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Kolibri
Expeditions
Staff 2003
For 2006 Kolibri Expeditions has fine-tuned a very solid team to carry out the tasks of the two different programs - Kolibri Expeditions and Marvelous Spatuletail Tours (MST). There is much interaction between the two set-ups. MST needs meticulous planning with all aspects that are not birds i.e. hotels, food, vehicles, safety, nothing is left to chance. During improvised parts on the Kolibri trips we learn how to deal with unexpected situations. When it comes to birds our leaders easily switch between the endemic little brown jobs that interest the hard core birder to general natural history which is of interest to slower pace birders. You will have the best of both worlds.
Kolibri Expeditions take pride in training Peruvians to become bird-guides. Some people we have trained have started their own birdwatching businesses. Choosing Kolibri Expeditions creates work for Peruvians.
Gunnar Engblom. General Manager. Guide. Biologist from University of Stockholm, Sweden. Has birded in Peru since 1990, when he come here as a student of Jon Fjeldså. Apart from a number of expeditions into the hinterlands of Peru looking for rare species and finding undescribed new forms, he is also down-to-earth, giving birdwatching courses for the general public in Lima, trying to create a local interest for birders. He has worked as a professional tour guide since 1987 and has un-equaled experience in catering both for hard-core birdwatchers, as well as for the more comfort demanding easy-pace birders.
Gunnar is also well read on culture in general, arts, history and archeology and has broad general natural history knowledge.
Gunnar is a very active conservationist. During 2001 he has started three internet discussion groups: INCASPIZA which is a network for the conservation of threatened birds in Peru in Spanish; EXPEDITION BIRDING which discusses the concept of world birders focused on rare species and endemics rather than long lists which ultimately will provide local NGO:s and local communities incentives to protect the habitat of the threatened species for sustainable development through eco/avi tourism; and finally also BIRDINGPERU egroup for the discussion of Peruvian birds to stimulate the interest of birding in Peru and contrinbute to the general knowledge of the birdlife of this country.
In January-February 2002 and April-May 2003 Gunnar was travelling in the U.S. giving lectures on conservation of threatened birds in Peru.
Ashley Banwell. UK. A world birder with considerable experience in Peru and South America. Ash travelled with Kolibri Expeditions in 1998 for 5 weeks and came back to do another month in Apurimac and Cushabatay (the Scarlet-banded Barbet trip) in 2001. During 2002 2003 he has guided several areas in Peru including Tambopata, Manu road, Machu Picchu, Abra Malaga and North Peru. Ashley will also be involved in training some of our Peruvian local guides both in English and identification skills.
Roger Ahlman. Sweden. Roger has been guiding for Kolibri Expeditions during 2005. Now Roger has settled down in Mindo, Ecuador (which he for some reason likes better than Lima!?). Nevertheless, Roger will keep guiding trips for Kolibri Expeditions during 2006.
Fabrice Schmitt. French. Fabrice has been guiding with Kolibri since 2005. As a very experienced South America birder with great people's skill, he become very popular with the clients. Fabrice will keep on guiding for Kolibri also in 2006. He lives in Santiago, Chile.
Alejandro Tello Guevara. Coordinator and guide. A very skilled Peruvian nature photographer and conservationist. He has immense experience in travelling all over Peru and coordinated the trips to the Scarlet-banded Barbet in 2001. Alejandro is an active conservationist and is currently managing a wetland restoration project at Pantanos de Puerto Viejo and Paraiso lagoon and has been involved in surveys and conservation of Pantanos de Villa and Lake Junin.
Victor Calienes. Guide. Victor has good knowledge of the birds around Lima. His English is very good. He is also a licenced guide from CENFOTUR and has a good way with people.
Tarsila Gomez. Biologist from La Libertad. She is presently looking for funds to conduct a survey a conservation project regarding Purple-mantled Sunbeam for her master`s degree at San Marcos University. She is being trained to become a bird guide at La Montañita. This will enable her to afford to conduct the research between the groups.
Tarsila was formerly the head of Abiseo National Park just north of Montañita. She knows everyone worth knowing locally and has a broad knowledge in the local biology. Tarsila speaks English, and is further improving during 2003.
Jorge Quevedo. Administrator. Being our office slave, does not mean that Jorge is ignorant about birds. He has concluded the recent five day birdwatching course in Pantanos de Villa, and been driver and cook on our successful Montañita trip in 2001. Jorge speaks good English.
Julio Benites.Driver and profesional mechanic. He has been working with Kolibri since 2002 and he has already done all our tours in Peru as well as the last Patagonia tour in December 2003 (Chile, Argentina.) Julio is making sure that all our vehicles are well maintained and specially prepared for the tough conditions in the Peruvian Andes.
Renzo Hidalgo. Cook. An excellent camp cook and our expert chummer during our Pelagics. He has been head of the kitchen during our Naturetrek trips to Central higway, Satipo Road and Cordilleras. His skills are now well known in the British Isles. Vegetarians are well provided for with his exquisite cuisine.
Richard Hidalgo. Camp Manager during Naturetrek trips. Renzo´s brother. Usually works as a climbing guide during the climbing season with 16 years experience making him one of Peru´s top climbers. His vast experience of details that must work when in the field has made him a corner stone for preparing our camps and see that everything works. Physically fit and full of energy always.
Walter Mansilla. Guide. Born in Ayacucho, but based in Cusco since many years. An excellent birdwatcher. He often guides our Manu road program and Macchupicchu-Abra Málaga Tour. One of the founders of well known Manu WildLife Center. He knows everyone that you need to know in Cusco and along the Manu road. There is not a situation he cannot deal with.
Alan Lee. South African. Biologist and Guide. He is a good birdwatcher and our guide in Puerto Maldonado for our Tambopata programs specifically. He started out studying mammals in the Tambopota region, but has now turned his focus to birds.
Luis Adriano. Driver and licenced to also drive bus and truck. Even though only starting in 2002 working for Kolibri Expeditions Luis has already driven most of Kolibri Expeditions Peru itineraries. Luis is also responsible for the contiunous maintainence of the vehicles and has very good mechanical skills.
Juan Jose Chalco. Guide. A mature Arequipenian, he has been working with us since early 2003, and knows the areas around Lima, the north and the central parts of Peru. He has experience with Naturetrek, and works on the pelagic expeditions.
Elia Gallo. Quality director. Co-owner. Elia is in charge of the quality controle and her organisational skills and minute care for details before your trip is the guarantee for an event-free birding holiday. Elia speaks English and Italian.
Kolibri
Expeditions
www.kolibriexpeditions.com
E-mail
to: kolibriexp@gmail.com
for more information
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