Overview
Join our 2-day photo Machu Picchu tour, which includes a day experience in the native village of Willoq Village where the locals still wear traditional clothing as their ancestors did. It is the perfect place to capture portraits of natives and visit Machu Picchu for the sunrise, and of course to enjoy a guided tour with an expert guide while you capture beautiful shots of the ancient city and the surrounding landscape.
- Day 1: Natives Visit At Willoq Community (Portraits)
- Day 2: Machu Picchu Sunrise (Landscape – Old Architecture)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sunrise At Machu Picchu
- Landscape On The Andes
- Natives Of Willoq
Details
- Type of Tour: Photography, Historical, Van Transport and Train Ride
- Trip Service: Comfort
- Type of Transport: Private Van, Train
- Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
- Level Of Photography: Beginners, Amateur, Enthusiast, Semi-Pro Photographers
- Group Size: This trip is limited to up to 8 guests, and it is available in private.
- Accommodation: The hotels we use are 3-star in all locations and include one night of camping.
- Our Trip Leaders: This trip is led by Jose Condor and Edgar Mora, who are professional guides, have a great vision of photography, and have visited those places multiple times.
- Location: This trip starts in Cusco City or the Sacred Valley. You will need to fly to Lima, which is the capital of Peru, then to Velasco Astete, the Cusco airport, which is a small domestic airport.
- Departures: We run this trip year-round.
Itinerary
Day 1: Natives Visit At Willoq Community (Portraits)
Early in the morning, we will be picked up from our hotel in the Sacred Valley and transported to Willoq Village through picturesque villages and scenic views of the Sacred Valley mountains. Along the way, we will stop at Ollantaytambo town to visit the Local Market, where we will purchase some bread for our family (natives) since the tradition of visiting a family always involves bringing them the big traditional Peruvian bread called Chuta as a present.
We will arrive in Willoq and meet our family, who will take us to their home where we will learn about their culture and traditions. Depending on the season, they may be harvesting, cultivating, or engaged in other family activities so we can be part of the experience to better understand their daily life.
The local ladies will also demonstrate the whole weaving process their ancestors practiced—from obtaining the wool from Alpacas, dyeing the wool with plants, to making beautiful blankets as shown on their clothes.
The child of the community will say goodbye with a beautiful dance that will last forever in your heart.
Note: The family speaks Quechua (the language of the Incas) and also Spanish, especially among the younger generations. Therefore, we will provide you with an English, Spanish, and Quechua-speaking guide to facilitate communication.
We will also have lunch here at the village—Pachamanca, an old way to cook food on hot stones.
Then we will drive for about 30 minutes to the Ollantaytambo Train Station to catch a Vistadome Train at 3:37 pm, which will take us to Machu Picchu town in a 1-hour and 40-minute journey.
Includes: Breakfast, transport, lunch, guide, time experience with natives, train tickets to Machu Picchu town, hotel in Machu Picchu town.
Day 2: Machu Picchu – Sunrise
In the morning, you will take an early bus to Machu Picchu, arriving in time for sunrise so that we can capture the first shots in less crowded locations. Your guide will take you to strategic spots and provide you with a detailed tour of the culture and history of the Seven Wonders. You will visit the main temple, the Temple Of The Condor, Inca Palaces, the stone quarry, and the sun observatory. This tour usually lasts for about 3 hours for a complete understanding.
You will then be back in Machu Picchu town around 10 am for a great lunch before the train ride back to Cusco.
Includes: Breakfast, bus ride from Machu Picchu town to Machu Picchu (round trip), entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, tour guide, lunch, and transfer from the train station to the hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Services
SERVICES INCLUDED
- All entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
- 1-night hotel at Tierra Viva
- 2 lunches
- Tour guide
- Transfers to hotels
- A day experience with natives from Willoq
- Vistadome Train Ride to Machu Picchu
- Shared bus ride from Machu Picchu town to the ruins of Machu Picchu
SERVICES EXCLUDED
- Airfares
- Gratuities
Packing list
- Original Passport – Please remember to bring your original passport, which should be current. If you have acquired a new passport after booking, bring both (the one used for booking and the new one). The information provided at the time of booking must match your tickets for Machu Picchu.
- Good Walking Shoes – They should be well broken-in; if they are new, please break them in before the trip to ensure comfort.
- Warm Fleece Jacket – It should be warm enough for the nights.
- A few T-Shirts.
- Socks – Bring at least 5 pairs.
- Sun Hat – As some days can be sunny, we recommend bringing a sun hat to keep the sun off your face, as most tours are outdoors.
- Lightweight Long Pants – Recommended since temperatures can sometimes be warm.
- Sunscreen – SPF 35+ is recommended.
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Bug Repellent – Mosquitoes are present year-round, so be sure to pack bug repellent for Machu Picchu.
- Water Bottle – Machu Picchu National Park does not allow plastic bottles, so please bring a Nalgene bottle or camel bag. Make sure to fill your water bottle before leaving the hotel in Cusco; additional water will be provided as needed.
- Toiletries
- Prescription Medications – Please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking.
