INCA TRAIL PRIVATE JOURNEY 5 DAYS QUICK OVERVIEW Trek the famous Inca Trail, with a full day atMachu Picchu: The Inca Trail is a spectacular...
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- hernanhermoza77@hotmail.com
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 18:30
Design the Perfect Tour with the Help of a Local Tour Guide: 100% Private, 100% Personalised.
We know there are many different Peru vacation packages, however there’s not one perfect tour that suits everyone, that’s why we offer different types of tours. With private, custom, and small group tours available, our team of Licensed tour expert guides can help create your next travel memory. Ready to explore our Peru vacation packages?
Tour Guides Peru is an experienced tour operator based in Cusco, founded in 2011 by Hernan Hermoza. We are the best team of tour guides in Peru and are specialized in organizing unique customized private trips all over Peru and Machu picchu. Tour Guides Peru is not a tour company that just shuttles you around to the standard tourist attractions; we create personalized itineraries adapted to your interests and we show you the hidden gems of Peru!
INCA TRAIL PRIVATE JOURNEY 5 DAYS QUICK OVERVIEW Trek the famous Inca Trail, with a full day atMachu Picchu: The Inca Trail is a spectacular...
INCA TRAIL 3 DAYS QUICK OVERVIEW Trek the challenging ancient route of the Inca Trail to MachuPicchu: This 43-km trek combines the visit of mysterious...
Authentic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu Experience – 10 days QUICK OVERVIEW Hiking through the sacred land of the Incas to MachuPicchu: Explore Cusco’s historic...
QUICK OVERVIEW Amazing short hike thought the ancient pathway of the Incas, Machu Picchu: This trip allows a taste of the famous stunning Inca...
QUICK OVERVIEW Trek the trail that once linked the Inca Empire, Speak Quechua with Sacred Valley locals, Experience awe at a Machu Picchu sunrise, Hike...
QUICK OVERVIEW Unforgettable trek thought the sacred Salcantay Mountain: This amazing trek runs beneath the Salcantay Mountain (6271m/20569ft) where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical...
All of our tours are carefully designed, with eye for detail, based on years of experience and we go that extra mile to give our guests an unforgettable experience. All the tours mentioned on our website can be booked as they are or can be adapted to your wishes and budget; off course we also can make a completely tailor made tour for you. Please contact us and let us know your interests; we will be happy to create a customized tour for you!
ON TRIP ADVISOR ONLY WITH FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
What an amazing experience! Hernan exceeded every expectation we could have had. The hike itself was just incredible. Hernan is very well versed in the trail. ... read more He's been hiking it since he started as a porter at 14 years old. He knows the history, the plants, the birds....he could answer any question we asked him. He speaks wonderful English and is skilled at taking the group at the speed it needs to go.
We were so surprised by how deluxe the arrangements were. The food was incredible and so plentiful. The tents, sleeping bags and pads were very thick and comfortable. I am not someone who sleeps easily in a tent but it was very nice.
I fell in love w Peru and the Andes and can't wait to go back.
If you're thinking about going, I can't imagine a better guide than Hernan. He's like our family now!
We had the best rip with Hernan and Jonathan. Hernan was our tour guide for four days through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Hernan ensured we had a seamless... read more trip from picking us up at the airport and hotel every morning to walking us through Peruvian history. His love of sharing his country and culture with travelers is apparent and we truly enjoyed spending our time with and learning from him. (Also he knows all of the great places to eat.)
When demonstrations threatened to ruin our trip, he and Jonathan got up at 4:30am to ensure roadblocks did not inhibit their ability to pick us up on time. We had to reorient our day and take alternate routes but manage to visit all of the sites. I highly recommend traveling with Tour Guides Peru to everyone.
My favorite part of this whole experience was the relationship we developed with our tour guide, Hernan Hermoza. We are leaving Peru with a forever friend. Hernan... read more is knowledgeable, caring, punctual, funny, smart & personable. He connected immediately with each member of our family on an individual basis, not just answering their questions but going out of his way to show examples of his description. We sincerely appreciated his humor! It was evident he truly CARED about our trip, about our experience...& about us. His knowledge of the whole area is impressive. His restaurant and meal suggestions were spot on! His recommendation to hire a very talented driver (Jonathan) was truly appreciated vs. taking public transportation everywhere esp during times of Covid.
Hernan was prompt with every email I sent him prior to our trip, something I truly appreciated. I highly recommend Hernan for an authentic, fun, stress free trip to Peru!
