It is very difficult to find the right people in a Third World country. The traditions, the culture and the local mentality do not always match with the requirements of the modern world. After more than 15 years of running our business we have form a solid and reliable staff. Our guides, cooks, drivers, office personnel, mule and llama drivers and porters are not only the best in their own areas, but also love what they and will be happy to share their experiences and knowledge with you.

José Camarlinghi (International UIAGM licence CAMJ005)

Trained by the German Alpine Club (DAV), Jose was certified as a mountain guide’s instructor in 1984 and has been working as a professional mountain guide since then. He has lead groups around the Andes of Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Chile. In 2005 Jose achieved the highest worldwide certification: the International Mountain Guides Association (IMGA, UIAGM, IVBV) credential. He speaks Spanish, English and French and is also a Film-Video producer and a professional photographer.

Javier Thellaeche (International UIAGM licence THEJ004)

Trained by the German Alpine Club (DAV), Jose was certified as a mountain guide’s instructor in 1984 and has been working as a professional mountain guide since then. He has lead groups around the Andes of Bolivia, Chile and Argentiuna. In 2005 Javier achieved the highest worldwide certification: the International Mountain Guides Association (IMGA, UIAGM, IVBV) credential. He speaks Spanish, English and Italian, and is also a Software System Analyser. Besides Alpine & rock climbing, Javier is an experienced mountain bike rider and a Sea Kayak guide.

Ivan Blanco

Ivan was also trained by The German Alpine Club (DAV) and got certified as a mountain guide’s instructor in 1984. He is one of the premier cultural guides in the country. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian and French and has also studied medicine. Besides Alpine climbing, Ivan is an experienced mountain bike rider, first aid instructor, and has very deep knowledge in Archaeology and Andean Astronomy. Since 1988 Ivan has worked as a freelance guide for the largest cultural travel agencies in La Paz.

Pedro Schaaf

Pedro was born in Germany but his family had long ties to Bolivia and came to live in the country when he was very young. He attended the medical school but after a couple of years decided that mechanics were his craft. He finished his studies as a mechanic engineer. A mountain lover since his childhood, he entered the Mountain Guides School and is being trained to get his International certification. He speaks German, Spanish and a good English.

Gary Clemente

Born in 1980, Gary is the Benjamin of the three brothers. It is impressive how Gary has learned as much as anybody in their family in only 7 years of experience working for several national and international travel agencies, and a couple of courses with professional cooks. Gary can also make international and national meals, either vegetarian or regular. Gary is also a good climber and has several 6000ers in its resume. Gary speaks Spanish, Aymara and a some English.

Arles Clemente

Born in 1966, Arles is the oldest of the three brothers. In 12 years working for several national and international travel agencies, and a couple of courses with professional cooks, he had learned how to make both international and national meals, either vegetarian or regular.

Praxides Laura

Praxides is Gary and Arles's brother in law. He started working for Andean Summits as a muleteer and has learned amazingly fast the art of cooking.

Gustavo Miranda Hulliri

Gustavo has worked as Gary's assistant for more than three years now he is also a good cook. Gustavo is 23 years old, married with 1 daughter.

Raymundo Condori

Raymundo worked with us as a porter for many years and also learned how to cook during his trips. He showed such a entusiasm during his job that he became our main assistante when exploring new routes. Raymundo is fluent in Spanish and Aymara, language that - besides learning as his mother toungh - he perfected studying in a proper language school. Now he is also learning English and preparing to accomplish his dream to became a guide.

Jorge Paxipati

Jorge is a “self made” mechanic. During the military service in the air force, he was the Commandant’s personal driver. After that he worked as a freelance taxi driver and then as a truck driver’s assistant, travelling the whole country visiting small villages and selling goodies and artefacts. Since travelling in Bolivian secondary roads is a real adventure, Jorge learned how to repair any part of the truck using almost anything.

Ramiro Pacheco

During the last 9 years he has been working as a driver, making lots of experience with all kinds of vehicles but main of all developing his own “art” of smooth driving his passengers. Ramiro is also a leader in the Yungas region where his family own a small parcel to grow coca leaves.

Claudio Villanueva

Besides driving for our company, he is an expert mechanic. Claudio runs his owns car workshop and make the maintenance of our cars.

José Camarlinghi

Co-owner and founder of Andean Summits, José is the Director of the company, and is in charge of the operations. He was the Operations Manager for a Bolivian-French agency based in La Paz at the beginning of the 90’s.

Javier Thellaeche

Co-owner and founder of Andean Summits, Javier is the Sales Manager of the company, and is in charge of the administration (Accounting, administrative organization, and software developing). Before Andean Summits he was Systems Manager in one of Bolivia’s largest vineyards and Distillery Company.

Enrique Salluca

Since 1998, Enrique is our “right arm” in organizing the “logistics” for our trips (equipment, food, and personnel). He is also in charge to register and control most of the accounting, inventory, and sales. Before working for Andean Summits, he has worked several years for a large international agency based in La Paz. Partially having studied Agronomy, and medicine in the university, he had finished the Accounting carrier.

Juan Mamani

Juan is an Aymara countryman. He lives in Pinaya village at the very bottom of Illimani Mountain. He is our porters and muleteer’s chef for all our trips in the Southern Cordillera Real and Quimsa Cruz range since 1996. He has already climbed Illimani several times, and dreams to one day became a Mountain Guide.

Gregorio Flores

Gregorio is also an Aymara countryman, he lives in Palcoco village near Condoriri region. He is our porters and muleteer’s chef for all our trips in the Central Cordillera Real Since 1998. Besides being a farmer, he also raises Llamas, Alpacas and sheep.

Praxides Laura

Praxides is probably the best example of an Aymara mountain Indian. His skills of conducting llama herds have given him a great fame around the northern Cordillera Real. He is son in law of our oldest cook Mario.

Reynaldo Vasquez

Shy and modest, Reynaldo is our Porters chef in the Apolobamba mountain range. He is one of the main authorities in his region and has plans to run for the next Major elections in his town: Pelechuco.