Hiking Guide Volunteers
Slobs
What’s up, I’m Sam! Mostly English, slightly Greek, I just finished my studies in international relations and politics. I’m deathly afraid of getting a real job so what better way to delay important life decisions than spending a few months hiking in Guatemala.
I did the Lago Hike as a client two years ago and knew that as soon as I had time, I wanted to come back and volunteer. So here I am, avoiding the horrible british winter. I love all things outdoors, sports and nerdy history podcasts. Hopefully see you all on a hike!
Fun facts & favorites
- Fav drink - A proper brew
- Fav Film - Good Will Hunting
- Fav book - On the Road
- Beer > Cocktails
- Music - RHCP
- Travelled to 30 different countries
Will
Hey there! I’m Will from the United States. After a beautiful experience volunteering for Quetzaltrekkers in 2024 I decided to come back to this special place. I’m incredibly passionate about this organization and deepening my understanding of the diverse peoples and cultures of Guatemala. I’ll see you on the trail. ¡Buen camino!
Fun facts & favorites
- Knows a lot about wine
- Classics
- Loves jazz
- Kann ich mein Deutsch mit dir üben?
- Documentaries
Joe
How’s it goiiing bud? I’m Joe from Dublin, Ireland! I heard about QT from two friends who’d guided years before and I’ve wanted to join the cult and their amazing cause ever since.
I always loved the outdoors back home, whether running, hiking, swimming or camping in some field and I’m excited to explore somewhere where the altitude is a little higher, of course alongside my wonderful son, Conrad 😘. Can’t wait to hike with ye!
Fun facts & favorites
- Got a dodgy finger
- Loving mother
- Bed Bug expert
- Temescal menace
- I make a mean spicy marg xx
Noah
Hi! I’m Noah from Germany. After finishing my semester abroad in Costa Rica in November I wanted nothing more than escaping from my laptop and spend time outdoors instead. So I asked ChatGPT how I could do that and it told me I should go to QT. Of course I had to obey the advice of the almighty AI so here I am. I love all the hikes I got to do so far but even more I love the social contact with both fellow volunteers and clients.
When I’m not hiking I love to sleep or read a good book. Hope to see you on my next hike!
Fun facts & favorites
- Professional flute player
- Has seen inventor of German board game Catan naked
- Passionate about rock climbing (though not really good)
- Terrible at remembering names
- Identifies as innocent bunny
- Vegetarian except for leftover cheeseburgers
Julian
Oh hey there, I’m Julian from Germany! I grew up around the Black Forest, a real hikers’ gem, but I never paid much attention to it as a child. My passion for hiking and all things outdoors kicked off later in life – and today I can’t get enough of it!
My heart also skips a beat for a good match of Ultimate Frisbee and for cooking and munching myself through the universe.
I am so thrilled to be part of Quetzaltrekkers! To me, this wonderful organization means the perfect blend of outdoor adventuring, contributing to a meaningful social and sustainable impact, and being part of a caring, fun and a little crazy community.
Fun facts & favorites
- Successfully overcame a phobia of tomatoes after 30 years
- Cooked Käsespätzle on 5 different continents
- Registered gummy bear addict
- Lived in 10 countries
- Would love to soak in a bathtub full of broth one day
Allison
Hi there I’m Allison! I’m from the United States, representing the mitten state (Michigan). I’m currently taking a gap year and will be going back to school to get my masters in social work. After years hiking throughout the states and backpacking in India, I became interested in being a guide. After hearing about QT’s mission I was hooked. I love to hike for a good cause! Hope to meet you on a trek, happy trails!
Fun facts & favorites
- Guinness devotee
- Postcard collector
- Cross stitch enthusiast
- Meat master
- Hates velvet fabric
- 80s music
- Bed bug survivor
Hailey
hi KING! I am Hailey from Chicago. After my first backpacking trip at 15 on the superior hiking trip I have been hooked on sleeping under the stars. From creating a raft out of logs and pan lids with kids in Washington, walking from Mexico to Canada, collecting chicken eggs on a farm in Louisiana, to spending 150 hours on amtrak across the US I feel so grateful to have spent the past few years exploring the world and building community. I love learning new things: dancing salsa in xela and refining my cheffin- mashed potato volcanoes is my specialty! Happy trails :):)
Fun facts & favorites
- Still has a baby tooth
- Always down to play cards
- Knitting
- Pun master
Laila
Heya! I’m Laila, and it took me 7 years thinking about Quetzaltrekkers after my first hike with the organization to finally make it back here and become a guide. The idea of combining my love for the outdoors with supporting this amazing educational project long term is what made me come back – as well as working with enthusiastic, interesting people on a common cause. Back home in Germany, living next to the Alps I love going on hikes and cycling up and down these mountains. Having spent quite some time in Mexico I finally made it one country down, still hoping to travel South America at one point, working my way down there one by one.
