Tours:
Intrepid Tours

Travel by anything and everything, stay anywhere and everywhere! Travel Intrepid!

Intrepid started in 1989 with a passion to get travellers off the beaten track in Asia. They wanted to share some of the special places they knew and introduce their travellers to different cultures and ways of life. They wanted to develop a style of travel that was all together different, where as travellers you became a part of the country - and not just tourists looking in. They wanted to have fun, meet people, learn things, explore, and do stuff you could never do at home. They wanted to travel by anything and everything, and stay anywhere and everywhere! They wanted to be intrepid!

Today Intrepid has over 600 staff and over 400 different trips to 90+ different destinations and many different styles of travel. And yet Intrepid and Flight Centres philosophy on travel is unchanged. In these uncertain days it is all the more important that we get out and explore our wonderful world. It is through travel we breakdown prejudice, build understanding and create a better and more caring world. And you can have the time of your life doing it!

Booking with Flight Centre and traveling with Intrepid saves you time and money.

Intrepid trips are designed to be different, but one thing they do have in common - without exception - is great value for money. For the cost of one trip, youll take home many unforgettable experiences and travel with confidence backed by Flight Centres superior service. Intrepid and Flight Centre really know the best of what there is to see and do in all their destinations so you wont waste any of your precious time away. Whats more, they save you the cost of a single supplement by booking on a twin share basis on their group trips.

For the ultimate in intimate experiences, size matters; small groups get closer.

Intrepid Travel believes the smaller the group adventure tour, the better the experience. Thats why they average just 10 travellers per trip. Their Overland journeys are the exception where they use purpose built safari trucks that can carry up to 24 travellers.

When you travel in a small group it feels more like travelling with a bunch of friends than on an organised tour. It also means youll get to experience more of the local culture too. As a small group, you dont dominate; you can actually get to know the people youll meet and do the things they do. Sharing their buses, their streets, and their homes, youre more likely to be asked to join in, not just to buy stuff.

Intrepid will take you to exciting places, but they will never take... your freedom!

One of the great things about travelling with Intrepid is that its a lot like travelling independently, but with none of the drawbacks. Youre free to do as you choose. Pursue your own interests one day and take part in the activities or sightseeing Intrepid has arranged for you the next. All leaders have years of experience and really know how to travel, so you can get the most out of your travels. And that could include anything from tackling the challenge of the Machu Picchu trek to cooking up a feast in Italy. Theres a whole world of variety on offer.

Experience the thrill of full cultural immersion; accommodations that submerge you.

Where you stay is all part of your Intrepid experience and something they put a lot of thought into. Whether its a centrally-located city hotel or a home stay in a tribal village, staying close to a regions people and culture is the guiding principle.

Intrepids choices are based on friendliness as well as facilities, character as much as convenience. Of course, standards vary according to trip style, with Comfort adventures offering a superior level, and Overland journeys camping out, but they always try to choose accommodation that best captures the essence of the location.

Food is a cultural doorway; savour the exotic foods native to each place you visit.

Intrepid travelers spend much of their time eating and a lot of their time talking about it too. No matter where you travel with Intrepid, great food travels with you. Intrepid trips have some meals included, while at other times you are free to choose when, where and with whom you would like to eat. The trip notes in each itinerary provide an estimate of how much you should allow for meals not included. On Intrepids Overland journeys youll be a part of the cooking crew too, pitching in to shop for and cook your groups meals.

By bus, bicycle or bamboo raft; Intrepid ensures the journey is half the adventure.

Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself. Intrepid believes getting from A to B should be a highlight of your trip, not a chore. Thats why Intrepid adventures come with all manner of weird and wonderful transport options, from the familiar to the downright bizarre. The actual vehicles will depend on when and where you go, as well as the trip style. The comfort and Egypt adventures include private transport and Overland journeys travel on purpose built safari vehicles. You could find yourself riding an elephant, a bicycle or a bamboo raft, boarding a bus, a bemo, or an airplane. However you go, as with all things Intrepid, youll go the local way.

Most Intrepid adventures require a compulsory local payment.

Most Intrepid adventures require a compulsory local payment, which is part of the contract with you (the client) and Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd. This amount is the final payment for your trip and is to be paid in the specified currency, in cash to your leader upon arrival. The local payment is non-refundable, and is considered part of the total trip payment.

