Sustainable Tourism Bogotá
The Team
In the beginning...
In 2010 the idea for Andes EcoTours was born. This was at a time when destinations like Cartagena were already positioned on the tourist map and the city of Bogotá was largely ignored. Travelers were quick to fly in and out of the capital city without paying much attention to the nature that surrounded them, while the conflict of previous decades had prevented locals from exploring their mountains.
We transformed this challenge into an opportunity to develop responsible and sustainable nature tours around our region, allowing both international visitors and local residents to experience the rich diversity of Andean ecosystems.
We led our first tour in 2012, and we have since focused on developing top-quality ecotourism options for visitors to Bogotá. Today, our capital city is the home base for millions of travelers wanting to explore the rich diversity of natural and cultural treasures that Colombia holds.
Hiking up Monserrate on our first tour,
August 2012
Our Commitment
The main goal of Andes EcoTours is to be a driver for conservation of Colombia's ecological & cultural heritage. In order to achieve this goal we need to promote healthy, vibrant, local communities that can afford to protect their natural and cultural resources. Throughout our numerous tours, not only are thousands of visitors discovering the true sense of Colombia´s magical realism but they also provide much needed income for the rural families we work with.
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, we will understand only what we are taught"
Baba Dioum, Senegal
Mission
Andes EcoTours aims to be a driver for conservation of Colombia's ecological & cultural heritage by achieving sustainable tourism practices that strengthen rural communities and provide top rated services to visitors.
Vision
Andes EcoTours will be the point of reference for sustainable, top rated nature tourism services in Colombia.
R. Andrés Umaña
Tour Director
(professional guiding card No. 3865)
Andrés was born and raised in Bogotá. He holds a bachelor´s degree in Biochemistry and a master´s in Environmental Management. He is also a professional certified guide with over 9 years of experience leading groups in a variety of ecosystems. He is director and co-founder of Andes EcoTours and is fluent both in Spanish and English plus a certified First Aid Responder. He alternates his work in Andes EcoTours with teaching sustainable development at Los Andes University.
Chantelle du Plessis
Experience Manager
Growing up in South Africa, Chantelle was trained to spot wildlife at a young age. She is also a co-founder of Andes EcoTours with degrees in both Hospitality Management and International Development. Chantelle speaks both English and Spanish fluently and has lived in Colombia for over 10 years. She is a certified First Aid Responder, avid E-birder and a lead member of the Bogotá Association of Ornithology (ABO).
Hector Mora
Transport & Logistics
Hector grew up (and still lives) in the high Andes mountains of Choachí, surrounded by pristine cloud forest and fertile farmland. He comes from a long line of potato and dairy farmers and has a wealth of local knowledge about native flora and fauna passed down through generations. He also has an eagle's eye for spotting wildlife. Hector has supported us for the past 5 years and has become an irreplaceable part of our team, driving everyone safely to their destinations and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Camilo Buitrago
Birding & Nature Guide
(professional guiding card No. 3093)
Camilo is an artist and industrial designer from Bogota with a concentration in urban architecture from Los Andes University. He is a certified nature tourism guide specialized on birdwatching and has carried out several research projects on ethical, community and restorative ecotourism. Camilo also participated in the first birding guide of Bogota, characterizing different areas for birdwatching in the capital city.
Gabriela Fandiño
Ecoculture & Nature Guide
(professional guiding card No. 3729)
Gabriela is a native born bogotana. At the age of 11 she began studying theater, later traveling to Buenos Aires to continue her studies in dramatic arts. 5 years ago she became a tour guide, leading travelers on city tours throughout Bogota and surrounding towns. Gabriela specializes in ecocultural tourism and mountain guiding.
Cristina Ferrucho
Legal Advisor
Cristina is a practicing lawyer with a specialization in environmental law. She loves hiking, traveling and rock climbing, and is a member of the mountaineering club El Escalador. Cristina has worked as a mountain guide for 20+ years and has completed supplementary courses in tour guiding, mountain techniques, climbing and first-aid.
Ingrid
Office Assistant
Ingrid is a native resident of Bogotá with a technical degree in tourism information and guiding from SENA. She has an interest in advancing her bilingual and design skills so that our back office runs efficiently.
Dani Osorio
Design Wizard
Daniela is a designer, athlete, artist and artisan who puts her heart into every piece she makes. She studied design at Los Andes University and is in charge of all our advertisement, graphic design and production.