Would like to find an excellent, English speaking, private guide for tours of Cuzco, Pisca, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu in Peru and Quito area of Ecuador such as Otavalo market, El Pahuma orchid reserve and cloud forest. Does anyone have a recommendation for a guide that is not part of an organized tour? We would like to do independent travel but enjoy the knowledge of a local for some journies.

Thanks.

Just returned from 10 weeks in South America - and am writing our trip report now but here's first hand info regarding our private guide in the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca.

His name is David Choque - web site is:

http://www.cuscotoptravelperu.com/index.htm

and email is

[email protected]

I found him on this site and HIGHLY recommend him - we stayed 4 nights in Ollantaytambo, 2 nights at MP, 3 nights in Cusco and 3 nights at Lake Titicaca (including a home stay on an island) .

He and I worked collaboratively on the hotel selection but he booked them directly - all at very good rates. (it's not necessary to book your hotel with him)

We toured with him to Pisac, Moray, the Salt Mines, Machu Pichu, Cusco and with another guide to Ollantaytambo and Chinchero......here's a link to our blog for MP and Lake Titicaca - you'll see our itinerary plus some pix of David.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...aca/index.html

In the end the cost was less than an organized tour with maximum flexibility and enjoyment.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Hello Liz, I have been reading your Blog. Looks and sounds like a wonderful trip. I had looked at David's web site, but there it appears that he only does multi-day excursions, so I had not thought to contact him. Did David provide your transportation on day tours? If yes, what type of transport was used? Might I ask what he charged roughly -- on say a per day basis? Thanks or your reply.

He does a range of tours - single day to full Inca Trail treks (privately).......he has a nice mini-van that seats 6 or 7 and when we went to Lake Titicaca he rented an even larger van for our comfort (which wasn't really necessary!).

His fees were approx $65 - $80 per person per tour (depending on the tour) - that was about 5 -6 hours - he'd pick us up at the hotel and drop us off - we usually stopped for lunch and we asked him to join us so we paid for his lunch - obviously that's up to the individual's discretion.

From what you've described you want he's perfect - we couldn't have been happier.

Thanks, Liz. I'll try contacting him. Does anyone have a guide they liked in Ecuador?