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For several months, my daughter has been working with José Cusi to help launch Cusi Travel, a locally owned tour agency in Cusco, Peru. The website they have been working on is now live and it looks great.

Logo courtesy of Cusi Travel

Cusi Travel operates tours in and around Cusco, Peru to Machu Picchu. They offer several hikes, including the Inca Trail and also less traditional routes, like the Salkantay or Lares hike. For travelers not up for hiking, they offer a variety of day tours.

One of the appealing things about Cusi Travel is that it is locally owned and managed, so you know that when you book with them, your money is going directly to support the local economy. Their guides were all raised in and around Cusco and speak fluent English, Spanish and Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas. What better way to learn about a country but from indigenous Peruvians themselves?

I met José, the owner of Cusi Travel, when he visited New York last December, and he shows all of the essential qualities of a good small business owner: vision, hard work and the ability to strong interpersonal skills. José was born and raised in Cusco, Peru and learned Quechua as was growing up. He is very proud of his Incan ancestry and loves teaching travelers from around the world about Quechua traditions, past and present. He has been guiding on the Inca Trail for eight years and has given over 400 tours of Machu Picchu. He knows the ins and outs of the tourism industry in Cusco and he knows the mountain.

If you are thinking about going somewhere exotic for your next vacation, definitely consider going to Peru. Machu Picchu is a magical place.  I went on a regular tour and I didn’t think I could manage a hike on the Inca Trail.  Now that I know I could have a tour company carry my things, pitch my tent and cook my food, I will do the trail the next time I go.  Why not?