Peru Photo Tour
DURATION :
LOCATION :
9 Nights & 10 Days Tour
(optional 4-day Machu Pichu extension available)
Birds of the Incan Paradise
Tour Information
Peru is where photographers and bird watchers aspire to go. It is, after all, a country with the most diverse bird species with scenic views that have worldwide photographers stunned. It is a must-visit on every bird photographer’s bucket list.
Peru is nothing if not a birder’s paradise with the most beautiful avian treasury in the world. Places like Abra Patricia and Machu Pichu are just truly the tip of the iceberg for this exquisite country.
Peru is home to 20% of the world’s total bird species along with the highest number of endemics in the world! And the count increases every day. It is abundant with so many beautiful destinations that it is bound to make your head spin trying to fit them all in your itinerary.
Our specialized itineraries are designed to create an all-inclusive experience for you. Our team of local experts and experienced mentors ensure you have seamless photography and/or birdwatching opportunities.
BASIC INFORMATION
Medical
Please consult with your doctor regarding general travel vaccinations and check the CDC website for more information.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.
Internet Access
Most lodges have free WIFI in the reception/dining area.
Airport
You should arrive to and depart from Brazil’s Guarulhos-Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport. Our representative will be waiting to provide your private transfer to a hotel near the capital city of Sao Paulo.
Certified
All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.
Electricity
Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.
TOUR DATES
Main Tour – Maximum 6 – 8 people per group.
1. Nov. 7 – 16, 2022 (8 spots available)
Tour Motive
During our carefully curated Peru photo tour, we will focus more on the unique specialized species list and endemics every location has to offer. This country has plenty of natural photography as well as birding opportunities for both photographers and birdwatchers.
Photo Opportunities
- Opportunity to photograph the Endemic Hummingbird specialities from Northern Peru.
- All-natural perch setups along with specific walks to photograph the elusive Ant Pittas.
- Guided peru photo tour sessions to make the best images of the target species.
- Our all-inclusive tours help you enjoy a stress-free, photography focussed days coupled with local lodging and culinary experience.
Cost (In USD)
1. (2022) – $4500 per person in sharing accommodations/ $4900 in single supplement
Machu Pichu Extension: $2100 per person in sharing accommodation/$2500 in single supplement.
2. (2023) – $5000 per person in sharing accommodation/$5400 in single supplement.
Machu Pichu Extension: $2300 per person in sharing accommodation/$2800 in single supplement.
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
ITINERARY
Upon arrival you will meet our representative at the Jorge Chavez International Airport and transfer to your hotel near the capital city of Lima. The hotel is situated in the city center of Miraflores and early arrivals can enjoy the local streets and culture for the day.
- Overnight at hotel in Miraflores, meals are not included this day
- Elevation: 79m
We meet at 7 am for an early breakfast and then take a 1-hour drive down south via the Carr. Pan Americana Sur/Route 1 highway, to a fishing village to photograph sea birds from a boat.
Targets include, Inca Tern, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorant, Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Boobies, Inca Tern, Blackish Oystercatcher, Peruvian Pelican, Surf Cinclodes (ENDEMIC) and Humboldt Penguin! but this is a stunning sight, not to mention the colonies of South American Sea-lions.
We enjoy lunch in this beautiful fishing village on sea level and head back to catch the evening flight to our next location – Tarapoto.
We spend our night at a hotel in Tarapoto to prepare for our next day of photography soujourn into the Northern Peru.
- Overnight at hotel in Tarapoto, B-L-D
- Elevation: 356m
After an early breakfast, we will take a 45 minute drive to a quaint and private farm with feeder buzzing with several hummingbirds.
Targets include Gould’s Jewelfront, Koepcke’s Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango and many more.
After spending few hours at the reserve, we enjoy some local lunch and resume our 3.5 hour drive to the next ecolodge in Moyobamba where we will spend the next 2 days.
If light is favorable, we will visit the very well made lodge observation deck and target the local hummingbirds.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 981m
Today we spend a full day photographing in the lodge gardens and observation deck. The lodge boasts of over 22 species of different hummingbirds that buzz around the feeders, providing great photographic opportunities.