- Book to Read – You will have some spare time during drives to read your favorite book, or one about Machu Picchu to make your journey more interesting. Recommended books include Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie and Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams.
Important information
Often Asked Questions
Where Do I Meet the Team?
The day you arrive at Cusco Airport, your guide will be there with a sign reading Peru by Locals and your name. (Note: Cusco Airport is domestic and very small.)
How Long Before Should I Book This Trip?
The Machu Picchu permits should be booked in advance. We recommend that you book this trip at least a month ahead. Of course, it is much better to book once you have your travel dates so that you can secure your spot with a pre-payment of $100 per person.
What is the Weather Like in Machu Picchu During the Year?
Weather in the region is extremely variable, so you should pack for a variety of conditions. In addition, our trek passes through ten bio-zones ranging from high-altitude alpine conditions to the high jungle. On a sunny day, you can expect temperatures of about 18–25°C (65–77°F); however, on the second day the weather is very unpredictable, and temperatures can drop to 6°C (42°F) during the day at the pass (but you won’t spend a lot of time up there).
The Machu Picchu area has a humid climate and tends to be warmer since it is located at a lower altitude and near the Amazon Jungle. The average temperatures at Machu Picchu are between 23°C to 25°C (73°F to 77°F), with a minimum around 18°C (64°F).
The Cusco area has only two well-defined seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, although there are several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October, with June and July being the coldest months. Paradoxically, at noon the temperatures can reach 23°C (77°F), the highest of the year.
What Am I Going to Eat on the Trip?
All restaurants we use are à la carte, so you have many options ranging from meat to vegetarian choices. If you are vegan or have a strict diet, let us know so that we can arrange specialized restaurants for your needs. In our day trip to the native community of Willoq, the family will prepare a lunch on hot stones (Pachamanca), as in old times—making it a truly unique experience.
Which Hotel Am I Staying At?
We will use Tierra Viva Machu Picchu for your stay.
How Big is my Group Going to be?
We specialize in small groups so that our clients receive personalized service—especially when you encounter many attractions on tours, such as Incan sites, flowers, flora, and fauna. Your guide will spend ample time with you so you can learn more about our culture and history. We limit our treks to a maximum of 8 people, although we almost always end up with 2 to 5 guests.
How Do I Get Water on the Tours?
We will have water available in the vehicle we use for the tours; however, we recommend that you bring your own Nalgene water bottles or camel bags to help reduce waste. You may encounter locals selling bottled water along the way, but not everyone is responsible—many people litter, which is unfortunate. We need to take care of our home and nature; therefore, we recommend refilling your bottles when possible. Thank you for being part of our green initiative. (Note: Hotels in Peru typically do not have stations to refill your water bottles.)
Can I Pay the Rest of the Balance on a Credit Card or Does it Have to be in Cash?
We require that the remaining balance be paid in cash so you won’t incur extra fees. Of course, you can use PayPal or a credit card, but you will need to pay fees that are usually over 5%.
On the day of your briefing, when your guide meets you, one of our representatives will also be there to collect the rest of the balance for your trek.
Peruvian Currency
The Peruvian Sol is the currency of Peru, and it usually fluctuates between 3.3 to 3.8 Nuevo Sol to 1 US Dollar.
Language
Spanish is the national language of Peru, and approximately 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (the Inca language). Our guides are fluent in both Spanish and English.
Why Peru By Locals
- Peru By Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours and we cater to your interests when we plan your tour.
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members who have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff in Peru By Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protecting our environment.
- We are committed to creating jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit.
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to the education of needy ones.
- Our trips are designed carefully to your needs and we create diverse, unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length. We offer a wide range of tours and treks. We guarantee you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru By Locals organizes free, worry-free trips for you to enjoy fully.
Peru Small Group Specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, or like history or photography for all ages, whether you are traveling alone, with friends, as couples, or with family. At Peru By Locals, we don’t tolerate racism, religions, sex, etc.
Small groups are the best, and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Price
Best Seller
No schema found.GROUP SERVICE
Our tour groups are very important. We usually run tours with 2 to 8 people per group and we open any tour dates with at least 2 guests. This service is considered semi-private for personalized experiences, so you can take full advantage of your valuable time.
Accommodations
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To ensure your booking with us, we will require a 20% deposit pre-payment of the total cost, and the outstanding balance will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing this option
- Once a tour date is opened with 2 guests, the travel date will likely not be changed later.
- This is a great option to meet other travelers and hang out during the trip.
- The quality of service is the same as the private service.
- If for any reason one of you or others can’t continue the tour, the tour will go as planned from beginning to end.
PRIVATE SERVICE
Our private service can start from 1 person to any number you desire, and you can choose your travel date.
Accommodations
We run all our tours with 3-star hotels, but we can customize with 5-star hotels.
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To ensure your booking with us, we will require a 20% deposit pre-payment of the total cost, and the outstanding balance will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing this option
- We cater this tour to your needs with flexibility.
- Once a tour date is opened, it can still be changed if time allows at your requested time.
- This is a great option to spend time with your parents, family, and friends or travel for special occasions such as a honeymoon.
- The quality of service is the same as other tours.
