Dates May 12–28, 2006
Leaders Darrell Gulin
and Alejandro Ronchetti
Fee $4,995 from Lima, Peru
Deposit $400
Limit 16
Terms and Conditions

Peru contains three spectacular and varied regions: coastal desert, highlands and tropical rain forest. It is a challenging, diverse and exciting geography made more exceptional by archeological discoveries in recent decades. All combine to offer a unique opportunity to photograph an incredibly wide range of spectacular scenery, wildlife and a wealth of human culture.

Peru’s immense coastal desert—one of the driest in the world—is the site of Paracas National Reserve and the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands. A wide variety of marine
mammals and exotic birds are protected within the borders of Paracas, and here we will photograph South American sea lions, sea otters and a multitude of birds including Inca terns, Peruvian pelicans and guanay cormorants. Schools of dolphins play offshore, condors scour the area for food, and lizards scramble across the sand. Devoid of vegetation but brimming with life, Paracas will introduce us to one of Peru’s unique landscapes.

Peru’s breathtaking mountain peaks ripple the entire length of the nation and, at 11,400 feet, Cuzco is our stepping-off point to the highlands. Llamas and alpacas graze, Andean condors soar through unending blue skies, and farmers use age-old methods to cultivate and harvest their crops. While acclimating, we will be able to photograph Sacsayhuaman, the great Inca fortress that overlooks Cuzco, and visit a vibrant marketplace high in the hills.
Colorful potatoes, peppers, corn, dried seaweed of different hues, grains and intricately-patterned alpaca sweaters are arranged in neat rows for sale by local people dressed in traditional garb. Machu Picchu, most famous and certainly the most photographed of the Inca ruins, is reached by a scenic train ride from Cuzco. Perched above sheer cliffs in a bend of the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu presents a dazzling sight in morning or evening light. Built of carved, bleached rocks, intricately fitted together in a well-ordered stairstep design, it shines against a backdrop of dark green, forested mountains. The ruins enhance the beauty of the landscape—a wondrous tribute to their Inca builders.

Vast tracts of tropical rain forest make up slightly over half of Peru. Traveling by motorized dugout canoe, we journey to Manu Wildlife Center, located in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon—an area with an incredible diversity of wildlife set in one of the world’s richest ecological zones. From our comfortable lodge accommodations we devote three full days to capturing this remarkable area with our cameras. Early morning boat trips bring us to one of the largest mineral clay licks or collpas in Manu where, from our private floating catamaran blinds, we hope to photograph the colorful macaws as they dig for
minerals. Afternoons will find us exploring the jungle trails near our lodge where we photograph huge and ancient ceiba trees, strangler figs hung with lianas and bromeliads, plus caiman, tapir, capybara and other wildlife of the area. After dinner we photograph the elusive tapir—from an observation platform perched 18 feet above—as they arrive at one of the largest tapir clay licks in the Amazon.

Join Darrell Gulin and Alejandro Ronchetti as we focus on Peru’s exciting and diverse areas—the best of Wild Peru!


Day 1
Depart from home on overnight flights to Lima.

 Day 2
Participants arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon city tour to the Colonial District. (D)

 Day 3
Early morning departure for Paracas. (BLD)

 Day 4
Early morning private excursion by boat to the Ballestas Islands, afternoon in the Paracas Reserve. (BLD)

Day 5
After a second morning boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands, we drive to Nazca for a private flight over the enigmatic Nazca Lines, which can only be fully appreciated from the air. We return to Lima. (BLD)

 Day 6
We fly to Cuzco, ancient Inca capital, and acclimate to its 11,000-foot elevation. An afternoon photo session is planned at Sacsayhuaman, the fortress overlooking Cuzco. The tile roofs, intricate stonework and colonial buildings of the city will also provide interesting subject matter. (BLD)

Day 7
Today is Market Day in Pisac, and we photograph the colorful displays in this high Andean village. We drive out into the Sacred Valley for scenic photography, and to Ollantaytambo, a pre-Hispanic fort and village that dominates the valley. (BLD)

 Day 8
We travel by train to Machu Picchu, most famous of the Inca ruins yet discovered. We check into our hotel and then explore this fantastic World Heritage Site. (BLD)

 Day 9
The morning light at Machu Picchu is unsurpassed, and we will be there to take advantage of it in the least crowded time of the day. We will walk the last portion of the Inca Trail to the Sun’s Gate. (BLD)

 Day 10
After a second early morning at Machu Picchu, we return by train to Cuzco, where we will have time for local photography. (BLD)

 Day 11
Following an early breakfast, we depart for the airport for our short flight to Boca Manu. We transfer by motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios River to the Manu Wildlife Center. (BLD)

Days 12—14
Early morning trip downstream to one of the largest parrot and macaw licks in Manu. We photograph from a private floating catamaran blind. We return to our comfortable lodge for an afternoon exploration of the surrounding rain forest. After dinner we visit the tapir clay lick. (BLD)

 Day 15
After an early breakfast, we depart by motorized canoe for the return to Boca Manu and our flight to Cuzco. (BLD)

 Day 16
We depart for the airport to connect with our flight to Lima and continue home. (B)

Day 17
Arrive home.



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