Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Photography Workshop
An 11-day cultural photography journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Portrait, street, landscape, and architectural work with time for two full visits to the citadel, private weaving sessions, Sunday market photography, and community village access built on over twenty years of relationships.
This 11-day Peru photography workshop is a slow cultural journey through the Andean heartland for a small group of eight. We balance early mornings and golden-hour shoots with meals and transfers. From Lima we fly to Cusco, where twilight photography around the Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral sets the tone. We then explore Koricancha, San Blas, and Sacsayhuaman, photographing sunset from the ruins and enjoying an evening of traditional music and dance.
In the Sacred Valley, the photo tour weaves between encounters and landscapes. We visit a weaving enterprise near Pisac for Andean portrait photography with weavers and alpacas, then climb to the Pisac Inca ruins for sunset. A Sunday in Pisac brings market stalls and Mass, followed by a Chinchero weaving demonstration at the colonial church. From Ollantaytambo we photograph the Inca town, Moray’s circular terraces, and the Maras salt ponds at sunset.
Leaving the valley, we pause in a mountain village for portraits and a school visit before the train to Aguas Calientes. At the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, we spend a full day photographing Machu Picchu and return for sunrise. In Cusco, we capture daily life at San Pedro Market and close with an image-sharing and farewell dinner. This journey suits travellers comfortable with moderate activity and focused on cultural connections as much as images.
A Photography Workshop Rooted in Place
This is a workshop shaped by the places and people of the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Rather than treating Peru as a series of backdrops, we make time for portrait, street, landscape and architectural photography, with private weaving sessions, markets and community encounters offering different ways to look and listen.
The two visits to Machu Picchu allow the photography to unfold without reducing the citadel to a single hurried viewpoint. Guidance is practical and personal, while the route leaves room to respond to changing light, local life and the character of each place.
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Seasonality
What to expect
- Lodging: Comfortable accommodations with character
- Transportation: Transport in a comfortable minivan with air conditioning
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 5 chapters.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Detailed itinerary
Lima Arrival & Orientation
Day 1 begins with a Lima Airport Arrival Transfer, easing your arrival in Peru’s capital before a generic dinner priced at 35 USD. The evening settles at the Lima Airport Hotel (TBD), providing a convenient base for the start of the tour. This opening day focuses on smooth arrival logistics, a relaxed meal, and nearby accommodation, setting a comfortable tone for the journey ahead without adding extra activities or excursions.
Cusco Colonial Twilight
Day 2 begins with breakfast included in the package before a flight from Lima to Cusco. After a generic lunch, join the Cusco Colonial City Twilight Photography experience, exploring the historic streets as evening light falls. The day closes with a generic dinner and an overnight stay at Casa Andina Premium Cusco. This route moves travellers from Lima into the heart of Cusco, combining arrival logistics with a guided twilight photography walk through the colonial city, followed by dinner and rest at the listed hotel.
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Cusco Colonial City Twilight Photography
Koricancha, San Blas & Sacsayhuaman
Begin day three with breakfast before a walking tour of Koricancha and San Blas, exploring Cusco’s historic streets and landmarks. Pause for lunch, then head to Sacsayhuaman for a sunset photography session at the archaeological site. In the evening, enjoy a dinner accompanied by traditional music and dance. The day concludes with a stay at Casa Andina Premium Cusco, wrapping up a route that blends Inca heritage, local art, and Andean culture.
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Koricancha and San Blas Walking Tour
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Sacsayhuaman Sunset Photography
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Traditional Music and Dance Dinner
Sacred Valley Weavers & Pisac Ruins
Day 4 of the tour begins with breakfast before a Sacred Valley Weaver and Alpaca Portrait Session, offering a cultural encounter with local weaving traditions. A lunch stop follows, then the route continues to Pisac Inca Ruins for a sunset photography visit. The day closes with dinner and accommodation in Pisac. This itinerary combines Sacred Valley craft heritage, alpaca encounters and Pisac archaeological scenery, making it a memorable mix of culture and landscape for photographers and travellers.
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Sacred Valley Weaver and Alpaca Portrait Session
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Pisac Inca Ruins Sunset Photography
Pisac Sunday Market & Chinchero
Spend Day 5 exploring the Sacred Valley on a route from Pisac to Chinchero. Begin with breakfast before visiting the Pisac Market and Sunday Mass photography, then enjoy a lunch stop. Continue with scenic drive photo stops through the Sacred Valley, followed by a Chinchero weaving demonstration and church sunset. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay at an Ollantaytambo hotel.
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Pisac Market and Sunday Mass Photography
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Sacred Valley Scenic Drive Photo Stops
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Chinchero Weaving Demonstration and Church Sunset
Ollantaytambo, Moray & Maras
Start with breakfast before exploring the Ollantaytambo Inca Town and Ruins, with time for photography. Continue to the Moray Circular Terraces, then visit the Maras Salt Ponds for sunset photography. Lunch and dinner are included as generic meals, and the day ends with an overnight stay at an Ollantaytambo hotel to be determined. This route combines Inca history, terraced landscapes, and salt pond views in the Sacred Valley.
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Ollantaytambo Inca Town and Ruins Photography
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Moray Circular Terraces Photography
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Maras Salt Ponds Sunset Photography
Mountain Villages & Train to Machu Picchu
Begin day seven with breakfast before a mountain village portrait and school visit, offering a genuine Andean community experience. After lunch, board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town beneath Machu Picchu. Dinner precedes a stay at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, a cloud forest sanctuary with stone pathways and orchid gardens. This day blends cultural connection in the mountains with the scenic rail journey toward Machu Picchu.
