Meet the team - South America

Marianela 

I am originally from Lima, Peru. Being from South America and beginning my travel career in Peru gives me that extra edge of knowledge. My passion for travel started when I was seven years old on my first family holiday to Huaraz in the highlands of Peru. The impressive mountain range, glacial lakes and pre-Inca archaeological sites made me realise that there is so much to learn, and the best way to do it is by traveling to all these amazing places. From that first trip travelling never stopped for me; I have travelled extensively around Peru and been to so many amazing places in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Bolivia.  

Insider tip 

Revisit Machu Picchu and walk to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain. I always recommend revisiting Machu Picchu for a second time in the morning on the first time slot to avoid the crowds and get the perfect picture opportunity. Walking to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain requires an additional ticket to be purchased in advance together with the second entrance to Machu Picchu. The walk takes three hours to the top, but it is worth it. The bird’s-eye view from the top is truly amazing, showing Machu Picchu and surrounding mountains, and – if you are lucky – you may also spot a Paddington bear in the distance.  

Favourite experience 

Trekking the Colca Canyon and waking up in the middle of the night for stargazing. Walking down the canyon at dusk took us almost three hours but it felt like nothing as we enjoyed the dramatic mountain scenery and spotted the condors flying over our heads. Walking back up was very challenging but incredibly rewarding as we reached the top for dusk. Stargazing in the Colca Canyon was an amazing experience, with no noise and no light pollution – allowing me to see plenty of stars and planets. 

Favourite place 

Peru is obviously my favourite place to travel as it is my birth country and the place where I spent most of my life. Its culture, ancient archaeological sites, impressive scenery, and welcoming people make Peru the full-package destination. My favourite places in Peru are Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Cuzco welcomes you into the Inca world with its cobblestoned streets and impressive Inca and Spanish architecture that perfectly reflects the history of the country. Outside Cuzco city, the indigenous communities in the valleys and the beautiful women with their colourful attires make you realise traditions are still being passed down the generations. In the small towns, ancient Inca canals and fortresses embedded on mountains are still intact, taking you back in time and immersing you in the local culture. The journey to Machu Picchu is truly unforgettable; the train travels through the mountains into the cloud forest. Arriving at Machu Picchu, you realise that you have landed in the heart of the Inca empire. 

Favourite hotel 

My favourite hotel is the Arenal Nayara Gardens in Costa Rica. The property’s natural surroundings and lush forest attract a great deal of wildlife such as my personal favourite animal: sloths. If you are lucky, you can spot them hanging off a tree from your balcony while you sip a nice cup of Costa Rican coffee in the morning. The service at this hotel is outstanding; you are welcomed with a glass of wine while waiting to check in and ushered to your room in a golf cart. Villas are spread around the property, and each is surrounded by tropical foliage. On a clear day from the grounds of the property guests can enjoy views of the Arenal Volcano towering majestically in the distance. 

Ewa 

I grew up in a small village close to Krakow in southern Poland. I always knew I wanted to explore the world. I left for London over two decades ago and I’ve not stopped travelling since. 

I have visited over 70 Countries and six continents. I have managed to trek the incredible Inca Trail, kayaked next to piranhas on the Amazon River, and posed by Christ the Redeemer while soaking up the amazing views of Rio De Janeiro. I have encountered the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sky dived over Swakopmund, trekked the Patagonia glaciers, and zip-lined in Arenal Volcano National Park. 

Insider tip  

Visit El Calafate in Argentina to experience Patagonia’s extraordinary ice field. I will never forget the sound of a gigantic iceberg crashing into the water and echoing loudly across the Perito Moreno Glacier. It’s a beautiful place, with the blue sky reflecting in the miles-long, never ending ice. My top tip: take the boat to ‘face’ the glacier from the water level for a magical experience.  

And, for anyone into hiking, the hidden gem of El Chaltén town is just a bus journey from El Calafate. It’s where I embarked on one of the most spectacular hikes of my life. You are surrounded by crystal-clear, electric-blue lakes, glaciers, valleys, forests, and the stunning peaks of Mt. Fitz Roy.  

Favourite experience 

One of my favourite experiences is seeing the sunrise on the River Ganges in Varanasi. I will never forget the bright colours, the smell of burning wood, and the sound of ringing bells and pilgrims performing spiritual rituals along the ghats. The taste of chai masala at one of the tea houses in Varanasi’s historical centre completed what was a truly magical morning.  

