HIGHLIGHTS

Step back in time with Photo Quest Adventures on a magical expedition through the heart of the Incan Empire. Peru is a land rich in diverse terrains, indigenous cultures, and lost empires. Capture the ancient traditions of the Inti Raymi Festival in Cusco, the Incan capital situated at 11,000 feet above sea level.

Learn how to capture compelling portraits of locals using off-camera flash techniques, and master the art of shooting breathtaking landscapes with Peru’s dramatic scenery as your backdrop. From the Andean Altiplano to the soaring peaks of the Andes Mountains and the mystical lost city of Machu Picchu, this journey offers endless photographic opportunities.

Opt for the extension to Lake Titicaca, where you'll capture the beauty of the world's highest navigable lake and its unique floating islands. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Peru's indigenous communities, creating stunning images that showcase their traditions and way of life.

Join us as we explore Peru's breathtaking landscapes, where ancient history seamlessly blends with vibrant modern culture. This is a photographic journey that will leave you with unforgettable memories and powerful stories to tell through your lens.

June 17:  DEPART FOR CUSCO, PERU (CUZ)

June 18:  ARRIVE CUSCO, PERU

Upon arrival at Cusco's airport, our team will be there to assist you before we embark on our journey towards the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas. Just as one patiently awaits to capture the perfect image, the initial steps in Cusco should be taken at a slow pace. The transfer from Cusco airport to our hotel in the Sacred Valley comes with the added benefit of a local professional photographer guiding us, making stops at scenic viewpoints to capture the unique beauty of Cusco's landscape. We will stop at Hacienda Sarapampa for lunch, before heading to Pisac town for a lovely stroll in this andean quaint town. Overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. (L,D) 

June 19: Cusco – Ollantaytambo & Maras town.

Cusco, the historical capital of the Incan Empire that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. Nestled in a valley 11,000 feet above sea level, Cusco’s red-tile-roofed buildings and steep cobblestone streets are surrounded by some of the mightiest peaks in the Andes.

Today, we embark on a visual journey through the heart of the Sacred Valley, immersing ourselves in two of its most photogenic and culturally rich locations.

Our morning begins in Ollantaytambo, a town where time seems to stand still. As the first light of day casts a golden glow over the ancient Inca walls and cobbled streets, we’ll capture the seamless blend of past and present—where centuries-old houses sit atop original Inca foundations. The interplay of geometric patterns, dramatic morning shadows, and vibrant street life makes for striking compositions. Atop the Ollantaytambo fortress, we’ll frame panoramic views of terraced ruins and the breathtaking valley below, showcasing the grandeur of Inca engineering.

After a relaxed lunch, we chase the warm hues of golden hour in the charming colonial town of Maras. With our cameras ready, we’ll wander its narrow streets, capturing the essence of rural Andean life—farmers guiding their livestock home, baskets brimming with harvests, and the everyday poetry of village life. Photograph the village’s famous salt ponds, which are UNESCO World Heritage candidates. The snow-capped Chicón mountain provides a stunning backdrop, glowing softly in the sunset light.

Today is also the perfect opportunity to capture incredible portraits of the locals, from weathered faces full of stories to vibrant traditional clothing that reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage.

As we return to our hotel, we’ll gather to review our images, reliving the moments we’ve frozen in time—each frame a story, each shot a piece of the Sacred Valley’s magic. Overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. (B,L)

June 20:  Cusco – Valle Sagrado

In the picturesque town of Lamay, hidden within the Sacred Valley, an extraordinary photographic journey awaits. Our visit to La Base Lamay offers a rare opportunity to document a community deeply connected to its land, traditions, and sustainability efforts.

We’ll embark on a scenic one-hour walk to the Huayllafara community, where we’ll be welcomed by the community’s president and introduced to their way of life. Here, you’ll have an exclusive chance to photograph farmers working the fields with ancestral tools, capturing the textures of the soil, the rhythm of their movements, and the warmth of their expressions. Our group will alternate between immersing in the experience and documenting it, ensuring an intimate and dynamic storytelling approach.

