Become a hiking guide to help local children in Xela, Guatemala

QT Vision: Hike Volcanoes, Help kids! Social change, one step at a time.

QT Mission: Since 1995, Quetzaltrekkers has been the primary fundraiser for the social projects of Asociación Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), which provides education, housing, and social support to disadvantaged children in Xela. We achieve this by running safe, fun, and educational trekking experiences around the Western Highlands of Guatemala, led by volunteer guides from around the world. Through our treks, Quetzaltrekkers aims to sustainably support the social projects of EDELAC, as well as the local communities that we hike through.

Guide Job Overview: Hike Volcanoes and Help Kids! Live and work as a trekking guide at Quetzaltrekkers Xela, leading hikes in the volcanic highlands of Guatemala to help raise sustainable funding for the local education projects of our nonprofit, Escuela de la Calle. This is a full-time volunteer position, with a 10 week minimum time commitment.

Roles and Responsibilities - What it means to be a QT guide:

• Lead safe, fun, and educational treks for groups of clients
• Participate in preparation of gear, food, and logistics for treks
• Run informational pre-trek meetings for clients
• Understand and manage basic finances
• Perform other responsibilities around the office
• Participate in organizational improvement

Required Qualifications - Necessary for becoming a QT guide:

• 10 week minimum time commitment
• Availability for 3 days of hiking each week
• Availability for 2 days of prep each week
• English language skills - Conversational
• Spanish language skills - Basic
• Ability to hike 20 km and carry 25 kg
• Basic math and computer skills

Who is a QT guide?

Quetzaltrekkers strives to be as inclusive as possible and welcomes anybody who meets the required qualifications for the position to apply. We have also noticed certain qualities and attitudes that serve guides well here, foremost among these being an eagerness to participate, learn, and grow. We hope that you can get excited about hiking, education, volcanoes, guacamole, and even washing dishes. People skills like relationship building and public speaking can be very helpful, as well as an interest in group living. As a guide, flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and remembering that all jobs are valuable (including those dishes) can help a lot in our work. QT loves and is loved by people who care about the work that we do, why we do it, and the chance to jump in and take part.

Benefits - Compensation and perks of being a QT guide:

• Housing - Free private room provided in Casa Argentina, nice hot showers, fully stocked communal kitchen, office computers and WiFi available.
• Food - All on-trek food (and other expenses) is covered for guides. Shared tip money pays for communal groceries in the office, and often other basic living expenses.
• Community - Close communal living with amazing people from all around the world who love to hike and help. In addition, we get to have regular futbol games and dinner with the kids we support.
• Personal growth - QT is a great place to build new skills and knowledge, especially for guiding treks, practicing wilderness first aid, nonprofit management, and learning local geology, ecology, and culture.
• Supportive environment - All kinds of people are welcome at QT. We aim for a balanced environment that works for everyone, so that people can leave their mark with their own strengths and passions.
• Meaningful work - Be part of a unique organization that connects incredible hiking experiences with an important educational project for local kids, and see your direct impact in the community.
• Fun - Being a QT guide can be hard work, but it is incredibly rewarding and unbelievably fun. You will definitely have some unforgettable experiences during your time here.