Blog home / 8 reasons to choose a guided tour
Want to get the most out of your adventure holiday and accomplish things you otherwise wouldn’t have thought possible? Prefer to take the hassle out of planning transport, food and logistics? A guided trip is a convenient and stress-free way to discover a new destination with all the trip details already organised for you, and with a team to support you every step of the way.
This is especially the case when you're looking to explore more remote destinations where food drops are needed, when you prefer an experienced guide on hand to keep you on track, or when carrying a full pack with all your camping gear seems overwhelming and tiring.
The addition of a local guide also allows you to better appreciate and truly immerse in the culture of the place you are visiting. Plus, you'll have the chance to forge life-long friendships with like-minded travellers.
Still unsure? Read on as we unpack eight reasons why you can get more out of a destination when on a guided tour.
1. Local and knowledgeable guides
Secret spots, tips and the best of laughs, it takes a special kind of person to be a guide. In addition to being friendly and engaging, they are skilled at getting groups to interact and become fast and lifelong friends.
Guides have a special knack for making good trips great. From informative daily briefings, funny stories over dinner and pep talks when the going gets tough, guides strive to make sure that things are fun and that you are having the trip of a lifetime.
If you’re new to the area, don’t speak the local language or just want good advice; tour guides can be an invaluable resource. Our local guides are passionate about their country or region you are exploring and will help bring to life the history, culture, flora and fauna of their homelands. They are often what make your walking, cycling or rafting adventure extra special.
As well as knowing hidden gems, ourprofessional team of local guides and tour leaders can enhance your adventure so you can focus on your outdoor experiences and less about getting lost or what happens should you get into an accident.
Our guides also know about environmental regulations and local customs, so you can rest assured that the correct protocols are being followed. You’ll also be supporting the local economy of the destination you are visiting with your money going back to local businesses and its community.
2. Increased chance of success
Want to reach the prized summit of Kili or have always wanted to trek in the Himalayas but were too worried about altitude sickness? Our guides and tour leaders are highly experienced; they’ve seen it all and can help you overcome the biggest of hurdles.
Think of your tour leader or guide like personal trainers that will help you push your limits and walk that final kilometre or gear up for a long climb with their “can do” attitude.
While our team tries to ensure that travellers are of an adequate fitness level to complete their chosen adventure, we recommend guided trips for people who are nervous about their fitness level and capabilities and may benefit from the support of an experienced guide.
3. Added support
Our tour leaders are with you from the time your trip commences until it concludes and work tirelessly to ensure your holiday runs smoothly. Our team understands our travel style and expectations of an active holiday and can tailor trips to the group’s interests, that way everyone has a great experience.
For cycling trips, even though you’re travelling in a small group, you can still ride at your own pace – as far or as little as you feel comfortable – knowing a support vehicle is close by for you to hop on should you want a break from your cycle.
4. Convenience
You can forget the stress of researching the best walking or cycling routes for hours on end, or where the next town is to find food. Leave the planning and the boring stuff to the experts so you can focus on the exciting adventure ahead. Our guided itineraries are fully supported with plenty of quality inclusions – from comfortable accommodation to hearty, delicious meals.
5. Comfort, value and more inclusions
Enjoy the best hand-picked accommodation and restaurants to make sure you get a high-quality experience and have somewhere comfortable to relax and unwind after a long day on foot or bike. We'll keep you energised for your adventure with most meals and dietary requirements catered for and snacks provided.
The inclusiveness of a guided holiday showcases great value for a quality experience, with the added flexibility of tailoring your experience based on your interests and fitness level.
6. Safety first
The guides are your eyes and ears of a tour and are trained to problem solve in difficult or unsafe situations (including medical emergencies). Having them around definitely takes the edge off should things not go as expected. It's always reassuring to know you are in safe hands with our experienced team.
7. Get access to more of the destination
With all the logistics taken care of and a support team backing you from beginning to end of your trip, you can simply focus on your beautiful surrounds andenjoy the solitude between walks or rides.
World Expeditions have been pioneering remote, "out there" adventures on paths less travelled for over 45 years, crafting itineraries that allow travellers to delve deep into the culture and nature of a destination. So, it definitely helps to choose an experienced adventure specialist for your guided tour to get the chance to explore places you could noteasily get to on your own.
8. Reduce your environmental footprint
While the active elements of your adventure by bike, on foot or on water does not emit carbon emissions, World Expeditions have calculated any emissions from your accommodation and have purchased credits in renewable projects so that you can be assured that your adventure tour is 100% carbon offset.
This means, by travelling with World Expeditions, you are directly supporting renewable energy and reforestation projects; another reason why your tour has nothing but a positive impact.
The bottom line: Are guided group tours worth it?
If you want to take the hassle out of planning and worrying about the safety and logistics of your trip, then signing up for a guided tour can make more sense than trying to go it alone. You can forget spending nights researching the best accommodation, transfer connections, trying to snatch up limited permits or figuring out a food budget since meals aren’t included. It may end up being cheaper than you think – especially for solo travellers who dread the single supplement surcharges – with additional values and lots of inclusions as part of the package.
The comfort and ease of having everything organised for you takes away the stress when going on an active holiday. Plus, the extra support and experience of a guide and the chance to travel with and meet like-minded people makes a guided group tour much more attractive.
In the end, it will depend on what you want out of your adventure and the conveniences you are after.
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