On the Desert Route we invite you to get to know and experience the incredible desert landscapes of the Hoya de Guadix, recently declared a Geopark (of Granada) for its geological uniqueness. Desert formations (gullies) are unique in Europe and to find an equivalent we should go to places like Dakota in the United States. The colourful arid areas are contrasted by the surrounding mountains (especially when snowy), rivers, swamps and small oases. Apart from thermal springs, the region also treasures more than 240 dolmens. In short, a place that offers great opportunities, both for photography, walking or hiking.

About the places to visit:
On this tour we invite you to know and live the incredible desert landscapes of the Hoya de Guadix. 
Before we go into the desert we visit a very interesting place which is like an oasis in the desert, where the landscape is shaped by warm thermal water springs, with its peculiar vegetation and shapes, and with an amazing natural water channel, which has naturally grown upwards for thousands of years, reaching today a considerable height and forming some beautiful waterfalls. In this area there are also more than 240 dolmen, in this particular spot we also visit some of the best preserved ones. 
After our visit to this magic spot we will approach the desert, starting our route in a small picturesque village with impressive large desert cliffs that surround it. A road leads miraculously among the huge ravines with beautiful views of the village. We continue our adventure to get to a point where a wide path introduces us to the amazing area of the Bad-Lands. With each step the landscape becomes more spectacular, with its large gullies and formations of sandstone in different colours forming a spectacular desert set that resembles the landscapes of films and documentaries.

About the workshops:

The trips and workshops are organized by teachers with proven experience in landscape and night photography and are aimed at a wide audience; from those who are interested in knowing interesting places, the amateur photographer with a desire to learn or profile his/her knowledge to the professional, interested in expanding her/his photographic portfolio.

The workshops seek to familiarize participants with the different theoretical and practical aspects of landscape and night photography and prepare them for the different situations and possibilities on the locations. The photographic sessions are in this sense focused on learning and applying the concepts previously treated in the theoretical workshops. The photo sessions also allow the participants to know spectacular places from the natural, cultural and landscape point of view, and spend a pleasant stay in them, accompanied by expert photographers with good knowledge of the area who will be at the full disposal of the participants to answer any questions and facilitate appropriate advice.

The workshop or journey also includes viewings of the pictures taken by the students, in which the technical and aesthetic aspects of the images are commented with advice on how to improve in both aspects. 
Although it is not required, it is recommended to participate with basic knowledge of photography to get more out of the trip.

Recommended (photographic) material: 

Although it is not essential to attend, it is recommended to go with a digital camera to get more out of the workshops. As complementary materials we advise to bring a tripod, polarizing filters, gradient and neutral grey filters (of different densities), trigger cable, lens clean kit, batteries and charger, umbrella and rain cover (just in case) for the camera and front.
To move around the photographic locations it is essential to have good footwear, preferably hiking boots. 
To get to the photographic locations some itineraries pass through unpaved roads, normally passable for cars in normal conditions and in some cases it would be necessary to do some hiking on foot so we recommend that the participants are accustomed to walking in the nature and that they have a minimum physical condition and agility, to be able to reach the locations and enjoy them.

Program: 

Previously (a few days before the activity) we will organize a landscape photography workshop online.

Thursday 
15:30 Welcome and first visit to the locations
20:30 Dinner 
21:30 Workshop composition in landscape photography

Friday
 09:00 Breakfast 
10:00 Photographic route 
14:00 Lunch (Picnic) 
15:00 Photographic route 
20:30 Dinner 
21:30 Workshop composition in landscape photography 

Saturday
 09:00 Breakfast 
10:00 Photographic route 
14:00 Lunch (Picnic) 
15:00 Photographic route 
20:30 Dinner

Sunday 
09:00 Breakfast 
09:30 Photographic route 
14:00 Lunch and end of the workshop

Duration: 4 days (3 nights) 

Participants: 8 minimum, 14 maximum. 

Price: Complete workshop 3 nights/4 days:

384 euros in shared room. 482 in individual room. (Full board). 

Discount 50 euros for people not participating in the workshops. 

The trip includes: 
Accommodation in a cave house (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and livingroom). 
Meals (breakfast, picnic and dinner). 
The first day includes dinner, the last day lunch. 
Accompanying professional photographer. 
Landscape photography workshops. 
Viewing of the photos of the participants.
 
Not included: 
Flight. 
Drinks. 
Travel or cancellation insurance.
Transport; the transport from the hotel to the photographic locations is to be realized by private (shared) cars from the participants. 

Languages: Spanish, English, German and Dutch.

Accommodation:

For our stay we choose a complex of charming and comfortable cave houses near the city of Guadix, 50 kilometres east of Granada

Cuevas la Granja   
www.cuevas.org

To get to the photography locations it could be necessary to do some hiking so we recommend that participants are accustomed to walking in nature and that they wear appropriate clothing and footwear.