April 1–15, 2028 | 15 Days, 14 Nights
Cost: $13,495/person, double occupancy
Deposit: $2500/person
Group Size: max 8 guests
Leaders: Denise Silva, Geff Bourke, and local guides/photographers
To Register: Contact page
Imagine standing on the vast Salar de Uyuni as the rising sun transforms the world’s largest salt flat into an endless mirror. The sky stretches in every direction, the horizon seems to disappear, and the landscape becomes a surreal world of light, color, and reflection.
Now imagine finding yourself deep in the Amazon Basin, surrounded by lush tropical forests, the calls of howler monkeys, and waterways alive with pink river dolphins, caimans, capybaras, and extraordinary birdlife.
This is our Bolivia photography tour.
Two completely different worlds. One incredible photographic adventure!
Our Bolivia Photography Expedition takes us from the breathtaking heights of the Andes to the wildlife-rich lowlands of the Amazon, revealing a country of extraordinary beauty, diversity, and contrasts.
We’ll explore the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni, photograph the magnificent peaks of the Cordillera Real, discover ancient Inca ruins overlooking Lake Titicaca, and experience the vibrant culture of La Paz.
Then, the landscape changes dramatically.
We’ll descend from the cool, thin air of the high Andes through mist-covered cloud forests and into the warm, tropical environment of the Amazon Basin. Here, our focus shifts from sweeping landscapes and ancient cultures to the remarkable wildlife of Madidi National Park and the Pampas del Yacuma.
From endless horizons and snow-covered mountains to winding jungle rivers and intimate wildlife encounters, this expedition offers an astonishing range of photographic opportunities.
Few places on Earth offer such extraordinary contrasts within a single journey. And few adventures offer photographers the opportunity to experience them quite like this.
A World of Photographic Possibilities
La Paz — A City Among the Mountains
Our adventure begins in La Paz, one of the world’s most dramatically situated cities. Nestled within a deep Andean canyon, La Paz offers a fascinating blend of traditional culture, bustling markets, colorful neighborhoods, and extraordinary mountain scenery.
We’ll explore local markets, historic streets, and the famous Witches’ Market, capturing glimpses of everyday life against the remarkable backdrop of the Andes.
The surrounding landscape is equally compelling. Towering cliffs, rugged canyons, and dramatic evening light create wonderful opportunities for both urban and landscape photography.
Lake Titicaca and the Sacred Island of the Sun
High in the Andes, Lake Titicaca stretches across the Altiplano beneath the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Real.
Our journey takes us along its shores, through traditional villages, and across the lake to the legendary Island of the Sun, considered the birthplace of the Incas in Inca mythology.
Here, ancient ruins, terraced hillsides, traditional communities, and sweeping mountain views offer an incredible variety of photographic subjects.
We’ll spend the night on the island, giving us the rare opportunity to photograph both sunset and sunrise over the lake. With no cars, little development, and magnificent views in every direction, the island offers a peaceful and unforgettable experience.
The High Andes — Glaciers, Mountains, and the Altiplano
Bolivia’s high Andes are a landscape photographer’s dream!
We’ll travel into the Cordillera Real, where towering mountains, hanging glaciers, alpine lakes, and rugged ridgelines dominate the horizon.
Near the base of Mount Huayna Potosí, rising to nearly 20,000 feet, we’ll explore a dramatic mountain environment shaped by centuries of geological forces.
Abandoned mining settlements, weathered landscapes, and constantly changing mountain light provide compelling subjects beyond the spectacular peaks themselves.
The vast Altiplano adds another dimension to our photography, with its enormous skies, remote settlements, sweeping plains, and extraordinary sense of scale.
Salar de Uyuni — The World’s Largest Salt Flat
Few places on Earth offer a photographic experience quite like the Salar de Uyuni.
Covering more than 4,000 square miles, this immense salt flat creates a landscape that almost defies imagination.
During the rainy season, shallow water can transform its surface into a spectacular natural mirror, reflecting clouds, mountains, and the changing colors of the sky. Even without standing water, the brilliant white salt, geometric patterns, and endless horizon create extraordinary compositions.
