TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY PERU – BOLIVIA

Adventure, curiosity, exploring unknown places and experiencing cultures, that’s what my travels are all about.

In addition, a passion for travel photography quickly developed. I recently visited Iceland, South Africa and Costa Rica. All these trips have been in the light of landscape and wild-life photography.

Besides traveling and photographing I am an intensive mountaineer in the summer.
For all this I have a passion of my own, which I like to express and share with others.
I also work in the photography retail and give my own courses and lectures.

Day 1: Amsterdam – Lima

An international flight takes you to the metropolis and the capital of Peru, Lima. Arrival in Lima, where the adventure begins with a transfer to the hotel. After you have settled down with your roommate or in your own room, it’s time to get ready for a lively mix of cultures to discover in Lima. Overnight stay in Lima.

Comfort: Libre Hotel, BW Signature Collection*** – 1N

Day 2: Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley

Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Lima. Today you take the flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco and transfer with your private transport to your hotel in the Sacred Valley (approx. 2hrs drive). Arrival at your hotel, here we have time to relax and air-condition. We will stay in the Sacred Valley. Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo.(O)

Comfort: Albergue de Ollatytambo Hotel*** – 1N

Day 3: Sacred Valley – Pisac – local community CACCACCOLLO

Today we leave for Pisaq. Our first stop is Caccacollo, a local community that mainly employs women. They show you their weaving. You have some free time to wander over the cosy local market and enjoy the local delicacies.

The local families Caccaccollo will give a demonstration and explanation of the process of working out fabrics with ancestral techniques, of shaving the wool, spinning, the process of washing the wool with natural soap, later we will collect plants and flowers used for natural dyeing, for this purpose a local guide will show us the way and show us which plants we will collect for this purpose and finally we will explain the process of weaving clothes (blankets, ponchos and chullos). Overnight in the Sacred Valley. (O/L)

Comfort: Albergue de Ollatytambo Hotel*** – 1N

Day 4: Sacred Valley (Urubamba) – Maras (Salt mines) & Moray (Inca Terraces)

This is a perfect tour to do in one day. We drive with our private transportation to Maras and Moray. The landscape of the Andes, the archaeological sites, the local culture and the traditional villages make a great combination. And all downhill! Moray has four circular terraces in the earth that resemble an artistic crater. Maras is one of the most important salt mines in the region. A very beautiful landscape!
After this we continue our way along the river to Urubamba where we have lunch in a nice restaurant. After lunch we continue to Ollantaytambo. Here you can find the remains of a huge Inca fort where a famous battle took place between the Incas and the Spanish invaders. This battle was still won by the Incas. Here we have time to relax. Transfer to the hotel in Urubamba. Overnight stay in the Sacred Valley.(O/L)

Comfort: Albergue de Ollatytambo Hotel*** – 1N

Day 5: Ollantaytambo Inca fortress – Sacred Valley

Today after breakfast we visit Ollantaytambo. Here you can find the remains of a huge Inca fort where a famous battle took place between the Incas and the Spanish invaders. This battle was still won by the Incas. Afterwards we return to our hotel where we will have a delicious Pachamanca lunch.

Pachamanca is one of these centuries-old cooking techniques that allows visitors to truly understand the country’s rich culinary heritage. It is a fun and interactive experience, located in beautiful natural surroundings.Pacha means earth and manca means oven in Quechua, the language of the Inca empire which is still widely spoken in the Sacred Valley and in the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.
The first step consists of placing the stones, which are local granite rocks, arranged around a wood fire and charcoal fire to warm them up. If they are extremely hot, the stones are placed in a pit dug into the earth. The ingredients are arranged on the stones in the order of the required cooking time.
The potatoes and sweet potatoes go in first and are covered with stones. Then the meat is put in, with the skin down and hissing when the fat touches the hot stones. They are quickly covered with more hot stones and then corn cobs follow.The whole is covered with herbs – local huacatay, which is related to marigold. The habas, which don’t need much time or intense heat, are placed on top to cook slowly from the heat and aromas that penetrate upwards. The pile of stones and food is then covered with an organic cloth – anything synthetic is sinful. Finally, the whole heap is covered with earth, carefully checking that there are no holes through which steam can escape.

After lunch you have time to rest. Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo. (O/L)

Comfort: Albergue de Ollatytambo Hotel*** – 1N

Day 6: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Mandor waterfall

Transfer from the hotel in Urubamba to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Today we take the train to the city of Aguas Calientes, the starting point for the journey to Machu Picchu the next day. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we walk to the hotel.