The Best Private Guide Extraordinaire! We were nervous to go on this trip with Covid, but Hernan assured me it was safe to come, and yes - we felt... read more and were very safe here. I highly recommend coming now and missing the crowds - it is wonderful!
Hernan will customize your trip to suit your interests and help with everything you need along the way. We wanted to go off the beaten track and see more of LOCAL life in Peru. Hernan arranged a fantastic set of experiences for us in the Quillabamba region - an amazing lunch with a welcoming LOCAL family and then a tour of their farm. This was such a great experience. On this same leg of the trip we visited an amazing waterfall - had it all to ourselves to swim in and visited a hot spring to soak in. We also toured a coffee plantation with another LOCAL farmer and spent the day harvesting, preparing, roasting, and then drinking fresh coffee and chocolate! Amazing!
And of course, Hernan is the best local guide in the region to show you the caves, waterfalls, historic sites, relate the culture today to its roots, and brings a breadth of knowledge about the local flora and fauna. From where to stay to where and what to eat - he’s got all that all!
Even with all the Covid requirements to enter the country - it is easy breezy once you arrive. There is no need to retest once you enter the country (despite information I saw beforehand saying that you needed to do this or quarantine) nor to quarantine. The Peruvian people are very diligent about observing masking, distancing, and hygienic aspects of Covid.
Don’t wait until the crowds return - come on down now!
You may contact Hernan via email (have to write it in parts for it to be listed here) at hernanhermoza77 at @hotmail.com or via WhatsApp at +51 989 562 030
How to describe Hernan, the perfect guide. When you arrive, you will meet a fantastic guide and when you leave, you will part good friends. Read all the... read more reviews and they are all true. His English is great and you will understand everything he says. Trust him, he will take great care of you. We always felt safe with Hernan and Issac (our Driver.) He guides you at your pace and makes sure you get to see everything you requested. You will see and learn more than those in tour groups..
Thanks to Hernan, we had an incredible 7 days in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. He provided an excellent itinerary, procured all the tickets needed, and took care of us every step of the way. He and Issac, the driver, made a great team. They were very punctual, and Issac's driving ability made us feel totally safe on these sometimes precarious roads. Every detail was handled perfectly. Hernan's knowledgeable about everything --the people, the culture, the history, the ruins--and the details he provided made this experience more incredible than we could ever imagine. We are so thankful to be able to visit this iconic place, and even more thankful that Hernan was our guide.
So glad we trusted the reviews. Normally we would never send money to a foreign country; however, his reviews were so outstanding that we made a calculated risk. After many emails back and forth, we felt comfortable to wire the down payment. Thank goodness we did, this trip would not be the same without having a personal guide that cared so much about giving his guests the best experience ever. He was very passionate teaching us about the Inca history, traditions, beliefs. It was not just seeing the sites, it was learning about the culture. His knowledge of the history made our trip through the Cusco Region PHENONMENAL!!! "My Friend" was his favorite expression, and by the end of the trip we all felt like family. Both Hernan and Issac have a great sense of humor, and we had lots of laughs on our many sightseeing excursions. This trip was absolutely magical thanks to Hernan and Issac who are very special people! If you want the ultimate experience seeing the remarkable places in this area, contact Hernan
Hernanhermoza77@hotmail.com
+51 989 562 030 (WhatsApp)
Hernan was an amazing tour guide! My family and I travel all over the world. We have used many different tour guides. However, we have never had a tour guide... read more like Hernan. Words can not describe how awesome Hernan is. He is knowledgable, fun, helpful, trustworthy, enjoyable, funny and so much more!
When we got off the plane, Hernan was outside and waiting for us with our name on his sign. When he made us feel like we were at home. He helped us get all of our stuff in the van. His driver was one of the best drivers in the world (I don't think anybody in America would be able to drive like him). Although he did not speak much English, his joyful facial expressions and large smiles were enough (Hernan did translate between us so we had many conversations).
Our first stop, was a delicious sandwich place. We all sat down and we ordered based on Hernan recommendation (I don't want to sound like I am on repeat so I am just going to say this now, every single place we ate was very good, Hernan ordered for us and we loved it all). After that, we toured Cusco, which was beautiful. I loved hearing about the history of the landmarks and how they came to be. We went up to this small village where they made the Alpaca items. The lady showed us the process of making all wool and how to get the different colors. We also got to feed the Alpaca, Llama and Guinea Pigs.
