While the most untouched landscapes are still inaccessible for most of us, we found the best six places in six countries for photography lovers.
With flight tickets getting every year cheaper and cheaper, some of the most beautiful destinations in the world are becoming accessible for all of us. We decided to find out which are the best places for photography lovers in 2020 – Not only because of its natural beauty, but also accessibility and price.
Here are in our opinion the best six travel destinations that every photographer should try to visit at least once in a lifetime.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat shimmers like a mirror for what seems like endless miles. The total area is in fact just over 4,000 square miles. And when a shallow layer of water covers the surface, catching the blue reflection of the sky, you feel like you’re walking on an infinite sheet of glass. A source of minerals and lithium, which are harvested by the local population, the Salar de Uyuni lies way up in the Andes at an altitude of 11,995 feet (or 3,656 metres). Up here the air is exceptionally clear, which makes the area a photographer’s dream destination.
How to get to Salar de Uyuni
Travelers can book a 3 days/2 nights tour or a 4 day/3 nights tour that take you from Atacama to Uyuni crossing not only the Salar de Uyuni, but also wonderful fauna and flora a the national park. Tours start around 100 USD including food and accommodation.
I even made a photogallery for BBC Travel about my own travel experience in Uyuni
Read more: Bolivia’s surreal rainbow landscape
Bungle Bungles, Western Australia
If you are into weird rock formations then the Bungle Bungles are definitely for you. Located within Purnululu National Park in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Bungles are a collection of sandstone domes, some striped and shaped like beehives, which rise up to 300 metres from the grassy plains. Explore canyons and gorges, chasms and walking trails, keeping an eye out for wallabies and some of the 130 bird species found here. Scenic flights are available for fantastic aerial shots.
How to get to Bungle Bungles
Bungle Bungles is located at the Purnululu National Park. To get here, you can drive a road that is only suitable for 4WD vehicles and takes 2 -3 hours from the Great Northern Highway. On the other side, the closest airport would be Kununurra and flights from major Australian cities are not very cheap.
Varanasi, India
A riot of colour, sound and scents, Varanasi is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in India and is an important place of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Indians may have embraced the modern technological age, but here you can see them engage in traditions that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Lying on the banks of the Ganges, this religious city contains fabulous temples and plays host to a myriad of colourful rituals on a daily basis. Known as the “city of ghats” – a ghat being a series of steps that lead down the banks of the river – early morning is the perfect time to take a boat trip along the river, and snap away at the scenes unfolding onshore.
How to get to Varanasi
Most major Indian cities have direct connections to Varanasi and cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur even offer direct flights. Varanasi is one of the most accessible places in this list.
Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
The stunning crater lakes on the summit of the volcano Kelimutu are best viewed at sunrise. The three crater lakes can vary in colour but are usually a striking contrast of blue, green and red, although they have also been known to turn white, turquoise and black. The changing colours are as a result of chemical reactions from the minerals in the lakes, probably triggered by volcanic gas activity.
How to get to Kelimutu
To reach Kelimutu you can fly to the town of Ende, in Flores, from Bali. From here, several tour operators offer tours to the top of the crater.
Read more: Tips to improve your drone photography to a professional level
The spiny forests of Madagascar
A unique eco-region in south-western Madagascar, the spiny forests are home to spiky octopus trees, spectacular baobabs and a variety of Madagascar’s unique wildlife, including lemurs, chameleons and endemic bird species. Sadly, like much of Madagascar’s forests, the vegetation is under threat from the traditional slash-and-burn farming methods, and the demand for charcoal. Madagascar is a particularly poor nation, with a lack of educational resources, and the majority of the rural population simply cut down the hardwood trees for fuel, just to be able to cook a pot of rice. Join the conversation and follow the efforts to reverse these damaging trends.
How to get to Madagascar
With flights from Istanbul and Paris, Madagascar is expensive, but not difficult to access. Once there, several companies offer multi day packages to discover the country.
Read more: How professionals photograph the northern lights
Glencoe Valley, Scotland
In the shadow of the Three Sisters mountain range, Glencoe Valley in Scotland is one of the UK’s most scenic wonders. With waterfalls tumbling down the mountainside, and the vast expanse of Loch Leven at one end, this really is a magical spot to capture on film.
How to get to Glencoe Valley
The most accessible spot in the list can be access by buses from Glasgow or your own vehicle.
Read more: How I photograph the milky way when traveling
So there you have it: These are are the best six places for photography lovers. Just one last tip: make sure you check the optimal time of year to visit, to make sure you capture these beautiful places at their very best!
