NaturesLens runs small-group wildlife photography holidays in Peru, with itineraries designed around Amethyst Woodstar, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Black-throated Mango, Blue-Necked Tanager and Chestnut-breasted Coronet rather than general sightseeing. Current Peru departures include Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds, with time planned for garden and close-up photography sessions. Why Photograph Wildlife in Peru Peru’s Andean cloud forests & Amazon headwaters contain exceptional hummingbird diversity, & our Peru trips are built around access to this abundance at altitude. The country holds over 100 hummingbird species, including some of the world’s most striking – Sword-billed Hummingbirds, Booted Racket-tails, Marvelous Spatuletails – & the cloud forest lodges we use provide feeder arrays that bring these birds to controlled, close-range photography positions at eye level. Beyond hummingbirds, Peru’s cloud forest is dense with Tanagers, fruiting-tree specialists, & canopy mixed-species flocks that offer fast, reactive bird photography in extraordinary colour. Lower-altitude Amazon forest extensions bring Macaws, Hoatzins, & river-edge species within range of a standard telephoto lens. Photographic Conditions Hummingbird work peaks during flowering cycles, most reliably in the dry season (May through October) when conditions are settled & access roads are open. Feeder distances of 1-3 metres require moderate focal lengths (200-400mm); fast shutter speeds (1/2000s+) are needed to freeze wingbeats in flight. Morning cloud at altitude creates diffuse, even light ideal for close feeder portraits without harsh shadows. Photography Themes Peru offers outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography, with the chance to photograph species such as Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Andean Condor, Bearded Helmetcrest, Giant Hummingbird, Marvelous Spatuletail, Rufous-crested Coquette, Sparkling Violetear, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Torrent Duck, White-throated Quail-Dove, Booted Racket-tail, Long-tailed Sylph, Violet-tailed Sylph, Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, Wire-crested Thorntail, White-necked Jacobin, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Brown Violetear, Golden-tailed Sapphire, Blue-tailed Emerald, Tawny-bellied Hermit, Black-throated Mango, White-chinned Sapphire, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Black-throated Brilliant, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Pink-throated Brilliant, Amethyst Woodstar, Little Woodstar, White-bellied Woodstar, Greenish Puffleg, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Bronzy Inca, Peruvian Racket-tail, Rufous-vented Whitetip, Broad-billed Motmot, Lanceolated Monklet, Yellow-crowned Tanager, Golden-headed Manakin, Blue-crowned Manakin, Curl-crested Aracari, Gilded Barbet, Rusty-tinged Antpitta, Johnson’s Tody-Flycatcher, Inca Tern, Peruvian Pelican, Peruvian Booby, Blue-footed Booby, Humboldt Penguin & Long-whiskered Owlet. These highlighted species represent only a small part of the wildlife found across the area, with many more species present depending on habitat, region & seasonal conditions. Trips in Peru are led by our team of photographers, including David Miles, offering experienced guidance throughout.