In the March edition of Backpacker Magazine one of the articles mentions hiring a guide. This is an excellent topic and one we'll cover here to help you decide if you need to hire a guide service for your trip. Hiring a guide shouldn't be taken lightly. This person, or persons will be responsible for your safety and well being for a matter of days or weeks.

Here are some questions to consider when it comes to a guide service.

1. Is a Guide Service Required? In some places guide services are a must. On Kilimanjaro, and on the Inca Trail a guide service is required and regulated by local authorities. This topic was touched on in the Backpacker article. But which service do you go with? You will see a wide range of prices and features they offer. Make sure your guide service covers your permit in the parks you will be crossing through. This brings us to the all important topic of safety, referenced below.
2. Do I Need a Guide? The answer to this question varies widely from person to person and from place to place. But as a general rule, if you feel uneasy or unsafe traveling somewhere alone, then hire a guide. It adds considerably to the dollar amount of your trip, but the piece of mind you gain is worth it. A guide will know which streams will be dry this time of year, and which might be raging. They will know the local language and customs. They will also be able to take care of many of the arrangements that are difficult for someone out of the country.
3. What should I consider for Safety? Make sure your guide service has a track record of safety. Don't just rely on what they tell you either, do your own research. Call the local park service, or get references from the company and call them. Make sure your guide service is trained in first aid and preferably wilderness first aid. Call and have a conversation with them. Ask them about their safety policies. Ask them if they've ever had a medical emergency and how they handled that situation specifically. Ask them where the bail out points are, and what their evacuation plan is. Don't be shy, this is your life you're talking about.
4. How much should I pay? Shop around. Many guide services charge more and don't necessarily spend that money on you. They spend it on their advertising budget. Which is why you saw that online ad, or saw them in the back of Outside magazine. I can't say enough how important it is to talk to them before going though. Just booking online won't get you the information you need to make the best decision. Make a list before you call and make sure they can easily answer all of your questions. Make sure the guides speak your native tongue and find out how long they have been guiding that route.
5. What Equipment Should I Expect to be Provided? This should be clearly outlined by your guide service. If they can't quickly and easily provide a detailed gear list then forget them. You don't want to haul half your gear closet across another continent. Most guide services provide tents and cooking supplies, which lighten your load considerably. Work this out and get it in writing before you go. Print out those conversations and take them with you. If there is any dispute when in country, you can show them the arrangements you made with the office, which could be located in the US, UK, or anywhere. A good guide service will then honor that.
6. Should I Hire the Guide Before I leave, or "In Country?" You can get a better deal "in country" if you wait until you arrive. This has been proven time and time again. When I was in Peru doing the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu our group used different ways of booking the trip. We had booked before leaving. This means some of your fee goes to a booking agent usually. But, those who booked in country didn't get as many benefits as we did. They also had to spend the better part of a day walking around and talking to guide services.
7. How Early Should I Book? As early as you can. As soon as you know your dates, start looking. Many guide services book up because they only have a limited number of resources. Make sure you get in early and get the deal you want.

Resources for finding a guide service:

The Outdoorzy Business Directory has many guide services listed. Both domestic and international.

The Outdoor Guide has a list of domestic US guides by state.

Lonely Planet and other guidebooks typically reccomend guide services.

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