Looked after very well and a great experience. The guides were awesome! There wasn't anything I could pick that needed to be improved on. Have had an excellent adventure, amazing insight into Peru native culture and amazing mountain biking - feel renewed and remotivated and will definitely go on another Aspiring Adventures tour in the future.
– Jon D., New Zealand
Over years guiding adventure tours and managing small and large group tour companies, co-founders Steve Wilson and Katy Shorthouse worked out that small is better – more fun, more flexible, and more personal, for both guests and workers. This shared conviction was the foundation stone of Aspiring Adventures when it began in Peru in 2009.
Learn more about our philosophy
CEO & founder
Steve takes care of communication and planning — he’s our big-picture man. Aspiring Adventures began as his dream, and together with a talented team over the years, he’s grown it into a company that turns adventurous ideas into unforgettable journeys.
Travel Experience Manager
From trekking the Andes to sailing the Galápagos, Lupe has spent her career turning South America into the trip of a lifetime for travelers — and she still heads into the field whenever she can. After nine years guiding across Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and beyond, and seven more mastering sales, bookings, and operations in the tourism industry, she now blends hands-on adventure with behind-the-scenes expertise to help Aspiring Adventures’ guests from their very first inquiry to the final day of their trip.
Justino might seem serious at first — until that sudden smile appears, bright as the Andean sun. He thrives in the mountains, sharing their wonders with travelers from every corner of the globe, and has a gift for making every trip feel personal and unforgettable. Whether he’s leading a trek, swapping stories, or chasing a ball on the soccer pitch, his passion, energy, and love for life shine through — second only to his love for his young family.
Born in the Sacred Valley, with both Spanish and Quechua as her native languages, Naty is as local as they come! She studies psychology part time and eventually wants to open a centre dedicated to helping people feel good about themselves. You may well cry when you have to say goodbye to Naty.
Aldo has been with Aspiring since 2012. Born and raised in the steamy jungle town of Quillabamba, he moved to Cusco to study to be a guide and has been based there ever since. For many years a trekking specialist, he’s now in high demand on our family trips, where he wins hearts and minds with his endless patience, deep knowledge of Peru, and impressive football skills.
Cheerful, chirpy Orlando grew up in the Amazon jungle river port of Puerto Maldonado, where he learned to climb trees, dodge dangerous animals, and always tie up his canoe securely. He’s at home guiding all over Peru, but in his heart he’s a trekker, happiest camping under the stars in the mountains.
Luxury and adventure tours blend heart-pounding activities with exquisite accommodations, offering curated moments of refinement and exclusivity.
posted by Guadalupe Rojas Falcon
We’re very enthusiastic about our newest destination. Here's why we're so pumped about Myanmar (Burma)!
posted by Katy Shorthouse
This month, Aspiring turned ten! We'll celebrate as a team in mid-2020, when Steve and Katy will both be in Peru, but in the meantime, we celebrated in style with our families.
posted by Katy Shorthouse
CEO & founder
I grew up in rural New Zealand. I’ve been working in adventure tourism since 2001, soon after returning from my first overseas experience. I had every intention of being a geologist but that trip - throwing myself into another place and culture - changed me and I’m thankful for it. Ever since then I’ve been all about personal growth through travel, and sharing that growth with others.
STEVE’S ASPIRATIONS
I find that setting a big goal two years in advance focuses my energy on making it happen (or at least giving it my best shot!). I return to this page often to see my aspirations written down and I love the satisfaction of ticking them off! Leaving past years on the list is a way of making myself accountable. I recommend starting a list like this to help you achieve your aspirations in life!
• 2020: Motorbike trip around the Baltic Sea
Earmarked for this June, I also intend to reach Norway's Nordkapp - the most northern point of mainland Europe
• 2019: Climb Mount Aspiring
Well... I didn't climb Mt Aspiring in 2019, however, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Aspiring Adventures Katy and I (and our families) chartered a small plane and we fly around Mt Aspiring while sharing some champagne. Much more civilised, haha!
• 2018: Celebrate turning the big four-oh on a Pacific Island
40, yikes! Well, the great thing about reaching the top of the hill is that the ride down is always the best part right? Right..?
• 2017: Motorcycle trip around the Black Sea
My two friends and I rode 13,000km around the Black Sea, through 16 countries in seven weeks. It was the most epic adventure I've ever undertaken. Tick!
• 2016: Circumnavigate New Zealand by motorcycle
Along with a friend and my brother, I rode over 4,500km in two weeks around the whole South Island and parts of the North Island
• 2015: Take my daughter on a camping trip
At 18 months old, Ila had her first overnight camping trip experience in Naseby, New Zealand on 17 December, 2015 – and she loved it!
• 2014: Visit my 50th country
Travelled around Latvia (48), Estonia (49) and Finland – my 50th country visited in my life – yay!
• 2013: Climb a 6,000m peak
Almost made it to the top of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain at 6,268 metres, turned around at about 6,050 metres, due to altitude sickness. Close but no cigar!
• 2012: Learn to paraglide
Got my PG1 and PG2 licences and love to paraglide in my spare time!
• 2011: Run a marathon
Ran in a charity marathon in Wanaka, New Zealand… well behind legend runner, Mal Law
• 2010: Improve my Spanish
Spent three months living in Peru and took lessons
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