On some Overland trips you contribute to a Kitty instead of a Local Payment. The Kitty is a compulsory local payment put into a central fund and overseen by the travellers and the crew. It funds accommodation, camp meals and activities which the group does as a whole. A full description of what the kitty includes is in the Trip Notes. The kitty amounts may be subject to change. Current Kitty amounts can be found by contacting your Flight Centre agent or on Intrepids website so please check for the up to date Kitty amount 48 hours prior to your trip commencement.

Be an intrepid explorer; absorb the experience and knowledge of Intrepids leaders.

Behind every great Intrepid vacation is a great Intrepid leader. Their enthusiasm, versatility and knowledge of local culture are second to none - in many cases because theyre taking you round their home country! Others are westerners with an urge to share their passion for travelling in foreign lands. And every one of them is the reason why so many travellers return to book Intrepid with Flight Centre year after year.

Book multiple Intrepid adventures with Flight Centre and get a multi-trip discount.

Intrepid has noticed that more and more of their travellers are choosing to book multiple trips with Flight Centre all at once! So, if you have Intrepid mania, theyll reward you with a multiple-trip discount. Each traveller who books three trips or more for themselves, all at once, will receive a 5% discount per person off the total trip price! Some exclusions apply; please contact your Flight Centre consultant for full details. Please note: this multi-trip discount cannot be combined or used with any other Intrepid offers, must be advised at time of booking and will be applied to new trip bookings only.

More trips to choose from, leaving more often and most are guaranteed departures.

Intrepid offers over 300 different trips to Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America, The Middle East & Australasia - so they are sure to have something for you. Many of their trips depart every week, so there is sure to be a departure date to suit you. And most trips are guaranteed to depart!

The real world warts and all; consider your choice of style and itinerary carefully.

This may sound like a strange thing to say on a travel web site, but it is important that you understand Intrepids style of travel. Intrepid travels in a way that fully appreciates cultures and lifestyles very different from our own. While striving to provide the very best holiday possible, they do not shield you from the cultural differences, inefficiencies and frustrations that are a part of the places they visit. Indeed, the emphasis is on getting out there and experiencing the real world - warts and all. Please bear this in mind when choosing between their travel styles and trip options.

Know before you go; we can prepare you for your meeting of cultures.

Before leaving home, learn as much as you can about the country youre visiting - its religion(s), values, customs, and rules. Pay particular attention to appropriate behaviour, dress and body language. The pre-departure information on Intrepids website should get you started. Learn some of the language and dont be afraid to use it; simple pleasantries help break the ice, as does a smile! Always ask before taking photos of people and offer to send copies if you can. Treat the environment as if it were your own home.

Show your family the world and gain personal experience of the human condition.

Welcome to Intrepids Family Adventures! These trips are specially designed for travellers with children six years and older. The itineraries are tailored with the wants and needs of families in mind. This way the whole family can explore the world, discover new places and enjoy time together, while experiencing a truly intrepid adventure! Contact your Flight Centre consultant for details on these electric family adventures.

Tread softly and carry a big smile; Intrepid will introduce you to sustainable tourism.

Wherever Intrepid goes in the world, they take a responsible attitude with them. That means travelling in a way which both respects and benefits local people, their culture and the environment. They mostly take public transport, stay and eat in small-scale locally-owned establishments, travel in small groups, and spread the word of sustainable tourism wherever possible.

And every year they evaluate each trip to ensure its compliance with their Responsible Travel Code of Conduct. Taking these small steps, theyre able to make a big difference. And that goes for the whole trip experience too. Intrepid travellers get the chance to meet local people and really get to know their culture first hand. Youll contribute directly to local economies and help develop cross-cultural understanding. In others words, enjoy a real life experience.

Choose Intrepid, give back; use of local operators keeps money in local economies.

In many parts of the world, Intrepid Travel works with highly reputable local operators. These local partners are all passionate and enthusiastic about the countries they operate in, and offer the same high standards as Intrepid. By working closely with these local companies, Intrepid is best able to put money back into the local economies of those countries through which they travel.

Explore the worlds most amazing places and discover the real world.

For travellers with a yearning to get off the beaten track, Intrepid opens up a whole new world of adventure travel. With a huge variety of travel styles available, Intrepid travellers explore the worlds most amazing places - discovering real people, real cultures and having incredible real life experiences along the way.

Find the style that suits you; real world experiences in a multitude of flavours.

