Our Guide: Elias

We were very, very fortunate to have a wonderful, informative and fun guide on our trip. Elias was from the Cuzco region and although somewhat young for his knowledge, very passionate about the region and its history. He studied tourism at the local university where he met his wife--both work in the industry and they recently had a son. Elias seemed pretty passionate about the lives of local residents, and of the tourist industry to provide jobs to locals. Whenever we complained about the large number of porters supporting our trip, he reminded us that each one was just a farmer, who desperately needed the additional income provided by the soles our trip provided them. Elias also surprised us by having a wonderful knowledge and growing interest in local birds and flora - he and Sara proved to be budding birders-so watch out Marcie!

Showing how local native people would ground up and use a certain local seed (okay I forget which one!) for medicinal purposes; with Nidiana on the first day.


Collecting little fruits from Inca terraces to feed us, they tasted a bit like sweet tomatoes ; leading the hike on day 3.


Evening introduction of the Porters; Indulging Ted's love of Pisco at the top of Pass #2, at 13,600 feet, our highest point.