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Become a Jungle Guide


Course Schedule


Day 1 • Arrival in Panama
Day 2 • Meeting and Introduction. Equipment briefing. Take to the jungle
Day 3 – 11 • Instruction, camping in jungle
Day 12 • Back to civilization
Day 14 • Departure


Please note: the schedule may vary in order to avoid conflicts with parties/operators, based on environmental factors, as well as individual candidates’ needs and preferences.

Technical Level & Physical Demand
An excellent level of physical fitness is required for this expedition in order to sustain several hours a day of continuous strenuous physical activity in a tough off-trail jungle environment. This course may also involve substantial elevation gains and losses, major temperature variations, wet and humid conditions, difficult travel over boulders, roots, and fallen trees, challenging obstacles and river crossings, side-hilling, as well as heavy bushwhacking and mud.

LOCATION: PANAMA
This multi-disciplinary comprehensive training program is geared towards individuals wishing to pursue a career as Wilderness Guides in the growing adventure tourism field. It is designed specifically for guides operating in the Central American region, or for guides from other world regions seeking a tropical jungle specialization. 

Course Description:
The course provides both class time and hands-on approach to wilderness guiding in an actual expedition environment. From the time they register for the course, candidates are involved in all the stages of the expedition, from planning, to transportation, to undertaking, and debriefing. All the subjects addressed with strong emphasis on Risk & Emergency Management, Expeditionary & Outdoor Leadership, Sustainability & Conservation and Wilderness Survival. 38 hours of practical instruction is provided during the first week of the course. The second week of the course involves practical assignments and assessments.

Location
Panama – Chagres National Park
Following successful completion of the course, candidates will have acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to guide clients in a wilderness environment. This includes, but is not limited to, skills relating to regulatory compliance, cultural and nature interpretation, meteorology, risk and emergency management, expeditionary and outdoor leadership, sustainability and conservation, and finally, wilderness survival. Certification is achieved by scoring 366 points or higher (75% or higher) on the Wilderness Guide Practical Assessment (WGPA). This assessment is conducted by our Certified Wilderness Instructors and our academic board throughout the duration of the course. The areas of specialization are restricted to within the following countries: Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba and Jamaica.