Every portrait and candid shot will reflect the essence of the people and their deep-rooted traditions. To give back, we’ll print and present a selected photograph to the community, leaving behind a meaningful connection through our imagery.

After a traditional lunch at La Base Lamay, we’ll continue exploring the town’s vibrant character—meeting local artisans, visiting a chichería where chicha de jora (fermented corn beer) is made, and stepping inside a cuyería, where guinea pigs are bred. These rich encounters provide an abundance of striking portrait opportunities, from weathered hands at work to the expressive faces of locals sharing their stories.

The day concludes with a visit to Lamay’s historic church, offering one last stunning backdrop before we return to our hotel. There, we’ll gather to review the day’s visual treasures—each image a testament to the beauty and authenticity of this hidden gem in the Sacred Valley.

This is more than just a day of photography; it’s an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at a way of life few get to witness—an opportunity to capture not just images, but stories that last a lifetime. Overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. (B,L)

June 21:  Machu Picchu

Today is an unforgettable day—our journey to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu begins. With cameras in hand and anticipation in the air, we’ll board the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, a spectacular ride where towering snow-capped peaks gradually give way to lush cloud forests. As the landscape transforms, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture the stunning contrasts between Andean mountains, winding rivers, and vibrant green valleys.

Upon arrival, we’ll make our way up to Machu Picchu, timing our visit to embrace the magic of afternoon light. As the midday crowds thin, we’ll have more space to frame our shots, allowing us to focus on the interplay of sunlight and shadow against the ancient stonework. This is the perfect time to photograph the mystical ruins bathed in golden hues, capturing the dramatic depth and textures that make Machu Picchu one of the most photogenic places on Earth.

We’ll explore hidden angles, shooting from iconic viewpoints and discovering intimate details of Inca craftsmanship. Every stone, terrace, and temple tells a story, and through our lenses, we’ll bring this ancient wonder to life.

As the day winds down, we’ll take in our final moments of this bucket-list location, capturing the soft, ethereal light of the late afternoon before descending back to Aguas Calientes. This experience is not just about seeing Machu Picchu—it’s about photographing it in a way that few ever do.

June 22:  Machu Picchu - Cusco

Start your day with an early morning shoot at Machu Picchu, capturing mystical images as the sun rises through the misty cloud forest, illuminating the ancient ruins and lush mountains. With the golden light softening the landscape, every shot will feel like a moment frozen in time.

Early afternoon, we’ll take the train back to Cusco, stopping at Chinchero, the heart of Andean textile art. Here, we’ll visit Nilda Callañaupa’s workshop, where local women handcraft stunning textiles using traditional techniques. This is a perfect opportunity to photograph the intricate details of the dyeing, spinning, and weaving process as well as the passionate expressions of the women at work.

To close the day, we’ll head to Piuray Lagoon for a sacred earth offering with a shaman. As the ritual unfolds against the breathtaking Andean backdrop, you’ll have a rare chance to photograph the shaman’s spiritual practice amidst nature—a perfect moment to capture portraits in harmony with the landscape. This day offers a powerful combination of culture, tradition, and natural beauty for any photographer’s lens. Overnight at Palacio del Inka, a luxury collection Hotel. (B)

June 23:  Cusco

Today, we will explore Cusco, also known as the "Navel of the World." Our journey begins at the San Pedro Market, where we can enjoy the visual feast of a truly authentic market. With respect and good humor, we will ask vendors for permission to photograph them and their stands of vegetables, fruits, potatoes, and more. As Cusco’s central market, it offers a vibrant array of colors, textures, and shapes. Be sure to prepare your cameras and macro lenses to capture this rich experience. The market is covered, sothe midday light won't interfere with achieving the desired image quality. After lunch in the city center, we will spend the afternoon wandering the cobblestone streets, seeking the magical corners where the evening light plays with Inca and colonial buildings. We'll visit the Plaza de Armas to observe the interaction between foreigners and locals, allowing for free time to take photos. A telephoto lens is recommended here to capture the multitude of elements found in the bustling streets of this beautiful city. Overnight at Palacio del Inka, a luxury collection Hotel. (B)

