The landscapes may be what first inspire you to book a trip, but it's often the people who leave the biggest impression. KE's local leaders bring every destination to life through their knowledge, enthusiasm and genuine love for the places they call home. Whether it's introducing you to a hidden mountain refuge, spotting wildlife you'd otherwise miss or sharing traditions that bring a destination to life, they're at the heart of every KE trip. We caught up with six of our much-loved leaders to find out what inspired them to become guides, the moments they treasure most and why they can't wait to share their corner of the world with you.

Nati has been leading KE treks in Patagonia since 2022 and is a familiar face in our annual Leader of the Year awards, regularly earning outstanding feedback from customers.

1. What led to you becoming a tour leader?

I’ve always had a passion for tourism. As soon as I finished high school, I was determined to study tourism while also my training as a mountain guide. The idea of travelling, discovering new places, and meeting people from all over the world quickly became more than just a career, it became my way of life.

2. What do you love most about leading a KE trip?

I love leading KE groups! Guests arrive with an adventurous spirit and are always ready to embrace new experiences. We always create a fun group dynamic, and KE’s itineraries are incredibly well designed, giving travellers a fantastic experience while also allowing us, as leaders, to contribute ideas that help make each trip even better.

3. What’s your favourite moment on the trip?

Patagonia is one of the world’s greatest trekking destinations, full of unforgettable landscapes and incredible moments. If I had to choose, my favourite experiences are crossing the suspension bridges in Torres del Paine and reaching Laguna de los Tres to admire the spectacular Mount Fitz Roy. Those are moments that never lose their magic.

4. Is there an experience guests always love on your trip?

I think any experience in Patagonia with good weather is something people truly appreciate! Clear skies make the mountains look even more spectacular, and guests often feel incredibly lucky to witness Patagonia at its best.

5. What is your favourite dish/drink you like to get travellers to try?

Without a doubt, mate is the drink I always encourage everyone to try at some point during the trip. It’s an important part of our culture and traditions, and sharing mate is a great way to connect with people. When it comes to food, nothing beats traditional Patagonian lamb.

6. What is the best thing about visiting Patagonia?

For me, it’s the connection with nature. Patagonia’s vast landscapes, its remoteness, and the feeling of being almost at the end of the world make it a truly special place. It has always been a land of explorers, and even today it invites you to discover wild, untouched scenery that has remained remarkably unchanged over the years.

Uden has been leading KE adventures across India for almost 20 years and was named our Leader of the Year in 2014.

What led to you becoming a tour leader?

As I was growing up in Darjeeling. Studying in the St. Joseph’s School required us to do an Adventure Course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Completing this course when I was 15, kind of triggered my affinity towards the wilderness. Then, while I was in College, I completed my Basic and Advance Courses in mountaineering skills from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. Soon after getting graduated, I joined a trekking agency, first as a Sherpa and then started leading trips in the mountains.

What do you love most about leading a KE trip?

The destinations and trips that KE has curated along the years are amazing. People who join on these trips have always been very compatible, which makes the trips more enjoyable for all and easy for us to co-ordinate them.

What’s your favourite moment on the trip?

It has always been nice to meet new people from other parts of the world and chat/learn about them and their experiences. When we see the guests enjoying the trip, it is always satisfying. When the weather clears, and we see the majestic beautiful mountains in front of us, this moment is truly special.

At the end, when we hear from the guests, that how they’ve enjoyed the trip. It is very rewarding.

Is there an experience guests always love on your trip?

Apart from the food that our crew prepares and the enthusiasm in work shown by our support crew, they have always appreciated the maps, pamphlets on local knowledge (be it on Buddhism or Hinduism) that we’ve been distributing.

We carry books on local flora and fauna/birds which always gives more reason for the guests to spend a little more time in the dining tent.

At the end sharing the photographs is a good gesture to cherish a memorable trip. The preparation of birthday cakes for the guests, celebrating the local festivals during the trek and the last night dinner along with some beers enjoying the bonfire with the local staff is always appreciated.

What is your favourite dish / drink you like to get travelers to try?

Like anyone else from the hills, I love MOMO!! Specially Beef momo. For the drink, TONGBA, a local drink which comprises of fermented millet is always welcomed. There has been occasions when we’ve encouraged the travellers try them and they've enjoyed it. I don’t recommend butter tea!

What is the best thing about visiting India?

The diversity in India that one can experience is always fantastic.

It is a land of incredible contrasts and deep cultural richness. The variety in its landscapes ranging from the high snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya in the north to the peaceful beaches and tropical backwaters in the south.

