Peru’s Sacred Valleys, People and Landscapes – 10 days

After your flight from Lima arrives at Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco (positioned at 3,310 meters / 10,860 feet) above sea level you will be greeted by your guide and staff. Cusco is a city rich in Inca history and colonial character, and also where we begin our gradual acclimatization to the Andes.

Once you’ve collected your bags, our local team will transfer you by private van to your centrally located hotel. After check-in, the afternoon is yours to rest, hydrate, and take it slow. A cup of mate de coca (coca leaf tea) in the morning or early afternoon is helpful—just avoid it later in the day, as it can interfere with sleep.

This free time helps your body adjust to the altitude before we begin exploring in earnest. If you’re feeling up to it, a gentle walk around the nearby streets is a great way to ease into the rhythm of Cusco and its mountain light.

Around 7:00 PM, we’ll regroup for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. It’s a relaxed and informal chance to meet your fellow travelers, get to know your guide, and preview the photographic journey ahead.

Acclimatization Tips:
Altitude affects everyone differently. Stay well hydrated, walk slowly, and rest when you feel the need. We’ve built the itinerary with altitude in mind, giving you time to adapt naturally before we ascend further.

Hotel: Quinta San Blas (4*)
Meals included: Welcome dinner (B & L not included)

After breakfast, your photography guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin a full day of exploration and image-making in the Sacred Valley. We start with a scenic one-hour drive to Chinchero, a highland village known for its vibrant artisan market and traditional weaving culture.

At the market, we’ll spend time with local women dressed in colorful Chinchero attire. This isn’t just a quick stop—there will be time for respectful, guided portrait sessions and to learn about their natural dyeing and weaving techniques passed down for generations. It’s an authentic setting, rich in both culture and color.

From Chinchero, we drive deeper into the mountains to a secluded viewpoint above the Sacred Valley—a lesser-known location perfect for wide-angle landscapes of snowcapped peaks and the river-carved valley below. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch beside a quiet alpine lake, surrounded by the towering Andes.

In the afternoon, we continue to the salt pans of Maras, where thousands of terraced pools shimmer under the sun. Harvested since Inca times, these salt mines offer incredible geometric patterns and textures, especially when lit by afternoon light. A short detour takes us to the nearby concentric agricultural terraces of Moray—an ancient laboratory of microclimates.

As evening nears, we transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. The ride winds through a lush canyon along the Urubamba River, descending from the dry puna into Peru’s semi-tropical cloud forest.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, your hotel staff will meet you at the station. After check-in, we’ll gather for a short briefing on tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu, including private access ahead of the crowds.

Hotel: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (4*)
Meals included: B, L (Dinner not included)

We start early today with a 5:00 AM meeting in the hotel lobby. Your certified guide will escort you to the bus station, where we’ll catch one of the first buses up the winding mountain road to Machu Picchu. The goal is simple: to experience the site before the crowds arrive and to photograph the citadel bathed in soft morning light.

Once inside, we’ll enjoy a private 3-hour guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will provide rich context about Inca engineering, spirituality, and the daily life of this mountaintop sanctuary, helping you connect the visuals to the history behind them.

Machu Picchu offers a range of photographic opportunities—from wide landscapes framed by steep peaks to more intimate architectural details and moments of solitude. The early light, often golden and diffuse, enhances the textures of the stone and the surrounding misty ridges.

After our visit, we descend by bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (on your own). In the early afternoon, we board the train to Ollantaytambo and then continue by private vehicle into the Sacred Valley.

We’ll check in at our comfortable hotel and have time to unwind after a big day of exploration. In the evening, we’ll regroup for a relaxed dinner together and look ahead to the next phase of the journey.

Hotel: Tierra Viva Sacred Valley (4*)
Meals included: B (Lunch and dinner not included)

After breakfast, we depart around 8:30 AM for a full day of cultural photography and community engagement in the highlands. Our first stop is the lively market in Calca, where we’ll purchase fresh food as a gesture of appreciation for the village families we’ll be visiting later. The market itself offers excellent street photography opportunities—colorful produce, traditional clothing, and daily life unfolding in real time.

From Calca, we drive about 45 minutes into a remote Andean valley where we’ll be welcomed by a small Quechua-speaking community. Upon arrival, we’re offered tea and introduced to the village elder, who will guide us through the community’s traditions and share insights about rural life at altitude.

