Holly Wissler

Holly Wissler, an ethnomusicologist and one of our most experienced guides, has led treks for us in both Nepal and Peru, two countries that she has lived in for many years. She holds double Masters degrees from the University of Idaho in Flute Performance and Music History and her PhD in ethnomusicology from Florida State University. One of Holly’s areas of focus is Andean music and ritual, and she was the producer of Qoyllur Rit’i: A Woman’s Journey, a video documentary about Peru’s largest Andean pilgrimage festival. She recently produced a second documentary, “From Grief and Joy We Sing” (www.qerosmusic.com) on the musical traditions of the remote Quechua community of Q’eros, Peru, which is also her dissertation topic for her Ph.D. Holly speaks fluent Spanish, as well as Quechua and Nepali.

Upcoming Trips:

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, June 16-24, 2013
Colombia: Natural History and Cultural Treasures, August 26-September 5, 2013
Hiker's Journey to Machu Picchu, October 12-20, 2013
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, November 22-30, 2013

Client Testimonials:


Holly was fabulous. She is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, cheerful, and has great rapport with the staff. She is fun an unflappable and I feel very lucky to have met her and had her for our Trip Leader! Deborah S., Buffalo NY The trip was everything I’d hoped it would be and much more. Can’t say enough about Holly. She was a wealth of cultural information and is a warm and caring person. JoAnn E., Paso Robles CA
Ultimate Everest Your rating scale doesn’t go high enough to rate Holly! She made the trip outstanding. Robert F., Paso Robles CA
Ultimate Everest Holly was absolutely wonderful! The best leader we have ever had, Holly is special and a real asset to Wilderness Travel. Bruce and Carolynn H., Jackson WY
Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu Holly Wissler is a fantastic, capable, extremely knowledgeable woman with a storehouse of information and an unsurpassed passion for Peru. Robin and Art P., San Francisco, CA Holly proves easily to be among the top rung of WT leaders. Personable, organized, marvelously companionable, superbly informed. Michael W., Stamford CT, Chachapoyas Trek
Holly is super and was such an enjoyable guide. She made the trip special, as she lives in Peru and is very involved in Peruvian culture, in particular her interest in ethnomusicology with the Q'eros. Marjorie L., New York, NY
Hiker's Journey to Machu Picchu Holly is the best trip leader with whom I have traveled, ever, at any time, and any place. David H., Austin, TX
Citadels of Chachapoyas Holly is exceptional in every way. She has a wealth of knowledge of the area and culture and made the trip so special for each of us. Bonnie A., San Diego, CA
Peru: Q'eros Cultural Trek Holly was a wonderful guide—knowledgable, flexible, capable in a thousand ways. She made the trip an unforgettable experience. Alexandra K., Wilton, CT
Hiker's Journey to Machu Picchu Holly was abounding with knowledge regarding the culture; I came away from this trip with such an appreciation and respect for the people, culture, and Andean region. Caroline H., Memphis, TN