Photo Tour to Peru | June 12-21, 2011

Join me for a magical Photo Adventure to Peru, where we’ll visit and explore Mystical Inca citadels, World Heritage Sites,  breathtaking snowcapped mountains, and a vibrant traditional culture, these are only a few reasons why Peru has been a prime adventure destination, and why I selected it for this amazing photo tour. Special arrangements are being made in order to accommodate the best time and hours for us to came back with unforgettable memories and photos.

Consider this, an once in a lifetime opportunity as Machu Picchu is one of the Heritage Sites in the world as well one of its wonders and because its popularity and delicate environment, the future may cause very limited access to be the standard.

• Day 1:  Sunday, June 12 Arrive to Lima: Upon your arrival in Lima you will be greeted and transferred to Jose Antonio Hotel in the exclusive zone of Miraflores we’ll have a meet and greet reception and then we’ll have our first photo walk around the Hotel.

• Day 2:  Monday, June 13  City of Lima: Our first full day in Peru in Lima.  We”ll have a city tour and a photo walk around town meeting the local people, as we explore the city of Lima.   This city was founded in 1536 and its declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO du to its importance during the colonial era. Back to Jose Antonio Hotel.

• Day 3:  Tuesday, June 14 Lima | Cusco: Early in the morning at 10:10AM transfer to the airport for flight to Cusco. Upon our Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to Picoaga Hotel, we’ll have a brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. in the Inca Capital of Cusco. In the afternoon we’ll walk Cusco City and visit: The Cathedral, Qoricancha, Temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. We return to the hotel to rest up for the trip ahead. (Breakfast)

• Day 4: Wednesday, June 15 Sacred Valley | Explore Ollantaytambo Ruins: We’ll Visit a local school and we’ll have a Home-hosted dinner: This morning we visit the massive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo famous for the battle and conquest of Peru. In 1536, the army of Manco Inca held off a Spanish invasion company led by Hernando Pizarro. We can climb up the huge terraces guarding the ancient hilltop temple area. Afterwards, we’ll have a spirited encounter with some of the children at a local elementary school (when in session) and spend some time with their teachers and families. The children warmly welcome us with infectious enthusiasm, and past travelers have found this to be a highlight of the trip. Afterwards we visit “El Girasol Volunteering Home”. Then we’ll enjoy lunch in a nearby village. In the afternoon, we drive to our hotel, enjoying and photographing the breathtaking sights along the way. This evening, we join a local family for a home-hosted dinner, enjoying a personal view of Peruvian cuisine and culture. Night at Pakaritampu Hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch / Dinner)

• Day 5: Thursday, June 16 Train journey through Urubamba Gorge | Explore Machu Picchu: “Lost City of the Incas”: Early in the morning at 10:15AM we aboard the VISTADOME train to Machu Picchu, this is a 2 hours train for one of the world’s great railway journeys. We’ll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. The station for Machu Picchu is located at a bit over 6,500 feet, well below the elevation of Cuzco. Most travelers visit Machu Picchu on a day-trip, which makes for a hectic pace and only limited time to photograph at this unique archaeological wonder. But we can take a closer look, and have a more relaxed pace, during our overnight visit to Machu Picchu. While the day-trippers rush ahead from the train station, we stop at a local restaurant for lunch and then drive to the ruins. This drive takes about a half an hour, as we must follow a zigzag route up a steep hill. (The return trip by bus takes the same amount of time; or if you prefer, you can walk downhill and along the valley floor for about an hour with amazing photo opportunities along the way.) Our expert Sun God Peru Tour Guide gives us a complete and compelling look at the fabled “Lost City of the Incas,” which was discovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist (and later, U.S. Senator) Hiram Bingham. Subsequent discoveries (such as Bingham’s later unearthing of the Inca Trail and the 1941 discovery of nearby Huayna Picchu) suggest that Machu Picchu was not simply a “lost city” but part of a whole “lost region.” Over 172 tombs have been excavated, and in 2002 Peruvian archaeologists uncovered the first complete burial site, with a woman’s skeleton, bronze pins, and a clay pot. We stay in the haunting ruins about five hours today, through most of the afternoon. Here we can explore sites like the Ritual Baths, the Palace of the Princess, the Main Fountain, and the Temple of the Sun, quietly contemplating the achievements of this most fascinating and mysterious civilization. We then return to the town of Aguas Calientes.  Night at Hatuchay Tower Hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch & Dinner)

