The Director and Head Guide of Andeanface, Javier, has been climbing in Ecuador for more than 25 years and has been organising expeditions for 15 years. As a mountaineer he has led many ascents in the Andes, the Alps, the Karakorum and the Himalayas. The eight expeditions he headed in Nepal include guiding on two eight thousand meter peaks.

Javier was one of the Instructors of the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain guides (ASEGUIM), and has completed several courses with ENSA, the French National School of Guides. On voluntary basis he is actually the coordinator of the rescue team of the association of guides ASEGUIM

During his cycling career he won seven times the National Road Racing Championship, and also a gold and silver medal in the Pan-American games of 1990, for which he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honour for the highest merit in sports.

Helma (co-owner of the company) is President of Andeanface. She was born in Holland and worked for a few years in London as a stockbroker.

She decided to leave her job in order to achieve her dream of accompanying children in need. She left for Nepal to work as a volunteer in a children's hospital where she personally felt the reality of poor kids’ lives in a third world country.

She then started the Daniëlle Children's Fund ( a non profit organization) to create better opportunities for children in need of Nepal. Later she also began a project in Ecuador, her husband's country of birth, and the place where they both actually live.

Daniel is a tour guide, tour operator and tour and event organizer, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecologic Tourism and Hospitality, a Grad Certificate in Business & Marketing Event planning, and a master’s in Performing Arts. Daniel has lived and studied High-school and University in the US for about 5 years. He has experience in the tourism field by leading groups of tourists, volunteers and college students.
Passionate in traveling and getting to know new cultural and natural places around the world, also passionate in languages, sports and music.

Ahmad is an electric engineer from Syria, he is our logistic and accounting assistant. Ahmad has lived in
Ecuador for about 10 years, he loves the mountains, beaches and culture of Ecuador. Besides that, he is
passionate of cooking.

Ciro is our messenger and the friendly face that our clients see in the camps, he is also our cook and logistic assistant in the company.

Jaime has successfully guided expeditions in every country of the Andes for international mountain guiding organizations. These included ascents of Aconcagua through the polish glacier route, several expeditions in Bolivia, 11 successful ascents of Alpamayo and Huascaran in Peru and several other less known peaks in the Andes, as well as many expeditions in Ecuador.

In 2003 he was the assistant leader of a commercial expedition to Denali in Alaska and after that he managed to develop his professional career further afield out of the Americas.

In 2004 he led a successful expedition to Ama dablam and to Island Peak located in the heart of the Himalayas, in 2011 he reached the summit of Manaslu as guide of an international expedition, and in 2014 he worked as a guide on Everest.

Benno is a Swiss mountain guide who has lived in Ecuador since 1995 with his wife, Mariana, a native of Cuenca. His love for the mountains began early: he started skiing at age four and joined the Swiss Alpine Club at fourteen, building an extensive climbing career across the Alps.

Since moving to South America, Benno has guided continuously throughout the Andes, with a strong focus on Ecuador. He is an internationally certified IFMGA guide, an instructor for the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM), and one of the few guides in Ecuador qualified to lead high-altitude ski descents.

Gaspar is one of Ecuador’s most technically skilled mountain guides. In addition to guiding throughout Ecuador, he has led commercial expeditions to the highest peaks across the Andes—including Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina—as well as routes in the European Alps and Mount Elbrus. He also led an American expedition to Island Peak (6,085 m) in the Himalayas. During the low season, he works as a horseback riding guide in the Andes.

Gaspar has completed extensive training with the prestigious French National Ski and Mountaineering School (ENSA) in Chamonix and is an internationally certified IFMGA guide.

His enthusiasm for opening new routes in the Ecuadorian mountains is contagious, and he loves sharing these experiences with guests who appreciate wild, remote places. Beyond guiding, Gaspar's deep passion for nature has led him to become an active environmental advocate.

Ramiro began climbing at eleven years old in middle school, joining the San Gabriel Mountain Climbing Club. There, he discovered Ecuador’s majestic landscapes alongside a deep sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among his teammates. For him, the mountains became a place to connect with nature, society, and himself.

Ramiro became a professional guide in 2006 when he joined the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM). In 2018, he earned his international IFMGA certification. He also holds an up-to-date Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification.

