Weeks later we can't stop reminiscing about life in the tent city at Quyllur Rit'i and the activities that went on around us. This tour was much more than going from site to site. It gave us insight into what we humans are capable of and where we come from.
– Anonymous, 2017, USA
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
co-founder
Steve takes care of communication and planning. He’s our big picture man. Aspiring Adventures started as a dream of Steve’s.
co-founder
Katy is our operations machine. No idea is too big, and no detail is too small. Her superpower is turning dreams into reality.
Peru Operations Manager
Maylí, our import from the “real world” of Peru's big airlines and group tour companies, brings calm, caring professionalism and impressive negotiation skills (as well as an ability to walk in high heels that was previously unknown to Aspiring Adventures) to the varied, complex job that is overseeing our Peru operation. From the biggest picture to the smallest detail, Maylí’s on top of it.
Peru Logistics Coordinator
Johan, our youngest team member, looks after all our outdoors equipment, coordinates all our field staff, and cooks up a storm on our camping trips. Born and bred in a subsistence farming community, Johan impressed us all with his insane work ethic from the day we met him (cheesecake for breakfast anyone?) and we think he has a very big future in tourism ahead of him.
Aldo and Katy met when they were both in their first season guiding the Inca Trail, in 2004. He’s been with Aspiring since 2012. Born and raised in the steamy jungle town of Quillabamba, Aldo moved to Cusco to study to be a guide and has been based here 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 and knowledge of Peru, and his football skills.
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.
Justino presents as stern.... til he suddenly busts out a smile that breaks through like the sun over the Andes. He loves being out in the mountains, meeting people from all over the world, and most of all, his young family. He’ll impress you with his passion and knowledge, inexhaustible energy, and agility on the soccer pitch.
Cusco born and bred, Angela is a qualified lawyer who has taught English to children, worked housekeeping in Vail and Breckenridge, and holds – are you ready for this? – a Master’s degree in Environmental Law from the Sorbonne. Quick and quirky, restless and curious, with an insatiable appetite for travel, Angela is one of a kind.
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.
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
Two write-ups about us in Queenstown, New Zealand's local paper, ten years apart...
posted by Katy Shorthouse
co-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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co-founder
I grew up in Australia. My love affair with travel began in 1996 when I set off for two years of backpacking through South America and Europe. The next turning point came in 2001 when I abandoned a career in journalism and became a hiking guide in Tasmania, Australia. By 2004 I was guiding adventure tours in Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Chile, and in 2010 I authored the Lonely Planet guidebook to Peru.
KATY’S ASPIRATIONS
As a kid my greatest aspiration was not to work set hours in an office. I didn’t know how I’d achieve this - I thought artists were the only people who didn’t have to work nine to five, and I can barely draw a stick figure - but here we are. Wild ideas we were throwing around years ago are now our daily reality. Aspiring Adventures is a successful business staffed by happy and fulfilled people. My great business aspiration at this point is to keep going the way we’re going. And here are my personal goals:
• 2020: Take Nina hiking on the Inca Trail
In February I'll be moving back to Cusco, and once settled in I aim to hike the Inca Trail (for the 14th time!), with my daughter
• 2019: Spend a few months in Nepal
Nepal has been on my dream list for years and it's time to finally make it happen now that Nina is old enough to tackle a trek in the mountains with me. Can't wait!
• 2018: Spend a few months in Cambodia
My brother and his family live there and I’ve never been to South East Asia – so a couple of months is the minimum really!
• 2017: Buy a house in Australia
My aversion to debt has put me years behind most of my friends on this one, but I’m told it’s time I get with the program.
• 2016: Conduct an epic beach camping holiday
Three families, four small children, three weeks, four beaches, one river, many beers and countless ceviches - a dream come true!
• 2015: Become a regular meditator
I started dabbling in meditation in September 2014, delved deeper in 2015, and these days, all I can say is...ommmmm!
• 2014: Take Nina to Quyllur Rit’i
One of Nina and my best times ever together.
• 2013: Take Nina on a multiday hike
Glad I did this while she was still relatively light!
• 2012: Get back on the mountain bike after giving birth to my daughter
Yay! So happy to be biking again... no hang on, I've lost my nerve! Help!
• 2011: Dedicate a summer to nothing but hiking and biking in New Zealand
Mountain biked daily, hiked four multi-day hikes and cycled the Otago Central Rail Trail
• 2010: Complete a big self sufficient hike
Hiked for 21 days through the Australian Alps – only support was two food drops
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