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We know that our Tour Leaders are key to the success of our holidays and we think it's a shame you only get to meet them when out on tour. With that in mind we've decided to run regular features about them so you can get to know them better.
We ask each Tour Leader a few probing questions and they tell us about their experiences out on tour. Plus we'll include customer feedback to give you an idea of exactly how our leaders make our adventures great!
Tour Leader of the Month – Claude (Madagascar)
How long have you worked with Explore and what do you enjoy most about being a Tour Leader?
I attended the intensive Tour Leader training course at Explore HQ in April 2006. Since then, I have become an Explore Tour Leader in my home country of Madagascar. I am so proud to work for such a professional company.
This job is gorgeous and obviously broadens your mind. I am passionate about the local culture and Madagascar’s amazingly unique wildlife. There are many great things about being a Tour Leader and it’s really hard to pick out one, but if I have to I would say, I have been fortunate enough to travel very often and meet new people from different backgrounds, whom I can share the local culture and my keen passion for native wildlife with.
I love the challenges that tour leading brings every single day to make sure the tours run smoothly. How great it is at the end of a tour to hear from a group that they enjoyed their stay in Madagascar.
Any funny stories or comments or just some words about the fantastic country you work in?
Located in the Indian Ocean - 400 km off the southeast coast of Africa - Madagascar is renowned for its cultural and biological diversity, which are major attraction for tourists as well as the diversity of landscapes and rock formations. Most of the local traditions or customs have links to the dead relatives or ancestors - that may sound weird to strangers.
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It boasts a wide diversity of fragile ecosystems and is home to an abundance of animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth. As a result of the island’s long seclusion, it has allowed a unique array of animals and plants to evolve. It is home to such evolutionary oddities as the ancestral primates named ‘Lemurs’, the carnivorous ‘Fossa’, colourful chameleons, several hundred kinds of frogs, many endemic birds and unusual plants including Baobab trees. According to IUCN, its primates are the world’s highest priority for conservation.
What is the view from your office?
From the windows you can enjoy Antananarivo town centre and its main features such as the views over the central town and quaint, red brick. There are upright Malagasy two-storey houses with balconies standing shoulder to shoulder with modern office blocks in a fine higgledy-piggledy jumble on hill slopes with locals going about their everyday life.
When on a tour, I do my paperwork in hotel rooms and the best location is at the balcony of my chalet in Anakao beach resort that offers stunning views of the turquoise blue Indian Ocean.
What in your opinion is the best thing about the job?
As a native, I am very proud of my country. I often feel like I’m an ambassador and am very pleased to show my groups the real Madagascar, not just the tourist side. It’s great to travel with people of different natures and interests and introduce them to your own country. I’ll snatch the opportunity when it presents for my group to interact with locals who are in return, pleased to see their pictures on a digital camera.
Being a keen birder, I usually go the extra mile for early morning bird-watching before the day’s schedule; how pleasant to see some of the group members joining you and sharing the same interest. It often strikes me how different each tour is from the last one; there’s no telling what’s going to show up and there are some occasions producing sights of unexpected species.
Describe the funniest event you ever witnessed with a group?
There are too many to mention! Every tour is different as I meet a big diversity of people. Some are embarrassing to tell. Well, let’s say, on a tour room allocation, I confidently thought I remembered everyone’s face and names. I designated a man to share a room with the wife of another couple on the tour. Or, the group won’t ever believe how hot the chilli in Madagascar is; they don’t listen to just add a tad and they’re consequently blowing fire. In this job I face many funny moments.
What is the best place to visit in your country and why?
The wildlife and isolation of this ancient island ‘continent’ make it one of the most fascinating yet least travelled areas of all Africa. There are lots of great places in Madagascar and it’s really very hard to pick one out as they are so different to each other. The island of Madagascar is truly a lost world, an experiment in evolution. Some of my favourites are:
Ranomafana’ National Park has turned out to be one of the most important wildlife areas in Madagascar.
Isalo National Park is spectacular due to its stunning Jurassic sandstone rock formation where ‘Madagascar Grand Canyon’ is found (welcome to Jurassic Park!).
The famous ‘Tsingy of Bemaraha’ is awesome and spectacular. Razor-sharp limestone pinnacles are found on the west, formed by acidic rain erosion, and is home to some sought-after species of bird, chameleon, lemur and plant life. It’s a magical place for me. You will enjoy the amazing Baobab Avenue and Kirindy wildlife on the way to the Tsingy.
Describe one of the local customs in your country?
Famadihana (reburial) is a funerary tradition of the Malagasy people in Madagascar, known as ‘the turning of the bones’. People bring forth the bodies of their ancestors from the family crypts and rewrap them in fresh silk shrouds, then dance with the corpses around the tomb to live music. The custom is based upon a belief that the spirits of the dead finally join the world of the ancestors after the body's complete decomposition and appropriate ceremonies, which may take many years. In Madagascar this is a regular ritual usually and the custom brings together extended families in celebrations of kinship.
It's important because it's our way of respecting the dead. It is also a chance for the whole family, from across the country, to come together. Ancestor worship is the common thread running through all of Madagascar's diverse cultures and remains important. It is an essential way of maintaining ties with the dead.
Lots of beer, wine and locally brewed spirits will be on offer that day. This is a day for celebration, not for sadness. Often more than one band can be found on these occasions. Some with copper instruments like trumpets and others with harmonicas, violins and self-made guitars.
What do your customers often forget to pack and what other recommendations would you have?
Generally our guests are experienced travellers, but I have noticed on different tours, many people neglect to take with them ‘antibacterial hand-wash gel’. The problem of having the right electrical plug is not uncommon, but generally sorted out between the customers.
My recommendations: you will gain a great deal from the trip if you travel with an open mind and a flexible attitude. Therefore patience and a sense of humour are important prerequisites to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Lian Villanueva
Lian has now only worked for us for 2 years however she has run a great number of successful tours for us in that time. She has run all styles of tours including, family, in style, cultural and active.
She wrote the following about her life as a tour leader:
'Being a tour leader is a great job!! I love that I´m always surrounded by wonderful people that listen to me, that actually want to visit the country that I love so much in the most respectful possible way. I get to live a lot of incredible experiences everyday and many of them are really funny!! Some Moments that make me really happy are to be in those places that fill your spirit like Topes de Collantes in the mountain ranch of Guamuhaya in Sancti Spiritus. Two days in complete touch with one of the greatest masterpieces of Mother Nature. The exuberance of flora and fauna and the beauty of the landscapes are enough to purify your mind are your soul. Everything is just perfect the way it is. Just come and explore it!!'
If you were given a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go? If I got a free airplane ticket I would go to eastern island.
What's the best thing about life on the road as a tour leader? To see how they get to love Cuba a little bit more every day.
Have you got any packing tips for a travelling life? It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
What do you never leave home without? Mosquito repellent, sun protector.