Warm hospitality and diverse cuisine adds to this amazing experience.

Maša has been leading for KE since 2022 and was a runner-up for Leader of the Year in her very first season; she now leads multiple trips across Slovenia.

What led to you becoming a tour leader?

The most credits for that go to my aunt that was doing something similar when I was little and I remember watching her and to me she seemed so "important", strong, independent and happy with what she was doing (even though I didn't know what exactly she was doing) and I wanted to be like her. Also I always loved spending time outside in nature. It gives me energy, it calms my mind and it is where I feel the most at peace. Being a tour leader is a guaranteed way to be outside :)

What do you love most about leading a KE trip?

I lead different trips which KE offers in Slovenia but what I love the most is the six day Across the Julian Alps to Triglav trek for the simplicity and minimalism that life in the mountains offers. No cars, no rush, no crowds. We think we need so many things in life, but if you need to carry them around all day you really think about what is important. Here you pack your backpack once and then you just make sure you put all your stuff in it in the morning when you move from one hut to another. Simple :)

What’s your favourite moment on the trip?

My favourite moments are seeing people's faces when we reach the peak. Especially where you can not exactly see where you are going and the view just opens all of the sudden.

Is there an experience guests always love on your trip?

It definitely depends on the trip but if I have to point one thing out across them all, travellers are always impressed with how clean our country is.

What is your favourite dish / drink you like to get travellers to try?

Pumpkin seed oil is a must :). And then Štruklji, Žganci and Kremšnita. There is no exact English translation for them and the descriptions we use don't make them very tempting, so anyone interested in what those are will just have come to Slovenia and try ;)

What is the best thing about visiting Slovenia?

Mountains of course. And one doesn't need to hike for the whole day to get to some amazing views :) But generally speaking, there are so many things one can do here - from easier to more difficult hikes, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, rowing, stand up paddling, paragliding, horse riding, canyoning, visiting huge cave systems and vineyards, visiting old town centres with very well preserved architecture. Slovenia is a very diverse country for its size. Nothing is really far. You can get from the mountains to the seaside in less than 2 hours so I can guarantee everyone can find something they like to do. Plus it is a very safe country.

Tito began leading KE adventures in Costa Rica last year and has already become a firm favourite with guests on our walking and family holidays.

What led to you becoming a tour leader?

I studied physical education because I've always loved the combination of teaching and physical activity. However, I wasn't prepared to spend my whole career in a classroom, so when the opportunity came up to teach while being outdoors, I took it. I really enjoy interacting with people from different nationalities, and I love visiting all the national parks, biological reserves, and the incredible green offerings that Costa Rica has. Becoming a guide was one of the best opportunities I've had. I started as an adventure guide and eventually progressed to become a naturalist guide.

What do you love most about leading a KE trip?

What I love most is the itinerary design – the tours include walks through rural areas, which I find very special. I also really appreciate the support that KE provides, both for the guests and for me as a guide. And I value the flexibility they offer, which allows me to keep learning and discovering new things along the way.

What's your favourite moment on the trip?

I have several favourite moments, but one that stands out is the time we spend together after the activities. When we sit down, chat about what we've seen, talk through the day's route, and take time to share our experiences – I find that really special.

Is there an experience guests always love on your trip?

I think what people enjoy most is seeing animals in their natural habitats. It's impressive to be driving along the road and come across monkeys, or a sloth, or some other animal right there on the roadside or even at our hotels.

What is your favourite dish / drink you like to get travellers to try?

My favourite fruit in Costa Rica is called guanábana (soursop). It's a very tropical fruit, and when mixed with milk, I find it absolutely delicious.

What is the best thing about visiting Costa Rica?

I think the best thing about visiting Costa Rica is the experience with the people. Everywhere we go, the locals are always ready to smile and help – maybe not in the best English, but always with the best attitude.

Daniel leads KE’s Oman trekking adventure and consistently receives five-star reviews for sharing the landscapes, culture and hospitality of his beautiful country.

What led you to becoming a tour leader?

The love of travel and the love of adventure. The love of people and the love of cultures. The love of sharing and the love of caring. The love of learning and the love of communicating. The love of nature and the love of space.

What do you love most about leading a KE trip?

KE values and convictions concerning safety, sustainability and hygiene. KE trips meet today’s responsible tourism requirements and I think that is very important.

What’s your favourite moment on the trip?

My favourite moment is when the group is enjoying their experiences. Their positivity is infectious and it makes you want to do more. An example is when a guest says thank you for a lovely day. This is the biggest reward. That means I did good.

