Adventure Travel Guide

Answer 1

Adventure travel guides are individuals who are hired to help travelers explore and experience the world firsthand, instead of through the typical tourist vacation. Adventure guides typically work in areas with camping, hiking, rafting, climbing, diving or skiing, and serve to instruct clients in the activity as well as show them around around the area. In some cases, adventure guides work in remote and exotic locations such as Pacific islands, South American rain forests, or even Mount Everest. Adventure guides are employed by travel companies, international adventure companies, location based tourist centers like ski resorts, and by individual clients. Adventure travel guides can be found working exclusive in a specific location, or offering their services world-wide to a variety of destinations.

Usually, adventure travel guides will lead individuals or small, limited groups instead of the large number of people that are led at one time in a traditional tourist group. This allows for more one on one interaction and instruction, as well as greater mobility to see more of an area. Additionally, the smaller group allows for maximum supervision during potentially dangerous activities, increasing safety while decreasing liability. This model allows for adventure travel guides to thrive, with adventure companies sending guides with clients to extreme remote locations like mountain-tops or under-water cave diving.

To best prepare for working as an adventure travel guide, it is a good idea to train in CPR, first aid, and wilderness survival skills. Should something happen on a trip, it will be up to the guide to help out as much as possible while getting a hold of medical attention. Adventure travel guides also need to be in shape and skilled in performing outdoor activities like climbing, biking, and skiing, so it is a good idea to stay physically fit and to train in a variety of adventure sports. To get experience working with people outdoors, there are volunteer opportunities available at the Sierra Club and the YMCA.

Adventure travel guides earn around $20,000 a year depending on employer, seasons worked, as well as location and skill set. Generally, adventure guides are working for the chance to be involved in the experience of traveling and being outdoors as much as they are for money involved, so there are many individuals willing to work cheaply. This means salaries are lower, and there is a lot of competition and demand for available jobs.