What's your top tip for travelling responsibly? To know that you are a guest in the country and be tolerant with what you can´t understand and respect its culture and traditions.
If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Spaghetti
David Short
Lucy Nicholls, our operations manager on David Short:
"As the operations manager for Asia I have had the opportunity to work with David in one of his favourite areas. He has been running the “Inside the Hidden Kingdoms” tour visiting Bangladesh, India and Bhutan for many years now. It is always fantastic to find that a tour leader loves a tour so much that he or she returns year on year. David has been an excellent leader for the this tour and has obviously enjoyed every minute. His passion for Bangladesh and photography has been a real asset to Explore. I would love to travel on a tour with him!
David has recently trained some of our new local leaders for us while on tour and has been a great mentor for them. Since then he has visited the office and participated in our “train the trainer” courses” to enhance his skills. I have every faith that he will be an excellent trainer and help for our aspiring new leaders."
I became a tour leader for Explore after going on a few Explore tours myself. After a tour to Libya, I went to Antarctica and then Mali. The photographs I took in Antarctica enabled me to become an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society.
The best thing about the job is that no two days are ever the same. It is definitely not a 9 to 5 job.
As a tour leader, you really get beneath the surface of a country. I enjoy getting to know the people of a destination. It is the people of any country that really make the place special.
It is for this reason that my favourite countries are Bangladesh, Iran and Syria. It also makes it even sadder what is happening in Syria at the moment.
I always say to people - Go when you can. You never know what will happen! 'Carpe diem'.
Tour recommendations: A lot of clients underestimate how many photographs they will take. Don't forget extra memory cards and also the battery charger for your camera.
Moayyad leads Explore tours in Jordan. He says: “I have been a guide and a Tour Leader for over 17 years now. I have a passion for travel; I like to meet people from different cultures. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many parts of the world – both here in the Middle East, Northern Africa and different parts of Europe. I am so proud to work for Explore; I know Explore value’s my work and what I do for my country and the history of our ancestors.”
What is the best thing about your job?
If I am asked what the best thing about my job is, I would say everything! I love the challenges that tour leading brings every single day. But if I had to choose, I would say that one of the best things in this job for me is the people, because on every tour you meet different people with different interests in my country. That means that every tour is different. In the evening dinners for example the topics we start talking about together vary a lot. For me it’s a good experience to share local customs with others and to learn from them about other cultures, especially when we talk about food and cuisine of the country.
Describe one of the local customs in your country
Many people are interested to hear about weddings, especially the traditional Bedouin weddings; it’s a big event for most of the families here in Jordan. I explain to them how we set the tent for this occasion and the way all the family and friends gather for one or two nights to celebrate with music and dance before the actual wedding day. Usually the wedding day is on a Friday and we serve lunch for the guests. We usually serve a local dish (mansaf) - yoghurt cooked with lamb and rice. Sometimes we serve the mansaf for hundreds of people; it depends how big the family is and how many friends are invited. I’ve taken a few groups to see weddings; it can be one of most exciting experiences on the tour for them.
Are there any funny moments?
In this job I also face many funny moments. My lovely moment is when I do the trick in Petra at the end of the siq. Just before we reach the treasury I ask the group to look on the other side as a kind of distraction and they start to walk backwards. Then the big surprise is that the façade of the treasury appears for them suddenly; what a big ‘waw’ you hear from the group. It’s one of my best moments and the highlight of the tour because when you walk in the siq in Petra after every turn they expect to see that famous façade, but when you give this a memorable moment with the distraction, they are looking for something on the other side and the façade is just behind them. Then I ask them to turn around; you can imagine the feeling and the tears of joy sometimes.
What is your favourite place?
In Jordan there are many places I love, but my favourite place is Wadi Rum. It’s a magical place for me - the silence of the place, the nature and the history. In Wadi Rum you can spend days in the desert between the sand dunes and the red rose mountains; for me it’s a place for meditation.
Sunrise and sunset in Wadi Rum - it’s one of the most beautiful and romantic moments in life.
I am working with Explore from 2003 and I can tell you that it is a wonderful experince. I met during this 9 years a big diversity of people, from people working in diplomacy to simple people, and almost all of them never visited Romania before. The beauty of my job is to be the first one (in Romania) to tell them about our history, culture, nature, wildlife …. This is why I am honored to work as a Tour Leader.
What is the view from your office?
Hills, mountains, nice people, beautiful cities and countryside
What in your opinion is the best thing about the job?
Getting the chance to work with so many different people.
What is the best place to visit in your country and why?
Come on the 11-day tour and you will see most of the best places in Romania.
Describe one of the local customs in your country?
Painting eggs for Easter.
What do your customers often forget to pack and what other recommendations would you have?
Not to forget: sun screen, rain coat, walking boots, camera.
Describe the funniest event you ever witnessed with a group?
During a walk in the mountains (area frequented by bears especially in that period) on a narrow path, I was walking behind the first in the line. At some moment she stopped and she was very scared. I was not able to see what was in front so I thought that she saw a bear. I start to make loud noises. When I saw that there is no bear I asked her why she was so terrified – “I just saw a lizard (a salamander) and I am so afraid of them”. So imagine my face when I heard that all the trouble was for a small lizard and not for a bear.
Tour leading is a lifestyle choice for me. I have always had a keen interest in wildlife especially birds, and my work has enabled me to develop my passion further and also to share my enthusiasm for the natural world and the latino culture with customers and locals alike.
What is the view from your office?
Sometimes active volcanoes, sometimes pacific beaches sometimes toucans, orioles and motmots and always happy central american people.
What in your opinion is the best thing about the job?
getting to know the countries and the people really well: the contacts and friends you make.....and the bird watching opportunities!
Describe the funniest event you ever witnessed with a group?
A shaman performing a ceremony involving fire, turkey blood and a bus load of people in guatemala , answering his mobile phone and telling his mother that he was in the middle of a ritual and would not be home for lunch.
What is the best place to visit in your country and why?
Leon in Nicaragua has everything, active volcano to walk on, pacific beach for swimming and surfing, mangrove swamp for bird watching, colonial history, revolutionary modern history, great coffee shops and hot climate.
Describe one of the local customs in your country.
In Nicaragua they say "adios" when they meet you in the street when most people would be saying hello!
What do your customers often forget to pack and what other recommendations would you have?
Adaptors for plugs is the item most forgotten. I recommend they bring as little as possible, you can always get some washing done cheaply, there is usually cheap access to the internet, you can buy water snacks sun cream, insect repellent etc cheaply and all this helps the local economy.
I have worked for Explore for over ten years now and I still believe it’s the best job in the world! It really broadens your mind, it’s a job that requires a lot of hard work with long days but the rewards are amazing! I’ve had the best time of my life and can’t ever imagine doing anything else! I have met and made friends with the most incredible people ever and learnt so much from different cultures. It’s an addictive lifestyle!
What is the view from your office?