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Mountain Village Portrait and School Visit
Machu Picchu Full Day
Day 8 centers on a Machu Picchu Full-Day Photography Session, giving you time to capture the iconic ruins and surrounding landscapes. Breakfast is included in the package, while lunch and dinner are listed as generic meals at 30 USD and 35 USD. Afterward, stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, an eco-friendly cloud forest sanctuary in Cusco with stone pathways and rare orchid gardens. The day combines focused exploration of Machu Picchu with a comfortable, nature-rich base nearby.
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Machu Picchu Full-Day Photography Session
Machu Picchu Sunrise & Return to Cusco
Begin day nine with breakfast before experiencing Machu Picchu at sunrise, with time for photography at the citadel. After a lunch stop, travel from Aguas Calientes by train and road back to Cusco. The evening includes dinner and a stay at Casa Andina Premium Cusco, closing the day with your return to the city after the Machu Picchu sunrise visit.
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Machu Picchu Sunrise Photography
San Pedro Market, Image Sharing & Farewell
Spend your final day in Cusco beginning with breakfast included in the package before joining San Pedro Market Daily Life Photography to experience local market scenes. Pause for a generic lunch, then enjoy free time in Cusco to explore at your own pace. Later, gather for the Cusco Image Sharing and Farewell Dinner, reflecting on shared moments from the journey. The day concludes with a stay at Casa Andina Premium Cusco, offering a comfortable close to your tour.
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San Pedro Market Daily Life Photography
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Free Time in Cusco
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Cusco Image Sharing and Farewell Dinner
Departure
Begin your final day with breakfast included in the package before enjoying free time in Cusco to explore at your own pace. Later, a flight from Lima to Cusco connects your journey, wrapping up the tour as you prepare for departure. This day blends a relaxed morning in Cusco with the necessary travel logistics, offering a smooth transition from your Peruvian adventure back home.
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Free Time in Cusco
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 7.295 EUR (663 EUR / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 6.295 EUR (572 EUR / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 5.095 EUR (463 EUR / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 4.395 EUR (400 EUR / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Lima Airport Hotel (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Casa Andina Premium Cusco — 4 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Pisac Accommodation (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Ollantaytambo Hotel (TBD) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel — 2 nights · Ecolodge
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van)
- Domestic flights
- Meals indicated in the program: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunchs, 8 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day and Departure day, Dinner on day 3 and day 10
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (1.529 EUR approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Second Participant Discount
- Travelling with a companion who isn't a photographer? Their per-person price is reduced by 350 EUR.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
Services to Expect
Hotels, Transfers and Local Guides
Accommodation ranges from comfortable hotels in the main towns to simpler lodgings chosen for their location and access. Road transfers connect a geographically varied route, and some journeys are long or winding.
Local guides bring context to the archaeological sites, landscapes and communities we visit. Their knowledge helps us understand what we are seeing and adjust the day when local conditions call for it.
Practical Information
Altitude, Weather and Changing Pace
Southern Peru changes quickly from dry coastal desert to high Andean air. Colca, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and the Sacred Valley can bring strong sun, cold mornings and sudden showers, while the coast has its own cooler, drier rhythm.
Expect some early departures and a pace that changes with altitude, road conditions and the day’s visits. Layered clothing, water and a flexible attitude will make the transitions easier.
Acclimatization and the Short Inca Trail
The route allows time to move gradually into the highlands before the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Even a shorter trek includes stone steps, uneven ground and exposure to sun, so steady pacing matters.
Walk at a comfortable rhythm, drink regularly and tell the guide early if altitude, heat or fatigue is affecting you. The aim is to experience the trail and its archaeological setting with attention, not to rush to the finish.
Respectful Encounters and Careful Exploration
This route passes through places that are lived in, worked in and cared for—not simply displayed for visitors. Follow local guidance, ask before photographing people and allow communities to set the tone of an encounter.
At archaeological sites and on the Inca Trail, stay on marked paths and respect conservation rules. A quieter, more attentive approach usually reveals more than trying to cover every viewpoint.
What to Pack for Coast, Highlands and Trekking
Bring light clothing for the coast, warm layers for highland mornings and a waterproof layer for changing mountain weather. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a reusable water bottle and a small daypack are essential.
Keep medication, valuables and travel documents with you during transfers. For Machu Picchu and the short Inca Trail, pack only what you need for the walking day and follow the confirmed luggage arrangements.
Detailed Trip Notes, including practical tips, cultural insights, and a complete packing list will be sent to you 60 days before departure.
Booking this tour means you agree to our full Terms and Conditions. Below is a summary of the key points. As life is unpredictable, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance.
- Deposit: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is refundable for 7 days (less transaction fees), after which it becomes a non-refundable credit, transferable to a future tour offered by Remote Expeditions within 4 years of the cancellation date, less any non-recoverable costs already paid on your behalf.
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour begins.
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: You will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the 30% deposit. Your deposit will be converted into a travel credit valid for 4 years on a future tour Remote Expeditions.
- Cancellation within 90 days of departure: 100% of the tour price is forfeited. There are no refunds or credits.
* This is a summary only. Please read our complete
Terms and Conditions
for full details before booking.
** We strongly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen events.
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Your Tour Guide
Tristan Quevilly
Tristan has been to over 40 countries in his quest for the perfect adventure. He has biked all Guatemala, trekked alone across the Triglav in Slovenia, travelled through all the Amazon by boat. He also has worked and leaded tours in Senegal, Morroco, Croatia, Greece, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil and many more. Remote Expeditions is the fruit of his love for people and travel.
- Nationality: French
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
- Guiding since: 2003
- Specialties: Photography, Trekking, Indigenous Communities
Extend your journey
Optional extensions and add-ons you may consider for your trip. Each can be added to your itinerary on request — just let me know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
