WELCOME TO... PERU !
COME ON A PERU PHOTO TOUR WITH ME AND EXPLORE THE MOST REMOTE PLACES OF CUSCO REGION. YOU HAVE PROBABLY NO IDEA YET HOW DIVERSE AND STUNNING THIS REGION IS…
THE PROGRAM I PROPOSE INCLUDES INCREDIBLE HIKES TO HIDDEN AND STUNNING NATURAL WONDERS. WE’LL OBVIOUSLY GO TO SOME OF THE CLASSICS, LIKE MACHU PICCHU, WHOSE PHOTOGENIC ASPECT, AND NOT ONLY, IS UNDENIABLE AND RICH. BUT WE’LL ABOVE ALL FOCUS OUR ENERGY ON MORE ISOLATED AREAS, WHERE THE LANDSCAPES SEEM TO COME FROM ANOTHER PLANET, AND THE QUECHUA CULTURE IS STILL PRESENT AND VERY AUTHENTIC…
♦ Snow Capped Mountains
♦ Rainbow Mountains
♦ High Jungle
♦ UNESCO World Heritage Sites
♦ Cusco – Capital of the Incas
♦ Machu Picchu
♦ Traditional Quechua People
♦ Andean Landscapes
♦ Pristine Lagoons
RAINBOW MOUNTAINS AND COLORFUL VALLEYS
This trip will take you to the most magical valleys and Rainbow Mountains of the region.
There will be many opportunities to shoot stunning landscapes, and to include in them local people and wildlife.
Over time, I’ve developed an itinerary that allows you to photograph them at the best hours of the day, and away from the crowds…
HIGH JUNGLE OF CUSCO
Behind a high mountain pass and towards Machu Picchu, we’ll encounter a lush green and humid environment, surrounded by impressive 6,000-meter snow capped mountains.
The photo opportunities that we’ll have will be as diverse as the number of activities we’ll do during our stay there : downhill mountain biking, coffee tour, trekking, camping…etc
There’s no better way to explore the region and to reach the most famous Inca ruins in my opinion…
PRISTINE LAGOONS AND SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS
At the end of the trip especially, we’ll evolve in one of Peru’s most magical mountain ranges.
I’ll take you to countless amazing turquoise lagoons, at the foot of glaciers and 6000-meter peaks. Landscape photographers will be served.
Besides, in order to reach these places, you will hike, but also ride a horse if needed. Everything will be made so that everyone can photograph at such high altitudes.
QUECHUA CULTURE AND TRADITIONAL LIFE
Peru still has a strong and unique identity. The Quechua culture in the mountains of Cusco is very present indeed.
There will be many opportunities to photograph local life in very different types of environment.
People and documentary photographers will also be served on a golden plate during this trip…
© Nicolas Castermans ¦ PHOTOGRAPHY
WHY BOOK WITH ME ?
Besides the fact that I’ve photographed extensively in the region for the past few years,
My wife and I have been running a Travel and Trekking Agency in Peru since 2016.
We know this part of the Andes very well, and we’ve developed privileged relationships with trusted local partners. My experience as a guide and my knowledge of Peru as a photographer will ensure you to live unforgettable moments. But that’s not all…
The photographic skills that I’ve developed over the years have recently earned me a spot as One of the finalists at the prestigious “Travel Photographer Of The Year Award” in 2021 and 2022.
I’ve also been awarded in many other international contest – The Independent Photographer, Life Framer, 500px – judged by iconic photographers such as Steve Mc Curry, and acclaimed artists from prestigious agencies such as National Geographic, Time…etc
So if I can be of any help to you photographically during the trip, I’ll be very happy to share my knowledge and my experience with you.
AWARD-WINNING IMAGES & PORTFOLIOS
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1 & 2
Day 1 : Arrival in Lima. Pick up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax. Later, we will meet around a nice meal and enjoy Peru’s finest gastronomy… And if we have time, we’ll go to Miraflores for a sunset on the Pacific Ocean…
Day 2 : We’ll take a morning flight to the imperial city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. Then, the whole afternoon will be dedicated to sightseeing and some amazing street / people / landscape photography.