Favourite place 

The world is a beautiful place with so many incredible locations – it’s impossible to name just one. Japan’s Miyajima Island is undoubtedly among them, however. I loved the traffic-free lanes with Buddhist temples, friendly locals, authentic Japanese shops, and delicious seafood restaurants. The freshest and biggest oysters are served here. There are wild deer all around the island and they pose for the camera making this special place even more surreal. The cable-car ride to the top of the highest peak leads to numerous scenic trails passing ancient shrines. The views from the top are truly spectacular.  

Favourite hotel 

The Pacuare River Lodge in Costa Rica is fantastic. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you are very well looked after by the staff.  

The resort is a haven for nature lovers. It’s surrounded by dense jungle, and arriving at the property via raft is a must for the adventurous. There is also lots of wildlife within the resort complex – I was even lucky enough to spot a sloth on the tree just next to the villa. 

Several activities are included each day: zip-lining, waterfall rappelling, nature walks, and more. Often the same staff guiding you also provide other services – my raft guide was also my waiter – meaning the service is friendly and personal, though always very professional.  

Pacuare River Lodge is eco-friendly, and most evenings illumination is provided by candles rather than electricity. The food is prepared using mainly fruits and vegetable from the resort’s organic garden. The property has everything that Costa Rica is famous for: friendly service, beautiful setting, delicious organic food, wildlife, thrilling activities, and a very sustainable approach.  

David

From the city to the jungle and back, a few times, oh and a couple sandy beaches, has been my life in a nutshell. I was born in Bogota, Colombia but my parents moved to Leticia, the capital of the Colombian amazon a couple years after and I grew up surrounded by the most incredible trees, fruits, birds, and the occasional monkey.

My parents love travelling, and that passion and desire to explore just runs through my veins. When I was 18, I went and lived in Santiago, Chile for a year for studies, and ever since travelling never stopped, explored most of South and Central America, travelled all over Europe, lived in the north of Thailand (Chiang Mai, what a gem) for about 3 years, explored and tasted South East Asia, saw lions hunting in Kruger National Park and the list is only growing.

Insider tip 

Guides have the best knowledge and the best tips to enjoy and truly get to know a place, and usually they are quite smart and enjoyable to talk to, therefore do take any chance to pick their brains and have some interesting conversations with them.

Easter Island is so remote that you could spend the whole flight there imagining and reading about a civilisation that once thrived and let behind some invaluable marks such as the moais statues for us to wonder how their society worked. Be sure to head to Anakena for a stunning sandy beach, Ahu Nau Nau moai platform, palm trees and just great views better enjoyed with a nice drink.

Favourite experience 

The Mae Hong Son Loop in the north of Thailand, was a 5-day journey that sometimes I have a hard time believing it was real. Me, Monty and Caro rode our motorcycles along windy, steep roads, sometimes too steep, sometimes really empty but sometimes with so much life, only to discover and be amazed by staggering mountain views, hidden waterfalls, remote villages where they were surprised to see a Farang (foreigner), locals helpings us one way or the other, inviting us to their farms and never expecting anything in return, smiley kids, incredible temples, flower fields, the occasional elephant, believe it or not a couple swans, and the list just goes on and on. Every second of the journey was pure bliss and joy, that again, I am not sure if it was only a dream.

Favourite place 

I would say Colombia, but I would be biased, instead, I would go for Chile. I had the chance to explore from the northern most region to the southern-most region, using all means of transport, buses, taxis, airplanes, boats, bicycles. They have such great infrastructure all around and every region has got its own character, that it feels that you are visiting many different little countries but without losing the Chilean identity. The diversity of landscape makes anyone fall in love with it, from Atacama Desert that leaves everyone breathless, unbelievable stargazing, wineries to die for, a gorgeous lake region, the Andes, oh the Andes mountains, to Patagonia with Torres del Paine ready to impress you.

Favourite hotel 

There are hundreds of incredible places to stay out there, but Calanoa Lodge, 60km from Leticia the town where I grew up, holds the number one place in my heart. Being able to wake up in front of the amazon river to the sound of birds, freshly baked bread in their clay oven, followed by a sighting of pink dolphins and squirrel monkeys, hearing uncountable stories of the indigenous peoples while having fantastic Amazonian cuisine, is just the perfect description of happiness for me.

Be sure to try the fruits that are on season, March, April, and May for the superfruit, açaí, or other fruits such as Copoazu or Araza. Each cabin is different and beautifully designed, with nice touches everywhere. It is located next to the community of Mocagua which was a pioneer in conservation projects in the area.