Passionate about outdoor leadership, Ramiro views guiding as a way to explore the culture, nature, and diversity of every region he visits. Alongside guiding, he works as a photographer and journalist, blending his passions to document his adventures.

Marco is an avid runner and professional mountain guide. Early in his career, he served on the search and rescue team for the Ecuadorian Red Cross. Over the past 15 years, he has guided more than 300 successful ascents of Cotopaxi and roughly 60 of Chimborazo.

An active ASEGUIM member, Marco earned his international IFMGA guide certification in 2017. Among his notable achievements, he led a groundbreaking expedition in 2011, making the first sea-to-summit ascent of Cotopaxi (5,897 m) in just five days.

Joaquín is an ASEGUIM mountain and trekking guide, he has studied Economics and also completed university studies in Tourism. Besides that, Joaquin has completed training courses with the Peruvian Association of Guides.

Joaquín has climbed the highest peaks of Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. He is passionate about photography, natural history, and biking.

Pablo is a trekking guide whose love and respect for Ecuador are matched only by his infectious enthusiasm. Well-versed in classic trekking routes as well as the country’s rich heritage, he seamlessly weaves together culture and history to offer guests an authentic, immersive experience.

Having lived, studied, and worked in the United States for four years, Pablo excels at bridging cross-cultural boundaries and connecting naturally with travelers from around the globe.

An avid mountain biker, he thrives on high-endurance challenges. In 2012, Pablo completed a remarkable five-day expedition, cycling from sea level to the Cotopaxi refuge (4,800 m) before ascending to the summit (5,897 m). He also led the first successful sea-to-summit expedition on Chimborazo, guiding a journey that began at the ocean and reached the peak’s summit at 6,310 meters.

Fabian has explored and established new hiking routes in the Ecuadorian central Andes and cloud forests as a naturalist guide. He visited remote and isolated native communities, settlements, villages and highland remote Indian markets. Fabian has also guided in the Ecuadorian upper Amazon basin coming across Huao, Shuar, Secoya, Siona, Cofàn and Quichua tribes and territories.
During the last 10 years he has carried out many acclimatization programs for mountaineers wanting to climb the major peaks of Ecuador. For a few years Fabian was working in Canada as the Director of Food and Beverage of Maitre d’hôtel. Fabian is a fluent English speaker and has a medium level of French.

Romel has dedicated most of his life to outdoor sports in Ecuador as an avid trail runner and high-altitude mountaineer. With over twenty years of professional guiding experience, he is an internationally certified IFMGA guide, a member of ASEGUIM, and holds a degree in Environmental Engineering.

His extensive climbing resume includes all of Ecuador’s major peaks—often via technical and off-the-beaten-path routes—as well as several 6,000-meter peaks across South America.

Romel’s deep passion for the Ecuadorian Andes, combined with his extensive cultural knowledge and warm approach to hospitality, makes him an exceptional trip leader.

A native of the Antisana region, Abraham grew up in the mountain village of El Tambo on the volcano's northern slopes. Inspired by watching climbers trek to base camp, he began learning technical mountaineering with friends before completing several amateur alpine courses. In 2003, Abraham earned his credentials as a fully qualified ASEGUIM mountain guide.

Today, he is an internationally certified IFMGA guide and an active member of Ecuador’s national mountain rescue team. Fluent in English, Abraham brings extensive high-altitude leadership experience to his trips, having led numerous expeditions across the Southern Andes, including Mount Aconcagua.

A member of ASEGUIM since 2005 and former director of the ASEGUIM Rescue Group (GRA), Franklin Varela brings extensive high-altitude experience across the South American Andes and beyond. His impressive climbing portfolio features technical routes such as Aconcagua’s South Face in Argentina, as well as Alpamayo, Pirámide de Garcilazo, Huascarán, and La Esfinge in Peru. Internationally, he has also summited Denali in Alaska and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico.

As a certified professional guide, Franklin leads international expeditions to all major summits in Ecuador. Notably, he served as the personal mountain guide to former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. His deep understanding of Ecuador’s history, culture, flora, and fauna ensures an enriched and memorable journey for every adventurer.