I have sat and completed my paperwork in the most incredible of places, from the edge of the Grand Canyon, from my tent in the desert in Mauritania, from a beach in Seychelles, on the shores of Lake Tana in Ethiopia, the rainforest in Uganda, on a train in Siberia, on the steppes in Mongolia and on a boat travelling down the Niger to Timbuktu – with an office like this who needs a stunning screensaver on your computer! It’s the best office in the world!
What is the best place to visit in your country and why?
In Ethiopia it’s everything, from the amazing Rock hewn churches in Lalibela, the ancient Stelae field in Axum shrouded with mystery, the Gelada baboons and the Simien Mountains which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and just watching the locals live in a biblical way which has not changed in thousands of years. The diversity is astounding and every day has its own highlight.
Describe one of the local customs in your country?
If you are close to someone, friends or family, it is custom to feed them, to pick up some injera (a pancake made of Tef grain with wonderful spicy sauces), make a bundle and place it in their mouth. It’s very rude to refuse. When someone does this for you, you know they think the world of you, but beware, as sometimes they pack the bundle with hot chilli paste!
What do your customers often forget to pack and what other recommendations would you have?
It’s usually their chargers or adaptors. Thank goodness there is always someone who has a spare one! Always bring old or cheap clothes when you are travelling in a third world country, and then you can leave them behind – you then travel home with less to carry, can do more shopping and less washing when you get home! Always travel with an open mind, embrace the country rather than expecting it to embrace you.
What in your opinion is the best thing about the job?
Everything, I love the challenges that tour leading brings, every day is different and every country has its own challenges, but most of all I love getting to know the locals and learning how to live each day as if it’s my last, spreading love and happiness, and falling in love with places I never would have thought I would, watching clients go way beyond what they thought they were capable of and changing their perceptions of places, especially Ethiopia.
Describe the funniest event you ever witnessed with a group?
Well, there are too many to mention, most are too rude or would be embarrassing for some, but on a camping trip in America there was one client who snored so badly that on the second night the rest of the group watched where he put his tent and then pitched theirs about 25 metres away, the second night 50 metres away, this became a nightly routine, by the end of the trip they pitched their tents about 100 metres away, he was practically the other side of the campsite alone. The client mentioned on the last night that he was so impressed with the consideration of the others in the group, as they obviously pitched their tents miles from his because they didn’t want to keep him awake with their snoring!!!
It is a great honour for me to have happy costumers who like the way that I try to give them a nice time here in the Picos. Being a Mountain Guide is my life, showing everybody the mountains where I live is my way of life. I like to say thank you first to my wife Sonia who works hard to have everything under control for the costumers and second to the great professional team of EXPLORE( I feel part of the team after close to 20 years) who make easier my work here in the Picos.
What in your opinion is the best thing about the job?
The best thing of my job is that i can do exactly that i always wished to do, guiding in the Picos.
Describe one of the local customs in your country?
On the 8th September the festival of Sotres day (Virgin of Covadonga day) a few days before the young single people of Sotres cut down a tree, the taller the better and bring it in close to the village where they spend the night with the tree called the Hoguera. The girls from the village at day break go up to the nearby woods in their traditional clothes and musical instruments and start singing old songs for the boys who have taken the tree down to the village. On the day of the festival and after mass and the procession of the tree the young single men plant it and they put a flower on it's top. They have to plant the tree only with their hands. Once it has been planted the young single men have to climb it to get the flower from the top and then give it to one of the young single girls that they like then has to give them a kiss in exchange for the flower.
Ranjeet has been working for Explore since 2010. He has very quickly become our expert with regards to our Village India and our South India Explorer tours and we rely heavily on his knowledge of these areas. He is enthusiastic, organised and highly competent. It is a pleasure working with him. He is a huge asset to the company.
What in your opinion is the best thing about the job?
There are many great things about being a tour leader and it’s really hard to pick out one, but if I have to I would say that meeting new people all the time from outside India and within it is a great asset. I can proudly say that because of my job I have people whom I can claim as my friends all over the world and all over my own country. Every trip I start makes me get excited not just because I am going to some fun places but more because I am going to meet yet another lot of amazing people, share their lives and give them an insight into my country and its culture.
Describe the funniest event you ever witnessed with a group? 
When one of my guest got really scared and started screaming after seeing a tiger on one of our safari tours at Bandhavgarh National Park, She screamed so loudly that the tiger ran away from the scene and everyone started shouting at her for making people miss the proper sighting, it was hilarious especially when she got normal.
What is the best place to visit in your country and why?
There are some great places in India and its really very hard to pick one out as they are so different to each other, but lets put it this way if I had to take my guests in India somewhere and we only had one day then I would take them to Varanasi, the city of light. It’s the one city in India which has witnessed a glorious history of over 3000 years and has been ruled and rolled by many different kingdoms and rulers, but no one has ever managed to change its identity as the spiritual capital of India, Each and every activity taking place on the banks of holy Ganges in Varanasi has a story behind it, whether it is people taking a dip in the water, chants and prayers from the temples, burning bodies, thousands of pilgrims or the ceremonies going on.
The customs, traditions and religious practices in this city are as old as the existence of the first civilization on the planet. A true India, an unchanged India, India of masses and India of a common man is here in the city of salvation, Varanasi.
Describe one of the local customs in your country?
Again we have hundreds of old customs and traditions in India, keeping the families, friends and societies together and help live the highly distinctive India as one nation.
I would like to mention the traditional ceremony of Rakshabandhan (literally means protection lock), this is a little festival which takes place in every part of India in the month of August-September, where the sisters tie a silk thread on their brothers right wrist, the thread and the knots to it symbolizes the strong bond between sister and her brother and it also represents brothers promise and commitment to protect his sister from any dangers of the world and be by her side whenever she needs him. There are many different festivals in the world related to different relationships and most of them being religious, but this particular festival or ceremony do not have any religious significance but it’s a nationwide practiced age old social custom practiced only in India.
What do your customers often forget to pack and what other recommendations would you have?
With Explore we get very experienced and very well travelled people and they do bring everything needed and often more than that. But I have noticed at times that even after being around the world on many trip people often do forget to pack less and ends up bringing too much and then struggle with heavy bags all the time. Another important thing which needs to be carried in large quantity is “patience” and “sense of humour”.
Kamal has been working for Explore as a Tour Leader in Lebanon for a couple of years now. He grew up in the mountains of Lebanon, in an area called Baskinta. He is passionate about his country and its history and loves nothing more than walking, cycling or even skiing around the mountains of his home place. Kamal enjoys meeting new people from different backgrounds and likes to let them discover his country, although he does find it funny watching their expressions when they drive on the twisty roads of Mount Lebanon.
If you were given a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world. where would you go? So many places: Nepal, Kilimanjaro for trekking. England for tourism.
