Pelin grew up in Istanbul, Turkey. Since childhood, she was drawn to stories of early exploration and mountaineering, which sparked her interest in wild places and set the foundation for her work as a guide.

Pelin holds a master’s degree in history from Leiden University in the Netherlands. During her university years, she spent much of her time paragliding, mountain climbing, caving and sailing, building practical skills in a range of outdoor environments. She spent summers leading trips in the Turkish mountain ranges, building technical skills and experience in remote terrain.

Since 2013, Pelin has led expeditions throughout Patagonia. In addition to her work in South America, she has guided expeditions in Antarctica and the High Arctic, working in both polar and subpolar environments. She is a certified Polar Guide and Wilderness First Responder.

Pelin’s guiding philosophy centers on fostering meaningful, immersive wilderness experiences. She encourages guests to connect deeply with the natural world and reflect on the importance of protecting it, emphasizing the impact of human centered perspectives on fragile ecosystems.

In her free time, Pelin enjoys exploring remote wilderness areas with her husband and scuba diving. She lives in Puerto Natales with her husband and their two cats, Gandalf and Aragorn.