Pablo Chiquiza is a certified ASEGUIM mountain guide currently completing his international IFMGA qualification. A member of GRA (the ASEGUIM mountain rescue team), he brings extensive high-altitude experience across Ecuador and the wider Andean range. Pablo gained international recognition after discovering the wreckage of a airliner on Chimborazo volcano—a flight that had been missing since 1976.

Renowned for his deep understanding of Ecuador’s culture, history, flora, and fauna, Pablo offers travelers an exceptionally rich expedition experience. He is also one of the country's top mountain photographers, and many of his stunning images are featured throughout the Andeanface website.

Joshua started to climb at the age of ten as a member of the San Gabriel climbing club of Quito. His first expedition outside of the country was to Peru when he was sixteen. In the twenty years of mountaineering experience he has. He has summited peaks in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Nepal. He is one of the few climbers who have done two ascents of the south face of Aconcagua (Argentina). As instructor, he is currently the director of the school of guides of ASEGUIM and also an international certified mountain guide (IFMGA). In November 2010 he led the first Ecuadorian ascent of Pumori in the Himalayas. He holds a B.A. in Culinary Art, so when he is not working as a guide, he enjoys spending time as a Chef. In March 2012 he summited mount Everest working as a guide for an north American expedition.

Born at the foothills of Antisana volcano, Freddy Tipán developed a passion for hiking and climbing around the Antisana region from a young age. With over 25 years of climbing experience in Ecuador, he was the third Ecuadorian guide to earn prestigious international IFMGA certification, completing his advanced training at L'École Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme (ENSA) in Chamonix, France.

A veteran expedition leader, Freddy has guided extensively across Ecuador as well as the southern Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Among his career achievements, he served for many years as Director of the School of Mountain Guides in Ecuador, where he continues to teach as a senior instructor. When he is not on high-altitude peaks, horseback riding is one of his favorite hobbies.

Alejandro is a very talented mountaineer and rock climber. He has extensive climbing experience in all the mountains of Ecuador. He is an instructor of the Association of Guides ASEGUIM. In 2001 he led a successful expedition to the highest mountain of Peru and in 2008 he was the leader of an American expedition that succeeded on Aconcagua (the highest peak of the Americas). He holds a Wilderness Emergency Medical qualification as a technician given by WMI of NOLS (Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS) from the USA. He is the first Ecuadorian guide to become fully (IFMGA) certified. Alejandro has a deep feeling for nature and his passion for the mountains is truly joyful. His attention to detail, sensitivity to guest needs, and extensive knowledge of the mountains and history of the Andes of Ecuador is unrivalled.

With nearly 15 years of guiding experience José has climbed almost every Ecuadorian mountain and the most significant ones in both Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. José is known for his enormous patience and positive energy. His personal feedback reflects professionalism, useful teaching techniques and cooperative skills in multicultural environments. Throughout Jose’s childhood and adolescence, he was involved in Scouting and Mountaineering Clubs where he embraced principles of environmental conservation and his passion for mountain climbing. Overall, Jose is building his guiding career with the highest ethic and professional standards to ensure safety and enjoyment in every ascent. He is an internationally certified mountain guide (IFMGA).

Oswaldo is a very experienced climber. He has made many notable climbs, among them the first traverse of all the summits of El Altar, two expeditions to the South Face of Aconcagua, the Eastern Face of Huayna Potosi in Bolivia and a difficult route up Peak Lenin. He has led many commercial expeditions to the Andes of Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Mount Everest (the fourth time already in 2022)
"Ossy" as we call him, is well informed about his country's culture, history, and spectacular natural places, and loves sharing his knowledge with our guests. His spirit, enthusiasm, and knowledge extend well beyond the borders of Ecuador.
Besides guiding he is running Hacienda Rumiloma a unique restaurant and lodge overlooking the city of Quito. He is a internationally certified mountain guide (IFMGA).

Diego Zurita is an internationally certified IFMGA mountain guide and a pioneer in Ecuadorian mountaineering education. In 1996, he was part of the foundational group of Ecuadorian guides selected to train as instructors at France's prestigious National School of Ski and Mountaineering (ENSA) in Chamonix. Building on this milestone, he co-founded the Ecuadorian School of Mountain Guides (ESGUIM), where he continues to instruct and mentor rising guides.