What's the best thing about life on the road as a tour leader? No routine and meeting new people everyday
Have you got any packing tips for a travelling life? No, just travel light, don't take things you don't need
What do you never leave home without? Cell phone, money
On tour what has made you stop in your tracks and go "Wow"? Beautiful sceneries: bekaa valley from above, mount Lebanon covered with snow
What's your top tip for travelling responsibly? Respect local habits, communicate with the people, eat in small restaurants
If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Hard to choose from Lebenese cuisine ... maybe shawarma
If you had the chance to start a new country with your own rules, what would be your first rule? Safety
What was your proudest moment as a tour leader? Choosing me TL of the month. When a tourist tells me he wants to come back again
What was your funniest moment as a tour leader? When a tourist fell in the biological toilets in the desert camp
Edjon, or Ed as his photo to the right shows he likes to be called, leads tours for Explore in Albania. We had a quick chat to him about life as a tour leader and what he loves about Albania, then asked him ten quickfire questions. He said:
"Explore has given me the opportunity to show other people the culture, rich tradition, hospitality and long history of my country. It has also helped me become a much better tour leader thanks to the training it organizes. I have met a lot of wonderful and interesting people, and it's a great feeling to know i am being appreciated - I think the best thing about the job is doing something that I love.
The best place to visit in my country in my opinion are the mountains in the south of Albania. They are surrounded by rural stone villages, with beautiful scenery, welcoming people and a lot of traditions. Hiking in the mountains is the most unique experience, the landscape is simply breathtaking, there's no other words to describe it. The people are very friendly and they contribute to make the experience wonderful.
I believe the best tradition we have is hospitality. Whenever local people invite you to have lunch or dinner with them it is customary to seat at the front of the table as a sign of great respect. The motto of the local people is "once you put your feet under the table you're part of the family, no longer a guest." I make it my priority to take my clients to the local residents so they can experience first hand this great tradition of ours. It's the people that make my country so great."
And here are his answers to our questions...
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? I would choose Paris.
What do you like best about being an Explore tour leader? I get to eat the best food and visit the most beautiful sites. Plus I get to make a lot of new friends.
What are your top tips for a great adventure holiday? Never leave without a pair of comfortable shoes and a bottle of water.
What do you never leave home without? A picture of my son.
What is one of your favourite moments on tour? I remember when we went to a school in a village called Benja. We had brought notebooks, pencils and some other stuff for them. I will never forget the looks on their faces, it was pure joy. That was very memorable for me.
What advice do you give people while on tour? I believe it’s very important to protect the environment. So I would advise people to pay more attention to littering and do their best not to pollute the environment they visit.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sea food.
If you were in charge of the world, what would your first rule be? My first rule would be higher taxes for the rich, more opportunities for the poor.
What makes you feel proud while on tour? I feel proud every time my group appreciates the job I’m doing.
What is one of your funniest moments on tour? We were in a small town and I had gone to the barber to shave my head (as I always do). All the members of the group took out their cameras and took pictures of me while my head was half shaved. The other half had shaving cream on it. They were laughing really loud as were the local people. It was a funny event.
Omer started working for Explore as a tour leader around 3 years ago. HIs manager here in the Explore office, Jo Rolls, said: "I love working with Omer because he is honest, hard working and will turn his hand to all tours AND do them well. This year he has lead the whole range of tours across his home country of Turkey – quite a feat!" Below are his answers to a few questions we had the chance to ask him.
Before he answered our questions he told us: "When you start to guide, you both learn and teach many things. It is always good to work with the people who are professional and wise, butt the most important side of Explore is letting you have many friends and families worldwide ;) – it's like being famous!
What is the best thing about being a tour leader? All I need is one waterproof bag and I get to travel on many different routes round my country.
What is your funniest moment on tour? On Mount Ararat 4200 m. Final morning, trying to catch a couple of canteens and rucksacks rolling down the mountain towards me. It was on a snowy trail and still dark so I had just a head torch - even on the summit we were still laughing that.
What is the best place to visit in Turkey? Kas¸ because it's paradise. Just feeling the atmosphere and old part of the city is enough by the Mediterranean.
Tell us about a custom in Turkey. When you go for arranged marriage, you drink a salty Turkish coffee which was made by the woman you're marrying. You show your love by drinking that disgusting coffee...!
What do people always forget to bring on tour? When they come for the Blue Cruise holiday they forget to bring a towel. I just recommend my guests to read the trip notes very carefully ;)
Meet Mohamed Bennacar, a tour leader for us in Morocco. His bosses here is the office say "Mohamed is a genuinely nice guy. Small in stature but big in heart. He is very capable, caring, knowledgeable, and empathetic and he exudes enthusiasm in his role. Nothing is ever too much trouble for him and he takes great pride in his work. He always gets really positive feedback from clients and is a pleasure to travel with. He is a great asset to our company."
We chatted to him about his life as a Tour Leader: "Leading tours was my dream since I was a student at the high school. I come from the Central High Atlas Mountains where tourism is a second job for most people in summer. So before I become a tour guide I used to travel with groups in the Atlas Mountains, and as soon as I had the chance to join the guiding school I didn't hesitate. I started leading tours in September 2001, worked with different companies from different countries, I've travelled almost all over Morocco. I knew Explore since 2001 and did the Explore training in 2006. I was very happy when they accepted me to lead their tours, because I always wanted to work for a such big and professional company like Explore who offers many tours with different activities, walking ,cycling. Until now I had very good moments on leading Explore tours, and I hope I'll stay with as long as I can."
We asked Mohamed 10 quick questions and here are his answers:
where in the world would you most like to travel next? I would like to climb Kilimanjaro and do a safari in Tanzania.
The funniest moment I have whilst leading groups: Few years ago in a desert camp, a men left his tent late at night for the toilet and when he came back, he couldn't remember in which tent he was, then he decided to sleep outside without a sleeping bag, he told us his story at breakfast, it was very funny. Then some body asked him to tie himself to the tent any time he wanted to leave it!
The best thing about life on road: Travel with people from another country and introduce them to my own country.
What I never leave home without: The map of Morocco.
What has made me stop in tracks and go "wow": The landscape of some valley in the Atlas mountains .
My top tip for travelling responsibly: Respect of local traditions and keep the mountains clean.
If I have to eat just one food for the rest of my life: Lamb tagine with vegetables.
If I have the chance to start a new country: My first rule will the complete respect and protection of the environment
Jorge leads tours for Explore in his home country of Guatemala. He said of his time working as a Tour Leader: "Working for Explore has allowed me to meet interesting people; but above all, people who are interested in seeing what my country has to show. It has enhanced my desire to improve, in order to be able to provide our guests with a memorable experience. It has made my love for my own land grow and rewarded me with the pride of seeing our guests conclude their journey satisfied for having decided to visit Guatemala."
We had a chat with Jorge about his life as a Tour Leader:
I don´t really have an office. But while working, the view I have is always changing. A line of colors that flow and images that pass by, always leaving an impression. A view of reality that sometimes is bright and sometimes not so much. But always a view to remember.
