Cultural Photography Tours & Trips in Machu Picchu

Catch the first bus from Aguas Calientes for sunrise at Machu Picchu and spend about 2.5 hours walking through the ruins as they come out of the morning mist. Circuit 2 takes you to the Temple of the Sun and Intihuatana stone with mountains all around, plus terraced fields below Huayna Picchu peak.

Spend 2 hours at UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu with a guide, checking out the Inca architecture and terraces that make this Historic Sanctuary special. Head to Sacsayhuamán fortress in Cusco to photograph massive stone walls fitted together without mortar, then see the sacred Qoricancha temple dedicated to Inti.

Photograph the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake (3900m) framed by snow-capped Salkantay Peak (6217m), one of the most sacred Inca mountains. Capture the mystical Llactapata ruins along the ancient Inca Trail connecting the Sacred Valley to Quito, with Machu Picchu visible from the pass. Climb Machu Picchu Mountain (3051m) for aerial perspectives of the iconic citadel, avoiding the crowds on this quieter trail.

Walk the stone paths of the Inca Trail from Kilometer 104 to Intipunku (Sun Gate), capturing your first view of UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu from above at 2,650m. Check out Chachabamba ruins and photograph the intricate terraces of Winay Wayna before descending to Aguas Calientes. Take a guided tour through Machu Picchu's 200 stone houses and temples, framed by the Urubamba River valley and Andes peaks.

Photograph UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu with its terraces and stone temples set against Andean peaks, then capture the intricate Inca stonework at Sacsayhuamán fortress in Cusco and golden colonial churches of the Sacred Valley, including the baroque church in Andahuaylillas.

The 18-day route through Chile, Bolivia, and Peru takes you to some of the continent's most photogenic spots, from San Pedro de Atacama's Valle de la Luna rock formations to the pink flamingos at Laguna Colorada and the rainbow-striped peaks of Palccoyo Mountain. You'll photograph the white salt flats of Salar de Uyuni from Isla Incahuasi cactus island, the steaming geysers at El Tatio (over 4,000 meters up), and the traditional totora reed boats on Lake Titicaca's floating Uros Islands. A morning guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu citadel lets you capture the ancient terraces and temples, often wrapped in mist at that hour.

Stay overnight at Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel and catch sunrise at UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, where morning mist reveals ancient stone temples and terraces. See the massive stone blocks at Sacsayhuaman fortress and semi-circular Kenko Amphitheater near Cusco, then visit a local family's home for weaving.