Intrepid 18 to 29s World Wide Adventures

SMALL GROUP adventures

LOCAL LEADER knowledge

RESPONSIBLE travel experts

2019

W O RLDWIDE A DVE NTU RES

E R O M , No w E H T , r e v e n a h t e r o m s d e e N d l W or E L P O E P D I P E R T IN

n e p o e b s u o i r u be c s s e l r be f e a d e g n e l l a h c be d i p e r b e in t

For some, being Intrepid means pushing one step further across a remote mountain range. For others, it’s trying street food for the first time. It’s sitting cross-legged on the floor sharing a meal with a local family, it’s choosing to travel with a bunch of strangers. It’s an attitude. A willingness to take yourself far from home and open up to new experiences. To be curious, challenged, fearless and open. To be alive.

be OPEN We travel so we can learn something new about the world that we live in, not to confirm what we think we know. By being open, by challenging our beliefs, we can change how we see the world and may just be able to inspire others to do the same.

be CURIOUS Which do you trust more: an online review or a stranger’s smile? With a wealth of information available at the touch of a button, it’s easy to forget that the best stories often have no formula. Sometimes the best guide is your gut, a hunch beats a recommendation and the biggest changes come from chances.

be FEARLESS It’s a mix of anticipation, excitement and fear. You’re heading into the unknown. It’s terrifying for some, second nature to others, and it’s healthy. You’re doing something different, something worthwhile, and though you’ll one day look back on it, you’ll never look back.

be challenged You know that little voice in your head telling you to just give it a go? Listen to it. We all have boundaries and we all have a responsibility to push them, whatever that looks like.

FIND OUT MORE AT

intrepidtravel.com/be-intrepid

Introducing

INTREPID adventureS Our new adventures are for young travellers aged 18 to 29 who want to explore the world and have a great time with like-minded people their own age. We’re talking about diving head first into new places and embracing new cultures, while making special connections with your own small crew along the way.

Why Choose an adventure Just for you We get that you want free time to explore on your own, but also a friend to show you a few secrets along the way, and thats what we’re here for. We team you up with a crew your own age to share these awesome experiences with, and a like-minded leader to take you to all the best spots (and make sure you don’t get lost).

Great value A great time doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Our Basix travel style keeps trips affordable by using public transport, simple, well-located accommodation and gives you the freedom to choose which optional activities you want to splash out on.

Freedom & flexibility Every one of our itineraries takes you to the highlights of a place, but is also flexible and loaded with free time and optional activities. This means you can customise your trip and make it your own. It’s your adventure, after all.

Travel made easy We do all the hard work and handle the logistics – like organising itineraries, transport and accommodation – so you can focus on the fun stuff like trying new food and finding local bars. Why waste hours agonising over every detail of your trip when you can leave it to the experts?

Travel solo, together Got an urge to see the world, but no one to do it with?

You’re never alone when travelling solo with Intrepid. We provide a ready-made travel crew and an expert local leader to help you make the most of your adventure. Plus, you can choose to bunk with a new friend or pick your own room for a small extra cost.

Intrepid 18 to 29s 6

SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES Travel should be about more than just ticking boxes. Sure, the highlights take our breath away, but the real magic often happens when you least expect it, in moments that can only be experienced in a small group. Whether it’s exchanging stories with a Chilean family over a home-cooked meal or learning to play backgammon with locals on an overnight train in Egypt, it’s these simple, spontaneous moments away from the crowds that tend to stay with you the longest.

Benefits OF SMALL GROUPS Real life experiences Travel is all about moments that make you feel alive, when you know you’re experiencing something special. It could be the first glimpse of something you’ve only ever seen on a postcard. But more often, it’s when you find yourself away from the tourist crowd, in moments you can only experience in a small group, like a thrilling village football game or sharing a laugh with a local family in their home.

Travel like a local We travel the world to keep things local. That’s why we use experienced local leaders, eat at family restaurants and stay at small, locally run accommodation (with an occasional homestay or songthaew ride thrown in for extra fun). This way, you’re not only getting an authentic experience, you’re also contributing to the local economy.

Not too big, not too small Our groups are small enough to let you feel like you’re exploring a destination independently, but big enough to create a good social vibe. Numbers vary depending on where and how you’re travelling, but the average group size is ten people. It’s the perfect number to squeeze into places that big groups can’t, like a 400-year-old pizzeria to learn how to spin pizza, or a cosy Mekong Delta homestay.

Just the right balance Travelling in a small group means leaders can strike the perfect balance between planned activities and ‘you time’.

There’s always an itinerary, but there are also plenty of opportunities to be spontaneous and make the journey a little more about you. With the flexibility a small group allows, you can spend more time connecting with local people over local things.

Intrepid 18 to 29s 8

basix TRIP STYLE We get it – you want big-time experiences without

Look out for these symbols

a big-time price tag. That’s why we travel in our

Each of our trips has a physical

Basix style on each of our 18 to 29s trips.

rating, so you can tell how physically

Basix trips use simple, convenient accommodation,

exerting a trip is and how fit you’ll

travel on local transport where possible and include

need to be to enjoy it. As a guide:

plenty of free time. Pick and choose inclusions to fit your budget. These are amazing experiences at a great price.

join the family Who doesn’t like to brag about their travels?

Show us what you’ve got.

@intrepidtravel

/intrepidtravel

/intrepid_travel

/intrepidTV

Check out our best-selling trips

These itineraries also run in the opposite direction

A combination of two or more of our adventures

Crammed full of stories, advice and practical insider tips, The Journal is written by well-travelled and goodhumoured folk who aren’t afraid to show off their puns.

Check it out for your daily dose of wanderlust.

FIND OUT MORE AT

intrepidtravel.com/adventures 9 Intrepid 18 to 29s

Exciting new additions to our current range of itineraries

local leaders Born and bred in the regions we visit, our leaders are passionate locals who do so much more than just show you the sights. They know the history of a place, as well as its shortcuts, and are full of insider info. They can lead you to cool backstreet bars and suggest the best way to make the most of free time. On top of that, they bridge language barriers, can point you in the direction of a working ATM and just generally make your journey as seamless as possible.

With our local leaders, you don’t just see a destination, you experience it.

FIND OUT MORE AT

intrepidtravel.com/about/meet-intrepid-leaders

BE RESPONSIBLE With great travel comes great responsibility. The world is an amazing place and we do what we can to keep it that way. That is why at Intrepid everything is done with four principles in mind: be kind, be aware, be sustainable and be fair. For us, the only way to travel is responsibly, and we want to give our travellers the ability to be responsible too.

FIND OUT MORE AT

intrepidtravel.com/be-responsible

The Intrepid Foundation was set up to help local organisations to improve livelihoods through sustainable travel experiences.

It now supports over 35 local, grassroots organisations around the world and empowers travellers to have a positive impact on the communities they visit. Travellers can give back by supporting a range of projects and not-for-profit organisations. theintrepidfoundation.org

be KIND

be SUSTAINABLE

Our travellers and staff are a caring bunch, especially

Sustainability has always been at the core of how

when it comes to animal welfare. That’s why we

we travel and is part of our business at every level.

made the decision to ban elephant rides across

We’ve been carbon neutral since 2010, and our

all our trips – the first global tour operator to do

business-wide carbon offsetting initiatives, efforts to

so – after funding some eye-opening research led

minimise single-use plastics on trips and emphasis on

by World Animal Protection. We’ve also made it our

minimising impact on local communities are all part of

mission to educate the travel industry in the hopes

our commitment to the UN Global Compact, and also

they adopt better animal welfare practices –

to the world we’re so lucky to explore.

for all animals.

be AWARE

be Fair

The complicated, uncomfortable reality is that

At Intrepid, we know our differences are our strength.

orphanage tourism has led to an industry that is

This is why we’re committed to promoting gender

forcibly institutionalising children to attract tourist

equality, diversity and inclusion across our business.

dollars. It may seem counterintuitive, but visits and

Whether it’s by highlighting positive stories of gender

donations to these sorts of organisations often do

equality like East Africa’s first female truck driver,

more harm than good. After working closely with

pushing for a global gender balance of local leaders

researchers, we made the decision to stop visiting

on trips, or showcasing traveller stories of diversity in

orphanages on our trips.

our content, we want to make it clear that the future of travel can be fair for everyone.

HELP A FRIEND fight poverty We want every 18 to 29s adventurer to be a part of our mission to combat poverty, which is why we’re making a contribution to Friends-International for every trip booked. Friends-International is a leading social enterprise saving lives and building futures for marginalised young people through education. With your help, The Intrepid Foundation has already contributed thousands of dollars towards vocational training programs such as hospitality, welding and sewing. By 2020, we’ll double our donation to Friends-International and other projects that help marginalised young men and women in the places we visit.

donated to Friends

46

young people received

100%

International (in AUD)

vocational training

employment after training

$110,000

of graduates secured

Intrepid 18 to 29s 12

A day in the life

of an INTREPID

traveller

It’s easy to fall into the typical tourist traps when travelling on your own.

You might spend the day wandering a few blocks from your hotel, seeing a few of the big sights, and that’s about it. But travel with Intrepid isn’t like that.

After showing you the must-sees, we’ll introduce you to local life and pack each day with moments you didn’t even know you needed to experience, like laughter yoga in Vietnam or a football match with locals. Plus, you don’t need to get bogged down with logistics, so you can just enjoy the adventure.

Doing it with Intrepid DOWN time

me al TIME

We’ve put years of research into finding the best

One of the tastier perks of having a local as your

accommodation (and weeding out the bad ones)

tour leader: they know all the best food spots.

so you can focus on more important things. With

You know, the ones you probably won’t find on

Intrepid, you might wake up at a 16th-century

TripAdvisor. When it’s time for lunch, they’ll take

palace in a rural village in India or cruise through

you to a market in Vietnam dishing up the freshest

the waterways of the Mekong Delta to stay the

rice noodles or a social enterprise restaurant that

night at a unique family homestay.

serves delicious cuisine while giving disadvantaged

Beats a crowded hostel doesn’t it?

kids a world‑class hospitality education. You’ll never have to settle for a bowl of lukewarm pho again.

tr avel time

EXPLOR ATION TIME

When it’s time to move on, you won’t have

Forget about downloading Google Translate,

to worry about trying to decipher local

when it’s time to get out and explore, your

transportation systems and queuing in long lines

leader will take you straight into the action

for tickets – we’ll take care of all the tedious travel

and provide tons of useful tips along the way.

arrangements for you. And because we believe

Learn to haggle like a pro at a local market or

transport is part of the adventure, we’ll throw in

find out where to get the perfect view of the

a sightseeing tour in a classic car in Havana or

Taj Mahal. Plus, they’re full of great suggestions

a tuk-tuk ride in Bangkok for good measure.

for how to make the most of your free time.

Intrepid 18 to 29s 14

Namibia

Chill in magical places Thailand

The best way to truly experience a place is away from the tourist

Peru

trail. See the Taj Mahal, but then escape to the Kerala backwaters for a jungle homestay. Go on an epic safari ride, but then kick back with Maasai warriors in a rarely visited pocket of Kenya.

We’ve scoured the globe for unforgettable places like this.

Peru

15  Intrepid 18 to 29s

Japan

Sri Lanka

food, glorious food Sit down to epic feasts and enjoy some of the best food in town. It might be fresh ceviche in Lima or an authentic banh mi in Hoi An. Our leaders know all the best tucked-away restaurants that only the locals know about, and because we keep our groups small, it’s easier to get a table.

Vietnam

Intrepid 18 to 29s  16

what’s hot We avoid picking favourites, like any good parent, but there’s a lot to cover in this brochure so here’s a taste of what we’re most excited about for 2019. From epic safari adventures in Botswana to sand-dune camping in India and surfing in Morocco, the world is a big place filled with incredible, once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

3 FES • SAHARA • HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS • MARRAKECH • ESSAOUIRA

1 MEXICO CITY • MERIDA • CHICHEN ITZA

$99 DEP O SI T

ut ect trip b the perf d n u fo s! s e e no str If you’v rd it yet, o ff a e it deposit, can’t qu your $99 id a p e u’v arture.

Once yo teed dep n ra a u g r is a any your tou y in as m u can pa o y , ll a f Best o u want. nts as yo instalme

2 BOGOTA • COCORA VALLEY • MEDELLIN • TAYRONA NP • CARTAGENA

1

2

3

Real Mexico

Real Colombia

Epic Morocco

Gorgeous beaches, epic ruins,

Colombia is sizzling, and we’re not

Camp in the Sahara, wander ancient

colourful traditions and some

just talking about the weather. From

medinas and fill up on fragrant

of the best street food in the

its salsa scene to its coffee beans,

tagine – Morocco will fulfil all your

world – Mexico has it all.

Colombia delivers the goods.

Lawrence of Arabia-type fantasies.

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Page 63

Page 97

17 Intrepid 18 to 29s

Okay, it may not seem like the most exciting announcement in the world, but you can now create an online account and save your favourite trips. We’re pretty stoked about it. Bucket lists are for dreamers, shortlists are for doers, so sign up for an account by visiting:

intrepidtravel.com/shortlist

5

4 KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY • OKAVANGO DELTA • CHOBE NP • VICTORIA FALLS

DELHI • THAR DESERT • JAIPUR • TAJ MAHAL

6 UBUD • MT BATUR • GILI ISLANDS • SEMINYAK

4

6

5

Essential Botswana

Real Rajasthan

Essential Bali & the Gili Islands

Hippos, lions, jeep safaris, wide

In between sand-dune camping,

A long-time favourite with yoga

open grassy plains and sunsets that

Pushkar’s bazaars and Jaipur’s

enthusiasts, this tropical paradise

would make your mother weep –

temples, get enough sensory

still has a few less-travelled corners.

this is what Africa is all about.

stimulation to last a lifetime.

See it all on an active adventure.

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Page 50

Page 36 Intrepid 18 to 29s 18

Where to go in ASIA If your ideal getaway involves epic ruins, dense jungles, towering mountain peaks, and casually getting about in tuk-tuks and longboats, you've come to the right place. In these parts of Asia you’ll find some of travel’s most enduring icons, from Cambodia’s amazing Angkor Wat to the one and only Great Wall of China.

Feeling hungry? Eat your way through the backstreets of Chiang Mai, then pop over to Vietnam to wash it down with some bia hoi before shouting yourself hoarse in Tokyo’s futuristic karaoke bars.

Dive in and join the party – it’s always on, all of the time.

J A PA N

C J YO

Beijing

Tokyo Osaka

HNYU HHYD N E PA L HNYE

Delhi

C BYC CHINA

Kathmandu

HHY V

T LYS INDIA

LAOS Vientiane

THAILAND

Goa

T TYN

H H YS Trivandrum Colombo

Hong Kong

Hanoi

H PY L

SRI LANKA

T T YC

Bangkok

T VYE VIETNAM

CAMBODIA

Ho Chi Minh City

Au Nang

T TYB Kuala Lumpur

TKYR Kota Kinabalu

M A L AY S I A

T M YS

SINGAPORE

INDONESIA

TIYB Seminyak

18

Discover more trips, detailed destination information and the latest prices at intrepidtravel.com/18-to-29s

CHOOSE A TRIP… HHY V

HNYE

HHYD Mt Everest

NE PA L Delhi

Bundi

Lumbini

Varanasi

Tordi Garh

Real Everest Base Camp 15 days, see page 44

H H YS

INDIA

Great Wall of China Beijing

S RI L A NK A

Colombo Kochi Kerala Backwaters Varkala

Xi'an

Trivandrum

Real South India 13 days, see page 52

J A PA N Hiroshima

Yangshuo

Real China 12 days, see page 40

Essential Japan 10 days, see page 41

T VYE Hanoi

Luang Prabang

Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

T HAI L AND

Vang Vieng

Pakbeng

Angkor Wat

Bangkok

Vientiane

Sukhothai

T H AI L A ND

Homestay

LAOS

THA I L A ND

Beach Stay Phnom Penh

Overnight Train

CAM BO DI A

Hue Hoi An

Ho Chi Minh City

Beach Stay

Real Cambodia 12 days, see page 25

THAILAND

M A L AY S I A

Penang

Ao Nang

Melaka

Sepilok Orangutan Centre Sandakan

Mt Batur

INDONESIA (BALI)

Essential Borneo 11 days, see page 35

Candidasa Beach

Seminyak Beach Benoa

Singapore

Real Bangkok to Singapore 14 days, see page 33

Gili Islands Padangbai

Ubud

Kinabatangan River

M A L AY S I A (BORNEO)

Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE

Essential Southern Thailand 10 days, see page 31

Sepilok

Kota Kinabalu

Surat Thani Koh Samui

TIYB Mt Kinabalu Poring Hot Springs

Surat Thani

Khao Sok NP

Overnight Train

Essential Vietnam 11 days, see page 22

T M YS

Bangkok

Khao Sok NP Ao Nang

T H AI LAN D

Overnight Train

VIETNAM

VI ET NAM

Ho Chi Minh City

Real Laos 13 days, see page 27

T TYB

Bangkok

Cat Ba Island

Siem Reap Kampong Cham

Bangkok

Bangkok

One Week in Northern Thailand 8 days, see page 30

Osaka

Hong Kong

TKYR

Mekong River Chiang Khong

Tokyo

Kyoto

Guilin

Tissamaharama

T LYS

Chiang Rai

Overnight Train

Chengdu

Essential Sri Lanka 11 days, see page 53

Doi Mae Salong

C J YO

CHINA

Ella

Unawatuna

One Week in Nepal 8 days, see page 47

Kanazawa

Kandy

Negombo

Mysore

Pokhara

Varanasi

C BYC

Hampi

INDIA

T T YC

Chitwan NP

Real Kathmandu to Delhi 13 days, enter HHYD on our website

HPYL Goa

N E PA L

Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Lukla

Essential North India 11 days, see page 48

Agra

Jaipur

Kathmandu

Taj Mahal

IN D I A

T TYN

NEPAL

Delhi

Everest Base Camp

Agra Jaipur

HNYU

Essential Bali & the Gili Islands 10 days, see page 36

…OR CHOOSE A COMBO TRIP

Combo Trips

With so much to see and

do in Asia, why not combine adventures and get the most

out of this incredible continent.

Our combo trips offer something for everyone.

T LYS

+

HHY V

H H YS

= HHYBC Epic India 23 days, see page 51

HNY U

HHYD

= HHYDC Epic Nepal to India 20 days, see page 45

T V YE

+

TKYR

= TTYAC Epic South East Asia 34 days, see page 28

T T YN

+

T T YC

= TTYDC Real Thailand 17 days, see page 32

T T YN

+

T TYB

= TTYSC Discover Thailand to Singapore 21 days, see page 34 Connecting flight not included

Discover more trips, detailed destination information and the latest prices at intrepidtravel.com/18-to-29s 19

South East Asia Welcome to South East Asia, an eternal backpacker's favourite from the neon‑lit chaos of Bangkok to Myanmar’s mountains, and all the rice paddies and beaches in between. With a huge variety of landscapes, thousands of years of history, some of the friendliest folk you’ll ever meet and downright delicious (and yes, weird) food, it’s no wonder South East Asia has travellers returning again and again.

WEATHER Ho Chi Minh City Phnom Penh Bangkok Vientiane Yangon Ubud Kota Kinabalu

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Hoi An, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Essential Vietnam

Hanoi

11 DAYS, HANOI TO HO CHI MINH CITY

Overnight Train Hue Hoi An

Explore the epic limestone landscape of Lan Ha Bay by boat, then get up close and personal with this emerald paradise, weaving past karsts and hidden caves in a kayak.

Journey across Vietnam the local way – rub shoulders with locals and brush up on your Vietnamese while travelling between destinations on an overnight train.

Stroll the historic streets of Ho Chi Minh City and take advantage of the continuing French influence by filling up at the city’s mouth-watering bakeries.

Day 1 Hanoi Pull up a plastic streetside stool and get to know your leader and travel crew over a pint of bia hoi, just like the locals. Day 2 Cat Ba Island Travel to rugged Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the UNESCO-listed Halong Bay. Famous for its thousands of craggy limestone islands that dramatically emerge from emerald waters, this stunning seascape is one of Vietnam’s most scenic places. Hop in a traditional junk boat and cruise the waters of Lan Ha Bay, enjoying lunch on board. Afterwards, get a closer look of this other-worldly landscape by kayak. Day 3 Cat Ba Island Spend a lazy morning on Cat Ba then return to Hanoi.

There’s time to grab some snacks before catching the overnight train to Hue. Day 4 Hue Arrive in the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Use a free day to perhaps explore Hue’s sprawling, walled citadel and enclosed Forbidden City or cruise the Perfume River

to Thien Mu Pagoda. Days 5-7 Hoi An Motor to Hoi An by private vehicle, then take a walking tour of the Old Town with your leader. If you’ve been wearing the same shirt every day, why not hit up one of the sameday tailors and get yourself something new, before travelling by overnight train to the beach. Days 8-9 Phan Rang Get ready for two full days of relaxation in this gorgeous coastal town. Choose to spend your time catching some rays, swimming, snorkelling or eating all the seafood you can (decisions, decisions).

Then it’s back on the Reunification Express for one last train ride. Days 10-11 Ho Chi Minh City Roll into town early and head out to get your bearings. You can still see the French influence in the top-notch baguettes and coffee on offer. Maybe check out the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum or the markets before your adventure comes to an end.

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Cat Ba Island

Overnight Train

VIETNAM

Beach Stay Ho Chi Minh City

TVYE

Overnight Train

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (7 nts), overnight train (3 nts) 1 lunch Boat, private vehicle, overnight train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TVYE on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Phong Nha, Vietnam

Real Vietnam

Hanoi

Overnight Train

15 DAYS, HO CHI MINH CITY TO HANOI

Phong Nha Hue VIETNAM Hoi An

It’s taken 400 million years for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to look this good – enjoy ample time to explore its caves, underground rivers and amazing karst scenery.

See Hoi An’s diverse architectural influences on a walking tour of its Old Town, then get a taste of country living on a bike tour of the surrounding countryside.

Jungle-clad limestone islands and emerald waters – experience the other-worldly landscape around Cat Ba Island sailing Lan Ha Bay in a traditional junk boat.

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City If you land in town early, you may want to check out the War Remnants Museum or Reunification Palace before meeting your crew tonight. Days 2-3 Mekong Delta Cruise the Mekong River to a local guesthouse (you accomodation for the next two nights) and be met with friendly faces and a delicious home-cooked meal on arrival. It doesn’t get much more immersive than this. Return to Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll jump on the overnight train heading towards the beach. Days 4-5 Tuy Hoa Spend the next two days swimming, eating and relaxing in this mellow coastal town before boarding an overnight train to Hoi An. Days 6-7 Hoi An After a city walking tour, use free time to try pho from the motherland, sign up for a cooking class or head to a same-day tailor for some custom threads. Peddle past rice paddies and small villages on a bicycle tour of the nearby countryside.

Cat Ba Island

Days 8-9 Hue Travel across Hai Van Pass via the fishing village of Lang Co before arriving in Hue. Maybe rent a bike for some two-wheeled exploration, visit the Imperial Citadel or head to the Dong Ba markets.

Days 10-11 Phong Nha Explore Phong Nha’s national park, an amazing landscape riddled with caves and underground rivers. Jump on a northbound sleeper train. Day 12 Hanoi Tour the Old Quarter, visiting the Dong Xuan market and the ancient ‘36 streets’.

If you need insider tips, your leader can point you in the direction of cool galleries, great shopping and delicious food. Day 13 Cat Ba Island Cruise among epic limestone karsts, swim in emerald waters or head out in a kayak and enjoy island life, Vietnam-style.

Days 14-15 Hanoi Head back to Hanoi for some lastminute exploring. Maybe hit the town for a final group dinner and swap details.

Overnight Train

Mekong Delta

TVYB

Tuy Hoa Overnight Train Ho Chi Minh City

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (9 nts), overnight train (3 nts), guesthouse (1 nt), homestay (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner Boat, private vehicle, overnight train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Thursdays Enter TVYB on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Six Days in Cambodia 6 DAYS, PHNOM PENH TO SIEM REAP Explore outwardly chaotic Phnom Penh on a cyclo tour, getting a feel for the unwritten rules that direct the flow of people and traffic.

Angkor Wat Siem Reap

C A MBOD IA

Enjoy a traditional meal with a local Khmer family in their home – a highlight for lots of our travellers!

Spend a day with a local guide touring the incredible Angkor temple complex, where ancient structures are partially swallowed by giant tree roots and forest.

Days 1-2 Phnom Penh Touch down in Phnom Penh and meet your leader and new travel pals. The best way to get your bearings in the bustle of Cambodia’s capital is on the road – footpaths aren’t really a thing here. Jump on a cyclo for a sightseeing tour around town and get acquainted with the quirks of this city.

Why not stop and grab a coconut – you’ll see locals hauling them by the hundreds in trailers and they’re a cheap way to cool down and stay hydrated. Among the throngs of people it’s hard to imagine that less than 50 years ago Phnom Penh was forcibly evacuated and effectively made a ghost town under the brutal dictatorship of Pol Pot. The legacy of this painful part of history is woven into the fabric of the city and its surrounds. In the centre of town you’ll find the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former primary school that was turned into a prison after Pol Pot seized power. If

you’d like to learn more, the Choeung Ek Killing Fields are easily accessible by taxi or tuk-tuk. Meet a local family at their home for a traditional meal. Although Khmer can be a tricky language for foreigners, saying thanks is easy: a-kun! Days 3-4 Siem Reap/Angkor Wat A local bus will take you to cruisy Siem Reap. See this small but bar-packed town on an orientation walk with your leader, and then it’s time for the main event: exploring the Angkor temples. A local guide will show you around the magnificent ancient site, where ornate temples pop like carved stone pineapples from the jungle and tree roots wrap themselves around the temple facades. Days 5-6 Siem Reap If you’re feeling all templed out, spend your last days exploring Siem Reap. There are massages, markets and food stalls galore, so rest up, shop up and eat up before your adventure comes to an end after breakfast on Day 6.

