Ever wonder what it would be like to be an adventure travel guide? Yes, it is one of the most fun and exciting jobs out there, but it is still hard work. Even when the guests have a bit of downtime during a tour, you can bet that the guides are running around trying to make sure everything is running smoothly. Take a peek at what a day (or a few days) in the life of a travel guide is really like.
Pre-tour
Before each tour, our travel guides spend a few days checking out all of the details of the tour – every trail, hotel, restaurant, and activity.
- Hike/bike/skate all of the routes to make sure they are safe and enjoyable
- Update directions with any detours, lunch spots, and points of interest
- Set the menus at each restaurant, making sure any special dietary needs are being met, and confirm hotel reservations in person, and if our reservations include varying room levels, inspecting rooms to make sure our High Rollers get the best rooms.
- Confirm equipment rentals
- Visit places along the route (wineries, cheese shops, museums, etc.) where we have appointments
- Organize and pack each traveler’s welcome packet
During the tour
- Meet and greet our travelers and hand out our welcome packets
- Maintain and repair equipment, helping when needed with flat tires, wheel changes
- Give details about the activities and timing of the day during morning route talk
- Keep the support van clean, tidy, and full of gas
- Ensure that all participants along the route are doing well and provide support for any incidents that occur
- Keep the first aid kit, tour snacks, and water well stocked
- Plan and provide a lovely picnic lunch
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- Provide TLC for any boo-boos experienced by travelers (blisters, headaches, allergies)
- Check in with each guest to ensure their needs are being met and that they are having an enjoyable time
- Reconfirm all plans for the next day so the trip can continue to run smoothly
- Keep an eye on the weather and make decisions to alter activities as necessary
- Pay hotels, restaurants, activity and equipment providers, local guides, and transportation as necessary
- Check emails for any tour updates before going to bed
- Bid our travelers, now Zephyr alumni, farewell as we bring our tour to an end
So what do you think? Do you have what it takes to be an adventure travel guide?
I think we could add a Post Tour section:
– Return the rental van
– Unpack and clean any gear
– Send a trip summary to the Zephyr “office”
– Complete the trip expense report
– Start dreaming about your next guiding assignment!
Great additions, Allan!
Wow
I think it would be fun to be an adventure tour guide for Zephyr.
Mike M
I know you guides work very hard to make sure us travelers are happy! I prefer to be the customer! A big thanks to all of the Zephyr guides for making all of my adventures memorable! Iām looking forward to Slovenia this year!
Thanks, Heather! We love having you on our adventures š
Some guides make Montana monster cookies the day before the trip.
Yes! I just ate the last one!
Oh and some guides lend you a ski when you break the binding on yours and then they ski out on one ski.
Love your work ! I do the same job and it’s brilliant. Great blog š