carefully crafted wilderness escapades
FOR YOU AND YOUR FURRY BEST FRIEND.
NOPAWDY GETS LEFT BEHIND.PET PHOTOGRAPHER * PET FRIENDLY GROUP TRIP HOSTESS * CONTENT CREATOR * PET NUTRITION COACH
Hi, I’m Hilda Castillo-landrum
I began leading group experiences (trips) back in 2012, right in my own “backyard’ . . . Yosemite! I am proud to say that I am actually one of the very FIRST “hostess lead group trip leaders” in the travel industry! I helped pave the way for the thousands of retreat/group trip leaders that you see today.
After leading a few “test” groups in and around Yosemite in 2012, I decided to go BIG and take my next group to ICELAND! Since then, I have spent the past 12+ years, globetrotting around the world, with groups of “strangers turned friends” and let me tell you, it has been an incredibly expansive experience! Throughout this journey, I have learned what works and what doesn’t work; giving me the experience necessary to create seamlessly beautiful experiences for my guests. I have now lead 45+ groups around the world, curated custom trips for private clients and have even trained up other group trip/retreat leaders; teaching them how to lead their own trips! This journey has not come with a gentle learning curve, especially after the pandemic hit in 2020 but it has spurred growth, constantly showing me how to adjust and adapt to my guests (& the worlds) needs and made me better at the end of the day.
After a lifetime of travel around the globe, ITWE has now circled back to focus on offering unique outings in my home continent - North America (Canada, U.S.A. & Mexico) - with a focus on the National Parks system. I know many of us have the bucket-list goal of visiting every National park in the U.S. and I am here to help us check those parks off - in a FUN & creative way - one at a time! In addition to a couple of exciting U.S. National parks trips per year, ITWE also offers ONE super special expeditions to either Mexico or Canada annually and multiple FREE guided day hikes in California (for those who just want to dip their toes into group adventures or maybe are on a tight budget). There is something for everyone and “nopawdy” gets left behind! 🐾
Canada (2024) is now full but Alaska in October still has availability, & so does Arizona (Saguaro N.P.) to ring in the new year together this December! My 2025 trips also just launched this summer, check out the full lineup —-> HERE. It’s sooooooo good!!!! 🙌🏽
Let’s get back on track. Another thing that I learned after a lifetime of travel is that I miss my fur babies when I am traveling and I am done experiencing all of these fun adventures without them. I want to bring them EVERYWHERE! Which brings me here - curating and offering thoughtful adventures that are geared towards traveling and living life to the fullest, WITH your fur family members! Of course pets are NOT required to join us on any of our trips; you can absolutely come sans pets, just know that they are ABSOLUTELY welcome should you want to dip your toes in this type of adventure travel! I take the guess work and unknowns out of navigating pet travel, in an ever changing world and make it as easy and a click of a button!
One of the reasons that I found my heart yearning to be at home with my pets while I was off leading group trips globally, was that my beloved Lily was diagnosed with heart cancer in 2021. I found myself canceling and rescheduling trips to get more time with her. It’s no secret that our pets time on earth is too short, I didn’t want to miss a minute with her. In addition to deciding to shift my ENTIRE business into a “pet friendly travel” model, I also found myself diving deep into animal health and wellness courses. That journey, has lead me to acquire numerous animal health/wellness certifications over the past 3+ years and also expand my services beyond pet travel/adventure and into pet health and wellness!
If you’re here, you’re probably a pretty awesome human, who is looking for unique outdoor adventures, deeper human connections aaaaand there’s a good chance you might want to bring your dog/cat! I’m happy to tell you, that you have come to the right place!
Feel free to wander over to my blog for LOTS of tips and tricks on traveling with pets, navigating outdoor adventures in the North America, pet care, my favorites/recommendations and so much more! KEEP WANDERING! 🌝
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:19
My goal:
PROTECT our planet, EXPLORE nature, ADVENTURE often, LOVE others and BE present. To create bespoke outdoor experiences and share them with wild & free souls (and their 4 legged best friends). To encourage people to travel deeper in their destinations & deeper into themselves.
to bless
My hope for Into the Wild guests is that each person who arrives into my care, leaves inspired, refreshed, excited, seen, & grateful to be alive.
to empower
One of my visions is to empower past group experience guests to host the same trips that they were originally inspired to sign up for! I want to give my bravest adventure buddies, the opportunity to take the reigns on their favorite experiences with me and lead them as Into the Wild hosts and ambassadors, under my guidance!! Yes, that means FREE Into the Wild trips for past group experience guests!
BECAUSE YOU ARE A TRAVELER, NOT A TOURIST . . .
Nature
God created nature (the earth & animals) before man. What is that saying? “Respect your elders”. Let’s put that saying into practice by nurturing what came before us with our actions. Let’s show up with open hearts and minds, ready to learn how to better love, appreciate and preserve God’s AMAZING creation; through sustainable and ethical travel practices. What a gift the great outdoors is.
Adventure
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all! As a self proclaimed “adventure junkie”, I am always looking for fun & unique activities that get my body moving, my heart racing and push me into new versions of myself! Experiences that make me shiver with nervousness and remind me that I am alive, that bring a smile to my face that warm me from the inside out; that make me laugh until I cry and just plain make for GREAT life experiences/stories to recall when life gets hard or that serve to inspire and uplift family, friends, & future generations.
connection
Connect with each other, connect with nature, connect with your purpose, connect with your pet(s), connect with God. These are ALL connections worthy of nurturing and I am here to help you cultivate all of them!
“See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” - Isaiah 42:9