Meet The Crew
Behind every unforgettable journey is a team of passionate people dedicated to making your experience safe, meaningful, and truly memorable.
At True Mountain Traveler, our guides, chefs, porters, drivers, and operations team are experienced professionals who take great pride in sharing the beauty, history, and culture of Peru. Many of our team members were born and raised in remote Andean communities, bringing authentic local knowledge and a genuine connection to the places you visit.
We invest in our people through professional training, ongoing development, and high standards of safety. Our trekking staff are equipped with quality gear, and our porters never carry more than the legal weight limit established by Peruvian regulations, ensuring fair and responsible working conditions.
More than colleagues, we are a family united by a shared passion for responsible tourism and a commitment to creating positive opportunities for our communities.
We can’t wait for you to meet the incredible people who make every True Mountain Traveler adventure possible.
Meet the People Who Bring Every Adventure to Life
Behind every unforgettable journey is a passionate team dedicated to sharing the beauty, culture, and spirit of Peru. But every great journey has a beginning, and ours starts with the story of our founder.
Elio Quispe Fernandez
Founder & Managing Director
True Mountain Traveler was founded by Elio Noe Quispe Fernandez, whose vision was to create authentic travel experiences that not only inspire visitors but also create lasting opportunities for the people of the Andes.
Elio was born in the remote Andean community of Choquecancha, where he grew up speaking Quechua, the native language of his community. Like many families in the highlands, his parents relied on traditional agriculture for their livelihood, and from an early age he learned the values of hard work, respect for nature, and the importance of community.
To attend school, Elio walked nearly two hours each way every day between his home and the nearest school in Lares. Later, he moved to the city in search of better educational opportunities. To support his studies, he began working as a porter on the Inca Trail, carrying equipment through the mountains while saving every possible sol to pursue his dream.
Through determination and perseverance, Elio earned his degree as an Official Tour Guide from a Higher Technological Institute of Tourism. Over the following years, he worked throughout Peru, gaining extensive experience as a guide and witnessing firsthand how tourism could become a powerful force for education, employment, environmental conservation, and community development.
These experiences inspired him to establish True Mountain Traveler—a locally owned company built on the belief that travel should benefit everyone involved. Today, Elio continues to work alongside guides, chefs, porters, local families, and community leaders to create exceptional journeys while investing in education, sustainable livelihoods, and opportunities for future generations in the Andes.
For Elio, every traveler who joins True Mountain Traveler becomes part of a much larger story—one that helps preserve culture, protect nature, and create brighter futures for the communities that make these incredible journeys possible.
About Simon
Hometown
Born and raised in Chumbivilcas, in the Andes of Peru
What he enjoys on his days off
Playing soccer, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite movie genre
Comedy.
Fun Fact
Before becoming a professional tour guide, Simon worked as both a porter and a mountain chef while studying tourism at university. His firsthand experience on the trail gives him a deep understanding of every aspect of the trekking experience.
Meet Carmelo
His Story
Carmelo began his journey as a porter before following his passion for cooking. Today, he is one of our talented mountain chefs, preparing delicious meals that make every trek even more memorable.
What He’s Best Known For
His famous homemade guacamole—and yes, he’ll happily share the recipe with you!
Favorite Peruvian Dish
Ají de Gallina.
Fun Fact
Carmelo was recognized as one of the best adventure trekking chefs in the Cusco region, a reflection of his passion, creativity, and dedication to mountain cuisine.
Sebastian
His Story
Sebastian was born and raised in Choquecancha, a remote community in the Lares Valley. After finishing high school, he began working as a taxi driver and later as a porter on the Inca Trail, determined to save money for his education. Through hard work and dedication, he completed his studies as a licensed tour guide and is now proudly leading trekking groups on the Inca Trail, Lares Trek, and Salkantay Trek.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Playing the quena (traditional Andean flute), dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite Movie Genre
Action.
Fun Fact
Sebastian’s journey from porter to licensed guide reflects the opportunities that responsible tourism can create for young people in the Andes.
Meet Romano Loco
Don’t let the name fool you Loco is one of our friendliest trekking companions. Born in the Andean highlands, he’s 7 years old and enjoys exploring the mountains just as much as our travelers do.
Favorite Treats
Fresh carrots, apples, and lush green pastures.
Dislikes
Crinkling plastic bags.
Fun Fact
At True Mountain Traveler, our horses are treated with care and respect. They receive regular veterinary care, proper nutrition, and never carry more weight than recommended, ensuring their health and wellbeing on every adventure.
Favorite Celebrity
Mr. Ed.
About Pumita
His Story
Pumita was born and raised in the Andean town of Lares. As one of the youngest members of our team, he brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a warm smile to every adventure.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Showing off his reggaeton dance moves and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite Animals
Llamas and alpacas.
Fun Fact
Pumita is currently studying culinary arts in Cusco while working with our trekking team. His dream is to become one of True Mountain Traveler’s future mountain chefs.
Francisco
His Story
Francisco was born and raised in Calca, a beautiful town in Peru’s Sacred Valley. With years of experience on the trekking trails, he is known for his kindness, hard work, and positive attitude.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Spending quality time with his wife and their two children.
Favorite Drink
Cusqueña, the iconic beer proudly brewed in Cusco.
