Get Your Guide

Nepal is truly a gorgeous country full of adventures. Just within a day, you can move through the steamy plains of Terai to the chilling mountains of the Himalayas. Although Nepal sounds pretty interesting, it can be tough for first-time travelers to visit. So, for first-time travelers and travelers who are not confident about visiting Nepal alone, Maryland Treks has made an article for you to get your guide.

This guide will teach you how to choose a guide in Nepal. The guide will give you an idea about the guide’s requirements, the average price of the guides, the roles of guides, and many more.

Guided Travel in Nepal

When traveling anywhere globally, if you have hired a guide, they will be responsible for your safety and fun throughout the trip. Moreover, in Nepal, where adventure awaits you at every corner, your vacation will be smooth if you have a knowledgeable guide by your side.

A guide will lead you through the mountain trails, wildlife safari in the jungle, the bustling city of Nepal, and even the fast-flowing river while rafting. In addition, Nepal has a unique culture and traditions, so if you want to get social and cultural benefits from the country, it is best to get a guide.

For those who prefer to travel independently and despise traveling in a group, some agencies offer independent travel plans. We at Maryland Treks also offer you a choice of group travel or independent travel.

Why Hire a Local Guide?

Here are a few reasons why hiring a local guide benefits you.

1. Gain Local Expertise

Having a person with great knowledge about the place is always great. You can use their expertise to avoid embarrassment and conflict in a foreign place.

Moreover, you will enjoy the tradition and foods and visit the place only known to them. And, who might be more knowledgeable than the person born and grew up there?

The guides in Overland Treks are very familiar with the places around the country. We only offer you a guide native to the place and know every corner of the area. These guides can help you visit hidden sites that only a few people know. They are also very knowledgeable about the foods famous in a certain area.

2. Travel in Safety & Comfort

Hiring a local guide means they will be familiar if the place you are visiting is safe for people to move around. Also, they will be aware if you feel comfortable moving around that place.

So, the guide will look out for your best interest and try their best to give you peace of mind while traveling. Particularly while trekking in the remote areas of Nepal, you will need to feel safe. So, while choosing a guide, you need to see if they are well trained and have proper knowledge of the region.

3. Support the Local Economy

Hiring a local guide means helping the local economy grow. You will be providing jobs for locals. If the locals get jobs and earn money, they will surely give back to the community, which will lead to its development. And, if it develops well, you will have it easier while visiting the country next time.

Types of Guides in Nepal

As Nepal is a country with various activities to engage in, different types of guides specialize in different activities. Generally, you will see culture and tour guides, trekking guides, yoga-trekking guides, peak climbing guides, birding guides, safari guides, rafting guides, kayaking guides, paragliding guides/instructors, and mountain biking guides in the country.

Even among these guides, you can find those with different areas of expertise. So, if you want an expert for a particular activity, you can choose that. It is particularly necessary for adventurous activities like peak climbing, kayaking, and paragliding.

However, if you don’t plan to do these kinds of activities, you can get a guide with adequate knowledge about all fields. However, while choosing a guide, make sure they are passionate about guiding, compassionate toward others, and make every traveler feel comfortable and confident.

Moreover, they should be environmentally conscious, flexible, open to changing your itinerary if necessary, well-trained in the emergency protocol, and filled with great stories and expertise to share.

Guide Training and Background

As a guide can make or break your trip, you should look if the guide is qualified to guide you. Before hiring the guide, you should look for a license from a government organization called the National Academy for Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM). The guides from this organization receive practical and theoretical training sessions run by respective tourism and health experts.

These qualified guides will have skills to counter first aid, altitude sickness, rescue methods, and more. Certain tour operators and agencies also hold higher standards for their guides, so you should go for those types of guides if you can afford them.

Costs of hiring a guide in Nepal

In Nepal, you can find different guides with different expertise. The cost depends upon the experience, knowledge, qualification of the guide, and the location of your visit. You can get a great trekking guide for around $20, which is a standard rate. However, if you are looking for a highly experienced and highly qualified one, the cost goes much higher.

Similarly, you can get a porter who will do all the heavy lifting while trekking for about $16. They will make your trip easier through the mountains of the Himalayas. Likewise, you can also hire a porter guide who will guide you and do all the heavy lifting. You can hire this type of guide for around $20.

When You’ll Meet Your Guide?

If you have hired a guide for sightseeing, you will usually meet them at your hotel. The guide will pick you up at the hotel and drop you off there.

However, if you plan to go on a trek, you will meet the guide at least a day before.