Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Peru: Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu 2010

Travel with John Weiss to Cuzco, and walk the ancient pathways through the ruins of Machu Picchu. John specializes in both documentary and portraiture photography; those who travel with him become immersed in the local culture, and learn to feel comfortable sharing themselves and their love of photography with native families and newfound friends in Peru.

An important element of your photographic experience is John's critique of your work and his presentations on making creative photographs. In addition to a personal one-on-one review session with John, he will offer two group critiques of the photographs you make while on tour. It's important that you have a laptop or some other storage device so you can access and download your images. For those shooting film, we suggest you bring a folio of up to 20 photographs (hard copy).

Peru is a fascinating mix of old and new, farmers work mountain terraces built over two thousand years ago, while today’s churches rise from the stones of ancient Incan temples. With its snow-capped Andean peaks, untouched rain forest, and one of the driest deserts in the world, it is one of the most spectacular countries on earth.

The proud heritage of the Quechua people and their rulers, the Incas, can be experienced in one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known. Living in isolated villages, half the population only speaks Quechua or Aymará. These neighborhoods and Peru’s lovely colonial cities combine with the European heritage contributing to an elegance that remains today. The two cultures have remained proud and independent, adding to the richness of life in modern Peru.

As we travel overland through the Sacred Valley you will discover many sites often missed by the casual tourist. We will visit the local markets that afford us a view of today’s Quechua among the myriad colors of bright clothing and local produce. There will be ample time to record our images in this remarkable land.

Itinerary

August 28: Cusco

Today is a day of travel and rest, to let our bodies acclimate to the altitude, which is 11,000 feet above sea level. A suggested flight schedule from the U.S. will be given to allow for assistance in Lima airport, connecting with flights to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, you will be transferred to the hotel, where you can rest and prepare for the program. (Several flights from the U.S. are overnight flights, in which your departure from the U.S. will be August 27, landing in Lima on August 28, then on to Cuzco the same day). Your photography leader will organize a brief introductory meeting at 7pm this evening and invites you to join him for dinner. Overnight Novotel.(Meals in flight only)

August 29: Cusco

Cuzco was the capital of the Incas, the cultural and religious focus of the empire. Impressive walls were sheathed in gold and built from fine dressed stone. It was designed with an infrastructure of channels providing water, making it cleaner and healthier than any European City of its time. It is said that Inca Pachacutec designed the city to look like a Puma, the Incas’ sacred animal. The river Tullumayo formed the spine, the river Huatanay the belly, and the fortress or temple of Sacsayhuaman made the head. Cuzco had been overshadowed by the growth of Lima. With the rebirth of interest in the ancient civilizations of Peru and the discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911, Cuzco re-emerged as one of Peru’s principal cities.

We start our tour with a guided walk around the main square of Cuzco (Plaza de Armas). After lunch today in a traditional Peruvian restaurant we will enjoy a visit to the Mercado Market, witnessing an incredible variety of food, flowers, and medicinal plants for sale to the local villagers. Our guide, being a native of Cuzco, will provide us with a remarkable experience, one that your average tourist will never see. Overnight Novotel (b, l, d)

August 30: Cusco

This morning we have a special trip planned to a traditional Peruvian home, where we will explore the expansive and beautiful grounds. This afternoon we will visit the Inca ruins in Tipon. Despite its position off the beaten tourist trail, this extensive temple complex is one of the best examples of Inca stonemasonry, and some might say it is equal to the more celebrated ruins in the area. The temple includes well-preserved agricultural terraces, baths, irrigation canals and aqueducts that emphasize the Inca's skillful building technique. Traveling back to Cuzco we hope to come across other Mother Earth celebrations where we can photograph traditional Peruvian dances and performances. Overnight Novotel (b, l)

August 31: Sacred Valley

We will visit the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun) today, the center of Incan Religion. It was lavishly decorated, even by the standards of ancient Cuzco, consisting of a number of chapels dedicated to different deities: the Rainbow, Thunder, and, of course, the Sun himself. The surviving walls represent the finest Inca stonework in existence. Outside the temple was the garden, in which the Incas displayed the most astounding of their gold work. It was filled with life-sized gold and silver statues of plants, birds, various animals, butterflies, snakes, and lizards. While within, lay the tombs of Incan leaders, who held court on golden thrones. Today, overlaid with a thin European veneer, it has become the Santo Domingo Church.