In general terms Guatemala is a small country, but with many beautiful places to see. Places of natural, historical or cultural value. Honestly, it would be quite hard for me to decide over one single place in the country and appoint it as the best one to visit. For me, the best advice would be to: either visit as much of Guatemala as one could or, to take as much time as possible in the places visited to actually get to see and feel them.
Every year, on December the 7th, families make a bonfire outside their homes. Right by the front door. Originally, to purify the houses, to cast out evil spirits and to light the way for La Virgen de La Asunción [The Virgin of the Assumption] in her way to come visit the City of Guatemala. For many, this also constitutes the beginning of the Christmas celebrations.
Generally our guests are experienced travellers and by the time they visit Guatemala they have already been to quite a number of places. So, generally they come very well prepared. My advice would anyways be to always read carefully the trip notes and consider all tips and recommendations provided on it.
Honestly, I am not much of a traveller myself. For a number of reasons. But if I could start traveling with that plane ticket, I guess I would go to any of the countries from where our most of our guests come, so I could understand and relate to them better.
The fact that my working space is broad, open, colorful and really well illuminated and ventilated. Meeting new and interesting people from whom I also get to always learn new things. And the opportunity that it provides to cater our guests with good times and memories to be.
Complicated because precisely the things one always packs and never uses are the ones that one needs when finally one decides not to bring them anymore. So, since each person knows itself, my best advice would be to try to pack as light as possible but bringing what one thinks one will need. And just don’t mind about how other travellers might pack.
At my age… Antacid! Lol!
So many things. An erupting volcano in the distance. The view of many sunsets. A day so clear one can see way far in the distance. Rain so heavy one can barely see the road. And even a car accident on the road… just to name a few.
Please, keep in mind that you are not on your own country and that, for as different as the local ways are, they are the ones under which this place and its people exist. Keep in mind that you are the visitor and that you came here to see, not to judge nor make changes. And if there is one available, please, always follow the advice of your tour leader or local guide.
Huevos y frijoles [Eggs and beans]. Which is the basic diet of simple people in Guatemala. And what most of us have been brought up on.
To follow all the other rules before trying to change any of them.
So far, every time our guests conclude their journey pleased, satisfied and feeling that it was worth to come.
One time at the introductory briefing I was answering a question from a guest. Looking at him directly I called him by his name but… it wasn´t his name. It was the name of the guest sitting next to him.
Oliver has been working for Explore for a couple of years now and in that time he has grown as a leader. He has done an excellent job on all of his tours and shown great enthusiasm. His manager Lucy Nicholl said: "I've been impressed with how much he has been willing to learn and take on new challenges and really wants to be the best he can be in his role. Well done Olly!"
The best thing about my job is to be a bridge of different cultures and people, to introduce my country to the world. The best place in my country to visit is Yangshuo where is most beautiful place in China and also the best place to see real daily life of Chinese farmers. China is a vast country with 56 different nationalities and traditions, for most of the tourists, the first interesting thing is the way we eat with chopsticks, only two slim sticks can take the place of knives and forks.
U.K. Because I’ve been working for and with British for 4 years as a tour leader, I’m really interested in U.K, life, culture, how life is in U.K. etc.
I’m proud of my country and get a chance to represent it on a small scale to my clients.
Yes, for myself I found it’s very important to bring myself - like having sense of humour and unique character.
Family picture, which motivates me working hard day by day.
No matter how well I think I know China, during every tour I’m always surprised by my own country.
I came, I saw, I left nothing. No littering on tour is one of my main pursuits.
Chinese noodle.
Peace, never start a war.
When I got compliment from a loyal Explore client such as I’m the best tour leader he ever had.
Once I brought my group to a kindergarten, one of my guests volunteered to show traditional Scottish dancing, so he dressed up like a girl with a skirt and danced which made everyone laughed, LOL.
Tarek leads tours for us in his home country of Egypt. He constantly receives great feedback from customers who travel with him.
I'm ''Tarek'', Explore tour leader in Egypt & they called me ''Tiro'', I graduated from the Faculty of Tourism in Cairo and I joined Explore in 2005. I like watching football, travelling and reading about history and i can't imagine myself doing different job. I'm looking forward to leading more tours with Explore as I'm enjoing my career and love to show the people how great is my country "EGYPT".
My opinion about the best thing about the job is that I meet people & change their life through their experiences, also to reflect a good image about Egypt & be an embassador to my country.
The funniest event happened to me, once in the train to Luxor i did ask the group a few minutes before we arrived to Luxor to check their cabins well and not leave any thing behind. Then i found myself talking to them on the platform without my main bag and the the train has already gone to Aswan. Luckily I got my bag back back late that night!
The best place i think is ''ASWAN'' because it's very safe place and quite also people are very friendly and helpful.
One of our coustoms in Egypt what we called ''soboo'' which means celebrating the 7th day for the babies. Usually the couple invite the family and close frinds to their house making a big party including food and music and all the kids of the family should patricipate in the event specially by singing and dancing. The guests wish a good life for the baby and the parents then give some money as a gift for the baby.
Ani is an Explore Tour Leader from Argentina. She leads tours for us in her home country and loves her job!
Meeting new people who eventually become new friends, getting the chance of sharing my beautiful country, travelling and getting the chance of knowing different countries and cultures, living new experiences.
Easter Island: passenger asks what is the beautiful blue water we can see. I answer: "well that's the Pacific Ocean." Passenger asks again: "Oh I see. And that water on the other side?"...
Patagonia and the Northewest of Argentina. Overwhelming landscapes, amazing culture.
The UK and Greece.
Knowing that one of my groups still today keeps on getting together. And going to the UK and being the reason for one of those meetings.
Our most traditional custum is sharing MATE with friends, family and even strangers. This is like getting together for tea or coffee for Argentineans. We use a pot called MATE, a straw with a filter and hot not bolied water. We use YERBA, a herb very similar to tea that after a process of drying and chopping is ready to use. The taste is similar to a very strong green tea. I always tell my passengers about it and encourage them to try it.
Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy in Chalten. Magical and overwhelming.
Always take care of nature and respect the culture of the places we visit.
Honesty and respect.
Elena has been travelling (and still does) since 1983, She's been to 62 countries and lived in Spain for 4 years. She enjoys her role as a Tour LEader for Explore as she loves learning foreign languages and speaking them with she leads - she currently speaks English, Spanish, Italian and Russian.
Her motto is "just enjoy this life because you never know what is waiting for yoU round the corner"
New Zealand (Have seen enough museums - would like to see something real and created by nature!)
Meeting people,learning from them (A LOT!),seeing new places, dealing with situations (sometimes it's a real challenge)
GET READY FOR EVERYTHING! (Anything can happen, don't be affraid of life - take it like it is!)
A guide book and mobile phone
Always think twice (or even more) when offering things to people.
