Paul Morrison Guide Awards 2009 Finalists

The Wanderlust Paul Morrison Guide Awards, now in their fourth year, have once again unearthed a bumper crop of the world’s best guides.

Thanks to the many Daily Telegraph and Wanderlust readers who sent in their nominations, whittling them down to just five individuals was tough. Commiserations to all the great guides who didn’t make it this time.

Here are the three guides who made it through to the final at London's Royal Geographical Society. This year we awarded bronze, silver and gold awards. Read all about the guides below.

Gold Award: Diego Torres

Where he guides: Ecuador

Booked through: Explore

Diego is no stranger to this shortlist, having made it to the final eight last year.

The ecotourism graduate speaks impeccable English and is committed to responsible travel. “I love to have contact with nature and local people,” he has said. “Responsible tourism is not a choice but the main rule to make this game fair.”

“Diego was available dawn til bedtime and treated everyone alike,” said one reader. “He knew the Spanish, English and Latin names for plants and also tossed in a few football facts!”

His charisma and humour has enhanced numerous trips. “Diego was popular with each member of a very disparate group, which says it all,” explained one traveller. “He was efficient, even-tempered, always smiling, knew so much about his country and, most importantly, managed the tour with such a light touch.”

>>Watch a video of Diego in action here

Silver Award: Yamaan Safady

Where he guides: Jordan

Booked through: Walks Worldwide

Dubbed the ‘greatest tour guide in all of Jordan’, Yamaan’s knowledge of the history and politics of his country and beyond is matched by his wilderness expertise.

One traveller remarked: “He was encyclopaedic in his knowledge of Jordan and was able to compare Bedouin culture and values to those we were more familiar with”. Another noted: “He showed a depth of knowledge about our surroundings and the local animal, bird and plant life.”

He impressed many with his inquisitive, sensitive nature, spending time asking each group member about their lives and always being conscious of varying stamina levels.

“Out of all the guides we’ve had, Yamaan stands head and shoulders above the very best,” said a reader. “Although he has been to Petra many times he made us all feel as though it was his first visit, just as it was ours.”

>>Watch a video of Yamaan in action here

Bronze Award: Tejendra Singh

Where he guides: India

Booked through: Intrepid Travel

Born in a small town in Rajasthan, Tejendra loves sharing ‘his’ India with people from other countries. His infallible knowledge of Indian history and customs has been highly praised: “Without Tej I would not have learned to appreciate India’s beauty and probably would have flown home in that first week instead of staying for two months,” said one reader.

Always keen to facilitate interaction between tourists and Indian people, Tejendra has been known to teach the language and enable visitors to share Diwali prayers in local homes.

His care and dedication also made many people feel like they were travelling with a best friend. “I got ill and Tej escorted me to the doctor,” said another reader. “He then went to three chemists to get my prescription and when I got home he had left two answerphone messages asking if I was alright.”

>>Watch a video of Tejendra in action here

>>Find out more about the Paul Morrison Guide Awards and relive past award ceremonies here