The Personal Travel Experience team is comprised of local residents from the city of Cusco and the surrounding communities. We have built a network of friends, artisans, farmers, musicians, local guides, professionals, and small business owners, all of whom are devoted to being part of our extended family and helping us to provide an authentic experience of our wonderful Andean home, rich in history, customs, and culture.
Silvia Uscamaita
Principal, co-founder, guide, and a very uplifting spirit!
Silvia was born in Cusco, Peru, a descendant of Incan nobility. She has a big heart, a warm smile, and spreads love and charity wherever she goes. Silvia is practically the heart and soul of the Cusco tourism community having been involved with the industry in one way or another for over 40 years, and most especially, having served diligently as the President of the Cusco Association of Tourism Agencies for the past 15 years.
Under her leadership, she has been trying to hold the Cusco tourism sector to its social responsibility of protecting and preserving the traditions and customs of the local Andean communities. Moreover, she holds the vision that the industry can sustain them in ways that respect and value human rights, gender equality, social justice, and environmental stewardship.
Silvia is well connected and revered in her community. Anyone who knows her will know that she is deeply committed to ensuring that her home and her community – Cusco and the Sacred Valley – is valued and enriched by the tourism economy.
Silvia speaks Spanish, Quechua, and English.
Here is a list of relevant positions in the tourism industry that she has held or currently holds:
- Vice-President of the Tourism Destination Management Organization, Cusco,
- Member of the Management Committee of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- President of the Sustainability Commission for the program “One Million Trees for Machu Picchu”
- Former Vice Mayor of the City of Cusco
- Former President of the Women Authorities of Cusco
- Founder of the Association of Lodging Houses of Cusco
- Founder of the Association of Weavers of the Community of Huilloc, Bajo
- Member of the Community Tourism Network of Latin America
- Promoter of Women’s Collective in Rural Tourism, “Ñaupa Kawsay” (meaning ‘Ancestral Life’ in Quechua), community of Huilloc, Alto (Ollantaytambo, Cusco)
Julio Lopez
Principal, commercial manager, co-founder, guide, and a vibrant soul!
Julio was born in Cusco, Peru and has over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry as a guide and business owner. His journey began after completing his secondary studies at the Francisco Bolognesi College in Cusco, when he received a scholarship to participate in an AFS Program in the U.S. state of Utah. Inspired by his year abroad, he returned to begin a course of study for a Bachelor’s degree in tourism at the National University San Antonio Abad del Cusco. He has also been a professor of English at the Peruvian American Cultural Institute of Cusco, and is currently the Commercial Manager of Personal Travel Experience. He is a member of the College of Bachelors in Tourism, a business partner of TAQE S.A.C. (transportation and real estate), and the Director of our Peru Cultural Immersion Experience programs for high school and university students. His love of the Andean culture is evident in his enthusiasm to share his wonderful experience and knowledge!
David Pruskin
Program advisor, North American representative, and a warm heart!
David met Silvia 20 years ago while he was working for an American outfitter and instantly connected with her ability to weave equity into all that she does. Furthermore, the spirit of the Andes, the reverence for Pachamama, and the beauty of the mountains attracted him to southern Peru. David has guided visitors to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, and has helped design the Peru Cultural Immersion Experience summer and semester programs. He brings to Personal Travel Experience strong skills in organizational, logistical, and operational support, as well as the ability to articulate the travel experience to potential travelers. His professional background includes work as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, Regional Coordinator for Backroads Active Travel, and Outward Bound Instructor for adjudicated youth. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. And, he most recently returned from a round-the-world trip with his two young sons,Toby and Leo!