How to Hire a Trekking Guide

Certain vacations require the assistance of a certified trekking guide. A good guide who's familiar with your destination will enhance your experience by showing you sites you might not find on your own. These guides can also tell you about the local customs, describe the fauna and flora of a region and provide other valuable information. Most importantly, a trekking guide ensures that your exotic vacation is a safe one.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Prepare yourself for the trip. Join a trekking club and go on some short trips first. Learn as much as you can about what equipment to carry, how to read clouds and how to handle basic first aid issues. Knowing what to expect for your trip can help you when you interview your trekking guide.
2. Map out your trip. Read as much as you can about your intended destination. If possible, talk to people who have been there recently. Although you can always modify your plans as you learn more, it's a good idea to have as much information as possible before you hire a trekking guide.
3. Contact a guiding and trekking organization. IFGMA certifies high mountain guides; the AEM certifies guides in France; and the BAEML certifies European mountain guides. Alpine Interface allows you to search for guides by activity, location and duration of your trip.
4. Ask questions. After you find a potential guide, interview him. In addition to determining if this is a person you want to spend time with, you'll want to know about the guide's language fluency, first aid skills and anything else that might be important to you.
5. Determine if you need a porter. Sometimes you can find a porter-guide, but often you have to hire someone else to carry your gear.

Tips & Warnings

• Trekking is a group sport--do not go off on your own on these trips. It's not safe and can get you into a precarious situation.