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Phnom Penh

TKYC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (5 nts) 1 dinner Private vehicle, local bus, tuk-tuk, cyclo DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TKYC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Real Cambodia

TH A ILAN D

12 DAYS, HO CHI MINH CITY TO BANGKOK

Angkor Wat

Stay with a family in a Cambodian village, watch a Khmer dance performance and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal for a slice of authentic local life.

Climb over and under the massive ancient temples in the complex of Angkor. A local expert will provide some insight into the history of this fascinating place.

Need to eat all of the street food? Can’t find the ATM? Never fear. Your leader has got you covered with local insight and hot tips on how to make the most of your trip.

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City Meet the crew in Ho Chi Minh City. If you’ve arrived early perhaps scour the Ben Thanh Market or eat your body weight in chao tom (barbecued shrimp paste on sticks of sugar cane). Days 2-3 Phnom Penh Whether you opt to see the sights on a cyclo tour, get a history lesson at the opulent Royal Palace, explore the peaceful (and monkey-filled) Wat Phnom or simply relax with a drink and a view from the roof of the Foreign Correspondent’s Club, Cambodia’s busy capital is a feast for the senses. Enjoy a group dinner at Friends Restaurant, a local initiative serving delicious Khmer food and providing hospitality training to vulnerable youth. Days 4-5 Beach Stay Head to the coast for two days of easy-breezy relaxation. You might like to boat out to one of the nearby islands, hire a bike for a few hours, see exotic wildlife at Ream National Park or just

kick back on the shore. Day 6 Chambok Homestay Shotgun a window seat for today’s scenic journey from the coast to the lush greenery of rural Cambodia.

Meet your host family and get a taste for traditional Khmer life, and feast on a delicious home-cooked meal before enjoying a traditional dance performance.

Day 7 Kampong Cham Buildings left over from the French occupation sit next to traditional wats and pagodas in relaxed Kampong Cham. Why not hire a bike and cycle out to Koh Paen via the bamboo bridge.

Days 8-10 Siem Reap/Angkor Wat It’s the one you’ve all been waiting for – Angkor Wat. Spend a few days touring this majestic ancient kingdom and exploring its dilapidated ruins. Days 11-12 Bangkok Travel to Thailand, where this trip ends. Maybe grab a final Singha beer with your new friends before wrapping up in bustling, chaotic Bangkok.

Bangkok Homestay

Beach Stay Phnom Penh

TKYR

C A MB OD IA

Siem Reap Kampong Cham Ho Chi Minh City

V IETN A M

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (8 nts), guesthouse (2 nts), homestay (1 nt) 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners Private vehicle, local bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Wednesdays Enter TKYR on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Epic Vietnam to Cambodia 22 DAYS, HANOI TO BANGKOK Cruise emerald waters and kayak amongst thousands of jungle-topped limestone karsts off the impossibly picturesque shores of Cat Ba Island.

Hit the bustling cities of Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City for markets, tailors and more bowls of pho than you could ever possibly eat.

Famous for its epic size and incredible detail, exploring Cambodia’s sprawling Angkor Wat complex is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Days 1-3 Hanoi/Cat Ba Island Touch down in Hanoi and meet your new travel gang. Cruise the limestone wonderland surrounding Cat Ba Island by boat before hopping into a kayak for a closer look at the karsts and caves. Return to Hanoi to catch an overnight train.

Day 4 Hue Perhaps visit the Citadel Imperial Enclosure on a free day in Hue. Days 5-7 Hoi An Take a bus to Hoi An, then head out on a walking tour of the Old Town.

Maybe join a bike tour or get some custom threads made at one of the city’s many same-day tailors.

Days 8-9 Beach Stay Soak up the sun and relaxed beach vibes. Days 10-11 Ho Chi Minh City Explore the streets with your leader before heading out on your own. Maybe hit up the Cu Chi Tunnels, cruise along the Mekong River or stay in town and slurp up pho.

Days 12-13 Phnom Penh Dine on delicious Khmer food while also supporting a great cause at Friends

Restaurant, a local initiative that provides hospitality training to vulnerable youth. In free time, consider visiting the S-21 Museum and the Killing Fields.

Days 14-15 Sihanoukville Province Epic beaches and Ream National Park vie for your attention on Cambodia's cruisy coast. Day 16 Chambok Homestay Experience Khmer life as a guest at a rural homestay, complete with a home-cooked meal and traditional Khmer dance performance. Day 17 Kampong Cham Frontier charm meets French colonial character in Kampong Cham. Days 18-20 Siem Reap Ancient temples, overgrown jungle and epic sunsets – welcome to Angkor. Explore this ancient site then grab a drink on Pub Street. Days 21-22 Bangkok Drive to bustling Bangkok where you can choose to join an Urban Adventure, indulge in a Thai massage or explore the khlongs (canals) by longtail boat.

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Hanoi

Cat Ba Island Overnight Train

C AMBOD IA TH AILAN D

Hue

V IE TN A M

Hoi An

Overnight Train Bangkok Angkor Wat Siem Reap Phan Rang Kampong Cham Overnight Train Homestay Ho Chi Minh City Beach Stay Phnom Penh

TVYSC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (15 nts), overnight train (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), guesthouse (2 nts) 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners Boat, private vehicle, local bus, overnight train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TVYSC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Epic Laos & Cambodia Want to double your wows after Laos?

Extend your adventure into its southerly neighbour to soak up Phnom Penh’s turbulent history and explore Siem Reap’s incredible Angkor complex.

For more info enter TTYCC on intrepidtravel.com Vang Vieng, Laos

Real Laos

Mekong River Chiang Khong

13 DAYS, BANGKOK TO VIENTIANE Cruise down the Mekong River in a traditional-style boat – there’ll be more photo ops than you can shake a bamboo stick at.

Chiang Mai

Days 1-2 Bangkok Maybe roam side-by-side with monks on the streets of Thailand’s capital before tonight’s welcome meeting. The next day, get to know the hidden parts of Bangkok on an orientation walk, stopping to eat at food stalls, learning about street art and wandering through back streets to see how locals live and work in this sprawling city. Days 3-4 Chiang Mai Why not climb the 300 steps at Wat Doi Suthep.

The view makes all that walking worth it. Later, cool down and chill out with a traditional Thai massage or splash some cash at the Night Bazaar. Day 5 Chiang Khong Chill out in Chiang Khong on the Thai side of the border. Take this opportunity to seek out some delicious kow soy, that tasty noodle dish of the north, or take a stroll along the riverfront for a spot of people-watching. Day 6 Mekong River/Pakbeng Cruise the mighty Mekong and say ‘sabai dee’ to

the friendly locals along the way. Tonight you’ll feel right at home in your little guesthouse in Pakbeng, a colourful village town on the corner of Nam Beng (that’s a river) where many indigenous Hmong people walk the main streets in vibrant traditional clothes.

Days 7-9 Luang Prabang Keep cruisin’. Stop at the incredible Pak Ou Caves before heading further north to Luang Prabang. Maybe wander the quaint streets of this heritage-listed mountain town with a sugarcane juice in hand. You’ll need all the energy you can muster for a game of petanque (similar to bocce) with the locals later. Days 10-11 Vang Vieng Here it’s all about the outdoor adventures. Check out the West Bank caving sites, head out in a kayak or hire a bike and explore. Days 12-13 Vientiane Finish up in Laos’ capital. Head to Wat Sri Saket, Vientiane’s oldest surviving temple, then explore on your own.

Pakbeng

Vang Vieng Vientiane

TH AILAN D

Spend the night in a small village in Pakbeng, a colourful town on the river that the Hmong people call home.

Look for meaning in hundreds of Zen faces at the Pak Ou Caves, where statues, carvings and paintings of the Buddha are crammed in by the hundreds.

Luang Prabang

LAOS

Bangkok

TLYS

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (5 nts), guesthouse (6 nts), overnight train (1 nt) 5 breakfasts Local bus, private bus, boat, songthaew, ferry, overnight train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Vang Vieng, Laos

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Epic South East Asia 34 DAYS, BANGKOK TO BANGKOK After a relaxing trip down the Mekong River, experience village life up close with a night in the colourful village of Pakbeng.

Spend a night on Cat Ba Island and cruise around the epic emerald waters and mossy giant rocks of Lan Ha Bay. Bunk down with a local family at a homestay – dig into a delicious Khmer feast (prepared by our hosts) and take part in a traditional dance performance.

Days 1-2 Bangkok Meet your crew in the evening.

After a day of exploring, head north on the overnight train. Days 3-4 Chiang Mai There are plenty of optional activities to keep you occupied here in Thailand’s hill region. Day 5 Chiang Khong Chill out and maybe take a stroll along the riverfront. Day 6 Pakbeng Enjoy a relaxing cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng.

Days 7-9 Luang Prabang Check out the Pak Ou Caves, then continue to Luang Prabang. Days 10-11 Vang Vieng Take a few days to explore Vang Vieng’s caves, lagoons and forests by kayak or bike. Day 12 Vientiane Snap a few pics at Wat Sri Saket. Day 13 Hanoi Fly to Hanoi and meet your Vietnam leader. Days 14-15 Cat Ba Island Travel to Cat Ba and cruise around Lan Ha Bay. Get up close to this other-worldly landscape by kayak. Day 16 Hue Vietnam’s former imperial capital is full of palaces, temples and some of the best food.

Days 17-19 Hoi An Take a walking tour with your leader, then explore the lantern-lit streets. Days 20-21 Phan Rang Enjoy two full days to catch some rays, snorkel and eat all the seafood you can. Days 22-23 Ho Chi Minh City Maybe head to the Reunification Palace or visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Days 24-25 Phnom Penh There’s plenty of time to explore the streets of Cambodia’s capital. Days 26-27 Sihanoukville Province Whether you like your beaches lively or chill, you’ll find something to your taste along these shores. Day 28 Chambok Homestay Bunk down with a local family and enjoy a traditional dinner and dance performance. Day 29 Kampong Cham Bike ride, temple-hop or a leisurely stroll? You pick. Days 30-32 Siem Reap Two words: Angkor Wat. Believe the hype is real. Days 33-34 Bangkok Celebrate the end of your adventure in exciting Bangkok.

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Mekong River/ Luang Cat Ba Island Pak Beng Prabang Hanoi Chiang Khong Overnight Train Chiang Mai Hue VIETN A M Vang Vieng Vientiane Hoi An

TH A ILAN DLAOS

Overnight Train Angkor Wat Overnight Train Kampong Phan Rang Bangkok Siem Reap Cham Overnight Train Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh City Homestay Beach Stay

CAMBODIA

TTYAC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Guesthouse (8 nts), homestay (1 nt), hotel (20 nts), overnight train (4 nts) 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners Plane, boat, local bus, private vehicle, tuk-tuk, overnight train, songthaew DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays Enter TTYAC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

My First Group Tour

By Juliann Cheryl Before my trip to Bali I made a detailed game plan for all the days I’d be abroad.

I couldn’t help it, I’m an obsessive list maker and I favourited every Instagrammable viewpoint I wanted to capture. Then I landed in Bali and my list got trashed because they had it all figured out for me – transportation, accommodation, everything. I didn’t know whether I’d be travelling with my type of people, but when you’ve all picked the same destination and are around the same age, you’re almost guaranteed to meet people with the same interests as you. There’s plenty of free time to do what you want and the best local leader to make suggestions, but more than just doing and seeing things, I got to have meaningful life conversations, laughter and silliness, which would’ve been impossible travelling alone. That makes my soul full, because my experience allowed me to meet some of the most fun and kind people on earth and that’s what travel is all about.

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Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Rai, Thailand

One Week in Northern Thailand 8 DAYS, BANGKOK TO BANGKOK

Doi Mae Salong Chiang Rai Chiang Mai

Roll around Sukhothai’s Historical Park on a guided cycling tour and discover the ’Dawn of Happiness’ for yourself.

Sukhothai

TH AILA N D

Make some new, big-footed buddies at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital, an NGO caring for rescued and injured elephants.

Hit the Golden Triangle and spend a night up in the hills of Doi Mae Salong, where the grass (or the tea plantations) is always greener.

Day 1 Bangkok Welcome to Thailand! You’re officially on holidays once you touch down here and we think that deserves a toast. Our pick for drinks is Vertigo.

Ask your leader for directions or grab your new travel mates and attempt to navigate the Skytrain. Day 2 Sukhothai Kick on to Sukhothai, which translates to ‘Dawn of Happiness’. Pick up a bike and head out on an afternoon cycling tour of the Historical Park and World Heritage-listed ancient city. Days 3-4 Chiang Mai On the way to hillside Chiang Mai, stop at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital in Lampang to meet rescued and injured elephants being nursed back to good health. When you arrive in Chiang Mai, spend a few hours exploring some of the 120+ temples in town then indulge in a traditional Thai massage or hit up the Night Bazaar and get haggling. Day 5 Doi Mae Salong Doi Mae Salong is way up in the hills of

the Golden Triangle. The views are incredible and you’ll also get to meet some hill-tribe villagers as you explore this tiny village. Stop by the market for some tea and goodies to take home or climb the 719 steps to the town’s Buddhist temple. Day 6 Chiang Rai The Golden Triangle is a lush, mountainous, traditional intersection of Northern Thailand, Laos and Burma.

Get exploring, then kick on to ever-charming Chiang Rai. Maybe head to the night markets to pick up handicrafts or just wander around with your new crew and take it all in. Day 7 Chiang Mai Stop in at the super creepy White Temple on your way back to Chiang Mai. Do all the things you didn’t get a chance to do last time, then jump on the overnight train back to Bangkok. Day 8 Bangkok We’re back in Bangkok and that’s a wrap, folks! We recommend continuing your quest to find the best pad see ew in Thailand.

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Bangkok

TTYN

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (3 nts), guesthouse (3 nts), overnight train (1 nt) 2 breakfasts Aircon bus, bicycle, minivan, overnight train, songthaew, tuk-tuk DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Krabi, Thailand

Krabi, Thailand

Essential Southern Thailand

Bangkok

10 DAYS, BANGKOK TO AO NANG

TH AILAN D

See the sights in big, bold, bustling Bangkok with your local leader. Hit the markets, taste all the street food and overload your senses.

Koh Samui is a nice slice of paradise. Cruise the island, go chasing waterfalls and feel peachy on the beach before hitting the dance floor in one of Koh Samui’s famous bars.

Complement your new island lifestyle by spending two nights in a jungle guesthouse just outside Khao Sok National Park.

Days 1-2 Bangkok Kick things off in Thailand’s capital and meet your new travel buds on your first evening.

Check out the Grand Palace, then spend free time eating pad thai at the market or visiting the Reclining Buddha, before jumping on an overnight train heading south. Next stop: island paradise. Days 3-4 Koh Samui Alight in Surat Thani and board a ferry to Koh Samui.

From there it’s all on you: waterfalls, swimming, sunbaking, snorkelling – what’s your pleasure? There’s even a half-day guided island tour thrown in for good measure. Or you might like to take an optional day tour to Ang Thong Marine National Park. The park is an archipelago of over 40 islands featuring pristine beaches, jungle, mangroves and limestone mountains rising out of the sea. Days 5-6 Khao Sok National Park Board the ferry back to the mainland and push on to Khao Sok National Park. This park is the wettest spot in

Thailand and home to some of the oldest jungle in the world. Stay in a jungle guesthouse right outside the entrace to the park and take some time to explore the trails, waterfalls and incredible limestone rockfaces.

Days 7-10 Ao Nang Hop on the bus to Ao Nang and spend a day soaking up the sunshine. We’re back to the beach, this time in the Krabi province, so grab a snorkel or a patch of sand and take it very, very easy.

Kayak through mangrove forests, coves and narrow karst-walled canyons, keeping your eyes peeled for playful monkeys. Your last day is a choose-yourown-adventure deal. Pick from optional activities including a Thai cooking class, a scuba trip and plenty of day tours or – if you’re feeling adventurous – why not sign up for a day of rock climbing, which Krabi is internationally known for. Your trip ends after breakfast on the final day.

Surat Thani Koh Samui Khao Sok NP Ao Nang

TTYC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (1 nt), Guesthouse (5 nts), overnight train (1 nt), resort (2 nts) 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch Bus, boat, ferry, minivan, overnight train, tuk-tuk, songthaew, kayak DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Grand Palace, Thailand

Koh Samui, Thailand

Real Thailand

Doi Mae Salong

17 DAYS, BANGKOK TO AO NANG

Sukhothai

TH AILAN D

Leave behind the hungover backpacking hordes in Bangkok and get stuck into an authentic Thai adventure.

Witness the awesome work Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital do on a daily basis, caring for rescued and injured elephants.

Wake up to the call of birds and other beasties during your two-day stay in a jungle guesthouse just outside Khao Sok National Park.

Day 1 Bangkok Touch down in the Thai capital and meet up with your new best pals (aka travel group) for a pre-departure rundown in the evening. Day 2 Sukhothai Jump on a local bus to Sukhothai then take in the ruins and temples by bike. Spend the day cycling between Buddha figures and ancient palaces. Days 3-4 Chiang Mai Make some new pals at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital in Lampang, where gentle giants are being nursed back to good health. Continue on to Chiang Mai, a cultural city at the foothills of the Himalayas. Day 5 Doi Mae Salong Sip tea in the plantation hills of Doi Mae Salong and get the latest (and oldest) trends by viewing the villagers’ colourful traditional dress. Days 6-7 Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai Ah, the Golden Triangle – that magical point where Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand meet in a blaze of hill-tribe and (former) opium-trade glory. Visit historic

Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai where you’ll see Wat Rong Khun. Days 8-9 Bangkok Tour the Grand Palace with your group, then maybe check out the Emerald Buddha. Days 10-11 Koh Samui See the sights on a half-day guided tour, then the beach is your oyster. Maybe take a dip in the crystal-clear pools of Na Muang waterfalls or get your snorkel on for a tour of Ang Thong National Marine Park. Days 12-13 Khao Sok National Park Explore the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world and the wettest spot in Thailand. Wander along jungle trails, spot monkeys playing and steer clear of giant rafflesia flowers (because they actually stink). Days 14-17 Ao Nang Get ready for some serious beach time. Take a kayaking tour through mangrove forests and coves.

There are heaps of optional activities available here: cycling to waterfalls, lagoon tours and cooking classes (your leader can help out with bookings).

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Bangkok

Surat Thani Koh Samui Khao Sok NP

TTYDC

Ao Nang

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (4 nts), overnight train (2 nts), guesthouse (8 nts), resort (2 nts) 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch Bus, bicycle, ferry, longtail boat, overnight train, songthaew, taxi, tuktuk, kayak DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TTYDC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Bangkok, Thailand

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Real Bangkok to Singapore 14 DAYS, BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE The excitement of cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur can be full on, but with the insider knowledge of your local leader you can cut through the chaos.

Spend a night in a stilted rafthouse that is literally on the lake. Facilities are basic, but nothing beats waking up to views of the lake and jungle.

Chill out in Ao Nang, a near perfect stretch of beach that you can use as a base to explore the nearby islands or just soak up some sun.

Days 1-2 Bangkok Stroll the streets of Bangkok on an orientation walk, visiting the Talad Noi Market and Chinese Temple and passing by Wat Pho. Day 3 Khao Sok National Park Get off the train and drive to Khao Sok National Park, the oldest rainforest in the world.

Cruise across Cheow Lan Lake, then spend the night in a rafthouse on the lake. Facilities are pretty simple but just wait until you see the view in the morning.

Days 4-6 Ao Nang The beach at Ao Nang is pretty much the epitome of perfect. We’ve got two and a half days of free time here – perhaps take a day cruise to Phi Phi Island. Days 7-8 Penang After a long travel day hit the streets of Penang. Take an orientation walk through Georgetown, checking out the street art and visiting Penang Museum. Then enjoy free time – an optional street-food dinner at the night market is highly recommended! Days 9-11 Kuala Lumpur Jump on a

train to vibrant KL. Get acquainted with this buzzing city on a walk with your leader, then explore on your own. Get up early and hit up the Petronas Towers (two of the tallest buildings in the world), master the art of batik painting or head out of town to the monkey-filled Batu Caves. Head to the night markets for great street food and shopping. Day 12 Melaka Maybe check out the ironically named Museum of Enduring Beauty in historical Melaka, which exhibits instruments of cosmetic mutilation. Days 13-14 Singapore Explore the city’s ever-evolving streets on a walk with your leader. There is so much to see, do and eat here: glitzy hotels and ritzy shopping centres, aromatic smells wafting out of hawker centres and open-air restaurants, incredible gardens and public art installations. Make the most of all Singapore has to offer before the adventure ends.

Bangkok

THAILAND

Khao Sok NP Ao Nang

Surat Thani

Penang Melaka

M A L AY S I A Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE

TTYB

Singapore

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (11 nts), overnight train (1 nt), rafthouse (1 nt) 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner Boat, overnight train, private bus, public bus, taxi, van DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TTYB on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Bangkok. Thailand

Penang, Malaysia

Epic Thailand to Singapore

Doi Mae Salong Chang Rai Chiang Mai Sukhothai

THAILAND

21 DAYS, BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE Kuala Lumpur can be full on, but your local leader can help you avoid the tourist traps and find the best spots to eat, drink and shop in town.

Does anything beat waking up to views of turquoise lakes, limestone karsts and dense jungle? Nup (especially when you’re in an over-water rafthouse).

Wander the quiet old streets of Talad Noi in Bangkok. Even the curved and faded street signs have a lot of charm in this historic Chinese–Thai neighourhood.

Day 1 Bangkok Meet your guide and travel pals, and maybe toast a Singha beer to the adventure ahead.

Day 2 Sukhothai Head out on a guided cycling tour of the Buddha statues and bell-shaped temples of the historical park. Days 3-4 Chiang Mai Meet some of the elephants being nursed back to health at Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital in Lampang. In Chiang Mai, perhaps climb the stairs to golden Doi Suthep for incredible city views. Day 5 Doi Mae Salong Wander a tea plantation in the hills of the Golden Triangle. Stop by the hill-tribe product market for some tea and goodies to take home. Day 6 Chiang Rai Use free time to perhaps stop in at the House of Opium Museum. Day 7 Chiang Mai Visit one of Thailand’s most recognisable temples, the quirky, all-white Wat Rong Khun. Days 8-9 Bangkok Visit an old part of the city in Talad Noi, where weathered

walls are painted with retro Chinese murals. See the city from the water of Chao Praya River in a ferry ride.

Day 10 Khao Sok National Park Explore the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. Cruise across the lake and spend the night in a rafthouse built on stilts over the water. Days 11-13 Ao Nang Enjoy two and a half days relaxing in this tropical paradise.

Days 14-15 Penang Check out the creative street art and visit Penang Museum in this neon-lit city.

Days 16-18 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia’s buzzing capital is yours for the taking. Try and get to the famous Buta Caves, limestone caverns stuffed with shrines and bats. Day 19 Melaka Maybe visit the Taming Sari Tower or check out some weird exhibits at the Museum of Enduring Beauty. Days 20-21 Singapore Go shopping, eat laksa, and maybe finish off your trip by sipping on a Singapore Sling in a Chinatown bar.

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Bangkok Surat Thani Khao Sok NP Ao Nang Penang

M A L AY S I A Kuala Lumpur

Melaka

SINGAPORE

TTYSC

Singapore

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (14 nts), guesthouse (3 nts), overnight train (2 nts), rafthouse (1 nt) 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner Boat, overnight train, minibus, public bus, songthaew, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TTYSC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Mt Kinabalu, Borneo

Orangutan Sanctuary, Borneo

Essential Borneo

Mt Kinabalu Poring Hot Springs

11 DAYS, KOTA KINABALU TO KOTA KINABALU Always wanted to see an orangutan? You’ve come to the right place. Come face-to-face with these friendly fellas at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

Sepilok

Kota Kinabalu

Day 1 Kota Kinabalu The name of this coastal city translates literally to ‘City of the Revered Place of the Dead’. Relax though – no zombies here. Days 2-3 Kinabatangan River Fly to Sandakan and then travel by private minibus to Kinabatangan River. Visit an area known as Batu Puteh and stop by the KOPEL ecotourism project to hear about local conservation initiatives. Head out on a sunset boat ride along the Kinabatangan River, keeping an eye out for wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants (if you’re lucky!). Snuggle down for a sleepover in a community-run eco-camp bush hut in the middle of the jungle, then a family homestay. Days 4-5 Sepilok Swing past the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and meet the world’s cutest redheads. Stop at the Sandakan War Memorial, located on the site of a Prisoner of War camp, to learn about the horrific World

War II death marches. Spend two nights at a jungle lodge in Sepilok. Day 6 Kinabalu Park Make your way to Malaysia’s first World Heritage site. Days 7-8 Mt Kinabalu Climb Spend the next two days hiking up and down South East Asia’s highest point. Mt Kinabalu taps out at 4095 m, about half the height of Everest.

We promise you’ll remember – sometimes for the effort, mostly for the scenery – every single metre.

Reach the summit early morning on Day 8 and catch an epic sunrise, then in the afternoon travel to Poring Hot Springs. Day 9 Poring Hot Springs It’s time to take a load off and soak those tired bones in some hot springs. You’ve earned it. These soothing waters are believed to have healing properties for the skin, too.

Bonus. Days 10-11 Kota Kinabalu Head back to KK for some free time for optional activities or last-minute souvenir shopping before your trip comes to an end.

Sandakan

Kinabatangan River

MA LAYS IA (BOR N EO)

Spend the night in a bush hut as part of a community-run eco-camp in the middle of the jungle.

Good mountains are hard to climb. Get ready to conquer epic Mt Kinabalu – it’s a challenging hike but trust us, it’s worth it.

Sepilok Orangutan Centre

TMYS

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (2 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts), homestay (1 nt), hostel (4 nts), ecocamp (1 nt) 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners Plane, boat, bus, minibus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter TMYS on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Ubud, Indonesia

Essential Bali & the Gili Islands Mt Batur

10 DAYS, UBUD TO SEMINYAK Seize the day (and the night) with an early start to catch the sunrise from the summit of Mt Batur, an active volcano with a spectacular crater lake.

Get to know your local sea turtles while snorkelling in the waters surrounding the stupidly gorgeous Gili Islands.

