Maria Fernanda Iglesis Gei

Outdoor private excursion Guide and driver.

Preparation of tour supplies, 4 wheel drive is a must, pick up, drive and guide at different locations and attractions in the Atacama Desert

Outdoor private excursion Guide and driver.

Preparation of tour supplies, 4 wheel drive is a must, pick up, drive and guide at different locations and attractions in the Atacama Desert

I have had a life long passion for photography and I am always receiving freelance jobs depending on were I am living and my time. I have built a diverse portfolio by working with clients across multiple industries, showcasing versatility and adaptability. Among these, I have done, portrait shoots, architecture and interior design, outdoor sports events, private and public music concerts shoots, private ceremonies such as small weddings and religious events, catalogue for small business, and what I love the most is outdoor activities shoots for tour companies.

My job as a guide was to provide an exclusive and personalized excursion plan during the guests stay. Every room has its personal 4x4 car and driver-guide. Understanding their needs and trip goals, I planned and executed every single activity for them. Among excursions we had, mountain biking, horsebackriding, trekking, mountain summits above 17.000 ft, cultural exchange tours with the different local indigenous communities, wildlife sightseeing, visit to archaeological sites, among many others. All in the surrounding desert landscapes of the Atacama Desert.

I developed an extensive knowledge of local history and culture, enabling the provision of accurate information and insightful commentary during tours.

It was a must to improve overall guest satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and implementing appropriate solutions as needed.

We always communicated professionally with guests, answering questions and addressing concerns to boost satisfaction. Adapted to unexpected schedule changes by being flexible and adjusting itineraries to keep tours moving smoothly. Continued learning and updating knowledge about tour areas, culture and history to provide accurate, timely and exciting information to my guests.

Personalized tours same as in Awasi Hotel

Some of the tasks were: Enhance visitor experience by providing informative guided tours and educational programs on park history, flora, and fauna. Regular park patrol. Assisted different activities inside the park like mountain-biking, flyfishing, rafting, small bike pump track and climbing boulder. Trail maintenance for mountain-bike and hiking trails.

Remote and on site work.

I worked for 5 years in "Sin Huella Ngo", All of us who formed this NGO did so in our free time with little or no economic compensation. There was no formal payment for the work provided, and funds were raised from state grants for specific projects.

Some of the work I led with my team involved:

• Enhance environmental awareness by developing and implementing engaging educational programs.
• Increase community involvement in environmental initiatives through strategic partnerships and outreach efforts.
• Improve program effectiveness by continuously evaluating and adjusting curriculum based on participant feedback.
• I developed diverse lesson plans tailored to various age groups, promoting a comprehensive understanding of environmental topics.
• Raise funds for environmental education programs through grant writing and fundraising events, ensuring sufficient resources for program sustainability.
• Collaborate with local schools and organizations to integrate environmental education into existing curricula, expanding reach and impact of programs.
• Traine volunteers and staff members to effectively deliver environmental education content, ensuring consistency across all programming.
• Create informative materials such as brochures, posters, and presentations to enhance public understanding of environmental issues.
• Organized workshops, seminars, field trips, and other experiential learning for different schools, creating new opportunities to provide hands-on experiences in environmental conservation.
• Designed course materials and supported implementation.

Worked for Lelikelen Yoga Retreats in the south of Chile as their photographer during their outdoor and indoor activities. And guided for some of their hiking excursions during their 7 day stay in Ensenada.

International Volunteer in Organic Agriculture and Photography. During this volunteering experience, I took on the role of assistant to Paula's project (an Agricultural Engineer specialized in the design of Agroecological gardens and Agroforestry) at "Fazenda Rio Catù". For a month and a half, I was responsible for species propagation and greenhouse maintenance, as well as assisting in the production of video content for Paula's personal project of online workshops "Aula Ecologica".

At the AWA hotel, I was hired from the beginning of the season until it ended. This was the hotel's first season where it opened its doors to guests looking for an "All-inclusive" experience, where their stay includes a guide and a private 4x4 vehicle throughout their stay, available for tours that best suit their needs and adventures.

Our Outdoor team was small and we all did administrative tasks and guiding, incorporating 2 days a week in the hotel to answer doubts among hotel guests that had not hired tours yet, so one of our goals during those "hotel days" was to sell experiences.

On office days we answered very demanding e-mails of different tour agencies that were looking for the perfect stay and outdoor experiences for their clients. So we had to book in advance, call our partners and schedule our excursion calendar as best as we could with our team and also freelance guides if we needed them.

During "hotel days" we were also in charge on cleaning the outdoor gear storage room, check the condition of our outdoor gear and clean when it was needed.

Some kayaking excursions started at the hotel and we guided them with no extra charge for all hotel guests straight from the hotel dock at Llanquihue lake.

Facilitated team-building exercises during corporate retreats designed to promote communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration among colleagues.

Organized and guided team-building events to foster camaraderie, enhancing interpersonal relationships within the group.

Enhanced client satisfaction by designing and executing customized adventure experiences tailored to individual interests and abilities.

This was my first job as an outdoor guide at a hotel. I led groups of up to 12 people on shared-format tours from Hotel Rio Serrano to different places in Torres del Paine National Park and its surroundings. The tours ranged from extensive full-day hikes to half-day guided tours or full-day van tours visiting various interesting points in the national park. All tours were primarily guided in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, depending on the guests' nationalities.

Working in this park is undoubtedly a challenge for any outdoor guide, as the weather changes a lot within the park. In the summer, we face wind gusts of up to 100 km per hour, and in one day, you can typically experience all four seasons of the year.

During these months, I developed an interpretive trail, along with designing a brochure and map of the trail with its respective interpretive narrative. I also conducted on-site analysis work, photography, and GPS mapping.

Ambassador and hostess in Chile for the International company The Remote Experience. I was in charge of a group of 16 people for the month of April, attending to their needs and questions in the city, organizing and conducting tours and transfers, managing events and dining outings, and serving as a local guide for their group experience in Santiago de Chile.

Volunteering for the private natural park Karukinka (WCS) in Tierra del Fuego. I participated in repairing trails, creating new routes, and designing outdoor signage for the park. Additionally, I worked as a cook and provided customer service. I also assisted with carpentry and construction tasks.

While studying for my degree in "Outdoor Recreation Management", I worked part-time from Friday to Sunday as a guide for outdoor and cultural excursions for tours with groups of up to 12 people of different nationalities.

In the natural areas surrounding the city of Santiago and in Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I worked for two months at a remote hostel in the far south of Chilean Austral territory. The tour consisted of 1 night at the hostel and 3 nights on Carlos II Island, where the main activity is the sighting of Humpback Whales accompanied by scientists leading research on the island.

During the first month, my job involved ensuring that everything ran smoothly at the hostel, welcoming guests, attending to all their needs and requirements, and guiding outdoor activities including trekking and sea kayaking along the coast.

During the second month of my stay, I took care of guests and scientists during their stay on the island and during their excursions on whale-watching boat trips.

• Enhanced guest experience by providing informative and engaging guided tours.
• Guided groups of up to 12 people on scheduled tours.
• Trained to handle medical issues and accidents to take appropriate action and promote safety and well-being of tour groups.