We are the only not-for-profit trekking and outdoors association in Nicaragua. We offer adventurous hikes through the volcanoes in the surrounding areas of Leon, Nicaragua and then donate the profits to locally-run projects working with disadvantaged youth.
We rely greatly on our incredible team of volunteers to ensure our organization runs successfully. Our volunteers help us provide our highly popular hikes at competitive prices whilst maximising the amount of money we donate to the projects which we support.
OUR BACKGROUND
Quetzaltrekkers was founded in 1995 in Guatemala as a means of self-sustainable, grassroots fundraising for the functioning of Asociación Escuela de Calle (EDELAC). The aim was to combat the unfortunate reality of children living and working on the streets of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. The idea of QT was simple: raise money from tourists and use all of it to help the Guatemalans that need them most, namely, street children and other at-risk youth. From these humble beginnings, Quetzaltrekkers grew to become the biggest trekking operator in Xela and possibly all of Guatemala.
Encouraged by the success of Quetzaltrekkers in Xela, three guides set out from Guatemala in 2004to expand the organization to other countries in Central America. They decided to settle in León, Nicaragua due to its proximity to the Maribios volcanic range. Instead of creating their own social project, the guides decided to seek out pre-existing, well established organizations for which to raise money.
The popularity and profits of QT León has since increased exponentially. Since 2015 alone, we have been able to raise over 225.000$ in donations, which have been used to support variety of projects in and around Leon such as local schools, after school programs, shelters for street children, industry training facilities, and more. Besides these, Quetzaltrekkers Leon also supports a selected group of high achieving girls and boys throughout a scholarship program.