A highlight of the morning is a unique Alpaca Blessing Ceremony held at the local school. This spiritual tradition offers powerful moments for both cultural connection and portraiture, allowing you to photograph people and customs that few visitors ever get to see.

We then share a home-cooked lunch with one of the families—a meaningful way to experience local hospitality and cuisine. In the afternoon, we travel farther up the valley into open alpine terrain, where we’ll stage a photo session with our hosts dressed in traditional clothing, accompanied by their animals. The natural backdrop of lakes and snowcapped peaks offers striking compositional opportunities.

By late afternoon, we begin the drive back to Cusco, arriving in time to freshen up before heading out for a relaxed dinner. After a full day of cultural immersion and photography, tonight’s overnight in Cusco offers a chance to review your work and rest up for the next chapter of the journey.

Hotel: Quinta San Blas (4*)
Meals included: B, L (Dinner not included)

We depart early this morning from the Sacred Valley, heading toward the village of Mollepata—a gateway to the high Andes and the Salkantay region. Today’s route takes us into some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in southern Peru, with multiple stops along the way for photography and cultural encounters.

The road climbs steadily as we ascend toward our overnight destination near Lake Humantay, nestled beneath the glacier-clad slopes of Mt. Salkantay. This area, part of an alternative trekking route to Machu Picchu, offers fewer crowds and pristine alpine settings ideal for landscape photography.

By mid-afternoon, we arrive at our EcoCamp—a comfortable, dome-style lodge located about 45 minutes from Humantay Lake. After checking in and settling into your private dome, you’ll have time to relax, explore the surrounding area, or set up for some late-afternoon and sunset photography.

As night falls, the remote location offers excellent conditions for astrophotography, with minimal light pollution and clear skies. If weather cooperates, it’s a perfect place to capture the Milky Way rising over the Andes.

We end the day with a warm dinner and a restful night in the comfort of our domes, surrounded by silence and stars.

Hotel: EcoCamp Luxury Domes (4*)
Meals included: B, L, D

We begin early to take full advantage of the calm morning light at Humantay Lake. After a light pre-dawn snack, you’ll have the option to either hike or ride horseback for the 45-minute ascent to the lake. Surrounded by towering peaks and glacial cliffs, this high-altitude lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) is known for its vivid turquoise color—best photographed in the early morning before the wind picks up.

We’ll arrive before the crowds and have several hours to photograph the lake from different vantage points. Reflections, textures, and shifting clouds offer dynamic opportunities for both wide-angle compositions and more intimate landscape shots.

After our session, we return to EcoCamp for a hearty breakfast. Then we begin the drive back to Cusco, descending gradually through mountain passes and agricultural valleys. It’s a scenic route with opportunities for roadside photography along the way.

We return to Cusco in the mid-afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Whether it’s a quiet lunch in the Plaza de Armas, browsing artisan shops, or finding a local café for a pisco sour or fresh juice, Cusco has no shortage of charm and visual inspiration.

As golden hour approaches, you may want to wander the historic streets with your camera. The interplay of light and shadow against Inca stone walls and colonial balconies is a rewarding way to close the day.

Hotel: Quinta San Blas (4*)
Meals included: B, L (Dinner not included)

Today begins at a slower pace. After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll meet mid-morning for a photo review and group discussion. This is a chance to share images, exchange tips, and receive feedback on your work so far. It’s also an opportunity to recharge and reset your creative focus before heading back into the field.

In the afternoon, we dive into the visual richness of Cusco’s lesser-known corners. We’ll walk through the San Blas neighborhood—home to artisans, narrow alleyways, and elevated views over the city. From there, we continue to the Eucalyptus Forest near Qenqo and then climb to the Santa Ana overlook for a wide-angle perspective of Cusco’s tiled rooftops and mountain backdrop.

This isn’t a rushed sightseeing tour. We move at a photographer’s pace, exploring both iconic and off-the-beaten-path locations. Hidden Inca streets, quiet plazas, working markets, and everyday life provide endless opportunities for candid photography and portraiture.

We’ll continue photographing into the blue hour, when the soft post-sunset light adds depth and warmth to Cusco’s stone facades and lamplit streets. Afterward, we’ll enjoy dinner together at a favorite local restaurant, sharing stories and preparing for the high Andes adventure that lies ahead.

Hotel: Quinta San Blas (4*)
Meals included: B (Lunch and dinner not included)

We depart early from Cusco and head southeast toward one of Peru’s lesser-known geological wonders: Pallay Punchu, also called “the other Rainbow Mountain.” This version of the mountain offers the same surreal striations and color bands—caused by mineral-rich sediment—but with far fewer visitors and a more remote feel.