At arrival in Aguas Calientes we walk to our hotel and then we start our adventure. A two hour walk along the Vilcanota River follows the railway line to the Mandor Valley, inhabited by varied and fascinating bird species, including cock-of-the-rock “Gallito de las Rocas Peruano” (Peruvian bird), speckled parrots and green jays. Relax and bathe under a secluded waterfall before returning to the hotel in the shade of Machu Picchu. This evening dinner will be included. Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. (O/D) /p>

Comfort: El Mapy Hotel **** – 1N

Day 7: Machu Picchu – Cusco

To stay ahead of the other tourists, we leave early in the morning for the world famous site of Machu Picchu. Partly due to its ingenious architecture and unique location amidst tropical vegetation, this magical place evokes mystery and admiration. The site was discovered in July 1911 by the young American archaeologist Hiram Bingham.

The view at sunrise is known as one of the most beautiful views in the world. After this experience you will be offered an extensive tour by your English speaking private guide after which you also have a few hours free time to spend in the complex.

Today you can climb Mount Huayna Picchu on your own. Climbing Mount Huayna Picchu is optional (not accompanied by our staff) and is at your own risk and responsibility. Tickets for the climb of Huayna Picchu Mountain can be booked for start time at 07:00 (group 1) and at 10:00 (group 2), combined with a ticket for Machu Picchu. At the end of the afternoon you will return by train to Ollantaytambo and from here transfer to Cusco. Overnight stay in Cusco. (O)

Comfort: Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel – 1N

Day 8: Cusco (free day)

Today you can spend some free time to discover the beautiful old capital of the Incas. Overnight stay in Cusco. (O)

Comfort: Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel – 1N

Day 9: Cusco – La Paz

Early in the morning private transfer to the airport in Cusco for the flight to La Paz. Today you take the flight to La Paz (Bolivia). Arrival in La Paz and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in La Paz (O)

Comfort: Hotel Rosario La Paz – 1N

Day 10: La Paz – Uyuni

Transfer to the airport in La Paz. Flight from La Paz to Uyuni.

Near the city of Uyuni is a unique train cemetery. Here you can see the remains of the locomotives from the nineteenth and twentieth century. Overnight stay in Uyuni.

Comfort: Jardines de Uyuni – 1N

Day 11: Uyuni salt flat – Colchani – San Juan

Today we leave for the Fish Island. This island surprises you with beautiful views and effects, it looks like the North Pole, dominated by a steel blue sky and mountains filled with many immense cacti from 8 to 10 m high!
Afterwards we will go to Thunupa Volcano for a visit to Pucara Ayque where we will observe the fortress of the city. We will see pre-Columbian mummies. After seeing the impressive sunset we go back to Colchani, to our accommodation the Salt Palace Hotel, a hotel which is the first in the world built entirely out of salt. Including: Lunch and dinner.

During the rainy season (late December to mid April) it is possible that the salt plain will be flooded making it impossible to reach the Incahuasi island or the Mummies of Pucara de Ayque. Access to the salt plain is limited to about 10 km but you will be rewarded with a beautiful reflecting salt plain, a dream for every photographer. Overnight stay in Colchani. (O/L/D)

Unique accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Sal (salt hotel) – 1N

Day 12: Uyuni salt flat

Today you will see the Ollagüe volcano in Chiguana. Then the journey continues with a visit to the Laguna Hedionda, also called the ‘stinking lagoon’ because it contains a lot of sulphur. This lagoon is home to many flamingos and other birds. After this you will go to the Siloli desert and visit the rock formation of el Arbol de Piedra (the stone tree). You will end the day at the Laguna Colorada (coloured lagoon) and spend the night in a simple lodge (O/L/D).

Comfort: Mallku Cueva – 1N

Day 13: Uyuni salt flat – La Paz

Early in the morning we watch the sunrise at the Red Lagoon with its unique James flamingos, you will then visit the “morning sun geysers” (Geyser Sol de la manana), the Dali Valley, the Green Lagoon with its impressive emerald water, the magnificent volcano Llicancahur.

Finally we return to Uyuni, transfer to the airport from where we take the flight back to La Paz (departure at 20.40 – arrival 21.25). Arrival in La Paz and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in La Paz (O/L).

Comfort: Hotel Rosario La Paz – 1N

Day 14: La Paz – Lima – Amsterdam

We will check out of the hotel today and then take our transport to the airport. Flight La Paz-Lima (here at the airport you have a transfer of approx. 9h). In the evening you will fly back to Amsterdam. You can choose to discover Lima yourself.

Day 15: Amsterdam

Arrival in Amsterdam.