Enjoy the best of both worlds: start with a smoothie in cultural Ubud then finish up with a cocktail in hand at a Seminyak beach club.

Days 1-2 Ubud Arrive in Ubud: the cultural centre of Bali, a yogi paradise and the inspiration for Eat Pray Love. Meet your group then begin your own Bali pilgrimage by grabbing a green smoothie and exploring this pretty little hub. Day 3 Mt Batur Travel to Batur via the Tirta Empul Water Temple. Built in the 10th century as a place of ritual purification, Balinese Hindus still come to bathe in the pools and purify themselves at this active temple. Aim for an early night as you’ll have a very early start tomorrow. Day 4 Candidasa Wake before dawn and trek to the summit of Mt Batur, an imposing nearby volcano, in time to witness a stunning sunrise over the valley. On a clear morning, it’s possible to see all the way across the Lombok Strait to the peak of Mt Rinjani. Afterwards, snooze and rest your legs at beachside Candidasa.

The evening is free for you to relax and perhaps grab

an ice-cold beer – you deserve it. Days 5-7 Gili Islands Made up of three islands – Gili Meno, Gili Air and Gili T – each with their own unique vibe, you’ve got a few days here to swim, snorkel with sea turtles and relax. Bask in the sun, find your inner Zen at a yoga class, stretch your legs on a bike ride or simply relax with a couple of sunset drinks by the beach. It’s your holiday, after all. Days 8-10 Seminyak Bail from the Gilis feeling refreshed and take a speedboat to Benoa, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to trendy Seminyak, where the sunsets are legendary, the beaches are plentiful and the nightlife is, well, lively. There are a boatload of optional activities to choose from. Entry to one of the famous beach clubs is covered for your final afternoon, so grab a drink, enjoy the sunset and have a boogie with your travel buds before you part ways.

Your trip ends after breakfast on the final morning.

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IN D ON ES IA (B A LI)

Gili Islands Padangbai

Ubud

Candidasa Beach

Seminyak Beach Benoa

TIYB

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (8 nts), guesthouse (1 nts) 9 breakfasts Boat, private minibus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Saturdays Enter TIYB on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Real Myanmar

MYA N MAR Mandalay

13 DAYS, YANGON TO YANGON

Bagan

Kalaw Inle Lake

Tour the ancient city of Bagan by bicycle or float high above the spectacle of stupas in a hot air balloon.

Experience rural Burmese life on a full-day trek through the green hills and traditional villages of Kalaw.

Visit the glittering stupa Shwedagon Pagoda, a spectacular show of bling known as the ‘crown jewel’ of Yangon.

Day 1 Yangon The adventure kicks off in Yangon, Myanmar’s captivating capital. Meet your travel crew at an evening welcome meeting. Days 2-4 Bagan Depart early this morning by private bus and roll into Bagan. This is a full day of driving so come prepared with books, podcasts and tunes. Then there’s two full days to explore Bagan. You might like to visit one of the community projects we support here – your leader will fill you in. The next morning, choose to take a sunrise hot air balloon flight or maybe take a guided bike tour around temple town. Days 5-6 Mandalay Catch a ferry up the Ayeyarwady River to Mandalay and enjoy a free day here. Maybe watch the sunset from Mandalay Hill, check out the huge uncracked bell in Mingun or sit down to a bowl of khout swe (coconut noodle soup). Days 7-8 Kalaw Take a long journey to Kalaw and spend the next day hiking through the

hills and surrounding villages. Reward yourself with chai or some raksi (Nepali-style liquor) from one of the local teashops. Days 9-11 Inle Lake Take a bus to Inle Lake, and stop in at Shwe Yan Pyay temple on the way to the hotel. You might like to explore Inle Lake on an optional boat trip, passing stilted houses and the famous Intha fishermen. Haggle at the rotating market, which changes locations around the lake, and visit the Yadana Man Aung Paya Monastery. Perhaps make a beeline for a nearby winery. Days 12-13 Yangon Take a morning flight back to Yangon and immerse yourself in busy city life. Visit Shwedagon Pagoda, which is plated with 8688 sheets of gold and encrusted with diamonds and rubies. Serious bling.

Perhaps head out for a final group dinner because it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and leader. The adventure ends after breakfast on the final day.

Yangon

TRYR

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (12 nts) 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch Plane, boat, private vehicle, ferry, public bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Mondays Enter TRYR on geckosadventures.com See inside cover for prices

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China & Japan Like your walls great, your cities ancient and your food weird and whacky? China may just be the place for you. Or how about Japan, home to the most faultlessly considerate people, a vending machine for your every need, musical public toilets and a whole load of ancient temples, castles and shrines too.

WEATHER Beijing Tokyo

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Great Wall, China

Xi'an, China

Great Wall of China Beijing

Real China 12 DAYS, BEIJING TO HONG KONG

Xi'an

Stretching 6000 km through scenic peaks and hills, the Great Wall is a must-see sight.

Tick an epic item off your bucket list and walk a stretch of the Mutianyu section.

CHINA Chengdu Guilin

Get a glimpse of Xi’an’s glorious past exploring its 2000-year-old underground Terracotta Army. Then binge-watch pandas at Chengdu’s panda breeding centre.

Contrast cycling among farms and karst hills in Yangshuo’s picturesque countryside with a jaunt through Hong Kong’s famous neon lights and sensory overload.

Day 1 Beijing Nimen Hao! Get acquainted with the hustle and bustle of China’s capital before meeting your travel crew. Day 2 Great Wall Originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from the ‘barbarians’ of the North (it failed), the Great Wall is probably China’s most iconic site. Take in jaw-dropping views while walking a stretch of the Mutianyu section. Day 3 Beijing/Overnight Train Dive head first into Beijing’s fascinating history while exploring Tianamen Square and the city’s awesome hutong neighbourhoods, an atmospheric maze of alleyways housing some of Beijing’s best bars, restaurants and markets. Days 4-5 Xi’an Next up: Xi’an. This walled city is packed with glorious historic sites like the Great Mosque and Bell Tower. A local expert will show you around another must-see attraction – the Terracotta Army. Get to know this phenomenal underground site,

where clay statue warriors, horses and chariots can all be found standing in battle formation. Days 6-7 Chengdu Zip over to Chengdu via bullet train. This laidback city is home to epic Sichuan food (if you can handle your spice) and the most adorable panda breeding centre. Days 8-10 Yangshuo If Yangshuo looks familiar, it’s because its oh-so-pretty karst-dotted country landscape has been immortalised in tons of Chinese paintings. In between snapping plenty of Insta-worthy pics, why not take a cooking class, enjoy a relaxing boat ride down the Li River or try your hand at tai chi. Days 11-12 Hong Kong Head to the neon lights, soaring skyscrapers and relentless energy of Hong Kong. Maybe check out the sights and sounds of the famous Temple Street Night Market, sample the epic food scene or ride the tram to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of Hong Kong’s famous skyline.

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Overnight Train

Yangshuo

CBYC

Hong Kong

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (10 nts), overnight train (1 nt) No meals included Plane, overnight train, bullet train, subway, public and private bus, taxi, metro DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Wednesdays Enter CBYC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Tokyo, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Essential Japan

Kanazawa

10 DAYS, TOKYO TO OSAKA When in Japan, we like to kick it local style. That means staying in traditional ryokans, sleeping on tatami mats on the floor and soaking naked (yep) in an onsen or two.

No tourist buses here – criss-cross Japan using the country’s famous high-speed rail network, including the mother of all locomotives: the Shinkansen bullet train.

Explore Kanazawa’s iconic Higashi Chaya district on a guided walking tour. Spy geisha in the winding alleyways and admire the historic houses.

Days 1-2 Tokyo Meet your leader and group this evening and maybe head to Tokyo’s famous Shinjuku area for dinner. Bust out your reusable chopsticks (we’ll provide them) and brave the raw fish. Venture to Shibuya to witness one of the busiest intersections of the world and spot quirky Japanese youth fashion in Harajuku. Days 3-4 Kanazawa Take a train to Kanazawa, then spend the rest of the day exploring (a visit to the Kenroku-en Castle and Gardens is a must).

The next morning, head out on a walk around the awesome Higashi Chaya neighbourhood (look out for geisha!). Afterwards, you might like to take part in a traditional tea ceremony or tuck into some tempura and sake at a cosy izakaya. Days 5-6 Kyoto Ride a bullet train to Kyoto, then tour the Gion district with your crew. Snap some pics while hiking through the red tori (traditional Japanese gates) of Fushimi Inari

Shrine, then the rest of your time is free to explore.

Hire a bike and pedal to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, check out Nijo Castle and Kinkakuji Shrine, chill in a zen garden or hit up a karaoke bar and challenge the locals to some Celine Dion (a Suntory whisky may help). Days 7-8 Hiroshima Take a two-hour train ride to Hiroshima. You’ll have time to visit the Peace Park and ruins of the A-Bomb Dome building, a sombre but insightful experience. The next day, why not head to Miyajima Island and snap a selfie in front of the iconic ‘floating’ Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine. Days 9-10 Osaka Board your last train and journey to Osaka – Japan’s unofficial culinary capital. We recommend you ‘kuidore’ (eat until you drop). After a walk through the neon-lit Dotonbori district, satiate those hunger pangs with a big serving of the local speciality: okonomiyaki (savoury pancake with a variety of fillings).

JA PA N

Tokyo

Kyoto

Hiroshima

Osaka

CJYO

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), pod hostel (3 nts) No meals included Train, public bus, subway DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter CJYO on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Nepal, India & Sri lanka India and the subcontinent are alive with the rich smell of incense, the flutter of rainbow prayer flags dancing in the breeze and a mystic spirituality that touches everyone who visits. Come prepared to taste the best curries you’ve ever eaten, give way to sacred cows in busy streets, stroll through tooth-filled temples and marvel at the majesty of the Himalayas. With Everest beckoning in Nepal, caving explorations in Sri Lanka and camel riding in India’s golden Thar Desert, we like to think of it as an adventure buffet.

Ready to dig in?

WEATHER Delhi Kochi Colombo Kathmandu

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Kathmandu, Nepal

Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Real Everest Base Camp 15 DAYS, KATHMANDU TO KATHMANDU Fly over the mighty Himalayas and land in Lukla’s tiny airport with a single landing strip wedged between the mountains.

Mt Everest

N E PAL Everest Base Camp

Kathmandu Lukla

Take the trek of a lifetime to Everest Base Camp – it’s tough going, but the views and the feeling of accomplishment make it worth it!

Bunk down and acclimatise in a cosy teahouse in Namche Bazaar, a town built into a mountain slope.

Day 1 Kathmandu Touch down in colourful Kathmandu, your gateway to the mountains. Day 2 Phakding Fly among the giants of the Himalayas to Lukla. Don your boots and head off on foot from the airstrip. Walk beneath the icy peaks of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru, and explore the Dudh Kosi River.

Days 3-4 Namche Bazaar After an eight-hour trek, spend a bit of time acclimatising in Namche, where you’ll start to reach serious altitudes. Spend the next two nights in a cosy teahouse. Day 5 Khumjung Today we’ll go easy on you with a two-hour hike. There’s lots to see on the way to Khumjung, including a yeti skull in the local monastery. Day 6 Thyangboche Get zen in this towering monastery. Days 7-8 Dingboche Take a selfie with the peak of Ama Dablam in the background and climb to your alpine Dingboche lodge for some R&R. Day 9 Lobuche See the peaks

of Taweche and Cholatse from the stupa at Pheriche Valley before having lunch at the terminal moraines of Khumbu Glacier. Visit stone structures built in memory of Sherpas and climbers who have lost their lives on Everest expeditions. Day 10 Everest Base Camp It’s the big day! Follow the valley alongside the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep for a quick pit-stop, then continue on to Base Camp along the hardest stretch of trail. Day 11 Kala Pattar/Orsho It’s an early start for our morning trek to Kala Pattar, but the epic photo ops across the valley make it all worthwhile.

Day 12 Namche Bazaar It’s all downhill from here.

Toast your adventure with a cup of steaming chiyaa (Nepali tea) in Namche Bazaar. Day 13 Lukla Trek to Lukla and then farewell your Sherpa crew. Days 14-15 Kathmandu Celebrate your climb with a tongba (hot millet beer) and plate of momos (dumplings).

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HNYE

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Guesthouse (2 nts), teahouse lodge (12 nts) No meals included Plane, bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Saturdays Enter HNYE on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Tordi Garh, India

Varanasi, India

Epic Nepal to India

Delhi

20 DAYS, KATHMANDU TO DELHI Would you rather camp beneath the stars on the banks of the Trisuli River or bunk down in a 16th-century palace in the heart of Rajasthan? On this trip, you can do both!

Lace up your boots and hike through the breathtaking Annapurna ranges, then explore the jungles of Chitwan National Park.

Get lost in the winding laneways and alleys behind Varanasi’s famous ghats on the banks of the Ganges River.

Day 1 Kathmandu Kick things off in Nepal’s mountainous capital. Days 2-3 Pokhara After a drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, hit the rapids for a little whitewater rafting down the Trisuli River.

Days 4-6 Annapurna Trek It’s trekking time. We’ll do about five hours of trekking each day, following the Modi Khola River to Ghandruk. Stay in lodges, meet villagers and do your best to refrain from filling up your memory card in the first hour. Days 7-8 Pokhara/ Kathmandu Descend through terraced hillsides back to Pokhara, then spend a couple of free days in Kathmandu. Days 9-10 Chitwan National Park Live out your Jungle Book fantasies as you search for Bengal tigers and rhinos at Chitwan National Park.

Day 11 Lumbini The birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and one of his four holy places of pilgrimage, Lumbini is no ordinary town.

Check out the beautiful Ashoka Pillars, and hop on cycle rickshaws and head to the Maya Devi Temple.

Days-12-14 Varanasi Get acquainted with India’s holy city of Varanasi. Cruise the Ganges and get lost in the city’s maze of back lanes while dodging sacred cows.

Day 15 Agra The palatial gardens of Agra Fort and the beautiful sandstone Akbar’s Mausoleum are both worth seeing on this free day. Day 16 Taj Mahal/Tordi Garh It doesn’t matter who you are, the Taj Mahal will leave you in awe. Then on to Tordi Garh, where you’ll hit the sack in a 16th-century palace. Days 17-18 Jaipur The Pink City is home to a couple of big icons: the Amber Fort and The Palace of the Winds. It’s also a great place to sit back with a thali plate and peoplewatch. Days 19-20 Delhi Stroll Old Deli and its market area on a walking tour and explore downtown Delhi before enjoying one final Indian cook up.

Taj Mahal Agra

Jaipur

N EPAL

Annapurna Trek

Pokhara Lumbini

Tordi Garh

Kathmandu Chitwan NP

IN D IA

HHYDC

Varanasi

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Camping (1 nt), lodges (5 nts), hotel/ guesthouse (12 nts), sleeper train (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners Auto rickshaw, bicycle rickshaw, boat, train, bus, jeep, minibus, private vehicle, sleeper train, taxi, raft DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Varanasi, India

Agra, India

Real India to Nepal

Delhi

13 DAYS, DELHI TO KATHMANDU

Taj Mahal

Hop on cycle rickshaws to Maya Devi temple, named for the mother of the Lord Buddha and traditionally considered the enlightened one’s birthplace.

The best way to see Varanasi is on a sunrise boat cruise – even if you’re not the spiritual sort you can’t help but get goosebumps. watch the monkeys play menace. Days 6-8 Varanasi Alight in India’s holy city. You wouldn’t swim in it for a million bucks, but my goodness the Ganges is pretty when the sun is setting over the ghats. Day 9 Lumbini Say ‘Namaste’ to Nepal. Head to the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Jump on cycle rickshaws and tour the temples, visit the ancient Ashoka Pillar and bunk down in a jungle camp for the night. Days 10-11 Chitwan National Park Hit the jungle with canoe, jeep and walking safaris through the famed Chitwan National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for rhinos, deer, sloth bears and, if you’re lucky, maybe even tigers. Days 12-13 Kathmandu Travel on to your final destination: the patchouli-scented Nepalese capital, Kathmandu. Maybe book in for a massage or a yoga session when you get there to ease those body kinks.

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Chitwan NP

Lumbini

Agra

Tick the big one off your bucket list and visit the massive monument to love and grand gesture to end all grand gestures, the Taj Mahal.

Day 1 Delhi This Himalaya adventure kicks off in the chaos of Delhi. Maybe sip on your first chai and seek out the best curry in town (your leader can help with that). Day 2 Tordi Garh Next up, Tordi Garh – an Intrepid favourite. It takes a bit of work getting here by train and jeep but it’s totally worth it. The kids will adore you, the locals will feed you and you’ll stay in a 16th-century palace with its owner as your host.

Days 3-4 Jaipur They’re not afraid of a deep fryer in Jaipur. Hit the streets for raj kachori chaat – a big fluff y chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato. Take a tour around the Old Bazaar and stop by the Palace of the Winds for some pics. Day 5 Agra/ Taj Mahal Join the locals on a public bus to Agra then tick another thing off your bucket list – the Taj Mahal!

This is one seriously beautiful piece of work. If you’ve got the energy, maybe take a trip out to Agra Fort and

N E PAL

Jaipur

Kathmandu

Tordi Garh

Varanasi

IN D IA

HHYK

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), lodge (2 nts), heritage property (3 nts), overnight train (1 nt) 1 dinner Bicycle rickshaw, boat, private vehicle, public bus, overnight train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter HHYK on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Kathmandu, Nepal

Pokhara, Nepal

One Week in Nepal 8 DAYS, KATHMANDU TO KATHMANDU

N EPA L

Get wet and wild on a whitewater rafting adventure on the Trisuli River, zooming downstream next to giant boulders and between bright green hills.

Pokhara Kathmandu

Stretch your legs on an awesome three-day, low-altitude trek through villages and rhododendron forests, taking in the amazing sights of the Annapurna ranges.

Kick back in super-zen Pokhara, where you can take a boat out on the smooth water of Phewa Lake and cruise beneath behemoth mountains.

Day 1 Kathmandu Breathe in the smell of patchouli and feed your spiritual side at Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. Meet your new travel mates then perhaps seek out a local restaurant and feed yourself for real. It’s hard to go wrong with a nourishing dal bhat (thick lentil or bean soup). Days 2-3 Trisuli River/Pokhara Drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and soak up the views of the Ganesh and Lantang ranges. Hit the water in Baireni for some rafting on the Trisuli River, camp on the beach and eat dinner under the stars before pushing on to chilled-out Pokhara. A boat trip on calm Phewa Lake is a great way to embrace the zen. Day 4 Ghandruk The trekking starts here. You’ll be covering some fairly diverse terrain and reaching altitudes of almost 2000 metres, taking a dirt track to the Birethanti and Shyauli villages, then following a stone

staircase up to Kimche (where you’ll stop for lunch).

A trail through fields of wheat leads to Ghandruk, the beautiful mountain-set town you’ll be staying in tonight. Day 5 Tolkha Head out of Ghandruk through courtyards, past teahouses, across suspension bridges and into the Modi Khola valley. You’ll arrive at Tolkha after about five hours. Day 6 Hyenjakot Trek through bright forests of pink and purple rhododendrons along a remote trail to Hyenjakot. Tonight you get to stay with a local family. Day 7 Pokhara Make the short descent to Phedi, then jump on a bus and rest your sore legs. Arrive in Pokhara in time for lunch and spend the evening doing all the things you didn’t have time for at the start of the trip. Maybe kick back in a lakeside cafe with some momos (local dumplings).

Day 8 Kathmandu It’s a long but picturesque ride to Kathmandu where your tour of Nepal ends on arrival.

HNYU

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (2 nts), teahouse lodge (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), camping (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Auto rickshaw, local bus, whitewater raft DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Fridays Enter HNYU on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Varanasi, India

Amer Fort, Jaipur, India

Essential North India 11 DAYS, DELHI TO DELHI

Delhi Agra

Enjoy a sunrise boat tour along the Ganges in Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, which is considered India’s spiritual centre.

Two words: Taj. Mahal. Get your romance fix at the most over-the-top monument to love that was ever built.

Take a tour of Bundi’s famous stepwells with your guide, then have the best chai of your life, made from scratch right in front of your eyes.

Days 1-2 Delhi Touch down in Delhi, meet your crew then hail a rickshaw and seek out the best tandoori in town. Join your leader for a walking tour around the heart of Old Delhi, visiting Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. Check out the Sikh Temple before hopping on the overnight train to Varanasi. Days 3-4 Varanasi Explore the narrow lanes and backstreets on a walking tour with your guide, then sit back on the riverbank ghats (giant steps) and take it all in. Get up early for a sunrise boat cruise on the river, watching as thousands of pilgrims wash away their sins. Jump on the overnight train to Agra. Day 5 Agra/Taj Mahal The highlights of India just keep coming. Spend the day exploring Agra by rickshaw, which includes a visit to the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. This building is so beautiful even George Harrison had to take a selfie in front of it. Days 6-7 Jaipur Board a bus and head

to the Pink City, AKA the capital of Rajasthan. Stop off at the Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds) for some photos, then head out on a walking tour of the Old City and visit the Amber Fort. Days 8-9 Bundi Turn it down a notch in the chilled-out city of Bundi.

Bypass the rickshaws and wander around on foot on a guided walk with your local leader. Check out the ruined castle on the hill, learn about the town’s famous stepwells and ‘chai’ your luck finding the best cup of tea in town (hint: it’s chai). Return to Delhi via overnight train. Days 10-11 Delhi Arrive in Delhi early and spend the day exploring. Maybe book an Urban Adventure (your guide can help with this), check out a cricket match, snack on samosas at a Bollywood movie or bliss out under a tree at the Lodi Gardens. Join your travel pals for an optional group dinner and a cold Kingfisher beer before your trip comes to an end.

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Jaipur Bundi

Taj Mahal

Varanasi

IN D IA

HHYV

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (4 nts), heritage stay (3 nts), overnight train (3 nts) No meals are included Public bus, boat, auto rickshaw, overnight sleeper train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays and Sundays Enter HHYV on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Agra, India

Essential India

Rishikesh

9 DAYS, DELHI TO DELHI

Delhi

The Taj Mahal may be one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, but do you know its poetic history? A local expert will fill you in.

Varanasi is among the holiest cities in India. Observe pilgrims praying and bathing along the ghats of the sacred Ganges River during an unforgettable sunrise cruise.

Get up early in Rishikesh – the yoga capital of the world – for some yoga in an ashram.

After more of a rush? Whitewater raft down the Ganges instead.

Day 1 Delhi Namaste! Welcome to Delhi. Hail down a rickshaw and tour the exciting streets of Old Delhi, check out the imposing Red Fort or perhaps seek out the best thali in town before meeting your group in the evening. Day 2 Agra/Taj Mahal Take a morning train to Agra then it’s off to check out the one, the only, Taj Mahal. A local guide will tell you all about it and explain why it’s often called the world’s greatest monument to love (and don’t forget your camera).

Then continue to Varanasi by overnight train. Day 3 Varanasi One of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi is also one of India’s holiest. Explore its narrow laneways and backstreets on a walking tour with your guide, then watch the world go by along the ghats. Day 4 Varanasi Wake early and watch the sun rise over the Ganges on a morning cruise. Pilgrims bathing in the river’s holy waters, cremation fires and riverside haircuts –

this spiritual city is at its best before dawn and this is the best way to see it. Day 5 Delhi Arrive back in India’s capital. Head out on a walking tour around the commercial heart of Delhi, visiting Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place along the way. Then take to a bicycle rickshaw to dig a bit deeper in Old Delhi. Days 6-7 Rishikesh What does one do in the yoga capital of the world? Yoga, of course. Enjoy an optional yoga lesson in the early morning or, for something more thrilling, whitewater raft down the Ganges. Days 8-9 Delhi Take a morning train back to Delhi. Enjoy free time to explore some more. The World Heritage-listed Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar are good choices.

Hit the markets to buy your friends souvenirs, or find a spot to grab a Kingfisher and chill. Maybe fill up on aloo tikki or tangy, yogurt-drenched chaat before you and your new friends go your separate ways.

Taj Mahal

IN D IA

Agra Varanasi

HHYI

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), Camping with basic facilities (1 nt), resort (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Auto rickshaw, bicycle rickshaw, local bus, private vehicle, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter HHYI on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Agra, India

Jaipur, India

Real Rajasthan

Delhi Taj Mahal

16 DAYS, DELHI TO DELHI

Jaisalmer

Satisfy your desert fantasies, jump on a camel and head out to a Thar Desert camp.

Grab a swag and the stars will be your blanket.

Days 1-2 Delhi Grab a cup of chai, head out on a walking tour of Old Delhi, visit Jama Masjid mosque (Dehli’s oldest mosque), and see the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh temple). Day 3 Jaisalmer/Thar Desert Camp Embrace your inner nomad with a camel ride through the Thar Desert, a campfire feast and a kip under the stars. Days 4-5 Jaisalmer You’ll see this morning that not much can match a desert sunrise.

Then it’s back to Jaisalmer. In free time, stroll the city’s narrow twisted alleys, full of markets and ornately carved houses. Maybe get cultural at the Folklore Museum, then watch the sunset from one of the 99 bastions. Days 6-7 Jodhpur Go shopping at Sadar Market, explore Mehrangarh Fort and meet members of a Bishnoi tribe, the world’s original peace-loving hippies, in a nearby village. Days 8-9 Udaipur Kick on to Udaipur, a city of white-marble palaces, lakes, hills

and romance. Perhaps take a cooking class or get your groove on at a cultural dance show that combines seven traditional Rajasthani folk dances. Days 10-11 Pushkar This is one of India’s holiest places. Explore Pushkar’s main bazaar and many side streets or walk around the lake, with its bustling ghats and temples, to watch the devout as they worship at the holy waters. Days 12-13 Jaipur Cruise over to the Pink City of Jaipur. Browse bazaars and backstreets filled with gems and blue pottery, drop by the Amber Fort and perhaps finish with a Bollywood blockbuster at the stylish Raj Mandir Cinema. Day 14 Agra/Taj Mahal It doesn’t matter who you are, the dazzling white marble of the Taj Mahal will exceed all expectations.