Later this morning we set out into the Sacred Valley of the Inca. From the mountains we will enjoy breathtaking views and seize unhindered photographic opportunities. We will visit the Willoq community, least changed since pre-Incan times in terms of social structure, dress, and language. The inhabitants have chosen to keep their ancient way of life, and you will see their heritage in the intricate designs of animals, mountains, flowers, and the stars that are woven into brightly colored textiles. In the afternoon we will drive to Ollantaytambo, a fortress and town, which defended Cuzco from intrusions from the jungle tribes to the north. It stands at the end of a gentle valley, which leads down from the Andes to the Amazon. We will wander the narrow cobblestone streets of the village for a glimpse of everyday life in the Andes, and then climb the steep stone steps to one of the most elegant and magnificent remains of the Incan dynasty, Ollantaytambo. Huge terraces lead up to the site, which is crowned by seven massive monoliths of pink granite traced with mysterious carvings. We will spend the night at a once beautiful hacienda, set on lovely grounds; it has been renovated into a comfortable hotel with a pool and gardens. Overnight Posada Yucay (b, l, d)

September 1: Cusco-Sacred Valley

Today is quite unique, as we will have a first hand look, and immerse ourselves in the local trading of goods at one of the regional markets, in Urubamba. People travel from miles away by vehicle, mule, or simply on foot to bring their wares, crops, and animals for sale or trade. Given time we will drive to the ruins at Pisac, they are perhaps the best example of the Incas stonemasonry. The hilltop Inca citadel lies high above the village on a triangular plateau with a plunging gorge on either side. Pisac is famous for its agricultural terracing, which sweeps around the south and east flanks of the mountain in huge and graceful curves. The citadel was built to guard the Urubamba valley and a jungle pass to the northeast. Those feeling adventurous can enjoy an hour hike amidst the ruins; others can return to the bus and meet the rest of the group at the end of the trail. Overnight Posada Yucay (b, l)

September 2: Machu Picchu

We travel to Ollentaytambo, where we board our train, and follow the valley along the rushing river strewn with polished stones. Once we reach the ancient peak, we will have a guided tour of the ruins to hear of its wonders and learn some of the theories for ourselves.

For many, the words Machu Picchu conjure up an image of a lost Inca city, swathed in the green creepers of an encroaching jungle, hidden behind the years, waiting for someone to come across this ancient peak. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu was unknown to the Spaniards. Its reason for existence remains under debate. Some argue it was built and populated by the family of one Inca ruler, Pachacutec; while others have proposed the principal function was to maintain a reliable supply of coca leaves for the priests and royals of Cuzco. Bingham fostered the school of thought that the city existed primarily for strategic and defensive purposes, but other findings support the hypothesis that it was a university where children of other Andean cultures, conquered by the Incas, were educated. This is truly one of the most mysterious and compelling places on earth. All that remains are silent stones, their tantalizing clues such as a beautifully sculptured rock that might have been used to trace the path of the sun, carved to follow the outlines of the peaks rising behind them, and paving stones with hollow depressions that might have mirrored the stars. Once you have seen it, you will be unable to resist speculations at the impenetrable mystery of these silent stones. Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo. (b, d)

September 3: Machu Picchu

Today we will have a full day to explore Machu Picchu (Ancient Peak) at our own pace. Our guide will assist us in arriving at the gates at first light. Walking the ancient pathways through the ruins, we can
photograph the changing patterns of light and shadow on the textured rock, perhaps ascend Huayna Picchu (Young Peak) for a different perspective on Machu Picchu or pursue the Inca Trail to Intipunku, the Sun Gate. Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo (b, l, d)

September 4: Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley

Those wishing to have an optional return visit may do so on there own this morning. Others can relax and enjoy the resorts garden paths, or shopping with some of the many vendors prior to our return train route to Ollantaytambo. There will be time this afternoon to relax or photograph the surrounding gardens of our hotel. Overnight at Posada Yucay (b, l)

September 5: Chinchero - Cusco

This morning we will drive well off the beaten path in a beautiful valley of stunning landscapes to Chinchero. Today is market day in this small town, where we will experience the local trading of goods, and capture our last glimpses of smiling Peruvian faces. We arrive in Cuzco late this afternoon and enjoy our farewell dinner. Overnight Novotel (b, l, d)

September 6: Cusco-Lima-Home

This afternoon we will take a return flight to Lima (suggested time to be announced), where we will have rooms at the Ramada Inn Airport Hotel. Individuals will return to the airport at appropriate time for evening flights home, landing in the U.S. on September 7. (b)

Accommodations

Please contact us for more details.

Guides

Please contact us for more details.

Food & Drink

Please contact us for more details.

Notes

John has been a photographer for 30 years. He began at M.I.T. as an apprentice to Minor White, the legendary photographer and educator. Before he moved in to full-time travel photography, John was head of the photography program at the University of Delaware, where The Photo Review cited his graduate program for its ‘outstanding contribution to photography’. Additionally, he also received the university's 'excellence in teaching award.' Numerous prominent public institutions have collected his work, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. In 2006, John received the Teacher of the Year award from the Santa Fe Center of Photography.

Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $3,795 US Dollars based upon minimum of 10 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $400 if 5-9 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $895; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)