Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Manolo has been an avid outdoorsman and athlete since childhood. He attended Champagnat Catholic School and later honed his expertise at Cusco Technical School, earning his license as a naturalist guide.

Manolo's path took a detour to Caracas, Venezuela, where he spent five years in the computing industry. However, the call of the wild proved strong. By the mid-1980s, he pursued a career in adventure travel, becoming a whitewater rafting guide for Sobek Expeditions—a decision he attributes to destiny. Manolo's guiding career blossomed as he took on the role of trekking guide and trip leader for Mountain Travel Sobek, a position he proudly upholds. He became a Nat Hab Expedition Leader in Peru in 2023.

Manolo's guiding experiences are not limited to Peru; he has also led expeditions in Spain and Austria. His travel highlights extend across 11 South American countries, multiple Caribbean islands, Cuba, Russia and Germany. His favorite adventures include exploratory trips into the southern Peruvian Amazon. Whether he's staying in jungle lodges, navigating rivers by raft or kayak, or undertaking multi-day nature walks, Manolo is deeply immersed in the wilderness he loves.

Among his hobbies are biking, running and kayaking. Committed to safety, he updates his wilderness medicine knowledge biennially from the School of Rescue and First Aid.