LIMA, NAZCA, CUSCO & AREQUIPA

• Day 1 – ARRIVE LIMA, PERU
Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel, located in the city’s exclusive Miraflores residential district.
Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, Lima.

• Day 2 – LIMA, NAZCA
(6:00-8:00 am): We fly to Pisco in a 13-seat Beechcraft B200. On arrival in Pisco we travel by boat to Ballestas Islands where we will see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, fur seals, and huge flocks of marine birds (2 hours).
(10:00-12:00 am): Return to the airport at Pisco for a flight in the B200 over the Nazca Lines. You will enjoy a spectacular view of 12 of the most famous Nazca drawings, including the hummingbird, dog, hands, “the astronaut”, tree, spider, whale, lizard, shark, and more.
(12:00-15:00 pm): We fly to Ica to visit the Huacachina desert oasis and the Huacachina Lagoon, then see the gigantic sand dunes, reminiscent of those in Africa’s Sahara Desert. Dune buggies will transport us over and around the dunes as we experience and photograph them.
(18:00-20:00 pm): Return flight to Lima and transfer to the hotel.
Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, Lima. Breakfast, lunch.
Photography: Aerial photography, landscapes, arqueology, marine birds, Humbold penguins, geology (sand dunes)

• Day 3 – PUNO
(7:00-10:00 am): Fly to Juliaca, where we will travel by transfer to Puno (1 hour). Puno is 12,565 feet/3,830 meters above sea level and has a population of 102,800. A small port city whose main industry is tourism, it is a departure point for Lake Titicaca and its islands and for many Inca and pre-Inca ruins.
Casa Andina Premium, Puno. Breakfast, lunch.

*ADD ON BELMOND TRAIN ANDEAN EXPLORER
Fly to Cusco (1 hour, 25 minutes). Cusco, at 11,200 feet/3,400 meters above sea level, is located in the heart of the Central Peruvian Andes of South America, in a fertile alluvial valley fed by several rivers. In Cusco we board the Andean Explorer train to Arequipa. South America’s first luxury sleeper train glides from Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, across the lofty Andean plains to the White City of Arequipa. Take in the region’s spectacular highlights en route, including Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon. Belmond Train Andean Explorer. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
(This is a special alternative for the clients that want to do this and change the itinerary)

• Day 4 – PUNO, LAKE TITICACA
(7:40 am): We travel by speed boat to the Floating Islands of the Uros, where we will discover how the Uros people make their island homes entirely from the totora reeds that grow in Titicaca. We will witness how this small community forges a subsistence lifestyle on these floating islands in the middle of Lake Titicaca! We then hop back on our speed boat to the island of Taquile. Sunbathe on the top deck, snap some photos of the magnificent surroundings, or simply watch the world go by on the world’s highest navigable lake! The guided tour of Taquile Island will explain the traditions, history, lifestyles, and cultures of the island community that calls this place home. A remote island in the middle of Lake Titicaca are the people of Taquile Island, who to this day continue to live a traditional lifestyle uninterrupted from modernization and have just recently opened up the island to tourists. Enjoy a delicious lunch, then walk around the island to catch some breathtaking views.
(14:30 pm): Return by speed boat to Puno (1 hour 30 minutes).
Casa Andina Premium, Puno. Breakfast, lunch.
Photography: Landscape, culture, fauna

*ADD ON BELMOND TRAIN ANDEAN EXPLORER, LAKE TITICACA
We watch the sunrise over the Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America. We will take a traditional boat to the islands of the Uros, artificial islands created from carefully woven reeds.
Belmond Train Andean Explorer. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• Day 5 – PUNO, AREQUIPA
(7:00-9:00 am): We travel by private transfer to Arequipa (5 hours). We pass through the Peruvian highlands, including the towns of Juliaca, Cabanillas, and Santa Lucia, stopping at Laguna Lagunillas where we will observe the snow-capped mountains of the Andes. Along the route we are likely to see flamingos and ostriches, as well as alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas.
After reaching altitudes as high as 14,850 feet/4,528 meters, we will stop at the Vicuñas Reserve, whose llamas produce the finest wool in the world. In addition to the flora and fauna of the area, we will have stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of Misti, Vizcachani, La Pulpera, Callalli, Sibayo, and Tuti Village, giant rocks in the shape of castles. We continue past the Misti volcano and Chachani mountain.
Arequipa, set at 7,900 feet/2,400 meters above sea level, is known as the White City because most of its houses and buildings, dating from the colonial era, were built with white ashlar stone. It is surrounded by impressive natural landscapes.
Transfer to the hotel.
Casa Andina Premium, Arequipa. Breakfast, dinner.
Photography: Landscape, fauna

