Ultimate 10-Day Cusco Region Tour: Discovering Hidden Gems
📸 Ultimate 10-Day Cusco Region Photo Tour – Discovering Hidden Gems
A Deep Dive into the Cultural Heart & Natural Wonders of Peru
Adventure | Photography | Culture | Nature | Portrait | Astro | Customizable
🗺 A Visual Journey through Time, Altitude & Tradition
This 10-day expedition is crafted for travelers who want more—more than the standard Machu Picchu rush, more than mass-tourism viewpoints, and more than surface-level experiences. Led by a professional photographer and immersed in local culture, this journey unveils the real Cusco region—its secrets, its people, and its soul.
From early morning mist over Machu Picchu to star-filled skies in Ausangate, from the vibrant textiles of Chinchero to the silent majesty of Pallay Punchu, every moment is a chance to connect, learn, and shoot.
📍 Highlights at a Glance
✔ Intimate visit to Machu Picchu at sunrise, with time to explore solo
✔ Portrait sessions in a Quechua community, including school and home visits
✔ Explore lesser-known wonders: Pallay Punchu and Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
✔ Astro-photography under glacier skies in Pacchanta
✔ Natural hot springs with Ausangate towering behind
✔ Street and lifestyle photography in Cusco & San Blas
✔ Landscape shots at Lake Humantay, 7 lagoons, and Maras Salt Mines
✔ Alpaca Blessing Ceremony + cultural insight you won’t find on a map
✔ Supported by private transport, local guides, and photo coaching every step of the way
🧭 Sample Itinerary (Flexible to Your Pace)
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco & Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Sacred Valley — Chinchero Portraits, Maras Salt Mines & Train to Aguas Calientes
Day 3: Machu Picchu Sunrise & Guided Tour
Day 4: The Faces of Peru — Full Day with Rural Quechua Family
Day 5: Scenic Road to Humantay, Overnight in Eco-Domes
Day 6: Sunrise Photography at Humantay Lake & Return to Cusco
Day 7: Cusco Photo Tour — San Blas, Qenqo Forest, Santa Ana
Day 8: Journey to Pallay Punchu & Overnight in Sicuani
Day 9: Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, Arrival in Pacchanta, Hot Springs & Astro Session
Day 10: 7 Lagoons Trek, Community Lunch, Return to Cusco & Farewell Dinner
Option to fly out same evening or overnight in Cusco with airport transfer included.
✅ What’s Included
✔ Private transfers, airport pickup & drop-off
✔ Entry to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Maras, Moray & more
✔ All local transport and scenic train journeys
✔ 9 nights of carefully selected accommodations (double occupancy)
✔ Select meals (welcome/farewell dinners, village lunches, breakfasts)
✔ Full-time photographer guide + expert local guides
✔ Cultural activities: weaving demo, blessing ceremonies, hot springs access
✔ Drinking water, support with luggage and camera gear as needed
🚫 Not Included
✘ International & domestic flights
✘ Travel insurance (required)
✘ Some dinners and lunches to keep flexibility
✘ Personal gear, snacks, tips
🎒 What to Bring
- Camera with wide, mid, and telephoto lenses
- Tripod, filters (ND, CPL), batteries, and SD cards
- Warm layers for nights, breathable clothes for hikes
- Headlamp for early morning and night shoots
- Bathing suit (for hot springs)
- Curiosity, creativity, and your sense of adventure
📷 Who Is This Tour For?
✔ Photographers (all levels)
✔ Culture seekers and explorers
✔ Families and small groups wanting connection over crowds
✔ Adventurers seeking real Peru, beyond the postcards
💰 Tour Pricing
💲 Available on request. Pricing varies depending on group size, dates, and preferred accommodations.
📩 Contact us to receive a personalized quote and start customizing your perfect Andes adventure.
📅 Your Andean Expedition Starts Here
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.andeanphotoexpeditions.com
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Departure/Return Location
Your hotel in Cusco -
Departure Time
Flexible -
Return Time
Flexible -
What to wear
Comfortable seasonal clothing & shoes -
Included
AccommodationEntrance FeesGuideLunchMealsPhoto AssistanceTransport -
Not Included
ExtrasInsuranceLocal Flights
Tour Plan
DAY 1- ARRIVAL
DAY 2- Maras Mines and Andean SECRETS
DAY 3- Machu Picchu
DAY 4- The FACES of Peru
DAY 5- Road to Humantay
DAY 6- Humantay Lake
DAY 7- Cusco Photo Day Tour
DAY 8- Pallay Punchu
DAY 9- The Alternative Rainbow Mountain
DAY 10- 7 lagoons of Ausangate
Tour Location
Discover Machu Picchu
10 Interesting Facts about Machu Picchu
Tour Reviews
We will be grateful for your honest and objective feedback.
Superb
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Ricardo M
Great experience and really amazing people!
I’ve travelled with Andean Photo Expeditions in October 2017. I think I was one of the first ones to tour with them. They where at the time a new project. I got along very well with Pedro (he was recommended by some friends in common) and as a business man I advised him on a few things. His passion for the job is visible and so is Dans. I was lucky enough to meet both founders.
Here’s the good part about this young company and why I recommend them. their communities are not corrupted. These guys don’t go there a few days before to brief the locals on how to interact and what to do in front of the tourists. They simply announce their arrival a few days before and let them live their lives. It’s up to you and them together to create an instinctual interaction, don’t interrupt their lives and still feel very natural about it. They create that atmosphere with ease. This is what makes them good. These are real experiences with local communities. priceless and whenever i return to Peru, I plan to tour again with Pedro and Dan. I’ll definitely be recommending them to all of my photographer friends as well. Thanks guys
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.
Marco
Traveling with Dan was pleasant, eventful and rich of personal experiences: this is twice as much remarkable for me, because I always travel alone, and like to plan my trip by myself. Dan has rare ‘people-skill’, both with the ‘locals’ (he can struck a pleasant conversation with anybody, get precious local information, and get accepted in everybody’s home when necessary) and with clients (he always there when you need him, and he discretely disappears when it is the time for you to have the space of a ‘personal’ experience, either with people in the street or with the beauty of the environment). These are the most important qualities for a guide. The trip organisation was seamless, and his personal attention to my satisfaction and enjoyment was heartwarming. His network – drivers, hotels, restaurants.. – is excellent, and everybody loves him. He has special connections with Peruvian people living in remote villages, he introduced me to some of them, and shared with the locals moments of their life. Priceless, for me. The destinations were all well selected, a special experience for each of them. I came back with lots of beautiful photos, and desire to be back soon.