Targets include the most anticipated Rufous-crested Coquette, Long-billed Starthroat, Black-throated Mango, Amethyst Woodstar, Sparkling Violetear, Long-Tailed Hermit, Paradise Tanager and Black-faced dacnis and many more.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 981m
Post breakfast, we leave for our next location in the stunning The Abra Patricia Reserve is located in the Peruvian Yungas forest along the eastern slope of the Andes in northern Peru. Here, the bird diversity is among the highest on Earth.
We spend our day in lodge gardens which hosts the stunning Sword-billed hummingbird, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Peruvian Rackettail, Bronzy Inca, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Collared Inca and many more.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2500m
After an early breakfast, we spend the morning around the lodge gardens and in the lodge observation tower to photograph the local species.
Post lunch, we visit a local farm nearby to photograph hummingbirds in their natural habitat. Our targets will include the Royal sunangel, several Sylphs, Rackettails and many more. We will also hike on a small trail to photograph the elusive Ochre-fronted Antpitta.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2500m
Today we leave for our next location, with a scenic view of the Pomacochas lake and a quaint lodge set overlooking the valley known for its home to the endemic speciality – the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird. During our 2-day stay we will target and revel in the presence of the Marvelous Spatuletail Hummingbird, who is the star of Huembo. This special little hummingbird now has its territory protected so it can thrive and reproduce.
We spend our evening at the feeder, which is a 2 minutes walk from our rooms to try photograph this marvel.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2000m
We start our day early at this small feeder near the dining area to photograph the Silver-backed and Green-throated Tanagers.
After breakfast we resume our session and spend the rest of the day at the hummingbird feeder to photograph the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird. Other visitors that we can photograph are Little Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, Mountain Velvetbreast and more.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2000m
This morning, post breakfast, we take a long drive back to Tarapoto to take our flight back to Lima for next day departures.
Our representative will help you checkin to the hotel in Miraflores.
People opting for Cultural extension, will take a late night flight to Cusco from Lima airport to continue their tour.
- Overnight at hotel in Miraflores/Cusco, dinner is not included this day
- Elevation: 79m
Extension-Machu Pichu
This is undoubtedly Peru’s proudest accomplishment which makes it the top destination you must visit no matter what. This seventh wonder of the world is the most beautiful place in the entire continent of South America. The Peru government has had to control the number of daily visitors or else this would be a complete nightmare. Several birds like the Torrent ducks sit along with the ferocious Urubamba river, giving us a plenty of photography opportunities along with the cultural extravaganza, this beautiful country has to offer.
During our 4-day extension, we also target the stunning Bearded Mountaineer who is often seen frolicking around the flowers in the lodge we house our guests at in stunning town of Ollantaytambo.
This morning we roam around the city centre of Cusco city to explore the rich Inca heritage. In the afternoon, we take a drive along the sacred valley and visit a private farm around the historic Inca heritage sites to photograph the stunning Sword-billed hummingbird, Great Hummingbird, Sylphs and many more specialties coupled with local hospitality.
In the evening we further travel a few hours down the road towards Machu Picchu to the town of Ollantaytambo.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2700m
This morning we take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes, after an early morning birding session at the lodge gardens to try to photograph the Rusty Flower piercer, Spot-Throated Hummingbird, Green and White Hummingbird, Sparkling Violetear, Bearded Mountaineer, Green-tailed Trainbearer, Sparkling Violetear and Giant Hummingbird.
After check-in to our hotel in the city, we explore the historic city center and visit the night market near the railway station for some souvenir shopping.
- Overnight at a hotel in Aguas Calientes, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2040m
Post breakfast, this morning we take a bus to the historic Machu Pichu and get a guided tour of the majestic Inca city and spend the rest of the day exploring the town.
- Overnight at a hotel in Aguas Calientes, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2040m
Today post breakfast, we meet for a birding session in the vicinity areas of the town and then take a train back to Ollantaytambo for our onwards journey to Cusco city and flight back to Lima.
- Overnight at hotel in Miraflores, meals are not included this day
- Elevation: 79m
On this day you will take a private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Tour Specifics
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land and Water Photography
4. Non-Photographers/Birdwatchers: Accepted, discounted costs. Save $1000
Tour Pace
Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on trails on several days too. There are some high elevations covered on this tour.
