About Us

Vero Marget

Born in Beauvais, north of Paris, Veronique Marget grew up spending a good deal of time on the coast, where her grandparents had a house on the cliffs of Normandy. Now living in Provence, Veronique has never tired of the many beautiful regions of France, so many known for their strong and unique culture and customs. Some of Vero’s many interests include knitting, sewing, gardening, calligraphy, ballet, bookbinding, and cooking for friends and family.

Xabier Etxarri

Xabier Etxarri, or Xabi as he’s known (pronounced ’shabby’), hails from Navarra, in the Basque Country and is a true Renaissance man. Originally a science teacher and physicist with a specialization in astrophysics, he decided to leave it all behind and travel to southern Chile where he unlocked his passion for poetry, writing over 14 volumes since! He soon became a fully-licensed trekking guide with a particular interest in nature and the natural sciences. His passion for the mountains of his native Pyrenees remains undiminished and he now splits his time between Patagonia and Spain. What Xabi brings to this journey is an intimate knowledge of the local wines and the flora of northern Spain.    

Julia Thorne

From a traditional Kiwi upbringing in Northland, New Zealand, Julia Thorne’s life and vocation have segued through worlds of journalism and editorial photography, to property development, artwork, and eclectic roles in the adventure travel sector. Julia’s undying passion for Aotearoa and sharing its natural treasures and culture with visitors eventually led her to her current adventure-guiding guests around her beloved native country.

Malcolm Taliano

Originally from central Canada, Malcolm Taliano has been guiding and travelling throughout Western Canada since he moved out west after completing degrees in Education and Outdoor Adventure Leadership. He is a lifelong learner and, wherever he goes, he likes to embrace the local community and culture, while sharing unique experiences with guests. To fuel his outdoor pursuits Malcolm is passionate about local cuisine-so be sure to ask for his recommendations! Vancouver Island is his favorite place to guide, and he looks forward to sharing his love of its beautiful landscapes.

Alessandra diCastri

A graduate of the Naples School of Fine Arts, Alessandra di Castri is a performer and visual artist who lived in Canada for three years, returning to Italy fluent in English and French. Once settled again, she began researching the traditions and costumes of the Naples region where she has found great inspiration for her characters, paintings, and stories. Alessandra infuses her tours with a passion for the oral tradition, replete with the colorful expressions unique to the Campania region of Southern Italy.

Miguel Vergara

A native of Peru, Miguel Stalin Vergara Ugarte studied tourism at Andina University of Cusco and started guiding trips along the Inca Trail in 2004. Miguel’s passion lies in pre-Incan and Incan cultures and he makes great effort to retain his ancestral Andean traditions, particularly around folk medicine, rituals, and music. In fact, when not guiding or hiking in the surrounding mountains, you are likely to find Miguel entertaining his wife and children playing pre-Hispanic musical instruments.

Nadia Kartaf

Nadia Kartaf is a native of Fès with years of experience guiding in her hometown and its surrounding countryside. With a degree in English literature from the University of Fès, Nadia loves reading in addition to music, horseback riding, and travel.

Alan Wright

Alan Wright is very proud of his Glasgow roots but has lived most of his life just outside Stirling, which is on the edge of one of Scotland’s only two National Parks. His love for the outdoors began over 25 years ago and he has hiked extensively all over the Scottish Highlands and Islands giving him a wealth of knowledge and wonderful experiences. Following a career in the finance sector, he changed gears and qualified as a mountain guide in 2014 so he could spend his time following his passion for the wonderful landscape, varied wildlife, and remarkable history that his country has to offer.

Helene Blesbois

Hélène Blesbois was born in the French wine region of Burgundy and got the travel bug at an early age as she grew up on the Caribbean Island of Martinique and lived for six years in Costa Rica where she completed a master's degree in English-Spanish translation. Fond of learning new languages and cultures, she finally settled in Portugal where she's been living for over a decade. Hélène likes to combine traveling with hiking or rock climbing and she practices yoga daily, which is a particular passion she loves to share through teaching as she is a certified instructor.