Days 15-16 Delhi Check out the awesome Red Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River, with cheeky monkeys in tow. Then return to Delhi before the end of the trip.

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Agra

Pushkar

IN D IA

You don’t just shop in India, you SHOP. Jodhpur’s Sadar Market is one of India’s oldest bazaars and you’ll need to come with an empty bag to have room for all the goodies.

You might think you can make a curry now (i.e. buy a jar of sauce from the shop), but after a cooking class in Udaipur, you’ll be whipping up a legit authentic Indian meal.

Jaipur

Jodhpur

Udaipur

HHYJ

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), guesthouse (2 nts), heritage property (5 nts), overnight train (1 nt), camping (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 dinner Camel, private vehicle, public bus, overnight train, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Mondays Enter HHYJ on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Goa, India

Varanasi, India

Epic India

Delhi

Flight Not Included Bundi

23 DAYS, DELHI TO GOA

IN D IA

Experience old and new India in the bustling streets of Delhi, where ancient temples stand next to billboards advertising Bollywood films.

Varanasi is among the oldest and holiest cities of India. Observe pilgrims praying and bathing along the ghats of the sacred Ganges River during a sunrise boat cruise.

Take a long, romantic walk around the world’s greatest monument to love: the epic Taj Mahal in Agra.

Days 1-2 Delhi See the sights of historic Old Delhi from the ground level on a bicycle rickshaw tour. Days 3-4 Varanasi Witness thousands of pilgrims washing away their sins in the holy waters of the Ganges on an unforgettable morning cruise. Day 5 Agra/Taj Mahal Pick up your jaw from the floor as you lay eyes on the magnificent Taj Mahal. Fun fact: one of the very first Taj selfies was taken by George Harrison from the Beatles. Days 6-7 Jaipur Head to the Pink City, AKA the capital of Rajasthan. Snap some pics at the Palace of the Winds and the medieval Amber Fort, then stroll through the Old Bazaar. Days 8-9 Bundi Turn it down a notch in chilled-out Bundi, where you will find its famed stepwells, a ruined hilltop castle and some pretty great chai. Day 10 Delhi Check out a cricket match, snack on samosas at a Bollywood movie (better yet, shake your thang at a Bollywood

dance class) or bliss out under a tree at the Lodi Gardens. Day 11 Trivandrum Discover why Mahatma Gandhi dubbed Trivandrum the ‘Evergreen city of India’. Days 12-13 Varkala Spend the next few days soaking up the sun, snorkelling at Papanasam Beach and watching fishermen casting out their nets on the Arabian Sea. Day 14 Kerala Backwaters Homestay Explore Kerala’s sleepy, palm-shaded backwaters on a pole boat ride then chow down on a traditional homecooked meal at a local homestay. Days 15-16 Kochi Check out Kochi’s forts and palace, then maybe hit up a local Kathakali performance. Days 17-18 Mysore Get to know Mysore’s opulent palaces, temples and landscaped gardens. Days 19-21 Hampi See the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire, scattered about Hampi’s surreal landscape of hills and giant boulders.

Days 22-23 Goa Kick back on the beach in relaxing Goa.

Agra Varanasi Jaipur Taj Mahal

Goa

Hampi

Kerala Varkala Trivandrum

HHYBC

Mysore Kochi

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (8 nts), guesthouse (2 nts), homestay (1 nt), heritage hotel (3 nts), overnight train (6 nts), resort (2 nts) 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Public bus, bicycle, rickshaw, auto rickshaw, boat, canoe, private vehicle, sleeper train, taxi, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter HHYBC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Kerala, India

Goa, India

Real South India

Goa

Hampi

13 DAYS, TRIVANDRUM TO GOA

IN D IA

Cruise along the calm backwaters of Kerala and sleep in a riverside homestay. Head out on a guided walk and learn about the crops, spices and village lifestyle.

Channel your inner Indiana Jones in Hampi. Enjoy three days in this awesome temple town on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

Chill out with beers on the beach in Goa, then grab a dinner made with local seafood – crab curry is one popular and delicious dish.

Day 1 Trivandrum Mahatma Gandhi once referred to Trivandrum as the ‘Evergreen city of India’, and you’ll soon see why. Days 2-3 Varkala If you love beaches you’ve come to the right place. Swim, soak up the sun, snorkel Papanasam Beach and watch the fishermen casting their nets out on the Arabian Sea. Day 4 Kerala Backwaters Homestay Jump on the train and head to Alleppey, take a rickshaw to the docks and board your boat. Cross the backwaters and meet your new island family. Palm trees, rice paddies and home cooking – that’s a Kerala homestay. Head out on a village walk and explore the backwaters on a leisurely pole boat ride. Days 5-6 Kochi Hop on a local bus and make tracks to Kochi. Those enormous structures on the beach are Chinese fishing nets, hence all the awesome seafood. Check out the forts and palaces on a sightseeing walk, then maybe hit

up a local Kathakali performance. Days 7-8 Mysore Arrive in Bangalore early before taking a public bus to Mysore. You’ll remember this city for its sandalwood, rosewood artefacts, palaces, temples and landscaped gardens. Perhaps climb Chamundi Hill and check out the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to gorgeous Goddess Durga. Jump on the overnight train to Hampi. Days 9-11 Hampi If you like it hot, then this is the place to be – in terms of both curries and weather. The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire are scattered about a surreal landscape of hills and giant boulders and are well worth checking out. Days 12-13 Goa Between the beaches, the seafood and the nightlife, you’ll probably never want to leave Goa. With your free time, chill out on the beach, kick back with an icy beer or head out for a final group dinner with your crew.

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Mysore Kochi Kerala Backwaters Varkala Trivandrum

HHYS

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), guesthouse (2 nts), homestay (1 nt), overnight train (3 nts) 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Auto rickshaw, boat, canoe, private vehicle, public bus, sleeper train, taxi, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays Enter HHYS on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Essential Sri Lanka

SR I LA N K A

11 DAYS, NEGOMBO TO COLOMBO Shark, squid, barracuda and hundreds of things with fins that nobody knows the name of. Welcome to Negombo’s sensational fish market.

Embrace the novelty and practice your daintiest tea-drinking pose in the heartland of all things tea: Kandy.

Go on an amazing jeep safari near Tissamaharama – keeping an eye out for elephants and leopards – for an experience you won’t soon forget.

Day 1 Negombo Touch down and meet up with your leader and travel crew. Days 2-3 Kandy Head to Negombo’s fish market, an intense way to spend a morning but well worth it! Chat to locals and mind the fish guts. From here it’s on to Kandy, stopping at a local spice garden on the way. Hit up the Royal Botanic Gardens, wander around Kandy Lake or check out Buddha’s molar in the Temple of the Tooth.

Days 4-5 Ella All aboard for one of the most epically beautiful train trips ever as we head to Ella. It’s a long trip but you can buy all sorts of treats from the onboard sellers. Lace up your kicks for a half-day trek, stopping for a spicy curry lunch and a pot of Ceylon tea in the village. Day 6 Tissamaharama Head out on a jeep safari in search of the area’s incredible native wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, leopards and aquatic birds. Days 7-9 Unawatuna We’ve got

three free days here for you to do whatever you like. Take a stroll along the beach, go for a swim or find a waterfront bar and enjoy a few quiet beers as the sun goes down. After a bit more action? Head out on a whale-watching expedition, followed by an afternoon of snorkelling and a barbecue seafood dinner on the beach, or flag down a tuk-tuk and motor up the road to Galle Fort. Days 10-11 Colombo Jump on the train to Colombo. Take a guided walking tour of the city with your leader, then explore this fast-paced city. Head to the Pettah Markets and stock up on trinkets, get your ‘om’ on at the Seema Malaka temple, check out the kite flyers on Galle Face Green, then clink cheers to your last night in Sri Lanka with a few cocktails at the Galle Face Hotel. In the morning, pull your saddest face as your trip comes to an end.

Kandy

Negombo Colombo

Ella Tissamaharama

Unawatuna

HPYL

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (10 nts) 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch Bus, taxi, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter HPYL on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Central & South America Whether it’s the blare of vuvuzelas, pulse of street drums or thrum of flamenco guitar, there’s no denying this sizzling slice of the Americas dances to its own Latino rhythm. Don’t worry, it’s easy to pick up the beat. Just step into the roar of mighty Iguazu Falls, shake up a caipirinha in Rio, roll a cigar in Havana, leap into blue Belize waters, and shimmy up to spectacular Machu Picchu. With the perfect blend of ancient ruins, modern cities and a love of impromptu street parties, Latin America might just be your new bestie.

WEATHER Buenos Aires Cusco Quito Antigua Playa del Carmen Havana San Jose Mexico City

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Playa del Carmen

MEXICO

QBYM

Mexico City

Puebla Palenque San Juan Chamula Oaxaca San Cristobal de las Casas Chichicastenango San Jorge la Laguna/ Panajachel Lake Atitlan

CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA Combo

Merida Tulum Tikal

GUATEMALA

Antigua Suchitoto

Leon

El Tunco El Cuco EL SALVADOR

Monteverde

QBYJ

Trips

COSTA RICA

So you’ve made it to Latin America and, let’s face it, you don’t want to leave. So give in to temptation (go on) and do one of our combo trips.

We’ve handpicked some great options – now it’s up to you to create the most epic travel sandwich ever. Just add chilli.

TURN THESE TRIPS… Q BYM

Real Mexico 15 days, see page 70

GG YQ

Essential Quito to Lima 9 days, see page 65

Q BYA

Real Central America 16 days, see page 71

GG YP

Real Peru to Bolivia 15 days, see page 60

Q U YF

One Week in Cuba 8 days, see page 77

G G YB

Real Bolivia & Argentina 12 days, see page 66

GGYD

One Week in Argentina & Brazil 7 days, see page 67

QBYJ

Real Guatemala to Costa Rica 17 days, see page 72

…INTO A COMBO TRIP QBYM + QU YF = QBYMC

Epic Mexico & Cuba 22 days, see page 75*

QBYM + QBYA = QBY YC

Epic Mexico, Belize & Guatemala 30 days, see page 74

QBYM + QBYA + QBYJ

= QBY ZC

Epic Central America 46 days, see page 76

QBYA + QBYJ

= QBY XC

Epic Mexico to Costa Rica 32 days, see page 73

G G YQ + G G YP = GG YQC GGYQ + GG YP + G G YB = GG YCC GGYQ + GGYP + G G YB + GG YD = GG YEC G G YP + G G YB = GG YBC GGYP + G G YB + GG YD = GG YDC G G YB + GG YD = GG YAC

Epic Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia 23 days, see page 64 Epic Ecuador to Argentina via the Inca Trail 34 days. Enter GGYCC on our website Epic South America 40 days. Enter GGYEC on our website Epic Peru, Bolivia & Argentina 26 days. Enter GGYBC on our website Epic Peru to Brazil 32 days. Enter GGYDC on our website Epic Bolivia to Brazil 18 days. Enter GGYAC on our website

*Connecting flights between trips not included

BELIZE

Havana Vinales

Santa Clara

QU YF Trinidad Bay of Pigs CUBA

Caye Caulker San Ignacio

QBYA

Rio Dulce NICARAGUA

Granada Ometepe Island La Fortuna

San Jose

Otalvo

Quito ECUADOR

Banos Cuenca

Tumbes

G G YQ

PERU

GGYP

Amazon Jungle

Lima Inca Trail/ Cusco Machu Picchu

Sacred Valley/ Ollantaytambo

Puno

La Paz BOLIVIA

Uyuni Salar de Uyuni

BRAZIL

CHILE

San Pedro de Atacama

Rio de Janeiro

Salta Iguazu Falls

G G YB G G YD

ARGENTINA

Buenos Aires

INCA TRAIL & PERU TREKKING THE BAHAMAS MEXICO

Make an epic, ancient journey and hike along the Inca Trail or one of the newer routes on offer. Push through lush cloud forests, dense jungle and crumbling ruins as you scramble up narrow, winding staircases and steep mountain passes. Your reward for all that effort, sweat and maybe some tears? The unforgettable moment when mighty Machu Picchu comes into view.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

CUBA

BELIZE

PUERTO RICO

HONDURAS

GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR

MARTINIQUE ST LUCIA

NICARAGUA

COSTA RICA PANAMA

COLOMBIA

Aguas Calientes

ECUADOR GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (ECUADOR)

Machu Picchu PERU

B

Inti Punku (Gateway of the Sun)

BOLIVIA

Choquetacarpo Kilometre 82 Winaywayna

2nd Pass

Inti Punku Pacaymayo

Phuyupatamarca

PE RU

Inca Bridge Kuychicassa URUGUAY

1st Pass Warmiwanusca Inca Quarry Trail Classic Inca Trail Railway line Archaeological site

Ollantaytambo

Chancachuco

Yunkachimpa

Perolniyoc

Wayllabamba

CHILE

ARGENTINA

Rafqa Urubamba River

CLASSIC INCA TRAIL

INCA QUARRY TRAIL

With its wild natural scenery and pre-Columbian ruins, the Inca Trail is the trek to end all treks. Thousands of travellers tackle the trail every year, but know that it’s no Sunday afternoon stroll. The trek is rated moderate, and any reasonably fit person should be able to complete it, but the relentless uphill (and downhill) hiking can be tough going. Basically, the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy it.

For something a bit different, consider trekking the Inca Quarry Trail. Less established than the Inca Trail, this trek offers the same magical scenery but visits three smaller archaeological sites that the other trails don’t, is less touristy and offers more chances for interaction with local communities. Another bonus is that it doesn’t require permits – so once you book, you’re set.

NOT THE HIKING TYPE?

THE NITTY GRITTY

That’s fine, we’re not going to chase you up the mountains with a cattle prod.

On every Intrepid trip that includes the Inca Trail, you can always opt out of the hike – just pick whichever Peru trip you’re keen on and let us know when booking that you’d prefer the train option. There’s no extra cost for this, but please note that fees may apply if you decide to change to the train option after your Inca Trail permit has already been purchased. While your mates are hiking, you’ll have more time to relax and explore in Cusco.

In order to preserve the Inca Trail, the Peruvian authorities restrict available permits to only 500 per day. They’re available on a first-come, first-served basis, so booking well in advance is essential. For this reason, it’s best to supply the full details of the passport you will be travelling on at the time of booking. We’ll always try to buy your permit within four days of receiving all necessary information and relevant payment. Just a heads up, the Inca Trail is closed during February for maintenance.

RESPONSIBLE TREKKING

Very important: Since permits are non-changeable and non-refundable, please consult with Intrepid before changing any passport details after booking, as this may result in your permit being invalidated.

Intrepid Travel is absolutely dedicated to ensuring the environmental sustainability of the amazing destinations we visit and we take our social responsibilities very seriously. In Peru, we have committed to paying our porters and guides a fair wage and supplying them with the necessary equipment and resources to undertake their work safely. We also support several community initiatives aimed at promoting the long-term sustainability of the region’s environment and preserving the traditional cultures of its communities.

If we can’t secure Inca Trail permits, you can: }} Change to another one of our fantastic trips or choose a different departure date without incurring any Intrepid penalties. }} Hike the equally incredible Inca Quarry Trail, which includes a day trip to Machu Picchu. }} Stay two nights in Cusco, then travel to Aguas Calientes by train and spend the day exploring Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

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Machu Picchu, Peru

Quarry Trail, Peru

Six Days on the Inca Trail

PERU

6 DAYS, CUSCO TO CUSCO

Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu

Sure, you could get the train, but the best way to get to the epic ruins at Machu Picchu is via the Inca Trail.

Is there any better campsite than the one we set up under the stars on the Inca Trail?

We don’t think so.

Day 1 Cusco Touch down in lofty Cusco, which at 3399 metres is practically heaven! Be shown around town by your leader, then maybe grab yourself a Cusquena beer and smash a plate of chicharrones before meeting your trek mates. Days 2-5 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu Get ready for a few tough slogs over the next four days. The majority of your gear will be carried by experienced porters, so you can focus on the trail and the scenery. Dead Woman’s Pass will test you, but the panoramas of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba mountain ranges will take your mind off any weary muscles. Highlights include climbing the ruins of Runkurakay, hiking past the ancient Huillca Raccay fort and camping above a cloud forest. But the prize is, without a doubt, reaching Machu Picchu’s Gateway of the Sun. After getting your Inca fix, make the trip back to Cusco by train. Day 6 Cusco Celebrate the end of your Inca adventure with a Pisco sour or two, and a serving of fried cuy (guinea pig) in a send-off with your new travel crew.

Cusco

Inca Trail & non-hiking options available

GGYM

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (2 nts), camping with basic facilities (3 nts) 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Saturdays Enter GGYM on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

Bus, train

One Week in Peru

Lima

8 DAYS, LIMA TO CUSCO

PE R U

Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu

Scramble over ancient ruins and hike the winding – sometimes punishing – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Sip a frothy Pisco sour in Cusco, a pumping hillside city where ornate colonial architecture was built around the remains of the Inca empire.

Day 1 Lima Meet your group and local guide, then get to know each other over a few Pisco sours and a plate of ceviche (raw marinated fish). Days 2-3 Cusco Spend two days chilling and acclimatising in lofty Cusco before your big trek. A must-try here is cuy – a moist, rich roasted meat, known to most Westerners as guinea pig, often served on a skewer. Days 4-7 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu Break out the walking shoes, sunscreen and mosquito repellent because it’s time to meet Machu Picchu. It’ll be tough, but the incredible views will make it all worth it. Hike past the ancient hilltop fort of Huillca Raccay, camp above a cloud forest, push through Dead Woman’s Pass, take a panorama of the Vilcabamba mountain ranges, and climb the ruins of Runkurakay before arriving at Inti Punku, Gateway of the Sun. Take a bow, you’ve made it. Fill your brain with facts and your camera with photos at glorious Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco to enjoy all the modern conveniences you’ve been missing. Day 8 Cusco Your trip ends.

DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Thursdays Enter GGYC on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

Cusco

Inca Trail & non-hiking options available

GGYC

Lake Titicaca

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (4 nts), camping with basic facilities (3 nts), 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners Plane, bus, public bus, taxi

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Amazon Jungle, Peru

Quarry Trail, Peru

Real Peru to Bolivia 15 DAYS, LIMA TO LA PAZ

Amazon Jungle Lima

Ollantaytambo Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu

Spot tapirs and giant otters in the jungle before bunking down in a lodge for the night in the Peruvian Amazon.

Got a sweet tooth? Learn the traditional way to make chocolate in the Sacred Valley, then meet the locals at a community lunch.

Permits for the Inca Trail sold out? No probs, we’ll take you on the Inca Quarry Trail instead. It’s just as beautiful, but a little more remote and way less busy.

Day 1 Lima On arrival in Peru’s capital, maybe grab a Tunki coffee (Peru’s own) and chicharron (deep-fried pork). Then meet up with your travel crew in the afternoon. Days 2-3 Amazon Jungle Take a flight to Puerto Maldonado, then get knee deep in the Peruvian Amazon. Stay in a sweet little jungle lodge, take a boat trip downriver and keep an eye out for caimans and giant otters. Day 4 Cusco Fly to mountainous Cusco. This city is a pretty amazing place: bars, restaurants and heaps of Inca ruins. Day 5 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo Take a private bus tour through the Sacred Valley and visit a local community to learn about their way of life (and maybe learn a few words in Quechua). Spend the night at a hotel in Ollantaytambo. Days 6-8 Inca Trail Just remember: one step at a time and you’ll manage the Inca Trail like a boss. On your way, gaze upon the massive Inca fortifications in Ollantaytambo, be awed by the view of

snow-capped Veronica Peak, camp above a cloud forest and climb the ruins of Runkarakay. Days 9-10 Machu Picchu/Cusco Machu Picchu may well be one of the most epic things you’ll ever see. After you’ve got your Inca fix, head back to Cusco by train and bus and spend a day relaxing. And reapplying blister cream. Days 11-13 Puno/Lake Titicaca Catch a bus to Puno and a boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the floating reed islands along the way. Tonight, have a sleepover with a local family on the shores of the lake. Indulge in some home cooking, a few local beers and a bit of musical entertainment (note: you’ll be asked to join in, so don’t be shy). Days 14-15 La Paz Drive into La Paz and onto Bolivia, AKA the land of the tiny bowler hat, Witches’ Market, Cholita wrestling and the perspective-bending salt flats at Salar de Uyuni.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast, don’t forget to say goodbye to your new friends.

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PE R U

Sacred Valley

B OLIV IA

Cusco Puno

Inca Trail & non-hiking options available

GGYP

Lake Titicaca La Paz

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (8 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts), camping with basic facilities (3 nts), homestay (1 nt) 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners Plane, boat, bus, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Mondays Enter GGYP on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Lake Titicaca, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Real Peru

PERU

15 DAYS, LIMA TO LIMA

Lima

Wander around Cusco, the captivating capital of the Inca Empire, then visit a local community in the Sacred Valley.

Tackle the epic Inca Trail on a four-day trek up mountains, alongside ruins, past herds of alpacas and through cloud forests before hitting Machu Picchu.

The floating islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca have to be seen to be believed. Spend the night with a local family at a homestay on the shores of the lake.

Day 1 Lima Touch down in Lima and get set to explore Peru’s crazy capital. Days 2-3 Amazon Jungle Fly to Puerto Maldonado and boat down the Tambopata River to your jungle lodge. Your guide will point out all things weird and wonderful, like the lipstick tree, voodoo lily and of course the wildlife. Get a different view of the Amazon on a night walk. Day 4 Cusco Treat yourself to a bit of me time in mountainous Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. Explore the colonial buildings, mosey around some ruins or find a bakery that sells chocolate cupcakes soaked in Pisco. Day 5 Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo Jump aboard a twohour private bus tour of the lush, green Sacred Valley.

Visit a local community for lunch, then continue on to Ollantaytambo for the night. Days 6-9 Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu Hike past the ancient Huillca Raccay fort, struggle your way over Dead Woman’s Pass,

camp above the clouds, climb the ruins of Runkurakay and take a selfie at Pumasillo. After all the hard work, welcome the day with an epic view of Machu Picchu.

Afterwards, catch the bus back down the mountain – we won’t make you walk. Day 10 Cusco Rest your weary legs on the train back to Cusco. Treat yourself to stuffed chilli peppers and an ice-cold beer, or splash some cash at one of the many markets. Days 11-13 Puno/Lake Titicaca Head to Puno, then take to Lake Titicaca and visit the gravity-defying floating island of Uros. Stay with a local family – a great way to learn all things local – and get treated to some good oldfashioned home cooking. Days 14-15 Lima Return to Lima and make the most of your final days. Perhaps head to the Plaza de Armas for a dose of culture and some awesome architecture, or head to the Larcomar for some Insta-worthy ocean views.

Ollantaytambo Amazon Jungle Sacred Valley

Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu

Cusco Lake Titicaca Puno

Inca Trail & non-hiking options available

GGYA

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Camping (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), hotel (8 nts), jungle lodge (2 nt) 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners Plane, boat, bus, public bus, riverboat, taxi, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Mondays Enter GGYA on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Machu Picchu, Peru

Amazon Jungle, Peru

Essential Peru 11 DAYS, LIMA TO LIMA Talk about amazing accommodation – camp above a cloud forest on the Inca Trail and sleep in a lodge in the heart of the Amazon.

No worries if Inca Trail permits are sold out – we’ll take you on the equally beautiful (and just as tricky) Inca Quarry Trail instead.

We only employ local guides in the Amazon, so a portion of your trip goes back into the economy to support the community. And these guides know their stuff.

Day 1 Lima Touch down in Lima, Peru’s sprawling capital city. If you arrive early, take a walk and brush up on your Spanish with a stop at one of the many bars in Barranco or check out trendy Miraflores. Days 2-3 Cusco Fly to Cusco, one of South America’s best cities to explore on foot. Your leader will take you out on an orientation walk so you can get your bearings, then you might like to explore Sacsayhuaman, Qenko and Tambomachay. There are heaps of great restaurants and bars in Cusco too – just ask your leader for some insider tips! Days 4-7 Inca Trail/Machu Picchu Trek to Machu Picchu via the Classic Inca Trail or Inca Quarry Trail. Be awed by snow-capped Veronica Peak, tackle Dead Woman’s Pass, take a selfie at the fort of Huillca Raccay, camp above a cloud forest, climb the Inca staircase and take in the view of Machu Picchu.

Congrats legend, you made it, wasn’t that easy? Not

Amazon Jungle

Ollantaytambo

exactly. Head down to Aguas Calientes where you’ll jump on the train and bus back to Cusco. Day 8 Cusco Spend a free day in Cusco doing whatever you want. Shop, recover, get lost in the markets, spend up big on trinkets and ponchos or eat your weight in potatoes and avocado. You can also track down the best coffee and french toast in town at Jack’s Cafe, run by an Aussie expat. Days 9-10 Amazon Jungle Jump on a plane to Puerto Maldonado and canoe upriver to your jungle lodge. See toucans, otters and spider monkeys. Stay in a jungle lodge, go on night-time walking excursions and learn about all things Amazon with an expert naturalist guide. Day 11 Lima Fly over the Andes back to Lima where your trip comes to an end. Make sure any departure flights out of Lima aren’t booked before 9 pm as there’s a chance we may not be back in time. Adios!

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Inca Trail Machu Picchu

Lima

Cusco

PE R U

Lake Titicaca

Inca Trail & non-hiking options available

GGYE

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (5 nts), camping with basic facilities (3 nts), jungle lodge (2 nts) 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners Plane, boat, bus, motorised canoe, public bus, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Thursdays Enter GGYE on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Bogota, Colombia

Real Colombia

Tayrona NP

Palomino

Cartagena

12 DAYS, BOGOTA TO CARTAGENA First thing you gotta know about Bogota: how to pronounce it (emphasise the ‘ta’, not the ‘go’. Bogo-tahh. Now you’re talking). Second thing: head to the Paloquemao Market.

Get behind the scenes of the beans during a stay on a traditional coffee estancia located deep in Colombia’s famous coffee country.

Forget everything you’ve heard about Medellin – now this town is loads of fun. Hit the salsa clubs and ride the cable car up to flower-filled Santa Elena.

