Itinerary
Welcome to Peru! Arrive in the capital of Lima where you’ll meet your Nat Hab representative right outside baggage claim to assist you with your transfer to our hotel, just steps away from the terminal. Rest and prepare for the journey ahead, as tomorrow, the real adventure begins as we fly to the Andes and center of the ancient Inca Empire.
Fly to Cusco, heart of the once-grand Inca Empire, and meet your Photo Expedition Leader on arrival. From the Indigenous Quechua word qosq’o, Cusco means the “navel of the earth.” Set in a high Andean valley, Cusco was founded in the 12th century and thrived until Spanish conquistadors destroyed the Inca civilization in their 16th-century colonial quest. From the Cusco airport, board our new all-electric van, which will convey us around Cusco and the Sacred Valley during our trip—it's the first electric van to be used for tourism in Peru, and we're proud that our travelers are part of our pioneering sustainability initiative. Enjoy the smooth, quiet ride as we descend into the heart of the valley, following a winding route through the Andes foothills. Right away, photogenic views of farmland, village life and imposing peaks are unveiled.
At Awana Kancha, a living museum showcasing Indigenous cultural traditions, local weavers work with alpaca and llama wool while herds graze nearby. This is a perfect place to photograph Andean faces, colorful textiles and soft animal textures. Continue to Pisac, where ancient stone agricultural terraces curve along the steep mountainsides above the town. Capture wide-angle landscapes, stone temple, and the intricate patterns of Inca ruins. In the afternoon, explore quiet Andean villages surrounded by fields and mountains as we photograph daily rural life—adobe homes, farmers at work and children playing—bathed in the golden light of late day. This evening, gather at our hacienda inn near Huayllabamba for a Photo Techniques & Composition Presentation led by your Expedition Leader. This relaxed session focuses on framing, storytelling through light, and using perspective to enhance depth in mountain landscapes and village portraits. You’ll review key approaches for capturing the architecture and atmosphere of the Sacred Valley, along with nature in the Andes foothills.
