Tiago Botelho

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I'm based in the Azores, and I have become specialized in guiding hiking tour, mountain biking, canyoning exploration and whale watching tours. I also enjoy showing the sights and sharing all that I learned about this amazing place, especially it´s history, fauna, flora and culture. For me the best thing about this destination is its authenticity and the multitude of activities you can do in a short week time."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I can remember, I grew up believing I would became an engineer, as I have a strong admiration for mechanisms and machines. At the same time, I've spent most of my time exploring and sharing the adventure of discovery hidden places with my close friends.

It was only on the day that I had to sign up for university that I decided I wanted to spend my life outdoors, in close relationship with nature, and I decided to apply to study Ecotourism. After my degree, I started working at guiding off-road tours as a part time job, and decided to follow this career of guiding and showing my island to visitors from all over the world. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"In 2014, I was in Flores island (also in the Azores) to join an international Canyoning meeting, and I was exploring one the most challenging canyons with a group of 8 people. We were basically all strangers, with a lot of canyoning experience, but without knowing nothing about each other. As we approached the tallest, final waterfall, with 390 + feet, we all started to work as a long time closed team, and we all had a blast, hanging that high above ground.

From that moment we all became good friends, and we still keep in touch. I believe it was when I truly realized the power of adventure travel, and how great, challenging experiences can change people's lives."