Carrie Gallagher

Originally from the UK, I’ve always had a passion for travel, which led me to move to Australia soon after university. It was there that I first visited Latin America on a trip to Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro during Carnival - and I’ve been hooked ever since.

The following year, I set off on an 18-month round-the-world journey through South America, India, and Asia. Latin America left the biggest impression on me, and I was soon drawn back to explore the region more deeply.

Over the next few years, I travelled extensively through South and Central America and Mexico, including working as a scuba divemaster in Roatán, Honduras. During this time, I became fluent in Spanish, which led to an opportunity to work as a tour leader with a UK-based Latin America specialist.

I went on to spend eight incredible years guiding small group tours across the continent, from Mexico to Argentina and Chile, and also spent time living in both Buenos Aires and Lima. Along the way, I’ve visited Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands multiple times, trekked through the Andes, and dived in the cenotes of Mexico and the Blue Hole in Belize.

After many years on the road, I moved into a sales role in London, while continuing to travel regularly throughout Latin America, including Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Guyana, and Costa Rica. In 2026, I made the move to New Zealand and joined Viva Expeditions as Business Development Manager.

Beyond Latin America, I’ve also been fortunate to travel to South Africa several times, experiencing the energy of Cape Town and the surrounding winelands, as well as unforgettable close encounters with many of the Big Five.

Looking ahead, my dream is to visit Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, as well as the Masai Mara.