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The first destination for travellers to Peru is Lima, its capital city and center of South America during the colonial times when it was called the City of Kings, founded by spanish Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, It became the most important city in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru .

Photographer : Beto Santillan                bsant@andesmadness.com
Equipment :   Canon Bodies with canon L lenses

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These images were taken some 15 years ago on the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, today, they look totally different due to the global warming, glaciers have receded dramatically changing the landscape and affecting the availability of fresh water for irrigation and domestic use, mountain recreation, animals and plants that depend on glacier-melt.

Photographer :  Beto Santillan     bsant@andesmadness.com
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Peru in 100  photos

I´d like to share my vision of Peru on 100 images (well, 104 actually)

Beto Santillan      bsant@andesmadness.com

All pictures with Canon Bodies and Canon "L" lenses.

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The overland journey to Manu is indeed one of the most astonishing  experience , where you see all the change from the Cusco highlands along dusty roads passing through the picturesque Quechua village Paucartambo, then the cloud forest and  you end up in a boat downstream Madre de Dios river to the lowland rainforest.

A stay on Cock of the rock lodge  is strongly recommended, there is a hide near the lodge where is possible to spot the dance of the cocks.

                        Beto Santillan                            bsant@andesmadness.com

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Imagenes de Paracas e Isla Ballestas antes y despues del terremoto.

Photographer : Beto Santillan    bsant@andesmadness.com
Equipment : nothing but Canon
Guidance by Garmin                              

Choquequirau has the most spectacular location, just above a ridge spur, almost 1900m. above the Apurimac river, overshadows Machu Picchu itself, and it is believed that Choquequirau was the last refuge of the Incas, who fled Cusco following the defeat of the last ruler of the Tawantinsuyo, Manco Inca. There they held out for nearly 40 Years staving off the Spaniards, who had already taken Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire.

Team Members
                        Sergio Cuba : Guide
                        Pilar Estrada : Logistics 
                        Quintín Mauri : Cook 
                        Gerardo Condori : Cook assistant 
                        Beto Santillán : Photographer

All logistics by www.Inkanatura.com

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First mountain, first accident. Looks like the Apus are not with me, i was soloing on Yanapaqcha , one of the "easiest" peaks on the Blanca, when i slept from a ice wall and twisted my ankle and thumb
.. anyway i manage to take some pictures to share.

Beto Santillan.

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Artensoraju the Blue Mountain

Artensoraju (6025masl) along with Alpamayo one of the most beautiful mountain in the Cordillera Blanca.
A perfect ice pyramid.

Climbers :  Wayne Crill (USA)
               Beto Santillan (PERU)
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Carhuascancha is one of the most spectacular quebradas in the Cordillera Blanca, it is long, with many lagoons and other lateral quebradas to explore. The views of the east faces of Huantzan, San Juan and Cayesh are breathtaking, and best of all it gets few visits.

You can set up your base camp on the upper side of the quebrada, and from there hike up all around, keep in mind that most of the hikes are above 4000masl, so it is strongly recommended to be properly aclimated.

Come to Carhuascancha to cleanse your mind and soul of all the impurities of the city life by escaping and trekking here where big mountains, lagoons, creeks and birds rule all.

                                            Beto Santillán    bsant@andesdmadness.com

                                             All Logistics by  www.lacasadezarela.com

                                             Guidance : by Garmin.

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Wilcacocha lagoon lies in the Cordillera Negra, near Huaraz. It has great views of the valley and the Blanca mountain range and is an ideal place for mountain biking and parasailing/gliding.

The lagoon is pretty small and accessing is hard due to a steep road in bad condition. There is a group of houses near the lagoon and if you plan to camp there overnight please ask the campesinos, be polite, practice responsible ecotourism, and do not litter.
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KARMA DE LOS CONDORES - Quebrada Ishinca
Although I have been fortunate to have climbed and to have established first ascents all over the world, this climb is very special to me. Why is this so? It is because of a combination of the thrilling and challenging climbing itself, and the many wonderful aspects of the position and location of this climbing.

I have been climbing in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru for the last four years, both alpine snow and ice routes and rock routes. The climbing on Hatun Ulloc in the Quebrada Ishinca is simply some of the most spectacular and enjoyable climbing that I have ever done. It is difficult to express the challenge and enjoyment of climbing through huge horizontal roofs of rock, with hundreds and hundreds of meters of space below one’s feet,
overlooking the entire quebrada.
Hatun Ulloc is a rock climber’s wet dream. Four huge rock buttresses rise up out of the enchanting quenual forest, guarding the entrance to the quebrada Ishinca. Hatun Ulloc, with its narrow, tower-like profile and continuously overhanging south face is the most spectacular of these rock features. I am a traditional free-climber who prefers not to permanently alter the rock by placing bolts.

