Intrepid Travel

Highlights

• Explore the unusual rock formations, striking desert cactus gardens and unexpected oases of Joshua Tree National Park.
• Spend two nights soaking up all that the Grand Canyon National Park has to offer, with trips to the South Rim, Granite Rapids and Monument Canyon.
• Road trip along the historic Route 66, also known as the 'Mother Road', and get a dose of old-school Americana at the eccentric town of Seligman.
• Swap natural wonders for the world-class dining, shows and museums of Las Vegas for two nights – there's more to the city than just the bright lights!
• Spend three nights camping near Yosemite National Park with two full days of exploration. Join your leader on hikes to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Falls and more.

Highlights

• Stay in an eco-lodge on the edge of the jungle that’s fighting for the preservation of Ulu Muda Forest with research and awareness, low-footprint practices and ecotourism principles.
• Take not one but two river cruises deep in the Ulu Muda Forest to double your chances of spotting roaming wildlife like elephants as your guide tells you about the native plants and wildlife that call this lush haven home.
• Slip into the local way of life, staying with a family on a homestay that gives real insight into village culture – play traditional games, learn fishing techniques and tuck into a home-cooked dinner.
• Explore the rolling green Cameron Highlands, blanketed by tea plantations and strawberry fields, and then trek through the mossy forest to learn more about the unique plants living beneath this sea of moss.
• Wander the historic mural-lined streets of Georgetown, the vibrant cultural hub of Penang and see the array of contemporary art galleries, boutiques, traditional temples and churches.

Highlights

• Hit three of Central Europe’s big cities; Prague, Vienna and Budapest. With your locally-based leader on hand and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, you'll get to know all of the best spots and learn plenty of locals-only knowledge.
• Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Czechia capital city of Prague. Experience Prague Castle – the largest castle complex in the world – and be awed by its 9th-century architecture.
• Toast to your epic adventure with a home-cooked Hungarian feast on your final evening. You'll be invited into a local family's home where they'll teach you traditional recipes and you'll get a chance to taste your creations at dinner.
• Join a local guide in the south Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov and learn about the town’s history and thriving folk culture. After all, there’s no one better to show you around than the people that live there.
• Be treated to sweet delicacies just like grandma would make at Vollpension café in Vienna, where elderly grandparents bake the best cakes and share the best hospitality with their visitors. More than just a cafe, the team here are working to bridge the age gap and provide extra income for seniors.

Highlights

• Ascend to the clouds and reach an altitude of 5416 metres as you cross the Thorung La Pass along the Annapurna Circuit. Testing your mind and body, this is one incredible accomplishment.
• Uncover a different side of the Himalayas, trekking past terraced rice fields, oak and rhododendron forests, there’s a diverse array of nature that awaits in the Annapurna region.
• Learn about life in Nepalese mountain communities, get to know locals and meet other trekkers while you stay in teahouses in the small communities along the way.
• Discover Nepal’s compact capital in Kathmandu. With a limited amount of time spent here to discover its bazaars and temples, why not extend your stay beforehand to get a real feel of Nepalese culture.
• Spend time in the peaceful haven of Pokhara after your trek has finished. Relax with your small group on the banks of Phewa Lake and take in the mountainous surrounds that you have conquered!

Highlights

• The choice is yours on the way to Machu Picchu – test yourself on the challenging Classic Inca or Inca Quarry trails, or take the train for a more leisurely experience. Then, marvel at the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters.
• Experience the wild world of the Amazon rainforest. Stroll along jungle trails on the lookout for monkeys, parrots, otters and caiman, and sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps.
• Treat yourself to freshly made coffee and cakes at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley that’s empowering community growth and providing job opportunities and training for single mothers from the region.
• Enjoy a day out on tranquil Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water, and explore the floating islands crafted by the indigenous Uru locals.
• Get to know the locals of the Huilloq community in the Sacred Valley, learn from them, discover their ancestral textile techniques, join an offering to Pachamama and then sit down for a special lunch together.

Highlights

• Discover the ancient and modern lives within Turkey as you explore thousands of years of history in the remarkable ruins of Ephesus, discover a WWI battlefield in Gallipoli, and immerse yourself in the vibrant vibe of the university town Eskesihir.
• Take in the dizzying diversity of this epic landscape with a visit to the stunning natural hot springs of Pamukkale, a cruise along the picture-perfect Turkish coast over Sunken Cities, and an optional hot-air balloon ride over the fairy-tale land of Cappadocia.
• Get to know the friendly locals over a home-cooked dinner in Cappadocia, then get treated to a Turkish BBQ feast by your local hosts in Kayakoy
• Pull on your walking shoes and set out on a half-day trek along a section of rugged coastline, following part of the ancient walking trail of the Lycian Way and exploring the exotic landscape of Cappadocia on a short hike in the valley.
• Get among local life, from taking local buses and trains to enjoying a traditional gulet (boat) trip and staying in one of the cave hotels that Cappadocia is famed for.

Highlights

• Sample the famous Hungarian 'Bulls’ Blood' in Eger – the wine that supposedly gave the Hungarian army supernatural strength during their battle against the Ottoman Empire.
• Experience peasant life on a full-day tour through the countryside of Maramures – Romania's most traditional and colourful region. Don't be surprised if you see horse-drawn carts along the road!
• Learn spooky stories in Transylvania – the birthplace of the world's most famous vampire, Dracula. Then visit Bran Castle in Brasov – the inspiration for Dracula’s home.
• Enjoy a homestay with a local family in the Saxon town of Viscri, exposing you to Romanian hospitality and some delicious home-cooked food.
• Delve into the communist past and the thriving, artistic present-day of Bucharest – a city often underrated by travellers but offering heaps of sights, sounds and smells to be explored.

Highlights

• Explore the Serengeti National Park in depth with multiple game drives through this spectacular wildlife arena. Here, you’ll have the best chance to spot the Big Five!
• Embark on an unforgettable safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in an open roof 4WD with your small group for a chance to see the endangered black rhinoceros in full view.
• Learn about the Maasai cultures and join a local community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming area of Mto wa Mbu, before sitting down for a traditional meal together.
• Explore Amboseli National Park – home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya and known for large tuskers and exquisite views of Mt Kilimanjaro on clear days.
• Your expert local crew will keep you well informed (and well fed!) – filling you in on all you need to know about the Great Rift Valley and the annual migration of some two million wildebeest.