Fun Fact
While working as a porter on the Inca Trail, Domingo met a young Quechua woman from the Andes. What began as a chance meeting grew into a lifelong love story, and today they are happily married with two wonderful children.
Meet Rene
His Story
Born and raised in the remote Andean community of Choquecancha, Rene began his journey with True Mountain Traveler as a porter before becoming a dining assistant at our trekking camps. Through dedication, hard work, and a passion for cooking, he has grown into one of our lead mountain chefs, creating delicious meals for our camping and trekking adventures.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Playing soccer and sewing. Rene is surprisingly talented with a needle and thread and often repairs our dining tents, kitchen tents, and trekking equipment—and even makes new ones when needed.
Favorite Movie
Rambo III.
Fun Fact
Rene is known as our “mountain tailor.” When he’s not preparing meals on the trail, he’s busy repairing and sewing trekking equipment to keep our expeditions running smoothly.
About Yaneth
Her Story
Born and raised in the Lares Valley, Yaneth grew up speaking Quechua as her first language. She later earned her degree in Education, specializing in early childhood, primary, and secondary education. Today, she plays a key role in True Mountain Traveler’s True Impact Project, where she provides academic support to students from remote Andean communities and helps organize educational field trips that allow children to discover new places and opportunities beyond their villages.
As a native Quechua speaker, Yaneth teaches many lessons in the students’ own language, creating a welcoming environment where children feel confident, understood, and encouraged to learn.
What She Enjoys on Her Days Off
Yaneth loves playing soccer and often joins school tournaments alongside her students, encouraging teamwork, confidence, and healthy lifestyles. She also proudly wears the traditional handwoven clothing of her community during cultural festivals and parades, helping preserve and celebrate the living heritage of the Quechua people.
Favorite Subjects
History and Mathematics.
Fun Fact
Yaneth believes that every child deserves the opportunity to dream big. She loves inspiring her students to pursue higher education while remaining proud of their Quechua language, traditions, and cultural identity.
Meet Edwin
His Story
Edwin was born and raised near the famous Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca in the Puno region, where the rich traditions of the Aymara people continue to thrive. After completing his early education, he moved to Cusco to pursue a degree in Tourism at university.
While studying, Edwin worked in our operations office to help finance his education, gaining valuable experience behind the scenes of the travel industry. Today, he is one of our professional tour guides, leading trekking adventures to Machu Picchu as well as multi-day journeys across Peru—from the Pacific Coast and the Andes to the Amazon rainforest.
Thanks to his operational background, Edwin also provides valuable feedback on hotels, restaurants, and logistics, helping us continuously improve the quality of our travelers’ experiences.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Edwin loves spending time with his wife and two children. When he has the chance, he enjoys meeting friends to share a glass of traditional chicha and play Sapo, a classic Peruvian game that involves tossing metal coins into the mouth of a bronze frog—a favorite pastime in many local towns.
Favorite Movie
The Hangover.
Fun Fact
Edwin likes to joke that every outing with his friend Abel needs one very important approval—his wife’s! Luckily, both families often end up spending the day together, enjoying traditional chicha, plenty of laughter, and friendly games of Sapo.
About Cesillo
His Story
Born and raised in a remote Quechua-speaking community in the Andes, Cesillo has spent his entire life surrounded by the traditions, culture, and breathtaking landscapes of the Peruvian highlands. His deep connection to his heritage allows him to share authentic stories and local knowledge with travelers from around the world.
Today, Cesillo serves as one of our Head Porters, coordinating our porter teams for every Inca Trail departure. Depending on the size of each group, he organizes the trekking staff, conducts pre-departure briefings, and works closely with True Mountain Traveler to ensure every porter is properly equipped, well-fed, and carries no more than the legal weight limit established by Peruvian regulations. His leadership helps create a safe, fair, and respectful working environment for every member of our mountain team.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Playing the traditional Andean flute, being the goalkeeper in local soccer matches, and spending time with his family on their farm.
Favorite Drink
Traditional Chicha, the iconic Andean corn beverage.
Fun Fact
Cesillo’s family is among the largest traditional potato farmers in their community, cultivating more than 50 native varieties of potatoes using ancestral farming techniques that have been passed down through generations.
About Puma
His Story
Born and raised in the remote Quechua-speaking community of Cuncani, Puma is the leader of our muleteer team. With a lifetime of experience in the Andes, he knows the mountain trails better than almost anyone. He has an exceptional understanding of horses and mules and works closely with our team to ensure every animal is healthy, properly equipped, well cared for, and receives regular veterinary attention. His knowledge and dedication help keep both our trekking teams and our animals safe throughout every expedition.
What He Enjoys on His Days Off
Puma enjoys chewing traditional coca leaves and playing the Andean flute high in the mountains. He loves finding quiet places where only the wind carries the sound of his music across the valleys.
Favorite Food
Lomo Saltado.
Fun Fact
Puma likes people to speak loudly and clearly in the mountains because, as he jokingly says, “I have the heart of a puma.” He’s known for greeting everyone with a cheerful shout long before they reach him. Always ready to lend a hand, Puma is often the first to help travelers by carrying a backpack for a while or showing an easier path along the trail when someone needs a little extra support.
