CHILE - ATACAMA DESERT
An amazing adventure in the world’s darkest and driest desert over 3000mt, hunting the wonder of the cosmos over incredible landscapes
APRIL 2023
Who the tour is for:
Nightscapers
This photo tour is dedicated to all those who are madly in love with the dark. There are some photographers who are a little crazier, they are those who love to spend the night outside, without thinking about the cold, without thinking about sleep, just admiring the wonder of the night sky.
Photographers
This trip is specifically for photographers, we are not tourists and every day we will try to take pictures to get the most out of our images. Of course we will sleep little, but we will bring home incredible memories of the extraordinary images.
Adventurers
We will spend three of our nights in an island tented camp in the middle of the desert with low signal this means that the experience will be authentic and intimate with no technological comforts. This experience is specifically for those who enjoy the location without compromises
WHEN & WHERE
Next Tour: april 2023
Schedule:
Day 1:
Meeting at the airport (depending on the participants’ flights, we will organise a general meeting), immigration formalities, transfer to the accommodation that will host us for this first night, check in and finally some relaxation around the capital Santiago. If time permits, we will be able to reach the “Terrace Bellavista” viewpoint, from where we can admire an incredible sunset over Santiago.
Day 2:
After an excellent breakfast we transfer to the airport to catch an internal flight to Calama. Once landed we will pick up the 4×4 cars and move to the accommodation in Antofagasta. Check in and after a little rest we will meet for a theory lesson that will prepare you for the days ahead. At dinner we will go to one of the local restaurants to enjoy some excellent food.
Day
3-4-5:
During these 3 days, we will be able to visit several locations in the Antofagasta region. First of all, the famous ‘hand of the desert’ and the VLT (very large telescope), the largest telescope in the world. In these areas, which are absolutely free of light pollution, we will be able to plan several shooting sessions at sunset, but especially of the Milky Way. We will take advantage of daylight to scout the area and arrive ready for the night.
Day
6 to 13:
After arriving in San Pedro de Atacama and checking in at the affiliated hotel, we will begin to plan the various days to come, getting to know the various locations that will be the destination of the photographic journey. We will visit the most incredible spots that this desert can offer us: from the salt lagoons populated by flamingos (seasonal) to the Valle Della Luna and the Arcoiris Valley, which resemble Martian landscapes. We will hike above El Tatio, a volcanic caldera at an altitude of more than 4300m, where we will find more than 80 geysers and a natural pool where we can relax in the boiling water.
Day 14:
After having breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we will head to Calama airport, where we will take the internal flight back to our base, Santiago de Chile. We will have the opportunity to discuss the days spent in the Atacama Desert, review the shots and cross a few more landscapes to capture.
Day 15:
We have a hearty breakfast and after checking out of the hotel we head to Santiago airport to prepare for our return to our countries
Some views of our tour:
Theory Sessions:
Alex Wides
Your Guide
FAQs:
This experience is specifically for anyone who enjoys photographing the night landscape. If you are already a stargazer and are looking for the best darkness, then this is the perfect trip for you. It won’t be a strenuous experience in terms of walking but it will be in terms of sleeping, so pack a big pot of coffee and let’s set off in search of the night
Food is included in the package, we will have breakfast lunch and dinner, any extra meals will be paid for by the photographer, alcoholic drinks will not be on the menu. Lunches and dinners will be typical of the place, in the desert we will be able to taste dromedary and typical bread baked under the sand. (for any intolerance or allergy please advise the organisation)
We will spend the first night and the last night of the trip at the hotel near the airport, this is to facilitate the arrival of all participants and to ensure that if there are any delays there will be no problems with departure. We will then spend other nights near the best locations, like San Pedro de Atacama and Antofagasta
Any photographic journey is definitely not a holiday, it will be quite tiring from the point of view of sleep, we will only get plenty of sleep when we are close to the city, on the other nights we will try to rest in the morning
Specific equipment is certainly required, each photographer must have their own camera and lenses this is because each photographer will have to be autonomous during the night, the organisation will show the use of the astro tracker in case a photographer decides to take it with them.
No particular level of experience is required, however a minimum of practice with the camera during the night is required, Alex remains available to photographers should there be any need
The transfers and nights in the hotel and to our basecamp (main food included), the car/vans driven by our guides (gasoline included)
Flights, extra meals, extras, and anything not expressly mentioned in “What’s included in the fee?”.