Is there an experience guests always love on your trip?

After a week of trekking, guests enjoy the last camping by the sea and next day’s trip to the lovely pools of the wadi.

What is your favourite dish/drink you like to get travellers to try?

Guests always enjoy a lemon mint drink. For the fun of it, since they have it on every meal in a restaurant, I ask them which one is their favorite.

What is the best thing about visiting Oman?

Oman is very safe and welcoming country with amazing and diverse landscape. In a short distance, you can travel between deserts, seas and mountains. The deserts are colourful, seas are warm and mountains have extraordinary rock formations.

Bruno and his partner Cris have been leading KE’s bestselling trekking and family adventures across the Picos de Europa since 2022 and love sharing their passion for the mountains with customers.

What led to you becoming a tour leader?

I grew up spending a lot of time in the mountains. My grandparents lived in a tiny village near Picos de Europa National Park, and many of my best childhood memories are from there. Being surrounded by nature from such a young age gave me a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and eventually I wanted to understand those environments better.

I didn't start my mountain guide training because I had a career in mind. I did it simply because I wanted to learn more about something that had always been part of my life.

I guess life has a funny way of taking you somewhere you never planned to go. During my training, I met my partner Cristina, who encouraged me to take the leap and turn our shared passion for the mountains into a profession.

That was the moment when I realized I could combine two things I really enjoy: being in the mountains and sharing those experiences with other people. We started our own small guiding company, and little by little I discovered that guiding was not only about the mountains themselves, but also about the people you meet and the experiences you create together.

What do you love most about leading a KE trip?

I think one of the things I love most about leading a KE trip is the strong bonds that are created in the mountains. During these journeys, we become like a family for an entire week. We share experiences, support each other, and become a team where we challenge ourselves together while also enjoying the moments along the way.

Seeing people connect with the mountains and with each other, overcome a challenge, or simply experience a place for the first time is one of the most rewarding parts of being a tour leader. I really enjoy being part of that process, helping people feel comfortable, confident, and able to make the most of their experience.

What’s your favourite moment on your trips?

Every trip is different, so it is difficult to choose just one favourite moment.

For the High Pastures trip, one of my favourite highlights is Vega de Liordes. It is a huge glacial-karst valley located at almost 2,000m, surrounded by mountains. It is also known for recording some of the lowest temperatures in Spain, with extreme winter temperatures dropping below -35°C.

For the Traverse, it is difficult to choose just one highlight, as every day is different and the landscapes constantly change as we cross the different massifs of Picos de Europa. For me, one of the most rewarding moments is arriving at the refuges after completing the day’s journey. After several hours walking through such a spectacular and demanding environment, there is always a great feeling of satisfaction when we reach the refuge. Seeing the group happy, sharing stories about the day, and enjoying the moment together is something I really value. It is also when you can feel how the group has become a team. I think that is what makes the Traverse so special: it is not only about the landscapes, but also about the experience we share along the way.

For the Family Trip, I don't think I could choose just one activity! I think that is what makes this trip so special. Every day is different and every activity gives us a new way to enjoy the area. What I really like is seeing families having fun together, sharing these experiences, and enjoying the outdoors in a relaxed way.

Is there an experience guests always love on your trip?

One thing that guests always love about the trips is how surprised they are by Picos de Europa. Many people arrive without really knowing what to expect, and by the end of the trip they often tell me that the area has exceeded their expectations.

I think it is the combination of the landscapes, the wild character of these mountains, the wildlife, the history and traditions of the area and the feeling of being in a place that is still very authentic.

What is your favourite dish / drink you like to get travellers to try?

For drinks, it has to be Asturian cider. I always encourage people to try pouring it the traditional Asturian way, known as “escanciar”, where the cider is poured from a height into the glass. It is a typical tradition from the Asturias region and a fun experience to share with visitors.

When it comes to food, we always try very local dishes such as cachopo, a traditional Asturian dish made with two large veal fillets, breaded and filled with ham and cheese; cocido Lebaniego soup, a traditional soup from the Liébana valley made with the broth from a local stew; and Asturian fabada, a traditional bean and pork stew made with large white beans, chorizo, morcilla, and other local ingredients.

However, I would say that cheese is probably one of the most traditional products from Picos de Europa. Local shepherds still make many different varieties by hand in the high mountain pastures, following traditional methods that have been passed down through generations.

What is the best thing about visiting the Picos?

The best thing about Picos is that it still feels wild and genuine. You can enjoy spectacular scenery, discover its wildlife, learn about its history and traditions, and still find quiet places where you feel connected with nature.