Diego Wins Top Prize at Global Guide Awards

Leading Explore's tours through Ecuador, ecotourism graduate Diego is no stranger to this prestigious awards event, having made it to the final eight last year. Diego has been praised for his humour, efficiency and outstanding knowledge of everything from Ecuadorian flora and fauna to football. His compassionate nature and commitment to responsible tourism made an impression with all the judges and as Diego says: "I love to have contact with nature and local people... Responsible tourism is not a choice but the main rule to make this game fair."

We are so pleased for Diego as our Managing Director, Ashley, sums up: "We are immensely proud of Diego and all of our tour leaders as a whole. Our guides are what make our tours exceptional, and it's evident that Diego's commitment, experience, good humour and personality have made him a much deserved winner, not to mention an excellent ambassador for Explore and his home country of Ecuador."

The Paul Morisson Guide Awards

As the winner Diego will receive a £5000 bursary from Wanderlust, which he plans to use this to help support charity Proyecto DCR that works with vulnerable children from Quito. Through the foundation, marginalised street kids are given an opportunity to get an education.

Now in their fourth year, The Paul Morrison Guide Awards celebrate the achievements of the world's best guides and tour leaders and recognising the unsung heroes of the travel industry as the people that can make or break that trip and guarantee an unforgettable experience

The finalists are nominated by the public with votes being received from Daily Telegraph and Wanderlust readers, and the winners judged by a panel of travel experts, including Bill Bryson and Mark Carwardine. In January more than 150 guides were put forward, which were then whittled down to five, when once more testimonials were called for once again to help the judging panel make their final decision.

After the awards...

After his success at the awards, Diego has helped us to develop a new Ecuador & Galapagos Islands holiday. Based on Diego's suggestions, you will visit Mindo Cloud forest and some local village markets, as well as the key highlights of colonial Quito and the Galapagos Islands. Diego will be your guide for the Ecuador based section of the June & September departures, and you will then be joined by an expert naturalist guide for the Galapagos section. There are also many existing tours that Diego leads on certain dates