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Looking for Mr. Good Guide
Some walks around the hills are no more than two or three hour stroll and can be completed without a guide. Other walks are more difficult and can take a full day or even several days. These walks require experience as well as good local knowledge and are best undertaken with the help of a professional guide. The problem is, how do you know a good guide when you see one? There is no easy answer to this question. Some place in India are full of touts claiming to be professional and will make your experience worthwhile. Others may have little knowledge and will take you for a ride rather than a walk.
Have a firm idea of the type of walk you want to do as well as your capability. Are you looking for something easy or strenuous? Do you want to return before nightfall or are you looking to do a two or three day hike?
Seek specific recommendations from other travellers, and if you are engaged in negotiations with a potential guide don't be shy to ask the following questions:
Do you have any written testimonials? (These of course are easy to fabricate but they can give you a sense of who you may be talking with.)
Can you give us a idea of the route we'll take, including the distances, grades and the type of terrain involved?
Can you identify any potential obstacles we may encounter: river crossing, wild animals, etc?
If we are walking for more than a day, how many hours a day will we need to walk to complete the
trek?
If we are trekking into tribal areas do you speak the language? Know the customs?
What time can we expect to return?
Do you have a torch (flashlight) and first aid equipment? (Trekkers should always have their own but a good guide will also have some.)
If the guide (or the booking company) is going to supply camping equipment, can we inspect the equipment before we agree to the deal?
If the trek includes a cook, what's on the menu and who supplies the food?
Will there be places along the way to replenish drinking water?
Is the price quoted per person, group, day, hour or some combination of these? Does it include meals?
It is better to travel with even a small group rather then setting out alone with a guide, and of course you should ensure that you have adequate clothing (including footwear) for variable weather. It's also a good idea if you are taking a two or three day trek to let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return.
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