DAY 3 & 4
Day 3 : We’ll first visit two impressive archeological Inca sites in the Sacred Valley. Then, after lunch, we’ll head towards the amazing Salineras de Maras, and spend the night in one of Peru’s most incredible glamping spot…
Day 4 : Early start this morning to reach as early as possible the Abra Malaga pass (4,300m). Then we’ll ride downhill mountain bikes towards the high jungle of Cusco region (2,000 meter descent). In the afternoon, we’ll do a short hike to two beautiful waterfalls in the jungle. Night in a cosy hostel on 1,200 meter above the sea level.
DAY 5 & 6
Day 5 : After having learnt the whole process of coffee making and tasted some of the best in the region, we’ll drive towards Santa Teresa from where we’ll start our 2,5 hour hike towards an incredible mountain pass. The whole afternoon will be dedicated to some stunning landscape photography.
Day 6 : Mornings at that mountain pass are as amazing for photography as afternoons. Then we’ll continue our hike towards Aguas Calientes (“Machu Picchu village”). That’s a 5 to 6-hour hike in total, but there’s a possibility to shorten it by taking a train in the afternoon (optional : 35 USD extra).
DAY 7 & 8
Day 7 : Early start today to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu. We will spend time photographing it with the best light, before taking a full guided tour. After our lunch in Aguas Calientes, we’ll slowly come back to Ollantaytambo by train, and with our private transport to Cusco.
Day 8 : We’ll start the day with a 4-hour drive to the community of Palccoyo. We’ll first have a simple lunch at a local family, where we’ll spend the night. Then the whole afternoon will be dedicated to photographing the insane colorful landscapes of Palccoyo mountains.
DAY 9 & 10
Day 9 : We’ll come back to Palccoyo mountains in the morning to photograph them under a different light, and to try different compositions. Then we’ll drive towards the most insane Rainbow Mountain of the region, Vinicunca, that we’ll photograph at sunset. Finally, we’ll head towards Tinki village, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain. Arrival at night.
Day 10 : We’ll hike 3 hours today in the world of Quechua people, at the base of the highest mountain in the region. There will be many photo opportunities, ranging from stunning landscapes, to traditional life in the high Andean mountains…
DAY 11 & 12
Day 11 : Probably one of the most amazing hiking day of the entire trip. We’ll pass by dozens of turquoise lagoons situated on the foot of impressive glaciers. Besides, we’ll enjoy amazing natural hot springs at the village where we’ll stay at night…
Day 12 : Final day of the trip. Those who want will wake up very early for a sunrise shoot over these impressive Andean peaks. Then we’ll slowly come back to Cusco. It’ll be time to say good bye. And you’ll be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Lima (recommended to spend an extra night in Lima and get your international flight the day after…)
INCLUDED :
- All the internal flights (Lima-Cusco ; Cusco-Lima)
- Private transportation for the whole trip
- All the entrance tickets
- All the accommodations (varying from very luxurious hotels to glamping, shelter, tents…)
- All the food during the trekkings, and all the breakfasts
- Warm sleeping bag and camping equipment (tent, mattress…etc)
NOT INCLUDED :
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Personal trekking equipment (headlamp, sticks, clothes…)
- Lunches and dinners in cities (Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Lima)
- Hotsprings (in Aguas Calientes, Upis and Pacchanta)
- Bank commission due to transfers
- Single room (350 USD extra)
TESTIMONIALS
I could not imagine before this trip how incredibly diverse the region of Cusco is ! The itinerary that Nicolas offers is very well thought, both in terms of diversity of the places visited, and the gradual gain in altitude for a good acclimatization. Everyday was amazing culturally and photographically… I’ll blindly join another photo tour with him.
TOMAS ALVAREZ - SPAINAmazing trip. Amazing locations. One of the most photogenic country I’ve traveled so far. Nicolas is a very genuine guy, with a great experience and knowledge of the country. I’ve enjoyed every day of the program. I can only recommend !
LI QIANG - CHINAI’ve been impressed by the country of course, but also by the organisation. Nicolas has a real valuable experience as a tour leader. His privilege contact with the locals that we met was precious. the diversity of landscapes was out of this world… This is without a doubt the best photo tour I’ve ever been on.
GRZEGORZ UJMA - POLAND
” THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF HIKES IN THE PROGRAM. SO YOU MUST BE IN A GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO JOIN THIS ADVENTURE. OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON’T NEED TO BE ABLE TO RUN A MARATHON… BUT YOU MUST AT LEAST HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HIKING EXPERIENCE. IF YOU BOOK THIS TRIP, YOU WILL RECEIVE A MUCH MORE DETAILED PROGRAM WITH ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW DAY BY DAY…”