Our Team

Andean Discovery is committed to providing quality tours throughout Ecuador and Peru that allow you to engage with locals and discover the myriad of cultures and landscapes. We provide you with the utmost care and attention; starting from the time you contact us through your return home. We’re with you every step of the way. Meet our team:

Damon Corkin and Angela Véliz
Owners of Andean Discovery

Damon's passion for Ecuador and Peru was kindled over 15 years ago on a high school educational journey that took him to the Amazon Jungle and Andean Highlands. Inspired by the concept of experiential learning, he designed language and cultural immersion programs for an educational travel company in his native Boston. Intrigued by Africa, he later spent three years directing Mount Kilimanjaro expeditions for a U.S. based trek and safari operator, and reached the summit of Africa’s highest peak on two occasions. His fascination with the Spanish language and Latin American cultures lead to extensive travel throughout South America, where he met his lovely wife, Angela, who is from Ecuador. From the capital, Quito, Damon manages daily operations for Andean Discovery.

Angela’s enthusiasm for travel and learning has lead her to explore the world and live in countries such as the United States, Argentina and Germany, where she realized her undergraduate studies. A native costeña (coastal woman) of Ecuador, she moved to a rural community in the Central Andes to run volunteer programs at the Sierra Flor School, a school for underprivileged children of peasant families. Angela continues to collaborate with rural villages to design sustainable community tourism projects for Andean Discovery guests.

Damon and Angela’s commitment to ecologically and culturally friendly tourism is a refreshing approach that allows Andean Discovery travelers to become intimate with Ecuador and Peru, its people and fascinating landscapes.

Melanie Wandert
Adventure Coordinator

Melanie grew up in a small town in northern Germany, Adenbüttel. Her zest for travel took her to Australia where she worked and traveled for 7 months before returning to Hanover, Germany to earn her degree in Tourism Management. To fulfill her dream of living in South America and learning Spanish, she embarked on an internship at a travel company in Ecuador. Since joining the Andean Discovery team, Melanie plays an important role in managing operations and providing personal service to our guests. Her impeccable attention to detail and clever sense of humor ensure our travelers a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. In her free time, Melanie likes to go scuba diving in Galapagos.

Kelly Villegas
Peru Operations

Kelly was born and raised in a small village in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Exposed to adventure and cultural tourism at an early age, she was inspired to study Tourism Management at the Universidad de San Antonio Abad in Cusco. Her vast knowledge of Peru, together with her meticulous dedication to each and every itinerary, guarantees Andean Discovery guests a wonderful and seamless adventure. When she’s not working, Kelly loves to hike in the Andes with her daughter, Camila.

Markus Medina Macas
Head Guide Ecuador

Markus is a native Kichwa from Saraguro, an indigenous village located in the southern Andes of Ecuador. He is proud of his heritage and his upbringing surrounded by ancient Incan traditions and customs. After studying in a Kichwa/Spanish bilingual secondary school, he continued his studies to become a National Guide at the Universidad de Especialidades Turísticas in Quito. Markus loves his work as a guide because it allows him to share with our guests the rich cultures and landscapes of Ecuador. In addition, he relishes learning from our guests about their homelands and traditions. He has a profound knowledge of Ecuador and his positive spirit and enthusiasm make it a delight to explore the country with Markus.

Gaby Puma
Head Guide Peru

Gaby was raised in the Sacred Valley village of Chinchero, renowned for its strong weaving traditions. She learned to weave when she was 6 years old, memorizing more than 32 native Chinchero designs. Her first language is Quechua and she learned Spanish and English in school. To pursue her dream of becoming a tour guide and an ambassador to her culture and heritage, she moved to Cusco and earned a degree in Tourism from Antonio Lorena College. Gaby adores her culture and strives to keep ancient Inca customs alive by learning and teaching traditional medicine and ancient spiritual practices. She works regularly with the Qeros people, Andean Priests who are considered to be the last descendants of the Incas. In her free time, she travels to Arizona to lecture and participate in workshops at the Ancient Wisdom School of Shamanic Techniques.

Vinicio Ortiz
Naturalist Guide Ecuador

Vinicio studied Ecotourism and Environmental Education in Ecuador at the University of Ambato. He is an expert in all regions of Ecuador, specializing in birding in the Amazon rainforest and studying ancient Amazonian cultures. Most recently, he published a book, Legends Of The Amazon, that includes stories he learned from elders of Kichwa communities in the Cuyabeno region. Vincio was the head guide for a prominent Amazon lodge and now leads Andean Discovery travelers throughout the Amazon and Andes. With over 10 years of experience, Vinicio is like a walking Wikipedia.