Intrepid guides named among world's best for fifth year in a row
Dheeraj 'Monty' Bhatt, a tour leader for Intrepid Travel in India and Nepal, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Wanderlust World Guide Awards 2012.
This is the fifth year that Intrepid guides have either won, or been shortlisted for the accolade of world's best tour guide. Monty follows in the footsteps of Bruno Dawsan, Intrepid's guide in Sri Lanka who received gold in the 2011 awards and bronze in 2010. Tejendra Singh took the bronze award in 2009 and Esam Abd El Salam, who guides for Intrepid in Egypt, won the gold award in 2008.
More than 1,000 travellers nominated over 300 guides for this year's Wanderlust World Guide Awards. Monty's supporters praised him as “an impeccable guide,” with “an amazing ability to communicate with people from all different backgrounds, cultures, and ages.”
One person who had travelled with Monty said: “His attitude completely changed my experience and view of India.” Another told how he had helped to organise a wedding for one couple in Pushkar.
Commended in last year’s Guide Awards, Monty was born in a village in Rajasthan, grew up in Bundi and began leading tours in rural Rajasthan at the age of 16. While studying tourism management he began working as a leader of English and French tour groups in North India. In 2007, he joined the global tour operator Intrepid Travel and now leads 18 different trips across India and Nepal.
"We're incredibly proud of Monty and delighted that he's been recognised by the World Guide Awards," said Geoff Manchester, Intrepid Travel's Managing Director. "His knowledge of India combined with his personable nature and willingness to go the extra mile makes him an extraordinary tour leader."
Wanderlust is calling for people who have travelled with Monty to tell them why he deserves to be named the world's best tour guide, by sending an email to topguide[at]wanderlust.co.uk by 1 May 2012.
The top three guides will be awarded bursaries to fund projects that benefit the communities they work in.
