Spotlight On: Guides
Brendon Bevan, By Amanda
Andrew Roberts, EXP Journeys
Bevan Climo, Ahipara
Erick Giraldo, Enigma
Sameer Singh Rathore, Banyan
Jose Gonazález, Galavanta
There are times when a destination is so ingrained in a guide’s identity that they elevate an experience of a place in a completely profound way. In this edition we have taken the opportunity to share six of the very best guides who do just that. These are the individuals who leave their mark by being truly themselves, by sharing their passion and knowledge, and have the ability to create indelible memories in the hearts and minds of your travellers…
1. AHIPARA, Bevan Climo
When thinking of the West Coast of New Zealand, vivid turquoise water, blowholes and giant rivers of ice spring to mind. But for Ahipara, Bevan Climo has become synonymous with this wild landscape. He is a descendant of the last Paramount Chief and a superb pounamu carver. His mastery of working in Jade, also known as ‘greenstone’ in New Zealand, is breath-taking. Jade is famously harder than steel and Bevan showcases his art by taking guests to the Arahura River to search out the precious ‘soul stone’ before opening the doors of his workshop to share some of his special pieces. Via a helicopter ride, Bevan can take guests to some of the most remote boulders, far from any road where they can experience the dramatic beauty of the landscape’s geology.
2. BANYAN, Sameer Singh Rathore
Respected guide Sameer Singh Rathore comes from a noble Rajasthan family, a part of Northern India famed for its hill forts and grand palaces. Sameer is young at heart, has a fantastic sense of adventure, is sensitive to each client's requirements, and has a commanding knowledge of the destination. He is also very capable at overseeing logistics for a complicated journey. He’s a big foodie and loves to share a taste for some of Rajatstan’s most famous delicacies such as its hot curries and super sweet desserts. As his team says, “he simply makes every trip better just by being on it.”
3. BY AMANDA, Brendon Bevan
Brendon Bevan is a guide extraordinaire, a wildlife warrior, an entertaining raconteur and he has previously managed several of Australia’s premium lodges. Brendon has spent 20 years perfecting his craft and he shares a deep appreciation and passion for Australia with his guests. Amanda has worked with Brendon for many years and together they plan and deliver fully hosted journeys from outback landscapes to city streets. Brendon’s first-hand experiences with Australia’s luxury lodges and his natural ability to show clients the unique and unknown makes him the perfect person to lead travellers on a mind-blowing journey around Australia.
4. EXP JOURNEYS, Andrew Roberts
Andrew’s job title is Partner and Lead Guide, but in reality, Andrew is EXP’s expert on the National Parks of the Western U.S. and Canada and is a member of the AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association). Even when leading his first group at the age of 15, Andrew was able to master the technicalities of guiding a diverse group of individuals and from there has achieved multiple ascents of Mt. Whitney, descended dozens of canyons in the Southwest, spent time paddling the Pacific Ocean and scaling rocks and skiing mountains in the Appalachians, Great Smoky Mountains, Poconos, Rockies, Sierras and the Pyrenees. Scaling, descending, and traversing mountains is quite literally in Andrew’s blood.
5. ENIGMA, Erick Giraldo
Erick has been described time and time again by Enigma’s guests as “a very special person with an infectious wealth of knowledge of the Incas and the culture’s mythic legends.” This is why Erick has been with the team at Enigma for 18 years and in 2017 obtained the Touristic Quality Award as Best Guide in the Region (for which he did not even apply!). Today, Erick is one of Enigma’s assets covering different experiences in the region, including trekking. Amongst these, he is especially fond of the Salkantay routes, as this snow-capped peak is considered one of the main “Apus” or sacred mountain spirits from Inca times, making its visit a spiritual experience beyond just a (spectacular!) trekking one.
6. GALAVANTA, Jose Gonazález
José González del Eirruku Pausayuu is an indigenous guide from the Wayúu community in La Guajira, an area which straddles the Colombian and Venezuelan border. His passion for tourism led him to start his business “Macuira Tours'', named after the village he was born in. He has now been operating for 10 years and works with family members and other indigenous communities from different regions of La Guajira. His business helps Wayúu people to obtain an income from tourism and achieve a better quality of life, many of whom often live in precarious conditions. Travellers are welcomed into the rancherias or homesteads to get a glimpse of the highly skilled tradition of weaving, with its distinctive bright patterns; a craft which is passed down through the generations.