Early Morning – Sunrise at Mirador Tres Cruces
• Depart pre-dawn to Mirador Tres Cruces — breathtaking sunrise over Paucartambo and cloud layers.
Breakfast & Festivity Build-Up
• Fuel up before the day’s main events.
• Capture behind-the-scenes footage of dancers and musicians readying for the day.
Late Morning – Second Procession & Ritual Acts
• The procession continues with music bands, costumed characters, and community elders leading the tribute.
• Photograph big group portraits of dance troupes and symbolic figures.
Lunch Break – Local Market Street Food
• Taste local delicacies and shoot street food culture, colorful produce, and market life.
Afternoon – Romería & Cultural Dance Displays
• Walk to the cemetery for the Romería — families honor loved ones with offerings and traditional dress.
This moment offers deep emotional imagery and cultural expression.
Late Afternoon – Guerrilla de Danza
• One of the festival’s most dramatic cultural highlights: the symbolic ‘Guerrilla’ re-enactment of angels, demons, and ancestral spirits in choreographed dance.
Must-capture: action shots, expressive movement, and ceremonial fire/aroma elements.
Evening – Sunset & Cultural Street Portraits
• Golden hour shoot around town, capturing dancers post-performance with evening light.
Day 2 – Tuesday, October 7 | Main Parades & Rituals
Morning – Final Religious Ceremony
• Attend the solemn morning Mass and blessing in the colonial church — ideal for respectful cultural photography and storytelling.
Focus on devotional faces, traditional attire, sacred details.
Late Morning – Farewell Parade
• Capture the farewell parade — dancers leave the town with symbolic closure.
• Photograph candid moments of gratitude between locals and visitors.
Lunch & Cultural Reflection
• Enjoy a festive lunch as the new carguyoq (festival host) is announced for the next year — great for portraits of community leaders.
Afternoon – Return to Cusco
• Scenic return trip to Cusco, sharing highlights with your photo group and reviewing best shots.
Festival Experience & Cultural Significance
Explore the Sacred Story of the Virgen del Rosario in Paucartambo and what makes this celebration one of Peru’s most dynamic cultural heritage events.Festival Experience & Cultural Significance
Explore the Sacred Story of the Virgen del Rosario in Paucartambo and what makes this celebration one of Peru’s most dynamic cultural heritage events.
Experience the Paucartambo Virgen del Rosario Photography Expedition, a unique Peru cultural festival tour designed for photographers and cultural travelers. Every October 6–8, this spectacular festivity in Paucartambo, Cusco brings to life one of the Andes’ most vibrant religious and folkloric celebrations honoring the Virgin of the Rosary, known locally as Mamá Rosario.
This festival photography tour blends colorful processions, sacred masses, traditional dances with masks, and ancestral rituals with expert guidance to help you capture unforgettable images of Andean culture, devout pilgrims, and dynamic street festivals. Paucartambo becomes a living canvas of faith and cultural expression, perfect for photographers looking to document authentic Peruvian traditions.
Our Andean cultural celebration tour itinerary is designed to immerse you in local ritual and history, providing access to dramatic moments of the festival while respecting cultural authenticity. Whether you’re interested in Latin America festival travel or specialized local dance and ritual photography, the Paucartambo celebration offers staggering visual opportunities and profound cultural insight.
Experience the energy, devotion, and artistry of the Festivity of the Virgen del Rosario Paucartambo — a bucket-list event for travelers seeking meaningful connection with Peru’s vibrant Andean heritage.
Photography Highlights
✅ Traditional costumes and masks
✅ Dramatic dawn and sunset light in town plazas
✅ Ritual processions and devotional moments
✅ Dynamic dance performances with cultural characters
✅ Local architecture and Andean mountain backdrop
Day 1 – Monday, October 6 | Arrival & Processions at Dusk
Morning – Arrival & Orientation
• Pick up from Cusco early morning and scenic drive through Pisaq/Cusco backroads toward Paucartambo (approx 2 hrs).
• Check-in at your hotel in Paucartambo.
• Quick briefing: Camera settings for festival, safety tips, shot list ideas.
Afternoon – Street Photography & Culture
• Explore Paucartambo’s historic Plaza de Armas and colonial streets — ideal for environmental portraits and architectural details.
• Capture locals preparing costumes, dancers warming up, and families in traditional outfits.
• Golden hour shoot around Plaza: intimate cultural scenes with warm light.
Evening – Procesión de Despierto
• Join the traditional Procesión de Despierto — an early evening ritual that awakens the festivity spirit with heartfelt prayers and chants.
• Photograph torchlight processions and devotees carrying miniature images of the Virgen.
Best shots: low light portraits, candlelight reflections, vibrant textiles in contrast with twilight.
Night – Local Dinner & Night Portraits
• Dinner with locals — try traditional chiri uchu or cuy chactado.
• Optional night walk to photograph atmospheric street scenes lit by lanterns.
Day 3 – Wednesday, October 8 | Finale & Departure
INCLUDES:
The entire round trip Cusco – Paucartambo – Paucartambo – Cusco by private ground transportation
One night in basic accommodation in Paucartambo village
2 breakfasts
3 lunches
2 dinners
Vegetarian meals on request at no extra cost
Fully guided sightseeing during the trip
English speaking professional photographer guide services
Assistant guide
2 nights Home Stay at Paucartambo
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank if needed
Not Included:
Sleeping bags
Personal equipment
Extra food or beverages
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses
Gratuities.
Price Per person:2026
1 people : US$950.00 per person
2 people : US$700.00 per person
3 people: US$650.00 per person
4 people : US$600.00 per person
5 people : US$550.00 per person
6 people : US$500.00 per person
7+ people : US$450.00 per person
Extencion tours to
