Meet Jorge, your expert in Peru!
🌍 Lives in: Lima, Peru
Regions of Expertise: Countrywide - Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Huaraz and the Cordillera Real, the Peruvian Amazon, Arequipa and Colca Canyona, Ica & Huacachina, Lake Titicaca, the Coast, and everywhere else!
Experience: 23 years leading countrywide tours and designing tailor-made trips
Languages: English, Español
Jorge’s Specialties:
Get to know Jorge!
A note from Jorge
"I was born in Peru but raised in Canada, living abroad part of my life, including my student years in Chile, when I thought I wanted to become a musician and then shifted unexpectedly into finances but ended up following a journalistic career. Some people raised their eyebrows and thought I was a flake.
I knew, instead, I just wanted to embrace the world and journalism seemed the way to do so. Back in Peru, I traveled incessantly to learn about my culture and ancestors. Such a biodiverse, multicultural, contradictory land could only trigger a love-hate relationship that I shifted into passion. As most Peruvians I would say. That is when I decided I wanted to share the knowledge I had acquired about my country with travelers, adventurers, tourists and digital nomads.
Regardless of whom you are or think you are, I am willing to guide you into the natural and historic wonders of Peru: an Andean country that actually has 55% of its territory summerged in the Amazon rainforest. Eleven ecoregions, 84 of the world’s 114 Holdridge life zones, 287 natural protected areas – state and privately owned. Not to forget Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable in the world; the source of the Amazon, the longest river in the planet; and Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the globe.
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If you’re a foodie, I will invite you to sample some of the most intense, delicious, mouthwatering dishes in the world including the freshest ceviche, deep-fried guinea pig, or a tender alpaca steak. Be reminded that Peru is credited to be the birthplace of potatoes, claiming to have around 3,000 varieties, not to mention world-class specialty coffee and also, most probably, the cradle of cacao somewhere in the Amazon basin, from where the best chocolate can be made.
I have been described as a warm and generous host. An ultimate foodie with decadent, epicurean habits. A tireless conversationalist and a knowledgeable person. But I also have been accused of being quite opinionated and arrogant. I should admit all of the above can be true. I am blunt, speak up and usually have very strong opinions. I don't consider myself a politically-correct person. Being honest and uncompromisingly forthright are precious virtues.
If you're easily offended, you're definitely going to have a hard time being around me. Last but definitely not least: I am very sarcastic and seem to have a great sense of (dark) humor. Can't help it. But if it makes you feel better, I've learned to laugh at myself too.
I am a print journalist by trade, a travel and food writer, a fixer and producer, and a tour conductor and tour specialist. My professional background includes being a frequent contributor in a wide variety of outlets in South and North America, as well as Europe.
I was a co-author in DK's first edition of the Peru Eyewitness Travel Guide and an updater in the Peru Moon Handbook's third edition. I have also researched for the National Geographic Society and published in the NG Traveler magazine.
In more recent years, I have become a fixer for documentary and television crews of the U.S., Iran and Chile, shooting and highlighting Peru's gastronomy and tourist attractions.
So, what's next? While travel and helping visitors experience the best of Peru will always be one of my biggest passions, I also hope to write a book in Spanish about my travels. Once I finish it, I hope somebody is bored enough to buy a copy and read it!"
Peru Travel Consultations
Plan a better trip with some help from Jorge
Why plan with Jorge
Spend 60 minutes tapping into Jorge’s hyperlocal expertise to plan a better trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Consultations cost $125 USD.
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Consultations are held over Google Meet. Once you’ve scheduled your call, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing the link for your video call. On the scheduled day and time, just click that link to join.
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Each consultation is different, but here are some common things that our experts typically help with:
Itinerary planning
Transportation, driving routes, and tips for how to get around
Practical travel information; culture, safety, weather, language, money/tipping, etc.
Suggested hotels/accommodations and advice on where to base yourself
Local recommendations for restaurants, activities, and unique experiences
Advice on reputable tour guides, tour operators, and excursions
Pro tips on how to best visit popular sights and attractions
Ways to avoid overcrowded destinations and tourist traps
Insider ideas on off the beaten path places, authentic experiences, and ways to connect with locals
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What you can get done in an hour depends on your goals for the consultation and how organized you are coming into it.
In most cases, an hour is ample time to create a solid itinerary, answer your major travel questions, get practical advice on how to travel in your destination, and discuss lots of great local tips and recommendations.
To ensure that the hour is used efficiently, when you schedule your call, our pre-consultation questionnaire will ask you what your primary goals for the consultation are. Prior to the call, your Local Expert will review your questionnaire and prepare detailed information addressing those goals.
They’ll come into the call ready to share specific advice, recommendations, itinerary ideas/revisions, and useful links and resources for you to review together.
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Yes! Each consultation is guided by a comprehensive pre-consultation questionnaire that you fill out immediately upon booking.
We’ll ask you a series of 30+ detailed questions that really dig into you, your trip, your interests and travel style, and what you want to discuss with your Local Expert.
The questionnaire will cover things like: the dynamics of your group, the things you enjoy while traveling, your budget, how early you want to start your day and how late you want to end it, whether you want to hit the highlights or roam the back streets, and even what types of restaurants you want to eat at.
Your Local Expert will focus only on your interests and travel style.
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Our Local Experts are seasoned travel professionals who have spent decades working in their countries/regions. While their personal interests may be different from yours, they’ve worked with thousands of travelers and have recommendations and advice for every type of individual.
They know their destinations in-depth and can help plan a trip for every traveler and taste.
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No. Our service is geared toward independent, do-it-yourself travelers who intend to make bookings on their own.
Our goal is not to plan your trip for you, but rather to help you plan a better trip independently. To that end, our Local Experts will give you all of the information that you need to confidently put your trip together yourself.
When Local Experts recommend things like restaurants, hotels, excursions/activities, tours, drivers, etc., they’ll provide you with contact details and links so that you can make the final arrangements on your own.
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Almost every Go Ask A Local expert has at least 10 years of professional travel experience as a guide or trip planner in their country/region.
We work with a vetted team of seasoned professionals who know their destinations inside and out.
Unlike other companies, when you book a call, you’ll always be connected directly with your chosen Local Expert. We never pass anyone on to a junior sales associate or some anonymous back office team. With us, what you see is what you get.
Ready to plan with Jorge?
Here’s how to schedule your consultation:
