Course Leaders
Learn Spanish in Ecuador

Washington Villmarin - Project Leader

Washington was born and raised in Otavalo. Since childhood he has adored nature. He conquered his first summit, Fuya Fuya (4260m) in the Lagunas de Mojanda when he was twelve. He graduated from the Universidad Central in Quito in Physical Education and returned to Otavalo to teach at the same school he attended as a child. In 1986 he began mountain guiding and in 1990 he became a professional guide, having the opportunity to scale the majority of the mountains in Ecuador whilst learning all the techniques necessary to survive. This culminated in 1992 when he was awarded his "specialised guide" certificate. In 1996 he opened his own language school, which is now known as the Otavalo Spanish Institute. He is now a teacher, mountain guide and GVI project manager.