Our Trips Include Living Guidebooks

Travel with our guides and you not only gain a broader perspective on each region, you tour like a local. Suddenly, you gain access to people and places not found on the pages of travel books. And while our guides develop fun-packed itineraries, experience has taught them that there's a balance between thorough planning and a willingness to embrace the impromptu. They know it's often the chance encounters—the desert rainbows, roadside fruit stands, monkey sightings, campfire stories— that color your memories most vividly.

Our outstanding local guides can't wait to show off their backyards.

Each year we honor the very best of our terrific guides. See the Top Guides who were recognized this year.

Arturo: Mexico

Arturo is a guide extraordinaire. He spent three years as an exchange student in the U.S. and is completely fluent in English. He's an avid mountain biker and hiker, and he knows the ins-and-outs of the hiking trails in the Copper Canyon. In addition, he gets high praise for his understanding of the local history and cultures.

Chris: Canada

A man of the mountains, Chris spends his summers leading hiking tours and his winters as a ski instructor. He enjoys capturing the beauty of the hills in his photographs. Of all the places he's been, the Main Ranges of the Canadian Rockies are among his two favorites: "The way the water flows through the canyon and beneath these magnificent towering peaks is magic. It's a spot I never want to leave once I get there." His other top destination is Mistaya Canyon in Banff National Park.

Claire: Italy

Claire is a free spirit with a tremendous passion for world travel. Some trip members become as fascinated by Claire's life and accomplishments as they are by beautiful Tuscany. Claire has a doctorate in comparative French literature and philosophy and has translated several books from French to English, just two of her five languages. In addition to being an avid cyclist and hiker, she is a connoisseur of fine Italian wine and cuisine. A resident of Florence, she's been leading trips in Italy and France for the last nine years.

Craig: Southwest U.S.

Craig is a California native who has lived in the Tahoe area for the past 23 years.  He has spent much of this time exploring the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A hiking trip guide in California and Utah for the past six years, he is known for his enthusiasm and attention to detail. Craig's personal interests include road biking, skate skiing and trail running.

Emanuela (Manu): Italy

Manu is fluent in English, Italian, and French, and her passion for the local culture and people of Italy become apparent immediately. She is best noted for her sensitivity to guests' needs, and she has in-depth knowledge of Italian history, flora, and fauna. Manu enjoys hiking and cycling, and she loves sharing with clients her knowledge of the beautiful and fascinating regions in which she guides as well as two of her most favorite things in life—food and wine.

Jimmy: Costa Rica

After his studies, Jimmy went straight to leading trips. For him, it's the perfect job, combining his love of people with the rich and varied landscape of Costa Rica. With four languages under his belt, he enjoys learning about different cultures and derives great satisfaction from getting to know the folks who come on his tours: " The people I get are always the best. They really make the difference."

Jorge: Chile

An absolute delight, Jorge eagerly shares his love and first-hand knowledge of Argentina and Chile. Born in Buenos Aires, he caught the exploration bug young, traveling extensively in Europe, the U.S. and South America. He has a degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and plays a mean classical guitar. When he's not working as an adventure travel guide, he's on an adventure himself. You'll most likely find him cycling in Argentina or exploring the hidden corners of remote Patagonia.

Karen: California

A clinical laboratory scientist with such diverse interests as psychology, photography, sewing and backpacking, Karen appreciates "the chance to increase people's awareness of their inner and outer worlds simply by being who I am and doing what I love." Among her favorite memories as a guide is running into two vibrant 60-year-old women taking the same hike she had led them on the year before. "It's those seeds I sow that end up feeding me when they become ripened fruit!"

Lain: Scotland

Lain has a natural talent for creating an atmosphere where every member of a group will feel comfortable just being himself or herself. This, combined with his humor and contagious enthusiasm for the Scottish Hills, has clients stating that his leadership was the highlight of their trip. He has 12 years' guiding experience and is particularly interested in the Scottish landscape and the way it has evolved over time. Iain completed his Munros (the 282 Scottish mountains over 3000') in 1984, and he has climbed, scrambled and hiked all over the world. His good humor and entertaining stories make him an extremely popular guide.

Marco: Costa Rica

We refer to Marco as our Pura Vida ("Full of Life") guide. Born in the small San José suburb of Desamparados, he has been guiding trips for more than 10 years. Marco reads jungles the way some people read books. He has a tremendous knowledge of Costa Rican natural history and is especially adept at spotting wildlife of all types, even in thick rain forest foliage. His enthusiasm is contagious, which translates into entertaining days on the trail, unforgettable adventures and great memories.

