Fetch quests have been a staple of gaming for so long that no quest system seems coherent without them. Tears of the Kingdom is no different in this regard, but most side quests in this game, even menial ones, are so well-implemented that it doesn't feel like the same go-there get-that quest we've seen a million other times. In 2026, Disaster in Gerudo Canyon remains one of my favorite examples of that design philosophy. It is simple on paper: find three lost travelers and send them back to their friends. In practice, it uses contextual clues, combat, cooking items, and a bit of vertical exploration to make the Gerudo Canyon feel like a real place with real people who are very bad at surviving it.
Where I Start the Quest
I begin by heading to the coordinates (-1669, -2018, -0015) and talking to Quince and Nenea. The easiest way for me is to teleport to the Hyrule Field Skyview Tower, then head southwest. Their camp sits just past the Digdogg Bridge and before the Gerudo Test of Entry, near the Gerudo Canyon Pass Mini Stable. They tell me three of their friends have gotten lost in the Gerudo Desert, and it becomes Link's job to find the lost travelers and bring them back. I can either use contextual clues to track them down or, if I am in a hurry, read a guide like this one.
Traveler #1: Botrick
Botrick is the first traveler I find. He is standing inside a cave guarded by a Lizalfos just inside the Gerudo Canyon at (-1513, -2232, -0018). From the Digdogg Bridge, I walk straight toward the canyon and look for the cave entrance. After defeating the first Lizalfos, I walk inside and see Botrick hiding behind a rock formation. When I talk to him, two more Lizalfos appear. I defeat them both, talk to Botrick again, and he returns to his friends. That is one traveler down.
Traveler #2: Giro
Giro is located a little farther ahead in the canyon at (-1895, -2356, -0001). I follow the main road into the canyon and take the right turn at the fork. Soon I see a large smoke trail rising from a fire by the roadside. This is Giro sending a smoke signal to call for help. When I talk to him, he tells me he needs a Splash Fruit to regain his vigor and return to his friends. I give him one from my inventory, and he gets up and heads back to his group. That is two travelers found.
Traveler #3: Garill
To find Garill, I continue forward in the canyon following the main road until I see a river flowing inside a cave just after an archway. I follow the river to reach the Rakakudaj Shrine. Then I climb the left wall of the canyon directly to the left of the shrine to reach the higher level. Up there, I see another smoke signal being sent out by the last traveler. If I have some Zonaite to spare, I can create a hoverbike here to make this final stretch a bit easier. Garill is sitting beside the fire at (-2195, -1864, 0152). When I talk to him, he requests a 🌶️ Spicy Pepper. I hand one over, and he becomes energized after eating some food made with spicy pepper. With this, all three travelers have returned to their friends. On my way back, I unlock the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower to collect the reward more easily.
Quick Reference Table
| Traveler | Coordinates | Problem | Item Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botrick | (-1513, -2232, -0018) |
Trapped in a Lizalfos cave | None |
| Giro | (-1895, -2356, -0001) |
Exhausted by the roadside | Splash Fruit |
| Garill | (-2195, -1864, 0152) |
Needs energy on the high ledge | Spicy Pepper |
Quest Rewards
I head back to the Gerudo Canyon Pass to complete the quest. When I arrive at the main camp, I see that all the travelers I saved along the way have returned to the group. I interact with anyone in the group, and they gather around and thank me for my efforts. As a reward, I receive 10 Bomb Flowers.
Final Thoughts
Even in 2026, Disaster in Gerudo Canyon is a side quest I recommend to any Tears of the Kingdom player who wants a break from shrines and sky islands. It is not complicated, but it uses the world itself as a quest marker: smoke, roads, caves, rivers, and elevation all tell me where to go. The rewards are useful, especially early on, and the little story of friends looking out for each other gives the canyon a warmth that the desert sun cannot burn away. If I am replaying the game or just passing through, I always stop at Quince and Nenea's camp. It is a small quest, but it is one of the many reasons Hyrule feels alive.
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