Peru Photography Tour

Picture it: One day you’re photographing ancient peoples and spectacular ruins among the towering Andes Mountains. Later, you'll find yourself eating at a five star restaurant in Lima overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific ocean below.

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Picture Yourself in Peru

We’ll arrive in Lima, Peru’s capital and one of the largest cities in South America. From there, we fly to Cusco, nestled high in the Andes at more than 11,000 feet. The ancient city was once capital of the Inca Empire. There, you can sample a pisco sour – Peru’s national drink – or head over to the Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco for some prime people-watching and street photography.

While in the Cusco area, we want to give back. We’ll spend time working alongside a local organization to help others in the area. Some of the most rewarding travel adventures we’ve experienced have been those where we’ve found a way to get involved in the area community and get to know the locals.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas

From Cusco, we’ll travel to Pisac, a riverside village in the Sacred Valley. The city is known for its colorful market and its ruins are considered to be one of the finest remaining Inca archaeological sites in the country. Photograph Pisac’s warm residents, historic structures, and agricultural terraces on the steep hillsides that are still in use in this rural farming region.

Explore Peru’s center of weaving on our side trip to the ancient city of Chinchero – locals say it’s the birthplace of the rainbow. Travel back in time as you stroll through the streets of this small Andean village. Stop for a shot of weavers working on their craft, locals in traditional dress selling and buying goods in the morning market or cleaning in front of their adobe homes. In the main plaza, take a moment to photograph a colonial church from the 1600s, built on top of the ruins of an Incan Palace.

Machu Picchu

You’ve dreamed for months – maybe years – of taking this photo. You’re finally here – setting up your once-in-a-lifetime shot of the ancient Incan mountaintop city of Machu Picchu. Just as you’ve gotten your settings just right, and the light shines perfectly amongst the Andes peaks, a llama photo-bombs your shot. The misadventure ends up being one of your favorite photos from this unforgettable trip.
Revel in the panorama of the Andes on the train ride from our accommodations in the village of Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Meaning “old peak” in the native Quechua language, this UNESCO Heritage site is South America’s crown jewel.

Machu Picchu was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in July of 1911 and on our tour, you’ll have nearly two days to explore every nook and cranny of this breathtaking site yourself. We’ll be sure we have just the right light for a variety of photos, including sunrise and sunset.

Road Trip – Peruvian Style

From Machu Picchu, we’ll take the train back to Cusco and road trip Peruvian style to the small town of Andahuaylillas, located 45 km south. There we’ll visit the unique baroque church, San Pedro de Andahuaylillas. It’s been nicknamed “The Sistine Chapel of America” due to the ornate frescos on its interior walls and ceiling.

While in Andahuaylillas, we’ll examine the unusual artifacts of Museo Ritos Andinos including examples of skull elongation. A cultural practice? Evidence of aliens? You decide.

Welcome to the Jungle

Peru boasts the largest number of bird species in the world and the third largest number of mammals. This is most apparent in the Amazon rainforest, covering nearly 60 percent of the country. We’ll spend two days at comfortable accommodations in the jungle and have the opportunity to photograph the region’s unique tropical birds, butterflies, sloths, monkeys, and unusual plants including rare orchids.

The jungle is also the perfect place to practice night photography. There, the stars seem larger and more plentiful than you’ve ever seen them before. There’s really nothing like experiencing the night sky from the rainforest.

The Condors of Colca Canyon

Photograph the breathtaking Colca Canyon on the Colca River. It’s Peru’s 3rd most visited destination for good reason – it’s spectacular beauty. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in spots. Hot springs are dotted throughout the canyon and it’s people are well-known for their colorful crafts and clothing.

The canyon is alive with a multitude of birds and wildlife, and home to the magnificent Andean condor. Try to spot a giant hummingbird – the largest member of the hummingbird family – an Andean goose, a group of Chilean flamingos, or maybe some wild ancestors of the alpaca.

Nazca and the Chauchilla Cemetery

The ancient Nazca lines have a story of their own, and it’s one that still puzzles visitors today. The mysterious area – designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 – features of hundreds of giant shapes, figures, trees, animals and flowers cut into the ground of the Nazca desert, the largest up to 370 meters long. The figures are visible from planes as well as the surrounding foothills.

Thirty km south of Nazca is the fascinating Chauchilla Cemetery, once a setting in an Indiana Jones flick. Discovered in the 1920s, the cemetery hasn’t been used since the 9th century, but still has well-preserved full-bodied mummies and mummified heads in mud brick tombs.

It’s Time for Peru

When you return home from Peru and begin to go through your images, you’ll recall stories from the trip and be amazed at all you learned and experienced. You’ll come back with cutting-edge photo tips and tricks, new friends, incredible memories, and, of course, hundreds of breathtaking photos!
Alluring. Diverse. Ancient. Enchanting. Simply Spectacular.

Get out your passport. It’s time for Peru.

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