Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Jungle
📸 Peru Photo Expedition – Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & Amazon Jungle
12 Days | Tailor-Made Travel Through Peru’s Cultural & Natural Wonders
Photography | Culture | Adventure | Nature | Wildlife | Customizable
✨ A Journey Tailored to You
This 12-day Peru expedition blends the very best of the country—colonial cities, majestic mountains, ancient ruins, and the wild Amazon jungle—through the lens of a camera. Designed for photography enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and nature lovers alike, this itinerary offers the flexibility to match your interests.
💬 Important: This is a suggested itinerary. Each journey is custom-tailored following a pre-trip consultation call to ensure the trip matches your travel style, pace, and photo goals.
📍 Highlights
✔ Explore Lima’s street life, food, architecture & coastlines
✔ Discover Cusco’s historical core and local markets with a photographer’s eye
✔ Portrait sessions in Chinchero’s textile community and landscapes at Maras Salt Mines
✔ Two days dedicated to Machu Picchu, including the famous sunrise entrance
✔ Off-the-beaten-path Rainbow Mountain and 7 Lagoons of Ausangate with astro and landscape sessions
✔ Live, eat, and photograph within authentic Quechua communities
✔ Multi-day immersion in the Amazon Jungle, with wildlife tours by boat and forest treks
✔ Learn portrait, landscape, astro, wildlife, and documentary photography techniques from your dedicated photo guide
✔ Enjoy the comfort of pre-booked hotels, domestic flights, and local experts every step of the way
🌄 Itinerary Overview
Days 1–2: Arrival in Lima + Full Photo Day Tour
Begin in Peru’s capital, where a local guide leads you through both iconic spots and hidden gems using local transport. Explore Lima’s street scenes, colonial architecture, street food, and coastal viewpoints like a true “Limeño.”
Days 3–5: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Fly to Cusco for immersive city photography, then travel through the Sacred Valley visiting Chinchero, Lake Huaypo, and the Maras Salt Mines. Train to Aguas Calientes and photograph Machu Picchu at sunrise, with guided exploration and solo time.
Days 6–8: Community Life, Rainbow Mountain & 7 Lagoons
Photograph the daily lives of a welcoming Quechua family and hike (or ride horseback) to hidden valleys and lakesaround Ausangate. Capture rainbow mountains without the crowds, and, weather permitting, experience an astrophotography session at altitude.
Days 9–11: Amazon Jungle & Wildlife Safari
Fly to Puerto Maldonado and settle into your eco-lodge in the jungle. Visit the parrot clay lick, cruise rivers in search of caimans and capybaras, and trek deep into Tambopata Reserve for Lake Sandoval, home to otters, monkeys, and birdlife.
Day 12: Back to Lima – End or Extend
Return to Lima for your international flight or opt for an additional night in the capital to unwind, shop, or explore more of Peru’s culinary scene.
✅ Included
✔ All domestic flights (Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Lima)
✔ Airport pickups and private transport during all tour days
✔ Entry to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Sandoval & all major sites
✔ Train & bus tickets to Machu Picchu
✔ 11 nights of accommodation (double occupancy – ask for single rates)
✔ All breakfasts + 5 local lunches with Quechua families and jungle hosts
✔ All Amazon boat excursions
✔ Dedicated photography guide with instruction & support
✔ Local cultural and wildlife guides throughout the trip
🚫 Not Included
✘ International flights to/from Peru
✘ Personal insurance (required)
✘ Dinner meals (left flexible to suit your preferences)
🎒 What to Bring
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Camera gear: wide-angle, zooms, telephoto, tripod, filters, extra batteries
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Layers for both Andean chill and jungle humidity
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Rain gear & insect repellent
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Comfortable walking shoes & headlamp
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Travel insurance policy
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Sharp eyes and your smile!
💰 Pricing (Per Person, Based on Double Occupancy)
💲 Custom pricing upon request. Final cost will depend on accommodations, group size, and customizations after your consultation call.
📩 Let’s talk! We’ll tailor the perfect version of this trip to fit your needs.