Marie-Guislaine: Switzerland/France/Italy

A legendary hike like the Mont Blanc circuit demands a great guide, and we're happy to report that we've got her. In addition to the Alps, Marie-Guislaine has climbed in Peru, India, Nepal and Tibet , and her mountaineering experience makes her a great asset on rugged trails. An expert in plant chemistry and a pharmacist by training, she loves to "share the experience of the mountain, from flora and fauna to scaling ridges and reaching the top. Marie's personal interests in painting, dance and "the good cuisine" also make her a wonderful cultural resource. "My greatest pleasure is to see people enjoying their trip," says Marie. Several of her clients have come back for repeat trips, which is quite gratifying for her.

Martin: Eastern Europe

Our principal architect for our many Central European trips, Martin knows the area from bottom to top and from ancient times to modern. For the past ten years, he's led dozens of cycling and hiking trips for us throughout Central Europe—and they're always among our most popular! His love of his homeland is apparent and his knowledge is impressive. When he's not leading a group or organizing one of our trips, almost certainly you'll find him in the mountains. An avid mountaineer, Martin has summitted six Himalayan peaks over 26,000' never using artificial oxygen or high altitude porters.

Peter: Tanzania

Our head guide on Kilimanjaro and native of Tanzania, Peter has been guiding REI climbs for 15 years and has led more than 600 summit climbs. More than 95 percent of Peter's climbing teams make the summit, in large part because of his experience and patience. He is well respected for his ability to sense the correct pace for each trekker and for giving soft-spoken, constant encouragement. As one customer put it: "I can't stress how great a person and guide Peter is for Tanzania, REI and Africa." And his customers don't forget him.

Ryan: Arizona

Ryan is a consummate guide with his always upbeat and engaging personality.  His enthusiasm is contagious and matched only by his qualifications.  A graduate of the Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership Program (at Medicine Hat College, Alberta) he also holds certifications in: Whitewater Rafting Guide, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, Swift Water Rescue 1+2, Leave-No-Trace Instructor, and Wilderness Steward Leadership.  He has embraced guiding and outdoor instruction as his chosen career and performs his job with passion.

Sampan (Pan): Thailand

Pan is a native Thai who gladly shares his knowledge of the region's unique flora, fauna, geology and cultural history. He enjoys being outdoors and likes hiking. Pan has been assisting and leading trips for 20 years. His familiarity with the language (including a few hill tribe dialects) and local people adds a special quality to his trips.

Steve: Southwest U.S.

Steve has been guiding hiking adventures for the past 18 years and enjoys teaching clients about the intricate natural history and geology of the American Southwest. Steve is also an avid mountain biker, canyoneer and backcountry skier as well as an accomplished photographer and writer, making him one of our most engaging guides. Clients keep coming back to take another trip with Steve!

Tania: Greece

Tania is passionate about the outdoors, but what truly makes her a wonderful guide is that she adores showing clients the beauty of the places they visit as well as helping them get to know the culture and the traditions of the area. She has a natural talent for making everyone feel at home in Greece. She is also an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking and scuba diving. Tania is a graduate of English language and literature and is an accredited mountain guide. She offers all her guests a cultural and adventurous experience that they long remember.

Tim: Ireland

Born in earth-toned Texas, Tim quickly acquired a taste for the green of Ireland. He's been exploring the nooks and crannies of the Emerald Isle by foot and by bicycle for nearly two decades. Backed by his total devotion to and appreciation for Ireland, Tim is an exceptional guide. He adds a skillful blend of cultural discovery, outdoor exploration, and spreads of great food and local brew. Tim loves having a good time, and his sense of fun spills over onto every trail he hikes and each pathway he bikes. Tim's appreciation for the Emerald Isle is infectious. As one customer says, "He makes you love the Irish culture almost as much as he does." He also enjoys the company of folks who come on REI tours because "they each have a story to tell."

Thupten: Nepal

What better way to explore the Himalayas than with a high altitude guide who's spent his life in the rugged environs of the Solu Khumbu. A member of the noble Sherpa culture, Thupten is praised for his gentle humor and infinite patience. Over the years, he has cheerfully encouraged hundreds of trekkers on to greater heights. Picture yourself in a high mountain yak field, warming your hands on a cup of sweet tea while soaking in the alpenglow bouncing from Everest. Thupten can get you there.