We’ll explore this remarkable landscape at sunrise and sunset, when the light brings out its most dramatic qualities.
Our journey also takes us to the slopes of Mount Thunupa, ancient caves, and Incahuasi Island, where enormous cacti rise unexpectedly from the salt-covered plain.
From minimalist landscapes to dramatic reflections and unusual perspectives, the Salar de Uyuni promises some of the most creative photographic opportunities of the entire expedition.
Mirror reflections depend on seasonal rainfall and conditions at the time of our visit.
From the Andes to the Amazon — An Incredible Transformation
One of the most remarkable experiences of this expedition is the journey from the high Andes into the Amazon Basin.
We’ll travel over mountain passes reaching approximately 15,000 feet before descending through the mist-covered cloud forests of the Yungas.
Along the way, the landscape transforms dramatically. Bare mountain slopes give way to waterfalls, dense vegetation, orchids, ferns, and tropical forests.
The change in elevation brings an equally remarkable change in climate, vegetation, and wildlife.
This transition is an adventure in itself, with incredible photographic opportunities as we move through some of Bolivia’s most spectacular terrain.
Madidi National Park — Into the Heart of the Rainforest
Our Amazon adventure begins with a river journey along the Beni and Tuichi Rivers into Madidi National Park, one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth.
Here, the pace changes, and the rainforest takes center stage.
We’ll explore jungle trails and riverbanks with experienced local guides, searching for monkeys, tropical birds, insects, reptiles, and the countless other creatures that inhabit this extraordinary ecosystem.
Jaguars, tapirs, peccaries, and other elusive mammals also inhabit the region, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Early mornings bring the sounds of howler monkeys echoing through the forest, while the soft light filtering through the canopy creates beautiful opportunities for intimate wildlife and nature photography.
For those interested, guided night walks offer an entirely different experience as nocturnal creatures emerge and the rainforest comes alive after dark.
Our remote rainforest lodge allows us to fully immerse ourselves in this remarkable environment.
Pampas del Yacuma — Wildlife Along the Waterways
The final wildlife chapter of our journey takes us into the Pampas del Yacuma, where open wetlands, grasslands, and winding waterways create some of Bolivia’s most exciting wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Unlike the dense rainforest, the more open landscape often makes wildlife easier to observe and photograph.
We’ll explore the waterways by boat, searching for pink river dolphins, capybaras, caimans, turtles, monkeys, and an extraordinary variety of birds.
Herons, kingfishers, birds of prey, and enormous Jabiru storks are among the many species we may encounter.
We’ll also keep watch for more elusive wildlife, including giant anteaters, anacondas, and other fascinating inhabitants of the pampas.
Early morning and late afternoon excursions will give us opportunities to photograph wildlife in beautiful light, while nighttime outings reveal another side of this remarkable ecosystem.
Every river bend offers the possibility of a new encounter!
The Adventure of Altitude — An Important Consideration
Bolivia is a country of extraordinary elevations, and the altitude is an important part of this expedition.
Our journey begins in La Paz at approximately 10,200 feet above sea level. We will spend a day and night in this area so that we can begin acclimating to the altitude. From there, we’ll travel through the Altiplano, where elevations frequently reach 12,000–13,000 feet, with some excursions taking us considerably higher.
Our overnight stay on the Island of the Sun will be at approximately 13,000 feet, while mountain roads and passes may reach 15,000 feet.
At these elevations, the thinner air can make even moderate physical activity more demanding. Walking uphill, climbing stairs, or carrying photography equipment may require additional effort.
This expedition requires a reasonable level of physical fitness, good mobility, and a willingness to take things at a comfortable pace.
Although much of our photography will take place near our vehicles, boats, or accommodations, some locations involve walking on uneven ground, climbing trails, and navigating rocky terrain.
We’ll build time into the itinerary to adjust to the elevation, but altitude affects everyone differently, regardless of age or physical fitness.
We strongly recommend discussing high-altitude travel with your healthcare provider before registering, particularly if you have any existing medical concerns.
Once we descend into the Amazon Basin, the challenge changes from altitude to tropical heat and humidity. The rainforest also brings muddy trails, insects, and changing weather conditions.
