Maras Mines & Andean Secrets

📸 MARAS SALT MINES AND ANDEAN SECRETS PHOTO TOUR

A Flexible, Authentic Photography Adventure in the Heart of the Andes

Step off the beaten path and into a world of ancient traditions, cinematic landscapes, and local encounters. The Maras Salt Mines and Andean Secrets Photo Tour is a full-day immersive experience that blends culture, nature, and photography, designed especially for those who want to see beyond the surface of Peru.

This isn’t just a sightseeing tour. It’s a curated journey that takes you to hidden corners of the Sacred Valley, where locals still live as they have for generations. Along the way, you’ll have the time and space to truly observe, connect, and create—with the expert guidance of a professional photographer who knows exactly how to position you for that perfect shot.

Whether you’re chasing dramatic landscapes, candid street portraits, or abstract compositions in one of Peru’s most unique natural settings, this tour gives you the access and flexibility to build a personal, meaningful visual story.

🌟 Highlights of the Day

✔ Chinchero Textile Center – Visit a traditional weaving center where Quechua women preserve centuries-old techniques. Learn, photograph, and engage in a colorful, welcoming setting.
✔ Secret Viewpoint of the Andes – Discover an isolated overlook with stunning views of snow-capped peaks, potato fields, and grazing sheep—perfect for documentary and landscape work.
✔ Huaypo Lake – When conditions align, this quiet lake provides stunning reflections and a peaceful space for long exposure photography.
✔ Maras Village – A traditional Andean village rarely touched by mass tourism. Capture the geometry of adobe walls, cobbled streets, and daily life in motion.
✔ Maras Salt Mines – A surreal scene of terraced white salt pools spilling across a mountain slope. Ideal for abstracts, textures, and aerial-style landscape shots.
✔ Golden Hour Landscape Workshop – End the day in a quiet location above the valley with expert coaching on light, exposure, and composition.

🕒 Flexible Itinerary – You Set the Rhythm

Whether you’re chasing morning mist over the salt mines or the warm glow of evening light, we adapt the day to your needs and preferences.

Departure Options:

📸 Early Morning (5:30–6:00 AM) – Best for soft light, quiet streets, and peaceful landscapes
📸 Standard Full-Day (8:00 AM) – Ideal if you want a well-paced experience with sunset photography

Tour Flow (Customizable):

📌 Pick-up from Cusco, Sacred Valley, or Ollantaytambo
📌 Morning visit to Chinchero Textile Center
📌 Scenic stops at secret Andean viewpoints
📌 Explore and photograph Huaypo Lake
📌 Stroll and shoot through Maras Village
📌 Photograph the Maras Salt Mines freely
📌 Enjoy a delicious lakeside lunch (included)
📌 End with a golden hour landscape session
📌 Drop-off at your starting point or next destination (Cusco, Sacred Valley, or train station)

🌈 Sunday Bonus – Traditional Market Visit (Sundays Only)

Start your day at a vibrant local market, open only on Sundays. Filled with Quechua families in traditional clothing, this is a rare opportunity for portraiture, candid moments, and authentic storytelling through photography.

➕ Optional Add-On

➕ Moray Ruins – Add a visit to the ancient Inca agricultural terraces for $50 USD per person. A stunning site for wide-angle shots and geometric compositions.

🎒 What’s Included

✅ Entrance fee to Maras Salt Mines
✅ Professional photographer guide all day
✅ Private transportation from Cusco, Sacred Valley, or Ollantaytambo
✅ Hotel pick-up and drop-off
✅ Lunch included at a peaceful outdoor location
✅ Full-day photography support and mentoring

❌ Not Included

❌ Drinks or extra snacks
❌ Moray add-on entrance (optional)
❌ Personal insurance

📷 Recommended Gear

📸 Mid-range zoom (24–70mm or similar)
📸 Prime lens (50mm, 85mm) for portraits
📸 Telephoto lens for salt mines & compressing backgrounds
📸 Tripod & ND filters for long exposures at Huaypo Lake

💰 Tour Pricing (All Ages)

💲 Private Tour for 1 person – $410 USD
💲 Private Tour for 2 people – $220 USD per person
💲 Private Tour for 3 people – $190 USD per person
📩 Big Group Pricing Available on Request

📅 Ready for the Real Sacred Valley? Let’s Make It Happen.

📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.andeanphotoexpeditions.com