Pizza
Be honest to each other, no lies, no corruption
When people say thier holiday in Russia was their favourite holiday!
If you were given a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?Ethiopia or Nepal – mountains, trekking, culture and somehow never been to either!
Learning! About life, the world and different cultures through the people that I meet- group members, people we work with and other local folks. All sorts of things from the more serious issues through to quirky and the downright strange.....
Go light and wash often.
Hope and an open mind.
‘Wow’!! – we ‘Westerners’ are blessed that we are able to travel so easily- so many people of this world do not have the opportunity and maybe don’t get the chance to go further than the nearest village/town/city never mind another whole country!
For us with the fortune to travel - every place has its own ‘wow’ factor if you really look.
The sights that always get me though are the stars, especially the shooting ones, and the sunrise high up on the summit of Kilimanjaro. WOW – every time!!
Be open and talk to people – and more importantly, listen to what they have to say. Leave assumptions, especially those borne from the media, at home. See what is really there.
Apples – many varieties exist and they keep the doctor away.
Everyone has to spend at least 30 minutes singing and dancing every day – creates a positive, happy mood
I am always really pleased when people go home feeling that they’ve had an amazing experience on tour. But I am always especially proud when I’ve helped people to push beyond their comfort zones and realise their abilities and strengths – something to really take home.
Ah – so many! Many are unprintable – well, I wouldn’t want to embarrass anyone – especially myself! But a recent one that made me giggle was the tree full of Chupi bats spotted on a recent camping safari that were really my knickers hanging out to dry. (Chupi is the Swahili word for panties).
If I’m lucky it’s the shimmering glaciers of Kibo (Kilimanjaro’s summit massif) looking up and billowing clouds below. If I’m unlucky it’s a foggy view of the boots in front or sometimes even just a foggy view........
On Kilimanjaro – everything!! The great outdoors, the fresh air, the unique landscape that changes often, even within a day’s trek, the local crew who work exceptionally hard and are great fun, especially when we all join in for a bit of a singing and dancing.
Seeing sunrise on the way to the summit – it is truly one of the most beautiful and unusual sunrises you’ll ever see.
On Kili – that is probably Tim (from the Explore office) explaining to the guides why he has to wear glasses...
Kili of course!!! ‘Cos it’s there and it’s beautiful!! - ‘nuff said!
It’s a tradition here to say ‘pole’ to people when they have completed hard work or had an accident or problem. It’s usually translated to English as ‘sorry’. But its real meaning is much broader and deeper – it acknowledges the burden and shows empathy and respect to the person affected.
At first, years ago, I misunderstood this, taking the direct ‘sorry’ translation and thought that at the end of a day’s trekking the crew were saying ‘pole’ to me because they thought I looked really knackered and was struggling rather than showing kindness.
Enough sweets !! Bring more sweets, especially sours and liquorice ones. Oooh and chocolate biscuits, they are good for altitude! Seriously though, glove requirements are often underestimated for summit night especially if using walking poles (Recommended).
And, back to the sweets, for summit night glucose based products (tablet form or mint cake), are ideal as they are easily digested but must be without any kind of stimulant such as caffeine (makes your heart beat faster and it’ll be working hard enough anyway, thank you very much).
Heather McWalterClimbing Mount Kilimanjaro is usually a once in a lifetime experience but for some Explore tour leaders it's a regular activity! Heather McWalter spent last summer leading tours up Africa's highest mountain.
"Life as a tour leader is about living life for the moment, everyday is an adventure and life never feels like it's passing you by, I really believe for me it is the best job in the world. Last summer I was lucky enough to be leading groups up Kilimanjaro, to have an office on the highest mountain in Africa was very special. But for me a big part of being a tour leader is sharing these experiences with others and the group experience with Explore is fantastic, especially when this summer on safari someone brought a bottle of Malt Whisky to share around the evening campfire!"
Lhasa, I’ve been to Tibet before but only for 1 week. I would love to spend more time trekking in the remote regions and do the sacred circuit of Mount Kailash with all the pilgrims.
You can never get bored, every day is different even when I do the same tours, this can be because of changing weather and seasons but more likely due to the different people and personalities that come on each tour.
I pack my things in small dry sacks, firstly so my clothes always stay dry but also it’s easier to find things. Every sack is a different colour, it keeps everything more organised.
My running gear, I love to get up in the mornings and experience first light and the locals getting to work. Sometimes I can get some of the group to come out with me, but normally I’m on my own.
Many things, probably on every tour I’ve done there’s a moment of thinking ‘there’s nowhere else I’d rather be’. Often it will be breathtaking scenery, or when the group are interacting and having fun with local people, like when we had a tug of war in Mongolia, the group against the local crew and Nomads.
To remember that we are the visitors, and therefore shouldn’t try and dictate how things are done, ‘just because its different, doesn’t mean it is wrong’. One of the best things about travelling is experiencing the new customs and cultures.
As long as there are chillies in it, I’m happy.
Every person has to smile to at least one stranger everyday. This always breaks down the barriers between people.
Always when people accomplish a walk that they thought they wouldn’t be able to do, from summiting Kilimanjaro to walking up the steps between villages in the Almalfi coast.
In Italy after the first night’s meal one of the group asked if ‘tomorrow can we go to a restaurant that doesn’t only do Italian food’. Brilliant!
Herman MedfordHerman leads tours for Explore in Costa Rica and when we asked hin what inspired him to become a tour leader his answer was pretty inspiring to us!
"As a kid I had lots of questions about life and wasn’t getting the answers to my satisfaction, so I prayed for help and that’s how I became a tour leader thirty five years ago after working on a cruise ship for five years as a room steward around the Caribbean, and even though I have a large percent of my question answered leading tours and learning from the different experiences, they are now new ones and I’m still in the process of learning and enjoying my job and life in general."
We also asked Herman our regular questions...
Machu Picchu.
The opportunity to share my country, having new experiences and to learn.
Positive attitude, open mind and the will to experience new things.
Cellular phone, It hs become my assistant and makes the job easier!
Learning about the connectivity of things.
Making on effort to have the less negative impact on nature as a whole.
Peach palm. It is considered one of the most nutritious fruit in the world.
Respect for the local culture.
Always to see happy faces at the end of a tour.
Lots of funny moments, one I can remember is having a client ordering a chicken sandwich without anything, the waiter not understanding what he meant serve it the way they usually do, with all the ingredients; tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise and mustard. The client was upset and send it back saying that he wanted it without anything so the waiter came back with just two pieces of bread!
Marat leads all the departures of our Golden road to Samarkand tour in Uzbekistan. He has worked with us for many years, consistently receiving great feedback from those who have travelled with him. Comments include:
"Considerate, went beyond the call of duty, very professional, excellent knowledge."
"Marat was very knowledgeable, spoke great English and was easy to understand. Excellent. Went out of his way to help us - nothing was too much trouble. Cannot speak highly enough of our tour leader."