Suggested Equipments
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A macro lens
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
- Pack a ton of memory cards
- Release cable
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo
An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S. Supreet’s work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
Reviews and Score Breakdown
7.0
Post A comment
Registration
- To register for the tour, fill out and submit the form below. A ‘NON-REFUNDABLE’ deposit of USD 1000 per person of the tour cost is required to confirm your spot.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person. Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in TOUR CANCELLATION.
Payment can be completed by credit card/PayPal or bank transfer. If you would like to mail a check, that option is available as well Please read all the Terms & Conditions for cancellation/refund policies and other important information.
|
- A ‘non-refundable’ deposit of USD 1000 of the Tour fee as booking amount.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person.
- Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
- Lodging as specified.
- Meals as specified
- Stainless steel flask for water.
- Private transfers to and from hotels on first and last days.
- Land/Domestic air transportation during the tour
- Professional driver/photo/nature guide and private transportation in spacious tour bus.
- Guide and Photography Skipper services
- Entrance fees for all described activities.
- Taxes on all services listed above.
- Non-mealtime snacks or meals not included.
- Non-mealtime soft drinks and bottled water.
- Visa fees
- International/personal airfare
- Insurance
- Phone calls
- Laundry
- Tips
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
Book Your Tour With Us In 6 Easy Steps
1.Confirm your spot for the tour by paying the advance using the registration form.
2.Receive an acknowledgement email from us confirming your booking along with a welcome package and forms.
3. Book your international travel
4. Send us your travel details along with the signed package.
5. We will send you a final invoice along with some more important pre-travel details.
6. Make your full payment and pack your bags for the best Tropical experience.
Important Note
2.Tropical Photo Tours holds the rights to modify a reservation at any time during a workshop. As a company, we always try to comply with what we have promised but due to several unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, natural calamity, political, environmental, cultural we may have to make changes to our reservations.
3.All amounts are in USD unless specifically mentioned otherwise
Frequently asked questions
• The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour. If you would like to pay the remaining balance in installments, please let us know.
• All figures in USD per person
• Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
• A deposit is your commitment to joining the workshop. These deposits don’t typically sit in an account, they are used to cover initial expenses for the workshop like hotel reservations, park permits/fees and guided tour deposits. Due to these expenses, deposits are non-refundable and tour payment made is subject to a cancellation fee.
- More than 60 days before the start of the tour: Refund of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $100 convenience fee.
- 60 – 45 days before the start of the tour: Refund of 50% of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $199 convenience fee.
- Less than 45 days before the start of the tour: No refunds will be given, and all payments will be forfeited. Full payment is required no later than 45 days prior to departure. If full payment is not received by this date you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 3 business days, your spot will be forfeited and offered to participants on the waiting list.
Alternatively, we can also find a perfect roommate for you based on your gender, age, and interests. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged.
Please note that we calculate the cost of the single supplement by taking the actual cost of a single room and subtracting one-half the cost of a double room (plus any applicable taxes).
• Your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
• A wide-angle lens if you are interested in capturing landscapes
• You can also bring your flash with a flash bracket
• Pack a ton of memory cards
• A macro lens is highly recommended
• A sturdy tripod or monopod is required
• Release cables
Other essentials: Good hiking boots, Laptop, memory card readers, bug spray, sunscreen, silica gel sachets to keep your camera dry. Since, it is likely that there might be rain and mosquitoes especially in dense rainforests, so you must pack your rain jacket and a bug jacket.
You can carry medicines that are for common illnesses like colds, cough, fever, diarrhea, altitude sickness, headaches, heartburn or severe acidity and sore throats to name a few. Those who take regular medication for hypertension, blood sugar, allergy, and asthma should carry an adequate supply of medicines.
We tend to travel to remote places, it is best you have your medicines handy. Though most of our trips require moderate stamina, it is best if you are high on energy and stay fit to get the most out of the experience.
Please note that this is a general information, it is recommended that you check with your physician and doctor to determine what medicines you need to carry.
Our team will get back to you with assistance.
