Virgen del Carmen Festival Cultural & Documentary Photography Experience 3D/2N
This festival takes place on the 15th, 16th & 17th of July each year
Join an immersive Virgen del Carmen Paucartambo photography tour, a 3‑day cultural photography tour Peru – Virgen del Carmen designed to capture one of the most vivid and powerful religious festivals in the Andes. This Paucartambo Virgen del Carmen festival photography expedition brings together documentary storytelling, ritual dance, and Andean identity in a whirlwind of color, motion, and devotion.
Why This Tour Is a Photographer’s Dream
Rich Documentary Photography
This is not just a tourist trip — it's a documentary photography trip Peru festival, where photographers can deeply engage with the Andean religious festival photography Peru that centers around the Festival de la Virgen del Carmen Cusco, locally known as Mamacha Carmen.Traditional Dances & Masks
The festival is famous for its traditional dance troupes, including the theatrical Qhapaq Qolla and mischievous Saqra. The Qhapaq Qolla and Saqra dance photography tour part of the experience gives you front-row access to musicians, dancers, and vibrant traditional Andean masks photography experience.Deep Andean Identity
Through the Andean identity and ritual photography in Peru, you’ll document more than costumes — you’ll capture the spiritual heart of Paucartambo, where legend, faith, and folklore coexist in every movement.Cultural Documentary Immersion
This cultural documentary photo tour Paucartambo provides unique opportunities to photograph processions, ritual choreography, and the emotional intensity of the festival. The dance groups, their masks, and their stories reflect centuries of syncretism, history, and Andean tradition.Photo Workshop Format
As part of the Festival of Mamacha Carmen Paucartambo photo workshop, you’ll work with experienced local guides who help you navigate the best vantage points, manage lighting, and approach subjects respectfully in this deeply spiritual context.
We start with an early morning transfer by private transportation from Cusco to Paucartambo village, visiting areas such as Urcos and the Ch’ullpas of Ninamarka. About 10.00 am we arrive at Paucartambo (13,200 ft), where we check in at our lodging in a shared accommodation and have a rest. Then we enjoy a walking tour with our private guide sorrunded by thousands of devotes and visitors. Next we have a buffet lunch of typical local foods.
Later in the afternoon we can observe the sixteen colorful “comparsas”, dancing in honour of the Mamacha del Carmen. After lunch a riotous firework display is held in the main square, during which the Qhapaq Qolla, the Ch’unchos and the Saqras dance wildly like some medieval vision of hell called “Fogata”. The fogata (‘fire’) is staged at night, a representation of Purgatory which continues with a big fiesta and serenade to the Virgen del Carmen. At around midnight, in an emotional gathering, all the comparsas meet again – this time without their elaborate costumes – to solemnly serenade the Virgin in front of the closed doors of the church.Home stay (L / D)
Day 1: Cusco – Paucartambo.
After breakfast we attend Central Mass following the great procession of “La Mamacha” to bless those present and scare away demons. We’ll see the different comparsas and specially the “Saqras” who occupy the rooftops and balconies of the town; these are Euro-Andean devils, dressed in vivid rainbow-colored costumes and elaborate animal masks crowned with extravagant wigs. Then we have a filling lunch.
The afternoon is free for you to enoy and explore the area at your own pace. We have dinner, and then we make our way towards the camp Tres Cruces de Oro, 40 km north from Paucartambo, which is situated on the very edge of the Andes mountains at a height of 12,100 feet. From Tres Cruces, there is a steep drop into the Amazon basin, which means the view is incredible. It’s most famous for the sunrise in the months of June and July because special climatic conditions mean that there are optical illusions. Home stay. (B / L / D)
Day 2: Paucartambo – Tres Cruces.
Day 3: Tres Cruces – Paucartambo – Cusco.
We wake up before dawn and then set out to see one of the most beautiful natural phenomena in the world: the sunrise at Tres Cruces de Oro (12,100 ft), where the sun “dances” in the sky, or “plays” in the sky. We eat some snacks and return back to Paucartambo for a well deserved breakfast!
Next we attend the Blessing Mass. In the afternoon the image of the Virgin is carried through the narrow streets of the village to the venerable colonial-era bridge, Carlos III, surrounded by all those who have attended the festival, standing or kneeling, tightly-packed and respectfully silent. The Qhapaq Qolla and Qhapaq Negro address the Virgin in a moving song of farewell. The Virgin imparts her blessings on the fourth regions (suyos). At the end of the procession the spectacular “guerrilla” between the group of the Qollas of the Andes and the Antis of the jungle continues with a mock-battle in a hilarious slapstick style. This recalls the wars between Qollasuyo and Antisuyo in the time of the Incas. Finally the comparsas venture forth for the last time to dance the traditional Kachapari or farewell, closing for another year this magical festival. Return to Cusco. (B / L)
Information
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
Price Per person:2026
INCLUDES:
The entire round trip Cusco – Paucartambo – Tres Cruces – 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.
Extention tours
