Local Guides

We find local guides through the internet search. For instance, “best local guide in Huangshan” turned up a list of search results that mostly consisted of Tripadvisor postings. From there, we found our guide, Thomas, who was very informative and honest.

One website that shows lots of free or cheap tour options in various cities is freetour.com.

We also like walking tours provided by locals. Search “free walking tour Valparaiso” etc., and you will most likely get a list of free or modestly priced walking tours with varying themes, such as, “Bar Crawl” or “Local Life” etc. So many cities around the world have these services. When they say “free”, it usually requires a tip.
Here is the list of our past experiences with local guides:

Chile

• The Atacama Desert (our trip)
• Santiago: Tour 4 Tips (our trip) (more info)
• Valparaiso: Tours 4 Tips (more info)

China

• Huangshan: Thomas (more info)
• Yangshuo (our trip)

Egypt:

• Alexandria/Cairo: Ramses Tours (more info)
• Luxor: Memphis Tours (more info)

Mexico

• Morelia: to go to Patzcuaro (our trip)

Myanmar

• Bagan: Ei (our trip)
• Mandalay: Soe (our trip) (more info)

Peru

• Arequipa: Free Walking Tours Peru (our trip) (more info)
• Colca Canyon: Giardino Tours (more info)
• Lima: Free Walking Tours Peru (more info)
• Sacred Valley (our trip)

Portugal

• Azores: Azores Dream Tours (our trip) (more info)

Russia

• St. Petersburg: Alisa (our trip) (more info)

Taiwan

• Taroko National Park: Tiffany’s husband (our trip)

Turkey

• Kusadasi(Ephesus): Nursen (our trip) (more info)

Vietnam:

• Halong Bay & Hanoi: John (our trip) (more info)
• Hochiminh City: John (our trip) (more info)