Joel Cárdenas Gonzales

Joel Cárdenas Gonzales was born in Cusco, Peru, and grew up surrounded by the history, mountains and traditions of the former capital of the Inca Empire. From a young age he developed a deep connection with nature, adventure and Andean culture, interests that started his career in tourism and, over time, became the core of his business and creative projects.

In 2009 he founded Southern Peru Explorers, a Cusco-based travel company specialized in trekking, mountaineering and adventure experiences. As founder and CEO he leads the company’s development and growth, and takes part in designing the experiences that let travelers from around the world discover Peru’s landscapes, historical heritage and culture.

His career combines local knowledge with a business vision focused on innovation, quality of service and authentic experiences that connect travelers with the essence of the Andes.

Education and professional development

Joel trained at Instituto Khipu in Cusco to work as an official tour guide, completing his studies in 2012. This gave him a professional foundation to understand the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the region, as well as the particularities of tourism in the Peruvian Andes.

In 2016 he studied photography at Lima Image, in Lima, strengthening his interest in visual composition, photographic storytelling and communicating through images.

Throughout his career he has complemented his experience in tourism with photography, audiovisual production, graphic design, digital illustration and digital marketing. This combination has given him a multidisciplinary profile that brings together business management, creativity and technology, applied both to his companies and to the promotion of destinations and travel experiences.

Adventure travel in the Andes

Joel’s work is closely tied to Peru’s trekking routes, ancestral trails and mountain landscapes. Through Southern Peru Explorers he promotes experiences in iconic destinations such as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Salkantay and Ausangate, as well as other routes that reveal the country’s geographic and cultural diversity.

His approach to tourism is built on planning, knowledge of the territory and personal attention to each traveler. He aims for well-organized, safe and memorable experiences in which adventure goes hand in hand with cultural discovery and respect for the natural environment.

As a tourism entrepreneur who knows the region, he believes that the value of an experience lies not only in reaching a destination, but also in understanding its history, appreciating its landscapes and recognizing the communities that keep their traditions alive.

Café Coati and coffee experiences

Besides his work in adventure travel, Joel manages Café Coati, a family project linked to origin coffee and the agricultural richness of the Peruvian Andes. His involvement comes from his interest in connecting travelers with other expressions of local identity, especially coffee culture, the work of the growers and the process that turns the bean into a cup of coffee.

As part of this project he develops coffee experiences and tours that bring visitors closer to the origin of the product, its production process and the relationship between farming, territory and local communities. For Joel, Café Coati is an extension of the same vision: promoting products with identity, valuing local work and showing a Peru beyond its classic destinations.

Photography, graphic design and audiovisual production

Photography and audiovisual production play an important role in Joel’s personal and professional path. The Andes are a constant source of inspiration for him: the mountains, the ancestral trails, the natural light and the life of the communities offer countless opportunities to tell stories through images. His interest goes beyond recording landscapes; he seeks to convey the atmosphere of each place, the emotion of the adventure and the cultural identity of every destination.

For graphic design and digital illustration he works with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, and he edits and produces video with Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects and DaVinci Resolve. These skills let him take part directly in building the visual identity of his companies and in communication that connects creative content with commercial and tourism goals.

Vision and commitment

Joel sees tourism as an opportunity to connect people with nature, history and local cultures. He supports initiatives that help value Peru’s natural and cultural heritage, promote respect for communities and create enriching experiences for visitors.

His work at Southern Peru Explorers and Café Coati reflects an entrepreneurial vision that brings together tourism, local identity, creativity and the design of experiences. His goal is to share an authentic view of the Peruvian Andes and to help every traveler discover Peru not only as a destination, but as a cultural and human experience that stays with them.