Intrepid Tours

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  Africa and the Middle East

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! These trips come in all shapes and sizes - from short breaks to epic overland journeys. This brochure is packed with active tours, safari adventures and immersive cultural experiences, taking in the diversity of the expansive Africa continent.

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  Worldwide Adventures

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Intrepid now covering more of the globe than ever before - north to south, east to west. Mountains to the lowlands, cities to the seas. So whether it's the Arctic's apex or Antarctica's underside, Africa's wilds or Europe's elegance you seek - Intrepid's there. There to get you off the beaten track, behind the scenes and really in the thick of the destination that's calling you.

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  18 to 29 Year Old Adventures

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Intrepid believes there's a better way to travel – one that allows you to see the world while also giving back. That's why Intrepid created a range of trips exclusively for the next generation of socially conscious explorers. Adventures for travelers aged 18 to 29 are for those who want to discover new places and cultures, make a difference in the world, and connect with their own small crew along the way.

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  Adventure Cruising

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Adventure Cruising is about exploring remote islands in the Andaman sea and taking in Montenegro's surprising fjordic landscape. It's about discovering hidden jungle waterfalls and wandering through little Croatian laneways with your leader. It's about traveling with a small group, so when we pull into port or drop anchor at the islands, you'll get to know the locals, rather than outnumber them.

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  Asia

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Every one of these Asia trips has a particular style from active tours to family-friendly journeys. From joining a family for dinner in Thailand or bonding with locals on a train in India. Because of these real-life travel experiences - spontaneous and simple of moments - that stay with you long after you've returned home.

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  Australia and New Zealand

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale!   With bright blue skies, immense red deserts, sun-bronzed beaches and vast green wetlands, Australia is big, bold and full of contrasts. That's the beauty of this country and a place where you'll find a bigger variance of landscapes than anywhere else in the world.

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  Central and South America

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Colorful, candid and everything in between, South America beats to the rhythm of an infectious, eternal drum. From the rocky slopes of Galapagos to the dawn-lit ruins of Machu Picchu, South and Central America are effervescent with sights, sounds, and salsa.

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  Cycling Adventures

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! There's a nice simplicity to cycling. You start at A and slowly ride your way to B, powered by nothing but your own legs. This is cycling Intrepid-style. These trips are for people who really want to see a place, not just travel it. Ride on.

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  Europe

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Enduring, eclectic, endlessly appealing – Europe is easy to explore and impossible to forget. Not sure whether you want to hike through rugged wilderness, explore 13th-century churches or spend your afternoons sipping wine in the sun? In Europe you can do it all and do it well.

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  Family Adventures

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Intrepid has developed a better style of family travel, one that favors real-life experiences over the virtual ones. Start with kid-friendly hotels, and then sprinkle in a tuk-tuk ride through the streets of Bangkok, a football match with Maasai tribesmen or sailing down the Nile in an Egyptian felucca. Who needs a ball pit and a buffet when you’ve got the whole world to play in?

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  Food Worldwide Adventures

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Uncover a world of authentic, mouth-watering food tours & travel designed to suit any budget, appetite and time frame. These itineraries aim to really get you under the skin of the world's most exciting food cultures.

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  Lonely Planet Experiences

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel are bringing words to life. These trips are designed for independent travellers who want the freedom to explore while still having the essentials covered: a small group of like-minded people to share it with, and unrivalled insights from awesome local leaders combined with the epic knowledge of Lonely Planet editors, to help you get to the heart of a destination like never before.

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  North America

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! North America is a land designed for dreamers. It’s probably the most talked about, analyzed, mythologized and misunderstood continent on earth. You can search the desert canyons of Nevada, to Canada’s glacial valleys. So hop in a Cadillac, crank up the tunes and hit the open road, along with all the other dreamers.

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  Polar

  NEW! 2023 Now Open for Sale! No matter whether you're visiting the southern or northern extremes of our planet, there's something about these white landscapes that captures the imaginations of even the most hardened travelers. Cast adrift to the extremes of the earth and discover great white landscapes full of icy inlets and frozen coves. Experience the rush of setting foot on some of the world's most remote terrain and come to terms with the sheer size and scale of our planet's polar regions.

