Katy Shorthouse
I've been guiding and designing tours all over South America since 2004. I detest large buses, bored guides, and above all, numbers on sticks. I'm passionate about Peru and have lived here for 12 years, and our tours here go deeper than you would believe possible in the same time other companies take to show you a few highlights. I'm all about showing you the real Peru. You don't need to go far off the beaten track. You just have to know where to look.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Authentic cultural encounter in Peru, especially Cusco and Lake Titicaca. We also specialise in family and MTB trips."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I studied journalism unenthusiastically and without distinction, so my career in communications didn't exactly set the world on fire. In my late twenties I found myself writing junk mail about tax and accounting software for a job (for good money, I might add). I suddenly looked around in horror and thought "this can't be my life!" A few months later I became a hiking guide, and I've never looked back! "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"My first time in Bolivia, in 1996, my friend and travelled through the rainforest with a large bundle that held her stilts. Whenever anyone asked, we claimed in our minimal Spanish that the mysterious bundle was the bones of her grandmother. Even though I guess nobody really believed this, the pair of us were a pretty big sensation in the tiny villages where we'd stop, and usually a crowd gathered, at which point we'd whip out the stilts and do a really mediocre circus show. (She would wobble around on the stilts, and I was learning to juggle). The idea was to collect money for our travels. Nobody ever gave us any, but usually somebody would take pity and let us sleep at their place. "
Featured trips & expertise
Best of Peru Tour & Galapagos Cruise - 12 Days
Discover ancient ruins, colonial architecture, fantastic food, and folk culture in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and iconic Machu Picchu. Then hop aboard the luxurious Galapagos Legend—the only cruise boat in the Galapagos with an on-deck swimming pool—for a multi-island expedition to observe the birds, iguanas, and sea creatures that make this place so special.
Peruvian Luxury Experience - 8 Days
Explore ancient Incan ruins, charming colonial towns, and the breathtaking Sacred Valley as you make your way through some of Peru's most beloved sights in style. Gourmet meals, five-star hotels, and spa treatments await in between explorations on this tour that perfectly pairs adventure and luxury.
Experience the Food and Drink of Peru - 14 Days
Imagine spending two weeks in Peru dedicated to all things delicious. Following this itinerary, you'll visit buzzing food markets in Lima and join in on cooking classes in Cusco. You'll spend a whole day exploring Macchu Picchu, dip into Inca ruins on Amantani Island, and get stuck into some traditional Inca feasts along the way.
Manu Adventure - 8 Days
Down in the Amazon basin, off the edge of the tourist map, lies Manu — arguably the most biodiverse area in the world. Trek off the beaten track and into the land of tapirs, parrots, and jungle rivers — a place without luxury hotels, hot showers, or 24/7 WiFi.
Huchuy Qosqo & Machu Picchu - 6 Days
Hike to ancient, off-the-beaten-track Incan sites, trek through breathtaking high-Andes mountain scenery, stay overnight with a charismatic local family, and eventually find yourself among the famous, mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu! Perfect for the adventurous traveler, this tour squeezes a taste of everything into a short, sweet itinerary.
Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu - 6 Days
On this tour, you'll explore the ancient streets of Cusco, then head to the Sacred Valley to shop for handicrafts in historic Pisac and go to a traditional garment workshop and hike to the amazing salt pans produced by the Incas. Top it all off by spending a day exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Recent trip reviews for Katy
Group departure - salkantay trek to machu picchu - 5 days, Peru - Jun 1 - Jun 5, 2018
This was a great trip from start to finish. Aldo, the guide, was a pure delight to spend 4 nights and 5 days with. He covered every detail and more; bring hot water bottles to each of us as we were sleeping at 14,000 feet in the Andes to stay warm, bringing coffee or tea to each of us before we got out of bed. The highlights for us were to reach the summit of the Salkantay trail at 15,200 feet, the coffee plantation where we picked the coffee beans, roasted, ground and made coffee and... read more
Hi Kyong
I'm so glad the Salkantay trek lived up to your dreams and you're still glowing from the experience!
Aldo told me the coffee was a highlight... he really enjoyed this trip with your group!
You've been such a pleasure - all the best to you and Mike!
Cheers
Katy
Birding tour and machu picchu, Peru - May 8 - May 19, 2018
We were 7 members of one family , all over 55, who wished to go on a birding adventure in Peru. Katy Shorthouse of Aspiring Adventures listened carefully to our requests . She did an amazing job of meeting our needs and desires so in the end we had an exceptional trip. Our guides Nestor and Luis were wonderful, the food provided by chef Alex was fantastic, the accomodations were comfortable and the tour ran like clockwork. Katy provided personalised service at every stage of our trip. Both... read more
Connie, it's a pleasure to work with appreciative people like you and your family! As you saw we love to work closely with our guests to develop an itinerary that's perfect for them, and all the hard work is more than worthwhile when we receive such lovely feedback. Come again any time!
Inca trail to machu picchu - 5-day itinerary, Peru - Jun 4 - Jun 17, 2017
The Peru trip was amazing! It beat expectations and was a marvel on so many levels. Our guide, Aldo, was a huge bonus as he was an amazing person to spend two weeks with escorting us through his magical country.
Hi Gretchen
Thanks so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to organize a trip for you and your boys. We always aim to pass expectations and when Aldo's on the trip, we can't go wrong - he is indeed the eighth wonder of the world!
All the best for your future travels!
Katy