Expedition Leader Training Program

STRUCTURE

This is a sample guide to what you can expect to do on the program. There might be changes to the destinations, activities and the order in which the activities occur.

MONTH 1: INTRO TO ADVENTURE TRAVEL & LEADERSHIP

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.

ARRIVAL TO CENTRAL AMERICA: WELCOME TO ECUADOR!

The program kicks off with an environmental project! We love to work with small communities to help them educate local children and adults the techniques for restoring and protecting the local environment. We also want to encourage them to grow and flourish economically. The project work in Ecuador involves a range of activities, including beach clean ups, community recycling programs, assisting with environmental clubs and gardening programs in local schools, tree planting programs and leading community workshops.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: BIODIVERSITY LIKE NO OTHER

Then you’ll be heading to Santa Cruz to catch a boat for a once in a lifetime chance to step foot on the 19 islands, each with unique geology and native wildlife. You’ll be blown away by this unique world. You’ll see giant tortoises, penguins, marine iguanas, huge albatross. You’ll snorkel, hike, kayak and watch the many varied wildlife in a fascinating few days that you will remember forever.

LIMA & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN PERUVIAN CULTURE

After landing in Lima and exploring the capital, you’ll head to historic Cusco, to take part in a community exchange. You’ll stay, cook and learn with locals, help with a local project, share stories of your family and community at home and get a feel for what life is really like as a Peruvian. AUSANGATE Trek EXPLORE THE ANDES IN PERU Next up, a local Wayki guide will explain all about the Inca ruins, farming, villages and views that surround you. In this trek you’ll climb gradually to a height of 4,700m, see snow capped mountains, herds of llamas, glaciers and turqouise lakes - this is the highest trek in Peru, taking you to the wildest and most beautiful areas of the Andes. Acclimitisation is key as this is area is remote, rugged and fierce. A proper alpine trek to test your skills.

MAGICAL MACHU PICCHU & THE SACRED VALLEY

With the Incan capital Cusco as your base, it’s time to explore the incomparable Sacred Valley region. You’ll also visit Machu Picchu. Built in 1450 in the height of the Incan empire. You are sure to be blown away by the setting, history and archeology of this jewel of human history.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:

Developing world travel experience
Guiding management experience
Adventure guiding core skills

MONTH 2: CONSOLIDATING SKILLS

From here, we move to stunning South East Asia. As well as being immersed in some incredible cultures (and food!), 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.

THAILAND & LAOS: COMMUNITY PROJECTS & JUNGLE TREKKING

The next stop is northern Thailand, specifically the beautiful historical city of Chiang Mai. You’ll start with a trek to visit hill tribes in stunning remote tropical areas. Immerse yourself in these new cultures, chatting to as many locals as possible, trying new foods and taking in all the beautiful scenery! Then you’ll make your way to the Laos border, where you’ll be met with smiles and beautiful jungle as you head to the stunning town of Luang Prabang for a community project. Helping locals, you’ll be working at a local school to further a current project - it may be building, classroom learning, or landscaping. Ask questions, be inquisitive and be the instigators of the change you want to see in the world!

VIETNAM: TREKKING & TASTY CUISINE!

From the lush terraced rice paddies to the rustic charm of the native dwellings, Sapa is a place you’re sure to fall in love with! Many diverse groups like the Dzay, Dzao, Tay,Xa Pho or Hmong populate this richly cultural northern territory. You’ll sample their unique delights as you pass through each village with breath-taking scenery.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:

Outdoor guiding qualifications
Project work and community service
Developing world experience in South East Asia
More advanced treks & leadership opportunities

MONTH 3: EXPEDITION TREKKING AT ALTITUDE

The Himalayas, what many feel is the spiritual home of adventure. The beautiful, rugged country of Nepal 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.

PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

It’s time to focus on all you’ve learnt so far in your program and apply this to how you’d run an expedition of your own. What better place to do so than the awe-inspiring landscape of Nepal. A 12 day trek in the Annapurna Sanctuary awaits - a demanding route that takes you from beautiful lush bush valleys and into the harsh rocky terrain of the Himalayas, under the watchful eye of the majestic peak Machapuchare (6,993m).

On this trek you’ll take in some unreal views from Poon Hill and reach Annapurna base camp. These destinations will become achievements you’ll look back on with immense pride and satisfaction for the rest of your life. Hopefully you’ll start to feel the enthusiasm and magic you can begin to share as a guide when you take others to similarly inspiring destinations. This is what it’s all about!

On return to Kathmandu, you’ll take a side trip to Chitwan National Park - home to rhinoceros, monkeys, deer, and the majestic Bengal tiger as well as many more wildlife

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:

High altitude trekking management skills
Application of your skills learned to date
Experience in coordinating high altitude expeditions

Becoming an Expedition Leader

Miranda

June 2019 I had an incredible trip on the Expedition Leader Program! I decided to challenge myself and get on board an amazing adventure with PureEx and definitely did not regret it. The team was so friendly and I got to learn so many new skills including my NZOIA Bushwalking Leader credential and my Wilderness First Aid certificate, so if you're thinking about taking part in this program my advice is GO FOR IT!

Expedition Leader Program Review

Chloe Hickey

June 2019 I had the pleasure of taking part in the Expedition Leader Program! I loved my time travelling and learning with amazing participants and guides. As well as learning about the countries and cultures we travelled It was was amazing to see the impact we made on the community projects we put our time into. I learnt a lot about myself on this trip and it has made a large impact on my life and I am forever grateful to the Pure Ex team for making it happen.