Peru and Bolivia Photography Tour With Machu Picchu and Uyuni

Arrival in Lima brings the first impressions of Peru's coastal capital, a sprawling city set against the Pacific. After transferring to the hotel, there is time to rest and settle in before the photography tour begins. The day is unhurried, with no activities scheduled beyond the arrival and overnight stay. Lima's coastal setting and urban edge offer a quiet introduction to the country, though no wildlife or birding is planned for this day. It is a chance to recover from travel and prepare for the days ahead.

An early flight from Lima lifts the tour into the high Andes, where Cusco's terraced hillsides and colonial rooftops sit among the historic sites of the former Inca capital. The city itself becomes the subject: stone walls, arcaded plazas and the layered architecture of the old quarter offer plenty of material for slow, considered photography. Around the streets and squares, Andean birds such as the Rufous-collared Sparrow and Great Thrush are common, while the high altitude keeps the pace gentle and the light shifting across the valley.

Terraced hillsides and Inca stonework define the Sacred Valley, where the day moves between sites such as Ollantaytambo and the salt pans of Salinas de Maray. The valley's open slopes and scrub are known for hummingbirds, raptors and other Andean species moving through the terraces and ruins. Late in the afternoon, the train from Ollantaytambo runs toward Aguas Calientes, the village below Machu Picchu, with the surrounding scenery passing the windows.

Dawn at Machu Picchu, where the citadel sits among cloud forest ridges above the Urubamba. A local guide accompanies the exploration of the terraces and temples, though the site can be unpredictable before revealing itself. Routes 1 and 2 are recommended for the finest viewpoints over the stonework and surrounding peaks. The area is known for Andean species such as the Andean condor, torrent duck and cock-of-the-rock. After the morning's photography, the return to Cusco is by train in the afternoon.

Cusco's stone streets and colonial arcades offer a quieter kind of photography after a week in the field. With no fixed itinerary, the day is yours to wander at your own pace, turning your lens on the city's craft markets and the woven textiles and ceramics that carry the region's living culture. Street scenes, doorways and market displays reward a slow walk, and there is time simply to rest between frames. A free day to recover from this wonderful week and take in all these amazing adventures.

The trail out of Cusco climbs into the high country around Ausangate, a landscape of open grassland and distant peaks. Five hours of walking leads to Upis, where the route passes through quiet Andean terrain and may cross paths with local communities working the land. This is the first taste of the mountain walking that defines the days ahead, with wide views opening at each rise and the campsite waiting at the end of the descent. The area is known for high-altitude birds and the hardy wildlife that shares these grasslands.

High traverses over the Arapa Pass at 4,800 m and the Extreme Ausangate Pass at 4,850 m define this stretch of the Ausangate circuit, roughly seven hours of walking on open, thin-aired ground. The route climbs steadily before dropping toward Lake Ausangate, where camp is set below the water and surrounding peaks. Andean gulls and mountain caracaras work the shoreline and ridges, with Andean flickers and giant coots among the birds this high country is known for. Light shifts quickly across the passes, and the descent to the lake closes the day.

High open country above Lake Ausangate leads to the Palomani Pass, at 5,200 m the highest point of the trail. The route climbs steadily through bare Andean terrain, with the cordillera spread out in every direction and long views back over the lake. Around eight hours of walking bring a gradual descent to the Jampa camp at 4,700 m. This is high, exposed country, and the photography is mostly of scale and light on rock and snow rather than close subjects.

A long day on the trail from Jampa crosses the Campa Pass at 5,100 m, a sustained ascent past a chain of high lagoons that mirror the surrounding peaks. The walking takes roughly eight hours, gaining altitude steadily before the descent to Pacchanta at 4,350 m, where camp is set. This is classic Ausangate terrain: open, quiet and demanding, with water and weather shaping the route. Photographers find the lagoons and mountain light rewarding, while the area is known for Andean waterbirds and the chance of spotting vicuña on the open slopes. Hot springs offer a way to ease tired legs at the end of the day.

The trail descends from Pacchanta through open Andean grassland toward Tinqui at 3,900 m, a roughly three-hour walk across high country where the light shifts constantly over the ridges. This is terrain known for Andean geese, ground tyrants and the occasional Andean flicker working the open slopes. Photographers can use the descent to shoot landscape frames and any birds or wildlife encountered along the way rather than rushing the kilometres. From Tinqui, a bus ride of about four hours returns to Cusco, with a stop for a local meal en route.

Begin this day with a free morning to recover from the trek, with an optional trip to Puno. Later, depart for the Uros Islands alongside a local guide, discovering the Inca culture of the legendary Lake Titicaca. The afternoon is free to relax, and you will stay on an island. A short boat trip at sunset rounds out the experience.

Lake Titicaca marks the natural boundary between Peru and Bolivia, where the same cultural traditions continue across the border. A two-hour drive brings the group to the frontier, with arrival in Copacabana following lunch. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Later, sunset from Cerro Calvario in Copacabana provides a sweeping view over the town and the surrounding landscape, closing the day with a memorable panorama.

The day begins with a drive of two to three hours toward La Paz. After checking in at the hotel, a city tour explores the historic center alongside an unusual guide, a Cholita. Later, sunset viewing is recommended from the city's hills, reached by cable car.

Begin early for the legendary Death Road, a must-see Bolivia attraction, with photo stops along the way. Choose to ride a bike or take a 4x4; the bike tour is well supervised, and trucks no longer use the road. Pause for lunch near Coroico, a tropical mountain village. In the afternoon, continue to the Valley of the Moon, a striking site known for its unusual rock formations. Expect a range of weather conditions throughout the day.

Begin with a morning flight to Uyuni, then set off by 4x4 around 10 a.m. into the Salar de Uyuni. Along the way, stop at salt-producing villages, the Dakar Monument and Place des Drapeaux, and pause with your guide for perspective photos. Continue to Incahuasi Island, watch the sunset, and settle in for the night at a salt hotel.

Setting off early, the journey heads into Los Lipez, with a route that brings a series of unexpected and varied stops, from lagoons and snow-capped peaks to pink flamingos and stone desert scenery. The day continues on the road until reaching Laguna Colorada in the late afternoon. The night is spent in a mountain hut.

Begin the day with an early start to catch first light at Sol de Mañana Geyser. A 4x4 crossing over a mountain pass brings you to the Polca thermal baths, where a hot soak unfolds in a surreal landscape. Continue to Laguna Verde, then head back toward Uyuni with fresh stops such as the Valley of Rocks. Arrive in Uyuni by late afternoon, before an evening flight or night bus to La Paz, with flights subject to seasonal confirmation.

Today in La Paz opens with a free morning, offering a chance to rest after the journey so far. Later in the afternoon comes the finale: the Bolivian Cholitas Wrestlers, described as a one-of-a-kind event worldwide. The day closes with a farewell dinner. This La Paz free day pairs quiet recovery time with an unforgettable Cholitas wrestling show and a final group meal together.

Today brings the journey to a close with a free morning before a transfer to the airport. After the varied experiences of the Andean adventures, this final stretch offers a quiet pause prior to departure. The route is simple: enjoy the open hours, then head to the airport for the onward flight. It is a fitting end to the itinerary, marking the transition from travel back to daily life without adding new stops or activities.