Throughout his extensive career, Diego has led successful expeditions across South America’s southern Andes—including Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina—as well as high-altitude ascents on Denali in Alaska. An active member of ASEGUIM and the mountain rescue team, Diego combines deep expertise in glacier technique and alpine instruction with a rich knowledge of Ecuador's culture, history, and natural environment.

With nearly 15 years of guiding experience, José Salazar has summitted almost every peak in Ecuador alongside the most iconic mountains in the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. An internationally certified IFMGA guide, he is recognized for his immense patience, positive energy, and commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional safety standards on every ascent.

José’s passion for mountaineering and environmental conservation began during his youth in local scouting and climbing clubs. Today, his clients consistently praise his clear teaching techniques, professionalism, and natural ability to lead diverse, multicultural groups in complex high-altitude environments.

Juliana García is a pioneer in South American mountaineering and the first female Ecuadorian—and one of the first in Latin America—to achieve international IFMGA/UIAGM guide certification. Climbing Ecuador’s peaks since age fifteen, her guiding and expedition leadership span major ranges worldwide, including big walls and high-altitude ascents across Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Pakistan, Alaska, the United States, and the European Alps.

A recognized leader in the global climbing community, Juliana served six years as President of the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM). She works as an instructor at the Ecuadorian School of Mountain Guides (ESGUIM), an AIARE Avalanche Education Instructor, and a Patagonia Brand Ambassador.

Her notable technical feats include a historic first ascent on the North Face of Huandoy East in the Peruvian Andes (TD+ V M3/4) alongside Joshua Jarrín—an achievement featured on the prestigious 2012 Piolets d'Or Superlist. In 2016, she and partner Anna Pfaff opened another notable first ascent, "La Ruta del Solsticio" (5.10b R), on the Northeast Face of Tiquimani in Bolivia.

Raised in a mountain valley, Cristian spent his childhood exploring the peaks that surrounded his home. That early passion grew into a lifelong dream of becoming a climber, leading him to summit many of the highest peaks across South America. Over time, mountaineering evolved from a personal pursuit into a way of life as a professional guide. Today, Cristian is an ASEGUIM-certified mountain guide with hundreds of successful ascents across Ecuador’s major summits.

Born in the heart of the Andes in Quito—the world’s second-highest capital city—Camilo Andrade began his mountaineering journey at just 13 years old. By 17, he knew guiding was his calling and began exploring new alpine routes. After summiting Ecuador’s highest peaks, he expanded his expedition footprint to Peru’s renowned Cordillera Blanca range.

Camilo's extensive travels across South America include climbing and trekking through iconic regions such as Huaraz, Arequipa, Cusco, Huayhuash, the Atacama Desert, La Paz, and Uyuni. For Camilo, mountaineering is a continuous journey of exploration and sharing wild places with travelers who value nature and meaningful human connection. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), is a certified ASEGUIM mountain guide, an IFMGA/UIAGM candidate, and the founder of Topos Ecuador.

David has been climbing since age 16, a passion that quickly evolved into a dedicated guiding career across Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. An internationally certified IFMGA/UIAGM guide and active member of ASEGUIM, he leads everything from foundational mountaineering objectives to technical big-wall ascents.

Renowned for his patient, positive, and hardworking approach, David considers guiding to be the bridge between his clients' high-altitude dreams and reality. When he is not leading expeditions on the mountain, he shares his knowledge as a freelance instructor at a university in Quito.

Fátima Serrano has been exploring the mountains since age eleven, turning a lifelong passion for high altitudes into a professional guiding career. An IFMGA/UIAGM aspirant guide currently expanding into ski guiding, her journey has taken her across technical routes in Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and the European Alps.

Mountaineering runs deep in Fátima’s lineage. Her father, Dr. Marcos Serrano, was a pioneer in Ecuadorian mountaineering, a highly respected climber, and a long-time member of the historic San Gabriel Mountaineering Club. Inspired by that legacy, Fátima brings both deep family heritage and modern technical expertise to every expedition she leads.

Paul Guerra began his mountaineering path in 2006, turning his lifelong passion for high altitudes into a global guiding career. An internationally certified IFMGA guide and Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Paul has led expeditions on many of the world’s most iconic summits. His career highlights include guiding commercial expeditions on Mount Everest as well as technical ascents on the striking Himalayan spire of Ama Dablam.