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Learn More About Intrepid Tours

Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester founded Intrepid Travel in 1989 following a trip to Africa. After the journey, the two were inspired to start their own adventure tour company. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Intrepid Travel is dedicated to responsible travel and to taking people all over the globe, off the well-beaten tourist track. The company operates more than 1,000 tour itineraries all over the world and employs more than 2,135 people. The business still continues to expand today, adding even more exciting getaways. Journeys take travelers to places in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and on polar expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctic, and Greenland. Intrepid Travel features a large array of themed adventures, including 18-to-29s trips, Adventure Cruising, Cycling, Family travels, Food tours, Retreats, Polar travel, Walking and Trekking, Active Adventures, and Lonely Planet Experiences. You can also find trips that are made for travelers who don't have a great deal of travel time. Trips, such as Short Breaks, are ideal for busy professionals. If a tourist has a specific interest, such as sailing, wildlife, or a festival trip, Intrepid Travel offers these journeys too.

• Established in 1989, Intrepid Travel was founded by Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester
• The escorted adventure travel operation is based in Melbourne, Australia.
• Employees number around 2,135 staff, including independent contractors.
• The company is the largest small group adventure tour business in the world.
• Intrepid Travel features over 1,000 escorted tours internationally.
• Tours hosted by Intrepid Travel fall under the brands of Intrepid Travel, Adventure Tours Australia, Peregrine Adventures, and Urban Adventures.
• The company focuses on responsible travel. It is a signatory to the U.S. Global Compact.
• The business became carbon-neutral in 2010.
• Intrepid Tours was the first company of its kind to ban elephant rides.
• In 2015, Intrepid Tours donated its earnings from its Nepal tours to rebuild the country after an earthquake.
• June 2018 marks the date that Intrepid Tours added vegan tours to its itinerary.
• The company is a leader in ethical, small group excursions.
• The 10 destinations hosted by Intrepid Tours include Vietnam, Morocco, India, Peru, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Cambodia, Jordan, and Australia.
• Intrepid Travel lists a large number of adventure themes, so travelers can find the ideal vacation or getaway.
• Most small group tours are made up of 10 to 12 travelers, on average.

Top Reasons To Choose Intrepid Tours

• Travelers experience the ultimate adventures. Intrepid Travel features big-ticket attractions, such as the Taj Mahal, but also includes off-the-grid experiences to make your tour more memorable and interesting.
• Tour leaders are experienced and will lend to the tour experience. They are passionate about the locations they cover, which supports a more fulfilling journey
• The groups that Intrepid Travel hosts are small (about 10 to 12 people), but they are not too small. Therefore, you can visit a place with fewer distractions as well as make new friends.
• Intrepid Travel believes in sustainability. For example, the company is aligned with the Intrepid Foundation, which supports projects worldwide – from reducing environmental carbon to supporting the livings of people in local communities.
• Travelers can stay in one-of-a-kind places, or accommodations, such as jungle lodges sitting along the Amazon River, or campsites in the desert. 
• Wherever travelers go, they can experience the people and culture up-close and participate in a real-life adventure.
• When you travel with Intrepid, your travel dollar will go farther. For example, the company's 18-to-29s travel style features basic accommodations that are well-located and a chance for travelers to taste local dishes that are new to them. Travelers can experience varied and interesting experiences and get more value for each dollar spent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Intrepid Tours

• What phone number should I contact to book a trip or ask questions?

  Please call AffordableTours.com at 1-800-935-2620 to learn more about the adventures hosted by Intrepid Travel.

• How do I pay for a tour through Intrepid Travel?

  Pay a deposit to lock in the trip, then pay installments up to 21 days before your travel begins. This form of payment makes it easier to book travel and ensures the trip price.

• What is the policy for canceling a tour?

  If you cancel a trip 21 days before your departure date, you can transfer the deposit to another trip or keep the deposit on hold until you can use it.

• Are fees incurred for switching to another trip?

  As long as you provide notification that you want to switch to another tour 21 days before a booked trip, you don't have to pay a fee. 

• Is Intrepid Travel accredited?

  The tour company is an accredited member of several travel organizations, such as ATOL, ABTA, AFTA, USTOA, TICO, and the U.S. Travel Association. Therefore, tour bookings are protected under the conditions of these memberships.

• How long can you hold a trip before paying a deposit?

  You can place a trip on hold for up to 5 days before you owe the deposit.

• What are the age restrictions for travel?

  For most trips, the minimum age is set at 15 years old. An adult must accompany each traveler under 18 years old. Intrepid Overland Adventures require participants to be at least 18. Younger kids can take part in Short Breaks or Family Adventures. While trips do not have a maximum age limit, Intrepid Travel will require anyone 70+ years old to fill out a self-assessment form.

