Our Team

All our Tour Guides are highly-experienced, knowledgeable and English speakers. Some of them also escort groups of tourists throughout Peru and all our employees attend courses on first aid, rescue, high altitude sickness problems, flora, fauna, and of course history and archaeology.

THE MANAGERS

José : After having worked first as a porter on the Inca Trail and later as a Guide for a variety of travel agencies, José decided to make use of his experience and knowledge of 'what works and what doesn't' by setting up Llama Path with Michelle.

His recent project was started in May 2006 when he and some other of his colleagues founded the Cusco Inca Trail and Mountain Professional Guides Association www.cuscoguides.com a totally non-profitable 'green project' that aims to develop sustainable tourism in Peru.

Michelle: Apart from being a native English speaker, Michelle is fluent in Spanish and French. She is responsible for all overseas contacts and the administrative work in Cusco where she now lives

OUR TOUR GUIDES

José Antonio: He has walked over 25000 km in 15 years - having done more than 300 Inca Trails and other treks throughout the Andes. He also escorts groups through Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. His enthusiasm for mountains, Andean culture and knowledge of plants is always highlighted by tourists…''I would follow him again if I had the chance with no hesitation". - An Irish man.

He has a degree in Tourism and History from the University San Antonio Abad, Cusco.

Mike: He has trekked the Inca Trail and other routes more than 200 times and he also escort groups throughout Peru and Bolivia. His charm and passion for his culture brings it alive and his specialty is the Inca Empire. He is fluent in English, having lived in the United States for a year, and has a degree from the Tupac Amaru Institute in Cusco.

Casiano: A native Quechua speaker and an extremely knowledable Guide. His flute and Andean music will keep you entertained during his treks; simply lots of fun!!!

Celso: A great motivator and an expert on Andean flora and fauna - he is an asset to our company.

Alex: The most patient of Guides! A great person and an amazing Guide - his caring manner will keep you relaxed and safe.

Vicente: He has 10 years of hiking experience, mainly in Peru and particularly in the Cusco region. He loves his country and is very knowledgeable about its history. He has a lovely, often jokey, sense of humour and is great company. He has a Tourism degree.

Rudi: He joined us as a porter about 8 years ago and now is ready to go on treks in the Cusco region (Salkantay, Ausangate etc.), as a Guide, as often as 6 times a month - real energy!! He genuinely loves hiking and is known for his optimism and helpfulness. He is currently studying Tourism at the Americana Institute in Cusco.

Ramiro: University graduated - he is one of our most experienced tour Guides on the Inca Trail!

Santiago: Working for just over a year with us, his passion and respect for the Andean culture is overwhelming.

Dimas: A master in Peruvian history, apart from being a Guide, he is a Paramedic - so you are more than safe in his hands!!

OUR ASSISTANT TOUR GUIDES

Huber, Marco, Joshin, Mauro, Julian, Fredy, Robert and Elvis.

All with degrees in tourism and training to work as prinicipal Guides. Full of energy and ready to help - they will usually stay with any person who is having difficulty - motivating them up that mountain!

OUR PORTERS AND COOKS

We employ local people as porters (100) and cooks (Wilber, Fredy, Roni, Cristobal, Mariano, Richard, Cesar, Melquiades, Remigio, Cirilo, Chapulin and Edgar) who undoubtedly work extremely hard at their jobs. You will see them on the Inca Trail nimbly running past you carrying all the equipment you will use - tents, tables and chairs, food, water etc. (On other trekking routes horses are allowed and therefore the porters and cooks do not carry all the equipment.)

In the past, the weight of these loads was sometimes excessive and although they are still heavy and the porters and cooks' working conditions in general are not perfect, we are pleased to say there have been a number of improvements in recent years.

Porters and cooks (who also carry equipment along with their normal cooking role) are now prohibited by law from carrying more than 25kg of equipment (20kg - agency supplies, 5kg - personal allowance). They are weighed at a number of points on the Inca Trail in order to ensure that agencies are adhering to this law.

This means that more porters are now employed than in the past and each porter carries less - there is, on average, one porter to every trekker.

There is also a law specifying the minimum wage for porters ($10 per day). Llama Path fully supports and abides by these regulations. See more here.

OUR OFFICE STAFF

Headed by Michelle; Pamela, Alicia, Rachel, Yahaida, Rosemery and Carmen work in the office and are always ready to assist you (in English) with detailed information on tours, places to go and what to do and see. They will also do the pick ups from/to hotels.

We all strive for Sustainable Tourism!!!