Exploria: Our History and Legacy in the Andes
The story of Exploria was born in the mountains. Before becoming a brand, it was a way of experiencing the Andes through effort, learning, respect for the land and a deep connection with high altitude environments. Today, that legacy lives on in every journey we design and operate in Peru.
An Andean Legacy Born in the Mountains
In the Peruvian Andes, the mountains are not simply conquered. They are listened to, respected and, over time, become part of your life.
The story of Exploria did not begin in an office. It began on the frozen trails of the Cordillera Blanca, among the sound of the wind and the footsteps of people who learned to read the mountains long before relying on a map.
This is the origin behind every route we design: a family legacy transformed into a commitment to safety, authenticity and a deeper connection with the Andes.
Our Origins
Faustino Milla and the Foundations of an Andean Legacy
It all began with Faustino Milla. At a time when mountaineering in Peru was still strongly associated with international expeditions, Faustino was already working among glaciers and high Andean valleys as a guide, cook and porter. His story became connected with major chapters in Andean mountaineering, including expeditions involving legendary mountaineers such as Walter Bonatti and Reinhold Messner.
Faustino was not simply a witness to the development of mountaineering in the Cordillera Blanca he was part of it. He climbed mountains that would become icons of the Peruvian Andes, including Huandoy Sur, Huascarán and Alpamayo, among others.
But his greatest legacy was never simply reaching a summit. It was teaching the next generation to respect the mountains, understand changing conditions and remember that coming home safely matters more than standing on top. That work ethic and respect for the mountains continue to influence the way we operate today.
The Next Generation
Edwin, Marco and the Birth of Exploria
A love for the mountains is not inherited through blood alone. It is passed on through experience. Edwin and Marco Milla, sons of Faustino, grew up surrounded by the same mountains and the stories of expeditions, summits and storms that shaped their father’s life.
They continued developing their mountain skills, trained professionally and achieved internationally recognized IFMGA mountain guide qualifications. With that experience and a desire to share the Andes with travelers from around the world, they created Exploria.
Not simply as another travel company, but as a bridge between Andean Mountain tradition and modern professional mountaineering. A place where journeys are designed by people who understand the terrain, changing mountain conditions and the importance of careful decision making.
More Than a Company
A Commitment to Safety, Respect and Community
The mountains are our home, but people are our priority. That is why we work alongside Andean communities and value fair working conditions and meaningful recognition for the guides, cooks, porters, muleteers and local staff who make each journey possible.
We follow Leave No Trace principles and operate in accordance with the requirements that apply within Huascarán National Park and SERNANP managed areas, because protecting these mountain ecosystems means protecting their future. Our approach to safety is more than a written procedure. It is part of the way we have learned to work in the mountains.
Depending on the journey, our operations incorporate communication systems, evacuation planning, altitude monitoring and guides trained according to recognized professional standards. Because an adventure only matters if everyone has the opportunity to return home safely.
Your Place in This Story
Every trail you walk and every summit you attempt is supported by decades of mountain experience, continuous learning and a genuine connection with the Andes. We do not simply want to sell you a tour. We invite you to become part of a living story to travel with people who learned about the mountains through generations of experience, strengthened that knowledge through professional training and now share it with you through safety, respect and passion.
If you value authenticity, preparation and genuine contact with the Andean world, Exploria is ready to show you a different way to experience Peru.
Ready to Write Your Own Chapter in the Andes?
The mountains will be here when you are ready. And when you decide to experience them, we want you to do so with the confidence of traveling with people whose connection with these landscapes goes back generations.
Tell us your dream, your pace and your travel dates.
We bring the experience, preparation and heart that help turn it into a journey.