Over the years, Intrepid has developed many different styles of travel - styles that share a common philosophy of getting out there and experiencing the real world - and yet styles that are quite different from each other. Please take a few moments so you really understand the differences between all Intrepid travel styles as it is important that you consider carefully the style of travel that suits you. With so many different travel styles to choose from, there is a real life experience out there for everyone.

Intrepids Original style adventures; experience adventure travel in its purest form.

This is how it all started; the trips that made Intrepid one of the worlds leading operators of small group adventures. And theyre still as popular as ever! Original trips are all about variety: the places, the people, the activities, and even the accommodation and transport they use. From homestays to market trips to visits to community projects, theres a new experience every day, with many activities included.

Original style tours feature a maximum of 12 travellers of all ages from all corners of the world and an experienced leader accompanies every trip. Accommodations are clean and comfortable but simple - variety and character are the hallmarks Intrepid seeks.
Transport is by anything and everything that moves and adds to the adventure! Local transport is used whenever possible. Original trips offer some inclusions (meals, activities, sightseeing etc.) and some free time allowing for great flexibility. Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions but single supplement is not available, single travellers share with someone of the same gender.

Get back to Basix, Intrepid style; adventure tours on a shoe string budget.

Big adventures at minimal cost. On a Basix trip, you can expect amazing experiences with none of the inclusions or extras that you may not want. This often means simple and multi-share accommodations and a lot of local transport. These trips are ideal for first time travellers seeking fun and independence with the security of a group leader at hand and for backpackers wanting minimum hassle and maximum flexibility at the lowest possible price.

Often larger than the Original style to keep prices low, the group size varies from trip to trip depending on local conditions. Please contact your Flight Centre travel consultant for group sizes on specific tours. An experienced leader accompanies every trip and accommodations are usually very simple, often muilti-share and sometimes basic including simple guesthouses, hotels, homestays and National Park lodges to name a few. For transport, you name it - Intrepid uses it. Usually local transport but you never know when youll find yourself riding a camel or paddling a kayak. Basix tours feature few inclusions (meals, activities, sightseeing etc.) but lots of options allowing for maximum flexibility. Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions, but single supplement is not available. Single travellers share with someone of the same gender.

Intrepid Comfort; real world experiences with a softer landing.

Comfort is your kind of style if you want a few extras, but dont want to compromise on the whole grassroots travel experience. You get to stay in better hotels and guesthouses, all with plenty of local character, and may travel in private transport as well as joining locals on public transport. Youre as likely to find yourself paddling a kayak as relaxing on a cruise along the Yangtze River. These are real life experiences, just with a softer landing, all for just a little more than Intrepids Original adventures.

Comfort style tours feature a maximum of 12 travellers of all ages from all corners of the world and an experienced leader accompanies every trip. Accommodations are all about combining comfort and character and tend to average around a 3 star rating. Transport is usually by private charter, with the occasional use of local transport. Some meals, sightseeing and activities are included and departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions. Single travellers can share with someone of the same gender or pay a single supplement. The choice is yours.

Family tours; your kids will discover the world as you do.

A long way from the typical child friendly holiday, Family adventures give your kids a chance to discover the world as you do. And the best thing is theres just as much for parents to enjoy too. Please note, this is not a baby sitting service; far from it, these trips are an opportunity to spend time together in a truly stimulating way. And with the security of an experienced team leader on hand, you dont need to be well travelled - just ready for adventure!

Family style tours feature a maximum of 14 travellers with a limit of 2 children per adult and 2 adults per child. Children must be in the age range 6 - 17 years old and no adult can travel without children. An experienced leader accompanies every trip and accommodations are comfortable and clean, but simple - featuring lots of variety! Transport is a mix of private and local transport and the itinerary has been crafted to allow a great balance of inclusions (meals, activities, sightseeing etc.) and free time! Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions and as these trips are designed for families (at least one parent/guardian and one child must travel) there is no single supplement is available.

Adventure seekers wanted; experience the thrill of Intrepids Active style tours.

Thrilling adventures is the simplest way to describe these trips. As youd expect, activity is the key. Active trips offer real life experiences, like combining a challenging days hike with a nights stay in a hill tribe village. You dont need to be super fit for all Active trips, but theyre ideal if you want a physical challenge along with plenty of cultural interaction.

Active style tours feature a maximum of 12 travellers of all ages from all corners of the world and an experienced leader accompanies every trip. Accommodations are clean and comfortable but simple - variety and character are the hallmarks Intrepid seeks. Transport is anything and everything that moves, adding to the adventure! Local transport is used whenever possible and the tour offers some inclusions (meals, activities, sightseeing etc.) and some free time allowing for great flexibility. Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions and single supplement is not available. Single travellers share with someone of the same gender.

