Hiking Guide Volunteers
Gia
Hi! I’m Gia, I’m from the okay state of Indiana in the US. My whole life I’ve loved to travel and since January 2026 I’ve been wandering down Central America and exploring. I found Quetzaltrekkers online and instantly knew that I wanted to volunteer. I’ve worked as an Outdoor Educator/Guide since 2022, starting at my university outdoor program (shoutout Indiana University Outdoor Adventures!) and since then I’ve led trips everywhere from Costa Rica to Maine to Wyoming to California. When I found out there was an opportunity to guide for an organization that not only explores the beautiful volcanoes and highlands in Guatemala but also supports the local community, I knew I had to pause my travels and hang out in Xela for a bit. So far, I have loved learning more about Guatemala and seeing the magnificent nature here, I hope to see you on a trek soon!
Fun facts & favorites
- Certified Yoga instructor
- BIG NPR Tiny Desk Concert fan
- I triple majored in college, so I have degrees in Linguistics, International Studies, and Spanish
- I love watching any sunset
Marisa
Hola! My name is Marisa, or as my friends call me, Mars (-: (yes like the planet). I’m from the US, the lovely state of California! Despite being eternally grateful for where I grew up, I always knew I wanted to leave and travel. I graduated university in 2024 and left to travel shortly after, still no end in sight! Solo travel has become my passion, and I love the adventure and freedom it brings me. I spent some time in Guatemala earlier on in my trip and left the continent months later, but something always called me back. I love volunteering (some may call me an addict) and when I found Quetzaltrekkers I knew it aligned perfectly with what I wanted to do, which was give back to a country that has given me so many amazing experiences! I hope to see you out on the trails with me!
Fun facts & favorites
- Hitchhiking advocate
- Huge mosh pit lover
- Thrifting enthusiast (it’s not hoarding it’s collecting!)
- I unironically love long walks on the beach
- Missing my dog Luna everyday
Corinna
Hi!! My name is Corinna, I was born in the misty lands of northern Italy but ever since I have memory I’ve dreamt of faraway lands and adventures, first in my beloved fantasy books and eventually in real life. I lived and volunteered in many countries and explored many more on the saddle of my precious mountain bike. After my first big solo bikepacking tour through Western Europe I embarked on another adventure through Latin America, and my pedals drove me to Quetzaltrekkers! I decided to set my bike aside for some time and become a QT guide attracted by a new type of challenge (I had never been on any multi-day hike before!) and wanting to learn how this amazing NGO manages to raise money for kids’ education by providing fun outdoors activities. It’s a win-win!
I’ll be looking forward to talking to you on hike – if you can keep up with me at the head of the group 😁
Fun facts & favorites
- Tiramisù is my love language
- My favourite movies are all very sad and heavy (I guess I go for the cathartic effect). Probably not the best person to pick something for movie night…
- I know 6/7 languages and heading for more - any Portuguese speakers out there?
- I’ll be stretching, working out or practicing my handstand at random times and random places
- Basically a cat in human form
Ryan
Hola mi gentee!!! My name is Ryan Penz and I am from the gorgeous state of Washington in the US. There, I grew up backpacking, backcountry skiing, playing soccer and climbing volcanoes. These interests took me to attend school at the University of Utah where I fell in love with travel, languages and volunteer work. After using every break from school to travel the world, I wanted my next adventure to be one where I get to give back to the place I am visiting. I am so blessed that Quetzaltrekkers has given me that opportunity.
For me, the most beautiful thing in life is doing hard things with others. Hard things allow people to grow and connect with each other in a way doing easy things just can’t replicate. As a guide, I get to do this all the time and I have the honor to ensure we all have a fun time through the hard time.
When I am not hiking (and when I am hiking), you can find me on the dance floor, karaoke stage, soccer field or sharing my love for Karol G. ¡Nos vemos en el sendero!
Fun facts & favorites
- Tengo el cuerpo de un estadounidense, pero el corazón de una latina
- Jo parlo català! On és la meva gent catalana???
