Often times we will do it on our own, however, for this trip we feel it important to get a full understanding of the history and nuances of the culture that can only be imparted by a guide in a very short period of time. A good guide can enrich your understanding of the country, the people and the history of the region. And, in the midst of possible protests when we're there we like the idea of having guide who can quickly adjust the schedule to account for the unknown problem of street closures, etc....