 1 - 3 (May 4, 5 & 6): Atacama

Days 4 - 8 (May 7, 8, 9 & 10): Ramaditas, Chituca & Uyuni

This morning, after breakfast, the group will load up our 4x4 vehicles and make our way north towards the Uyuni salt flats. The road that connects San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile and the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia is a transit area with thousands of years of history. It has been traveled by native Andean peoples since nomadic times, as they sought food and raw materials. 

On our journey, we'll stop for one night at Explora's Ramaditas lodge (4145 meters above sea level), one night at Chituca lodge (3732 meters above sea level) and two nights at Uyuni lodge (3729 meters above sea level). You will have unique experiences every day, as you travel from lodge to lodge. We'll make plenty of photography stops along the way, taking recommendations from our guides, and seeing where the road takes us. We'll settle in each evening after sunset for dinner and perhaps an astrophotography session.

These small mountain lodges were built in cooperation with the Bolivian communities in the region. Authentic people who have dedicated their lives to cultivating knowledge of their territories. You will have authentic experiences at each of these lodges, as they are served by locals.

The views from these lodges are unparalleled and, opposed to large disruptive hotels, these 4-6 room structures seek to interfere with the landscape as little as possible. Finally, the cuisine was developed by the chefs of Ancestral, a famous restaurant in La Paz, Bolivia, and reflects the region’s ingredients and recipes.

Day 8 (May 11): Uyuni to La Paz

Payment

A $2995 deposit, along with the single supplement room fee for the mountain lodges if you choose it, is due at the time of registration. The balance will be due on January 4, 2025.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Enrollment is limited to 5 participants, and once you sign up, we are counting on your attendance. If you need to withdraw from this workshop, please notify us in writing (email is acceptable) as soon as possible. This is our refund policy:

If you cancel and we find someone to fill your seat, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $250 service charge. If you cancel and we cannot find someone to fill your seat, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule:

At least 160 days before the start of the workshop: Full refund minus $250 service fee.
Between 160 and 120 days before the start of the workshop: 75% refund
Between 120 and 60 days before the start of the workshop: 50% refund
Less than 60 days from the start of the workshop: No refund

Course Cancellation and Other Terms

Leica Store Miami reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by 120 days prior to the start of the workshop.

In the event that this workshop must be canceled due to inadequate enrollment, all fees and deposits will be refunded in full or may be transferred to another workshop within 24 months.

In the unlikely event of illness, accident or injury to one of the instructors, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to replace that instructor with a comparable instructor.

In the event of a natural disaster or severe weather event, Leica Store Miami reserves the right to postpone or cancel the workshop.

Travel Insurance (required)

Due to the remote locations visited during this trip, it is a requirement of booking that guests provide evidence of comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including evacuation), personal accident, injury, etc. Companies like Travelex and Allianz Global Assistance are reputable but you can choose any vendor you like. Leica Store Miami is not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets in the event of a workshop cancellation, nor are we responsible for trip cancellations due to medical emergencies, personal emergencies or other unforeseen events.

Camera Gear Insurance (STRONGLY recommended)

We advise all of our workshop attendees to insure their camera gear against damage, theft, loss, etc. If your gear is not already insured, check with your home owner's insurance to see if they offer coverage. There are several photo specific insurance policies out there as well.

Communicable Illness Protocols

Our main goal on all of our tours is to keep everyone safe. To that end, we ask that everyone do their best to avoid exposure to communicable diseases like Covid-19, influenza, RSV, etc before and during our trip. If someone in our group becomes ill on the trip and we deem it to be harmful to the group, we reserve the right to remove them from group activities where social distancing is not possible.

Single Room Policy
If you sign-up for double occupancy room sharing and there are no other attendees to pair you with, you will be responsible for paying the single room supplement.

Transfers
If for any reason you wish to transfer your deposit or workshop fee, please notify us by email. You must register and complete a new workshop within 24 months of the withdrawal. We reserve the right to accept or deny any transfer.

There are no exceptions to our Cancellation and Transfer Policy.