The Heart and Soul of Austin-Lehman Adventures: Our Guides

At Austin-Lehman, our guides are our lifeblood – the folks with you throughout your journey who truly make the experience. Selected for their dynamic personalities and expertise in everything from history and geology to environmental science and marine biology, no two Austin-Lehman guides are alike. They do, however, share one thing in common: a love affair with the great outdoors.

Impassioned leaders, friends and naturalists, our guides can’t wait to get to know you and make your Austin-Lehman experience everything you dreamed it would be – and more. And with a 6:1 ratio of guests to guides (the lowest in the industry), it's no wonder our guides are one of the reasons our guests return year after year.

The inside scoop
Whether pointing you down an unmarked trail to a hidden hot spring or arranging a private demonstration with a renowned weaver in a remote highland village, our guides have the inside track on local sights and culture. With years of experience and training in each of our destinations, there's no better way to get "behind the scenes" than with our guides.

You ask for it, you got it
With 1 guide to every 6 guests (1:4 on most trips), there's hardly a request we can't fulfill. From serving up your favorite diet soda at lunch to booking an afternoon massage at the local spa, our guides are ready to do whatever it takes, stretching beyond any trip outline, to provide the most outstanding customer service in the industry. In short: we treat every guest like a VIP.

Safety First
Because safety is our #1 concern, all of our guides are certified in CPR and emergency response. We also require that our guides carefully scout each of our trips on a 3-4 day pre-trip inspection, during which they walk the route before guests arrive, double-checking every detail. Once on a trip, guides stay in the same hotel as guests and are always available to handle even the smallest of requests.

From our family to yours
There's a reason why every year we receive hundreds of guide applications and every year we can only accept a handful. It's because our guides love what they do. And because we love them! Many of our guides have been with us for 10-12 years – they're a part of our family and we're a part of theirs.

There's no one we trust more to satisfy and exceed your expectations than the heart and soul of our company: our guides.

"Frederico is just an outstanding guide and naturalist – and an amazing traveling companion. What really stands out is the way he related to my then 12 year old son Andy...he literally took a hands and knees approach to introducing him to the biological wonders of the jungle. In fact, on a recent trip to the states, he was a guest speaker in Andy’s 8th grade Spanish class...he was a huge hit!"
~ Dan Austin, Co-Founder of Austin-Lehman on a recent trip to Costa Rica with his son

“Alvaro was excellent. His infectious enthusiasm and energy enhanced my experience.”
~ Nancy Kim, Illinois – Costa Rica Volcanoes & Jungles Adventure 2006

“From stopping to let us take pictures of wildlife to checking their books to find answers to our questions when they weren't sure of it…our guides catered to each person's needs and wants, and then went that extra mile to make each one of us feel special.”
~ Enid and Guillermo Arbona, Ohio – Bryce & Zion Adventure 2006

“Our guides did a fabulous job and represented Austin-Lehman in the finest manner. They are the reason we would consider another adventure with you in the future. I appreciated the above-and-beyond attitude from everyone at ALA.”
~ Herb Hughes, Virginia – Alaska Adventure 2006

Travel + Leisure
World's Best
ALA was recognized as one of the top Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters in the World in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Read the Press Release >

Outside Magazine
2012 Hall of Fame Travel Awards
ALA was inducted in Outside Magazine's 2012 Hall of Fame Travel Awards for our groundbreaking Cuba Tours. Read More...

National Geographic Traveler
50 Tours of a Lifetime
The editors of National Geographic Traveler single out ALA's Cuba tour as one of their top tours in 2012. See the complete list>