The gear that we use to protect ourselves as we climb in the cordillera is removable, and fits securely into the cracks and fissures of the rock, allowing us climbers to enjoy this unique vertical world, without permanently damaging the environment. And this is why Hatun Ulloc is so special from a climber’s perspective: the South face is spit by a single crack, that runs the length of the entire face from top to bottom, like a crack in the shell of an egg. Were it not for this crack, the face would probably be impossible to climb. Truly a unique and special rock tower, made to be climbed! I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to climb this wall, to share this wonderful alpine environment with the condors who regularly flew by while we were on the wall.

This valley is very special. I hope that more climbers, trekers, and tourists will visit the Ishinca, but everyone who visits here and elsewhere in the Cordillera Blanca needs to be aware of how special and fragile the environment is. The quenual forest that surrounds and snakes between the base of these walls is the nicest and most pristine that I have seen in Peru. Truly magical, it is lush, dense, and filled with life.

This valley is a true gem of the cordillera, a precious gift for the local peoples, for peruvians, and for people from around the globe to cherish and enjoy. I just hope that as people enjoy this magnificent environment they will remember to respect it, to respect the local peoples and the local plants and animals, treating them all and cherishing them as one would their own mothers, brothers, or children; because that is what they are.
                                                                                                                                               Wayne Crill.
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Alpamayo-Cordillera Blanca PERU, is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountains of the world, and standing atop its summit is a vast thrill for any climber, a highlight of an alpinist's career. This remarkable peak combines wildly fluted faces with knife-edge ridges Alpamayo's Southwest Face offers 1,200 ft. of challenging alpine ice, much of it at 60 degrees or steeper.

This expedition demanded a synthesis of high altitude performance and technical climbing skills designed for experienced climbers.
         Team Members:
                                   Paul Suda (Canada)
                                   Dave Suda (Canada)
                                   Jhon McLlenand (Canada)
                                   Cory Richards (USA)
                                   Beto Santillan (Peru).

I would like to dedicate this collection of pictures to the memory of Renzo Ucelli, a great Peruvian climber and photographer, a pionner in adventure photography, whose amazing work has inspired me.

Beto Santillán       (bsant@andesmadness.com)

A hard trek through quebrada Rajururi up to Huandoy West trying to get the col and found a pass to the base of Huandoy Sur.
We found the pass but it was covered by snow, without crampons we had to turn back, anyway the vistas were great.

         Charly Good - Daniel Lazo - Beto Santillan - Joaquin and Joel.

Project : Callejon de Huaylas
Equipment : Canon EOS 1D Mark II N w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Tripod Manfrotto Nat 190/ Laptop Dell M90
Photographer : Beto Santillán      (bsant@andesmadness.com)

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Project: La Herradura
Equipment : Canon EOS 1D Mark II N w/canon 70/200mm 2.8 USM IS.
Accesories : Carbon Fiber Gitzo 0530 Tripod 

Photographer : Beto Santillán            bsant@andesmadness.com

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  Nasca Lines 

The Nasca Lines are a series of geoglyphs located in the Nasca Desert, a high arid plateau that stretches more than 85 km between the towns of Nasca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana in Peru. 

They were created by the Nasca culture between 200 BC and AD 700. There are hundreds of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fishes, sharks, llamas and lizards.

Photographer : Beto Santillán                 bsant@andesmadness.com
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Puerto Malabrigo 
Location :
                Latitude : 7°42'15.66"S /Longitude : 79°25'58.10"O  - Peru/Dpto La Libertad

What to do :
             - Surfing the longest wave on earth, bring an extra pair of legs.
             - Hiking 6-8 hours around the bay, with extraordinary views
             - Mountain Biking.
             - Visiting and diving Islas Macabi.
             - Visiting Huaca el Brujo.
             - Bring a good book and read it while listening the waves of Chicama

Where to Stay :
            - Chicama Surf Resort (www.chicamasurfresort.com)
            - Chicama Beach (www.chicamabeach.com)
            - Last but not least “El Hombre”, just ask for “Don Alamiro Abanto”.

Where to eat :
            All the hotels have restaurants, but another good choice is - Restaurante El Point.

Closest Airport
            - Trujillo, some 85kms south.