Day 1 Bogota Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia.

Take an orientation walk around the country’s capital and check out some cool colonial-era buildings along the way. Day 2 Salento While in the colourful village of Salento, why not have a go at tejo, the country’s national sport and town’s favourite pastime. Think bocce with gunpowder! Day 3 Cocora Valley/Coffee Estancia With hummingbird-filled forests, waterfalls and towering wax palms, the Cocora Valley’s landscape is a dream to explore. Hike scenic trails, or just chill out if you want. Later, travel deep into Colombia’s coffee region for a special two-night stay in an old-school coffee estancia. Day 4 Coffee Estancia See how the world’s favourite beans are harvested, processed, dried, roasted, ground – then enjoy a warm cup of your own. Days 5-7 Medellin Spend the next few days getting your fill of exotic fruits like feijoa and

guanabana at local markets and checking out the great museums and parks. Take the cable car up to Santa Elena for awesome views of the city, then hit the famous Medellin nightlife later on. An optional day trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia provides plenty of Insta-worthy photo ops. Day 8 Palomino Fly north and head to Palomino, a small town on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and gateway to the beautiful Tayrona National Park. Days 9-10 Palomino/Tayrona National Park The next two days are free to spend how you wish. Why not head to Tayrona National Park on one day, and chill on the beach the next (and what a beach it is). It’s a tough life. Days 11-12 Cartagena Travel to Cartagena, whose old city area is well worth checking out. Otherwise, bathe in mud until you are unrecognisable at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo, or drink mojitos in up-and-coming Getsemani.

Medellin Coffee Estancia

C OLOMB IA

Salento

GGYS

Bogota

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (9 nts), coffee estancia (2 nts) 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners Plane, local bus, private vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Quarry Trail, Peru

Amazon Jungle, Peru

Epic Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia 23 DAYS, QUITO TO LA PAZ

Otavalo

EGalapagos C U A D OR

Quito

PERU

Head out on a city tour of Lima, visiting Miraflores, downtown, and bohemian Barranco – where galleries, cafes and boutiques sit behind candy-coloured facades.

Explore the Amazon at night on a jungle safari, looking out for caimans and other exotic animals by torch light.

Whether you trek the classic Inca Trail, the Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, trust us, Machu Picchu is going to be one of the highlights of the trip.

Days 1-2 Quito/Otavalo Acclimatise to lofty Quito, where volcanoes loom on the skyline. Dive into the rainbow of indigenous handicraft stalls at Otavalo’s famous market. Surface for air and food – snacks here include beetles and guinea pig. Days 3-4 Banos This is the place for parties and adventures in the amazing Ecuadorian outdoors. Days 5-6 Cuenca Explore Cuenca, a pretty town with 500-year-old churches, colonial buildings and the birthplace of the Panama hat. Days 7-9 Lima It’s all about the ceviche and the Pisco. Hit up the spooky catacombs and the rather artsy Barranco. Days 10-11 Amazon Jungle Fly to Puerto Maldonado, then jump in a motorised canoe and head upriver to your jungle lodge. Day 12 Cusco Enjoy the dizzying heights of Cusco. Day 13 Ollantaytambo Meet the locals of Sacred Valley, learn about their way of life, and try learning a few words in Quechua before

continuing on to Ollantaytambo. Days 14-17 Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu The next four days will see you hiking the Classic Inca Trail, the equally amazing Inca Quarry Trail, or heading back to Cusco for a few nights and rejoining your crew at Machu Picchu on day 17. Day 18 Cusco Rest those weary legs in Cusco. Day 19 Puno Travel through the Altiplano plateau to Puno, known as the folklore capital of Peru and famous for its traditional dances. Day 20 Lake Titicaca Visit the Uros floating islands, built entirely out of reeds by the Uros people to isolate themselves from rival tribes in ancient times. Stay in a local home on the shores of Lake Titicaca, helping your friendly hosts with chores or playing a game of soccer in the village. Day 21 Puno After a home-cooked breakfast with your host family, return to Puno by boat.

Days 22-23 La Paz Traipse through quirky La Paz, where you can buy spells from the Witches’ Market.

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Banos Cuenca

BOLIV IA

Lima Amazon Jungle Inca Trail/Machu Picchu

Cusco Lake Titicaca La Paz

Inca Trail & non-hiking Ollantaytambo/ options available Sacred Valley Puno

GGYQC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (16 nts), camping (with basic facilities) (3 nts), homestay (1 nt), jungle lodge (2 nts) 22 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners Plane, local bus, private vehicle, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Banos, Ecuador

Lima, Peru

Essential Quito to Lima

EC U A D OR

Otavalo Quito

9 DAYS, QUITO TO LIMA

Banos Cuenca

Quito’s Old Town is packed full of colonial architecture, plazas, churches and colourful local life – it's no wonder UNESCO have listed it as a World Heritage site.

Get your adrenaline kicks in the party and adventure playground of Banos, or just take some me time and plonk yourself in a hot spring.

Check out trendy Miraflores or join the Peruvian hipsters in the bars of Barranco, Lima’s coolest district.

Day 1 Quito Meet your leader and new travel buds then maybe head out and grab empanadas together. There’s plenty of stuff to do in Quito, so hit up the Old Town, Plaza Grande and Plaza San Francisco to get a feel for everything, then head to El Panecillo for some ridiculous views of the city. Day 2 Otavalo/Quito Brush up on your Spanish skills on the local bus to Otavalo’s famous market for some shopping in the many indigenous handicraft stalls. Surface occasionally for air and food: snacks include beetles and guinea pig (if you’re game).

Head back to Quito for the evening. Days 3-4 Banos This is THE place for parties and adventures in the epic Ecuadorian outdoors. Pick how you’re gonna explore: ride bikes or horses, hike forests and gorges, get wet under waterfalls or just soak in the hot springs. Then swap stories and hit the pumping nightlife. It’s hard to go wrong here.

Days 5-6 Cuenca A long travel day is a chance to catch some sleep after partying and adventuring in Banos. Head south to Riobamba, then swap buses to Cuenca. This is a mighty fine town with 500-year-old churches and colonial buildings. Stick on a Panama hat in its birthplace and join the uni students enjoying the buzzing nightlife, then take a morning walking tour and a free afternoon exploring for yourself. El Cajas National Park is at your doorstep: take a hike, look at lakes and maybe even snap a selfie with a wild llama (but seriously, be careful). Days 7-9 Lima Travel from Ecuador to Peru by bus and plane. Tour Lima’s eerie catacombs and wander around Miraflores, then maybe join the Peruvian hipsters in Barranco. Your leader will take you on a walking tour, then it’s your duty to hit the ceviche and Pisco sours before dinner, drinks and dancing ‘till bedtime. That’s a wrap – adios amigos.

Lima

GGYQ

PERU

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (8 nts) 8 breakfasts Plane, local bus, private vehicle, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Real Bolivia & Argentina 12 DAYS, LA PAZ TO BUENOS AIRES Immerse yourself in weird and wonderful La Paz – where you can buy a potion or incantation at the Witches’ Market.

Travelling by bus means we leave a smaller carbon footprint, but see more of South America’s mind-blowing landscapes. Win/win!

Explore the mindblowing Salar de Uyuni, a prehistoric lake that went dry and left a vast desert of pure white salt.

Days 1-3 La Paz This lofty, quirky city has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. You can shop for traditional potions and spells at the offbeat Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches’ Market). In the late afternoon of day 3, jump on the overnight bus to a desert outpost. Days 4-5 Uyuni/ Salar de Uyuni Set out on a three-day 4WD excursion across Bolivia’s surreal altiplano. Stop in at the rusty Train Cemetary and explore the abandoned locomotives, then continue on and see multicoloured lakes, giant flocks of pink flamingos, volcanoes and the rocky islands that dot the vast, white salt flats of Salar de Uyuni. Cruise past spouting geysers and bubbling mud pits in the Andean Desert. Day 6 San Pedro de Atacama Have a quick soak in the desert’s hot springs before crossing the border into Chile. San Pedro de Atacama is surrounded by jawdropping scenery (think snow-capped mountains and grassy vistas) and is a great place to explore. A thriving

and diverse restaurant scene means you can grab an inventive meal that mixes Chilean, French and Italian cuisine. Days 7-8 Salta Nestled between crags of purple and red rock, Salta is bursting with pre-Columbian and colonial history. If you’re after something a little more active, hike up the 1070 steps to the summit of Cerro San Bernardo; the mountain that looms over Salta like a watchful god. If you’d prefer a more relaxing experience, you could always take a gondola to the top. Either way, the view is magnificent. Days 9-12 Buenos Aires An included flight delivers you to throbbing Buenos Aires.

You might like to explore the cobblestone streets of San Telmo and browse its antiques market, visit colourful La Boca and see some street performances or order a glass of Malbec at one of the city’s fashionable restaurants.

Don’t forget to try some of Argentina’s famous steaks before the trip ends.

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La Paz

BOLIV IA

Salar de Uyuni Uyuni Salta San Pedro de Atacama

C H ILE

AR GEN TIN A Buenos Aires

GGYB

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (8 nts), dormitory (2 nts), overnight bus (1 nt) 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners Plane, 4WD vehicle, bus, overnight bus, taxi, van DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Mondays Enter GGYB on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

One Week in Argentina & Brazil

B R A ZIL Rio de Janeiro

7 DAYS, BUENOS AIRES TO RIO DE JANEIRO

Iguazu Falls

Soak up the sophistication of Buenos Aires and explore the funky buildings in its historic city centre.

See what Eleanor Roosevelt was on about when she exclaimed ‘Poor Niagara!’ at the thundering Iguazu Falls.

South America is all about spontaneity, and this trip embraces it – hitting the highlights of Brazil and Argentina while giving you tons of freedom.

Days 1-2 Buenos Aires Argetina’s capital embodies all the best parts of the country’s unpredictability, offering a friendly vibe and nights out where it feels like anything could happen. Get oriented with a guided walk through the Microcentro district, checking out Barbie-pink Casa Rosada (Argentina’s house of government) and the shapely Palacio Barolo.

If you’re feeling romantic why not let yourself get swept away by the dance of love at a tango show.

Days 3-4 Iguazu Falls See the thundering falls from both sides of the border. Jump on a minibus for the Brazilian vantage point of these spectacular, cascading waterfalls, then head back across the border to see them from the Argentina side. The hundreds of frothy falls set against a lush green backdrop make this one of the most impressive sights in South America, if not the world. Days 5-7 Rio de Janeiro An included flight

delivers you to Rio de Janeiro, where everything - from the bronzed beach bodies to the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer – feels designed to grab your attention. Get your bearings with an orientation walk from your leader and then you’re free to set off on your own or with some buddies. Those who are inclined to chill and people watch might like to relax on Copacabana or Ipanema Beach with the beautiful people. Or maybe you’d prefer to experience Rio through your tastebuds – in which case ask your leader where to get the best feijoada (very slow-cooked bean, sausage and pork stew) in town. No trip to Rio would be complete without a selfie at the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue, so once your fed you can get a tram to the top of Corcovado Mountain to get your snap with the looming figure and check out the best views in the city.

Buenos Aires

A R GEN TIN A

GGYD

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (5 nts), overnight bus (1 nt) 3 breakfasts Plane, bus, overnight bus, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Want to experience the Galapagos by boat?

Our spacious, tourist-class boat Daphne caters to a variety of travel styles and budgets, with a cabin to suit every traveller.

Trips range from 6 to 17 days.

Find more information at intrepidtravel.com/daphne

Essential Galapagos 9 DAYS, QUITO TO QUITO

E C U A D OR

GALA PA GOS ISLA N D S

Quito

Hike up the Sierra Negro Volcano for amazing views of the islands that have played such an important role in history.

Isla Santa Cruz Isla San Cristobal

Isla Isabela

Get up close and personal(ish) with a Galapagos giant tortoise and then hit the beach and swim with sea lions.

Educate yourself at the Interpretation Centre then relax yourself with plenty of free time for snorkelling, strolling along the beach and chilling out.

Day 1 Quito Explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Meet your group and expert leader at a welcome meeting in the evening. Days 2-3 Isla San Cristobal Learn about flora, fauna and general eco stuff at the Interpretation Center. Wander to Mann Beach and snap some photos of snoozing sea lions, tackle Frigate Bird Hill for amazing views over the ocean, or sail out to Kicker Rock with a guide and swim with a sea lion. Day 4 Isla Santa Cruz Take a speedboat to Santa Cruz and visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre. Learn about the conservation efforts being made to preserve the unique ecosystem here and, in the afternoon, head to a higher part of the islands to observe giants tortoises roaming around in their natural habitat. Days 5-6 Isla Isabela The largest island in the Galapagos, Isla Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with

these enormous creatures, then strap on those boots and take a hike (about 17 kilometres) to see the Sierra Negra Volcano. Sign up for an optional excursion to Las Tintoreras, home to the rare Galapagos penguin.

Day 7 Isla Santa Cruz Head back to Santa Cruz and perhaps pay a visit to Tortuga Bay, where you can pick up a kayak or snorkel in emerald waters. Get your final fill of animal encounters before this wildlife adventure comes to an end. Days 8-9 Quito Learn a bit more about the natural history of the islands, human settlement and conservation at the Interpretation Centre before returning to Quito, where your trip comes to an end.

There’s plenty to do in and around Quito, so why not stick around and take a day trip out to Cotopaxi Volcano, the Quilotoa Lagoon or the Papallacta Hot Springs, or take it easy and explore the colourful city on foot. Your trip ends on the final morning.

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GGYV

BASIX

Maximum group size 15 Hotel (6 nts), hostel (2 nts) 7 breakfasts Plane, speedboat, boat, bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter GGYV on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Kicker Rock, Isla San Cristobal

One Week in the Galapagos Islands

GALA PA GOS IS LA N D S Isla Santa Cruz

7 DAYS, ISLA SAN CRISTOBAL TO ISLA SANTA CRUZ This short trip gets you to all the best bits of the wild and beautiful Galapagos Islands, where the sky and sea are almost always clear.

Have a close encounter with massive tortoises at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, then see them roaming their natural habitat.

Stretch your legs on a hike up the Sierra Negro Volcano for incredible views and awesome photo opportunities.

Day 1 Isla San Cristobal Say hello to your new travel pals and get to know each other at a welcome meeting. Learn about all things eco during a trip to the Interpretation Center, then get amongst it with a hike up Tijeretas Hill. At the top you’ll be rewarded with awesome views and a protected cove where you can snorkel with cheeky sea lions. Day 2 Isla San Cristobal Enjoy a free day on the island, with plenty of optional activities if you want some structure. Your leader loves the boat ride to Kicker Rock and if you decide to go, you’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling with sea turtles, eagle rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Or maybe you’d prefer to soak up some rays on Mann Beach, where the sunsets are legendary. Day 3 Isla Santa Cruz Rise and shine for a public speedboat ride to Santa Cruz.

Head to the Charles Darwin Research Station where you’ll learn more about the unique ecosystem on the

islands and conservation efforts being made to preserve them. It’s also a great place to have close encounters with giant tortoises. In the afternoon, head to the higher part of the islands to observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat. Days 4-5 Isla Isabela Take an optional excursion to Las Tintoreras for a chance to see rare Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas and resting white-tipped sharks. Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, then hike to the top of the Sierra Negra Volcano.

Days 6-7 Isla Santa Cruz Return to Santa Cruz in the morning. Consider taking part in some of the optional activities available, such as an excursion to Tortuga Bay, where you can swim with sharks in an alcove. If you’re short on cash there’s plenty to do for free on the island.

One great option is a relaxed afternoon stroll of the pier in Puerto Ayuro, where you can spot bright red crabs against the black volcanic rock under the boardwalk.

Isla Baltra

Isla Isabela

Isla San Cristobal

Tortuga Bay Puerto Villamil

GGYT

Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

BASIX

Maximum group size 15 Hotel (4 nts), hostel (2 nts) 6 breakfasts Speedboat, private vehicle, public bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Chichen Itza, Mexico

Real Mexico 15 DAYS, MEXICO CITY TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN Practice your bargaining skills, snap up some traditional handicrafts and support the local economy at colourful markets in Oaxaca and San Cristobal.

Travelling by local bus reduces our carbon footprint and helps us improve our Spanish language skills – muy bueno!

Soak up the colonial history of charming Merida: hang out in its leafy plazas, get cultural at the museum or work on your salsa shimmy.

Days 1-2 Mexico City Bienvenidos! Kick things off with a welcome meeting at your hotel. With your free time, perhaps head to the Zocalo, the city’s huge central square, to see some colonial architecture. Days 3-4 Puebla Jump on a public bus to Puebla, a city packed with churches and colonial buildings, and perhaps hit up the local market for hand-painted ceramics and some piping hot street food. Days 5-7 Oaxaca/Overnight Bus Get cosy with the locals on the bus ride to Oaxaca. Hit the markets and arcades for colourful textiles, sample a chilli and lime grasshopper or escape to the Monte Alban ruins for a little peace and quiet after the haggling frenzy.

Snag a window seat on your comfortable overnight bus. Days 8-9 San Cristobal de las Casas Arrive early in the highland city of San Cristobal de las Casas and take a tour of nearby San Juan Chamula, a traditional Maya village that serves as a centre for the indigenous

folk. Perhaps you’ll take an optional trip canyoning at El Chorreadero or a boat ride down the mighty Rio Grijalva.

Day 10 Palenque Kick on to Palenque via the Agua Azul waterfall for a dip. Check out the 1300-year-old Maya ruins of the same name before heading to Merida.

Days 11-13 Merida Explore the famous capital of the Yucatan. When you’re not sampling the delicious elotes (corn on the cob) sold from bicycle carts on street corners, maybe hunt down one of the hidden cenotes and take a dip in the crystal clear fresh water.

Days 14-15 Chichen Itza/Playa del Carmen Visit Chichen Itza and explore perhaps the most famous Maya ruins in Mexico, then head to the sands of Playa del Carmen for snorkelling, swimming, eating and drinking to finish your trip in seaside style. There are plenty of optional activities to get involved in too, like a visit to the Tulum Ruins or the island of Cozumel.

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ME X IC O

Chichen Itza

Mexico City

Merida

Playa del Carmen Puebla Palenque Oaxaca San Cristobal San Juan de las Casas Chamula

QBYM

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (13 nts), overnight public bus (1 nt) No meals included Private vehicle, taxi, public bus, overnight public bus, local bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays Enter QBYM on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Tikal, Guatemala

Caye Caulker, Belize

Real Central America

Playa del Carmen Tulum

ME X IC O

16 DAYS, PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO ANTIGUA See some of the best bits of Central America on this overland adventure through three very different countries.

Camp alongside epic Maya ruins in Tikal National Park and practice your bargaining skills at the famous Chichicastenango market.

Immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture at a homestay in San Jorge La Laguna then take it easy at Lake Atitlan.

Day 1 Playa del Carmen Kick things off in Playa del Carmen with a welcome meeting. Apart from that, it’s all swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and taco eating.

Days 2-3 Tulum Hop on a bus to Tulum. We recommend heading to the Temple of Frescoes, hiring a bike and exploring, or strolling along the beach. Days 4-6 Caye Caulker If your idea of paradise is white sand, blue waters and hammocks, you’re going to love Caye Caulker. Perhaps go sea kayaking, take a manatee tour or enjoy a sunset sail. Days 7-8 San Ignacio Travel by local bus to San Ignacio, passing through the capital, Belmopan, en route. Here you can head to Xunantunich, a Maya ceremonial centre, or wade through the waters of Actun Tunichil Muknal until you reach a bunch of 1400-year-old crystallised skeletons. Day 9 Tikal NP Welcome to the jungle. Get dropped at Tikal National Park and set up camp not too far from the enormous

Maya ruins. Climb Temple IV for canopy views or zip-line through the trees. Days 10-11 Rio Dulce Head to Rio Dulce by private vehicle then transfer to your hotel by boat. Activities on offer include boating on the lake, manatee-spotting, soaking in thermal hot springs, hiking jungle trails and exploring San Felipe Fort. Day 12 Antigua Long travel day to Antigua for the evening.

Day 13 Chichicastenango/San Jorge La Laguna Homestay Visit the famous, colourful Chichicastenango markets then head to San Jorge for a homestay with a local family. Day 14 Lake Atitlan/Panajachel Push on to Panajachel, a cool little town on Lake Atitlan with a thriving market, good food and and a range of waterbased activities to enjoy. Days 15-16 Antigua You won’t have been to many places quite like Antigua, a heritagelisted town that knows how to party, so shout a round of drinks and get down with the locals on your final night.

San Ignacio Tikal

Caye Caulker

B E LIZE

Chichicastenango Antigua San Jorge La Laguna Lake Atitlan Panajachel

QBYA

Rio Dulce

GU ATE MA LA

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (11 nts), multishare lodge (2 nts) camping with facilities (1 nt), homestay (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 dinner Private vehicle, local bus, public bus, ferry, shared boat, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Antigua, Guatemala

Real Guatemala to Costa Rica 17 DAYS, ANTIGUA TO SAN JOSE

GUATEMALA Antigua Suchitoto El Tunco

Soak up the fascinating history, culture and customs of Central America with an epic crew of adventurous chums.

EL SA LVAD OR

Day 1 Antigua Arrive in Antigua and get your bearings wandering the cobblestone streets and colonial-era plazas. Meet your new travelling pals at a welcome meeting. Days 2-3 Suchitoto Hit the road to El Salvador and take a kayak out for a spin on the lake, or maybe hike in the nearby Cinquera Rainforest. Day 4 El Tunco Head south to the laidback village of El Tunco, now famous for its rad surf, black-sand beaches and top nightlife.

Days 5-6 El Cuco Continue your surfie lifestyle in El Cuco, home to some of the best surf spots in the country. You’ll be staying in a laidback eco-hotel for the next couple of nights. Day 7 Leon It’s a long day of travel but a pretty unique one, including a boat across the Gulf of Fonseca.

Push on to Leon, a quiet town full of crumbling history, numerous churces and loads of great food. Maybe climb to the roof of the cathedral for some nice city views.

Days 8-9 Granada It’s on to Granada, the oldest city in

the ‘New World’. Choose to take a guided tour, bargain hard in the markets or wander the streets, snapping photos of the colourful buildings. Days 10-11 Ometepe Island Perhaps limber up for a volcano hike, splash about in the hot springs, or check out the island’s petroglyphs.

We hope you like watermelon, coffee, banana and citrus fruits because Ometepe is pretty proud of its plantations.

Days 12-13 Monteverde Head into the cloud forest and take a treetop canopy walk, keeping your eyes peeled for the resplendent quetzel. Days 14-15 La Fortuna Venture on to La Fortuna, home to the sky tram, firstclass mountain biking trails, good kayaking and some excellent swimming holes. You can go zip-lining too.

Days 16-17 San Jose Spend your final days on all the best San Jose has to offer. Visit artisan fairs in the central plaza, check out indigenous art, eat fresh seafood until you burst and down your final cerveza. Muchas gracias!

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Granada

El Cuco Ometepe Island La Fortuna

It’s okay to be fruity: eat all the watermelon, bananas and citrus fruits you can on Ometepe Island.

Feel right at home in a comfortable hotel in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, then push past your comfort zone on a bike or zip-line.

N IC A R A GU A Leon

Monteverde

C OSTA R IC A

QBYJ

San Jose

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (14 nts), lodge (2 nts) No meals included Private vehicle, taxi, public bus, local bus, private boat, shared boat, ferry DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Tulum, Mexico

Epic Mexico to Costa Rica 32 DAYS, PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO SAN JOSE Get a taste of six different countries on an epic Latin adventure that takes in the sights and offers a whole heap of optional activities too.

Slumber on the sands of Playa del Carmen, gaze at the pyramids of Tikal and haggle in the markets of Chichicastenango.

A nature lover’s paradise – hike, zip-line, or walk suspension bridges high in the forest canopy for an unforgettable exploration of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest.

Day 1 Playa del Carmen Meet your travel crew in a town known for its snorkelling and beaches. Days 2-3 Tulum Swim the cenotes, walk the Maya ruins or hang beachside and snorkel. Days 4-6 Caye Caulker Life’s slow, the food’s delicious and the reef is begging to be explored. Days 7-8 San Ignacio Take a local bus to this lively town surrounded by waterfalls and ruins.

Day 9 Tikal NP Cross the Guatemalan border and camp not too far from the huge Maya ruins of Tikal.

Days 10-11 Rio Dulce Bus it to Rio Dulce for boating, manatees, hot springs and jungle hikes. Day 12 Antigua It’s a long travel day, but there’s time for a stroll and tamale. Day 13 Chichicastenango/San Jorge La Laguna Homestay Buy some trinkets at the famous markets before your stay at San Jorge. Day 14 Lake Atitlan/Panajachel Swim, hike, kayak, or take a boat to a nearby village in this lakeside town flanked by

volcanoes. Days 15-16 Antigua A heritage-listed town that knows how to party, so bring your best tango.

Days 17-18 Suchitoto Hike, kayak or boat around this delightful lakeside town. Day 19 El Tunco Kick back in El Tunco, known for its surf, black-sand beaches and nightlife. Days 20-21 El Cuco Yoga, surfing, kayaks and hammocks. What more do you want? Day 22 Leon Stock up for a long journey to this Nicaraguan town. Days 23-24 Granada See lakes, volcanoes and architecture in the oldest city in the ‘New World’. Days 25-26 Ometepe Island Check out the island’s ancient rock carvings or chill on the beach. Days 27-28 Monteverde Explore Monteverde’s famous cloud forest in free time, keeping an eye out for monkeys. Days 29-30 La Fortuna Home to zip-lines, mountain bikes, kayaking and swimming holes. Days 31-32 San Jose Enjoy San Jose’s artisan fairs, fresh seafood and a final cerveza before the trip ends.