• Can I travel on part of a tour, or leave a day or two early?

  While you cannot be reimbursed for any travel costs for the unused portion of a trip, you can leave early. You will need to notify Intrepid Travel in advance about your plans.

• Can I change my itinerary for a group trip before or during the tour?

  While Intrepid Travel cannot modify the trip itinerary for a single traveler, it can design a customized itinerary for anyone who wishes to plan a private group tour.

• May I include an additional night at the start or end of my group trip, or during the tour?

  Yes. To add an additional night, contact your travel representative.

• Can I book travel as a solo traveler?

  Intrepid Travel makes it easy to book a trip as a single traveler, as a family, as a private group, or as a couple.

• Are trip-goers traveling solo charged a single supplement?

  Yes, if the traveler prefers to sleep in his or her own room, they will be assessed the charge. Otherwise, you can avoid paying the fee by allowing Intrepid Travel to pair you up with another traveler and sharing a room.

• What room types are available on trips?

  Depending on the tour, room types are available as twin, triple, or multi-share accommodations. Because bookings are made well ahead of the departure date, individual requests cannot be guaranteed.

• How do I book a single room?

  You can book pre- or post-lodgings on a single basis. However, rooms are still organized as a twin-share arrangement. The trips that feature a single supplement will indicate this feature on a tour's overview page on Intrepid Travel's website. The information may also be listed under Essential Trip Information. If you wish to purchase a single supplement, make the request at the time you book your tour with your travel representative.

• Can Intrepid Travel meet a traveler’s special dietary needs?

  Let your travel representative know, at the time of booking, if you have certain food allergies or require certain foods on your trip. If a trip is located in an out-of-the-way locale, it may be difficult for the Intrepid Travel staff to meet certain dietary requests. Therefore, make sure, when booking, that you tell your travel representative about any dietary concerns.

• What luggage should I carry?

  To make transport fast and easy, the travel experts at Intrepid Travel recommend that passengers carry a backpack.

• Will I need to buy travel insurance?

  Yes. Intrepid Travel makes the purchase of travel insurance compulsory for all travelers taking a tour with the company. Guests must show proof of travel insurance on their first day of traveling. Otherwise, they cannot proceed with the tour.

• What should a travel policy cover?

  At the very minimum, travel insurance protection should include comprehensive coverage – accident and dismemberment (A&D), medical expenses, personal liability, and emergency repatriation. It should also include cancellation insurance and loss of luggage benefits. You can obtain insurance through Intrepid Travel.

• What is the best way to get a visa?

  To ensure that all the steps for visa processing are completed correctly, talk to your travel representative, who can make the arrangements to get the travel document. It helps to work with a travel agent, as Intrepid Travel cannot or does not help with the visa application process. 

• How safe are my belongings when I travel with Intrepid Travel?

  Intrepid Travel takes every precaution to make traveling safe. However, some places are home to some pretty adroit thieves. To ensure you are protected against theft, you will need to take out travel insurance. You should also carry a lockable bag and wear a money belt.

• What should I do if I have medicine, such as insulin, that needs refrigeration?

  If you have medicine that needs refrigeration, make sure, you notify your travel representative when you are planning a trip. Some of the destinations visited by Intrepid Travel do not have this amenity.

• Why is Intrepid Travel different?

  Intrepid Travel is designed for people seeking adventure. The tour operator offers a full range of travel themes, including 18-to-29s trips (for younger adults), classic tours (for older travelers), family adventure trips, polar expeditions, day tours, short breaks, food-themed trips, wildlife excursions, Lonely Planet trips, and sailing holidays. You can stay in one-of-a-kind accommodations and get the feel of a place up-close. Tour groups are smaller to ensure easier access to off-grid sites and a better feeling of camaraderie. 

Health and Safety Protocols on Intrepid Tours

Protection against COVID-19 as well as other transmissible diseases requires enhanced protocols in hygiene and sanitation. We will put in place additional measures, in line with government health advice and with global health authorities (including the WHO and CDC) to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

Hand Hygiene
Handwashing is one of the most important safety measures to prevent the spread of disease. Intrepid will actively reinforce its importance by:

• Implementing a handwashing policy that dictates when, how often and for how long all staff, leaders and crew must wash their hands on-trip.
• Promote the importance of hand hygiene to customers through signage and online customer material.
• Contract suppliers that have hand hygiene protocols in place
• Contract suppliers that provide hand sanitizer in public places (where applicable)
• Educate staff, leaders, crew and suppliers on the importance of hand hygiene via training.

