Andreas Holland is the owner and director of Tambo Treks and its sister companies Expediciones Tambo and Tambo Film Outfitters. He was born in England but spent most of his childhood living in the remote jungle in Paraguay. After completing his secondary and tertiary education in the UK, he returned to South America in 1979 with his wife Rachel and their small son. After back packing throughout the continent they settled in Ollantaytambo, and he started working as guide in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, Cordillera Urubamba, the Pongo de Manique and Tambopata. Andreas has not only worked as a trekking guide in the Andes for twenty five years, he is a pioneer in the exploration of trekking routes and in the shaping of trekking practices in the Cusco region. He not only has unsurpassed knowledge and hands on experience but also great expertise in the compiling of touring and trekking itineraries. He has had direct and practical involvement in the organization and running of thousands of trekking expeditions and tours as well as outfitting a wide variety of documentary film shoots.
Rachel Michel is the co-owner and director of Tambo Treks. She was born and educated in England. She has a degree in Botany and a PhD in environmental education. Since the inception of Tambo Treks she has been actively involved in all aspects of administration and logistics as well as staff training. She is an experience guide and has studied weaving techniques in the remote villages of the Lares Valley.
Pablo Segovia is the manager of Tambo Treks. He was born in Mendoza, Argentina and started working as a trekking guide in the Andes over twenty years ago. He has worked as a trekking guide in Europe, Nepal and Peru. For many years he divided the year between working as a guide for Tambo Treks in Peru and managing trekking operations in Nepal. In 2001 he brought all this valuable experience together when he became general manager of Tambo Treks. Pablo not only oversees all aspects of operations he continues to guide trips and organizes and participates in the exploration of new trekking routes. He actively campaigns for improvements to the regulations governing all aspects of the Inca Trail and is currently president of APTAE (Asociacion Peruano de Turismo de Aventura y Eco-Turismo) in Cusco, an influential group that helps shape governmental policy.
We are very proud of our staff who bring diverse talents to form a dedicated team who ensure that all our trips run smoothly and are an unforgettable experience.
Guides: Our guides are amongst the most experienced and knowledgeable guides in Cusco, most have worked with us for at least 5 years and they all receive on going, in-service training. They are without exception extemely dedicated and highly professional, and speak very good to excellent English. They have all attended first aid courses relating specifically to potential problems at high altitude and in remote places and are knowledgeable about local culture and customs, archaelogy and history which they never tire of sharing with clients.
Office staff: Tambo Treks also employs 10 full time office staff who together have clocked up over 80 years working with the company. Their talents are diverse and their loyalty, experience and dedication is unsurpassed in Cusco. This team of dedicated experts ensures the smooth running of all Tambo Treks trips. At all times on any day of the year at any time of day there is always someone in our office to answer the phones.
Camp staff: Tambo Treks employs more than 50 local cooks, assistants, camphands and pack animal handlers, the majority of whom have worked with us for more than 10 years and some for more than 20 years. They are an integral part of the success of each trek since they offer not only their tremendous local knowledge but also many years of working with our clients and understanding their needs on walks that for many clients are their first experience of trekking and camping. Many are also pioneers with unsurpassed knowledge of trekking routes. They are now passing on their vast knowledge to a dynamic group of young camp staff. All the camp staff have attended courses in basic first aid and hygiene as well as annual in service training workshops. They are noted for their willingness, charm. industry and cheerfulness.
Porters: Additionally and just as importantly Tambo Treks continues to work with the same group of more than 90 traditional porters from the villages of Huilloc and Patacancha (in the hills above Ollantaytambo). The role of our professional porters is unquestionably very demanding. It has always been our policy to reduce the difficulties faced by the porters by always providing proper tents, stoves and a good diet during the trek days. We have also always strict specifications about the weight and volume that each porter carries. All our porters automatically have access to medical attention should they need it and Tambo Treks finances treatment. We feel this is a way to reciprocate the incredible loyalty and dedication shown to us by these remarkable people.