We asked Marat a few questions...
I would like to visit many countries, this world is so big! But the first one on my list is India.
Being an Explore tour leader I have opportunity to meet so many interesting people from so many different countries. At the same time I am able to them my beautiful country with it’s great people!
Travel light, carry only what you’ll need for the trip.
Wallet, mobile phone and toothbrush!!!
Every time I come to the Registan square in Samarqand I go "Wow" as I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Always have respect for the local people and environment.
Plov – a traditional Uzbek dish.
I would like to start with three rules: Think good, say good and do good!!!
When I had the same client visiting my country for three times in three years as he loved it!!!
It was in BUKHARA when, after a whole day of sight seeing, two ladies came to the local guide and told her: "Gulia, it was a nice day, we enjoyed a lot, SAMARKAND is a beautiful city!"
Chuong leads tours for Explore in his home country of Vietnam and he consistently receives great feedback from those who have travelled with him. Some comments include:
"Best Tour Leader I've ever encountered, excellent people skills, best Tour Leader Ive ever had."
"Chuong was excellent! Always cheerful, helpful and informative. He gave added value to the group and kept up morale with his musical exploits! Very committed and well trained. I've never had a more attentive knowledgeable or hardworking guide. Chuong is excellent in every respect."
Chuong answered a few questions for us...
I'd be really happy with the free plane ticket! It's perfect if it's a return ticket as home is where my heart is!!! I'd like to go to the UK. First, I'd love to see Explore head office, then Oxford and Cambridge to see the Universities. Thirdly, Liverpool city where the Beatles come from because I love their music! if I had time i'd see as many places as I could.
I enjoy making sure each of my tours run smoothly and solving problems on tour so that all of my guests are happy, having a really great time and enjoying my country and its culture.
I have 15 years experience of working as a guide and then a tour leader for Explore and this means i've been lucky to meet lovely people from all over the world, but up til now i've never been travelling outside of Vietnam - but dreams are free and maybe in the future i'll get to travel overseas. But for my passengers I think the best thing to bring is a smile and a passion for discovery!
I'm lucky to have a beautiful family with 2 children, but I spend a lot of time away on tours and so I never leave home without thinking of my home and family when i'm away.
Explores tours are all about adventure, so when my guests tell me the things they've discovered and adventures they've had in their free time that's a real 'Wow' moment. I like to hear that they've found new and interesting experiences, this makes me happy.
The best way to be responsible on tour is to enjoy the trip by travelling safely! So I take care to make sure my guests know how to be safe so they can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of my country.
Well, I don't think I'd like to only have one food to eat for the rest of my life! But if I had to choose I think it would be avocadao - it's easier to swallow!
I would say that everyone had to be honest! When people trust one another they listen to each other - so people should truly tell you what's in their heart.
I'm proudest when my guests are happy, as I feel I've helped them to enjoy their holiday, I love my job and get to see lots of happy guests.
There's so many! But I think the funniest times are when I can make the whole group laugh. Sometimes people leave things behind on tour, I always ask them to check but these things do happen. So I like to suprise them with their missing items later and it always makes the group laugh!
I have been working for Explore about 5 years. I love this job and I take pride in working for such a professional company. Looking after groups of people is a great responsibility and I enjoy this along with meeting so many people from all over the world. I love to show them around my country and explain about life in Vietnam. I'd love to win the Explore tour leader of the year award and I'm really working hard for that. It would be so great if this international award was won by a Vietnamese tour leader - and even better if it could be me!
Erwin Verhagen is our Tour Leader in the spotlight for May. He's been leading tours for Explore for two and a half years and has worked across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Staff in the office describe Erwin as a Tour Leader "who always receives excellent feedback from his passengers, who works hard, is easy-going and gets the best out of everybody and every situation."
His ability as a Tour Leader is so highly regarded by Explore staff that he has recently been asked to train newly recruited Tour Leaders on the road to show them how it's done!
Here's what Erwin had to say about his life as a Tour Leader when we had a chat with him recently...
"Well, life as a tourleader.......Explore tells us on our training that this is the greatest job in the world, and well, yes, really, that is true! Sure, there are some disadvantages, minor stuff like living out of your suitcase and your mental sanity (!), but that is little to give up for a life of seeing the most beautiful places on earth (more than once!) and experiencing new cultures, while travelling with a great bunch of people. On top of that, hey... it is never too late to find a proper job, right?"
This list does get longer and longer while I travel but if I must chose, it will have to be Turkey, as it is the 'missing link' between the Greek/Roman sites and the Middle East, where I enjoyed working a lot.
Boss, why do you not send me there for a long contract?
Being able to meet great people while travelling and seeing all sites/regions more than once, so you get to see them in different seasons and conditions.
Do not overpack, most stuff can be bought locally, sometimes cheaper and usually better suited to the environment!
Books! Perfect for long waiting times and hanging around in airports.
Many things but the Northern Lights in Norway were far more amazing than I ever expected.
Try to leave your own upbringing, values and culture behind, as much as this is possible, and start seeing the country from a clean slate, unprejudged.
Easy one; worstenbroodjes with curry!
Probably that everyone should accept that I am usually right in most cases, generally speaking.
Again many, many moments but had some great laughs and giggles recently doing a scrambling walk through a narrow gorge with quite some puddles to cross in Wadi Muthlim, Petra. Most of us got quite wet, shoes must have smelled great in the morning!
Chris Abrahamse is from South Africa and leads Explore tours in his home country. Every tour he leads, he receives universally great feedback, with comments such as:
"Excellent local knowledge, helpful, enthusiastic and cheerful."
"One of the best Tour Leaders ever - professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic."
"Fabulous, wonderful, great knowledge, fantastic, well organised, happy to go the extra mile."
Peru
The view from my office window!
Iron before you pack and always choose your most comfortable shoes.
Mobile phone charger and camera.
The first rays of the morning sun hitting Table Mountain in the summer.
Respect the people and environment you find yourself in. Try not to act like a tourist!
My mothers’ trifle!
Common courtesy and giving thanks for the gift of a brand new day!
Being told that I was the best guide ever by someone who has done 20+ Explore tours.
Being asked if giraffe hunt in packs!!
"In the almost 7 years I’ve been guiding the Cape Escape tours I can honestly say I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really fantastic people, and some really weird ones too.
I remember my first tour as if it were yesterday. I was as nervous as all hell and told the group in no uncertain terms that I was a green horn and we’d probably all get lost together. On every tour there is always someone who you remember, well on that tour of Christmas and New Year 2003/2004 Tim and John will always have my respect and gratitude for saving my sanity.
Having done 103 tours to date I can honestly say that without the help of the guys behind the wheel of the vehicles we use, every tour is doomed to failure. To all my drivers who’ve become my close friends thank you for putting up with me.
To those that have had the confidence in me to keep sending me out tour after tour, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. A huge thank you also to the people behind the scenes, who have made our jobs easier than they would otherwise have been."