Go it alone and still save money; Intrepids Independent adventures.

If youre looking for something different or you want an extension to your Intrepid trip, an Independent adventure could be just the thing. These itineraries can accommodate a special interest, such as cookery or meditation, or can be as simple as a beach break. Transport, accommodation standards and inclusions vary from trip to trip - please contact your Flight Centre consultant for full details.

Group size for independent tours must be a minimum of 1-2 travellers. There is no group leader, however local guides are often included. Accommodations are dependant on trip selection and are often first class. Transport is usually by private charter and inclusions (meals, activities, sightseeing etc.) vary according to the trip. Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions and single supplement is compulsory.

Lions, Tigers & Bears, oh my; Intrepids Overland style tours.

Big adventures through big landscapes; whether its a road trip along world famous highways or an off the beaten track adventure along rugged roads, on an Overland adventure youll experience the sights, sounds and smells of the world up close. Travelling in purpose built vehicles youll explore bustling cities or isolated communities, search for wildlife, visit vast national parks, see changing landscapes and camp in tents. On an Overland journey youre more than just a passenger, youre part of the crew, pitching in to set up camp, shop for food and even cook. And, like all great adventures, the more you put in the more youll get out!

Due to the size of Intrepids vehicles, the maximum group size of Overland journeys is between 14-24 travellers, depending on the destination. Please contact your Flight Centre travel consultant for exact group sizes for each trip. An experienced leader/driver and sometimes a camp master or cook accompanies every trip. Youll be sleeping mostly in shared tents, but sometimes in hotels or swags, youll be staying close to nature and all her amazing sights. Camping is usually participatory and youll be required to help set up camp. Transport will be on purpose built safari vehicles, designed for rough conditions. All meals and group activities are included while camping. For some trips departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 4 travellers. Single supplement is not available. Single travellers share with someone of the same gender.

Got a group and looking for something unique? Intrepid offers custom group travel.

If you, your friends, family or organization would like an Intrepid real life experience but would prefer to travel in a private group, the talented Special Groups Department at Intrepid Travel and your Flight Centre consultant will be able to help. For groups of 10 people or more Intrepid can organize a special departure of one of their advertised trips just for you or tailor-make an Intrepid-style itinerary to one of their destinations around the world. And, if you have special requirements, thats no problem either - they can give your trip an educational, physical or even an historical focus!

A minimum of 10 travellers is required to form a special group and maximum group size will vary depending on your requirements. Average group size is 12 people and a leader accompanies every trip. For accommodations, choose the style to suit your needs, Intrepid can offer Intrepid Basix, Original or Comfort standard accommodation - its all about combining comfort and character. Transport, depending on the itinerary, may include domestic flights, overnight train or boat journey. Intrepid can arrange the roundtrip airport to hotel transfers. Let Flight Centre and Intrepid know how many meals you would like included. We can also add activities to suit your groups needs - whether you are looking for an educational or cultural experience or have a special interest. Single supplement is optional. Please let your Flight Centre consultant know if you would like a single supplement cost.

Get OUT there with like-minded travelers; Intrepid offers gay and lesbian tours.

OUT Adventures are for gay and lesbian travellers and their family and friends who want to experience the world at the grassroots level while surrounded by like-minded people. No matter what style of travel youre after, theres an OUT Adventure to suit every interest and comfort level - Active, Comfort, Family, Independent and a premium level of travel, In Style. Whichever style you choose, these adventures are a great way to get OUT and experience the real world.

Group sizes are a maximum of 12-14 travellers of all ages from all corners of the world and an experienced gay or gay friendly leader accompanies every trip except OUT Independent Adventures. Accommodations are usually 3-5 star locally owned hotels or bed and breakfasts, depending on the trip - its all about combining comfort and character. Transport is a mix of private charter and local transport. Some meals, sightseeing and activities are included. Departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 6 passengers and on some trips single travellers can share with someone of the same gender or pay a single supplement. On other trips, single travellers will share with someone of the same gender.

See more then the usual sights on Intrepids Urban Adventures.

Urban Adventures unlock the hidden secrets in and around some of Intrepids favourite cities. They range from 2 hour to 2 day adventures and uncover back streets, hidden gems and fascinating sights. While these adventures may be short, theyre big on real life experiences. Step into the lives of the locals, find out what makes the city tick and get acquainted with the local food, culture and traditions, all in the company of an expert local guide. See more than just the usual sights on an Urban Adventure.

