Benefits of taking a guide with you

Personally, Even though it is Slightly more expensive I would say it is Far Better to hire your Staff (Guide – Porter / Guide and Porters) through a Reputable (And preferably well recommended) Agent than it is to try and hire them hire them off the street or en-route yourself.

The Good and Reputable Agents do a Great Job, For the trekker and for their staff, My preferred agent, (Details on travelogue entitled “A Very Important Decision”) sub-contracts his staff form a list of Experienced porters and guides that he has put together over the years, Thus he makes sure that All the staff that he supplies are well known to him, they are all trustworthy and excellent at their jobs. Yes – he does take a commission, But this is agreed between the porters and guides and himself and is only a small percentage of their salary.

From the trekkers point of view, this practically guarantees that the staff that you hire are up to the job, You have the opportunity to interview them Before you head off on your trek and assess their suitability.

They are trustworthy, they have good clothing, boots etc, they have insurance and the price that you pay covers Everything that has been agreed.

Particularly If you are a first time visitor to Nepal, then it also takes a lot of the pitfalls and hassles out of finding your own suitable staff.

From the porters and guides point of view, a Good and Reputable agent keeps their staff as near to fully employed as they can, Often at the end of one trek they are off on another within a couple of days, they can then spend this small amount of time off relaxing with there families as opposed to walking the streets looking for their next job

If you are hiring out “Staff” the secret of a successful trek is to set the ground rules Before you leave Kathmandu and these rules should include

1) Always interview your “Staff” Before you go trekking with them, Preferably get them to give you a walking tour around Kathmandu, Then they are away from the office, will be able to talk freely and you will be in a better position to judge their ability to communicate, character and if you are going to be able to get on well enough with them on your trek.

2)Ask if he has already trekked the route you are going on and how many times 

3) Tell them that You Always retain the final say where you will stay and where and when you will eat.

Personally I am Happy to look at places recommended by my “Staff” (As I am aware that some places look after Nepali’s a lot better than others, better accommodation as well as better / cheaper food for them + if they get a little kick-back then as long as I am happy with the standard as well as the price that I am paying this doesn’t bother me) 

4) I also mention to them that as long as I am happy with their services then they will get a Good Tip – I think this clears the air and gives your “Staff” that extra incentive to ensure that you are well looked after.

5) The agent that I use provides all his “Staff” with a mobile phone – I also think this is an excellent idea so that if there is a problem then (providing you have a phone Signal) these can be Quickly sorted out.

6) Before I start a trek is to have a rough schedule, then I know approximately how many days I will be trekking for, to this I usually add one buffer day, so If all goes according to plan I am usually back from my trek one day ahead, With this the agent that is use I can claim one days fees back, but in reality, as I have always been happy with my treks, I have never done this, but have ensured that my “Staff” are still paid the extra day.

Another system that the agent I use has is that if you want to extend your trek, if it takes longer than originally anticipated or if for what ever reason you are delayed then you can pay your “Staff” direct. This works well for everyone as the “Staff” in actual fact get more money as there is no agents commission deducted and as the agent has already had his cut he is (Or should be) happy as well.

7) It is also worth making 100% sure that your “Staff” are insured and that the agent is making sure that their clothing is up to the standard for the area / season you are trekking in.

It may sound like a bit of a list – But personally I think it is well worth that little extra effort at the beginning of your trek to help minimise potential unforeseen problems later :-)