Our Partners in South America

We’ve worked hand-in-hand with some of South America’s finest guides and tour agencies since we started up in 1998.

Our partnerships extend to every corner of South America, where our dedicated and experienced team members become more than just guides. They become your trusted companions, sharing their deep knowledge and love for their regions as you journey across the continent.

Take, for instance, Tullio in Peru, who has been welcoming guests to Lima for over 30 years. Or consider Rodolfo, a seasoned mountain guide who has been leading our treks and ice climbs in and around Huaraz for nearly two decades. Their long-standing expertise is a testament to their commitment and passion for what they do.

Jesús, who takes care of our guests in Cusco, has been with us for more than a decade. Our community tourism experts are Alex and Valentin, with deep local connections. Maria Esther organises the Amazon lodge reservations.

Each expert brings unique qualities to the table.

Argentina’s spectacular landscapes open up thanks to the diligence of our local tour operators, such as Emi, Oscar, Zoe, Pablo, and Luis.

Over the border, Jenny, Frank, Fernando, Koen, and Ernesto have got Chile covered.

Osvaldo will show you Bolivia’s mountains, while Scarlet, Julia, and Jaira handle the logistics of tours across the Salar, Uyuni, Cochabamba, la Paz, Potosi, Sucre and the Bolivian Amazon.

Ecuador and Galapagos come under the remit of Emma, Lucero, Paulina, Ramiro, and Javier, all of whom live there and offer decades of experience.

These are just a few of our local partners and guides who you may meet, and with whom we collaborate to make your once-in-a-lifetime trip to South America a memorable success.

Jaira 

Jaira, in Bolivia – How and why did you start to work in Adventure Tourism? 

Twenty nine years ago my parents started this company of adventure and solidarity-based tourism. The motivation was for a very simple reasons; both my parents are children of the former dictatorship and both are socialists. Their ideas were forged in the liberal and hippie movement of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The company aimed to unite the private, indigenous communities and environmental sectors by following responsible ethical and cultural codes.

As pioneers in community tourism and ecotourism, we bring comfort to the adventure traveller; Bolivia – incredibly beautiful, adventurous and perfect in all its chaos.

People who travel here love the Bolivian people, and finding places where the hand of man has not taken control.

Emma

Emma, in Ecuador – How did you get started in Adventure Tourism and what are your priorities now?

Originally from the UK, I lead my first trip to Ecuador in 1999, putting together an unforgettable experience for a group of British teachers.

I made the decisive move to settle in Quito in 2002 and now have over two decades of experience developing and operating adventure tours to Ecuador.

I set up my company back in 2012. Our all-female team offers expert guidance for those looking to get off the beaten track and experience nature & culture first hand.

Supporting local community projects and owner-operated accommodations is a priority for us when crafting our Ecuadorian tours, always aiming to provide visitors with a meaningful, sustainable tourism experience.

Osvaldo 

Osvaldo, in Bolivia – what would you recommend Andean Trails clients do and what are the best places to visit in Bolivia?

Being specialised in mountaineering, I would personally recommend starting discovering Bolivia with a visit to the Lake Titicaca area.  This combines interesting cultures and scenery, ideal for those that want to sample a slice of the history of Bolivia and crucially it allows for some good acclimatisation time before going higher.

Next, I absolutely love the Condoriri area, which features snow-capped peaks ideal for people who don’t have much climbing experience but at the same time want to get up close to glaciers. Then, if you enjoy that we can take you to bigger peaks for more of a challenge.

Ernesto, in Chile  – What is your passion? What do you love about your work?

Ernesto

My passion is to travel around the world on a bike, and enjoy getting to know cultures at the speed of the bike.

Jenny

I arrived in Chile many years ago, started working in tourism, and fell in love with this wonderful country, its nature, its culture, its people, and its cuisine.

After a few years, my partner and I decided to open a local agency to share our passion and create dream custom trips for our clients.

For me, the most beautiful part of Chile is the Carretera Austral, my favorite place.

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Frank – off the beaten track in central Chile and the lake District of Chile. What do you love about Chile?

Frank

I am fascinated by the warmth of the people in Chile. Also, the variety of its landscapes is unique.

What I like most is exploring the Andes Mountains around the Rio Puelo, in the Chilean Lakes District, and the national Park Pumalin Douglas Thompkins.

Moving through almost untouched dense forests, discover clear rivers and the calm and patience of pure nature.

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Oscar  – a pioneering local partner in southern Argentina, makes a very tasty Argentinean BBQ.

Oscar

I was born in Buenos Aires but grew up in the agricultural valleys of Northern Patagonia. As a child, I explored the mountains of Bariloche, and after graduating as an Agronomist Engineer, I moved south to pursue mountaineering and a career as a Mountain Guide.

I lived in Chaltén for about 15 years, from 1991 to 2005, during which I climbed several mountains and explored a lot of Chaltén, Paine, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. During that time, my guiding activity evolved into that of a tour operator.

Together with my partners, we began offering trekking and adventure trips to companies from 1993 onward.

Today, we have been in the business for 30 years, with in-depth knowledge of all of Patagonia. I continue to climb and ski as my preferred sports. As you know, I am married to Ana and have a 23-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter. I live in Bariloche.

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Koen  – for off the beaten trekking in southern Chile. 

I am originally from the  Netherlands where I studied outdoor sports. I moved to Patagonia, Chile in 2011. Since then I have been exploring the surroundings of Puerto Natales and the National Park Torres del Paine.

My work has brought me closer to nature both in the mountains and on water, guiding multi day treks and guiding expeditions in the polar regions.

My passion for nature and wanting to understand everything that happens around me has inspired me to study many different aspects of nature. It doesn’t matter if you want to talk about Flora or Fauna, Geology or Glaciology. From small flowers to the drift of continental plates. Let’s start with getting out there and adventure will follow soon after.

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Paulina – what makes Ecuador and the Galapagos so special for travellers? 

Paulina

I am originally from Quito in Ecuador, I love travel and it is wonderful to work in what you love.

I have “worked” creating adventures in Ecuador and Galapagos  more than 22 years and in my current job more than 15. Galapagos is a paradise on earth, a natural zoo without cages, few places in the world can offer such an experience: but Ecuador is more than Galapagos, here you can enjoy the Amazon area, indigenous cultures, climbing volcanoes, eat exotic meals, and relax in historical haciendas.

Ecuador is a destination that fulfills everybody expectations!

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Pierina, in Peru – what do you love about working in Adventure Tourism?   

I love working in Adventure Tourism and specially in Ecotourism

Pierina

because it gives me the opportunity to share the work on conservation that we do at Tambopata and create awareness  of the importance of protecting this ecosystem.

I love the adventure travel community that has learned to appreciate    the value of an authentic sustainable operation where you involve a community on a real level.

I would recommend travelling wisely into meaningful places that will leave an authentic life lasting connection.

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Javier

 Javier, in Ecuador -what do you love about working in Adventure Tourism?

I have always liked nature hiking and mountaineering. I did learnt a lot of it when I joined the mountaineering club of Catholic University of Quito in 1994. I learnt English when I had contact with foreign students of it and later, and after becoming a guide, visiting the US

I love Adventure Tourism because I like interacting with people from different countries, backgrounds and cultures, and sharing with them the beauty of our country, Ecuador

I would recommend visitors hike in the Andes, while staying at beautiful haciendas and mountain lodges.  I also recommend climbing the volcanoes of Ecuador.

 

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Meet more of the team!

Ramiro