Meet Erik Bayona
Founder of Kusa Treks • Local Trekking Expert
Growing Up in the Heart of the Andes
"The Andes have always been my home. Becoming a trekking guide simply gave me the opportunity to share that home with people from around the world."
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Growing up in Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns, shaped who I am long before it shaped the guide I would become. Long before I began leading travelers through the Andes, these mountains were already my playground, my classroom, and my home.
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As a child, I spent my days exploring mountain trails, helping my family, fishing in nearby rivers, and learning to respect nature through everyday life. My grandparents were farmers, and from them I learned that the mountains are more than beautiful landscapes—they are part of a living culture built on hard work, community, and gratitude.
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Looking back, I realize those experiences didn't just prepare me to become a guide. They taught me that every mountain has a story, and that the greatest privilege is helping others discover it for themselves.
Erik Bayona — A Lifetime Dedicated to the Andes
Founder of Kusa Treks - Lead Trekking Guide
At the age of 17, I took my first steps on the Inca Trail—not as a guide, but as a porter. Carrying equipment along those ancient paths taught me discipline, resilience, and respect for the mountains long before I began leading travelers through them.
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As the years passed, I studied tourism and worked my way from assistant guide to professional trekking guide, sharing Peru's history, culture, and landscapes with visitors from around the world. Every journey became another opportunity to learn—not only about the Andes, but also about the people who came to experience them.
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Later, working aboard international cruise ships allowed me to travel across different countries and cultures. Seeing the world gave me a new perspective on my own home and reminded me how extraordinary Peru truly is. It was during those years that I realized I wanted to return—not just to guide travelers, but to share my country in a more personal and meaningful way.
Why I Created Kusa Treks
After years of guiding travelers across Peru and visiting different parts of the world, I realized something important: people don't come here just to see famous places.
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Some arrive looking for adventure. Others come to reconnect with nature, celebrate an important moment, or simply slow down and experience life from a different perspective.
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Those experiences changed the way I understood my role as a guide. I wanted every journey to feel personal—not rushed, not scripted, but thoughtfully designed around the people I was walking with.
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That idea eventually became Kusa Treks. I didn't create it simply to organize tours—I created it to offer the kind of experience I would want someone to have if they were visiting my own home.
What I Hope Every Traveler Finds
Every traveler arrives with a different reason for coming to Peru. Over the years, I've learned that while every journey is unique, there are a few things I hope everyone takes home—long after the journey ends.
Adventure
Challenge yourself and discover strengths you never knew you had.
Healing
Find space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Connection
Experience Peru through its people, traditions, and everyday life.
Lifelong Dreams
Turn a lifelong dream into a memory you'll carry with you forever.
Every Journey Has a Story
Over the years, I've learned that every traveler carries a story you can't always see. One experience has stayed with me ever since.
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One of the most meaningful experiences of my life as a guide began with a 75-year-old woman hiking the Inca Trail.
On the first day, I noticed she seemed quiet and emotionally distant from the rest of the group. Concerned about the challenging days ahead, I suggested that she might consider meeting us later at Machu Picchu instead of continuing the trek.
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She looked at me and said,
"Erik, please help me finish this trek. I have my reasons for being here."
For the next three days, I stayed by her side, encouraging her through every challenge. Together, we celebrated each step until we finally reached the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.
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Then, she opened a small box and gently released her husband's ashes into the wind.
Only then did I learn her story.
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She and her husband had planned the journey together to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Before the trip began, he passed away from cancer. She carried his ashes because she had promised they would make the journey together.
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That experience reminded me that the Inca Trail is often much more than a hike. Sometimes it becomes a pilgrimage. Sometimes it becomes a tribute. Sometimes it becomes a healing journey—or simply a promise kept.
Your Journey Has a Story Too
Whether you're dreaming of hiking the Inca Trail, exploring the Sacred Valley, or discovering Peru beyond the guidebooks, I'd be honored to be part of your journey.
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Every traveler arrives with a different story, different expectations, and a different reason for making the journey. My role is to help you experience Peru in a way that feels authentic, personal, and meaningful.
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When your journey comes to an end, I hope you don't just take home beautiful photographs—you take home memories, friendships, and stories you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.