Fun facts & favorites
- Hates Christmas songs and Reggae
- Knows how to whistle like an owl
- Give me a word and I will find some lyrics including that particular word in under 10s
- Always more bruises and scars on my shins than intact skin
Rachel
Hi! I’m Rachel from the US, most recently living in San Diego. My passion for adventure in the outdoors sparked during my time in Australia after I bought a car off of Facebook Marketplace and set off on some amazing camping trips and road trips. From there I started working in tourism and outdoor education and haven’t stopped since! After spending my fair share of time at sea level I figured it was time to make my way to higher altitude, and am so excited to be trekking with QT and exploring Guatemala while being part of something that gives back directly to the community.
Fun facts & favorites
- Skydive and scuba dive certified
- Met Shawn Mendes in Canada circa 2014
- Scrambled egg lover
- Worked as a deckhand
Abby
Hola, I’m Abby from the United States! I was raised in New England but called San Francisco home for over a decade before relocating to Guatemala. I’ve spent a while working in the energy tech world, but wanted to get more hands-on in helping people and the environment. I love reading, hiking, baking desserts, and playing ultimate frisbee. Quetzaltrekkers is a great fit with its mission and outdoor focus, with the bonus of a fantastic community and a great home base in Xela. If you’re reading this far, hopefully I’ll see you on one of our treks soon!
Fun facts & favorites
- Blueberries
- Loves reading (all genres; favorite book is The Fifth Season)
- Board games & jigsaw puzzles
- Runs a fantasy Iditarod league
- Learning wildflower identification
- Identical twin
- Not a big same day laundry folder
Sofi
Hello! My name is Sofi and I come from the land of potatoes and mountains (Boise, Idaho, United States!). At home you can find me trying not to die on skinny skies (cross country skiing) or mountain biking. Most recently I’ve lived in Seattle, Washington, working with people with disabilities in outdoor recreation. I found QT online and from the moment I saw it, I knew I had to come. The chance to lead treks in the beautiful highlands, meet people from all around the world, and engage in the history and culture of Guatemala is something uniquely special. Happy trails!
Fun facts & favorites
- Can wiggle my ears
- Will find the saddest song in existence and make you listen to it at least 15x
- Extremely directionally challenged (don’t worry I have a map and will not get you lost)
- Have a license to drive school buses
- Parasite survivor (adiós Michael)
Susy
¡Hola! Mi nombre es Susy y soy de Guatemala. Me apasiona el senderismo y la naturaleza, pero lo que más me motiva de estar en Quetzaltrekkers es poder apoyar el futuro de los jóvenes a través de la aventura. Me encanta compartir historias en el camino y aprender de cada persona.
Mi vida es un puente entre la neblina de Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán y las cumbres de Quetzaltenango, donde cada ascenso es un tributo a mis raíces K’iche’ y a la resistencia que el frío de “Alaska” me dio desde niña. Inspirada por el servicio de temascales de mi familia, decidí unirme a Quetzaltrekkers como guía, transformando el respeto por nuestras tradiciones en una misión para motivar a más mujeres a conquistar las montañas. Actualmente, complemento esta pasión con mis estudios en Agronomía, fusionando el conocimiento ancestral con la ciencia para proteger los suelos que recorro, demostrando que nuestra herencia y nuestra indumentaria son la fuerza más grande para alcanzar cualquier cima.
“Nací entre las nubes de Ixtahuacán y hoy conquisto las cimas de Xela. Mi indumentaria es mi orgullo y la montaña es mi libertad.”
Fun facts & favorites
- Me gusta escuchar el kpop
- Películas de terror
- Amante de las bebidas calientes
- Hablo kiché y español, y estoy aprendiendo inglés
- Mi deporte favorito es voleibol
Sam
Hi, I’m Sam from the UK! I first came to Quetzaltrekkers in January of 2024 and loved it so much that I stayed 7 months. Even after that, I decided that wasn’t enough so I’m back for more, hoping to stay another 8+ months at this amazing organization. From hiking and spending time outside in the mountain air, to connecting with the amazing community we have here in Xela, there is nothing about this place not to love! I hope to see you all on the trails and best of luck with your travels!
