Top Peruvian spots with example photographs
Peru offers many stunning landscapes and cultural sites for photographers. In this article, we will explore some of the best photography locations in Peru for landscape, portrait, and macro photographers.
01
Rainbow Mountain
Palcoyo
While the iconic Rainbow Mountain has captured the hearts of many, the lesser-known Palcoyo Mountain is a more accessible alternative, and is ideal for those who struggle with altitude sickness. This area offers the viewpoint of the rainbow coloured mountain range, which allows you to take photos from many different angles beyond the standard sharp mountain view that we see at Vinicunca Mountain.
02
Despite being a well known tourist destination, Huacachina is a location that deserves to be photographed. Nestled at the edge of Ica, this oasis emerges unexpectedly. Huacachina is a perfect location to create photos that highlight strong contrasts between gold sand dunes and lust palm trees. The golden hour is particularly useful for sports photographers to capture thrill seekers on sandboards and on buggies allowing you to snap the vastness of this smaller desert. Huacachina is also easy to get to from Lima or the nearby Paracas Nature Reserve which contributes to its inclusion on our list.
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03
Iquitos (Amazon) and other nature reserves
These natural areas offer great opportunities for landscape and wildlife photographers due to their rich biodiversity. Photographers will have the opportunity to capture exotic animals like sloths, pink dolphins, stunning sunsets, and unique flora. Whether you like to focus on macro photography or prefer action shots these locations offer something for every photographer.
04
Paracas offers stark contrasting landscapes of sand dunes and iron red beaches with the ocean, which makes for amazing photographs during the golden or blue hour. Early mornings also offer atmospheric shots, meanwhile, the night sky entices many astrophotographers.
05
Laguna Paron was our favourite lake to photograph in Peru. Its clear turquoise water creates impressive colour contrast against the dark rugged mountain making it ideal for wide-angle shots. The snow-capped peaks of Cordillera Blanca provide a dramatic backdrop. The calm waters create perfect reflection photography and ideal compositions. Laguna Paron can be captured from many different angles including the shores, Mirador lookout, boats and kayaks. The lake is over 4,000 metres above sea level so it is easy to convey the vastness and isolation in your photography.
06
Pallay Punchu
Red Mountain
This area is known as part of the ‘other rainbow mountains’ with very few tourists as it is roughly 5 hours drive from Cusco, making it less crowded. If you don’t like worrying about people walking into your photos this is the ideal location for you. The area has lots of red and green hues creating stunning contrast. In the case of snow, grab yourself a polarising filter to reduce the glare and you’ll easily create stunning compositions with the help of a plethora of leading lines.
07
Lake Titicaca offers stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage which makes it an exceptional destination for landscape and portrait photographers alike. The indigenous communities wear their traditional attire and host cultural events, thus providing excellent opportunities to capture Peru’s cultural richness and natural beauty. Although this lake is considered a tourist trap, it’s still a must-see for those interested in traditional cultural photography.
08
Ollantaytambo was our favourite town in Peru due to its colourful houses nested in the Andes mountains. The combination of mountain peaks and green valleys allows for great photographs, especially during sunrise and sunset. The town is filled with Inca history through their terraced agriculture and Inca engineering. This town was very important to the Incas due to its strategic geographical and political importance and should not be viewed only as the stop before Machu Picchu. Before you go, be sure to check out if there are any festivals to capture cultural photography.
09
San Pedro Market
Cusco
The San Pedro Market in Cusco offers unique photography opportunities, culinary exploration and a vibrant culture. The market is not for the faint-hearted, as visitors can see whole pig heads, horse heads, and cow tongues while capturing local sellers in more modern Peruvian clothing.
Other places to consider: Colca canyon, Arequipa.
