Alter Experiences LLC was founded in 2016 by Shantel and Rami Abdel. We’re a glamping and nature travel company, based out of the San Diego Backcountry – Mount Laguna.
We have been operating in the the Cleveland National Forest since 2018, under the USFS Outfitting and Guide program.
We were the first glamping outfitter in the state of California and the first major glamping operation in San Diego County, as well as the first Tentsile Experience Camp in the US.
We have strived to be at the forefront of outdoor hospitality/experience travel trends since our founding in 2018.
We’ve worked closely with the USFS Descanso Ranger District office over the past decade, in their effort to manage and maintain the Cleveland National Forest. Our Mt. Laguna Recreation area is an important habitat and one of the most bio-diverse regions in San Diego.
It is also an important recreation haven for hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
A lot goes into supporting a recreation area of over 200,00 acres that encompasses both forest and high desert habitats, along a border town. Many organizations, businesses and government agencies are a part of the effort to make these areas accessible to the general public for recreation purposes.
As San Diego’s premier glamping destination, Alter Experiences continues to be at the forefront of outdoor hospitality and recreation trends.
We continue to support forward thinking management of the Mt. Laguna Recreation District and the overall vision of the US Forest Service.
As dedicated outfitters and partners of the USFS, our mission is to enhance the visitor experience, provide outreach and education and make sure that our visitors enjoy their stay while recreating in Mt. Laguna.
If you would like to learn more about our corporate responsibility, visit this link.
Funded on Kickstarter
$27,183 PLEDGED | 108% FUNDED
Our Kickstarter campaign was successfully funded on March 24, 2019, thanks to the help of our family, friends, backers and company supporters. We couldn’t have done it without their support.
After 2 years successful operation in the Cleveland National Forest under the outfitting and guide program, we set out to raise $25,000 to expand our operation.
We launched our Kickstarter drive on March 1st and reached our $25,000 pledge goal on March 24, 2019. This was a major milestone for our business and the money helped us expand our operation and invest in equipment to outfit our various sites.
Our business has continued to grow since then and we’ve continued to work on various initiatives like the Julian Town Square project.
Team Bio
Rami Abdel
Born and raised in San Diego, Rami now calls the mountain town of Julian, California home. With more than twenty years in international travel, he has built a career shaped by a deep love of place, culture, and the people who bring both to life. His heritage runs through Egypt and Mexico, two countries that have profoundly influenced who he is — and where he spent many years living, working, and connecting to the traditions and landscapes of his family's roots. Today, Rami is an outfitter in the Cleveland National Forest and the owner of Alter Experiences, a nature and travel company devoted to meaningful, outdoor-centered adventures. His work is grounded in the belief that time spent outside — whether in the San Diego backcountry or halfway around the world — has the power to change how people see themselves and the world around them. Beyond his business, Rami is deeply invested in the community he now calls home. He has been a driving force behind numerous community projects and business development efforts in Julian, and was one of the founding members of the Julian Town Square project back in 2017. He continues to dedicate much of his time to supporting San Diego's rural backcountry communities as they navigate the ongoing economic and business challenges that come with life in small mountain towns. Rami lives in Julian with his wife and two children, where he balances family life with his passion for getting people outdoors and helping the communities he loves thrive.
Shantel Seoane
Shantel is the founder of Alter Experiences LLC and your host extraordinaire. She is our nature and wildlife whisperer, who designed all the little touches that make up our hallmark outdoor hospitality experience. Her real passion is wildlife interaction and she looks forward to introducing you to her friends in the wild.