- I am always smiling (my face doesn't have the muscles to let me frown)
- I have run 8 marathons (now 9 after the Guatemala City marathon!). If you beat me on a race up the mountain, I will buy you ice cream
- I am magic with a deck of cards, those lucky enough to hike with me will see
- I will leave you with my top 5 female artists of all time: Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears. Honorable Mention: Karol G
Anna
Holaaa! I´m Anna! Much like Ryan, I´m also from the beautiful state of Washington, but I´m from the much cooler and more interesting city of Olympia 😉 Basically I grew up doing weird hippie shizz in the woods and on the rocky shores of the Salish Sea, which explains a lot… I think being in nature and going on adventures together is such a great way to connect with people and form meaningful relationships- my favorite part of life! I have been working in outdoor education for the past 2 years, mostly as a deckhand on tall ships (think pirate ship minus the pirates). I love teaching and especially working with kids, and I am so grateful to be here with Quetzaltrekkers doing so many of my favorite things with amazingly caring people! I´m so excited to continue learning with you about the beautiful communities we travel through here in Guatemala, and I can´t wait to see ya out on the trail! Love, Anna<3
Fun facts & favorites
- I have a stuffed animal beaver named Wiggles
- I bring glitter on every trek!
- Have pooped myself while hiking not too long ago...
- My favorite game to play on trek is Wavelength
- I love printmaking and all sorts of crafts!
- I don´t like avocados:( But don´t worry I still like guac
- I love swimming and any water activities! (Including being caught in the rain)
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
Lily
Ciao a tutti! My name is Lily, I was born in Hungary and grew up in Italy, the best combination to live your life with an identity crisis ahahahahaa. Jokes aside, moving between two different countries and cultures taught me to persevere in life. In the last 5 years I´ve traveled around, did a lot of random jobs like picking tomatoes in a greenhouse in the Netherlands, worked as a driver for a surf school on Fuerteventura, worked on a dairy farm as a calf rearer in New Zealand, but suprisingly the place I keep going back to is a small village in Finnish Lapland, in the Arctic Circle. How crazy is it that a place so freezing cold can keep someone´s heart so warm? Working outdoors and sharing amazing experiences with customers makes me happy. I´m a nature enthusiast, I can get lost in watching and admiring trees.
I´m a super funny person, maybe a little bit crazy, with a “contagious grandma laugh”… if you join one of our hikes you´ll be lucky enough to hear it in real life AAHAHHAHA
Fun facts & favorites
- I´m NOT a morning person so SUNSETS are my vibe!
- If you can´t laugh at yourself, you are taking life too seriously.
- I speak 4 languages fluently.
- I´m disgusted by the smell of ketchup.
- Never break spaghetti or overcook pasta in front of me, I´m the PASTA POLICE.
Katy
Hola soy Katy ! Soy 50% guatemalteca y 50% gringa ? Nací en Estados Unidos pero he vivido en Guatemala casi toda mi vida, específicamente en Xela agradezco haber crecido entre tantas hermosas montañas y volcanes alrededor, No hace mucho descubrí mi pasión por el senderismo y cuando descubrí Quetzaltrekkers súper que quería estar aquí la función de la organización es la perfecta combinación entre ayudar y disfrutar! No hay mejor satisfacción q ver a los niños felices! Espero verte pronto en una caminata!
Fun facts & favorites
- Amo justin bieber
- Siempre hago buenos postres
- Soy una Qt baby
- Odio cortar cebolla
- Soy una baby temazcal
- Siempre estoy durmiendo
Aaron
¡Hola! Yo Aaron, tu guía chilango favorito jaja, tengo 27 años, estudie en la Ciudad de Mexico, he viajado al rededor de México varias veces, desde los 15 años descubrí que amaba conocer lugares nuevos y conversar con gente desconocida, pero también amo trabajar con niños, he hecho eventos para alimentar, educar y convivir con ellos, estuve trabajando como gerente de 2 hoteles y 2 restaurantes en un lapso de 2 años y tengo una marca de salsa picante pero cuando escuché lo que hacen en Quetzalteekkers y el impacto tan positivo que tienen en los niños, decidí pausar mi vida un rato y venirme a apoyar está gran causa, aún me falla el inglés pero si quieres aprender español o divertirte intentando hablar inglés conmigo, te espero en mis caminatas eso sí, las risas y la música nunca van a faltar.