Respiratory Hygiene
Practicing good respiratory hygiene prevents the spread of disease by reducing the number of droplets in the air when you sneeze or cough. Intrepid will:

• Actively reinforce its importance to customers through signage and online customer material.
• Educate staff, leaders, crew and suppliers on the importance of respiratory hygiene via training.
• Contract suppliers who have respiratory hygiene protocols in place.

Masks
In addition, in areas with high community transmission and/or places that are difficult to maintain physical distancing, we recommend the the following at-risk people also wear them. Intrepid follows the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that masks should only be used as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy and that the use of a mask alone is not sufficient to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene must also form part of the strategy.

Medical/Surgical Masks
On our trips, regardless of destination, the following people must wear medical/surgical masks:

• Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of whether or not they have been tested yet.
• People caring for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases (outside of hospitals/clinics).

In addition, in areas with high community transmission and/or places that are difficult to maintain physical distancing, we recommend the the following at-risk people also wear them.

• People over 60
• People with underlying health conditions

Intrepid will:

• Provide medical/surgical masks as part of the First Aid Kits carried by leaders.
• Educate leaders, crew, staff and customers on the correct method to wear, handle and dispose of a mask.
• Require all customers, leaders and staff to comply with any local regulations or requirements that require the use of a mask in public or in certain places

Fabric Masks
Intrepid follows the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that it is not necessary for the public to wear fabric masks generally.

However in certain circumstances, in places where community transmission of COVID-19 is high and/or physical distancing is not possible (e.g. on public transport, in shops or in other confined environments) then a fabric mask can be a useful barrier to prevent the spread of virus.

Fabric masks be purchased commercially or handmade, and are generally not standardised like medical masks. Fabric masks should:

• Cover the nose, mouth, and chin
• Be secured with elastic loops or ties
• Include multiple layers
• Be washable and reusable.

Sanitation
Protection against COVID-19 as well as other transmissible diseases requires enhanced sanitation processes. Intrepid will take the following measures:

• Require all suppliers to detail their cleaning and sanitation protocols
• Audit/monitor all suppliers on their cleanliness and sanitation.
• All cleaning and disinfecting products must be approved by health authorities (e.g. WHO).

Accomodation

• All rooms must be thoroughly cleaned between guests with all high touch surfaces in shared areas regularly cleaned and disinfected.
• Hand sanitizer should be available in public areas.
• There must be a process in place for customers to escalate any concerns regarding hygiene or sanitation.
• Staff must be trained and able to answer questions regarding safety protocols in place.

Camping

• All tents must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between use.
• If staying at a campground, ensure all bathrooms are well stocked with hand soap and paper towels. If the area is remote, with limited facilities and/or minimal staffing, then customers should be informed to bring their own hygiene equipment.

Transport

• All mini buses, transfers, charters, overland trucks must be thoroughly cleaned between guests with all high touch surfaces in shared areas regularly cleaned and disinfected.
• Hand sanitizer should be made available
• Close top bins with bin liners should be available on board and disposed of at every stop

Restaurants

• Must be thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day
• Tables and chairs must be disinfected after each guest use
• Avoid buffets where possible. If buffets are used, prevent customers from handling food and operating machines (e.g. self-serve coffee stations)
• Either disinfect shared use objects (e.g. table salt) between guest use. Where possible, Intrepid will try to source safe alternatives to single serve packaging.
• Staff must be trained and able to answer questions regarding safety protocols in place.
• Preferred: Provide hand sanitizer to guests at the door before entry

Activities

• All equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between guest us
• Staff must be trained and able to answer questions regarding safety protocols in place.

Contactless/low touch
Limiting the number of surfaces touched by large numbers of people helps prevent the spread of disease. Therefore, it is important to proactively move towards contactless or low touch solutions for travel. Intrepid will:

• Prioritise contactless/low touch as a key feature when sourcing new tech or solutions.

Brand Material

• Remove any paperwork required on the ground (e.g. signing forms, feedback cards)
• If details must be entered using a shared device (e.g. insurance details), then it must be disinfected between each customer. Preference is to move entirely to digital solutions.

