My first experience with guided tours occurred during AdventureElevate Latin America in Ecuador, when I embarked on a pre-adventure led by Christian Valencia, CEO and Founder of Activexpedition.
The trip was a five-day trek of the Quilotoa Loop that took us through the villages of Sigchos, Isinlivi, and Chugchilan. We continued to the Quilotoa Crater Lake and concluded with a climb from Chimborazo’s base camp to the stunning Condor Lagoon at 17,000 feet. Our trek also included a visit to the vibrant Saquisilí market, located just south of Quito, one of the few remaining traditional markets. Here, Indigenous Quechua-speaking locals make their living by raising and selling animals, a tradition passed down through generations.
I frequently describe my experience hiking the Quilotoa Loop with Activexpedition as “awesome” in the true sense of the word, as defined by the Greater Good Science Center of UC Berkeley:
“Awe is the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world, like looking up at millions of stars in the night sky... When people feel awe, they may use other words to describe the experience, such as wonder, amazement, surprise, or transcendence.”
Every day on that tour, I marveled at the canyons, the hospitality of the local people, and the Andean culture and traditions. It felt like we were living in a real-life Planet Earth documentary about Ecuador, but instead of David Attenborough narrating, we had Christian Valencia—a native of Quito who started Activexpedition with the mission of “delivering educational experiences of a lifetime with stellar service and providing human-powered holidays that go beyond typical adventure travel.”
“I believe that what’s most important is the respect I have for Mother Nature and the communities that give us the opportunities to learn from their ancestral knowledge,” Valencia said.
The Makings of a Great Adventure Travel Guide
Valencia’s career in tourism began when he studied at the Tourism University of Quito to become a National Tourism Guide. He later obtained a license and began working with national and international companies while slowly veering toward non-traditional adventure tours. He is now a seasoned professional with more than fifteen years of experience and a dedication to multi-activity expeditions. He has led 700+ tours across Latin America for more than 10,000 travelers.
His experience was evident during the trek. Valencia’s ability to communicate complex information in an engaging and accessible manner made every moment a learning opportunity. Whether discussing the geological forces that shaped the landscape or the cultural significance of ancient traditions, his expertise added depth and meaning to our adventure. He recounted tales of shamans using guinea pigs for healing in clinics and the ongoing struggles of local communities to protect their land from mining interests.
As one of my fellow travelers, Sergio Ballivian from Sergio Photo Tours, put it, “Christian has the extra ‘special sauce’ that makes a good guide a great guide: Passion… He knows his terrain, the plants, animals, people, and communities, and they all know him too.”
And indeed, the community knew him. From the beginning of the tour, it was evident that Valencia wasn’t just a friend and colleague of every person we encountered—his reputation extended beyond the adventure travel community.
The Importance of Community Connection for Tour Operators
Over the years, Activexpedition has made a name for itself. As a "Leave No Trace" certified organization, they strive for zero waste, even offering eco-friendly "oat" water bottles, and keeping every group small to reduce environmental impact and maximize the connection to nature. Additionally, Valencia’s own reputation precedes him. He not only spearheaded the design of off-the-beaten-path expeditions in Ecuador, but also has a unique rapport with Amazonian tribes. This relationship began when he was kayaking along a river in the Waorani territory and was invited by a young Waorani to meet his father, who lived deep in the jungle.
“I had the opportunity to meet Umayue, one of the most respected Waorani warriors,” Valencia said. “I was able to travel alongside him on paths across the virgin jungle… The Waorani elders don’t speak Spanish, but over time I began identifying certain words and was able to communicate with them.”
Over the next few years, he continued visiting the Waorani warriors, meeting new communities and learning about their land and traditions. In fact, Activexpedition has been featured in National Geographic for its unique Waorani Expedition tour that takes travelers to the heart of the Amazonian jungle to experience the life of the Waorani tribe and their hunting techniques.
“These types of experiences help preserve their culture and protect the jungle because all we leave behind are our footprints. We have trained the communities on how to do responsible tourism without affecting the environment,” Valencia said.
Activexpedition's commitment to supporting local communities was evident as we visited small villages in the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo provinces as part of the Quilotoa Loop trek. We spent time with Indigenous people, learning about their customs, traditions, and way of life. Valencia’s connections with the local communities enriched our experience by allowing us to engage in cultural exchanges that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
At the end of AdventureELEVATE Latin America, I spent a few days with an old friend from Quito. We visited the Middle of the World Monument at the Solar Museum, and when I mentioned my trek and showed them Valencia’s business card, both my friend and the museum guide were surprised. They both knew about Activexpedition and the great reputation it had as a tour company.
The Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Resources for Adventure Travel Guides
For tour operators aiming to enhance their offerings, the key is in cultivating guides who are not only knowledgeable but also passionate, adaptable, and deeply connected to the destinations they explore.
“Guides are the lifeblood of adventure travel—infusing meaning, cultural connection, a bond with nature, and advocacy for conservation,” said Murray Bartholomew, Director of Product Strategy at the ATTA. “Understanding guides as the pivotal point in the tourist experience is why guide training is a central focus of the ATTA's programs.”
The ATTA offers valuable resources like the Adventure Travel Guide Standards (ATGS), available as a free, voluntary guideline for the industry. Hayley Wright, ATGS President & Executive Committee Member, explained that the ATGS provides a comprehensive framework for the wide range of skills and competencies required in adventure guiding. It includes best practices and links to educational resources and industry standards across areas such as technical skills, safety and risk management, sustainability, customer service, and cultural and natural history interpretation.
"The Adventure Travel Guide Standard is a unique resource," Wright noted. "Developed by a global working group of adventure guides and tour operators, it sets a benchmark for guides in countries that lack official standards or qualifications for the industry."
Through the ATGS and its in-person and online adventure travel guide training programs, the ATTA empowers guides to enhance their skills and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Building an Adventure Travel Business and Training New Guides
The fact that my first-ever guided tour was with Activexpedition may have ruined me for life—not only because the Quilotoa Loop was stunning, but also because I experienced firsthand what a group of committed, professional, and expert tour guides can achieve.
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring adventure travel guides, Valencia emphasized the importance of participating in responsible tourism, being environmentally friendly, and turning to activities that have low carbon emissions, such as biking, hiking, canoeing, etc.
“This is an industry full of opportunities and new experiences,” he shared. “I advise that you become trained in ecotourism, that you design long-term community projects, and that you forge alliances with communities to protect their culture, traditions, and the environment.”
Activexpedition has a comprehensive system in place to recruit and train new guides that consists of evaluating their communication, teamwork, technical and leadership skills during a short outdoor trip. Once recruited, new guides receive specialized training and become certified in First Aid, kayaking, MTB, ropes, etc. The last step is a FAM trip where the new guides join seasoned guides to learn about Activexpedition’s routes and their customer service standards.
Reflecting on the journey, it's clear that the combination of Activexpedition's values, Valencia's expertise, and the stunning landscapes of the Andes created a truly transformative experience for someone like me who had never been on a guided tour before. I left Ecuador with remarkable stories and two special gifts from Valencia: a pouch of his homegrown Guayusa leaves, a traditional Amazonian tea, and a bracelet handmade by women from the Waorani tribe.