My dad and I are not in shape, my sisters and my mom are in shape. It was the perfect balance and our whole family loved it. What was nice about this hike is that we did not run into any tourist. We saw some of the kids playing while going up which was cool to see. When we got to the top, we heard about the Inca's and the whole history of the battle and why the buildings up there were left abandoned. After that, we did another hike (apart of the same trail) that was following the side of a mountain. Now, I am scared of heights. Like, take the average person that is scared of heights and multiply that by 1000. This hike was not bad, there were not any narrow parts. It was an amazing view. We saw some cows on the trail too!
That day, we had amazing chicken and tried Cuy (Guinea Pig). Guinea Pig is a dish that you must try when you are in Peru. It honestly doesn't taste that bad. It's a little bit crunchy. My whole family tried it. After lunch, we went up to the top of an Inca site. It was really cool seeing how they used to live and where they used to live. The views were of course, amazing.
The third day, we headed to Machu Pichu. We did the 7 hour Inca trail. Now, let me tell you, the weather changes very rapidly. We had very nice weather. However, when we got to Machu Pichu, it was pouring rain. Within an hour it cleared up and was all sunny again! Being scared of heights, I was very scared during this hike. It was nice to have Hernan because he was able to calm me down and helped me get through it. Do I recommend it? Yes, it's something you have to do! Hernan was nice enough to carry our lunches the whole first half of hike. When we got half-way we sat down and ate lunch. The box lunches that he brought were very good. I wish I could bring that to work with me everyday! Hernan then proceeded to carry all the trash the rest of the hike. During that hike, Hernan let me use his walking sticks which helped me feel more comfortable and move faster. I recommend bringing your own pair of hiking sticks even if you do not think you need them. I didn't think I would need them but turned out I did. Machu Pichu was beautiful. It was a site that I will never forget. We had perfect weather too! The bus down to Machu Pichu town is a little bit scary so if you are scared of heights do not sit in the window seat.
The third day was the scariest day of my life. We went up Huayna Picchu. Huayna Picchu is the mountain right behind Machu Pichu. It is very narrow and steep. My mother and sisters went ahead of us. However, my dad and I went with Hernan. Hernan took it step by step with me. He made sure I was okay every step of the way. I would follow his foot pattern and keep my head down. My nails clenched into the rocks, the dirt and anything else I clench onto. I kept telling Hernan that I couldn't do it. However, Hernan was able to convince me that I was able to do it and slowly but surely I made it to the top. Now, let me tell you something about Hernan. Hernan will not lie to you. If you ask if you are at the top, you will most likely hear no. Although I wish that he lied and told me yes, it put more trust into what he said. I appreciated his honesty even when others probably would have lied. Going down wasn't so hard for me, I was running and jumping down. This was a huge accomplishment for me and I felt very good afterwords and proud I was able to say that I did it. After, we had a nice and refreshing huge lemonade that tasted amazing. The food once again, was amazing! We then traveled back to Cusco.
The fourth and last day with Hernan, we did more stuff in Cusco. We started off by going to the local market. It was really cool to see everybody selling fresh things and all the different types of things being sold. You could spend hours shopping in that market. We then went to see the where the mummies were buried. After that, we saw another Inca site and we got to slide down a smooth rock slide which was a blast! We also got to go see where Hernan used to live and what the city was like. We then did a little bit of shopping, he took us to a place that explains everything about making clothing with Alpaca and how to detect fake and real. We then got to go to another Alpaca shop. Right outside of the shop is like 50 Lllamas and Alpacas. We got to feed all of them and that was a ton of fun, they were very friendly and funny! We then did shopping in the town. My mother wanted a pair of slippers and Hernan was doing everything he could to find the pair of slippers for my mom. It was a fun shopping experience and I normally hate shopping!
Our time with Hernan was coming to an end. As we made our way back to our hotel we all took a seat to tell Hernan how much he was appreciate and how special he made this trip for us. Hernan may not admit this, but he was tearing up.. and so were we. We all gave Hernan big hugs and took one last photo.
Hernan, thank you for giving the trip of a lifetime to my family. We will always appreciate what you did for us! You are not just an amazing tour guide but you are an amazing best friend! I wish you all the best and if you ever come to the US you have a place to stay!
