Without them, you would be lost. Literally. And it is with this in mind that Wanderlust magazine has just announced the winners of its annual World Guide Awards – honouring the very best tour leaders from across the globe.

This year’s winner is Efrain Valles, a Peruvian guide for Amazonas Explorer who, despite growing up on the streets of Cusco, got a place at university before starting a career leading treks around Peru. Valles has been running treks for the past 12 years, as well as leading tours with responsible travel organisation Traidcraft Meet the People.

Have you ever crossed paths with a tour guide who made a real impression on you? Perhaps they went beyond their remit to help you explore a little-known place? Or helped you understand a culture in a new way? Or maybe they just had a unique way of telling the story of their country?

Tell us about your favourite tour guides, including, where possible, their full name, where they are based, how they made a difference to your trip and information about the company they work for. We’ll include the best ones in a roundup.