Surf Trips
            - Surf School, trips, equipment rental, photos and important data of the surroundings.
              Jesus Florian (malabrigoolas@hotmail.com)

 Important Notice: Images on this website are NOT Royalty Free.
                              should you need any of these images please send an email  to info@andesmadness.com
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Punta Huaro / Sechin

Project: Punta Huaro + Sechin
Equipment : Bodies, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N and Canon 5D w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Carbon Fiber Gitzo 0530 Tripod , ND 0.6 and 0.3 Tiffen filters, Polarizer

Team Members : Juan Hernandez
                           Beto Santillán
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San Fernando Bay and Cerro Tunga  (Ica-Peru) 

Project: San Fernando Bay + Cerro Tunga
Equipment : Bodies, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N and Canon 5D w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Carbon Fiber Gitzo 0530 Tripod , ND 0.6 and 0.3 Tiffen filters, Polarizer
Team Members  :
                                   Franco Canziani
                                   Yuri Mellet
                                   David Sánchez
                                   Beto Santillán
                                   Last, but not least  : "La Zamba"
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The Lord of Sipan - King of The Mochicas

In 1987 Dr. Walter Alva, a renowned peruvian archaeologist made and important discovery in the Rajada Indian Tomb site. He found the remains of a man who turned out to be the most important ruler of the Mohica Culture: The Lord of Sipan.

It is believed that that The Lord of Sipan was a Mochica divine leader that for several decades ruled three aspects of their lives : The military, the religious and the social.

Photographer : Beto Santillán                     bsant@andesmadness.com

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Project: Trujillo, Marinera contest
Equipment : Bodies, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N and Canon 5D w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Carbon Fiber Gitzo 0530 Tripod , ND 0.6 and 0.3 Tiffen filters, Polarizer / Laptop Dell D630
Photographer : Beto Santillán                           bsant@andesmadness.com
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Pisac pueblo is well know for its sunday market,  one of the biggest, certainly the most famous, artesanía markets in all of South America, colorful and full of live.

Pisac ruins is located at the top of the mountainside featuring a small Inca village with temples, looks pretty similar to Machu Picchu, a bit smaller but it has impressive agricultural terraces and a strategic position overlooking Urubamba river. 

The name Pisac comes from the Quechua voice "pisaq", which means partridge (a gallinacean type that abounds in this area).

Photographer : Beto Santillan                   bsant@andesmadness.com
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Project : new year on the Inca Trail
Equipment :  Bodies, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N and Canon 5D w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Carbon Fiber Gitzo 0530 Tripod , ND 0.6 and 0.3 Tiffen filters, Polarizer /  Laptop Dell D630
Photographer :  Beto Santillán                           bsant@andesmadness.com

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Project : Machu Picchu - The Lost City
Equipment : Canon EOS 1D Mark II N w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Tripod Manfrotto Nat 190, ND 0.6 and 0.3 Tiffen filters, Polarizer /  Laptop Dell M90
Photographer : Beto Santillán 

Important Notice: Images on this website are NOT Royalty Free.
                              should you need any of these images please send an email  to info@andesmadness.com
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Sandoval is an oxbow lake, once part of Madre de Dios river,  which offers extraordinary scenery of calm waters surrounded by palm, aguaje and other primary forest trees. 

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Project : Cusco Stone City
Equipment : Canon EOS 1D Mark II N w/canon 70-200mm USM IS 2.8/16-25mm 2.8 / 24-105 USM IS.
Accesories : Tripod Manfrotto Nat 190/ Laptop Dell M90
Photographer : Beto Santillán                                (bsant@andesmadness.com)  
Advice : Cusco is a safe place for you and your camera, ask before taking pics of local people, kids will be happy to pose for your lens, be generous.

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         This magnificent megalithic construction was officially discovered in 1843 by judge Juan Crisóstomo Nieto. His description of the ruins - the dimensions he recorded meant its volume was three times that of the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

         Kuelap has attracted the attention of several scientists, including Antonio Raimondi (1860), the Swiss geologist Arthur ertheman (1870- 75), the French explorer Charles Wiener (1881) and the Swiss anthropologist Adolph Bandelier (1893).

Photographer : Beto Santillán         (bsant@andesmadness.com)
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Project : Huaylla Belen - The silver Snake
Equipment : Canon EOS 1D Mark II N w/canon L lenses.
Accesories : Tripod Manfrotto Nat 190, Tiffen ND 0.6 and 0.3 Filters/ Laptop Dell M90 , GPS Garmin Vista Cx
Photographer : Beto Santillán (bsant@andesmadness.com)

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Long trip along the Cañete River, but worth the driving, Huancaya is a beautiful place full of lagoons, waterfalls and friendly people. Let the pictures speak.