This is a true adventure, and part of the reward comes from experiencing these remarkable environments firsthand.
A Photography Expedition Designed Around the Experience
This journey is about much more than visiting Bolivia’s famous destinations.
Our goal is to give photographers the time, access, and opportunities to experience the landscapes, wildlife, and cultures that make this country so extraordinary.
Whenever possible, we’ll plan our photography around the best available light, whether that means an early departure for sunrise over the salt flats, an evening overlooking Lake Titicaca, or a quiet morning searching for wildlife along an Amazonian River.
Experienced local guides will help us navigate the different regions, understand the environments we’re exploring, and make the most of our time in each location.
As with all Road Runner Photography Tours adventures, we’ll emphasize photography in the field, sharing techniques, discussing compositions, and helping participants capture the images they’ve traveled so far to create.
And while photography is our focus, the experience goes well beyond the camera. The landscapes, local cultures, remote accommodations, and shared adventures will make this a journey to remember.
What’s Included in Your Bolivia Photography Expedition
We’ve arranged the expedition to make the experience as seamless and comprehensive as possible. Once our journey begins, nearly all of the essential travel arrangements are taken care of, allowing you to concentrate on the adventure and your photography.
- 14 nights of accommodations, including hotels, a remote island lodge, a salt-brick hotel, and Amazon eco-lodges.
- Meals throughout the expedition, as specified in the itinerary, including group dinners and meals at our remote lodges.
- Private ground transportation throughout the itinerary, including 4×4 vehicles where required.
- Domestic flight from Uyuni to La Paz, as scheduled in the itinerary.
- Boat transportation and excursions, including Lake Titicaca, Madidi National Park, and the Pampas del Yacuma.
- Guided visits and photographic excursions to the major destinations described in the itinerary.
- Experienced local guides with knowledge of Bolivia’s landscapes, culture, and wildlife.
- Photography guidance and instruction from your Road Runner Photography Tours leaders throughout the expedition.
- Airport transfers in La Paz on the scheduled arrival and departure days.
- Wildlife excursions in the rainforest and pampas, including opportunities for guided nighttime outings.
From the high Andes to the Amazon waterways, the expedition brings together the transportation, accommodations, local expertise, and photographic experiences needed to explore these extraordinary destinations.
What’s Not Included
The following expenses are not included in the expedition price:
- International airfare to and from La Paz, Bolivia.
- Visa requirements and associated fees, if applicable.
- Required travel and health insurance, including cancellation, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation protection.
- Emergency evacuation expenses.
- Personal expenses, including alcoholic beverages.
- Telephone, Wi-Fi, data, and laundry expenses.
- Meals not specifically identified as included in the itinerary.
- Gratuities for driver-guides.
Please note: Meals on arrival and departure days are not fully included. On Day 1, the welcome dinner is included; on Day 15, meals are on your own. Lunch on Day 7 is also on your own.
Expedition Details
Destinations: La Paz • Lake Titicaca • Island of the Sun • Cordillera Real • Salar de Uyuni • Madidi National Park • Pampas del Yacuma
Photography Focus: Landscapes, wildlife, travel, culture, nature, and environmental photography.
Activity Level: Moderate, with additional challenges from high altitude, uneven terrain, remote locations, and tropical conditions.
Accommodations: Comfortable hotels and remote lodges selected for their locations and access to the environments we’ll be exploring.
Are You Ready to Discover Bolivia?
From the first light illuminating the Andes to the reflections of the Uyuni Salt Flats, from ancient Inca sites to the extraordinary wildlife of the Amazon, Bolivia offers an astonishing variety of experiences within a single country.
Few photographic journeys bring together such dramatically different landscapes, ecosystems, and cultures.
This is a chance to explore remote corners of South America, challenge your creativity, experience the thrill of unexpected wildlife encounters, and return home with far more than photographs.
Extraordinary photographs begin with extraordinary experiences.
Join Road Runner Photography Tours as we discover the incredible beauty, diversity, and adventure of Bolivia!
We hope you’ll join us!
