Nicole and Bill Koch
We moved to Peru 12 years ago to help the poor. We worked in two schools that were free for those who could not afford an education for their children, the most poor. During those years, on our off time, we explored Peru in every way we could, trekking Choquequirao with our one-year-old, biking the many foot paths we would see all over the Andes, camping, fishing, and much more.
We've become friends and family with many people here, and really came to know and love the Peruvian culture. Seven years and 4 kids later, we moved away from volunteer work and naturally into tourism. We opened an Airbnb out of our house and began sending our guests on the tours we had designed from our own knowledge. After a bit, it was only natural we decided to open a tourist agency that specializes in custom built adventure tours, with Machu Picchu always a climax of the trip. We operate, organize, and occasionally guide our tours, especially the mountain biking!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"We specialise in trekking all over the Cusco region especially Salkantay to Machu Picchu with lodging in cabins run by locals in the area, serious mountain biking, mountain biking for all levels, culturally infused tours, Adventure Packages to Machu Picchu."
How did you get involved in travel?
"Living in a place as marvelous as Peru and loving the adventure of the great Andes, it was only a matter of time before people started to ask us for our expertise. We opened Haku (meaning "let's go" in Quechua) Expeditions and began forming custom packages for people who want to be a traveler, not a tourist."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"We had always wanted to trek Salkantay with our family. We took our four kids aged, 8, 5, 3 and 1 on an adventure of a life time. The two older kids rode horses while William and I carried the littler ones. We trekked for three days and then spent three days in the hot springs of Colclomayo to reward the kids for their hard work."
Nicole and Bill's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Journey through an undiscovered land of wild desert landscapes, snow-capped peaks, herds of alpacas, to arrive at the ultimate destination: the rainbow-painted slopes of Rainbow...
Peruvian cuisine is popping up on menus around the world—find out why on this unique tour that introduces the Sacred Valley through authentic culinary experiences. Prepare...
If you're looking to combine some adventure with a tour of Machu Picchu at the end, consider this three-day itinerary. The Sacred Valley is a hotbed of great day adventures,...
Recent trip reviews for Nicole and Bill
trek apprpraiate for 4 women 58 to 62.
Peru
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Sep 15 - Sep 22, 2018
A little more guidance as to what is needed each day. A better time line ahead of time. Boxed lunches for Manchu Picchu were heavy and unnecessary since they couldn't be eaten while at the ruins. Did a good job knowing time we needed to acclimate. Great trip- we loved our guide, Ruben. Nicole was very helpful in addition details for my trip to Bolivia Well done. We would recommend to my friends
Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking in Peru
Peru
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Sep 6 - Sep 14, 2018
Great experience in the Sacred Valley with Nicole and her team...they easily redirected a plan that turned out to be too ambitious, into one that was the highlight of our trip, a hike along an old Inka trail down the mountains through the Pisac ruins. the drivers and guides were wonderful. Scott
Trip to Peru
Peru
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Aug 17 - Sep 1, 2018
We had a truly amazing trip! We spent 16 days in Peru and visited Cusco, the Amazon, Lima, sacred valley and Lake Titicaca. Despite the complexity of the trip, everything was like clock-work! It was a great combination of hiking, exploring, experiencing the local culture and city visits. Nicole did a great job of staying in touch with us throughout the trip and making sure we were well taken care of. Our guides were superb! They were all very knowledgeable and friendly. Especially our sacred valley guide Rubin did an amazing job!
Thank you!
Ayca
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu - 5 Days
Peru
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May 19 - May 25, 2018
Jamie thanks for the review! Your pictures are amazing and it looks like you had the trip of a lifetime! Please keep in touch and I will be sure to send you pictures of the kids I give the school supplies away to. Thank you for that thoughtful gift for the children of Peru!
Best Treks to Machu Picchu
Peru
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May 8 - May 16, 2018
We had already booked our flights to Peru, so we had very specific dates to plan our trip to Machu Picchu around. Nicole asked us what we wanted to do and worked around our dates to create a great itinerary. Each day of our trip was planned out for us, including accommodations and most meals. We were able to see Machu Picchu and even got to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu!
Nicole made sure that all of our last minute needs were met and even gave us recommendations for our time in Lima after our tour with KimKim.
Thanks for the review Natalie. It was a pleasure finally meeting you! Take care and safe travels!
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu - 7 Days
Peru
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May 8 - May 16, 2018
They were extremely helpful when any traveling issues arose such as forgetting my passport or extending my stay in ollantaytambo and our guide was very knowledgeable about the Incan civilization and was able to tell us all about the places we were hiking through. The only thing I would have wished was different was that we could have spent more time touring macho picchu with the guide before getting to hike up the mountains.
Hi Sydney, thanks for the review! It was wonderful hosting you and helping plan your trip. As for Machu Picchu, the new timetables for the site make if difficult to fit everything in, I totally understand. Safe travels and thanks again!
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu - 5 Days
Peru
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Apr 9 - Apr 13, 2018
Nicole helped arrange everything for us and it was a perfect combination of trekking and learning about the local people and their cultures.
Our guide Ruben was fantastic!! He catered to us and went above and beyond to help us and to make our experience as memorable as possible. As an experienced guide, we slowed him down but he waited... Read more
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Peru
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Dec 28 - Jan 6, 2018
Thank you Ellen for the Review. It was lovely meeting your family and helping you on this trip of a lifetime!
Best Day Hikes in the Sacred Valley near Cusco
Peru
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Oct 12 - Oct 15, 2017
Nicole was incredible, and took the time to figure out what kind of trip I wanted, then helped me adjust last-minute when I needed to make some emergency changes.
I plan to recommend Nicole to anyone I hear is going to Peru—whether they ask for recommendations or not :)
She was available, helpful, knowledge, and lovely.
Thanks so much! It was our pleasure.
peru trip 2017
Peru
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Aug 16 - Aug 19, 2017
We had a good guide, Joise. To improve, it would have been great if we had more communication from the travel agent.
Everything was good. Had a good driver and perfect guide. Would have liked to have more communication
Hello Chrisha,
Thank you for letting us know your thoughts and thank you very much for the review!
Nicole