📅 Let’s Plan Your Dream Photography Trip to Peru
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.andeanphotoexpeditions.com
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Departure/Return Location
Your hotel or airport in Lima -
Departure Time
Flexbile -
Return Time
Flexible -
Dress Code
Comfortable seasonal clothing & shoes -
Included
AccommodationEntrance FeesGuideLunchMealsPhoto AssistanceTransport -
Not Included
ExtrasInsuranceLocal Flights
Tour Plan
1st Day - Arrival in Lima (this tour can also start in Cusco)
2nd Day - Lima Photo Day Tour
3rd Day - Cusco. City tour, Street Photography
4th Day - Chinchero Traditions, Lake Huaypo and Maras Salt Mines
5th Day - Machu Picchu
6th Day - Calca Market, Scenic Drive, Quechua Community
7th Day - Rainbow Mountain, Ausangate night photography
8th Day - 7 Lagoons, Quechua community
9th Day - Puerto Maldonado, Amazon
10th Day - Boat through the Amazon. Wildlife. Indigenous Community.
11th Day - Lake Sandoval
12th Day - Flying back to Lima
Tour Location
Maras Salt Mines
Machu Picchu
Puerto Maldonado
Tour Reviews
We will be grateful for your honest and objective feedback.
Superb
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Leslie
Extraordinary Photographic and Cultural Tour!
Extraordinary experience! Dan and Alex are excellent guides offering friendly and professional travel and photographic expertise. I enjoyed every moment of this expedition through the Sacred Valley, Amazon jungle and Machu Picchu. I was a photography beginner myself and this trip offered everything I needed to learn about photography and the true essence of the Peruvian culture. This company was exceptionally organized, knowledgeable, punctual and very reliable. Highly recommend this team! Not only did Alex and Dan offer great expertise as photographers and guides but they really connect with the region, people and culture on a deep and personal level, offering a unique and lovely experience. I highly recommend this company for anyone interested in sustainable travel, photography or just simply wanting an authentic Peruvian culture personal tour. We also had excellent and friendly drivers and the most beautiful scenes to capture! This is a must for anyone traveling to Peru – experienced or newbies!
Shyam
Peru – a beautifully bespoke fortnight
We were a group of 4 friends, on this big holiday to Peru. The itinerary was put together by Dan Søby of Andean Photo Expeditions in partnership with Marius Coetzee of Oryx Photo Tours. It was my first time in South America and I couldn’t have asked for more – we did stuff that was on the tourist trail…Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Amazon rainforest …and a lot of stuff that was off the beaten track – mountain vistas with no other tourists in sight, a visit to a Quechua family in Pampallacta (definitely a highlight for me), a flight over the Nazca Lines (surprisingly this is not on every visitor’s agenda), and some rainforest photography with members of the Machiguenga tribe.
Dan was an amazing guide and a fab photography tutor, pointing out angles, checking our camera settings – and making me see composition in a new light (pun unintended 😜).
Our transport arrangements were perfect and we had some wonderful drivers – Bruce, in particular, who safely manoeuvred Lima traffic, the narrow streets of Cuzco and the unpaved tracks of the Sacred Valley with consummate skill.
I can’t recommend Dan and Andean Photo Expeditions highly enough, and look forward to their expanding their itineraries beyond Peru and Bolivia. I’m sure we’ll be back.
Sarah Lin
Amazing Trip!
Sep 2022
It is difficult expressing just how perfect our 19-day Peru trip with Andean Photo Expeditions was; mere words feel completely insufficient.
Peru and its landscapes, flora, fauna, and culture independently are without a doubt already incredible, but both Dan and Noe infinitely elevated our experiences of Peru. They were so mindful, so meticulous, and so knowledgeable in their service, and their love for the country, its people, and history rolled off of them in waves as they revealed to us pockets of Peruvian culture and hidden photographic gems I fully believe most visitors will never get to experience.
The only problem Dan and Noe have left me with is the dread that no trip I take in the future will ever be able to top this unforgettable, rich, and beautiful adventure they took us on. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Brian S
Truly excellent!
It was amazing!
We had an incredible 12 day tour between Lima, the Cusco Region and the Amazon rainforest.
Everything was perfect. Amazing logistics and Dan crafted an itinerary with unique, unforgettable experiences which we were able to capture on film.
Thank you!
James
Trip of a lifetime. I just got back from a 12 day trip in Peru with Andean Photo Expeditions, and I have to say it was the trip of a lifetime. From exploring the Peruvian Amazon to climbing the heights of the Andes, we were able to not only explore the spectacular sights, but also have culturally rich, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
From the beginning of the process, Dan worked with us to proactively plan a bespoke trip that catered to our interests and fit within our timeline. Even while we were there, our guide was able to adjust plans according to last minute changes (such as protests closing Machu Picchu for two days). Dan made everything a breeze and had our complete trust.
If you’re going to do Peru, do it with Andean Photo Expeditions and you will do it right. I can’t recommend Dan highly enough.