Miguel Angel Gongora Meza

Miguel is a native Peruvian and professional tour guide from Cusco with nearly 30 years of experience leading tours throughout Peru. Renowned for his extensive knowledge of the country’s rich cultural and ecological diversity, Miguel is dedicated to sharing the wonders of his homeland with visitors from around the world.

In 2003, Miguel was invited to lecture at Hampshire College in Massachusetts on the topic of cultural appropriation. He has continued to share his expertise internationally, including speaking engagements for Norway’s Outdoor Store Nomaden in 2017, the John Hopkins University–CENTRUM Virtual Peru Global Immersion 2024: Cultural Activity, and the Tuinen Star Tourism Superior Institute. He is also featured in the multi-award-winning film The Last Tourist, which explores the impact of sustainable travel.

A passionate advocate for ethical, sustainable, and regenerative tourism, as well as science-based practices, Miguel deeply values the positive role that thoughtful tourism can play in protecting sensitive cultures, peoples, and ecosystems. He dedicates his career to raising awareness among travelers, encouraging them to become responsible stewards of the places they visit.

Miguel is also the only former Peruvian porter on the Inca Trail to have trekked three of the world’s premier hiking destinations: Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, and the Inca Trail itself. Currently, he campaigns to raise awareness of the exploitation and mistreatment endemic to the trekking industry, particularly affecting porters and sherpas on iconic routes such as Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, Everest Base Camp, and the K2 Base Camp Trek.

His expert insights have been featured in renowned travel media outlets including Lonely Planet, Fodor’s Travel, National Geographic, BBC Travel, as well as many other major news platforms.

Miguel is the co-founder of Evolution Treks Peru, a Cusco-based worker-owned travel company, reflecting his commitment to equity and sustainability in tourism.