Trekking Guide

  Guatemala

Quetzaltenango

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Ongoing

Description: Quetzaltrekker guides and office staff are all working as volunteers. We have a minimum three month commitment to the project, but most people stay with us for far longer and often return to their homelands and continue to fund raise for us. Where possible, we employ local Guatemalan labor to complete our team. Each hike is guided by a qualified tour leader, a second guide, and often one or more extra guides that add knowledge to our treks. This provides added factors of safety and expertise with respect to our routes (in the case of Todos Santos for example). Our tour leaders are all bilingual and have lived in Guatemala for some time, working in tourist services, mountain guiding, social development projects, medical projects, etc. The tour leaders are happy to explain the different cultures that you encounter and the significance of the buildings / sites / places that you visit. They will accompany you throughout the tour, ensuring a smooth, stress-free, safe and enjoyable time.

Want to volunteer with Quetzaltrekkers?
We are always looking for people to come and support our team! We have had volunteers from countries all over the world working in our different programs. Our project offers several positions to volunteer with.

As a Guide, your responsibilities include: Recruiting customers for our treks, preparing food and equipment for the treks, maintaining and cleaning equipment, shopping for trips and guiding at least three weekends each month. As a guide you receive; All expenses and food paid for on the treks, discount on room in Casa Argentina (see below for prices), which is where our office is located. We also have a guide house that houses about 6 guides, approx. Q300 per month, depending on availability. Experience in guiding and experience in cooperatively running a volunteer organization, and most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children here in Xela.

Highlights: Volunteering as a trekking guide
We have 6 treks and a climbing activity between one and six days that we offer around throughout the highlands of Guatemala. The proceeds from these treks provide the main source of funding for our programs. We look for volunteers who possess the following skills. Strong experience is not necessary, if you have the desire to work with us. We will welcome the skills that you bring and help train you in the ones that you lack.

Qualifications:
* Be able to commit for three months
* Have previous trekking experience
* Speak basic/intermediate Spanish
* Enjoy working as a team member
* Eager to help with fund raising events
* First aid experience
* Experience working with people
* People who take on projects on their own initiative

Cost in US$: Free

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Resume
• Written Application

Quetzaltrekkers's Mission Statement: Quetzaltrekkers was founded in 1995 as a means of self-sustainability, grassroots fund-raising for the functioning of Escuela de la Calle, school for street children in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. We are now Guatemala's only non-profit, all-volunteer trekking organization, and we fund the Hogar Abierto (a home for 20 kids) and Primeros Pasos (a primary care medical clinic), as well as the Escuela de la Calle.

Year Founded: 1995