The people who make the journey
You may travel with a small crew or a full mountain team. Understand the roles, who to ask, and how to be a considerate companion.
These are common roles, not a promise that every role is included. Ask about your specific crew, communication language, route-appropriate qualifications and emergency arrangements.
Who does what?
- Trip leader or group coordinator
- Coordinates group timings, meeting arrangements, daily logistics and communication with local partners. This role does not automatically imply technical climbing qualifications.
- Local trekking guide
- Knows the route and local conditions, guides the group’s pace and movement, and explains safety instructions. Ask about terrain and changes to the day’s plan.
- Technical mountain guide
- Routes involving ropes, glaciers or climbing need qualifications and experience appropriate to the activity and country. A trekking guide is not automatically qualified for every form of climbing.
- Assistant guide or backmarker
- Helps monitor the group and communicate with the lead guide, sometimes walking at the back. Tell the crew when you need a break or feel unwell; do not separate alone.
- Porters & transport crew
- On some routes, porters move allocated luggage or camp equipment; other routes use vehicles or pack animals. Respect luggage limits and keep daytime essentials with you.
- Cooks, camp crew & drivers
- May handle meals, overnight setup and transfers. Tell us about allergies and dietary needs before travel, and confirm what can be accommodated at the destination.
Companions, not competitors
Everyone brings different experience
You may meet first-timers and experienced hikers, solo travelers and friends. Let people walk at the agreed pace and respect breaks and guide instructions.
Speak up early
Tell the crew about fatigue, pain or equipment problems. Ask before photographing people or sharing their images, and help without taking over crew responsibilities.
Tipping & respect
Tipping customs vary by country and crew. Before travel, request written guidance: is a tip included, what local amount and currency are suggested, and who distributes it and when? There is no single amount for every journey.
Respect crew time, loads and privacy. Arrange extra luggage or requests through the coordinator, and raise concerns about working conditions with the team. Tips do not replace fair pay.
Further reading
Every trip has its own details
Start with your trip page, then ask us about equipment, walking demands, the crew or arrival arrangements.