Paul’s extensive international background spans North America’s Denali in Alaska, the European Alps (across Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany), and major South American ranges—including Aconcagua, Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, Bolivia’s Cordillera Real, and the volcanoes of his native Ecuador. Known for his focus on safety, teamwork, and resilience, he takes immense pride in sharing the beauty and challenge of these world-class alpine environments with his clients.

Lenin Paúl López Achig brings over twenty years of rock-climbing experience and fifteen years of mountaineering to his work as an internationally certified IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide and Director of the ASEGUIM School of Mountain Guides. His expedition career spans global ranges across Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Nepal, Greenland, and Alaska, along with extensive time climbing in Colorado’s Front Range.

Guided by the core principles of safety, clear communication, and adaptable trip design, Lenin crafts expeditions tailored to climbers of all skill levels. Whether planning from home or leading on the peak, he focuses on sharing memorable experiences grounded in camaraderie and shared learning. Currently, he is also expanding his expertise as a candidate for the IFMGA backcountry ski guide certification.

With a lifelong passion for exploration and more than three decades of experience in tourism, Edison has built a career as both a national tour guide and a high-altitude mountain guide. His work combines technical expertise, international experience, and a commitment to helping others connect meaningfully with the places they visit.

As an ASEGUIM-certified mountain guide with training at ENSA in Chamonix, he has led expeditions on Ecuador’s volcanoes and throughout the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, including multiple ascents of Aconcagua and Ojos del Salado, Denali, the European Alps, and an expedition to Mount Everest.

Alongside adventure expeditions, Edison combines technical expertise with a passion for sharing Ecuador’s rich geography, weaving together geography, history, and local traditions to give visitors a deeper connection with the country’s rich heritage. His passions for photography, birdwatching, and trail running further enrich the personal and observant approach I bring to every experience he leads.

With over 30 years of high-altitude experience, José is a veteran Ecuadorian mountaineer, certified mountain guide (CETUR and ASEGUIM), and recognized alpine instructor (AEAP–EPAM). Holding a degree in Hotel Management, he seamlessly pairs deep technical expertise with exceptional hospitality and group leadership skills.

José’s extensive safety and rescue training includes alpine rescue credentials from the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein - DAV), alongside certifications in Wilderness Emergency Medicine and Wilderness First Responder (WFR). His well-rounded background ensures that every expedition is managed with rigorous safety protocols, clear instruction, and high-quality service.

Mauricio brings over 30 years of high-altitude guiding experience to every expedition. His extensive mountaineering portfolio spans iconic routes across Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the United States, including ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado. In addition to his alpine career, Mauricio holds a degree in Agronomy and is a passionate mountain biking enthusiast.

Known as one of our most warm-hearted and approachable guides, Mauricio is equally famous for his sharp, dry sense of humor. His blend of deep technical experience, environmental knowledge, and engaging personality creates an unforgettable experience for climbers on and off the mountain.

Francisco is an environmental engineer as well as a professional mountain and climbing guide. He began climbing 17 years ago in Ecuador, where he has since guided extensively across the country's major peaks.

His mountain pursuits have also taken him to extraordinary locations worldwide, including the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, the Dolomites in Italy, Smith Rock and the Adirondacks in the USA, Picos de Europa, Riglos, and La Pedriza in Spain, as well as the German and Austrian Alps.

Currently, Francisco is pursuing his IFMGA/UIAGM certification and is enrolled in the Ski Guide Training Program for South American Mountain Guides.

“In the mountains, we experience sensations that only nature can provide, reminding us that we are part of it. For me, mountaineering is about the experiences we share and coming home with stories to tell, landscapes to remember, and lifelong friends to rely on.”

Daniel Auquilla brings 13 years of high-altitude experience across diverse global mountain ranges to his work as an ASEGUIM-certified mountain guide and IFMGA/UIAGM aspirant. His guiding career spans expeditions in Peru, Bolivia, Spain, and Italy, along with technical ascents in both the Argentine and Chilean regions of Patagonia.

Driven primarily by a passion for alpine climbing, Daniel thrives on the precise balance of discipline, physical strength, and technical execution that big mountains demand. As an expedition leader, his primary commitment is ensuring every climb is managed with strict safety standards, genuine enjoyment, and unforgettable memories for his clients.