Photo Expedition
PUNA, the plateau of dreams
18-29 April 2027
Discovering a new planet
The off-road adventure of a lifetime in the remote highlands of northwestern Argentina
This is not an ordinary trip, nor a typical photo tour: we are about to embark on one of the most exhilarating experiences of a lifetime. Crossing the Argentine Puna is an experience that defies description. The concept of space and time is dramatically redefined once you are immersed in these surreal, boundless landscapes.
During this incredible adventure, we will take you to one of the most remote places on Earth: we’ll wander through stunning rock formations, surrounded by dozens of volcanoes, salt lakes, sand dunes, vast depressions, colorful lagoons filled with flamingos, massive basalt fields, and incredible pumice stone fields. Millions of years ago, Earth must have looked exactly like this. Northwestern Argentina (NOA) is a vast territory full of geological and natural wonders. Within the morphology of the Central Andes lies a high-altitude region bounded by a volcanic range to the west and a mountainous chain to the east. This region corresponds to the Altiplano (Peru/Bolivia/Chile) or the Puna (Argentina). It stretches from Lake Titicaca in Peru, through Bolivia, and ends in northwestern Argentina, where our expedition will take place. Although this Andean plateau belongs to a single geotectonic unit, it contains crucial physical differences and a variety of landscapes that will leave you breathless.
The Puna is the natural continuation of the Bolivian Altiplano, although the latter is much more open and elevated. Here, instead, we’re in a region internally fractured by mountain chains and depressions.
Climatically, the Puna is considered a high-altitude desert with some of the most extreme temperature swings in the world: in some periods, daytime temperatures can reach 25–30°C, while nighttime lows can occasionally drop to -25°C!
Locals say a single day here holds all four seasons: from 8–11 am it’s spring, 11 am–4 pm is summer, 4–6 pm is autumn, and winter arrives at night.
You’ll encounter astonishing locations both geologically/botanically and photographically, landscapes that will make you feel like you've left planet Earth behind!
LANDING ON MARS...
NASA has long studied Earth in search of the region most similar to the Martian surface. For many years, attention was focused on Chile’s Atacama Desert due to its extreme dryness, exotic salts like nitrates, and complete lack of organic matter.
Some researchers later proposed the Argentine Puna as an even more extreme environment.
Rainfall is nearly nonexistent, winds can be fierce, temperature swings are dramatic (up to 61°C), and winter temperatures can reach -30°C. Sand and salt accumulate in the plateau’s depressions, forming landscapes devoid of any vegetation. Traveling through the Puna is an overwhelming experience, like landing on Mars or perhaps on a planet not yet discovered.
THE EXPEDITION
Robust 4x4 vehicles and specialized overland equipment will be necessary for travel on the Puna and the surrounding dirt roads. We’ll carry detailed maps, first aid kits, satellite communication devices, ample supplies of water, fuel, and spare tires.
This will be a true expedition. In this high-altitude plateau, marked roads are rare, and every detail will be planned in advance to provide excellent service even in the remotest areas. Keep in mind that the Argentine Puna is nearly half the size of Italy! Transfers will be long (from 2–3 up to 6–7 hours per day) but comfortable, and absolutely worth it.
Each turn will offer a new surprise. You’ll be gripped by childlike curiosity that won’t fade until you board your flight back home! We’ll sleep in warm, comfortable beds and enjoy delicious Argentine cuisine.
Photography, exploration, contemplation, tasty meals, and shared experiences will define this spectacular journey.
THE POWER OF TESTIMONY
Many of the places we will photograph will be completely unfamiliar to you. As you may already see in the images featured in this program, several locations have no official names, or rather, they are so remote that simply witnessing them is a rare privilege. In the Puna, lodging options are extremely limited, and we won’t encounter another person for long stretches of off-road travel.
The landscape will be all ours, with its silence, its infinite spaces, its surreal colors and shapes. Bearing witness to these territories through pure contemplation is a unique experience, especially in a time when the internet makes it seem like the whole world has been "geo-mapped" and there are no more remote places left to discover. Luckily, that’s not true! In the Argentine Puna, you’ll feel the privilege of being alone in the rawest and most surprising nature, with endless opportunities for photographic exploration. It will be a great honor for Andrea to accompany you on this unforgettable experience.
