Staff Profiles

Fely Callanaupa

Co- Founder & General Manager
The smooth running of your trip is organized by Quillabamba native Fely who has a degree in agriculture and is the mother of two children. She is the one responsible for the coordination of all trips, train bookings, hotel bookings and transport... You are most likely to meet Fely in Cusco as she nearly always attends briefings and is responsible for the despatch and final organisation of tours.

Ariana Svenson

Co Founder (Sales Manager & Product Development)
Apus Peru was Co-Founded by West Australian, Ariana, who is a journalist and currently pursuing Masters studies in the Development of third world nations. Her thesis is about high Andean communties and she spends portions of her time while in Peru in these communities. This work led to the development of Threads of Peru threadsofperu.com.
Ariana has travelled extensively around the world, but has been returning to Cusco for over 10 years. She has trekked and explored nearly every trek offered by Apus Peru and is passionate about sustainable and responsible tourism.The mother of a small child, she is learning about hiking with a baby!

Erika Tapia Saavedra

Coordinator of Client Services

Erika Tapia Saavedra has been Apus Peru’s Coordinator of Client Services for the past two years.  She has over 12 year’s experience working in the tourism industry, a bachelors degree in tourism administration, and is a licensed guide.  In addition to her work with Apus, Erika enjoys reading, spending time with her children, and visiting the many archaeological and natural attractions in the region.  As a fluent English speaker, Erika is often the first Apus Peru employee´s our clients will meet upon their arrival in Cusco.

Fredy Callañaupa Gonzales

Adminstration Assistant – Store
Most of our visitors at one stage or another meet Fredy Callanaupa who plays an indispensable role in the Apus Peru team. From the jungle town of Quillabamba Fredy is currently studying English and tourism with the plan of becoming a guide. He does many transfers and pick ups around Cusco as well as coordinates all equipment, ensuring its in good shape.

Miriam Kancha Guerra

Reservations Assistant

Miriam is responsible for booking and coordinating all client transportation.  She is also a student at Universidad Andina de Cusco, where she is studying for her bachelors degree in tourism administration.  When not in the office or classroom, Miriam enjoys spending time with friends and family. 

Amanda Zenick

Customer Service Manager

Apart from coordinating Customer Service, Amanda is one of several Travel Consultants who you may correspond with over email..  If you trek with Apus, chances are you will be dealing with her at some point!  Amanda recently completed her Masters degree in Latin American Studies, which focused on sustainable tourism and craft production in the region.  Amanda is very happy to be in Cusco, and is using her free time to explore and with her daughter.

Amanda also works as Project Manager for Threads of Peru.

Willy Tunquipa Villena

Willy is an extremely experienced Inca Trail and alternative treks guide. Known as "Big Willy" passengers all enjoy his sense of humour and Andean rituals on the trail. He speaks Spanish, Quechua and English and leads many of tours.

Arturo Mansilla

Arturo is our youngest, but not necessarily our least experienced guide. He is leads our longer Choquequirao and Vilcabamba treks, and pleases our clients with his sincere, and genuine nature. Arturo loves to read and research about the Incas and speaks English well.

Urbano Huayna

Urbano is from Tambobamba, Apurimac, a small town about 8 hours from Cusco. He grew up speaking Quechua and Spanish, and he now speaks English as well! Urbano has been working as a guide for several tour agencies in Cusco (including Apus Peru) for almost five years. He also works for Threads of Peru, where he manages community meetings in Quechua and Spanish and plays the essential role of a community liason.

Jose Sotelo

Jose originally hails from the Manu jungle region, but is at home in the mountains as well. Jose has been working for Apus Peru since 2008.

(Photo by M.Mossop)

Domingo Atao Condori

Domingo is from Cusco, and has been working for Apus Peru since 2010. (Photo by M.Mossop)

Hilda Callañaupa Gonzales

Assistant Guide

Hilda worked as an Administration Assistant at Apus Peru for three years while she was studying her tourism degree and improving her English. Now graduated, she is gaining guiding experience with the bigger groups.

Herbert Saire Puma

Herbert has been working with Apus Peru since their first trips and is famed for his ability to put tents up quickly as well as his delicious food! He hails from Quispicanchis, near Ausangate.

Image: Herbert in front of Ausangate mountain.

Martin Huaman Quispe

Martin has been with Apus Peru for several years, and is a bright and enthusiastic presence. He is bright and polished as a pin, and known for his great meals.

Amancio Apaza

Amancio is a regular cook, with a cheeky smile and a flair for decorating his meals. (Photo by M.Mossop)

Fortunato Quispe

Fortunato is from Ipsaycocha and usually does all the muleteer work in the Lares region.

Gabriel Puma

Gabriel is from near Tinqui, on the Ausangate route, and does many of our Ausangate treks. .

Geronimo Pacchi Condori

Geromimo is one of our Ausangate muleteers, he often works with his cousin, . Agripino Mandura  Condori. (Photo by M.Mossop)

Felipe Puma Ccasa

Felipe is present on many Apus Peru journeys as our reliable and well liked driver, and has worked for Apus Peru for several years. From Huaro, Felipe is a fluent Quechua/ Spanish speaker and as he often accompanies Threads of Peru project workers in the field, has found himself often working as a translator.

Norman Vega Talavera

Norman is from Nicaragua, but the twists and turns of life brought him to Peru. He works as a driver for Apus Peru and also on the nutrition and health program for Threads of Peru.