Leighton Buzzard Photographic Club: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

On Wednesday May 6, Leighton Buzzard Photographic Club welcomed Stafford Steed LRPS CPAGB (from Ware & District Photographic Society) with his illustrated talk on “The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu”.

Stafford was presenting photographs, with fact-filled narrative, of his “trip of a lifetime” – a multi-activity trip to the Peruvian Andes culminating in a trek along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

This adventure started in the city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre.  Several days were spent exploring the many fascinating sights of the city and the surrounding area, with added horse-riding, canoeing, mountain biking, and even some fishing for Piranhas.

Then the tour party made the strenuous trek to Machu Picchu.  That’s “only” 26 miles in 3-4 days, but it’s one of the world’s highest walks at altitudes ranging between 2,650m (8,600ft) and 4,200m (13,650ft).  They arrived via Inti Punku (The Sungate) to see Machu Picchu laid out below them with fine panoramic views of the entire citadel, framed by mountain peaks.

The trip was rounded off with a visit to Puerto Maldonado and the southern Amazon rainforest.

This was a great evening of travel pictures, especially for those taken with such adventurous holidays.  But we all enjoyed Stafford’s interesting images of a busy Peruvian city, ancient Incan sites, Andean mountainscapes, cloud and rain forests, local people and activities, and more.

We are always keen to share our passion for photography and we provide a warm welcome for new members at our meetings at Greenleas School on Derwent Road.  We run a varied programme of activities for photographers of all levels.  See our website at lbpc.org.uk for details and join us soon to unleash your own creativity.