HIGH ALTITUDE
We’ll often be at fairly high elevations, with an average altitude of 3500m and a maximum of 5200m during our day excursion to the spectacular Mina Julia.
We will always sleep around 3500m, meaning the risk of altitude sickness will be minimal. Please keep in mind that altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. The key is to ascend gradually and avoid unnecessary physical effort. If needed, our guide will always have coca mate (a traditional drink that helps alleviate altitude symptoms) and oxygen.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Departure from Europe. As this is quite a long journey, we always recommend arriving in Salta one day before the official start of the tour. This way, we can set off refreshed and ready for our great adventure.
DAY 2: Arrival in Salta, Argentina, after a stopover in Buenos Aires. Hotel check-in and introduction to our great adventure. If flight schedules allow, an afternoon visit to the fascinating Museo Arqueológico de Alta Montaña will be arranged. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3: Our first long transfer will take us straight into the Puna, at around 3,500 metres above sea level, to the mining village of Tolar Grande, where we will spend two nights. Crossing the fascinating Quebrada del Toro, we will see the first spectacular landscapes that anticipate the true show of the following days. Sunset photo session at the magnificent Desierto del Laberinto and Desierto del Diablo. Overnight stay in Tolar Grande. (Approx. 7 hours)
DAY 4: In the morning, we will explore the fascinating details of Tolar Grande’s “train cemetery”, while the day’s excursion will take us to the highest altitude point of our journey: Mina Julia, at 5,200 metres. This ghost mine has incredible historical and scenic charm. At sunset, we will photograph the surreal Cono de Arita, which rises mysteriously from the enormous Salar de Arizaro. Return to Tolar Grande and overnight stay. (Approx. 6 hours)
DAY 5: We will leave behind what little civilisation there is and venture into the remote Argentine Puna, which we will cross in full during an unforgettable on-the-road journey. Admiring a succession of incredible landscapes, we will reach the magnificent Salar de Antofalla around midday, where we will have the rare privilege of staying with a local family on a B&B basis in the tiny village of the same name. At the end of the day, we will head into the heart of the Salar, where we will make one of the most fascinating discoveries of the trip: multicoloured lagoons that look as though they have come straight out of a science-fiction film.
DAYS 6-7-8-9: After the first part of the journey, we will head towards El Peñón, crossing unimaginable landscapes. El Peñón will be our home for four nights. During these days of off-road adventure, we will have the chance to admire and photograph an extraordinary variety of landscapes, including the vast and impressive Campo de Piedra Pómez, Laguna Carachi Pampa, Las Dunas Blancas, the indescribable Volcán Galán and Laguna Diamante, Laguna Grande with its countless flamingos and dreamlike surrounding landscapes, Volcán Jote and the other nearby giants, as well as many other hidden gems — some without names, but no less fascinating. Wherever possible, we will make the most of the best times of day to capture unique and unrepeatable images in the finest light conditions.
DAY 10: Breakfast and transfer back to Salta via the charming town of Cafayate and another pass through Quebrada de las Conchas. Final night in Salta. (Approx. 8 hrs)
DAY 11: Departure from Salta
DAY 12: Arrival in Europe
Optional: Spend an extra night in Salta for a more relaxed return. The programme presented here is concise, and we have deliberately chosen not to include all the names of the beautiful places we will have the privilege of photographing. There will be so many that listing them all would have felt reductive. The itinerary may be subject to slight changes, which will of course be communicated to participants.
FAQ
WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?
The photo tour is open to anyone passionate about landscape and nature photography in general, whether they own any type of camera or not, in the case of travel companions.
Since the journey is centred around photography, we will try to capture the most evocative moments, which are often found at sunrise and sunset. That said, we would like to point out that, on the Puna, a memorable photograph can be just around the corner at any time of day, and we will do our best not to miss a single opportunity.
