Matt Malcomson

Managing Director

Matt first traveled to Japan at the age of 18, and has been exploring the archipelago ever since, living in Nara, Miyazaki and Tokyo for 10 years, working for an international magazine, leading outdoor trips and travel writing. Matt also became interested in Armenia in the 90s while travelling in the region, and soon became involved in a sustainable tourism project and also studying the Armenian language. He returned to the UK in 2005 and set up Oxalis Holidays. He leads trips both in Japan and Armenia.

Bob Heffill

Japan tour leader

Bobs connection with Japan goes back 30 years to 1973, when his parents were diplomats in Tokyo. After nine months living in Japan he studied Japanese language and literature at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies. He then worked in Japan as an English teacher in state schools for three years on the JET program. He has spent most of the last fifteen years in the UK working as a Japanese translator and interpreter. He is a Member of the Institute of Translators and Interpreters. Bob is the in-country agent and guide for Oxalis Holidays in Japan.

Mari Ohara

Japan tour leader

Mari was born and grew up in Japan. She has travelled extensively both inside and outside of Japan, and is passionate about introducing the unique culture of her country to foreign visitors. She is a member of the Mushakoji Senke Sado (Tea ceremony) School, and is often to be found walking in the mountains of Japan.

Yumiko Sugai

Japan tour leader

Yumiko grew up in Tokyo, majored in Chinese ancient literature in college, and studied at Qinhua univ.in Beijing. She lived in the U.S., and then taught English back in Japan. She has been a tour guide since 1999, managing her own English school when she isn't guiding. In her free time she makes kakejiku (Japanese hanging scrolls), and writes stories for children and English haiku.

Mike Gellerman

Naturalist & Birdwatching guide

Mike is our resident naturalist and birdwatching guide. Mike gained his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in the remote highlands of the Congo Basin. He has travelled the world leading scientific research and birdwatching expeditions, from the interior of Papua New Guinea to the Falkland Islands. He lived in Japan for many years and has particular expertise on the flora and fauna of East Asia and Southern Africa. He is also an enthusiastic hiker and climber whereever he happens to find himself. Mike leads our birdwatching trips.

Andrey Chesnokov

Armenia guide

Andrey is originally from Russia but came to Armenia during the Soviet period and has since settled here and is now an Armenian citizen. He has 21 years experience of trekking and mountain climbing in the Armenian mountains and speaks fluent English and Armenian apart from his native Russian. Andrey is one of our in-country guides for our Armenia trips and has a wealth of experience leading foreigners through the natural splendours of the Armenian landscape. He is a member of the Armenian Alpinism Federation.

Alexander Aghababyan

Armenia guide

Alexander has 23 years of experience in mountain hiking and rock climbing, gained in Armenia, the High Caucasus mountains, the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan and the Altay mountains of Russia. Alexander is a technical trekking guide for our Armenia trips providing backup support and speaks excellent Russian and German apart from his native Armenian. He is a member of the Armenian Alpinism Federation.