About Me

Edwin Caviedes was born in Quillabamba, near Cusco, Peru, in 1982. He comes from a humble and hardworking family, where everyone contributed from an early age. His parents worked in coffee plantations and were also involved in cultivating and improving local orange varieties in the region. Later, his family moved to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where Edwin completed his primary education at Tupac Amaru School (No. 506222). He then continued his studies in Cusco at Ciencia High School. During his childhood, Edwin was deeply influenced by his mother, who taught him about Andean culture and traditions. Every Sunday, they traveled together to Chinchero, where she introduced him to the traditional trueque (barter system), exchanging tropical fruits for products such as potatoes, chuño, corn, and quinoa. Through these experiences, Edwin also learned some Quechua—while he may not speak it fluently, he understands it well. After finishing high school, Edwin studied to become a professional tour guide at the Antonio Lorena Institute. His travels across Latin America allowed him to gain valuable experience in tourism and broaden his understanding of different cultures. With this knowledge, he founded the tour operator Tierras Vivas, starting as a guide and gradually growing the company into a successful travel agency. Motivated by his commitment to responsible tourism, Edwin later created Responsible People. He believes that tourism can go hand in hand with sustainability and serve as a powerful bridge to improve the planet. Through this vision, he develops projects that support local communities, help preserve cultural traditions at risk of being lost, and promote the restoration of native forests in the Andes. Today, Edwin continues to lead both Tierras Vivas and Responsible People. He remains deeply committed to local communities and the porters who have walked alongside him since the beginning of his journey in tourism. His mission is to create meaningful projects that improve lives, protect cultural heritage, and contribute to the restoration of natural ecosystems.