Nima Sherpa, our director of Hobnail Nepal, was born and raised in Kathmandu. Because his father, Mingma, was also a part of the trekking industry, Nima grew up hanging out with trekking guides, playing inside the trekking tents that were sun dried in the backyard, and occasionally sitting among the trekkers during welcome dinners at the family’s house. 

“At the young age of 12, I remember trekking to the Gorkha, which is historically linked to the formation of modern Nepal,” Nima recalls. “It has traditionally been renowned as the land of valiant warriors and the birthplace of Nepal’s unifier, King Prithvi Narayan Shah.”

After many years — and finishing up his education in the U.S. — Nima returned to his home country of Nepal.

“I was able to instantly join my father in the trekking industry and, in no time, I was leading trips for REI Adventures from 2004 until 2014,” he says. “I was recognized by REI as one of their best guide in the year 2012. During those guiding years, I led trek to Everest Base Camp numerous times and to the Annapurna Base Camp occasionally.” 

Nima says his years of guiding gave him an appreciation of his country and its landscapes.

“It always feels great to introduce Nepal to other travelers from around the world.”

Raul Ccolque Ccolque, the owner and director of Alpaca Expeditions, was born in a small village near the Sacred Valley. He was raised speaking Quechua — the local language — and attended elementary and high school in the same village and joined the army after graduation, hoping to one day become a police officer.

Along the way to fulfilling this goal, however, a friend from his village invited him to be a porter on the Inca Trail. He fell in love with the sounds of the tourists – their language, their habits, and their love for the country he calls home. He decided to change his future prospects and enrolled in the University, studying tourism and English, while continuing to work as a porter.

Once he graduated from college, Raul worked for a couple of local tourism companies before finally becoming a licensed tour guide. His experience in these companies, and in several different capacities within the tourism business, made him see that there was too great a focus on money and too little on the people doing most of the work. Because he wanted to change this, he founded Alpaca Expeditions and has been director of Hobnail Peru since 2021.

Our Moroccan partner, Mustapha Bouinbaden, hails from the Imlil valley in the high Atlas Mountains of  Morocco and has almost 18 years of experience guiding treks throughout the region. He is the son of one of the very first mountain guides in Morocco.

Mustapha is fluent in English, French, Berber, and Arabic. He has a BA in English studies and is a graduate of the Mountain Guide School in Tabant (CFAMM).

Mustapha truly loves his job and the region where he was raised and enjoys sharing his affinity for his home country with visitors to Morocco.

Our director of Hobnail Montenegro, Momir Stanojevic, developed a passion for outdoor adventures began at a very early age. Every time he and his brother could get away from the city, they would head for the mountains in Montenegro or somewhere else nearby. The outdoors is where Momir feels the happiest.

Growing up in Europe has given him the gift of travel and the opportunity to immerse himself in different cultures. Momir loves exploring new places, experiencing new cultures, tasting new local cuisines, and making new friends all over Europe. He believes there is no time like the present to make your adventure travel dreams a reality, and that doing so will not only help you discover all of the wonderful miracles this world has to offer but will also help you discover more about yourself.

Momir has been guiding officially (and, unofficially, for fun) for years throughout Montenegro and neighboring countries. His favorite activities are hiking, rock climbing, and canyoning, as well as snowshoeing in the winter. He decided to embark on his dream career as a mountain guide so that he could connect with nature and like-minded people while also helping others to check off their bucket list.

Momir is excited to be a part of the Hobnail community and is passionate about sustainable travel, striving to preserve and enrich the environment, wildlife, and local communities everywhere his travels lead him.

Born and raised in the Andean city of Quito, Ecuador, Hobnail Ecuador Director Christian Valencia is a seasoned adventurer and a passionate advocate for ecotourism and the preservation of indigenous communities. With 18 years of experience as a guide, Christian has become a trusted and respected figure in the tourism industry, renowned for his extensive knowledge and deep connection to the diverse regions of Ecuador.

Trekking through breathtaking landscapes, kayaking along winding rivers, braving thrilling rapids, and conquering rugged mountain biking trails are just a few of the exhilarating activities that Christian is passionate about. His adventurous spirit and unwavering dedication to outdoor exploration have allowed him to provide unforgettable experiences to countless travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature.

However, it is Christian’s commitment to promoting ecotourism and preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities that truly sets him apart. Recognizing the vital importance of protecting nature and preserving traditional ways of life, he actively works to promote sustainable practices and support the development of local communities.

As part of Hobnail’s focus on responsible travel, Christian believes that travelers can not only experience the beauty of a destination but also contribute to its preservation. He actively collaborates with indigenous communities, integrating their customs, artistry, and vast knowledge of the land into his tours.

Born in Sicily (Italy), Gabriele discovered the pleasure of traveling during his childhood, when he and his family drove all around Italy in the comfort of their old Fiat.

When he was 17 years old, he did his first long trip alone, crossing Europe by train from Sicily to North Cape (Norway). It was a great experience discovering the Scandinavian countries and their amazing nature. From that moment, Gabriele decided to work in tourism so that he could make traveling his full-time job.

He graduated with a degree in Tourism Economics from the University of Bologna and then completed a Master’s in Tourism Management at Venice University. For 15 years, he lived and traveled throughout five continents, working in tourism as a guide and product manager for different tour operators.

Gabriele discovered a passion for adventure travel after a pilgrimage tour in Tibet around Mt. Kailash. It was the most difficult trip of his life, but also the deepest experience for his personal growth. Finding himself back in Sicily in 2000, he founded the first Sicilian tour operator specializing in adventure holidays.

In 2012, he followed his French wife to France, and now lives with his family in Haute Savoy, an amazing region located between the Alps and the Mediterranean.

Tihomir (TJ) and Becky Jambrovic have been running trips in Croatia since 2018. TJ was born in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, and has always been drawn to the outdoors. From climbing mountains to sailing on the Adriatic Sea, TJ enjoys exploring the region’s stunning natural areas. As Hobnail Croatia’s lead guide, TJ loves showing travelers around his home and making sure each person leaves with unforgettable memories of Croatia. Becky was born in the US but relocated to Croatia in 2017. From embarking on camping and canoe trips as a kid, she’s always been passionate about the outdoors. Becky handles the logistics and trip planning at Hobnail Croatia to ensure that all tours run smoothly and that travelers can just sit back and enjoy exploring.