Contracting

• Accommodation should provide online check in (no paperwork)
• Contactless keys (e.g. QR codes)
• Contactless tech (e.g. lights)
• Online ticketing for attractions and transport
• Online payment

Physical Distancing
Physical distancing is important in the preventing the spread of COVID-19 as it can be transmitted via droplets sprayed when coughing, sneezing, singing, yelling etc…
Intrepid will take the following measures:

• Require all suppliers to detail their physical distancing protocols
• Follow local regulation and advice on the need for physical distancing.

Accommodation Intrepid operates product that is based on twin share accommodation and allows single travellers the chance to share accommodation with a stranger.
We will continue to offer this as an option. Single supplements are available for single travellers who do not wish to share a room. We will work closely with accommodation suppliers to ensure increased availability of single rooms.

Camping

• Consider whether it is appropriate to offer single tents for solo travellers as customers will be much closer together then in a traditional room.
• Consider whether staggering meal times may reduce the number of people sharing a dining tent.

Transport
Intrepid will consider the following factors when designing or amending transport options on trips.

• Local laws or requirements regarding physical distancing on transport
• Hygiene protocols of the transport provider
• Level of active community transmission in the destination

Possible risks include:

• Using designated seating on transport. Customers have assigned seats throughout the trip.
• If trip is longer than 15 minutes and air conditioning is available, it must be set to external airflow rather than to recirculation or windows should be opened for the duration of the trip.
• Designing or amending itineraries to reduce the duration of travel.
• Increasing the size of the vehicle, using multiple vehicles.

In Public

• Educate all leaders, crew, staff and customers to maintain a 1.5m distance wherever practical in public (e.g. queueing at a museum).
• Proactively design product to avoid crowds by visiting attractions at off-peak times.
• Proactively design product to avoid crowds on public transport or at airports where practical.

Restaurants

• Follow local regulations on table spacing and guest seating in restaurants. Wherever possible, try to ensure groups are sitting at their own table without strangers in restaurants.
• Proactively design product that focuses on experiences that assist with physical distancing (e.g. picnics over crowded marketplaces) if relevant for that destination.

Health Screening & Tracking
Screening for COVID-19 helps isolate anyone with COVID-19 symptoms and stops the spread of disease. It is likely to become more common for future travellers.

Pre-Departure (Brand Material)
Customers should be informed as part of ‘Essential Trip Information (ETIs) or other similar trip notes if their trip is likely to include any of the following:

• Testing for COVID-19 before being able to pass through immigration and/or board planes.
• Negative test results to be uploaded for visa purposes.
• Thermal temperature checks in airports, train or bus stations, major hotels or attractions.

Pre-Departure (Customers)
Pre-departure, all customers are required to fill out an online questionnaire (“self- declaration/assessment” form) to identify any high-risk customers before travel.

Extra qualifiers will be included to address customers with symptoms that can be contributed to pre-existing conditions (e.g. breathlessness to asthma).

Customers answering YES to any question should be removed from the departure and appropriate arrangements made.

COVID-19 Testing
Intrepid will not require a negative COVID-19 test as proof of health from customers or leaders at this stage unless it is required by local law or regulations.

This is partially due to the lack of availability of testing for people with no symptoms in many parts of the world and may change in due course.

On Trip

• Ask customers, leaders, crew and staff to monitor their own health
• Display appropriate signage on COVID-19 symptoms
• Educate leaders, crew and staff on how to identify COVID-19 symptoms
• Describe COVID-19 symptoms in group meetings

Removal of customers, leaders, crew
If customers, leaders or crew show symptoms of COVID-19 and are either unable to or unwilling to be tested, Intrepid reserves the right to remove them from our trips to prevent any risk to others.

Flexible Booking Conditions
Customers will be supported by flexible booking conditions to stay home if unwell or displaying symptoms

Flexible Work Conditions
Intrepid will support leaders and crew to stay home rather than lead a trip if they are unwell or displaying symptoms. Schedules will need to be created with back up availability of leaders/crew.

Data Collection & Health Tracking
Intrepid will assist government health departments in tracking and tracing any customers, staff, leaders, crew or suppliers at risk of contracting COVID-19 via exposure to a known case and/or outbreak by providing relevant details in line with privacy laws and regulations.

COVID Tracking apps
Intrepid strongly recommends that customers and staff download COVID tracking apps (e.g. COVIDSafe in Australia, StayHomeSafe in Hong Kong) to assist in reducing the spread of disease within their communities.