meet some of our leaders...
Behind every great Intrepid trip is a great Intrepid leader. Their enthusiasm, versatility and knowledge of local culture are second to none - meet some of our leaders below...
Chetan Shanker Jha - India
A day in June 2005! 'Tring Tring'... never did I realize that picking up the receiver will unfurl an exciting world of roller-coaster rides... that was Intrepid! I was soon going to be a member of the Intrepid family as a Tour Leader... the task was exciting, the job of my passion and the responsibilities huge. "I will be an Ambassador of my Country, of my Culture, of my Family, and above all, of Intrepid" was the immediate thought and ultimate motive. This will be the perfect opportunity to tell the world - that India has arrived. Intrepid's ways of Travel are uniquely different as they take you right into the 'hearts' of the people that inhabit a place.
Intrepid is also different in its philosophy of Responsible Travel (RT), where every individual associated with it breathes RT, and that was the buzz word, which further prompted me to take up the responsibility. My past knowledge and experience of working extensively on rural and cultural tourism, has synchronized with Intrepid's concepts of travel, and an urge to share has been fanned.
It has been a whole new world explored beyond the horizon... made so many friends on way. It is so special and endearing being a Leader – you steal some of the most precious moments from your travelers and consolidate those moments into experiences worth cherishing for a lifetime.
Suzy Li - China
I have been an Intrepid Tour leader for China for 2 years now. Such a Karma when I review my life. Back in 2001, I met Intrepid when I was working for a community based charitable organization in Beijing. We set up a Hutong Tour for Intrepid groups meanwhile to generate incomes for the organization. Thus I have met many Intrepid Groups and Leaders. When I consider a career break, Intrepid immediately become the first choice! I wanted to combine my passion in travelling, knowing people and the world better. Now, I am here with all my fulfilled wishes and very happy to be part of the great team to show the real China to the people we travel with. If there is one more wish, I wish I have done it earlier! I am sure the great life experiences I gain through leading and travelling will contribute to whatever I will do in my future!
Esam Abd El Salam - Egypt
When I first start to work for Intrepid, there were lots of challenges for me! Knowing how great the leaders and the company are, make me think a lot. I need to find my way to prove that I was good enough to join the team. Also being the first local leader for Intrepid in the Middle-East puts lots of pressure on me! That is how I felt before my first working day.
But from the first day I got the impression that every one seems to be so friendly and helpful. Every one tried to help and provide me with anything I might need. I have to say that I was so lucky when I joined such great team. It is great to feel working with your friends and family. That is how it is, every one is so close.
Working as a tour leader helps me a lot to have more friends. Each trip I start with new customers but end with new friends. Tour leading is like a big university! You get to learn something every day. It never stops! Moving from place to the other, meeting new people, going through different situations and more... always help to learn more skills every day. Every day is a great adventure and big fun. I am so grateful to all the team: leaders, operators, management and before all customers or better say friends.
With all the great memories I have by being a tour leader, I came up with a conclusion that I would not find a better job and Intrepid become my world.
But after all what I mentioned do you think Intrepid would keep paying me to be a tour leader?!
Jorge Alfaro - South America
I was recruited by Intrepid on one of my trips to Cusco where I was working on the interior design of a restaurant, and the owner knew the South America operations manager at that time. After meeting her at the restaurant one night, the next day I was applying on line for a job in Peru… the new Intrepid destination!!
Having grown up in New York and worked in the different nightclubs around the city as a party promoter, the idea of being a host again specially for my country of birth really interested me, also the opportunity of being part of the family of new leaders in South America got me. What I enjoy most about being a leader is, taking people out to eat exotic food from different regions of Peru, venturing in the secret places that I know about, and cooking in the home stay at Amantani Island in Lake Titicaca.
South America is fantastic destination, and the list of places to visit is immense to even get into it in this small paragraph.
Sovannarath Sar (Kevin) - Cambodia
My name’s Sovannarath, but I am also known as Kevin. I’ve been working in tourism since 2000, starting out as a Local Guide before joining Intrepid as a Group Leader at the end of 2006. I am passionate about introducing my culture and country to people from other parts of the world, whilst also learning more about where they come from and their lifestyles. Intrepid has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to do this throughout all of Cambodia, not just locally. I was also very lucky to be chosen as the first Khmer leader to travel as an Intrepid Indochina Ambassador to Vietnam. I was given the chance to do an Intrepid trip through Vietnam, learning more about this beautiful country, culture and the Vietnamese people who were so friendly and welcoming. It made me realize I still have a lot to learn about Cambodia’s neighbouring countries, but also fuelled my desire to lead trips throughout the whole Indochina region. The greatest benefit I’ve received through leading with Intrepid is learning to become more professional in my work, whilst earning a very good salary that enables me to better support my wife and family.
Bon Can - Vietnam
After graduating with a degree in Cultural Tourism ten years ago, I began working in the tourism industry initially as a local guide, and later as a leader for Intrepid. I have always viewed international visitors not as tourists, but as my guests. I am passionate about broadening their knowledge and perspective, and sharing with them the best Vietnam has to offer. Through Intrepid I have the opportunity and freedom to determine what experiences will best provide my passengers with real insights into Vietnam, her people and her beauty. I aim to give them a balance between comfort and adventure, support, hints, advice and information. In this way they become empowered to further explore by themselves, interacting with the local people so that they might form their own vision of Vietnam, filled with rich and diverse memories which will last a lifetime. Above all, I believe a smile can break any language barrier and I guarantee, while one day my passengers may forget they traveled with Intrepid, they will never forget their Vietnamese friend and traveling companion, Bon!
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