• Day 6:  Friday, June 17 Explore Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco: We rise early to drive back to Machu Picchu after breakfast, arriving before the crowds  and we’ll have the chance to see and photograph the ruins in a different light. Roam about on your own, or choose from two excellent hikes of different degrees of difficulty. Both lead to superb vantage points for photographing Machu Picchu. The easier option is a steep one-hour climb, mostly on stone steps, to the summit of Huayna Picchu, the sharp peak seen behind the ruins of Machu Picchu in many photographs. Or, ambitious hikers may want to take a longer hike up the final section of the famous stone-paved Inca Trail to the “Gate of the Sun,” a small Incan ruin set in a mountain pass above the city. If you go all the way to the pass, this hike can be done in less than three hours roundtrip at a moderate pace. We descend to the valley below to have lunch. Then, in the afternoon, we return by train through the spectacular Urubamba Gorge. Back at Ollantaytambo, we get off the train and take a bus to Cuzco, making stops at points of interest along the way. When we arrive in Cuzco we check into our hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. Picoaga Hotel (Breakfast)

• Day 7: Saturday, June 18 Cuzco | Explore Sacsayhuaman | Attend Curandero Healing Ceremony:| We begin this morning’s explorations at the massive Sacsayhuaman fortress set on a hilltop overlooking Cuzco. Its double zigzag wall is said to symbolize a puma’s teeth, and at one time there were three immense towers and a labyrinth of rooms large enough to garrison 5,000 Incan soldiers. Today, the interior buildings are gone, having been dismantled by the Spaniards for their stone, but the imposing outer walls remain. Recent excavations have revealed this ancient stone complex to be much larger than previously thought. As we walk through, consider first that Inca workers built its walls entirely by hand, securely fitting boulders weighing as much as 125 tons without a drop of mortar. Then recall that on these ramparts in 1536, the Incan armies of Manco Inca made their final, failed attempt to recapture their city from the Spanish in the bloodiest fighting seen in any Latin conquest. At each site, we have plenty of time to walk around on foot, and take photographs. Then, we’ll witness a traditional healing ceremony conducted by a curandero, an Andean medicine man. This ancient healing tradition has deep roots in Incan culture and is not simply a cure for illnesses, but also a prayer for good health and well being with an offering to Pachamama, a deity associated with fertility and Mother Earth..  In late afternoon we return Picoaga Hotel where we enjoy a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

• Day 8:  Sunday, June 19  Cusco | Puno: After breakfast journey to Puno. On the way we will visit LUCRE. Lucre is a small village about 45 minutes outside of Cusco. The village had been severely damaged by the floods earlier in the year which resulted in the families moving into tents nearby their original village. A long the way we will have stops and guided tours to the Incas sites of Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and Pikillaqta. We have lunch at a restaurant in Sicuani. After we arrive to Puno our staff will meet us and transfer to the Casa Andina Privatte Hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

• Day 9:  Monday, June 19 Titicaca Lake: We’ll visit Uros Island and Taquile Isand: After breakfast,  we’ll be be transferred down to Puno port and board motorized launches. Our first stops are the floating reed islands of the Uros, indigenous group who maintain houses and evens schools on these floating reed islands. Pre-Inca vestiges are found in the highest part of the island. The town of the same name, Taquile, is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, who maintain their customs and traditional clothing. They distinguish themselves by their detailed, fine, and colorful textiles with symmetrical decorations and symbols that reflect their way of life, customs, and Andean beliefs. We continue to Taquile Island and we have Lunch. We return to the Andina Privatte Hotel weary but having experienced and photographed the essence of lake Titicaca. We enjoy our last dinner in Peru at a local restaurant this evening. (Breakfast / Dinner)

• Day 10: Tuesday June 20: After breakfast we’ll visit the Sillustani Archeological Complex.  This complex stands on the shore of Lake Umayo. It is famous for its chullpas, large circular fortified burial towers for the main leaders of the early villages of the Collao plateau. Close to the archeological complex is the site museum where different pieces from the Colla, Tiahuanuaco, and Inca cultures are preserved. Optional for this day it to have a volunteering day in Puno.  We depart from the hotel in the morning to HATUNQOLLA. Volunteering assistance during this day. Lunch in shared with the local people. Afterwards transfer to Juliaca airport for your departing flight to Lima and back home.

The price for the photo tour is only $ 2,595.- and includes:

• All flights within Peru, and a trip to Lake Titicaca (highest lake in the world).
• Accommodations in lovely and inviting 3 and 4 star hotels and 17 Meals
• All entrance fees and tours in Lima, Cusco and Puno.
• We have arranged special pricing for travel insurance which we highly recommend.
• You do not need a visa for this trip but rather a current passport.
• English speaking tour guide in all destinations and throughout the tour.
• Roundtrip Airfare at Special Group Rates Available Upon Request.  You can arrange your own flight or we will do it for you.

To join the tour please download and fill out the reservation form and send it to Regent Marketing and Tours with a $ 450 deposit. To Download the form, just click here.

Should you have any questions or need clarification on any issue please feel to contact me at dk@danielkorzeniewski.com or Stephen Levin from Regent Tours at regenttours@tampabay.rr.com | (727) 367-1885 – (888) 515-1885