The drive takes about three hours, with photo stops along the way as the landscape opens up into high-altitude valleys and traditional herding communities. We’ll pass through Pitumarca before reaching Qesoyuno, the starting point of our trek. From there, we begin a steady uphill hike that takes roughly three hours, reaching a maximum elevation of 4,790 meters (15,715 ft). The trail is gradual but at altitude, so we take it slow.

At the summit, vivid bands of turquoise, lavender, gold, and deep red ripple across the mountain’s flanks—a dreamlike palette created by layers of exposed minerals. We’ll arrive in time for the best light, usually around 11 AM, when the sun crests the ridge and brings the colors to life. Llamas and alpacas graze nearby, adding a timeless Andean element to your compositions.

After time for photos and rest, we descend and begin the drive to Sicuani, a quiet highland town where we’ll spend the night. It’s a long but rewarding day—packed with striking scenery, high-elevation shooting, and wide-open space.

Hotel: Wilkamayu Sicuani (3*)
Meals included: B, L, D

We set out early once again, this time bound for Vinicunca, the most iconic of Peru’s three “Rainbow Mountains.” Thanks to our overnight in Sicuani, we’re already much closer than the standard tours departing from Cusco—giving us a major advantage in arriving ahead of the crowds.

After a hearty breakfast, we begin the drive to the trailhead. From there, we embark on a moderate uphill hike to the viewpoint overlooking Vinicunca, which rises to 5,200 meters (17,060 ft). The air is thin, but the pace is slow and steady, and the rewards are well worth the effort: sweeping views of vividly striped ridgelines and, on clear days, the towering presence of Ausangate, southern Peru’s highest peak at 6,375 meters (20,915 ft).

Following our time at the summit, we descend and continue to the quieter community of Palccoyo, where we stop for a well-earned lunch surrounded by peaceful Andean landscapes.

In the afternoon, we drive to Pacchanta, a small village tucked beneath the glaciers of Ausangate. Upon arrival, we settle into our rustic, locally owned accommodations and enjoy a warm, home-cooked dinner. Before the evening winds down, you’ll have the option to soak in nearby hot springs, with views of snowcapped peaks rising above the steam. If skies are clear, the village also offers a beautiful setting for astrophotography, with the glaciers and Milky Way as potential foreground and backdrop.

Hotel: Local homestay – basic accommodations (2*)
Meals included: B, L, D

We begin the day early to capture first light over the high Andes. Just outside the village of Pacchanta, a small river leads the eye toward the massive face of Mt. Ausangate—a perfect setting for sunrise photography and long-exposure water shots. The early morning silence, crisp air, and soft light create a tranquil atmosphere that’s ideal for thoughtful compositions.

After sunrise, we return to our homestay for a hearty breakfast, prepared by our hosts. Then we saddle up for a 1.5-hour horseback ride toward the Seven Lagoons, a remote circuit of high-altitude glacial lakes located at the base of Ausangate’s eastern flanks. Upon arrival, we dismount and explore the area on foot, taking time to photograph the jewel-toned waters, wild alpine terrain, and towering icefalls that define this part of the Andes.

The terrain here is rugged but beautiful—off the tourist radar and full of rewarding angles for both wide landscapes and more intimate studies of color, texture, and reflection.

After a full loop around the lagoons, we ride back to Pacchanta for a late lunch and a final farewell with our local hosts. From here, we begin the return drive to Cusco, arriving by late afternoon or early evening depending on conditions.

That evening, we’ll regroup for a farewell dinner in the city—a relaxed chance to reflect on the week’s photographic highlights and celebrate the journey we’ve shared in the mountains of southern Peru.

Hotel: Quinta San Blas (4*)
Meals included: B, L (Dinner not included)

Today marks the end of our photographic journey through the southern Peruvian Andes. Depending on your flight schedule, we’ll arrange private transportation from your hotel to Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco.

The drive typically takes about 30 minutes, but we’ll plan to leave in plenty of time—1.5 hours before domestic flights, and 2.5 hours before international departures—to ensure a smooth and unhurried check-in.

As you depart, you’ll carry with you not just a collection of images, but a deeper connection to Peru’s landscapes, people, and traditions—moments that go far beyond what a camera can capture.

Hotel: None
Meals included: None

This concludes our services. Safe travels, and thank you for joining us in the Andes.