ME X IC O San Ignacio Tikal NP

GU ATE MALA

Chichicastenango Antigua

San Jorge la Laguna

Lake Atitlan

Panajachel

E L S A LVA D OR

El Tunco

Playa del Carmen Tulum Caye Caulker

BE LIZ E

Rio Dulce

Suchitoto Leon

NIC A R A GU A Granada

El Cuco

Ometepe Island La Fortuna Monteverde San Jose

C OSTA R IC A

QBYXC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (27 nts), multishare lodge (2 nts), camping with facilities (1 nt), homestay (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 dinner Private vehicle, taxi, public bus, local bus, private boat, shared boat, ferry DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Tulum, Mexico

Caye Caulker, Belize

Epic Mexico, Belize & Guatemala 30 DAYS, MEXICO CITY TO ANTIGUA Eat and drink your way through arty Oaxaca. Mole, mezcal and chocolate for dinner?

And breakfast? Delicioso!

Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and when you’re strolling around these ancient Maya ruins it’s not hard to see why.

Days 1-2 Mexico City Me-hi-co City amigos, meet your team and gorge on tacos. Days 3-4 Puebla Public bus to Puebla, a city jammed with churches, markets and Lucha Libre (that masked Mexican wrestling, y’know). Days 5-7 Oaxaca Delve into this colonial town known for its art, culture, food, markets, ruins and mezcal. Days 8-9 San Cristobal de las Casas/Overnight Bus Arrive early after an overnight bus. Visit a traditional village and maybe get wet on a trip down Rio Grijalva or go canyoning in El Chorreadero. Day 10 Palenque Travel to Palenque via the Agua Azul waterfall for a dip. Days 11-13 Merida Explore the ancient Palenque ruins then take a private bus to Merida, capital of the Yucatan and home to superhot sauce and the Uxmal ruins. Days 14-15 Playa del Carmen Check out THE Mexican Maya site, Chichen Itza, and continue to Playa del Carmen for all your swimming, seafood and cocktail desires. Days 16-17 Tulum Laidback

living and broad, white beaches. Visit one of the bestlooking Maya sites, rent a bike, check out a cenote and live your best beach-bum life. Days 18-20 Caye Caulker If your idea of paradise is white sand, blue waters and palm trees then you’ll dig Caye Caulker. Days 21-22 San Ignacio Hike, swim and tube in this lively town surrounded by waterfalls, ruins and rivers. Day 23 Tikal NP Go full jungle at these crazy-cool ruins. Spend the evening camping under the stars. Days 24-25 Rio Dulce Bus it to Rio Dulce for boating, manatees, hot springs, hiking and a hit of Gurifana culture. Day 26 Antigua Travel and nightstop. Day 27 San Jorge La Laguna Homestay Experience the famed Chichicastenango market and a homestay at San Jorge. Day 28 Panajachel Spend time in this adventure town by Lake Atitlan.

Days 29-30 Antigua Finish in Antigua, a heritage-listed, cobblestone city and certified traveller’s favourite.

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Playa del Carmen Merida

ME X IC O

Chichen Itza

Mexico City

Palenque

Puebla Oaxaca

San Juan Chamula

San Ignacio

Tulum

Caye Caulker

B E LIZE Tikal NP Chichicastenango San Cristobal San Jorge Rio Dulce de las Casas La Laguna Antigua Lake Atitlan Panajachel

GU ATE MALA

QBYYC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (24 nts), multishare lodge (2 nts), camping with facilities (1 nt), homestay (1 nt), overnight public bus (1 nt) 1 breakfast, 1 dinner Private vehicle, taxi, public bus, local bus, overnight public bus, ferry, shared boat DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays Enter QBYYC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Santa Clara, Cuba

Mexico City, Mexico

Epic Mexico & Cuba

Havana

MEX IC O

22 DAYS, MEXICO CITY TO HAVANA You’ve never seen true colour until you’ve been to a Mexican market. Practice your bargaining skills and pick up traditional handicrafts in multiple destinations.

Take a walk through the ancient Maya ruins of Chichen Itza and Palenque, which were once two of the most advanced cities on the continent.

Swap salsa for cigars and cobblestone streets for dirt roads as you discover the difference between Cuban life in the city and the country.

Day 1 Mexico City Bienvenidos a Me-hi-co City! Meet your group at 6 pm. Day 2 Mexico City There’s art, there are museums, there’s the Teotihuacan ruins and the choice is all yours. Days 3-4 Puebla Bus to pretty Puebla, a city packed with churches. Head market-side for local, hand-painted ceramics and piping hot street food. Days 5-7 Oaxaca This is the place to shop for colourful textiles and try mezcal.

Consider escaping to the Monte Alban ruins for a little peace and quiet. Days 8-9 San Cristobal de las Casas Welcome to your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. With winding cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, San Cristobal has an old-world feel mixed with strong pre-hispanic roots. Day 10 Palenque Kick on to Palenque. Tomorrow you’ll visit its 1300-year-old Maya jungle palace. Days 11-13 Merida Travel to Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. Old-world

colonial charm and delicious Yucatan specialities await, with an option to visit the Uxmal ruins. Day 14 Playa del Carmen Visit Chichen Itza before arriving in sandy Playa del Carmen for all your beachside needs.

Day 15 Havana Travel to Cuba’s gloriously old-school capital. Days 16-17 Trinidad Check the Che Guevara museum in Santa Clara then on to Trinidad, the city that’s everything you imagine Cuba to be. Days 18-20 Vinales On the way to Vinales, stop at Playa Giron, better known as the Bay of Pigs and scene of a failed CIA-backed invasion. Arrive in postcard-perfect Vinales, where you can choose to hike through the Jurassic Park-like valleys, learn about the tobacco industry or take an excursion to the beach. Days 21-22 Havana Return to Havana. Maybe toast the end of your trip with a mojito and one last salsa lesson then bid farewell to the enigmatic city streets.

Merida

Mexico City Puebla

Vinales Bay of Pigs Playa del Trinidad Carmen

CUBA

Palenque San Cristobal de las Casas

Oaxaca

Flight Not Included

QBYMC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (13 nts), overnight bus (1 nt), guesthouse (7 nts) No meals included Private vehicle, taxi, public bus, overnight public bus, local bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays Enter QBYMC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Tikal, Guatemala

Epic Central America 46 DAYS, MEXICO CITY TO SAN JOSE Get to the heart of Central America. A place of mysterious ruins, active volcanoes, idyllic beaches and emerald jungles.

Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and it’s not hard to see why – strolling around these ancient Maya ruins feels pretty amazing.

Travel to El Salvador and back in time in the colonial town of Suchitoto, where pastelcoloured houses line sleepy streets.

Days 1-3 Mexico City Modern meets ancient, you meet your group. Days 3-4 Puebla Stay in a valley surrounded by snow-topped mountains. Days 5-7 Oaxaca A beautiful colonial town, Oaxaca is full of arcades and culinary treats. Days 8-9 San Cristobal de las Casas/ Overnight Bus This pastel-hued highland town has an old-world feel mixed with strong pre-hispanic roots.

Day 10 Palenque Clamber over hilltop ruins. Days 11-13 Merida Sip mezcal by mansions. Days 14-15 Playa del Carmen See Chichen Itza, where Toltec and Maya ruins lie together. Then on to the beachside playground of Playa del Carmen. Days 16-17 Tulum Ruins cling to jagged cliffs next to an azure ocean. Days 18-20 Caye Caulker If your idea of paradise is white sand and palm trees, you’re going to dig this. Days 21-22 San Ignacio Enjoy this lovely, river-bound town. Day 23 Tikal NP Go jungle, Guatemala-style. Days 24-25 Rio Dulce More

laidback, Carribbean coast vibes. Day 26 Antigua Be sure to try a tamale – a local dish served in a corn leaf with chicken, beef or pork. Day 27 Chichicastenango/San Jorge La Laguna Experience an authentic Maya village with your host family. Day 28 Lake Atitlan/Panajachel Perhaps kayak around Lake Atitlan. Days 29-30 Antigua If you want to learn some salsa moves this is the place to do it. Days 31-32 Suchitoto A world away from modern El Salvador. Day 33 El Tunco Sip a smoothie on blacksand beaches. Days 34-35 El Cuco Spend two nights in an eco-hotel. Day 36 Leon Discover why Nicaragua is a traveller favourite. Days 37-38 Granada See Moorish and Andalusian architecture. Days 39-49 Ometepe Island Chill times roll on. Days 41-42 Monteverde Walk through a misty cloud forest and look for long-nosed tapirs. Days 43-44 La Fortuna Stay under Volcano Arenal. Days 45-46 San Jose Finish up in lively San Jose.

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Chichen Itza Merida Playa del Carmen

MEXIC O Mexico City Puebla Oaxaca

Tulum

BELIZ E

Palenque San Cristobal de las Casas

Caye Caulker San Ignacio Rio Dulce

Tikal

GU ATEMALA

San Jorge La Laguna Suchitoto Lake Atitlan Antigua Panajachel Granada El Tunco Ometepe EL SALVAD OR El Cuco Island Leon La Fortuna Monteverde San Jose

C OSTA RICA

QBYZC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (38 nts), lodge (2 nts), camping with facilities (1 nt), homestay (1 nt), overnight public bus (1 nt), multishare lodge (2 nts) 1 breakfast, 1 dinner Local bus, overnight public bus, taxi, private vehicle, public bus, ferry, shared boat, private boat DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays Enter QBYZC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Havana, Cuba

Santa Clara, Cuba

One Week in Cuba 8 DAYS, HAVANA TO HAVANA

Havana

There’s a world of difference between Cuban life in the city and in the country. Learn about both, with walking tours in Old Havana and rural strolls in Vinales.

Santa Clara

C U BA Vinales Bay of Pigs

Trinidad

Discover the man behind the t-shirt with a visit to Che Guevara’s Mausoleum and Museum in Santa Clara.

Learn about the failed military invasion by US-sponsored anti-revolutionists at the beautiful Bay of Pigs.

Day 1 Havana Kick off in Cuba’s gloriously old-school capital. Meet your group at an evening welcome meeting. Day 2 Santa Clara/Trinidad Soak up the sights and sounds of Old Havana on a guided tour, seeing the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park along the way.

Travel south, stopping at Santa Clara for a guided walk around the town and a visit to the Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum, before continuing on to Trinidad. Day 3 Trinidad Vibrant Trinidad is everything you imagine Cuba to be – horses trot down cobblestone streets, old men strum guitars on doorsteps and stretches of white sand are ripe for exploring. The city’s all yours on a free day. Climb the bell tower of Central Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos for epic city views, sip on a canchanchara (lemon juice, honey and rum) or head to

a disco in a cave. Day 4 Vinales It’s a long day of travel to Vinales, but it’s broken up with some interesting stops and an informal Spanish language lesson on the bus. Visit the famous Bay of Pigs for a swim and some history. Days 5-6 Vinales One of the most scenic parts of the country, Vinales is known for its cool porches, tobacco fields and mojitos made with honey. There are loads of fun options here: a tobacco-farmland tour, museum and gallery visits, or a trip to the massive Santo Tomas cave complex (one of the biggest in all of the Americas). Alternatively, jump on a bike and explore from the saddle. Enjoy a rum tasting at a local bar with your crew. Days 7-8 Havana Return to the capital, stopping at Revolution Square along the way.

At the end of the day, maybe drop by the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and toast to the end of your trip with a mojito, before bidding farewell to Cuba.

QUYF

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Standard guesthouse (7 nts) No meals included Private vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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North America Land of the free and home of the brave, North America is a continent unto itself. From the red rock deserts of Arizona to California’s sun-soaked beaches, the non-stop hustle of New York to the most beautiful national parks on earth, North America is just one big 27-million-square-kilometre playground. Whether you’re hiking the Rockies, sipping Brooklyn craft beer or celeb spotting in LA, get ready to super-size your adventure.

WEATHER Jasper Banff Vancouver San Francisco New York Nashville New Orleans Las Vegas

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Jasper, Canada

Banff, Canada

Real Canada 12 DAYS, VANCOUVER TO VANCOUVER From rafting trips to glacier treks, this trip is packed full of optional outdoor activities, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore nature at ground level.

Pristine lakes, massive glaciers and soaring peaks – the Canadian Rockies feature an array of striking landscapes that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

Hike through forests, mountain bike in the Rockies and canoe across a picturesque lake.

Whatever floats your boat, your expert local leader can point you in the right direction.

Day 1 Vancouver Welcome to Canada, home of ice hockey, Drake and maple-flavoured everything.

Perhaps pick up a donut from Tim Hortons before your adventure begins. Day 2 Kelowna Hit the road for a long day of driving through some of the most awesome scenery ever, including the vineyard-lined hills of the Okanagan Valley. Day 3 Golden Travel through Mt Revelstoke National Park, Rogers Pass and Glacier National Park for epic photo opportunities and all the nature you can handle. Days 4-6 Banff National Park Hit the water for an optional, adrenaline-packed rafting adventure on Kicking Horse River, then continue on to Banff. This glorious national park is also Canada’s oldest. Take in the incredible scenery traversing the hiking trails, soak in the natural springs and shop for souvenirs in the charming town in your free time. Check out Lake Louise, a pristine pool of

water sitting between two mountains. Days 7-8 Jasper National Park Explore one of the most photographed places in Canada featuring amazing Rocky Mountain scenery, turquoise-coloured lakes and glaciers. Spend a free day hiking, biking or exploring Jasper National Park. Day 9 Wells Gray Provincial Park Explore some of British Columbia’s best scenery, a wilderness area containing the Canadian Rockies’ highest peak and a crazy amount of waterfalls. Days 10-11 Whistler Hike along lush forest trails at Whistler or just relax in your surroundings. Perhaps hire a bike and take a ride to one of the nearby lakes, zip-line through the trees or take a scenic gondola ride. Day 12 Vancouver Snowcapped mountains, stunning ocean views and trees aplenty? Say hello to Vancouver again and perhaps sample the city’s awesome food and craft beer scene before your Canadian adventure comes to an end.

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ALB E RTA

B R ITIS H C OLU MB IA

Jasper NP

Wells Gray PP Lake Louise Golden Whistler Vancouver

SSYA

Banff NP

Yoho NP Kelowna Glacier NP

BASIX

Maximum group size 13 Hotel (1 nt), camping with facilities (10 nts) Optional food kitty Private vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter SSYA on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Route 66, United States

Nashville, United States

Epic USA Road Trip 22 DAYS, SAN FRANCISCO TO NEWARK This epic road trip takes you from the national parks of the west to the musical cities of the South, and all the best bits in between.

Granite cliffs, redwood forests, star-studded night skies, Instagram-smashing waterfalls… Yosemite National Park feels like utopia.

Music lovers will dig this itinerary. Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans are where it’s at for music history and nightlife.

Day 1 San Francisco Welcome to the chilled-out City by the Bay. Days 2-3 Yosemite National Park See granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and some seriously OMGinducing giant sequoia trees. Day 4 Sierra Nevada Make tracks for the Eastern Sierra through scenic mountains and lakes. Days 5-6 Las Vegas Maybe have a crack at blackjack, mosey the gaudy and glitzy Strip, catch a show or just soak up the craziness that is Vegas.

Days 7-8 Grand Canyon Cruise the classic Route 66 to one of the world’s seven wonders. Day 9 Monument Valley With its flaming red cliffs and sweeping sand dunes, you may recognise the heart of Navajo Nation from classic Western films. Day 10 Mesa Verde National Park Explore the cliff dwellings and spectacular views of this important archaeological site. Day 11 Albuquerque Discover New Mexico’s largest city, made famous by the TV series Breaking Bad and now a pop

culture destination. Day 12 Amarillo A quintessential Texan town – think cacti, cowboys and steak. Day 13 Dallas Learn the details (and conspiracy theories) of JFK’s assassination at the Sixth Floor Museum. Day 14 Lake Charles Maybe hit the hiking trails, sample Creole eats or get rhythm-n-bluesy. Days 15-16 New Orleans Get amongst the music, mayhem and mouth-watering Cajun food of the ’Big Easy’. Day 17 Memphis A music-lover’s paradise (if you dig the blues), check out Sun Studios or Graceland. Day 18 Nashville Home of the legendary Grand Ole Opry concert hall, Music Row and many honky-tonk bars. Day 19 Appalachian Mountains Camp in the heart of the great outdoors.

Days 20-21 Washington DC Take in the oh-so-pretty Skyline Drive, then explore DC’s monuments, museums, and a certain white building. Day 22 Newark Last stop: Newark. First though, check out Philadelphia.

Washington DC San Francisco Yosemite NP New York Death Valley/Sierra Nevada Appalachian Las Vegas Mesa Verde NP Mountains Memphis Grand Canyon Nashville Dallas Monument Valley Albuquerque New Orleans Amarillo Lake Charles

SSYC

BASIX

Maximum group size 13 Hotel (5 nts) camping with facilities (16 nts) Optional food kitty Private vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Saturdays Enter SSYC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Las Vegas, United States

Grand Canyon NP, United States

One Week in Las Vegas & the American Wilderness 8 DAYS, LOS ANGELES TO SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Yosemite NP

CALIFORNIA

NEVADA Las Vegas

Death Valley/ Sierra Nevada Los Angeles

Day 1 Los Angeles LA is one crazy diamond. Go celeb-spotting on Rodeo Drive, take a hike up Runyon Canyon or hit up the town for a taco and a green smoothie. Day 2 Lake Havasu Drive into desert country to Joshua Tree National Park, famous for its spiky trees, bizarre rock formations and a pretty good U2 album. After a wander through the park, head to Lake Havasu on the Colorado River (at the Arizona border) and set up camp for the night. Day 3 Grand Canyon National Park At 450 kilometres long, 630 kilometres wide and 1600 metres deep, the Grand Canyon really lives up to its name. Check it out on a rim walk or hike into the canyon. Days 4-5 Las Vegas Make a quick stop on Route 66, then cross Arizona’s western deserts to Sin City. Famous for its casinos and Elvis-themed chapels, Vegas is a mecca for all things over-the-top. It’s not all excess though – chat

to your leader for the lowdown on the best shows, shopping and restaurants in town. Day 6 Death Valley/ Sierra Nevada Yes, it gets pretty hot during summer (up to 50°C), but Death Valley is more about ethereal sand dunes, water-sculpted canyons, extinct craters and (in the spring) fields of wildflowers than, y’know, death. Spot a range of wildlife like lizards and bighorn sheep, plus some awesome geological phenomena.

Day 7 Yosemite National Park A who’s who of natural wonders including El Capitan, the largest granite monolith in the world, Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, and the Giant Sequoias, the largest trees on earth. Hike to Vernal Falls, stroll to Mirror Lake or just soak up the epic sights in your own time. Day 8 San Francisco Your road trip comes to an end today, as you mosey on into the City by the Bay. Group hug, guys!

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Lake Havasu

ARIZONA

Hike through the spooky but beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. We put it down to the park’s desert cactus gardens, lush oases and strange rock formations.

It’s big, it’s beautiful, it’s the Grand Canyon! See it all up close on a hike or enjoy an optional helicopter experience overhead.

Grand Canyon NP

SSYW

BASIX

Maximum group size 13 Hotel (2 nts), hostel (1 nt), camping with facilities (4 nts) Optional food kitty Private vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter SSYW on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

New York, United States

Canada Winter Festivals 14 DAYS, VANCOUVER TO CALGARY

B R ITIS H C OLU MB IA

ALB E RTA Edmonton Jasper

This itinerary is jam-packed with five festivals, taking in Whistler Pride & Ski, January in Jasper, Lake Louise Ice Magic, SnowDays in Banff, and the Canmore Winter Carnival.

Live it up in Canada’s ultimate winter wonderland. Go on a snowshoe hike in Banff ’s glorious back country, then explore frozen waterfalls and ice caves in Jasper.

Days 1-2 Vancouver Welcome to the Great White North! Stroll the cobbled lanes in Gastown or sample the city’s culinary talents at its annual food festival. Days 3-4 Whistler Snow-capped mountains and an awesome Pride festival? It can only be Whistler. Get amongst the winter activities and parties. Days 5-7 Edmonton/Jasper National Park Jasper’s spectacular alpine lakes, forests and mountains are everything you hoped they would be. Explore frozen waterfalls and ice caves in Maligne Canyon, then let loose at the Jasper Festival street party.

Days 8-9 Lake Louise Take in Insta-worthy views of impossibly picturesque Lake Louise by day. Walk among illuminated ice scuptures – part of the Ice Magic Festival – by night. Days 10-13 Banff National Park/Canmore Go on a snowshoe hike, catch a gondola ride or unwind in the hot springs at Canada’s oldest national park, then practice your hockey skills at the Canmore Hockey Club. Day 14 Calgary Your winter adventure ends in Calgary.

Whistler Vancouver

Lake Louise Calgary Banff NP Canmore

Flight Not Included

SWYF

BASIX

Maximum group size 12 Hotel (3 nts), hostel (10 nts) No meals included

Selected dates Enter SWYF on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

Bus, private vehicle

Halloween in America 7 DAYS, BOSTON TO NEW YORK

Salem Boston

MAS S A C H U S E TTS

Uncover Salem’s history of witch hunting, chase ghosts in haunted Newport, carve pumpkins and get lost in a corn maze for some next-level Halloween fun.

R H O D E IS LA N D

New York

Don your best costume (bonus points for creativity) and join the crowds at the glorious Village Halloween Parade in Manhattan.

Days 1-3 Boston/Salem Kick off your Halloween tour by swapping ghost stories with your new travel buddies, then delve into Boston’s sinister past while visiting a 400-year-old cemetery. Take a day trip to Salem to hear tales of its infamous Witch Trials before heading to Connors Farm for its pumpkins and corn maze. Day 4 Newport More than just sailing and mansions, this city by the sea has a haunting past. Don’t be surprised if things get chilly on a lantern-led evening ghost tour. Day 5 Sleepy Hollow Blazing pumpkins, Gothic mansions and haunted hayrides – what else would you expect from the legendary home of the Headless Horseman?

Days 6-7 New York From clever pop culture references to the downright ghoulish, the costumes at NYC’s annual Village Halloween Parade are bound to entertain. Get costumed up and join in the revelry.

Newport

Sleepy Hollow

N EW Y OR K

SSYH

BASIX

Maximum group size 13 Hotel (2 nts), hostel (4 nts) No meals included

Selected dates Enter SSYH on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

Private vehicle

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Europe Paris is special and crepes are delicious, but why queue for hours to climb the Eiffel Tower when there are so many adventurous places the masses still don’t know about. Pool your crepe money and set out for something a little different, be it camping around Iceland, discovering Turkey’s ancient history or experiencing a different side of Russia. When it comes to travel, straying from the path won’t ever lead you astray, unless you quite literally stray from the path and have a poor sense of direction, but that's why you travel in a small group.

WEATHER Reykjavik St. Petersburg Istanbul

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Moscow, Russia

St Petersburg, Russia

Essential Russia

St Petersburg

9 DAYS, MOSCOW TO ST PETERSBURG

RUSSIA

Nikola-Lenivets, the largest landscape park in Europe and home to many creative art installations, is a modern cultural favourite in Russia.

Overnight Train Moscow

Red Square has long been at the heart of Russian history. Visit the austere mausoleum of Lenin and the eye-bulging treasure collection in the Kremlin Armoury Museum.

Stroll along the streets in St Petersburg, one of the most graceful cities in Europe and admire its Imperial glory through its palaces, cathedrals and theatres.

Days 1-2 Moscow Zdrastvutye! Welcome to Russia and magnificent Moscow. Meet your crew at 6 pm on the first evening then take a walk and enjoy an optional dinner together. Check out all the sights around Red Square including the mausoleum of Russia’s most famous revolutionary – Lenin. Then enter the Kremlin grounds with a local guide, home to the oldest and most important churches in the country, where many Tsars and Tsarinas are laid to rest. Walk through the soaring towers and cathedrals of the political and spiritual heart of Russia before entering the Armoury Museum, home to an eye-bulging former royal collection of ambassadorial gifts, Faberge eggs, coronation robes and glittering jewels. Days 3-4 Nikola-Lenivets Spend two nights at this 650-hectare landscape park and open-air contemporary art space.

The park was created – or perhaps more accurately,

dreamed up – by a young Russian architect looking for a space for art and creative activities. There are plenty of optional activities to get involved with here.

Days 5-6 Moscow Head back to Moscow for free time and more sightseeing. Take a tour of the grand metro stations decorated with mosaics and chandeliers, then jump on the overnight train to St Petersburg.

Days 7-9 St Petersburg St Petersburg is built on 42 islands and also known as the Venice of the North.

Arrive early in the glorious Imperial capital and take a walking tour around town with free time to explore, then an evening pub crawl will acquaint you with both the vodka-soaked history and new craft beer scene.

Make the most of a free day sightseeing. Cruise over the rivers and canals, visit the Hermitage Museum and don’t forget to organise a farewell dinner with your new friends (vodka shots optional).

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Nikola-Lenivets

WBYA

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (2 nts), guesthouse (2 nts), overnight train (1 nt), hostel (3 nts) 4 breakfasts Metro, overnight train, train, private vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Saturdays Enter WBYA on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Gullfoss Waterfalls, Iceland

Jokulsarlon, Iceland

One Week Camping in Iceland 7 DAYS, REYKJAVIK TO REYKJAVIK

IC E LA N D Reykjavik

Golden Circle

There’s a lot more to Iceland than ice (and Bjork). You’ll never be quite the same after seeing the mountains, waterfalls, volcanoes and black sands of this magical land.

Hike to the tongue of Europe’s biggest glacier and see the massive walls of ice in Skaftafell National Park.

Disappear into green and black hills and set up camp in the epic wilderness of Thorsmork National Park.

Day 1 Reykjavik Welcome to Iceland, where the sun shines 22 hours in summer and only four hours in winter. Maybe check out some of the bars with your group once tonight’s meeting is over – the nightlife (or late day life?) here is super impressive. Day 2 Golden Circle/Hvolsvollur Valley Take in some smooth scenic views on a drive around Iceland’s ‘Golden Circle’. If you suss out a big gap of water in the landscape, you’re probably looking at the Silfra fissure where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly ripping apart. Check out the Strokkur geyser and you might catch it when it blasts water through the air.

Finally, swing by the Gullfoss double waterfall on the Hvita River before setting up camp in the Hvolsvollur region. Day 3 Hvolsvollur Valley/Thorsmork Lend a hand with the Hvollsvollur tree-planting project.

