Monarch Guides
If you’ve traveled with us, you know that our Expedition Leaders make the difference between a gratifying trip and a truly superlative adventure. Simply put, our leaders are the best in the business. Painstakingly recruited and selected, this group of highly trained professionals brings a set of traits that foster an outstanding travel experience. Our monarch guides are passionate about Mexico and the delicate forests and communities that support monarch conservation. They exude an irrepressible enthusiasm for the science and majesty of butterflies that can’t help but infect those who travel with them. As naturalists, biologists and environmental educators, their knowledge deeply enriches the experience for anyone who sees the Kingdom of the Monarchs through their eyes. In addition, our guides receive in-depth instruction and resources from World Wildlife Fund's team of scientists. While many of our Expedition Leaders have master’s degrees or PhDs, they are also chosen for their good nature as well as their good grades. Many of our guests are veterans of global travel, sophisticated and independent – but they choose to go with us because of our Expedition Leaders’ expertise. In the realm of nature adventure travel, great guides set us apart.
Repeater Layout :
guide
Astrid Frisch
Astrid Frisch
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 1999
Astrid trained as a biologist at Mexico’s National University and has been leading natural history expeditions throughout Mexico since 1991. For years, she has introduced our guests to her country’s...
Expedition Leader Since: 1999
Astrid trained as a biologist at Mexico’s National University and has been leading natural history expeditions throughout Mexico since 1991. For years, she has introduced our guests to her country’s...
Photo Expeditions Available
Court Whelan
Court Whelan
Worldwide
Expedition LeaderSince: 2014
Court’s background in wildlife and conservation biology led him to pursue a joint Ph.D. in ecotourism and entomology, while simultaneously coordinating and guiding...
Expedition Leader
Court’s background in wildlife and conservation biology led him to pursue a joint Ph.D. in ecotourism and entomology, while simultaneously coordinating and guiding...
Photo Expeditions Available
Daniel Behn
Daniel Behn
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2017
Daniel was born in the United States and raised in Panama and Mexico by Swiss parents. His international background and varied interests enrich his expertise...
Expedition Leader Since: 2017
Daniel was born in the United States and raised in Panama and Mexico by Swiss parents. His international background and varied interests enrich his expertise...
Photo Expeditions Available
Diana Lopez
Diana Lopez
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2019
Diana was born in Mexico and earned both her bachelor´s and master´s degrees at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she focused in marine mammals and bio-acoustics...
Expedition Leader Since: 2019
Diana was born in Mexico and earned both her bachelor´s and master´s degrees at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she focused in marine mammals and bio-acoustics...
Photo Expeditions Available
Drew Hamilton
Drew Hamilton
North America
Expedition Leader Since: 2014
Born in Alaska and raised in the wilds of Iowa, Drew spent countless hours outdoors as a youth building forts along the Iowa River and delivering an incalculable number of newspapers...
Expedition Leader Since: 2014
Born in Alaska and raised in the wilds of Iowa, Drew spent countless hours outdoors as a youth building forts along the Iowa River and delivering an incalculable number of newspapers...
Photo Expeditions Available
Fernando Romo
Fernando Romo
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2006
Born and raised in Mexico City, Fernando moved to Puerto Vallarta in 1999 to study marine biology and pursue his love of nature. During his studies he collaborated in different research projects...
Expedition Leader Since: 2006
Born and raised in Mexico City, Fernando moved to Puerto Vallarta in 1999 to study marine biology and pursue his love of nature. During his studies he collaborated in different research projects...
Photo Expeditions Available
Karel Beets
Karel Beets
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 1999
Karel’s lifelong love of nature and the outdoors lead him to a career as a naturalist and conservationist in 1991. He is a co-founder and past president of the Mexican Association of Ecotourism...
Expedition Leader Since: 1999
Karel’s lifelong love of nature and the outdoors lead him to a career as a naturalist and conservationist in 1991. He is a co-founder and past president of the Mexican Association of Ecotourism...
Photo Expeditions Available
Lilia Gonzalez
Lilia Gonzalez
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2018
Lilia was born and raised in Mexico City. Even as a young child, she showed a keen interest in the ocean and its creatures, especially whales and dolphins. Her passion continued into young adulthood...
Expedition Leader Since: 2018
Lilia was born and raised in Mexico City. Even as a young child, she showed a keen interest in the ocean and its creatures, especially whales and dolphins. Her passion continued into young adulthood...
Photo Expeditions Available
Melissa Silva
Melissa Silva
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2015
Melissa Silva is a Marine Biologist who has been guiding in México for the last 3 years, sharing her passion for wildlife and conservation with guests from around the world...
Expedition Leader Since: 2015
Melissa Silva is a Marine Biologist who has been guiding in México for the last 3 years, sharing her passion for wildlife and conservation with guests from around the world...
Photo Expeditions Available
Patricia Valdespino
Patricia Valdespino
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2004
Patricia was born and raised in Mexico City, but has spent the majority of her life in the great outdoors. She graduated from the National University of Mexico with a B.S. in biology where she...
Expedition Leader Since: 2004
Patricia was born and raised in Mexico City, but has spent the majority of her life in the great outdoors. She graduated from the National University of Mexico with a B.S. in biology where she...
Photo Expeditions Available
Renzo Zeppilli
Renzo Zeppilli
Amazon and Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2014
From an early age, Renzo developed a deep love for the natural side of his native Peru, which he enjoys sharing with Nat Hab guests as an Expedition Leader on our Amazon River voyages...
Expedition Leader Since: 2014
From an early age, Renzo developed a deep love for the natural side of his native Peru, which he enjoys sharing with Nat Hab guests as an Expedition Leader on our Amazon River voyages...
Photo Expeditions Available
Sofia Merino
Sofia Merino
Mexico
Expedition Leader Since: 2018
Ana Sofia Merino was born in the metropolis of Guadalajara but raised in one of Mexico's smallest communities, Zacatecas. She comes from an adventurous family that loves traveling and being close.....
Expedition Leader Since: 2018
Ana Sofia Merino was born in the metropolis of Guadalajara but raised in one of Mexico's smallest communities, Zacatecas. She comes from an adventurous family that loves traveling and being close.....
Photo Expeditions Available
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