Machu Picchu Photo Tour - December 5th to 12th, 2023

Our Photo Tour in Peru will see us visiting Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley,  and Machu Picchu, traveling by air, bus and train.

Day One: Tuesday December 05 2023: Depart from Pearson International Airport. Evening arrival in Lima, the "City of Kings" famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Americas", and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine. Upon arrival our local host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and assist with registration.

Peru is often referred to as the “Land of the Incas and it is true the Incas formed the greatest empire on the continent leaving mysterious cities line Machu Picchu. It is also important to remember that the Incas were the last in a long line of Peruvian civilizations spanning several thousands years and the ruins of these earlier civilizations are also available to visit. Peru is made up of three main geographical regions, the Andes, the Amazon and the desert coastal area. On this trek we will concentrate on the Andes region. Overnight Casa Andina Select Hotel Miraflores.

Day Two: Wednesday December 06 2023: Our half-day photo tour and photo walk visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro.

Continue to Larco Museum, founded in 1926, displays remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Many great photo opportunities. The Larco Museum also features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. This evening - Dinner at De Paso Hacienda with Peruvian Paso Horse Show

 “Caballo de Paso” known worldwide for their smooth gaited movements and unusual spirit. No other horse combines strength, intelligence and beauty as perfectly as the Peruvian Paso Horse. The particular characteristic of the Paso Horse is precisely the reason for its name: the sublime charm of its typical step. As it walks, its front legs step very high and forward while the hooves sway to the sides in a graceful and synchronized movement. Enjoy the skills of this unique member of the horse kingdom. Have cameras ready as the story unfolds. Overnight Casa Andina Select Hotel Miraflores. (B) (D)

Day Three: Thursday December 07 2023: Early morning transfer from our hotel to the airport for a short but spectacular flight over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, Cusco, at an elevation of 11,440 feet. Upon arrival our local host will meet and assist you in transferring to our motor coach as we journey to Sacred Valley.

En route to Sacred valley we will stop for photography at Awana Kancha. This is a living museum of the Andes showcasing life in the mountains. Llamas, vicunas, guanacos and alpacas in their native environment. Ladies in traditional clothing demonstrate spinning and weaving techniques as they make  clothing from the wool fibres of these animals. There will be opportunity to photograph native flowers and agricultural terraces from Inca times. We will continue on to hotel for checking in and dinner. Casa Andina Valle Sagrado. (B) (D)

Lunch at Wayra with Peruvian Paso Horse Show 

Our second chance to photograph the “Caballo de Paso” hores. No other horse combines strength, intelligence and beauty as perfectly as the Peruvian Paso Horse. The particular characteristic of the Paso Horse is precisely the reason for its name: the sublime charm of its typical step. As it walks, its front legs step very high and forward while the hooves sway to the sides in a graceful and synchronized movement. Lunch at the celebrated Wayra at “Sol y Luna” in the Sacred Valley. Overnight Sacred Valley. Casa Andina Valle Sagrado Hotels. (B) (L) (D)

Day Five: Saturday December 09 2023:  Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu Breakfast then morning train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca "Virgins of the Sun" took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of and photo shoot of the ruins this afternoon. Overnight in Machu Picchu, Casa del Sol Hotel. Dinner at our hotel. (B) (D)

Day Six: Sunday December 10 2023: Machu Picchu / Cusco Early this morning we will return to enjoy one of the most incredible sights on earth, the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Take as much time as you need to photograph and explore these magnificent ruins. There is also opportunity to stroll to the Inca Bridge a secret entrance used by the Inca's army or walk toward the Inca Trail to find the historic Intipunku or “Sun Gate” Bus and entrance fee included.  This afternoon we’ll check out and take our train ride to Cusco

Dinner at Incanto Located a few meters away from the Plaza de Armas, Incanto is a cozy and contemporary restaurant with a touch of chic. Its varied and tasty menu offers specialties of the Italian cuisine, such as pastas and pizzas; everything, prepared with an original style and excellent Peruvian ingredients. The decoration manages to score the final point, which in Incanto was designed to offer the guest a comfortable and nice environment that complements the gastronomic experience. Overnight Novotel Cusco. (B) (D)

Day Seven: Monday December 11 2023: Cusco and surrounding Inca ruins.  

Cusco City Tour and Nearby Ruins 
Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco's Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha “The Temple of the Sun”. This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture.

Dinner at Inka Grill 
Known internationally for more than 10 years, and conveniently located in the Plaza de Armas, Inka Grill offers a delicious variety of dishes, from traditional Peruvian and Andean food, to pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches, as well as vegetarian dishes and unforgettable desserts. (B) (D)

Day Eight: Tuesday December 12 2023: After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. Upon arrival, our local guid will meet the group and escort to reception and transfer to hotel. We have day rooms set up for the group as our flight departs after midnight. The group will have some free time this afternoon for one last photo walk, and some last minute shopping in the Indian Market. Lima Airport Transfer to the airport just after mid night for our departure international flight. Arrival back at Pearson with many photographs and great memories of Peru.

A wonder of the ancient world, the “lost city of the Incas” is the ideal place to unleash your creative photography skills. With 3 days to explore the Sacred Vallies, once we have left the road less travelled, we will find majestic ruins, striking views of the Andes and local villages bursting with culture. Group size for this tour is 10 to 12 guests.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Machu Picchu Registration  Contact Us  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Machu Picchu Photo Tour is $4,799.00 per person CAD  including air from Toronto, based on double occupancy, plus air tax of $223.84 and HST of $14.90. Single supplement is an additional $875.00. Tour size 10 to 12 guests. Connections from other cities available upon request.

A non refundable deposit of $500.00 CAD is required at time of booking, The balance is due 60 days before departure. Photo Tour Trekkers and Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of December 12, 2023.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $449 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section during registration.

Machu Picchu Tour Includes:

• • Return international airfare from Toronto
  • 8 nights accommodations while in Peru
  • Breakfast included each day of the tour,
  • Meals included as per itinerary B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner
  • Excursion to Machu Picchu aboard the Vista dome train
  • All tours and excursions indicated in the itinerary
  • All entrance fees 
  • All airport and hotel transfers
  • All train tickets, bus tickets and boat services
  • Air between Lima and Cusco return
  • Group ground mini bus / van transportation
  • Entrance Fees
  • Train from Cusco to Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu to Cusco
  • Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

• ** Schedule may vary according to weather and travel conditions.
• ** Policy dose not allow us to do residental pickups.

• ** Guests must have a valid passport, your passport must be valid for a min of 6 months from return date.

  Tour Exclusions:

• Any item not listed on the itinerary, gratuities, airport taxes, personal insurance coverage, incidentals, alcoholic beverages, and laundry.

          --------------------------------------------------------------------------