June 24:  Cusco, The Inti Raymi Festival

Today we will experience Inti Raymi, known as the Festival of the Sun, marks the commencement of the New Year and the harvest season. This winter solstice celebration unfolds across three historic venues in the Inca Imperial Capital of Cusco: The Koricancha, Huacaypata (nowadays known as Plaza de Armas), and Saqsayhuaman. Our journey will echo the footsteps of the Inca, allowing us to immerse ourselves in one of the Empire's most significant festivities. Our morning will commence with a stroll to the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun, where we'll photograph the sacred Willka Nina ceremony. During this ritual, sunlight is concentrated on a golden disc, igniting fine vicuna fiber. Priests then carry this sacred flame to various shrines throughout the Tawantinsuyo, or Inca Empire.

Next, we'll proceed to the Plaza de Armas for the ceremonial reading of sacred coca leaves, offering insights into the fate of the forthcoming year and inspiring Inca authorities to strive for excellence in governance.

Our journey continues as we board our bus to Saqsayhuaman, a monumental structure crafted from enormous stones meticulously carved and fitted together. Here, we'll experience the grandeur of the main Inti Raymi festival, featuring hundreds of actors, musicians, and dancers representing loyal subjects from across the empire. Overnight at JW Marriott Hotel Cusco.

June 25:  Cusco - USA

Morning transfer to Cusco airport for your flight back to the USA or sign up for the extension to Lake Titicaca.

EMAIL US RE: EXTENSION TO LAKE TITICACA:

June 25:  Cusco - Juliaca

Board your flight to Juliaca. Considered “the folkloric capital of Peru,” Juliaca is located on the Collao Plateau in the Lake Titicaca basin. Overnight at the Libertador del Lago Titicaca Hotel. (BLD)

June 26:  Puno, Lake Titicaca

From the small port of Puno, we will take a full day tour on Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest navigable lake with passenger boat services. Lake Titicaca is considered a sacred place for the Inca civilization since it’s said to be the birthplace of the first Inca king, Manco Capac. The lake is located at 12,500 feet above sea level at the northern end of the Altiplano (Andean plateau) basin high in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia.
We’ll visit 3 of the lakes islands by traditional boats:  Uros Island,  Amantani Isle, and Taquile Island. Overnight Libertador del Lago Titicaca Hotel (BL)

June 27:  Puno – Julaca - Lima

On our way to the Juliaca airport for the flight back to Lima, we’ll visit the Sillustani Tombs. The tombs are commonly referred to as “chullpas.” The chullpas, located on a peninsula in Lake Umayo, are 28 pre-Incan stone burial towers dating back to AD 900.  Book your flights to Cusco and out of Lima if you are doing the extension.

MIRJAM EVERS

Mirjam Evers is a New York City based travel photographer who specializes in travel images, portraiture, landscape photography and adventure images. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Evers has photographed in more than 90 countries, including many of the most exotic places in the world. Evers' photographs are indicative of her unique capacity to personally connect with diverse cultures and communities. Her eye for location lighting is highly stylized and works to illustrate and heighten the unique characteristics of each international locale. She is able to transcend cultural and language barriers with an intangible spirit that is conveyed in every image. Evers is one of the founders of Photo Quest.

Selected Publications: AFAR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Departures, Golf Magazine, AARP, Outdoor Photographer, Outside Magazine, PDN, American Photo, Popular Photography, Digital Photo, MSN Travel and Town & Country Magazine.

Mirjam's Website 

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