Joel Deyvis Fuentes
Ríos “hd”

Meet your guide

Joel Fuentes

I chose a career as a tour guide because I like to discover and teach the culture and history of our ancestors.

What's up guys, I'm “HD”. I was born on October 12th and I'm 34 years old. I consider myself a person with a sense of humor and committed to my work. My biggest motivation in life is my daughter, she drives me forward day by day. I like to play soccer and I am fluent in English, Portuguese, Quechua and Spanish.

I chose a career as a tour guide because I like to discover and teach the culture and history of our ancestors. One of the experiences I had en route was that one of the passengers sprained his ankle and I carried him on my back the rest of the way to help him, it was one of the most rewarding moments I will always remember! Therefore, this profession is more than just guiding, it is giving unforgettable moments to people who come from far away to explore our beautiful country.

Of all the routes that exist, I consider that I have more experience in: Salkantay, Inca Trail, Choquequirao, Huchuy Qosqo, Lares and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

I have been practicing this profession for about 10 years, including 4 years as part of the Salkantay Trekking family; I have the conviction to become the best, together with the excellent guides that make up the team.

LanguagesEnglish, Portuguese, Spanish & Quechua
Based inCusco, Peru
Off the trailPlay soccer

At Humantay Lake

At Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

Training & credentials

DIRCETURTravel Guide in Peru
SERNANPInca Trail Guide
First aidWilderness First Aid and Rescue Certificate
CertificateInternational Certificate of Andean Communities

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.

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