A long-time traveller and explorer, Ariana was pursuing a Master’s degree in the development of third world nations when she and Fely decided to found Apus Peru. Her research was deeply intertwined with the wellbeing of high Andean communities, and this informed her approach to starting and running a business that operated in these same areas.

Originally from West Australia, Ariana has been travelling the world since she was a child. Landing in Cusco, something about this place grabbed hold of her and she decided to stay. Although she returned to Australia after the birth of her first child, after 13 years in the region, she still considers Cusco her second home.

Ariana has explored nearly every corner of the Andes and is passionate about responsible tourism. While acknowledging that understanding and respecting another culture is extremely hard to do, Ariana believes that Apus Peru has successfully merged indigenous Peruvian culture with many Western ideas.  The mother of three young children, she is learning that travel is just as fulfilling when adapted to their needs! Ariana also writes about Western Australian Travel