Profile photo for Maria Abud

Maria Abud

At the age of 19 I took my first trip alone to Patagonia in the South of Argentina. I took a bus from Buenos Aires to Pensisula Valdez to watch the whales. It was an amazing experience.

This was followed by another trip alone, this time to Africa where I lived for 6 months overlanding in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. After this adventure back in 1997 I began to work as a guide, leading trips on behalf of many companies, on trekking expeditions throughout the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Kilimanjaro, Peru the Inca Trail Italy, Amalfi Coast, Cuba and the Andes of Chile and Argentina.

Patagonia Trails focuses on delivering a high quality personalized service. Every trip is customized combining high end accommodation, a journey of a lifetime not to mention a culinary treat all resulting in a memorable cultural and adventurous experience.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I am knowledgable in Patagonia Austral. The carretera Austral. Ruta 40. Cochamo Area, Puelo Valley ,Lake District , Sailing in the fords,Hiking, horse riding, kayaking. Chile and Argentina. Bariloche. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"My endless passion for Patagonia, hiking, biking, horse riding and adventure became contagious so in 2011 I decided to put all my experience and knowledge into one package and founded Patagonia Trails based in Puerto Varas, Chile."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

" I have had a family group of 5 trekking in Torres del Paine and the Lake District, parents and kids of 9,12 and 15 years old. I have had 2 weeks exploring Patagonia and showing them around. I will never forget the face of the kids when they first saw the armadillo , this tiny mammal found on the Patagonian steppe, the surprised expression on their faces and smile of those kids when they first saw the tiny armadillo!
This is something It will never erase from my days guiding in Patagonia,"

Maria is part of the following groups: Chile Travel Agents, Argentina Travel Agents