Fun facts & favorites
- Tottenham Hotspur fan (annoyingly)
- Literature & history
- Can make a mean cocktail when needed
- Trivia tryhard
- Sort of Scottish but not really
- Obscure comedy films
- Owl Legs
Alex
Ciao belli, I’m Alex from Italy! I grew up not too far from the Dolomites and since I can remember I’ve always loved spending time in the mountains hiking or skiing. Never backed down when friends invited me for a brutal multi-day hike back home and I definitely couldn’t miss the opportunity to become a Quetzaltrekkers’ guide when a friend recommended me to check out this amazing organisation after her Xela to Lago trek.
Hiking for a good cause really makes you feel like you weight much less and your legs are much stronger XD and it’s amazing to have the opportunity to learn so much about the local history and traditions walking trough the Guatemalan highlands while serving the communities we pass trough. I can also say I have the most fun doing it thanks to a team of crazyy volunteers that make you always feel at home.
Hope to catch you on the trail soon!!!
Fun facts & favorites
- Can’t shut up going uphill (or downhill) 😅
- Slack line enthusiast
- Trail mix addict
- Cooking shirtless is my passion
- Stiff as a board
- Quezalteca lover
Lilia
Hello! I’m Lilia from Los Angeles in the US. I have always felt a deep connection with nature and love spending time in the outdoors — running, hiking, backpacking, and more! I also spent the last 10 years studying Spanish language and culture. So, when a friend told me about QT, I was immediately drawn to the organization and its mission. I’m so excited to be trekking with QT now and hope to see you on the trail soon!
Fun facts & favorites
- 70s classic rock lover
- the peak of my acting career was when i played a cockroach in a school play
- neoclassical persian dancer
- obsessed with thai food
- trilingual in english/persian/spanish
Haris
Heya, I’m Haris! I’ve come from Brighton, UK. I worked a summer after uni before deciding to travel, and found this beautiful cause with QT. I’m a big action sports guy – climbing, mtb, SCUBA, cliff-jumping, windsurfing, and more haha – if you introduce me to another, we’ll be friends:) If I’m not doing that, I’m behind the camera – keep your eyes peeled on the QT social media for that tasty content!
Fun facts & favorites
- Chess
- Movie nerd
- Photography
- Philosophy
- MASSIVE big toes
- 6+ min plank
- Going to die by too many eggs
This Could Be You!
We’re looking for another Social Media Volunteer! A curious traveler with a camera, a storytelling whiz, or someone who loves connecting people to good causes.
They’re the kind of person who knows how to turn muddy hiking boots and misty volcano views into engaging stories. Between trail days and tamale lunches, they bring the Quetzaltrekkers mission to life online—crafting posts, chatting with our community, and capturing the unforgettable moments that make volunteering here so special.
We’re looking for someone like you to fill this role—someone with a creative eye, solid social media skills, and a passion for meaningful travel and grassroots impact.
Fun facts & favorites
- Favorite Color: Sunset orange
- Chasing golden hour light for the perfect shot
- Anything with Avocado
- Go-to Spot in Xela: Café Habitual—for the vibes and the captions
- Work Vibe: Lo-fi beats & Espresso Tonic
Ready to make an impact with your creativity?
Help Quetzaltrekkers and EDELAC share our story all across the world while living amongst the volcanoes.
Coordinators
Conrad
Hola, I’m Conrad from the North of England! I originally came here as a guide in 2024 with plans to stay for three months, and I’ve somehow ended up here for the long haul, though I wouldn’t have it any other way. I get to spend time in the outdoors and work with an incredible team to support the unique mission of EDELAC. When I’m not in the office correcting Ben’s mistakes or out on a trek, I enjoy reading about history, watching football and a proper cup of tea. Hoping to see you out here soon!
Fun facts & favorites
- Sunderland A.F.C.
- Consumed 50 tortillas on one QT hike
- Boring History Books
- Whisky
- Enjoys queueing
- Very bad credit score
Ben
Hi! I’m Ben from the United States, Colorado more specifically. I originally found myself volunteering as guide with Quetzaltrekkers in 2024 but have since shifted roles into that of a coordinator. I fell in love with the project and mission of Quetzaltrekkers immediately and am incredibly grateful at the opportunity to dedicate even more of my time and energy to the organization.
Fun facts & favorites
- Vietnamese food
- Past Chocobanano record holder
- Salt
- Has 0 chest hairs
- Very Good Credit Score
Want to meet us in person?
We’ll be on the trail—come hike with us! No one does tours through the highlands like us. Read our reviews on Google or TripAdvisor to see why people love to trek with us. Come hike volcanoes and help kids while doing it!
Social Media Volunteers