Join a Photo Tour of Peru

 Deadline to submit deposit is May 31, 2012

Highlights:  Instruction in photographic technique/Two entries to Machu Picchu/Cusco City Tour/Sacred Valley Tour/Chinchero Weavers & Sunday Market/Amantani Island Homestay/Tour of Floating Reed Islands/Private guides

 In August of 2012, John Stier will be the instructor for a Peruvian Photo Tour.  The trip will include 7 days of travel to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the mystical Machu Picchu ruins and more.  An optional 4 day extension of the photo tour to see the beautiful Lake Titicaca area is also available.  The trip will include "in the field" instruction, technical and compositional concepts, photo assignments, photo critiques, photo editing techniques and more. 

If you are interested in spending a week immersed in photography while visiting one of the most beautiful places in the world, please send email to:  info@adiosadventuretravel.com  If you have any questions, feel free to call John Stier at 410-964-1831 (visit John's website - www.jjstier.com )

The cost is $1990 (not included: international flights, hotel services in Lima, travel insurance, tips and lunches/dinners).  Includes:  domestic flights Lima/Cusco, hotels, breakfasts, land transportation, guide & entry fees. The Lake Titicaca extension includes a 1 night homestay & will cost $625. The group will be no larger than 14 people.  Photography instruction appropriate for beginning photographers to those breaking into advanced levels.  Advanced photographers are welcome to participate and can inquire to see if this trip is for them. 

Group 1 - Machu Picchu -total trip is 9 days - from July 30 to Aug 7 
(including 2 travel days)
Group 2 - Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca - total trip is 12 days – from July 30 to Aug 10

July 30 -  Arrive Lima, Peru and overnight in hotel

July 31 - Fly Lima to Cusco - Arrive mid-late morning in Cusco. Guide meets us at airport and transfers to the hotel. Walking city tour of Cusco for lunch followed and a visit to Koricancha temple. Take advantage of early evening light for city photographs in small plazas like Regocijo , Plaza San Francisco, Parque de la Madre Santa Teresa & San Blas Plaza, followed by dinner and overnight. Encantada hotel overlooks the city center and offers 3rd story balconies for photography of city and valley.

Aug 1 - After breakfast, our guide will arrive early with a van/driver to the outskirts of the city for the morning light at Tambomachay - Pukapukara - Qenco - Sacsayhuaman. Lunches/dinners in restaurants. Overnight in Cusco.

Aug 2 - After breakfast, our guide will arrive with van to transport to Sacred Valley to see ruins of Pisac followed by lunch in the town and a chance to shop at the local market. then we can go towards Tiobamba to view the architecture of the colonial church. On to Moray, where you’ll see Concentric circles of the Incan greenhouse and then Maras, the terraced salt ponds, still in use today. Arrive in Ollantaytambo for dinner and overnight.

Aug 3 - Board Perurail train for 2 hour ramble through the Urubamba valley to Aguas Calientes. Check in at hotel, eat lunch and then take shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu National Park entry for late afternoon/sunset visit to the ruins. Return to Aguas Calientes for dinner and overnight

Aug 4 - Early, Early breakfast, then sunrise visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu for the early morning light.  For those who want to hike Huayna Picchu, we will need to make advance reservations. By lunch we will finish with our tour and have time to wander alone before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo for dinner and overnight

Aug 5 - Driver and van arrives to take us back to Cusco with stop along the way in Chinchero to see the indigenous weavers and the authentic local market. Return to Cusco for dinner and overnight

Aug 6 - Group 1 will transfer to airport for return flight to Lima. If flight departs late evening, they will arrive US the next morning. If flight departs the next day, (Aug 7) they will stay overnight in Lima
Group 2 - depart by tourist bus for day trip through the countryside to the highlands of Puno. Stop at colonial church, then lunch and visit to Raqchi ruins along the way. Arrive Puno to check in at hotel, dinner in restaurant

Aug 7 - Group 1 will arrive US
Group 2 - After breakfast will transfer to dock of Lake Titicaca for public boats to see "Floating Reed Islands" built by Aymara people hundreds of years ago. Living laboratory of conservation and sustainable living. Continue from reed islands to Amantani Island for overnight with local family. Rustic plumbing facilities, no showers, but very comfortable beds and private rooms and meals prepared by local women. Beautiful evening stroll up to the top of the mountain (14,000 ft) to see what it looks like on the top of the world.

Aug 8 - Group 2 - Depart Amantani Island by boat to visit Takile Island, where the men rule the knitting needle! Enjoy locally prepared Titicaca Trout lunch, made with the freshest local ingredients, then return to Puno for dinner and overnight.

Aug 9 – Group 2 - After breakfast, transfer 45 min drive to Juliaca airport to fly to Lima. Depart Lima late evening or book hotel if flight departs next day. (additional cost)

Aug 10 - Arrive Final Destination

No visas or special vaccinations are needed for US & Canadian passport holders.  Passports should not expire within 6 months of travel departure dates.  No experience necessary.  There is no hiking, camping or other strenuous activity. All hotels are based on dbl occupancy with private bath.  Single supplement available on request.

Altitude info:

• Cusco - 11,000 ft/3400 m
• Machu Picchu - 8000 ft/2438 m
• Lake Titicaca - 12,500 ft/3810 m