Hernan was able to answer every question we asked. He is incredibly knowledgable and has a great command of the English language. He was very accomadating when we were scheduling... read more our trip with changes. He customized our tour as we requested. Our bus driver Isaac, whom he arranged, was also excellent and we always felt safe with him. Hernan was always prompt and had great suggestions of restaurants/etc. for every area we visited. When we went with him to Ollantayambo, he picked out a wonderful restaurant that served us chicken on hot stone grills. He was very patient with us shopping and taking photos. He did a great job of pointing out places to stop for photos and taking excellent family pictures of us that we will cherish forever.
Hernan was the perfect person to lead us around Peru. He is warm, fun, hilarious and extremely knowledable- history, culture, plants, EVERYTHING. He made our trip to Cusco and... read more Machu Picchu the easiest and all encompassing trip imaginable. We actually cried when he left us.
His recommendations for restaurants were spot on- follow them for sure. I've never met a tour guide that is so genuine and passionate. Isaac's driving was also pretty great and he was very friendly as well. Definitely do Peru with these two!
Hernan exceeded all our expectations. Don’t look any further for the perfect guide in Peru.
This trip was for our 30th anniversary. From beginning to end he thoughtfully helped... read more to custom plan a very special experience for us. I told him what we wanted to see and the amount of time we had. He took care of transportation, bought all our entrance tickets in advance, etc. Everything went very smoothly. We especially appreciated his effort to give us authentic local experiences (hikes, food, weaving, lama blessing) and his ability to keep us away from the crowds. Outstanding service, great communication, wonderful tours of Machu Picchu, Cusco and the surrounding areas and exceptional insight to the Incan traditions and culture. We could not be more pleased with our memorable experience. Hernan is more than a local guide, he will be a life long friend.
If he doesn’t respond immediately be patient he might be out on the Inca Trail.
Hernan Hermoza can be reached at hernanhermoza77@hotmail.com
+51 989 562 030 (WhatsApp)
Hernan Tour Guides Peru Machpicchu (FaceBook)
My family did a four day Sacred Valley/Cusco/Machu Picchu tour with Hernan, and wish the trip could have been longer. He is very warm and friendly and seems to... read more know everything about Peru, from the history to the plant/animal life. His passion for Peru is clear and rubbed off on us. Everything was taken care of in terms of logistics, transportation and tickets, and he was happy to adjust the itinerary to our interests - the trip was stress free! I'd highly recommend booking a tour with Hernan!
My family (2 adults and 2 teens) enjoyed an excellent day with Hernan in the Secret Valley. Hernan was a really attentive and friendly guide with excellent English who tailored... read more our itinerary across the day to meet our requirements. We were picked up from our hotel in Cusco in a spacious tourist mini bus with excellent driver and taken towards Pisac. We chose to stop at the animal sanctuary on route where we received a guided tour talking us through the different animals and birds the sanctuary were helping. We then progressed to Pisac where we found the ruins to be incredibly busy. Hernan talked through the Incan history and walked us through the main ruins and then led us down a path which took us 2 hours down to the town at the bottom. It was a stunningly beautiful walk through several ruined buildings: we encountered few other people along the way. At the bottom we stopped for a brief lunch and were then on our way to Ollayantambo. We enjoyed a thorough explanation about the temple here and also enjoyed a walk through the town.
Hernan was an excellent guide throughout the day and we would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a guide while in the Sacred Valley.
Our family of 4 spent 5 days touring Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu with Hernan and our driver Isaac. I decided to book with Hernan after seeing the great reviews... read more on Trip Advisor.
Our flight into Cusco was delayed for 3 hours and due to my mistake of forgetting to bring his number, I had no way of letting him know about the delay. We also weren’t advised of the delay until we were on the runway. I just hoped he would find out through the airline about our arrival time. Well, the airline incorrectly showed the flight arrived on time. You can imagine our relief when we emerged from the airport and saw him standing there smiling. He waited for 3 hours, not knowing when we would arrive and we were still able to visit some of the sites we had planned. He is incredibly patient and kind.
Hernan taught us so much about Incan history and culture and was flexible with our schedule to accommodate any changes or stops we requested. He was also very helpful with restaurant recommendations each night and took us to some lunch places that our kids still talk about.
One of the highlights of our trip was the 2 hour hike up to Machu Picchu Montana. It was challenging due to the altitude but the views were breathtaking.
Thank you Hernan and Issac for a trip our family will never forget!
Book your Perfect Private tour With a real Local Tour Guide!
The best way to prevent altitude sickness in Cusco is to be prepared. During your first 2 days you should take things easy. This means you shouldn’t take part in any strenuous activity. You should rest a lot and drink plenty of water. Alcohol and smoking isn’t a good idea as it can agitate you and make you feel a lot worse.