Afterwards, head to Thorsmork National Park for some

scenic hikes. This reserve is a favourite with walkers and once you check out the oases and roaring rivers it’ll be pretty obvious why people keep coming back.

Day 4 South Coast/Jokulsarlon Stop at some beautiful waterfalls before arriving at Vik’s black-sand beach.

Then zip off to Dyrholaey, a tall, unusual promontory that juts into the water. Day 5 Skaftafell National Park Feel like you could tackle Europe’s biggest ice cap? In that case, go for a walk on Vatnajokull. Or just walk to the glacial tongue (which, sad to say, may not be around for too many more years). Your call.

Days 6-7 Reykjavik So you’ve seen the rugged side of Iceland, now it’s time to get back to sleek Reykjavik.

Spend your time here as you like. Go whale watching, discover Iceland’s viking history at the Saga Museum or knock back a few drinks with your new friends as you say farewell to this beautiful country.

Skaftafell NP Jokulsarlon

Hvolsvollur Thorsmork

BIYI

South Coast

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Guesthouse (2 nts), camping (4 nts) 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner Private minibus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter BIYI on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Istanbul, Turkey

Pamukkale, Turkey

Real Turkey

Istanbul

15 DAYS, ISTANBUL TO ISTANBUL

Canakkale Ayvalik

M E D Pamukkale’s spectacular hot springs – located I in glowing white calcium travertines that T E cascade down a cliff overlooking the town – are said to have healing properties.

R

R Set sail on a voyage around the Turquoise Coast – splash about in ATersane Bay, enjoy a home-cooked dinner on our boat and sleep under a blanket of Mediterranean stars.

N

Overload your senses and fill up on baklava in Istanbul while visiting the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar.

Day 1 Istanbul Get a taste of the Turkish culture by checking out the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Aya Sofya before meeting your crew. Day 2 Canakkale Drive to Gallipoli and Anzac Cove and, after paying respects, head to Eceabat and take a ferry across the Dardanells to the town of Canakkale. Day 3 Ayvalik Kick on to Ayvalik, a seaside town surrounded by olive groves and pine trees. Day 4 Ephesus/Selcuk Walk the marble streets once trod by Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Check out the ancient city of Ephesus, and be sure to ask your guide to point out the secret messages the ancient Christians carved into the rocks to direct worshippers to their next meeting. Day 5 Pamukkale Why is the hot spring of Pamukkale known as the ‘Cotton Castle’? There’s only one way to find out. Day 6 Faralya Spend the night in this small rural village almost only known by locals, located at the edge of a canyon overlooking the Mediterranean

Sea. Day 7 Fethiye Take a hike to chilled Kabaak then hop on a bus to the Blue Lagoon. Days 8-9 Southern Coast Sailing You’ll call a boat home for the next couple of days as you explore the sunken city of Kekova Island, snorkel the reef and admire the blue waters. Day 10 Antalya It’s hard to take a bad photo of Antalya thanks to its cobblestone streets, the Old City and the Taurus Mountains in the distance. Days 11-12 Cappadocia Explore Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and underground cities. Walk though fruit gardens, visit Uchisar and take a stroll through Pigeon Valley. Days 13-14 Cappadocia Make Ortahisar your starting point as you hike up hills and over mountains, through valleys and beneath bridges before jumping on the overnight bus to Istanbul.

Day 15 Istanbul Celebrate your arrival back in Istanbul with a fresh fish roll on the Galata Bridge, then add your new crew to Insta and upload all those epic shots.

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TU R K E Y Pamukkale

Selcuk Fethiye Faralya

ERYOC

Cappadocia

Antalya

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), boat (2 nts), pension (5 nts), overnight bus (1 nt) 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners Boat, ferry, local bus, overnight bus, private bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Saturdays Enter ERYOC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Cappadocia, Turkey

Faralya, Turkey

Five Days in Cappadocia

Istanbul

5 DAYS, ANTALYA TO ANTALYA Get a dose ofE Turkish hospitality while staying with a local family in an authentic cave M D I hotel overlooking Cappadocia.

T

TU R KE Y

Goreme (Cappadocia)

E

Work off some of that famous Turkish gozleme while hiking through some of the R R region’s stunning valleys.

Antalya

A

N Day 1 Antalya Meet your travel crew then hit the road to Cappadocia. Walk around town to get your bearings before heading to tonight’s accommodation – a traditional cave guesthouse with incredible views over the valley. Day 2 Cappadocia Head underground and explore Cappadocia’s fascinating subterranean cities. There are 36 in total – the widest is Kaymakli and the deepest is Derinkuyu. These were carved into the earth by the Hittites around 3500 years ago. Come evening, enjoy dinner in a nearby cave home. Days 3-4 Cappadocia Hike up hills and over mountains to Goreme and if you’re into bucket list adventures, taking an optional balloon ride over Cappadocia is up there with the best of them. After spending the morning in the sky (or watching from the ground) you’ll probably feel like a pampering, so hit up one of the traditional hamam baths. In the evening, board an overnight bus. Day 5 Istanbul Your trip come to an end this morning upon arrival in Istanbul.

ERYC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (1 nt), pension (2 nts), overnight bus (1 nt) 3 breakfasts, 1 dinner

DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Tuesdays Enter ERYC on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

Public bus, overnight bus

Essential Turkey

Gallipoli/ Anzac Cove

11 DAYS, ISTANBUL TO ANTALYA M E a night It’s not easy to get there, but spending in Faralya is like stumbling upon a wellD I T kept secret. This is Mother Nature at her best!

E

Canakkale Ayvalik

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Pamukkale

Fethiye

R Wake up to a spectacular Mediterranean sunrise while cruising over sunken cities on a A southern sailing cruise.

N

DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

TU R KE Y

Selcuk

R

Day 1 Istanbul Check the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Aya Sofya while eating kebab and a balık ekmek (fish sandwich). Day 2 Canakkale Drive to Gallipoli and Anzac Cove then cross the Dardanells to Canakkale. Day 3 Ayvalik Take a tour and learn more about its fascinating mix of Greek and Turkish culture. Be sure to track down Ayvalik tostu, you won’t regret it. Day 4 Selcuk Discover the ancient city of Ephesus, exploring the marble streets once walked by Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Day 5 Pamukkale Push on to Pamukkale and live out your Cleopatra fantasies with an optional dip in her pool. Day 6 Faralya Hike the Lycian way and be rewarded with stellar views of the Mediterranean. Day 7 Fethiye Head to Fethiye via Oludeniz. Swim and chill by the coast for the afternoon.

Days 8-9 Southern Coast Sailing Sail the Turquoise Coast for two days of swimming, seafood and sleeping under the stars. Days 10-11 Antalya Take a public bus to Antalya, where this Turkish delight of a trip comes to a sweet end.

Istanbul

Antalya

Faralya

ERYT

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (6 nts), boat (2 nts), pension (2 nts) 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners Ferry, local bus, private bus, train, boat

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Africa & the Middle East If your bucket list includes seeing the Great Sphinx of Giza, tracking the Big Five across the Serengeti and floating weightlessly on the Dead Sea, then Africa and the Middle East have your name all over them. Home to the world’s most ancient cultures and some of the last true stretches of untouched wilderness, adventure is never far away when you can spot elephants in Chobe National Park, stroll through 2000-year-old Roman ruins in Israel or snack your way through Morocco’s crazy market in Djemma el-Fna. No matter whether you choose a felucca, jeep or magic carpet – you’re in for one wild ride.

WEATHER Cairo Petra Amman Essaouira Marrakech Cape Town Victoria Falls Nairobi

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Serengeti, Tanzania

Essential East Africa 10 DAYS, NAIROBI TO NAIROBI

Maasai Village Masai Mara NP Lake Victoria

The rolling plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti are quite simply epic (and that’s before you get to the animals). These spectacular landscapes will blow your mind.

Locations don’t get much more beautiful than the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater – why not explore the crater floor by 4WD. Day 1 Nairobi Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Meet your travel pals at an evening welcome meeting. If you arrive early, why not check out the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Day 2 Loita Hills Maasai Village Head to Loita Hills, home to a traditional Maasai community. After setting up your tent, meet your Maasai hosts and learn more about this fascinating culture around the campfire from a local elder. Tonight, Maasai warriors keep watch over your campsite while you sleep. Days 3-4 Masai Mara Get ready for a classic African experience at the Masai Mara – think wide open plains, blazing dusk skies and wild animals aplenty. Enjoy wildlife safaris, keeping watch for elephants, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest and other creatures. Consider taking an optional hot-air balloon ride in the early morning (you won’t regret it).

Day 5 Lake Victoria Head towards the Kenya-Tanzania

border and camp on the shores of Africa’s largest lake.

Stock up on snacks at the local market or just relax by the lake. Days 6-7 Serengeti National Park Take an optional early morning bike ride to the Musoma marketplace before hitting the road for the Serengeti.

Keep your eyes peeled for animals on a three-hour game drive to the campsite, then a full day safari the following day. Day 8 Ngorongoro Crater Enjoy a last game drive out of the Serengeti, heading for Ngorongoro Crater. Set up camp on the crater rim and soak up the views. Day 9 Mto Wa Mbu Head out on an optional 4WD safari to the crater floor, looking for that rare black rhino among the almost 30,000 animals that call the crater home. Head through Mto Wa Mbu for a sweet snapshot of small-town Africa.

Day 10 Nairobi Set off early for Nairobi, where your African adventure comes to an end.

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K E N YA

Serengeti NP Ngorongoro Crater

Camp in a traditional Maasai village. Nothing beats being escorted to the bathroom in the middle of the night by a six-foot Maasai warrior.

Nairobi

Mto Wa Mbu

TAN ZA N IA

YGYE

BASIX

Maximum group size 22 Hotel (1 nt), camping with facilities (6 nts), camping with basic facilities (2 nts) 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners Overland vehicle DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Wednesdays Enter YGYE on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Real Southern Africa 17 DAYS, JOHANNESBURG TO JOHANNESBURG A visit to Botswana’s Khama Rhino Sanctuary not only increases your chances of seeing these endangered creatures, but also benefits local communities and the rhinos.

Take a wildlife safari through Kruger National Park and feel the thrill of seeing Africa’s ’Big Five’ safari animals in a single outing.

Explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro (dugout canoe) for a different perspective of this vast landscape.

Day 1 Johannesburg Meet your travel crew then maybe grab dinner together. Day 2 Khama Rhino Sanctuary Cross the border into Botswana and the wildlife sanctuary. Take a game drive in this hunting ground turned conservation area and protects Botswana’s only remaining populations of black and white rhinos. Day 3 Maun Travel to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Days 4-5 Okavango Delta Set up camp at the Guma Lagoon, have a cold beer and explore by mokoro (dugout canoe). Day 6 Caprivi Strip Drive through the Mahango Game Reserve, then head out to the villages of the Hambukushu and Xwe Bushmen tribes. Day 7 Kwando Camp at the Kwando River. Perhaps venture out on a game drive, take a tour of the village or join in on a fishing trip. Day 8 Chobe National Park Set up camp and head out on an optional boat safari for a chance to see see elephants.

Days 9-10 Victoria Falls Kick on to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Ditch the poncho and embrace the wet, then take an optional sunset cruise down the epic Zambezi. Day 11 Hwange National Park Explore this incredible national park in a 4WD game drive.

Day 12 Bulawayo/Matobo National Park Make tracks for Matobo National Park, stopping in Bulawayo on the way to check out its colonial buildings. Day 13 Matobo Hills Perhaps venture out into the hills to track rhinos with our guides then check out the bushmen paintings and visit some nearby villages. Day 14 Mapungubwe National Park Drive over the border into South Africa.

Days 15-16 Kruger National Park Nothing compares with the thrill of spotting lions, elephant, giraffe, zebras and rhinos all in one day. Day 17 Johannesburg Venture out on a morning game drive then return via Blydes River Canyon to Jo’burg, where your trip ends.

Kwando Camp Victoria Falls ZIMB A B W E Caprivi Strip N A MIB IA Chobe NP Hwange NP Okavango Delta Matobo NP/ Maun Bulawayo Mupungubwe NP

BOTSWA N A Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Kruger NP

S OU TH A FR IC A

UBYSA

Johannesburg

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (1 nt), camping with basic facilities (2 nts), camping with facilities (13 nts) 16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 13 dinners Overland vehicle, 4WD, mokoro DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Okavango, Botswana

Essential African Safari

Victoria Falls

ZIMB A B W E Hwange NP

9 DAYS, VICTORIA FALLS TO JOHANNESBURG Visit Kruger National Park and see Africa’s ’Big Five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos – in their natural habitat.

Matobo NP

B OTSWA N A

Kruger NP

Take your safari game to the next level by tracking rhinos on foot with an expert local guide in Matabo National Park (optional).

Days 1-2 Victoria Falls Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe and its mighty waterfall. Meet your crew then enjoy an optional cruise down the Zambezi at sunset. Day 3 Hwange National Park Head for Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest natural reserve, and take a 4WD game drive to check out the park’s famed elephant population. Day 4 Matobo National Park Make tracks with a quick stop in Bulawayo on the way. Matobo has great spiritual and cultural significance and there are many sites where ceremonies still take place. Day 5 Matobo Hills Perhaps spend the morning tracking rhinos with your guide then view the park’s famous bushman paintings and ancient rock formations. Day 6 Mapungubwe National Park Drive over the border into South Africa. Days 7-8 Kruger National Park Nothing compares with the thrill of the ‘Big Five’ all in one day. See wildlife galore on a day-long game drive. Day 9 Johannesburg Return to Jo’burg via the Blyde River Canyon where your trip ends on arrival.

DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Sundays Enter YBYV on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

Essential Botswana 9 DAYS, JOHANNESBURG TO VICTORIA FALLS Ever helped save a rhino? Once you’ve been to Botswana’s Khama Rhino Sanctuary you can say you have!

Take an optional cruise down the river in the Chobe National Park, home to the world’s highest concentration of African elephants.

Day 1 Johannesburg Touch down in Jo’burg. Day 2 Khama Rhino Sanctuary Take a game drive around this former hunting ground, which has now been transformed into a conservation project protecting Botswana’s remaining black and white rhino populations. Zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest can all also be spotted hanging around waterholes. Day 3 Maun It’s a long day of travel to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Make sure to take advantage your included onboard massage. Days 4-5 Okavango Delta Glide along the winding delta on a mokoro (dugout canoe). Day 6 Caprivi Strip Explore the villages of the Hambukushu and Xwe Bushmen tribes with your local leader. Day 7 Kwando Camp on the banks of the majestic Kwando River. Day 8 Chobe National Park Explore the river and spot playful elephants on an optional boat safari.

Day 9 Victoria Falls Kick on to Zimbabwe and Vic Falls, where this trip comes to an end.

DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Mapungubwe NP

SOU TH A FR IC A

YBYV

Johannesburg

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Camping with facilities (8 nts) 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners Overland vehicle, 4WD

Kwando Camp Victoria Falls Caprivi Strip ZIMBA B W E Chobe NP N A MIB IA Okavango Delta Maun

BOTSWA N A Khama Rhino Sanctuary

S OU TH A FR IC A

UBYB

Johannesburg

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (1 nt), camping with basic facilities (2 nts), camping with facilities (5 nts) 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners Overland vehicle, 4WD, mokoro

Serengeti, Tanzania

Camp Kwando, Namibia

Epic African Adventure

Flight Not Included

27 DAYS, NAIROBI TO JOHANNESBURG

ZIMB A B WE

Visit the Maasai – known for their dazzling red dress and elaborate jewellery – and gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community.

There’s nothing more relaxing than feeling the African sun on your face as you lie back in a mokoro while your guide propels you down calm waters past giant hippos.

Experience game drives and safaris in the Serengeti, Masai Mara and more. Keep your eyes peeled for Africa’s ’Big Five’ safari animals in Kruger National Park.

Day 1 Nairobi Touch down in Kenya. Day 2 Loita Hills Meet your Maasai hosts and learn about this culture from a local elder. Days 3-4 Masai Mara Enjoy two bucket list experiences with a wildlife safari and optional hot air balloon ride. Day 5 Lake Victoria Camp on the shores of Africa’s largest lake. Days 6-7 Serengeti National Park Hit the Serengeti, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife. Day 8 Ngorongoro Crater Set up camp on the crater rim and soak up the views. Day 9 Meserani Take an optional 4WD safari to the crater floor then on to Meserani camp.

Day 10 Nairobi Set off early and enjoy the comfort of a hotel. Day 11 Johannesburg Fly to Jo’burg for a free day. Day 12 Khama Rhino Sanctuary Cross into Botswana and take a game drive at the wildlife sanctuary. Day 13 Maun Travel to the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Days 14-15 Okavango Delta

Maasai Village/Masai Mara K E N YA Lake Victoria Nairobi Serengeti NP/ Ngorongoro Crater TA N ZA N IA Mto Wa Mbu

Set up camp at the Guma Lagoon and explore by mokoro. Day 16 Caprivi Strip Drive through the Mahango Game Reserve and take a guided excursion to nearby villages. Day 17 Kwando Camp on the banks of the Kwando River and enjoy optional activities.

Day 18 Chobe National Park Head out for an optional boat safari, keeping your eyes peeled for elephants.

Days 19-20 Victoria Falls Kick on to Zimbabwe and Vic Falls then take a sunset cruise down the Zambezi.

Day 21 Hwange National Park Explore this incredible park by 4WD. Days 22-23 Matobo National Park Make tracks for Matobo. Perhaps venture out into the hills to search for rhinos. Day 24 Mapungubwe National Park Cross the border to South Africa. Days 25-26 Kruger National Park Keep an eye out for the ’Big Five’ on a game drive. Day 27 Johannesburg Take a scenic drive Jo’burg where your trip comes to an end.

Chobe NP Kwando Victoria Falls Caprivi Strip Hwange NP Okavango Delta Matobo NP Maun Mapungubwe NP Khama Rhino Sanctuary Kruger NP

B OTSWA N A

YGYSC

Johannesburg

S OU TH A FR IC A

BASIX

Maximum group size 22 Hotel (3 nts), camping with facilities (19 nts), camping with basic facilities (4 nts) 26 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 21 dinners Overland vehicle, 4WD, mokoro DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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What it’s like to sleep in the Sahara

By Ciara Johnson The journey was a long one, but I knew it’d be worth it. We packed small overnight bags, and set off for the experience we’d all been waiting for: a night camping in the Sahara.

Before jumping on our camels, we prepped ourselves for the elements by wrapping scarves around our heads in traditional Berber style and fuelling up with some Moroccan mint tea. Our Berber guides helped us to get mounted on top of our camels, one by one, and we were told to hold on tightly.

We set off into bright orange dunes as far as the eye could see.

The desert was completely quiet. Despite the silence of the Sahara, I was overwhelmed by the power of the dunes that towered around us.

We arrived at our desert camp at dusk and our guides helped us off the camels. After a dinner of Moroccan tagine, we all gathered around a campfire for some traditional Berber music. It was just us, the warmth of fire, and the sound of drums underneath the night sky. It felt like we were in a dream. We all decided to sleep outside right under the stars – an experience I knew would be imprinted on my mind forever.

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Marrakech, Morocco

Epic Morocco

Fes Casablanca

18 DAYS, CASABLANCA TO MARRAKECH It’s easy to get lost in a labyrinth, especially when there are distractions at every turn.

Never fear, your local guide knows the city of Fes like a lifelong friend.

It’s not a stretch to say that a relaxing yoga lesson on the coast of South Morocco is a highlight of this adventure. You’ll get a chance to hang ten at a basic surf class too.

The Marrakech marketplaces are even more chaotic than you’d imagine, with musicians, magicians and vendors galore.

Day 1 Casablanca Why not head to the ramshackle Old Medina, grabbing a sweet mint tea to sip on the way. Day 2 Moulay Idriss Travel to Moulay Idriss, where you’ll stay with a local family on top of rolling green hills. Days 3-4 Fes See the Roman ruins at Volubilis and wander Meknes before heading to Fes, a city with a short name and a long history. Your local guide will skip straight to the juicy bits. Day 5 Midelt Travel south to Midelt, a small market town surrounded by orchards and farmland with exceptional views. Day 6 Merzouga/Sahara Travel to your desert camp on a camel. The ride takes about an hour and the humble scarf really comes into its own here, protecting you from the sun while making sure your mouth and nose don’t fill up with sand. Brace yourself for one heck of a sunset and sleep under the stars. Day 7 Todra Gorge/Dades Valley It’s like stepping into another

time, with mud-brick kasbahs, palm groves and men in robes. Hike down to the gorge where cliffs rise over 1000 feet. Day 8 Ait Benhaddou Explore the kasbah’s many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a superb view over the old town. Days 9-11 High Atlas/Marrakech See a crumbling mud-brick citadel in Telouet on your way to Marrakech. Once you arrive, check out Djemaa el-Fna, a melting pot of madness AKA a Moroccan souq. Explore the alleyways, palaces and museums about town. Day 12 Aroumd You’re staying with Berbers, but this mountainside village sure ain’t the ’burbs. Days 13-14 Taghazout Two days of yoga and surf on the glittering coast. Days 15-16 Essaouira Be enchanted by the white and blue city by the sea. Days 17-18 Marrakech Perhaps scoop up some souvenir soaps and silks at the market before your Moroccan adventure ends.

Moulay Idress

MOR OC C O Essaouira

Marrakech

Dades Valley

Todra Gorge Ait Benhaddou

Aroumd Taghazout

XMYCC

Midelt

Merzouga

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Basic hotel (11 nts), desert camp (1 nt), guesthouse (2 nts), mountain gite (1 nt), surf camp (2 nts) 17 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners Camel, taxi, train, private vehicle, public bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Dades Valley, Morocco

Essaouira, Morocco

One Week in Morocco 8 DAYS, MARRAKECH TO MARRAKECH You’ll be welcomed to the mountain town of Aroumd by a super-friendly Berber family, eat dinner with them and stay next to their house.

Stretch it out with morning yoga classes in coastal Taghazout – you’ll need to be limber for the surfing lesson you’ve got on later.

Follow the lights (and smell of spice and smoke) to Djemma el-Fna – a square stuffed with food stalls and entertainers. Crumbed cow livers and a show, anyone?

Day 1 Marrakech Welcome to the maze of Morocco.

The good: fresh orange juice, haggling in the bazaar, the smell of barbecue at night. The weird: fire eaters, fortune tellers and magicians. The bad: nothing. Meet your travel gang in the evening and maybe grab an eggplant fritter from a street cart. Day 2 Aroumd Try to call dibs on a window seat because the drive to the Imlil Valley is super scenic. Take a trek through the valley up to Aroumd in the mountains. Depending on the time of year the foothills the village is tucked into might be dusty and barren, but the Berber people who live there will be decked out in colourful silks and scarves. You’ll spend the evening with a local family. Meet your hosts at their mountain gite and sit down for a home-cooked meal you’ll never forget.

Days 3-4 Taghazout Surf’s up – be prepared to hit up some of Morocco’s best surf spots in Taghazout.

Perhaps start with an early morning yoga session to loosen up, then enjoy half a day of included surfing lessons. Days 5-6 Essaouira Head to the beautiful fishing town of Essaouira, where buildings have been made white and blue to mimic the colours of the coast. Hit the streets on a guided walk, then enjoy free time to explore on your own. There are plenty of shops and art galleries worth a visit, and more than enough delicious food to keep you satisfied through the evening. Days 7-8 Marrakech Return to bustling Marrakech for an awesome dinner experience at the famous Djemma el-Fna. This iconic part of the city comes alive at night, when it fills with henna painters, performers, storytellers and aromatic street food stalls. Adventurous eaters may want to try a bowl of snail soup – if it’s good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for you!

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MOR OC C O Essaouira

Marrakech

Aroumd Taghazout

XMYB

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Basic hotel (4 nts), mountain gite (1 nt), surf camp (2 nts) 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners Private vehicle, public bus, taxi DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Wednesdays & Sundays Enter XMYB on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Sahara, Morocco

Fes, Morocco

Essential Morocco

Fes Casablanca

11 DAYS, CASABLANCA TO MARRAKECH

MOR OC C O

Stay in a traditional guesthouse in Moulay Idriss and learn how to make authentic Moroccan mint tea.

Marrakech

Sleep under the stars in a private desert camp in the Sahara, watch the sun rise over the dunes and ride a camel through the desert. Is this real life?

Fes is like a living musuem, with a huge well-preserved medieval old town. Get to know Morocco’s fascinating spiritual cultural heart with with help of a local guide.

Day 1 Casablanca Have a poke around Casablanca, check out the Old Medina then meet your new travel mates. Day 2 Casablanca/Moulay Idriss Take an optional guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque (it’s worth it), then catch a train bound for Meknes. Mosey on to Moulay Idriss, wander up to a viewing point that looks out over the town and spend the night with a local family. Days 3-4 Volubilis/Meknes/Fes Head to Volubilis to see the Roman ruins then hightail it to Meknes for a tour of the Old City with your local guide. Camel burgers will go down a treat after all that walking. Continue on to Fes to explore the medina.

Day 5 Midelt Spend the day in Midelt, a smallish town smack in the middle of farmlands, orchards and epic mountain ranges. Give your legs a workout on a stroll and your Instagram a workout on a scenery-snapping spree. Day 6 Merzouga/Sahara Ride camels across

the dunes, spend the night in a desert camp, and see the oh-so-pretty sunrise over the Sahara. Day 7 Todra Gorge/Dades Valley It’s like stepping into another time, with mud-brick kasbahs and lush valleys of green palm groves. Hike into the gorge then spend the night at a local hotel. Day 8 Ait Benhaddou Travel along the ‘Road of 1000 Kasbahs’ to the medieval mudbrick town of Ait Benhaddou. Got deja vu? Things probably look a bit familiar, thanks to Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Babel and The Mummy. Days 9-11 High Atlas/Marrakech Pass Berber villages on the drive up Tizi n’Tichka and through the High Atlas Mountains.

Arrive in Marrakech for a guided tour around the Old Medina then explore the souqs, alleyways, palaces and museums in your own time. Be sure to organise a farewell dinner with your crew on the final evening before your adventure comes to an end.