Note: More and more people who are passionate about travel and nature, but not yet involved in photography, are joining our trips. Our tours are also appreciated by non-photographers because they follow a very different rhythm compared to standard tourist trips: we value time and introspection. We know that a landscape must be savoured slowly in order to grasp its many nuances, and we prefer a more intimate, less hurried contact with the land because, now more than ever, we are convinced that the experience we are lucky enough to live is something sacred. And if, thanks to a journey, a passion for photography unexpectedly blossoms in newcomers, all the better. We will be absolutely delighted.
We will be able to enjoy more than 11 hours of daylight. During the adventure, Andrea will be available to suggest the best approach to interpreting nature, according to the weather conditions and the morphology of each location, places that the tutor has visited many times.
All the images in the program were taken by Andrea.
GROUP SIZE?
Maximum 8 participants.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Recommended photo gear:
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DSLR or mirrorless camera
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Wide-angle and medium telephoto and/or telephoto lens
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tripod
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remote shutter
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Graduated/ND/polarizing filters (optional but strongly recommended)
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Drone (just a very few flight restrictions)
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Small camera backpack (please avoid bulky trekking bags, most locations are car-accessible with short, easy walks)
Clothing: classic trekking gear as hiking boots, thermal base layers and pants, windbreaker/K-way, down jacket, hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen (essential at high altitude) Dress in layers to adapt to rapid temperature changes.
A detailed packing list PDF will be sent to all participants closer to departure.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date).
VACCINATIONS
None currently required.
DETAILS
Dates: 18-29 April 2027
Tour leader: Andrea Pozzi
Cost: upon request
Max group size: 8
Physical level: Medium. Most photo spots are easily accessible, but altitude and temperature swings can make even easy walks more tiring.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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All accommodations: family stays, 3–4 star hotels, shared double rooms, and tented camp
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All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in the altiplano
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Travel insurance
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On-site transport via 4x4 vehicles (e.g., Toyota Hilux). 2 vehicles in case of 6 participants, 3 vehicles in case of 8 participants
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Fuel and vehicle insurances
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Drivers/local guides available 24/7
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Support staff for remote camp setup
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Snacks and water during excursions
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GPS tracking of vehicles
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Starlink connection upon request
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Constant radio contact between vehicles
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Professional Italian photographer fluent in Spanish and English
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Entry fees to all sites visited
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Transfers to/from Salta airport
NOT INCLUDED
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International flights
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Single room supplement (price upon request; not available during tented nights)
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Alcoholic drinks and tips
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Meals in Salta (except breakfast)
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Airport transfers in Buenos Aires (if applicable)
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Anything not specifically listed under “Included”
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
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The tutor has led many photo tours in these specific areas (all images in this program were taken by Andrea)
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Andrea speaks fluent Spanish and English
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We work with the best local tour operators
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Andrea is a full-time professional landscape photographer with over 10 years’ experience organizing photo tours, especially in South America
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Fresh, exciting itinerary, designed for true explorers and photographers
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Enthusiasm, expertise, joy, and passion!
PLEASE NOTE
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You can easily and quickly reserve your spot by paying a deposit through the dedicated form on the website of our trusted tour operator, Punto Viaggio Snc).
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For any information regarding flights or travel insurance (whether for quotes or general advice), please contact the tour operator directly:
Punto Viaggio Snc di Luca Fanciullo | tel. +39 349 1082377 | email. luca@puntoviaggio.com
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We will have two (or 3 three, in case of 8 participants) 4x4 vehicles at our disposal: one driven by the local guide/s and one by the tour leader. To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to interact with Andrea during transfers (in addition to radio communication), participants will rotate between vehicles as needed.
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The itinerary may be subject to unexpected changes due to weather conditions or logistical reasons. In such cases, we will rely on the extensive experience of our local guide, who will always prioritize safety.
This is a one-of-a-kind journey with limited availability, and spots are expected to fill up quickly.
If you're interested, don't hesitate to book now, this is your chance. We truly hope to accommodate each of you! T
Thank you and see you soon.
CONTACTS FOR INFO AND BOOKINGS
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Andrea Pozzi (main photographer): info@forgottenlands.it | 320 7025033
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Luca Fanciullo di Puntoviaggio snc: luca@puntoviaggio.com | 349 1082377
Un viaggio in collaborazione con PuntoViaggio e GrandiViaggiFotografici