Patagonia, Argentina

Lilo
Gari

Outdoor Experience Planner

"Patagonia has always been what makes me happy." A certified outdoor guide and experience specialist with a background in business, marketing, and field operations — designing, planning, and leading high-end bespoke expeditions across Northern Patagonia. Active relationships with leading national and international agencies mean a deep understanding of what today's discerning traveler truly expects. Above all: I love what I do.

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Lilo Gari in Patagonia
8+ Years in
Patagonia
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About

Where purpose
meets nature

My name is Rodrigo — but everybody calls me Lilo. I'll tell you the story behind that once we're hiking somewhere out in nature.

With a background in business administration and operations, and a present rooted in the outdoors, I work as a certified outdoor guide and high-end experience designer. My role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy and field guiding — developing new programs in the low season, fully dedicated to guests in the high.

I maintain active relationships with leading national and international agencies, which gives me a deep understanding of the dynamics and demands of today's luxury travel market. Through creativity and attention to detail, I build bridges between the sometimes-stressful lifestyles of the travelers I serve and a more nature-driven way of living.

"I understand that guests entrust me with the most valuable thing they have: their time."

8+ Years leading
outdoor experiences
B B Corp Certification
contributor — Esencia Patagonia
∞ Patagonian landscapes
to explore
What I Do

From dream
to summit

01

Experience Design

I create tailor-made outdoor itineraries from scratch — researching routes, curating logistics, selecting partners, and building programs that match the exact profile and expectations of your clients.

  • — Bespoke itinerary development
  • — Logistics & supplier coordination
  • — Agency consultation & site inspections
  • — Product development for tour operators

02

Field Execution

I lead experiences in the field as certified guide and trip leader — ensuring safety, service quality, and the human connection that turns a trip into a lasting memory. Some activities are delivered through a curated network of specialist partners.

  • — Trekking & mountaineering
  • — Sea kayak & SUP
  • — Mountain bike & gravel
  • — Ski touring & alpine
  • — Yacht, helicopter & heli-transfer (via partners)
  • — Private transfers & ground logistics
Field & Work Experience

A career shaped
by the field

2017 — Present Esencia Patagonia Río Negro, Argentina

Commercial Manager & Main Guide

  • Collaborate with international agencies, delivering high-end experiences for clients from around the world — including future Antarctic and Arctic travelers.
  • Contributed to company growth from 6 to over 30 full-time staff, involved in both administrative and operational development.
  • Represented the company at international travel fairs and participated in on-site inspections with partner organizations.
  • Designed and coordinated customized experiences — trekking, kayaking, mountain biking, yacht expeditions, and helicopter tours — tailored to diverse client profiles.
  • Field guide and trip leader, ensuring safety, logistics, and service quality in remote natural environments.
  • Involved in field operations with boats and helicopters; experienced in dynamic, weather-dependent logistics.
  • Collaborated in the B Corporation certification process, contributing to sustainability and impact measurement.
2011 — 2017 Unilever · Accenture · Avon Argentina

Operations & Project Assistant

  • Coordinated loyalty programs and large-scale field projects across Argentina.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams for smooth execution under time-sensitive conditions.
  • Financial reporting, cost control, and discrepancy resolution using SAP.
  • Gained experience with structured corporate systems and multitasking in high-demand environments.
Various years Working Holidays Canada & New Zealand

International Experience

  • Gained intercultural communication skills and adaptability while living and working abroad for two years.
  • Worked in hospitality and construction across two continents.
Field Skills & Certifications

Trained for the wild

Authorization Registered Outdoor Service Provider — Nahuel Huapi National Park
Guiding Certified Trekking, Kayak & MTB Guide
Maritime STCW 75 Certification
Maritime Coastal Navigation License (Timonel) — in progress, 2025
Watercraft Small Craft Operation Course — KSP, aligned with PTGA standards
Safety Wilderness First Aid (WFA) — 2024
Safety Certified in Long Gun Handling and Safety — Tiro Federal Bariloche
Transport Professional Driver's License (passenger transport)
Teaching Tourism Services Instructor — ISAGM, Bariloche
Volunteer Mountain Rescue Commission (CAX), Bariloche
Kayaking ACA Level 4 — Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Languages Fluent in Spanish and English
Education

Foundation & formation

2008 — 2012

Bachelor's Degree in
Business Administration

Universidad Católica Argentina

2024

Trekking Guide
Certification

ISAGM — Bariloche, Argentina

Featured

The Power of Moments
in Patagonia

LANDED Travel Podcast · Episode 34

A conversation about what it means to build experiences that truly matter — the philosophy behind guiding, the magic of Northern Patagonia, and why the moment is everything.

"Patagonia has always been what makes me happy."

Listen on LANDED Travel →

The Power of Moments in Patagonia

LANDED Travel · Episode 34

Published April 2026 Full episode →
What guests say

Experiences that stay
with you

"

Lilo, your love for what you do shines through; your energy and attitude are contagious. Thank you for everything you did to make us feel comfortable.

Y.C.C. — TCS World Travel Site Inspection
"

The way Esencia defines all-inclusive luxury experiences is on another level, almost from another world. You touch people's hearts, anticipating our needs before we even think of them, always in the smallest details.

H.M. — Atacama Site Inspection
"

Our guide, Lilo, was an incredible find — knowledgeable, attentive, and absolutely expert at making every adventure both exciting and safe. We would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone traveling to the region.

C.Z. — Blue Parallel Private traveler
"

You are such a unique individual with your philosophy of unifying nature, spirit, mind and heart. You made us feel like your extended family. You are now part of our lives.

K.L. — Designer Trips Private traveler
"

Our only regret is not getting a picture with all 3 of us together. Our time together will always be cherished with fondness for you, your spirit, and the joy that seems to radiate from you.

S.R. — Esencia Patagonia Traveler from Texas
"

Lilo was also incredible, so incredibly passionate and a great representative for BT and Alchemy.

Jessica Wells Senior Product Manager — Black Tomato
"

You are a special person and I am grateful to have met you. Now I can always remember our awesome time in Bariloche — and I hope to see you again in October!

Jennifer Webb Kalos Golf
Contact

Let's create
something together

Whether you're planning a high-end expedition, looking for a field guide, or want to talk about what's possible in Patagonia — I'd love to hear from you.

Phone +54 9 2944 252876
Email rodrigo.e.gari@gmail.com
Instagram @lilogari
Send a message