Hiking Guide Volunteers
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
Annelie
Hola my name is Annelie. I grew up in Germany very close to the Baltic Sea in a very flat area with the biggest hill of 180 m. Since that time I am in love with the ocean and recently a passionate diver. BUT two years ago my heart started to fall for hiking and mountains too when I was walking from Germany to Spain for a few months. In Quetzaltrekkers I am happy to share this passion here with other people here in Guatemala and supporting the mission of QT. I love being outside in nature and learning about the environment and local culture. If you join us on a hike, I am looking forward to meet you and share this amazing experience with you.
Fun facts & favorites
- Former balloon artist-i can make almost every animal you want
- Currently on a challenge for preparing the best guacamole
- Overalls are my favorite clothes
- Night sky lover
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 speaker out there
- I’ll be stretching, working out or practicing my handstand at random times and random places
- Basically a cat in human form
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 weigh 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 through the Guatemalan highlands while serving the communities we pass through. 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
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
New guides…. coming soon!
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
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 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