Dates Oct 26–Nov 9, 2008
Leader Darrell Gulin
Fee $5,595 from Santiago, Chile; departing from Lima, Peru
Internal flights arranged at additional cost
Deposit $400
Limit 15
Terms and Conditions

No two photo destinations in the world are more enigmatic than Easter Island, located more than 2,000 miles off the Chilean coast, and the legendary pre-Columbian city of Machu Picchu, hidden high in the Peruvian Andes at nearly 8,000 feet.

Imagine the golden eastern sun as it rises to embrace the relics of a lost civilization—the monolithic statues called moai. A spirited sea breeze drifts across the grassy barren island; the pounding surf creates an anthem to the rising sun. This mysterious island of colossal human heads-on-torsos is recognized by several names—”Rapa Nui” and “Isla de Pascua.” Its most famous name—Easter Island—was given for the day, in 1722, the “West” discovered
this World Heritage treasure. On this tour we stand in awe of some of the most incredible ancient monuments ever discovered.

Easter Island is a productive photo shoot and a fascinating sub-tropical interlude as well. Although our interest will be in creating dramatic moai images in early morning and late afternoon light, there is no escaping the underlying mystery evinced by these eerie, glowering monoliths that dot the island. No one knows what inspired their construction, or exactly how the people moved the statues— some weighing more than 80 tons—from quarry to final location without the use of metal or the wheel.

The population of Easter Island reached its peak at perhaps more than 10,000— greatly taxing the small island’s ecosystem. Resources became scarce, and the once lush palm and broadleaf forests were destroyed—cleared for agriculture and for moving the massive stone statues. In this regard, the name Easter Island has become synonymous with “ecological disaster.” When British captain James Cook visited in 1774 a devastating civil war was in progress, the island population had plunged, and all of the stone statues had been toppled. These days, their positions have been restored creating fantastic photogenic landscapes.

“The Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu, is probably the most familiar— and certainly the most photogenic—symbol of the Inca Empire. Although this citadel is located only about 50 miles from Cusco, the Inca capital, it was never discovered and pillaged by the Spanish, as were many other Inca settlements.

Peru’s breathtaking mountain peaks ripple the entire length of the nation and, at 11,400 feet, Cusco is our picturesque jumping-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 for our Machu Picchu sojourn, we photograph Sacsayhuaman, the great Inca fortress that overlooks Cusco, in the afternoon light and visit a vibrant marketplace high in the hills.

Machu Picchu is reached by a scenic train ride from Cusco. Perched above sheer cliffs in a bend of the Urubamba River, it presents a dazzling
sight in morning or evening light. Built of carved stone blocks, tightly set together without mortar, the ruins shine against a backdrop of dark green, forested mountains— a wondrous tribute to the workmanship of their Inca builders. We have two mornings and two evenings to capture the masterful stonework of Machu Picchu and the surrounding soaring mountain slopes.

From the unforgettable mysterious moai of Easter Island to the breathtaking lost city of Machu Picchu, join Darrell Gulin for a spectacular photo shoot to two of the most powerful and photogenic World Heritage sites in the Western Hemisphere.



Day 1
Depart from home on overnight flights to Santiago, Chile.

Day 2 (Oct 27)
Arrive in Santiago and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon city tour. (D)

Day 3
Morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanga Roa on Easter Island. (BLD)

Days 4–7
We rise early to take advantage of the morning light to create spectacular iconic images of the Easter Island statues as they stare silently out from the hillsides that ring the island. We explore restored monoliths (raised to their original positions) and a fantastic quarry where hundreds of moai can be seen in various stages of construction. (BLD)

Day 8
After one last morning for photography, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Santiago. (BLD)

Day 9
We fly to Lima, Peru, and have time this afternoon for a tour of this historic city. (BLD)

Day 10
We fly to Cusco, ancient Inca capital, and acclimate to its 11,000-foot elevation. Afternoon photography at Sacsayhuaman, the spectacular fortress on a hill overlooking Cusco. (BLD)

Day 11
Today is market day in Pisac, and we photograph the colorful wares in this bustling Andean village. We drive out into the Sacred Valley for landscape photography, and to Ollantaytambo—site of the Inca’s only military victory over the Spaniards. (BLD)

Day 12
We travel by train—one of the world’s great rail journeys—to Machu Picchu, most famous of the Inca ruins. Afternoon shoot. (BLD)

Day 13
The morning light at Machu Picchu is unsurpassed, and we are there to take advantage of it during the least crowded time of day. (BLD)

Day 14
After a second early morning opportunity for photography at Machu Picchu, we return by train to Cusco. (BLD)

Day 15
Following an early breakfast, we depart for the airport and our flight to Lima. Optional photography in the afternoon. Rest in dayrooms at our hotel before transferring to the airport this evening. (BL)

Day 16 (Nov 9)
Most flights to the US depart in the very early morning hours.





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