. Agua, componente fundamental para todas las formas de vida conocidas, elemento primordial de la creación , necesaria para las especies vivientes es también indispensable para el nacimiento de las estrellas.

EL Peru con sus majestuosas cordilleras que alimentan las tres cuencas hidrograficas y sus mas de 3000km de costa ofrecen posibilidades infinitas para fotografiar el agua en sus 3 estados, solido, liquido y gaseoso. Un elemento que refleja perfectamente la luz, es pues extremadamente fotogenico.

En los ultimos 10 años he recorrido buena parte del Peru fotografiando este vital elemento, lo cual me ha permitido recorrer y escalar las montañas mas altas, viajar por los rios mas caudalosos, cataratas y cascadas, desiertos, bosques , y estar presente en las grandes “crecidas” de olas en lugares tan magicos como Chicama, Los organos y Cabo Blanco. Han sido varios años y multiples expediciones , experimentando diferentes peliculas y ultimamente el formato digital, explorando y regresando varias veces al mismo lugar buscando siempre la mejor luz para reproducir fielmente al agua.

Comparto estas imágenes con Uds, aunque soy un convencido que la sola contemplación de fotografias no reemplaza a la verdadera experiencia con el agua ya que es imposible reproducir el ruido del tren de olas que viaja en la bahia de Chicama, el estruendo de Cabo Blanco, o el rugir de las Cataratas de Gocta, o el suave susurro de las cascadas de Huancaya. Confio que la belleza de estas imágenes conmuevan al lector y despierten su sensibilidad hacia este recurso que nos da la vida y que cada vez es mas escaso.

Beto Santillán .  (bsant@andesmadnes.com)
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La ola Mas larga del Mundo

Chicama es una inmensa bahia y casi siempre esta cubierta de una densa bruma , si tus pronosticos de un buen swell son los correctos el corduroy de olas puede estar ahi y seguramente disfrutaras intensamente de la ola mas larga del mundo, pero fotograficamente la neblina te regresara a casa con las manos vacias.

En Chicama el paisaje es espectacular, la vision de las lineas perfectas que se pierden en la bruma hacen de Chicama un lugar Mistico, podria estar toda una semana contemplando absorto esta maravilla de la naturaleza. He perseguido fotograficamente esta ola por muchos años esperando pacientemente el swell correcto, en la epoca del año adecuada para tener la mejor luz. Hasta que por fin a inicios de febrero recibi la llamada esperada de mi buen amigo Gonzalo Barandiaran -guru del las olas - ....alista tu equipo que en unos dias se viene una norte pintadita para Chicama

Con el tanque lleno esperaba impacientemente la llamada final ...viernes 11 feb ...tienes que salir ya, porque mañana por la tarde las lineas empiezan a dibujarse... Puse en primera y no pare hasta Huanchaco , un cebichito y luego hasta Puerto Malabrigo donde las olas me esperaban segun lo pronosticado.

Durante 3 dias la inmensa bahia se dibujo de un corduroy infinito, los sunsets fueron un carnaval de colores y la bruma del amanecer le dieron a Chicama ese toque magico, unico en toda la costa Peruana. Dispare sin parar, bajo todas las condiciones, como siempre quize hacerlo, era mi 7mo viaje y hoy por fin logre las imagenes que queria.

Pero Chicama no solamente es la ola mas larga del mundo, Una caminata que se inicia en -El Hombre- , seguida de una exigente ascencion a los dos picos que dominan la bahia, luego un descenso hacia el lado occidental para luego continuar hasta la cima de la isla y finalizar el recorrido de regreso a lo largo de la playa - puede considerarse como un circuito de trekking *world class*. 6 horas intensas rodeados de los paisajes mas alucinantes que puede incluir sesion de pesca con cordel en la isla.

Chicama tiene aun mas, la Huaca El Brujo - importante centro arqueologico Mochica- con mas de 4500 años de antiguedad y a solo un par de horas puede ser la culminacion perfecta de un surf trip inolvidable. Comparto estas imagenes con Uds. , espero leer sus criticas y comentarios.

Beto Santillan               bsant@andesmadness.com

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Cabo Blanco is widely known as the best left-breaking wave in Peru. A rapid and short wave (which makes a mandatory quick take-off) by far the best tube in the Peru.

The wave can reach a height of 4 meters, although normally it ranges from 2-3 meters. The best time for surfing is usually December.
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Tipon 

Tipon represents a major civil engineering achievement by ancient peruvians who were masters of irrigation and hydraulic technology, and who designed buildings, water works and massive structures to be visually and functionally in harmony with the natural environment.

Photographer :  Beto Santillan

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