We'd like to introduce you to Jose Luis who leads tours for us in Cuba. He constantly receives great feedback from those who travel with him with typical comments being "superb, nothing was too much trouble" and "great local knowledge, he definitely enhanced the tour."
Alongside answering a few questions for us, Jose Luis also said "Working with Explore has been a different way to discover Cuba, through a great range of experiences interacting with its nature, its history and its people. Explore also brings a new impact on every place visited - an Explore tourist becomes a great help for the locals."
Spain
Getting to know your own country inside out.
Travel light – carry only what you will need for the trip and have good connections wherever you go.
Wallet and mobile phone
Be a good tourist and never expect to find a piece of your own country in your new destination.
Cuban typical food
"Remember everything is possible" (as in Cuba).
When clients go home fully satisfied.
When you make a joke in a foreign language and it is still funny.
This month's tour leader in the spotlight is Megan Freese. She was nominated by our Operations team who thought she did a great job of leading the remote 'Above the Arctic Circle' tour.
Past customers praised Megan for being one of the nicest people they have ever met.
Her professionalism also contributed to everyone's overall enjoyment of the tour, with comments such as...
"Megan was hard working, enthusiastic, had great people skills and was very good at boosting morale. Thanks for a great holiday!”
“Faultless, efficient, charming, diligent, good humoured”
“I would also like to commend to you, what you probably know already, that in Megan Freese you have an outstanding employee, of very good current ability and capable of great future work.”
It is easy to see why we thought she deserved a mention.
If you were given a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
There are so many places I want to go to but Cuba is somewhere I have wanted to go since I was little and it seems to be changing rapidly so I want to get there soon.
What’s the best thing about life on the road as a tour leader?
The people, the places and never knowing what is going to happen next.
Have you got any packing tips for a travelling life?
For comfort it has to be a travel blanket and audio books and to be practical gaffer tape and a piece of string can fix nearly anything!
What do you never leave home without?
Pictures of friends and family and I have a whistle and compass which I carry around all the time even at home!
On tour what has made you stop in your tracks and go “Wow!”?
The 'Wow' is why I love my job and I'm lucky enough to get those moments quite a lot but being at the most northerly point in Europe, standing on the cliffs, looking towards the North Pole with a clear sky, but a blanket of cloud beneath us, was pretty special.
What’s your top tip for travelling responsibly?
Engage with people, put yourself out of your comfort zone and get involved. It is always the people that I meet that enhance my understanding of a place, enrich the experience and allow me to work and lead my groups in a more responsible way.
If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Roast dinners are the food I dream of when i'm away for a long time.
If you had the chance to start a new country with your own rules, what would be your first rule?
Everyone in power would spend one day a week doing the lowest paid jobs in the country.
What was your proudest moment as a tour leader?
When people fall in love with the place that we are visiting.
What was your funniest moment as a tour leader?
A group of us jumped into a lake in the Arctic, it was pretty funny seeing everyone trying to get out as quickly as possible, and hearing grown men screaming like girls!
Peter made it to the shortlist of our Tour Leader Awards this year and it's not surprising, judging by the below comments we've received from those who have travelled with him in his home country of China...
"Peter anticipated problems and was relaxed and good humoured throughout. Funny and well informed, one of the best tour leaders I've had!"
"Great knowledge and attentiveness. Helpful and informative. Fantastic - incredibly courteous and always made group feel safe. Perfect."
"Peter was very friendly and knowledgeable. An informative tour leader. Good people skills. Provided good knowledge and info. Not only about where we were but about China as a whole. Was always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure group members were having the best possible experience. Integrated the group well."
"Very good. His help at meal times allowed us to enjoy Chinese food. Amusing. Outstanding - worked hard with all of the group. The best I have met on my travels - went out of his way to lend a hand and I was impressed by his English and local knowledge."
We asked Peter a few questions about his life as a tour leader...
I would go to the UK
Meeting different people and showing them my motherland's history and culture.
Just bring just enough to make sure your suitcase will not be too heavy.
On tour I always carry my handy First Aid Kit!
Climbing high on the Great Wall of China and seeing the spectacular view.
Respect the local culture and customs. Also, make sure you read about the place you are going to visit so you can learn about it.
Fried rice.
I’d make it different to everyone else’s country.
When my group tell me they have enjoyed their holiday!
Starting a tour and realising that I already knew some of my group as they had travelled with me before.
Our Tour Leader under the spotlight for October is Joana Alarcon. Joana has been leading Explore tours in Peru for six years and has worked in her home town of Arequipa, Peru as a guide for 16 years.
Joana has received some great comments from people on her recent trips. We've picked out just a few which explain why they thought she was such a fantastic tour leader:
“Joana was an outstanding tour leader – no detail too small, no question too stupid! Brilliant sense of humour too and she explained all the history so well”
“informative, funny, professional, excellent – she enabled us to have the trip of a lifetime”
“Joana sorted everything out so efficiently; she was kind, caring, compassionate and professional”
“Joana is outstanding, she made the tour unforgettable”.
I think I'd love to go to China, a country with a lot of culture and very different traditions.
The best thing for me is meeting different people from everywhere, it really gives you the chance to make friends despite the distance.
Never forget your underwear, umbrella, swimming costume and torch.
My toothbrush and make up!
Every single time when I get to Machu Picchu is a big Wow!!! For me is not only the remains that you can see in the postcards but the big effort of lots of generations for been able to built such a wonder in the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere!
Please smokers, remember to keep the filters of the cigarrettes after you finish with them.
CEVICHE!!!! is the best traditional dish in Peru besides of the guinea pig!! prepared with raw fish marinated with lime juice. Mmmmm!
It was when a lady in my group got extremely sick , and had to be evacuated from an island where no cars, no roads, and 3 hours away from the next hospital by boat! I hope she reads this, you are in my mind and in my heart!
Always I keep reminding people to check their belongings ,especially when we leave a city but once I forgot my own luggage! I realized after 2 hours!!!
Our established team of Tour Leaders have all attended the rigorous training, as well as leadership training organised by KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project).
Kiran hails from the west of Nepal and has been leading Explore's treks for 11 years. His favourite trek of all is the Annapurna Sanctuary both for its challenges and variety as the trail ascends from around 1830 to 4200 metres.
In contrast Kiran recently led our very first 'comfort' trek in the Everest region which stays in cosy lodges with en suite facilities. Kiran remarks how much things have developed over his time as a leader. Now there really is something for everyone.
Bhakta is originally from Kathmandu but spent a long time in Chitwan where he worked as a naturalist guide in the National Park. This comes in useful on our treks as he's adept at spotting the unique fauna and flora of the Himalaya.
He's worked with Explore for 9 years in both Nepal and Tibet and enjoyed it all from both the culture of our Discover Nepal trip to trekking up to Everest Base Camp on our trek in Tibet.
