274 Bohart Rd., Wenatchee, WA  98801, USA Toll Free: 1-(877)-415-6055, www.redlotustours.com

“The Art of Seeing” – Photography Tour in the Andes
10 Day/9 Night Itinerary

June 26 – July 5, 2010

There is a lot to see and do in Peru so be prepared to move at a quicker pace than our 16 Day/15 Spanish Immersion Tours. That being said, because of the nature of the tour we will give you time each day for creative photography, reflection, journaling or just wandering.

Friday, June 26 - Day 0 - TRAVEL DAY

Board your flight to Peru from your home city. When you arrive in Lima we will meet you after you exit from customs with a WELCOME sign, where our Peruvian guide, Washington will greet you and provide you with transportation to our hotel. Most flights from North America arrive in Lima very late at night, so this day is spent traveling. We will provide snacks in your room in case you need something light before you go to sleep.

Saturday, June 27 - Day 1

We will enjoy breakfast at our hotel together then transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco, once the capital of the Incan Empire. We will then be transported to our local bed and breakfast, get checked into our rooms and have an introductory talk and class by Darlene. You will be able to rest in the afternoon and the bed and breakfast will provide coca tea, which helps the adjustment to high altitude. (Please see our section "About Cusco"). Or if you are feeling great, (most people do!), take a walk around San Blas and practice your photography lesson for the day. After a group dinner, you will be at leisure to take a walk around town or return to the bed and breakfast to relax, unpack and get to bed early or visit with fellow travelers.

Sunday, June 28 - Day 2

Today begins with your second photography class with Darlene after breakfast. Our typical day will have a one-hour photography instruction session from 9-10 am followed by a one-hour image review and critique session from 10-11 am. You will then have some free time to explore the city of Cusco with your camera and daily lesson, enjoying the friendly faces and fascinating scenes of this beautiful city. Remember to take it slow…you will be at high altitude so walk slowly and stay hydrated. Lunch will be taken at your leisure and the afternoon will be spent exploring one of the Incan Ruins above Cusco with our local mystical guide. After a walk down from the ruins, we will enjoy another great Cusco restaurant together for dinner.

Option: Darlene will be offering one on one personal consultation, image review and critique by appointment and at additional charge. If you are interested, just talk to her and set a time with her personally.

Monday, June 29 - Day 3

Again, after breakfast there will be photography instruction with Darlene. Afterwards we will take a break and then proceed to a tour of Sacsayhuaman, the famous Incan ruins in the hills surrounding Cusco. A picnic lunch and Andean musicians are scheduled for us near the ruins. In the afternoon we will have a free time followed by dinner at a local restaurant with the group. Darlene will be offering her image review and critique hour and then you time is at leisure or you may accompany one of us to group Salsa classes at the local disco.

Tuesday, June 30 - Day 4

In the morning we will have breakfast, photography class with Darlene and then board our private bus in Cusco for the trip to the Sacred Valley. As we make this drive of approximately 1-1/2 hrs, Darlene will be available for group questions and tips on photography and giving more explanation of the very unique and special assignment she has planned for you in the Sacred Valley. After arriving in the Sacred Valley we will check into our retreat center, have lunch and set out for the village to meet the people and children who will share this project with us.

Dinner will be in town at a local restaurant or at the retreat center.

Wednesday, July 1 - Day 5

After breakfast Darlene will organize your lesson and assignment for the day. It will involve sharing lessons and photography with a local child as well as our volunteer time of feeding the village children at Universal Heart Restaurant. There we will help the local women prepare lunch for the local school children.

This is a very special day you will remember forever as you get to know these very friendly and loving people.

Dinner this evening will be together as a group in town. We guarantee an abundance of smiles, laughter and a warm feeling in your heart!

Thursday, July 2 – Day 6

After we check out of our retreat center we will board the train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo. This scenic journey is about 1 hr and 45 minutes. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel in Aguas Calientes. This town which translates literally to ‘hot water’, so named for their famous hot springs, is a small village located at the base of the mountain where the ruins of Machu Picchu are perched. After our arrival, you will have a bit of time to get settled into the hotel and then Darlene will conduct class and image review time. Then feel free to wander and have a look around, photograph, shop and relax, as we will visit the ruins the following day. Group dinner will be taken at a local restaurant.

Friday, July 3 – Day 7

Machu Picchu!
After a very early breakfast we will board a bus to visit the ruins. Washington will give us our own personal tour of Machu Picchu followed by lunch at the luxury hotel at the ruins. After lunch Darlene will give your class and suggestions for photographing the ruins and surrounding majestic landscape. You are free to wander Machu Picchu on your own or one of the guides will be available if you want company or have questions. There are some beautiful places to hike outside the site, and Washington or another RLT guide will be happy to show you the way! You may return to Aguas Calientes when you are ready, either on the bus, or via an enjoyable walk down the trail. It’s beautiful and there are not too many people on the trail making it very peaceful and quiet. Later we will meet outside the hotel for dinner and an hour of image review and critique. Feel free to enjoy the town on your own afterwards. There are lots of fun shops, clubs and the hot springs at the end of town are open if you feel like a warm relaxing experience under the stars.

Saturday, July 4 - Day 8

In the morning we will gather after an early breakfast to catch the train back to Cusco. Upon our arrival in Cusco we will check into our hotel. In the afternoon we will have time for our final photography class with Darlene and afterwards you are free to roam the city, the museums, the Plaza de Armas where there is great people watching and “photo ops” galore! Or relax, head to the spa for a massage, do some last minute shopping, or do some exploring on your own! In the early evening we will have our closing ceremony and our final dinner in an exquisite Cusco restaurant. The night may be spent heading to a salsa club, listening to local music or relaxing at the hotel.

Sunday, July 5 - Day 9 - TRAVEL HOME via LIMA!!!

Check out of hotel and take transport to Cusco airport for your flight from Cusco to Lima.
We will get you checked into one of our favorite bed and breakfasts in Lima in a beautiful district, safe and free to wander the area where you will find plenty of nice restaurants, shopping, pubs and salons.

Once you are checked into your room your Red Lotus Tour officially ends.

Because the flights back to North America are late at night we have provided for you to stay in your room here at the B & B until 9 pm before your flight. It gives you a day room for you to kick back and relax and use as a home base if you want to wander around Lima a bit before your flight. You will be responsible for confirming your airline booking home from Lima and arranging your taxi to the airport around 10 pm (the hotel will do this for you a day ahead of time when you check in if you request it). The cost is approx. $15 USD.

Your flight back to North America will typically leave Lima around 1-2 a.m. (Check your airline itinerary carefully to make sure you arrive at the airport 3 hours ahead of time.)

Please remember to have $30 USD to pay the international departure tax.