How much to tip guides and porters on a trek
When you set off on your adventure, you’ll be joined by one or more of our incredible guides. OneSeed guides are highly experienced and committed to making your trip a great experience. Just like other sectors of the service industry, a tip is a great way to let your guide know how you felt about your expedition.
Our policy at OneSeed is that tips are never expected, but always appreciated. You are free to give as much or as little as you feel fit, but we have included a chart below to act as a guide.
Remember, the averages below are based on per person recommendations. The number of guides and support staff per expedition varies by country and number of expedition participants.
Lead Guide: $10-15/day
Assistant Guide: $8-10/day
Cook: $8-10/day
Porters/Drivers: $6-8/day
Tipping in restaurants will vary by country, but plan on 10-15% as a general rule.
Traveling to Tanzania? Read our Tipping in Tanzania guide for more information.
As for when to tip, the end of your trip is best. To keep things easy, tip each guide individually as opposed to one lump sum for all. Simply find a moment at the end of the trip to thank your guide personally and give them whatever amount you see fit.
They’ll be thankful not just that you tipped them, but that you took a moment to let them know how you felt about the experience and what role they played in shaping your expedition.
Happy Trekking!