About Austin Lehman
- > Why Travel With Us
- > Letter from Paul and Dan
- > Our Guides
- > Meet Our Guides
- > Travel Journals
- > Our Lodgings and Cuisine
- > Our Equipment
- > ALA Gear
- > What Our Guests Say
- > Company Awards
- > Newsletter Archive
- > June 10, 2009 - Costa Rica: Exhilarating, Eco-Friendlly and Surprisingly Easy to Reach
- > May 19, 2009 - Nothing Beats a Guided Adventure
- > April 29, 2009-Montana Vacations: a Tribute to Our Beautiful Backyard
- > April 16, 2009-The Multisport Issue
- > April 1, 2009-Why Travel Makes Us Happy
- > March 10 2009 - Family Vacations-Adventures for Everyone
- > October 2008 - ALA Goes to Europe!
- > January 2009 - Travel with the World's Best
- > February 10-2009-National Parks Issue
- > February 23-2009-European Vacations on Two Wheels
- > August 2008 - Winter in Mexico
- > August 2008
- > July 2008 Bike Rides
- > July 2008
- > June 2008
- > May 2008
- > April 2008
- > March 2008
- > February 2008
- > January 2008
- > November 2007
- > Feb/Mar 2007
- > Nov/Dec 2006
- > July 2006
- > May 2006
- > April 2006
- > Employment
- > FAQ
- > Media Center
- > Local Bites
- > Recommended Sites
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 itWith 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
Montana Big Sky Family: Cowboys, Canyons and Campfires
Austin-Lehman has been guiding parents and kids on adventure vacations
in Montana for over 20 years. If there's a formula for family fun, we've
nailed it. Read More>
In the worldwide arena of adventure travel companies,National Geographic Adventure magazine has singled out a rising industry star, Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) for its highest accolade as one of the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth." ALAhas been introducing hiking, biking, rafting and multisport adventure vacations packages since 1985. Read more.
Panama Boquete to Bocas Adventure
Explore verdant jungles teeming with wildlife, white-sand beaches
cradling deep blue Caribbean waters and picturesque small towns steeped
in character on this 9-day Panama vacation. Read More>
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