Fun facts & favorites
- Amo cantar
- Tocar el piano y ukelele
- Las pláticas profundas sobre espiritualidad
- Me encanta cocinar
- Enseñar
- Bailar
Local Guides
Rudy
¡Hola soy Rudy Tebalan de Xela! Soy un guía de senderismo del altiplano guatemalteco por más de 20 años. Nací, crecí y vivo en Quetzaltenango, creo que soy muy afortunado de tener muchas montañas y volcanes en Guatemala porque desde muy joven comencé con ascensos a volcanes y hacer senderismo por las montañas. Me identifico como persona indígena kiche, me encanta visitar los pueblos de la región, porque ahí puedo practicar mi idioma kiche, también porque ellos aun conservan las tradiciones ancestrales y sobre todo si puedo disfrutar del temascal después de un día de caminata.
Fun facts & favorites
- Idiomas: español, kiche e ingles
- se algo de futbol de la liga de Guatemala especialmente del Xelajú
- Me encanta beber una cerveza fría des pues de caminar
- Musica: abrazar la niebla de viernes verde
Santi
Hola! Soy Santi, de Guatemala. Soy maestro en la secundaria y también estudié turismo. Soy amante de escalar volcanes. Soy uno de los chicos beneficiados de esta maravillosa organización. Después de terminar mi bachillerato. Fui voluntario en QT. Por tres años, tengo buenas memorias de ese tiempo, allí empezó mi aventura como guía. y conocer a gente de todo el mundo. Me encanta, trabaje en el hogar hovde, con la idea de orientar a los niños que sigan estudiando para un mejor futuro. Sigo apoyando este increíble proyecto educativo a largo plazo. Espero guiarlos en los senderos, va ser una linda experiencia.
Fun facts & favorites
- Absolutamente muy malo para recordar los nombres
- No me gusta celebrar mi cumpleaños
- Mi nahual ho animal espiritual es el cocodrilo
- Soy un buen corredor
- No tengo barba. Por que soy descendiente de los mayas kiches
Dámaris
Hola, soy Dámaris (Dama), mujer indígena Maya K’iche’ originaria de Cantel, Quetzaltenango. Mi camino en el senderismo comenzó con un propósito mayor: contribuir a mejorar la vida de la niñez en mi región. Aunque no tenía experiencia previa en montaña, mi tiempo como voluntaria en Quetzaltrekkers transformó mi vida; ahí descubrí que mi verdadera pasión es sentir y vivir la naturaleza.
Hoy, como guía local y estudiante de Administración de Empresas Turísticas, combino mi conocimiento técnico con el amor por mi tierra. Además, soy maestra de español, por lo que me encanta aprovechar las caminatas para practicar el idioma y compartir nuestra cultura de una forma auténtica y cercana.
Fun facts & favorites
- Adicta a la aventura... y a las gomitas
- Cine y baile
- Aprendizaje constante
José
Hola soy José López, soy guía local de Quetzaltrekkers, me gusta explorar las montañas por que es una forma de sentirme vivo. Me gusta formar parte de Quetzaltrekkers.
Fun facts & favorites
- Bebidas favoritas, cerveza y café
- Pasatiempo futbol 5
- Libro favorito antología de escritores quetzaltecos
This Could Be You!
We’re looking for a 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 North East 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 enjoying 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
- Very small feet
- Has 0 chest hairs
- Very Good Credit Score
- Responsible HR Manager
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