Urban Adventures feature a group size of minimum 1 - 2 travellers and an experienced local guide accompanies every trip. When accommodations are part of the adventure, you can be sure it has plenty of local character, whether its a homestay, guesthouse or hotel. Transport is a mix of private and local transport. Some meals, sightseeing and activities are included. Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions and when accommodation is included a single supplement is compulsory for solo travellers.

Become part of a community and their local life, give back; Intrepid Volunteering.

More than a holiday, Volunteering is an opportunity to really make a difference in the world. Spend your days living and working in a remote village and getting involved in community development. Working closely with the locals you could find yourself renovating a school, building a health clinic or teaching the kids. With plenty of free time to explore the region, this is the ideal getaway for those who want to do more than sightsee, they want to become a part of local life.

Volunteering tours feature a maximum of 12 travellers of all ages from all corners of the world and an experienced leader accompanies every trip. Accommodations are usually very simple, multi-share accommodations with a local family and transport is a mix of private and local transport. Most meals are included (except on free days). Departure is guaranteed, subject to booking conditions and single supplement is not available.

Intrepid is committed to environmentally, culturally and socially responsible travel.

Intrepid Travel is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - they call this Responsible Travel. It is implemented on their trips through the following features:

Grass roots travel using local public transport wherever possible minimizes demand for special tourist vehicles and fuel. Intrepid chooses small-scale locally owned accommodation and homestays where available and local restaurants and markets for dining, retaining revenue in local communities. Their group leaders facilitate communication of their values to travellers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices. They employ local guides to aid travellers understanding of local culture and etiquette. Small groups allow travellers to experience cultures first hand, offering greater opportunity for cross- cultural understanding. Intrepid is committed to putting back into the communities and regions they visit by supporting many aid, development and conservation projects in these areas. Much of this support is through The Intrepid Foundation and travellers are invited to contribute.

Intrepid Sustainable Development Policy; Do no harm, improve what you touch.

Intrepid recognizes that the tourism industry impacts local communities and the environment, therefore, as a travel operator, they must manage the impacts they create in the way they operate their business. Therefore Intrepid is committed to tackling the issues they face in each of these areas and will work toward sustainable operations by including environmental, social, economic and ethical considerations in their business practices and in their decision making processes.

Our Environmental Responsibility: To ensure they are working toward protecting the environment both locally and globally by using resources in an efficient, fair and responsible way. To have their trips designed in a way that limits the physical impact on our planet and the places they visit so that they may be enjoyed by many generations to come.

Our Social Responsibility: To protect human rights within Intrepids sphere of influence and ensure that all their people including their staff, travellers, suppliers and local communities as well as other stakeholders who are impacted by their business, are treated with fairness and respect. To work with their stakeholders to tackle issues that act as barriers to responsible practices in order to promote equity across our global community and protect our most vulnerable societies.

Our Economic Responsibility: To ensure wealth is distributed in a way that is beneficial to Intrepid staff, host communities, suppliers, shareholders and other key stakeholders while achieving sustainable growth of Intrepid and their associated companies.

Our Governance & Ethical Responsibility: To live out Intrepids core values, achieve their purpose and work toward their long term vision by being accountable for the impacts that they have on our planet. Have effective systems and good governance in place to help them understand and manage their impact on society and the environment. To work against corruption in all its forms.

Intrepid aims to implement this policy by engaging and supporting their staff, shareholders, suppliers, contractors, passengers, business partners and host communities in fulfilling their environmental, social, economic and ethical responsibilities.

Intrepid reviews their performance in these areas regularly and reports on them annually through their Sustainable Development Report.

Safety Updates; Intrepid has access to up-to-the-minute safety information.

The safety of their passengers, leaders and operators is a major priority of Intrepid. With this in mind they monitor world events very closely. Intrepid makes operational decisions based on informed advice from a number of sources. Such as, the level of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) travel advisory. For any Intrepid Travel operated trip if this advisory is at Level 5 Do Not Travel then Intrepid will either cancel a trip or reroute the itinerary to avoid the areas concerned. With over 400 leaders on the ground in operational destinations and subsidiary companies in their main hub cities, Intrepid has access to an up to the minute flow of information as to the mood and feelings within the countries they work in. Intrepid is also in regular contact with the various operators they use. Their in depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.

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