Expedition Leader

CHINA - LAOS - THAILAND - ECUADOR - GALAPAGOS - PERU - NEPAL / NORTHERN INDIA

In this program, you'll develop extensive guiding skills and qualifications specialising in altitude and steep terrain, learn wilderness medicine and get crucial developing world leadership experience as you travel the globe learning your trade.

The program is broken into 3 modules that focus on different key areas to build your repertoire of skills and experience. Each module builds on the one before - as the program progresses so will your skills; your proficiency as a global traveller and your confidence to lead others. The itinerary itself also progresses into more challenging global regions, continuously immersing you in learning experiences and developing key global adventure guiding skills.

THE ULTIMATE EXPEDITION

There is no other program in the world that specifically trains expedition guides in such an immersive way.

We created this program as an immersive learning experience, where the assessment occurs naturally during everyday experiences, your proficiency will grow as the program itself gets progressively more challenging.

The itinerary was chosen specifically to complement each stage of the training. As the level of skill required increases, the destinations chosen will simarly become more challenging; with language barriers, logistic challenges or poor infrastructure.

You’ll leave this program confident in your global guiding skills, able to arrive to any destination, assess prospective issues and succeed in running an awesome expedition.

Learn more about what it takes to become an adventure guide here.

Includes

3 month expedition leader training and qualification program
Dynamic, immersive course that progresses with each new destination
Focus on mentorship & learning through shared experiences
Qualified & experienced technical instructors and a program manager hosting in all countries
Low student - instructor ratio (1:6) for personalised learning
NZ Outdoor Leadership Qualifications (completed internationally)
International Wilderness First Aid & First Responder certificates
Accommodation and most meals provided all program
All technical equipment, program related transport & travel (except your flight to and from home)
Gain experience in adventure travel management, expedition/travel medicine, youth work, peer leadership, high alpine/steep terrain/swift water management, leading others above 5,000m, supported and unsupported trek management

Prerequisites

English Language Fluency
Be 18 years or older at time of commencement
Moderate fitness is recommended. All professional development and training is provided
Have a passion for travel, adventure, & tourism
A desire to accept challenges, a thirst for knowledge, a love of outdoor activities or for our natural environment
Be a social team player that enjoys helping others discover adventure!

Note spaces on this program are extremely limited, as work placements are held with tourism operators for limited staff numbers.

STRUCTURE

Weeks 1-4: ADVENTURE TRAVEL GUIDING

Time for an introduction to the essentials that will become your bread and butter for the next 3 months - the core skills needed for global travel in groups: Budgeting, logistics, dealing with operators, hygiene, safety, eating, airports and new cultures. You’ll also cover the foundation hiking and guiding skills you’ll need for the training ahead.

WHERE YOU'LL BE:
Sichuan Province, China
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
Luang Prabang, Laos
Chiang Mai, Thailand

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:
Developing world travel experience
Guiding management experience
Adventure guiding core skills

WEEKS 5-9: Consolidating Skills

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT & TRAVEL/SIGHTSEEING

From here, we move to the stunning Central Americas. As well as being immersed in some incredible cultures, you’ll be actively involved with the planning and management of your team’s itinerary - this will be the projects you’re working on, booking your travel from place to place, the itinerary creation and logistics required for trekking. Cultural and language barriers may make some tasks difficult, but literally every day will be a lesson in problem solving, group management, and planning.

WHERE YOU'LL BE:
Quito, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
Lima, Peru
Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley, Peru
Ausangate, Peru

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:
Outdoor guiding qualifications
Project work and community service
Developing world experience in Latin America
More advanced treks & leadership opportunities

Weeks 9-12: Expedition Leader Training

SUPPORTED EXPEDITION TREKKING AT ALTITUDE

The Himalaya, what many feel is the spiritual home of adventure. This beautiful, rugged country will host your crew as you put into practice the technical, educational and learning principles developed throughout this program. The nature of the high alpine environment will provide a tough classroom at times, but is the ultimate way to learn. You’ll leave a better person, more confident in your skills and richer from an amazing Nepalese experience.

Due to the wild nature of the monsoon weather experienced in the Himalaya in the middle of the year, our program for the June intake takes place in Manali, Nothern India rather than Nepal. Let’s not be fooled here, this region is just as beautiful with less people, arguably better food and unreal landscapes. Both should be on your bucket list for sure!

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:
High altitude trekking management skills
Application of your skills learned to date
Experience in coordinating high altitude expeditions

WHERE YOU'LL BE:

January Intakes:
Kathmandu, Nepal
Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal
Chitwan National Park, Nepal

June Intakes:
Manali, India
Brighu Trek, India
Sansi Pass Trek, India
Agra, Jaipur, Delhi, India

Weekly breakdown

HOW YOUR TIME ON THIS PROGRAM WILL PLAY OUT...

We know that 3 months may sound like a long time to be training, studying and travelling with us!

But what’s great about this program is that every week is different. Your time will be split between a range of activities, to ensure you have all the technical skills and experience needed to succeed, but also enough time to chill, sleep in, experience special cultural sites & locations in each country, and go practice your new guiding and trekking skills.

The order of these activities will change each week depending on a number of things - your travel itinerary,
the weather, or the training your program manager has planned for you at the time. At the start of each week you will be briefed on the plan for the week ahead so you can get organised and get excited!

EACH WEEK WILL INCLUDE:

4 days of Technical Training
1 day of Self-Directed Learning
1 day for Group Learning
1 day for Travel or Free Day

*As noted above, the order of days will change each week and as your program progresses. This is simply a general outline.

NOTES

This is a sample itinerary. Modules may occur in a different order due to weather conditions or scheduling requirements