Octavio Puma Cruz (1985) has a huge passion and love for the Quechua culture and tradition. 

He is an innovator and eager to learn.From an early age he works with tourists.First with his father and brothers as a carrier on the Inca Trail or Horseman and Assistant Guide on the alternative routes such as the Lares trek. 

In 2011 he graduated as Tour Guide at the Instituto Superior Tecnológico Khipu in Cusco.Since then he works as Tour Guide to various hotels as well as various tourism agencies in and around Cusco. 

Octavio is proud of its culture and therefore he enjoys to show tourists the impressive Inca archeological complexes in and around Cusco such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, the agricultural terraces of Moray, the Salineras salt mines, and Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world.

His family is originally from the mountain village of Huacahuasi, high in the Andes mountains; where herds of llamas and Alpacas are herded on the higher slopes, the men carry out agriculture on a small scale and the women spin their own wool and weave traditional clothing for their family. 

Octavio loves the Andes mountains; the snowcapped mountaintops, green valleys, crystal clear mountain lakes and the overwhelming nature and serenity of this mountain range.

Besides Spanish, English and Dutch, he speaks Quechua, the ancient Indians language making it possible to get in touch with the local Quechua population that lives high in the Andes mountains. 

In addition to his work as a guide he makes innovative textiles and he gives workshops in: Spinning with a drop spindle, Dying wool with cochineal lice and plants and Weaving on a back-strap loom, these techniques he has learned of his mother at an early age.

Tags: motivated, honest, friendly, communicative, cooperative and with a passion by the living culture of Peru.