Ditch the Cubicle

Getting to Know Our Gap Adventures Tour Leader

Written By: jeff

Posted On: September 21st, 2011

ditch the cubicle, career break travel adventures in India, Gap Adventures

Govind and I hanging out. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

I’ve been traveling enough to know how crucial a leader is in the success of a tour. You put your trust in them to show you the good stuff and take care of any logistical bumps. I found out that Gap Adventures calls their tour leaders CEOs: Chief Experience Officers. I liked that. In addition to letting you know that they are in charge, it told me something about the importance the company places in delivering a good travel experience. And, our tour leader, Govind, didn’t disappoint. Here are 5 ways he made our tour traveling through Rajasthan, India, unforgettable.

  • First, Govind made sure we got around with ease including helping us negotiate our tuk-tuk fares.
  • Govind was a font of knowledge, not only about the sites we visited, but also stopping in the streets at food stands and markets to explain what we were finding.
  • We passed through several markets in India. Govind stopped to help us do a little shopping and gave us a taste of the local mangos, lychees and coconuts.
  • When we needed it, Govind provided a gentle, but firm hand to keep us on track. Food proved to be the most effective incentive for us.
  • But, what really endeared us to Govind, is that he wasn’t afraid to let his hair down by getting us involved in a pick-up cricket game or after hours by showing us his Bollywood moves.

The B-Side of Our Tour Leader

I don’t have much to add to what I said above. I just want to thank Govind for a terrific time. Thanks for creating such a great tour atmosphere and helping enable a great group dynamic. While we’re not all in contact on a daily basis, most of us are all still connected up and write from time to time.

If you like this post, sign up for our newsletter or subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up with Career Break Secrets’ career break and travel advice.

Disclosure: I am serving as the Gap Adventures media spokesman for career break travel. While this series is part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about career break travel, all opinions, tips and advice are mine.

Tags: , ,

4 Responses to “Getting to Know Our Gap Adventures Tour Leader”

  1. Rae Easton says:

    Hi Jeff, I have just returned from two weeks in the care of Govind, the king of tour guides, chief CEO.
    I love your clip as it shows this delightful man and his generous spirit, openess and joyous character. What an asset to any company. I believe his love of his country and people made us embrace the culture and all it’s richness very quickly.

    regards
    rae.

  2. Hi Jeff! I was also along with rae and 11 other lucky people in the rajasthan adventure with Govind. I can also testemony the amazing person he is. I subscribe all your words about him and how he was strenuous to make have the best of our lives. For me was a changing-life experience and I believe I was blessed to have Govind to help me having this delightful, amazing and bizarre experience.
    Best Whises,
    Eunice

  3. jeff says:

    Thanks Eunice and Rae. Govind was great. So glad you had a good time. Our trip was fantastic as well. Lots of good memories of India!

  4. Two friends and I went on a Gap Adventures tour in March 2011. Govind was our tour leader. He was FABULOUS! Best tour leader that I have ever traveled with.

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge