2024 Private Peru Photo Tour

As you arrive into Lima airport and exit customs and baggage, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver. You will be assisted with your luggage before driven to your hotel.

Opportunity for some early morning photography on your own but basically, it's just a free morning. In the afternoon, pick up for your private photo tour of colonial and modern Lima, starting in the centre of this vibrant, metropolis. The tour will include a visit of the cathedral, dating from 1654 which still houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro in the foyer; the Main Square, with the original bronze fountain built in 1650, the Government Palace where the President has his official residence and the San Francisco Convent, with its famous catacombs. Lima, known as the city of the kings, was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and after several devastating earthquakes was rebuilt in 1991; the same year that UNESCO declared Lima a world heritage site. Enjoy photos of the incredible sunset over the Pacific Ocean before returning to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, with boarding passes in hand, you will be driven to the airport for your quick-check-in and brief one hour flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. In Cuzco, you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with your luggage before your short private drive to your hotel. In the afternoon, a private photo tour of Cuzco including the Qoricancha temple or temple of the Sun. We'll catch the last light on the Cathedral and other buildings in the Plaza de Armas, and then photograph these buildings as the light changes to twilight. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

Early start to capture the busy Inca city as people start to work and the sun rises over this UNESCO world Heritage site. Return for breakfast. In the afternoon, a private visit to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco city, Qenko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara. We'll visit the Inca ruins site of Sacsayhuaman to capture the last light as it plays on the ancient Inca stones. On our way back down to Cuzco, we'll stop to take photos of the city as the lights come on at twilight time. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

Early wake up to start your full-day's excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. You will visit Pisac Market, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will witness Indians bartering their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc.
We'll photograph the villagers who come from miles around in their colourful traditional dress. We'll then drive to the Sunday market town - Chinchero, a great sunset location, with the last light hitting the picturesque church, and the colourful villagers selling their wares. Overnight in the Sacred valley.

Meals: B

After breakfast, a visit to some local villages to photograph the traditional inhabitants in their colourful dress, where we'll have special permission to visit and photograph a rural school. After, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. In the afternoon we'll drive up to explore the Inca ruins situated high on the hills above the town of Pisac. We'll photograph the ruins and the picturesque valley at the last light. Return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Meals: B

Today you will have an early start and enjoy breakfast before your Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 08.30am for the 1 ½ hour journey Arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
Take the short ride up to Machu Picchu will meander through breathtaking mountain scenery up to the ancient Inca citadel. Check-in to your hotel located just at the entrance of the ruins.
Shortly after, a guided photo-tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. We'll stay there all afternoon as the vast majority of visitors leave, photographing until the end of the day. Overnight accommodation at the Sanctuary Lodge hotel.

Meals: B & D

As you are located just next to the ruins, wake up early to see the site at sunrise. Your guide will be on hand. You'll have the option of taking side hikes up to the Sun Gate, the Moon Temple, or to scale the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu, the mountain that towers over the ruins. In the afternoon take the return train back to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B & L

After an early breakfast departure by private bus to Puno. Visit Andahuaylillas, a village with one of the most beautiful churches in the Andes. Continuing on the drive make other stops where you'll have the opportunity to photograph Inca ruins, llamas and alpacas, and incredible vistas of the Altiplano with the peaks of the Andes towering in the background. We'll arrive at our hotel in Puno at the end of the day. .Transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, start your full day's excursion with your private guide to the islands of Uros and Taquile. Your first stop will be to the communal islands of Uros, otherwise known as the reed islands, whose islands are made entirely of tortora reeds and home to a small community dating back to a pre-Inca culture. You will appreciate how these people toil out an existence on such a remote setting complete with its own school. After the visit, boarding of the yacht as you continue your trip to the Island of Taquile whose inhabitants are more closely related to the Aymara people of Bolivia than the Quechua Incas of Peru. You will enjoy a walk on the islands before returning to Puno on-board your yacht.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast, head towards Juliaca, and an excursion to the Silluastani towers. The pre-Inca Sillustani funeral towers lie next to the Umayo Lake and form part of one of the largest and most important necropolis in the world. Used by both the Altiplano civilisation and the Incas and their wives 'Collas' to honour their dead and in preparation for the after-life. They were abandoned when the first Spanish arrived. With over ninety chulpas (tombs), all built from volcanic rock, those for the Incas can be easily recognised by their finer detail. Transfer to Juliaca airport for the flight back to Lima in time for your return flight home.

Meals: B

End of our services.