Carlos Sotomayor
Sarmiento

Meet your guide

Carlos Sotomayor

When guiding, I like to convey confidence and conviction when sharing my knowledge with tourists, who I consider to be guests of our culture

Hello friends, I am Carlos, and I am also part of the great Salkantay Trekking family. I was born on May 20, 1977, in the province and department of Cusco, Peru. I am fluent in English and Spanish, and I enjoy reading books on universal history, Inca, geology, archaeology, and literature. My greatest inspiration in life is my father, Julio. Whenever I finish working, and the passengers thank me for my guidance, it motivates me to keep improving.

I completed my professional career in civil engineering, but I felt like I needed more. My father was a tour guide, considered a pioneer, and winner of many awards for over 50 years. Therefore, my family has the vocation and passion to be guided since this incredible profession runs in our veins.

The information I provide to passengers mainly focuses on Andean culture, geology, flora, and wildlife. When guiding, I like to convey confidence and conviction when sharing my knowledge with tourists, who I consider to be guests of our culture. The added value distinguishing me from other guides is my knowledge of Inca architecture, engineering, and history.

I have been working as a guide for about 25 years and have more experience in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco tours. In the 4 years that I have been with Salkantay Trekking, I have been doing traditional tours and alternate programs more frequently. I had the opportunity to work for 7 years in the United States, where I got to know its natural parks and beautiful cities. But undoubtedly, Machu Picchu is and will be the most incredible place on the planet. If you still need to visit our wonder of the world, the time to explore this citadel has come.

I always strive for what I have learned; I always seek to investigate and learn about new research and scientific discoveries related to my profession. Therefore, I am committed to giving my best at Salkantay Trekking and improving to become Cusco's best travel agency. See you soon!

LanguagesEnglish & Spanish
Based inCusco, Peru
Off the trailI enjoy reading books on universal history.

At Ausangate Mountain

At Rainbow Mountain

Training & credentials

Technical degree in tourismCertificate
CertificateBachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

It’s not just us saying this

Find out what our travelers say about their experience with us.

Every adventure tells a different story. Learn about the experiences of those who have already explored the Andes with our team and discover why they choose us for their next adventure.

Amazing trek, unbeatable guide, incredible food, awesome company

One of the best experiences I've had! Fredy Apaza was our tour guide and we couldn't have asked for a better guide! We loved the Trek itself but Fredy is what made the trek so incredible and memorable! He has so much knowledge that he was kind enough to share with us and he was so organized and patient! If you stick with Fredy, you will have the BEST experience on this trek! You'll go at whatever pace you need to, beat all the crowds for the trail and the hot springs (if that's part of your trek) and he'll make sure you get the experience personalized for you! And a Michelin star should be awarded to chef Guido! He'll prepare the most delicious meals for you! It's not just a dinner or a lunch, but a true foody experience! If you want an unforgettable experience, choose this company and ask for Fredy!

Premium 5-day trek to Machu Picchu

Booked the premium 5-day trek to Machu Picchu and was not disappointed. Very well organized and handled all the logistics - airport transport, accommodations, food, passes - everything was well executed. My group and I all felt lucky to have Guido as our guide - he was very knowledgeable about the land, the people, the history, and had a passion for sharing his love for his culture. Thanks, G! Special shout out to our chef, Vidal and our horseman, Luis for all their hard work and going to great lengths to take care of us out in the Andes!

Amazing trek and well organised - highly recommend

Fantastic tour that was well organised and executed by Carlos and the team. Some days can be a hard slog but it is extremely rewarding and the accomodation is amazing. Highly recommend!

Once in a lifetime experience in the Andes

Guido our amazing guide, gave us a once in a lifetime experience. His knowledge of the Peruvian history and specifically, the indigenous Quechua language and culture of the Andes, and the Inkas, was super interesting and enrichment to our experience. Guido's detail oriented attention and guidance, made our 5 days Salkantay trek, plus two days in Machu Pichu, an amazing experience. From making sure each one of the group members, had all of her/his needs met, whatever they might be; from physical challenges or food restrictions and any support or guidanc. Guido had our backs! My wife and I, celebrating her 45 th birthday, which also was acknowledged by Guido and the amazing chef we had with us throughout the trek, made this trip a week of daily highlights and amazing core memories. Accomodations were epic in their locations and surprisingly gorgeous and welcoming. Amazing trek in the Andes, accompanied by truly local indigenous guide, always positive, always there for you. Highly recommend, if you want to push yourself, mentally and physically and visit one of the amazing wonders of the world In style. We'll be back, Guido and Salkantay trekking company. Ilan + Vienna Portugali, Los Angeles, California, USA @ilanportugali

The classic 5 day Salkantay Trek

The classic 5 day Salkantay Trek with Salkantay Trekking was an unforgettable experience and the highlight of our entire trip. Our guide, JC, was phenomenal, knowledgeable, fun, and genuinely cared about our group. He made the whole journey so enjoyable and made sure we were all having a good time as well. The food was absolutely delicious (way beyond what I would have thought while trekking), and the domes were super comfortable. We had mostly warm / hot showers which was lovely. Everything was well organised and we didn't have to think about anything across the 5 days. Make sure to bring lots of layers, the weather changes so much throughout the trip. Our group all spoke English, was similar in age and ability which made for fun, smooth and memorable days. Highly recommend the classic 5 day trek – and if you get JC as your guide, you're in for something special! Thank you JC!

Worth the trek!

The guides were absolutely wonderful — incredibly friendly, approachable, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring that every part of the trip was enjoyable. They were also very honest and made us feel completely safe and comfortable throughout the journey. Thanks to their professionalism and attention to detail, everything went smoothly and the whole experience felt effortless and unforgettable.

Salkantay Trek

Ramiro was by far the best tour guide we've ever had! He shared so much fascinating information about Peru, the Inca history, and local culture. His passion and knowledge made every part of the trip meaningful and enjoyable. Thanks to him, our experience in Peru was truly unforgettable.

7 day Salkantay and Inka trek

I did the 7 day Salkantay and Inka trek, and it is an experience I would highly recommend! Particularly the Salkantay portion of the trek, where we were often the only people as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful experience, and such a special way to experience the Andes!

Salkantay 5 day trek with Franz Contreras

Our experience was with Franz Contreras /Salkantay Trekking. There are many people behind the scenes that make this experience happen without a hitch. Franz kept the trek on schedule and accommodated all skill levels in our group. He was the best and I would refer everyone to Franz. Check them out today.

Suggested Peru Destinations

Discover Machu Picchu and Cusco alongside the country's finest travel guides.

Peru offers world-class tourist attractions, with mysterious archaeological sites, awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse wildlife. In this vast and storied land, ancient, colonial, and modern traditions meld together for an unforgettable cultural experience. No matter the type of traveler—history buff, adventurer, or foodie—Peru offers a myriad of activities to satisfy every appetite.