Some life stories are inspiring. Others are transformational. Efraín Valles’ journey is both. A native of Cusco, Efraín is a passionate tour guide, dedicated marathoner, and self-taught polyglot, all driven by resilience and purpose.

“The effort Efraín puts into his work is simply outstanding. It’s as if the gold medalist can do anything. Despite a difficult childhood growing up on the streets of Cusco, he stood out,” said the jury of a prestigious global competition in which 2,200 guides from around the world competed.

After winning that coveted award, Efraín’s goal remained unchanged: to help others. As a child, Efraín lost his father and was abandoned by his mother. He survived by selling trinkets to tourists on the streets, an experience that taught him multiple languages out of necessity. His life changed when he found support at the Chicuchas Wasi Foundation, where he met his surrogate mother.

Thanks to her support, Efraín studied tourism at an institute (though he nearly chose computer science) and fell in love with his profession. “I’m Quechua, I’m Inca, and I’m proud of my identity. This career is a powerful way to passionately share the richness of this country,” he says.

Grateful to the foundation and his adoptive mother, Efraín donates a portion of his income, including the $5,500 prize from Wanderlust magazine, to support them. One of the unique ways he raises awareness is by running marathons dressed as an Inca—he’s done it in London, Chicago, and is set to run again in Dubai next March.

A Million Miles on Foot

Efraín has explored nearly every corner of Peru, with only the Amazonas region left on his bucket list. But his favorite place remains Machu Picchu. “I’ve been more than 400 times in the last 17 years. It’s my main office,” he shares. And he never tires of it. “Every time I go, I sigh in amazement and come back home inspired. We Peruvians have so much to be grateful for.”