Moulay Idress

Dades Valley

Todra Gorge Ait Benhaddou

XMYM

Midelt

Merzouga

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Basic hotel (7 nts), guesthouse (2 nt), desert camp (1 nt) 10 breakfasts, 3 dinners Camel, private vehicle, taxi, train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Petra, Jordan

Wadi Rum, Jordan

One Week in Jordan

Mt. Nebo

Amman

7 DAYS, AMMAN TO AMMAN Dana

Spend a night under the stars (or in a comfortable tent) at a Bedouin-style camp in Wadi Rum.

Petra

Buckle up for a jeep safari through some of the largest sand dunes on the planet then live out your Indiana Jones dreams on a walking tour of Petra.

Venture out to the Dead Sea for an effortless float in its super-salty waters. The saltiest water in the world, actually.

Day 1 Amman Welcome to Jordan! Meet your travel crew, then maybe hit Rainbow Street and grab a few falafels together. Day 2 Wadi Rum Take a four-hour bus to Wadi Rum, then continue on to your Bedouinstyle desert camp. After a mint tea (or three), head out on a safari drive through some of the largest sand dunes on the planet. Buckle up – although jeeps aren’t the Bedouin’s traditional mode of transport, they’re a lot quicker (and less stinky) than camels. Days 3-4 Petra Wander the Siq, tombs, temples and rock-hewn amphitheatre on an included tour of Petra. Want some free time to explore? You got it. Perhaps walk the road to Al Khanzneh (The Treasury) – as far as temples go, this is quite the stunner and the perfect place to play pretend Indiana Jones, or you can go up the stairs to check out El Dier (The Monastery). There’s also a Kiwi woman named Marguerite who’s been living here

with a local Bedouin for the past 30 years, so keep an ear out for her and you may just hear some seriously fascinating tales of the region and her time living there.

Days 5-7 Amman Head back to the capital, stopping at the ancient village of Dana and Mt Nebo (where Moses is said to be buried) along the way. Take an optional morning tour of the grand ancient city of Jerash or venture out to the Dead Sea for an effortless float in the super-salty waters. Here you can get that photo of you reading a newspaper while floating in the water just like the ten billion visitors before you, but there’s a reason it’s so popular. Alternatively, explore Amman at your own pace and get the juicy Jordan insider tips from your leader. Come evening, maybe visit one of the many bars in West Amman and perhaps enjoy a fancy farewell dinner with your crew before the trip wraps up on the final morning.

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JOR D A N

Wadi Rum

EEYJ

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Budget hotel (5 nts), desert camp (1 nt) 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner Jeep, private bus, public bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Thursdays Enter EEYJ on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Nile River, Egypt

Cairo, Egypt

Essential Egypt

Cairo

9 DAYS, CAIRO TO CAIRO Cities like Cairo can be dizzying, but your local leaders are in the know – they’ll have you heading straight for the hottest spots.

E GYP T

Luxor Aswan

Set sail on a felucca cruise along the Nile. Back in the day, these wooden boats had zero facilities, but our new pimped-out boat has western-style toilets on board.

Tick an epic item off your bucket list and check out Egypt’s pyramids. Then head to the legendary Valley of the Kings to see the tombs of Egyptian royalty.

Day 1 Cairo Immerse yourself in the madness of Egypt’s capital. Grab a pair of authentic Roy Bands sunnies from the bazaar, then share a sahlab (sweet, hot custard drink with nuts) with your new travel buddies. Day 2 Cairo/ Pyramids/Sphinx Nobody’s quite sure how the Sphinx lost its nose; some say Napoleon’s soldiers blew it off with a cannonball, others say it simply wore away over time. Come up with your own theory on a visit to the Sphinx and pyramids. Squeeze in an optional journey to the Egyptian Museum and check out the golden mask of King Tutankhamun, or maybe choose to visit the Valley Temple of King Khafre before hopping on the overnight train to Aswan. Days 3-4 Aswan Put on your haggling hat (or just a regular hat) for a trip to Aswan’s Nubian bazaar. Free time? Perhaps visit the Monastery of St Simeon, Abu Simbel or the Philae Temple. Day 5 Felucca on the Nile All aboard – it’s time to cruise the Nile in a

pimped-out felucca (it’s got its very own on-board toilet, unlike most of the other feluccas). Sail your traditional wooden vessel down the Nile and visit the Temple of Sobek, explore the Temple of Horus in Edfu and discover Luxor, the former ancient Egyptian city of Thebes that’s far more interesting than its Las Vegas namesake.

Days 6-7 Luxor/Valley of the Kings Head into the Valley of the Kings, where tombs for the Pharaohs were cut out of rock for hundreds of years. Scope out the Temple of Hatshepsut before jumping on an overnight train back to Cairo. Days 8-9 Cairo Explore Cairo in your own time today and your leader will give you some great insider tips. Head south from Bab al-Futuh, one of the medieval north gates, past the old Islamic monuments that stand watch over the bazaars. Haggle hard in Khan al-Khalili bazaar and perhaps enjoy a falafel feast with your crew before your trip ends.

XEYE

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (5 nts), overnight train (2 nts), felucca (1 nt) 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners Felucca, overnight train, private bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Jerusalem, Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Jerusalem, Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Five Days in Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Nabi Musa

Jerusalem Bethlehem

5 DAYS, JERUSALEM TO TEL AVIV Get a feel for the old city of Jerusalem with a stroll along the city’s ramparts and a wander through the Machane Yehuda Market.

Hike the iconic Masada Snake Path for some epic views across the Dead Sea and Jordan before taking a memorable soak in the salty water.

Day 1 Jerusalem Meet your guide and travel pals at the hostel in the late afternoon. After the welcome meeting, go for a walk around the very cool Machane Yehuda Market, where you can sample tasty local eats from local vendors. It’s a great place to kick-on after dark and perhaps grab a beer with your new crew in one of the many laneway bars. Day 2 Jerusalem Head to Jaffa Gate – one of several stone gates leading to the Old City of Jerusalem – for a walking tour. Your guide will provide some history as you climb the ramparts to circle the historic city from above, exiting at Herod’s Gate. Continue along the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross), an important ancient path in Christianity. Stop at the Austrian Hospice for another fantastic view of the Old City from its rooftop, then continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk to the Wailing (Western) Wall, stopping at the ‘Cardo’ in the restored Jewish Quarter.

Tel Aviv

Day 3 Jerusalem Embrace an early start and take a morning drive to the World Heritage-listed, cliff-top fortress, Masada. Located near the Dead Sea, Masada is an important Jewish site, symbolising the exile of the Jewish people from the Holy Land, bravery and self-sacrifice. Set off on a hike along the Masada Snake Path, then continue to the Dead Sea for a float in its salty waters. Day 4 Tel Aviv Head to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City, then kick on to Bethlehem, dropping by the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Fields, along the way. Upon arrival, head out on a walking tour of the West Bank and try and wrap you head around the fact that people have lived here for 11,000 years. Continue on to Tel Aviv for a tour of Jaffa, the ancient port city that formed the basis of modern Tel Aviv. Tonight, perhaps sample the legendary nightlife.

Day 5 Tel Aviv Your adventure ends today.

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Dead Sea Masada

IS R A E L & TH E PA LE S TIN IA N TER R ITOR IE S

ENYI

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hostel (4 nts) 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner Private bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Wednesdays Enter ENYI on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Petra, Jordan

Luxor, Egypt

Amman

Real Egypt & Jordan

J OR D A N

15 DAYS, CAIRO TO AMMAN

Cairo

Masks don’t come much more famous than King Tut’s golden headpiece – check it out (along with plenty of other awesome artefacts) at the incredible Egyptian Museum.

Spend a night floating down the legendary Nile on a traditional felucca and watch the ancient landscape pass by.

This part of the world is packed with important ancient sites. The Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings and Mt Nebo are just a few of the sites you’ll visit with local experts.

Day 1 Cairo Get acquainted with Egyptian city life in buzzing Cairo. Day 2 Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx Check out Tutankhamun’s golden mask at the Egyptian Museum.

Drive to the desert and explore the pyramids and the nearby Sphinx. Enjoy free time to check out other legendary sites, such as the Valley Temple of King Khafre or the Great Pyramid of Cheops, before bunking down on an overnight sleeper train. Days 3-4 Aswan Practice your haggling at the Nubian bazaar or check out the Temple of Isis at Philae Island. Sign up for an optional visit to the iconic Abu Simbel temples. Day 5 Felucca on the Nile Set sail on your felucca down the Nile, taking in the timeless scenery along the banks. Check out the temples of Sobek and Horus. Days 6-7 Luxor/ Valley of the Kings The Valley of the Kings was a burial hotspot – all the big-name pharaohs are here, including King Tut. Dock at Luxor, explore the massive Karnak

Temple, wander into the Valley of the Kings and spend time at Luxor’s bazaar. Day 8 Cairo Enjoy one last walk around Cairo, past old Islamic monuments, and hit up the Khan al-Khalili bazaar. Day 9 Amman Fly to Amman and explore the city in free time. Days 10-12 Wadi Rum/ Petra See the marvel of Wadi Rum during a jeep safari before hitting the hay in a Bedouin-style desert camp for the night. Head to Petra, which is all the A’s – ancient, amazing, awe-inspiring and so forth. Wind through the narrow Siq and explore a bunch of tombs, temples and beautiful buildings a la Indiana Jones. Days 13-15 Amman Stroll around the ancient village of Dana, visit Mt Nebo (where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land) and head to Madaba to check out the church of St George. Visit Jerash for an optional tour of or hit up the salty Dead Sea for a float. Maybe spend your final night at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman.

EGYP T

XEYJC

Petra Wadi Rum

Luxor Nile Felucca Aswan

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (10 nts), overnight train (2 nts), felucca (1 nt), desert camp (1 nt) 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners Plane, private bus, overnight train, felucca, jeep DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

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Cairo, Egypt

Dead Sea, Jordan

Epic Egypt, Jordan, Israel & the Palestinian Territories

IS R A E L & TH E PA LE S TIN IA N TE R R ITOR IE S Cairo

Ruins don’t get much prettier than this – explore Petra’s elaborate rose-coloured temple, Al-Khazneh (‘The Treasury’) with a local expert.

Days 1-2 Cairo Brave the crowds, visit the Sphinx, check out the pyramids, see the not-so-yummy mummies in the Egyptian Museum then jump on an overnight train to Aswan. Days 3-4 Aswan Fossick through the Nubian bazaar and stock up on snacks before your Nile cruise.

Set the alarm if you want to take an optional sunrise tour of the temples of Abu Simbel (it’s worth it). Day 5 Felucca on the Nile Set sail on the Nile in a felucca and relax as Egypt floats past. Do a spot of temple-hopping including the falcon god’s temple in Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Temple of Sobek. Days 6-7 Luxor Set off early to watch the epic sunrise over the Valley of the Kings.

Maybe choose to visit Luxor Temple before hopping on an overnight train to Cairo. Day 8 Cairo Enjoy a free day to explore Cairo. Your leader can provide some insider tips. Day 9 Amman So long Egypt, hello Jordan. Explore this hectic city before meeting your new leader in the

evening. If it all gets too cray, duck into a cafe for a sweet mint tea. Days 10-12 Wadi Rum/Petra Check out Wadi Rum’s towering rock formations on a jeep safari, then spend the night in a Bedouin-style desert camp. Squeeze through the Siq, explore the tombs and see the beautiful Treasury building on a guided tour of Petra. Days 13-14 Amman Head back to Amman via the ancient villages of Dana, Mt Nebo and Jerash. In Jerash, check out the Oval Plaza South Theatre, and imagine the chariot race from Gladiator in the hippodrome. Days 15-17 Jerusalem Walk around the Holy City and grab a snack at the hip Machane Yehuda Market. Enter the Old City from Jaffa Gate and take in its ancient sites on a walking tour. Days 18-19 Tel Aviv Stop by Bethlehem for a graffiti walking tour. Visit the Church of the Nativity and Sheppard’s Field, then continue to Tel Aviv. Tour of the ancient port city of Jaffa before the trip ends.

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Masada

Petra Wadi Rum

19 DAYS, CAIRO TO TEL AVIV The walls of Bethlehem have been graffitied by many artists over the years, including Banksy. Check them out on a walking tour with your leader.

Jerusalem Bethlehem Amman

Tel Aviv

JO R D A N

Luxor

EGYP T

XEYCC

Nile Felucca Aswan

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Hotel (14 nts), overnight train (2 nts), felucca (1 nt), desert camp (1 nt) 16 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners Plane, felucca, jeep, private bus, overnight train DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Wednesdays Enter XEYCC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

Jerusalem, Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Essential Jordan, Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Jerusalem Tel Aviv Bethlehem

11 DAYS, AMMAN TO TEL AVIV

Masada

Spend a night sleeping under the stars in a comfortable Bedouin-style camp in a Wadi Rum desert camp.

Make your way through narrow gorges, past tombs and incredible rock formations, then cast your eyes on the legendary Al-Khazneh in Petra.

Day 1 Amman Arrive in Jordan’s capital and explore the city before meeting your leader and travel pals tonight.

Day 2 Wadi Rum Take a tour of the awesome desert around Wadi Rum on a jeep safari. Snap a few photos of all of the crazy rock formations and massive sand dunes along the way. Bunk down for the night in a tent in a Bedouin desert camp. Whatever you do, do not forget to gaze up at those stars. Days 3-4 Petra We like to make a dramatic entrance to the legendary Treasury at Petra, so we’ll take you through a narrow gorge, alongside tombs and rock formations, before you get your first glimpse of it. This is perhaps the most famous site in the Middle East, a stunning building carved out of sandstone that provided the final setting in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. You can pretend you never wanted to be Indiana Jones, but we’ll never believe you.

Day 5 Amman Stroll around the ancient village of Dana,

J OR D A N Amman

visit Mt Nebo (where Moses was said to have spotted the Promised Land), and see the Greek Orthodox church of St George in Masada before heading on to Amman.

Day 6 Amman After an optional morning tour of the ancient ruins of Jerash, cash in on your free time with a dreamy float in the Dead Sea. Days 7-9 Jerusalem Head over to the Holy City. Check out the Machane Yehuda Market, where you can taste your way around the world.

Drive to Jaffa Gate where you will start a walking tour of the Old City from above and below, via Herod’s Gate and the Wailing (Western) Wall. Hike up the Masada Snake Path which winds its way up approximately 400 metres from the lowest point on earth (the Dead Sea).

Days 10-11 Tel Aviv Visit Bethlehem en route to Tel Aviv.

Then spend the remainder of your time getting to know Tel Aviv, a city with a thriving arts community, a young, cosmopolitan population, and known for its nightlife.

ISRAEL & THE PALEST IN IAN TERRITORIES

Petra

Wadi Rum

EEYIC

BASIX

Maximum group size 16 Budget hotel (5 nts), desert camp (1 nt), hostel (4 nts) 10 breakfasts, 2 dinners Jeep, private bus, public bus DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected Thursdays Enter EEYIC on intrepidtravel.com See inside cover for prices

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Sailing Sun on your face, salt on your skin, hopping between backpacker hotspots and deserted beaches; sailing feels like freedom should.

It’s just you, your crew and the big wide blue. Our trips get the mix of beachside playgrounds and chilled out, secret spots just right.

More interested in a beach shack than the tack? Prefer to do your heeling on the beach? With our sailing trips, you’re only as involved as you want to be. Play pirate and help navigate, or kick back on deck and let the world float by – it’s your call.

WEATHER Phuket Santorini Mykonos Split

Monsoon 25-35ºC Very hot & dry 35ºC+ Hot & dry 25-35ºC Hot & wet 25-35ºC Pleasantly warm 20-30ºC Warm & wet 20-25ºC Cool 15-20ºC Cold & dry 0-15ºC Cold & wet 0-15ºC Below freezing -0ºC

Meet the Fleet We use classic monohull yachts for our European sailing adventures (it helps get into that old-school Euro vibe).

Each vessel typically carries nine travellers plus a skipper and contains four twin/double cabins with two or three shared bathrooms. There’s also plenty of room above deck to stretch out in the sun or read a book.

Catamarans are our vessel of choice when it comes to sailing in Asia. The catamarans we use have four or five twin/double cabins, shared bathrooms and spacious communal areas, including a trampoline at the front of the boat for relaxing and sunset drinks.

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Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

One Week Sailing in Phuket

Phang Nga Bay

TH A ILA N D

7 DAYS, PHUKET TO PHUKET Slip into the indulgent beach-loving life with walks on the finest white sand, and swimming and snorkelling in the inviting azure waters of Thailand’s best beaches.

Mix things up and experience the best of both worlds by sailing between quiet, remote islands and backpacker favourites.

Wake up and ask yourself the big questions every morning, like: should I explore by kayak or paddleboard?

Day 1 Phuket Begin your journey across the Andaman Sea by sailing towards Koh Rang Yai. The boat will drop anchor in front of a private beach, the perfect spot to ease into sailing life with a dip in the warm water, dinner on board and a beautiful sunset. Day 2 Phang Nga Bay Explore the famous Phang Nga Bay. Enjoy kayaking and gorgeous swimming spots before anchoring well off the beaten path in the north-east part of the bay, watching the sun set from the boat’s deck. Day 3 Koh Hong/Railay Delve into mysterious sea caves around the base of Koh Hong before making the most of a full day on the sea. Strap on a snorkel and mingle with a wealth of curious marine life, or perhaps chill out on deck with a good book and a bowl of fresh fruit. Later in the day, rock climbers can get adventurous on the limestone cliffs of Railay before enjoying a group dinner ashore amid the cluster of lively restaurants and

bars. Day 4 Koh Phi Phi Make a beeline for the tropical haven of Koh Phi Phi, one of Thailand’s most popular island getaways and for good reason. Try to spot schools of brightly coloured fish before enjoying the island’s famous nightlife. Day 5 Koh Yao Yai Cruise on to Koh Yao Yai, stopping at one of the beautiful bays on the west coast of Phi Phi island where we can experience excellent snorkelling. Head ashore to wander down leafy forest trails or choose to stay by the water, lapping up all the spoils. Maybe grab a sea kayak and check out nearby mangroves before capping off another unforgettable day with a beachside bonfire. Day 6 Koh Racha Head to Koh Racha and perhaps get active in the warm waters with a kayak or paddle board. Spend your last evening on the boat soaking up this unique location.

Day 7 Phuket Your trip comes to an end in Phuket after stopping for a final swim in the Andaman Sea.

Koh Hong Railay Koh Yao Yai Phuket Koh Phi Phi Koh Racha Noi

TSSYC

ORIGINAL

Maximum group size 14 Overnight boat (6 nts) 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners Derek Kessell 58 (catamaran), dinghy DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected dates in December and January Enter TSSYC on intrepidtravel.com. See inside cover for prices

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Mykonos, Greece

Santorini, Greece

One Week Sailing Mykonos to Santorini 8 DAYS, MYKONOS TO SANTORINI

Mykonos Paros Irakleia Ios

Sailing is THE way to see these stunning islands. Jump off the side of the boat into the glittering Aegean Sea and let the waves rock you to sleep each night.

Grab a snorkel and explore the massive caves and coves of Koufonisia, keeping your eyes peeled for pirate treasure.

Day 1 Mykonos Get this Greece sailing adventure underway in sun-kissed Mykonos. Days 2-7 Sailing the Greek Islands Stop for a dip at Rhinia, a small island with beautiful sandy beaches. No one lives here anymore, and big tour boats don’t visit, so it’s likely you’ll be the only ones splashing around along the shore. Sail to Paros and drop anchor near Naousa, a pretty fishing village with whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets and dynamite seafood. Go ashore and wave to the last of the smoking fishermen bringing in their catch. Be nice, you’ll probably be eating their work for dinner! Catch the breeze to Iraklia, and jump right off the side of the boat into the clear water. Cruise on to Koufonisia, three tiny islands where it’s all rocky cliffs and massive, hollow caves. Strap on a snorkel and search for hidden coves and, perhaps, treasure. It was mainly pirates who

docked here over the years, after all. Cruise to Naxos, where crumbling ruins sit next to sand that’s as soft and white as powdered sugar. After the isolation of Koufonisia, Naxos is a vibrant change, full of bars and cafes to chill out in and hillside to explore if you’re feeling active. Get up close and personal with history at Portara, the doorway to a temple built over 2000 years ago and never finished. Set sail for Ios, where the nightlife is almost as iconic as the cubed houses stacked on the shore. Crammed with dome-topped churches, sun-drenched beaches and heaving bars, this town wakes up when the sun goes down. Days 7-8 Santorini Sail in past the rim of a submerged volcano and set out to explore the red, black and white sands that line the beaches. Toast to new friends during one of the most epic sunsets ever before heading out with the group for a final taste of island (night)life.

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Naxos

GR EE C E

Koufonisia

Santorini

ZSYM

ORIGINAL

Maximum group size 11 Yacht (7 nts) No meals included. For the ease of group meals, a contribution to a group kitty is strongly suggested.

Allow EUR 100.

Ocean Star 56 (yacht) DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected dates from July to September Enter ZSYM on intrepidtravel.com.

See inside cover for prices

Hvar, Croatia

Split, Croatia

One Week Sailing Dubrovnik to Split

C R OATIA Split Brac Vis

8 DAYS, DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

Hvar Korcula

Get wild in the untouched, super-green forests of Mljet, an island yet to be overrun by busloads of tourists.

Day 1 Dubrovnik Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia!

Your sailing adventure begins mid-afternoon. If you have time, make sure to scope out this fascinating city.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a must-see. Meet your group then set sail to the charming islands of Elafiti, where you’ll pull up in a small bay and snorkel in crystal-clear waters. Days 2-6 Sailing the Dalmatian Coast Set sail for the Insta-worthy island of Mljet. A stunning spot with a chequered past, Mljet was once inhabited by Illyrians, Romans, Slavs and Avars. Catch your reflection in inky blue lakes on a guided tour through the national park, then continue to Korcula, the alleged birthplace of Marco Polo (Venetians vehemently disagree). Get nostalgic in the Old Town or make the most of the beaches. At over 70 per cent forest coverage, it’s easy to get lost in the woods on this evergreen island. Head to super-chill Vis for a dose of old-school Croatian charm. Be sure to

try the wine – the vineyards that cover the land aren’t just decorative. Next up: sunny Brac, where the locals grow the most delicious olives, figs and almonds and the beaches are gorgeous. Drop anchor and go for a swim or perhaps some snorkelling. Continue sailing to Hvar, the ‘Queen of the Dalmatian Islands’. Settle in for a taxing afternoon of beach-hopping, fresh seafood and kicking back with cocktails on the waterfront – life is hard when you’re on vacation. See for yourself why many feel Hvar has an air of Venice about it and wander around towns with pretty Renaissance facades, hike past jagged limestone cliffs and snap shots of ancient olive groves and fields of rosemary and lavender. Days 7-8 Split From island vibes to city lights, approach the palmlined harbour of Split. Explore the epic grounds of Diocletian’s Palace and get lost hunting for the perfect final oyster before saying goodbye to paradise.

Dubrovnik

Mljet

Row, row, row your boat… from the island of Vis to the eerie, magical neon glow of Cave Bisevo’s blue grotto.

Elafiti Islands

ZSYD

ORIGINAL

Maximum group size 8 Yacht (7 nts) No meals included. For the ease of group meals, a contribution to a group kitty is strongly suggested.

Allow EUR 100.

Harmony 52 (yacht) DEPARTURE GUARANTEED

Selected dates from July to August Enter ZSYD on intrepidtravel.com.

See inside cover for prices

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THE WORLD’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL

EMPOWERING TRAVELLERS TO POSITIVELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES

Made up of four tour operator brands, more than 20 destination management companies and a not-for-profit, we’re the leaders in sustainable, experience-rich travel.

Through The Intrepid Foundation, travellers can give back to the communities they’ve visited by supporting a range of projects and not-for-profits.

For 30 years now we’ve specialised in creating immersive, offthe-beaten-track adventures for all types of travellers. Through Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures, Urban Adventures and Adventure Tours you’ll find us on every continent. With more than 2000 itineraries in over 120 countries, we cater to all budgets, age groups and appetites for adventure.

We support local organisations to improve livelihoods through sustainable travel experiences.

Thanks to our passionate travellers, we’ve contributed AU$6 million to over 100 community organisations since 2002.

Find out how you can help at theintrepidfoundation.org

In 2018, we became the world’s largest B Corp in the travel industry. This certification is a badge of honour we wear to show we use business as a force for good. From the way we conserve our natural environment, to our socio-economic impact on local communities, to our employment conditions – we meet the highest global standards of good business.

OUR INTREPID GROUP FAMILY Adventures for travellers of every age, budget and appetite. Experience travel the local way.

Our premium small group adventures have a genuine focus on immersive local experiences.

Our grassroots adventures through Australia will take you beyond the sights to the real destination.

Day tours run by locals who love their cities and want to share the stories and secrets behind the places they call home.

We create sustainable, experience-rich destination management solutions for leading travel brands.

We support local organisations to improve livelihoods through sustainable travel experiences.

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TAILOR-MADE TRIPS Travelling with your sports team, school group or your best buddies? We can arrange a special departure just for you, or tailor-make an Intrepidstyle itinerary to any one of our destinations.

Better still, we can customise the itinerary by giving your trip an educational, physical or even historical focus.

Custom itineraries Create your own itinerary or choose from one of our 2000+ pre-existing trips.

Pick your style Travel just the way you like it. From comfort accommodation to backpacking, we can do it all.

Personalisation We’re a one-stop-shop for your trip, airfare and travel insurance needs, and can answer all your travel questions.

Contact our team at intrepidtravel.com/ privategroups for more details.

Find out more at: intrepidgroup.travel

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Small groups, big adventures with Intrepid Travel.

Our small group style of travel means you’ll stay under the radar, and travel, eat and sleep the local way. You’ll have the unsurpassed knowledge of a local leader, taking you out of the guidebooks and into a world you’re waiting to discover.

Whether you’re looking for thrills on one of our hundreds of tours, or looking for a tailor-made journey just for you, we can make it happen.

Just get in touch with our friendly travel team.

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We are a family of brands delivering outstanding adventure travel experiences for all types of travellers.

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