*ADD ON BELMOND TRAIN ANDEAN EXPLORER
We will see the sunrise at Lake Lagunillas. Later we will visit the Sumbay caves, home to cave paintings estimated to be over 8,000 years old.
We will continue by train to Arequipa, where we visit the city’s historic center. Built from volcanic sillar rock, and representing an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, Arequipa combines the admirable work of colonial craftsmen and Criollo and Indian masons. This combination of influences is illustrated by the city’s robust walls, archways, vaults, courtyards, and open spaces, and the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades.
Casa Andina Premium, Arequipa. Breakfast, lunch.

• Day 6 – AREQUIPA, COLCA CANYON
(8:00-10:00 am): We visit Arequipa and Yanque, a town near Arequipa with unique archaeological sites, colonial architecture, and natural hot springs.
Killawasi Lodge, Colca Canyon. Breakfast, lunch.
Photography: Geology, Landscape, architecture, archeology

• Day 7 – COLCA CANYON, AREQUIPA
(8:00-9:00 am): Colca Canyon is a canyon of the Colca River in southern Peru, located about 100 miles/160 kilometers northwest of Arequipa. The Colca Valley is a colorful Andean valley with pre-Inca roots and towns founded in Spanish colonial times that are still inhabited by people of the Collagua and the Cabana cultures. The local people maintain their ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces.
(12:00-16:00)The Colca Canyon is home to the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), a species that has been the focus of worldwide conservation efforts. “Cruz del Condor” is a popular tourist stop for watching the condors at close range as they fly past the canyon walls. The canyon floor here is 3,960 feet/1,200 meters below the rim of the canyon.
Casa Andina Premium, Arequipa. Breakfast, lunch.
Photography: Landscape, Geology, bird (Condor), culture

• Day 8 – AREQUIPA, LIMA
(7:00-11:00 am): Return to Lima for your flight (1 hour 35 minutes) home.

✔ Flight inside Peru
✔ All hotel accommodations

✔ All meals
✔ Access to locations
✔ Transportation throughout tour
✔ Vehicle foe the expeditions

✔ Photographic instruction throughout tour
✔ Photography classes
✔ Alcoholic beverages for lunch
✔ All applicable taxes    

✔ Airfare to/from Peru

✔ Personal items (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)

✔ Gratuities for lead photographer and guide

✔ Not all dinners are included

✔ Belmond Train Andean Explorer

Clothing

✔ Windbreaker

✔ Hiking shoes

✔ Hiking socks

✔ Hiking pants

✔ Thick fleece or down jacket

✔ Gloves

✔ Winter hat

✔ Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses

✔ Backpack

Photographic equipment

✔ Single-lens reflex camera (any brand), one wide angle lens, one zoom of 300 mm or more

✔ Memory cards

✔ Back up battery for the camera

✔ Tripod

✔ Shutter release cable

✔ Laptop with photo editing software installed (optional)

✔ Binoculars

✔ Flashlight

✔ External hard drive (recommended: Western digital 1 TB)

✔ One or two people – a 60% deposit is required at time of reservation, with balance due 60 days before the trip date.

✔ Three or more people – a 75% deposit is required at time of reservation, with balance due 60 days before the trip date.

✔ Deposit is non-refundable.

✔ If the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your deposit will be fully refunded.

✔ We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

✔ If severe weather requires cancellation, the tour will be rescheduled to the following season.

✔ No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.

(This is a special alternative for the clients that want to do this and change the itinerary)

*ADD ON BELMOND TRAIN ANDEAN EXPLORER
Fly to Cusco (1 hour, 25 minutes). Cusco, at 11,200 feet/3,400 meters above sea level, is located in the heart of the Central Peruvian Andes of South America, in a fertile alluvial valley fed by several rivers. In Cusco we board the Andean Explorer train to Arequipa. South America’s first luxury sleeper train glides from Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, across the lofty Andean plains to the White City of Arequipa. Take in the region’s spectacular highlights en route, including Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon.
Belmond Train Andean Explorer. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.