You can avoid altitude sickness by spending a few days taking it easy in Cusco before you head off on any kind of trek. Trying to do a tough activity too soon could make you very ill. You should also eat lightly and avoid alcohol to feel your best.
There’s no definite answer to this as there are many options. The Inca Trail is the most popular and needs to be booked months in advance as there are only a certain number of spots each day. The best alternative trek is considered to be Salkantay, which offers a real adventure and fantastic scenery. Inca Jungle is great for those seeking a thrill and Lares is a top option if you want a quieter and more rural experience. If you have a lot of time and want to experience two incredible Inca sites, you can opt for the Choquequirao trek.
This depends on the individual who wants to trek. The Inca Trail is extremely popular as it takes you along the real trail where the Incas once walked. However, many say that the scenery on Salkantay is more beautiful. For this reason we would say go for the Inca Trail if you’re a real history lover and like to hike well-known treks, but go for Salkantay if you want to witness stunning landscapes and a variety of different climates.
The trek isn’t dangerous. You’re with fully qualified guides all the way to make sure you always stay on track. They are there to help you if you feel sick at all along the way. The path can be uneven, but if you take it slowly, you’ll have no issues. During wet season, November to April, you’ll have to take more care when you walk to avoid slipping.
The trek is moderately challenging. This means that most people will be able to complete it if they are well-prepared. Most of the trek isn’t too challenging. It’s just the second day where you walk up to the Salkantay pass. You’ll trek for a total of 10 hours that day. What makes this trek difficult is the high altitude at which you hike and the different terrains as well as changing climate.
The Salkantay Pass sits at 4,600 masl.
Along the trail you’ll experience a lot of different climates. You’ll need to pack for the cold on the first two days. The first night will get below zero, so you need to make sure you have warm clothing and an excellent sleeping bag.
You don’t need a permit for the Salkantay trek. You do need to pay S/10 upon entering, but this doesn’t need to be reserved in advance, meaning that there is always space available.
To prepare for trekking at high altitudes we recommend you start to prepare a few weeks before. You should start a fitness regime that includes daily stretching and exercises, particularly for your legs. We recommend taking hikes at home weekly before you come to do the trail.
If you do feel sick, there are a few things you can try. One is to speak to your doctor before you come to see if you can get a prescription for pills to help. These can also be bought in pharmacies in Cusco. Other helpful ways are to drink coca or muna (Andean mint) tea, which have been in use since the Inca times. Small oxygen bottles are also available in pharmacies and can really help.
The coldest months in Cusco are from May to July. During this time the sun is strong in the day, but once it goes down or you spend much time in the shade, it can get very cold. It can go below zero at night, so warm clothes are a must during these months.
The best month in all the year is October. The climate is just right and the sky is usually very clear. It’s also not the busiest season so it isn’t overrun by visitors. However, anytime from May to October is a good time as it’s the dry season so you won’t get wet.
You can’t hike to Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco, but you can visit in one day. There’s a one day tour option where you start early in the morning and get a car to drive you to take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. You’ll then spend the morning in Machu Picchu before heading down for lunch, a brief rest or walk around the town, and then the train and car back to Cusco.
The best time of year is between May to October, with October being the best month of all. The trail is dry and the weather is lovely. During the rainy season the trail will be wet and can make it more difficult.
The highest part of the Inca Trail is Dead Woman’s Pass, which is 4,200 masl. The lowest you’ll reach is 2,600 masl, meaning that the rest of the trek is between these two altitudes.
This is one of the most challenging parts of the Inca Trail as it’s almost 1,000 metres of uphill walking to get to this point. However, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views once you get to the top.
You’ll need to pack lightly as you only have a limited amount of space/weight that you can take. You need to make sure you have clothing for warm and cold climates, as well as lots of sun and bug protection. We recommend using thin layers that can be taken on and off as needed. In addition make sure you have toiletries and any personal medication you need to take. Don’t forget your permit, Machu Picchu tickets, and passport as you won’t be able to enter without these.
The Inca Trail is relatively difficult. You’ll be hiking up to a high altitude and a lot of the trail is along ancient steps. This means it can be tough on your knees and ankles. Take your time to allow your body to adjust.
You do need to be relatively fit to hike the trail. You’ll be heading up to a high altitudes and hiking along rough terrain, both of which can take their toll on your body. We recommend spending time training and hiking before you come to do the trail.