By Beatriz Roldan Martinez
Javier Saúl Quispe León is a tour guide in the Colca Valley. He currently works independently and his commitment to a more human and sustainable tourism remains strong.
📌 Local guides are key pieces of regenerative tourism: they are guardians of the land and promoters of sustainable practices defending the cultural and natural value of the Colca Valley.
🗣️ The condor is undoubtedly an icon of the Colca Valley, but as Javier points out, there is a richness that also deserves attention: “There is much more to discover: living history, towns with traditions, and ways of life that still resist change.”
Javier doesn’t just guide—he educates. On his tours, he talks about Peru’s recent history, how families live today, and cultural practices like AYNI, an ancestral form of mutual aid that’s still alive.
🚫 He also encourages reflection: “Don’t take photos with captured eagles. Not everything is worth a photo.”
💡 His dream: that tourism benefits more communities without altering their way of life. That it’s better distributed, that the environment is respected, and that people think about the future.
📣 What other voices like Javier’s should we be listening to? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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