Nine New Intrepid Travel Adventures That Have Caught My Eye
It’s no secret that I love Intrepid Travel. What keeps me coming back to the company isn’t simply the number of countries it covers or the variety of trips it offers. It’s the way Intrepid continues to find interesting ways to explore the world, with local experiences, active adventures and opportunities to get beyond the usual tourist trail.
And it certainly doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Nine new Intrepid Travel adventures
With well over 1,000 trips available, Intrepid offers an enormous range of ways to see the world. But what particularly interests me is the steady stream of new itineraries. There are always new destinations to discover, different routes through familiar countries and fresh combinations of walking, cycling, wildlife, food and culture.
As someone who has travelled to 109 countries across all seven continents, I know how easy it is to think you've seen most of what a destination has to offer. Then an itinerary comes along that makes you look at a place differently.
I've been browsing Intrepid's latest adventures, and nine in particular have caught my attention. Some appeal to my love of mountains and remote landscapes. Others offer the chance to explore cultures and communities that many travellers might overlook. And a few combine several of my favourite things: being outdoors, meeting local people and discovering somewhere new.
Here are nine new Intrepid Travel adventures that caught my eye.
Nine days | Georgia | Walking and trekking
Georgia has a great deal to offer travellers interested in mountain scenery, history and distinctive regional cultures. This new Intrepid adventure brings those elements together on a trek through the Caucasus Mountains, following a section of the developing Transcaucasian Trail.
The journey takes walkers through the Svaneti region, from Mestia towards Ushguli, passing alpine meadows, forests, glaciers and traditional villages. The landscape is dominated by high peaks, while historic stone tower houses provide a reminder of the region's distinctive heritage.
Ushguli is a particular highlight. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Europe's highest continuously inhabited settlements, with traditional buildings set beneath the mountains.
What appeals to me is that this isn't simply a walking holiday through beautiful scenery. The route also offers opportunities to experience Svan culture, stay in local guesthouses and enjoy home-cooked meals after a day on the trail.
There is a practical consideration, of course. This is a genuine trekking trip, with several demanding days on foot, including stages of around seven or eight hours. It will suit people who enjoy a physical challenge and are comfortable with basic guesthouse accommodation.
For those travellers, it looks like a rewarding way to experience a part of Georgia that is very different from the capital, Tbilisi.
Greenland | Premium small-group travel
Greenland has a special appeal for travellers who are drawn to remote places, Arctic landscapes and communities whose lives are closely connected to the natural environment.
I've visited Greenland several times, and I find the combination of immense landscapes and the realities of life in the Arctic fascinating. It's a destination where geography, climate, history and culture are inseparable.
Intrepid's Premium Greenland itinerary caught my eye because it combines the spectacular scenery around Ilulissat with opportunities to understand the people who live here. The Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a natural focal point, with enormous icebergs moving through the fjord and out towards the sea.
The itinerary also includes the ancient Inuit settlement of Sermermiut and the Icefjord Centre, offering insight into the region's human history, glaciology and changing climate.
Another appealing feature is a stay at Ilimanaq Lodge, where Nordic-style accommodation overlooks the bay. It's a different way to experience Greenland from a conventional hotel stay, with the landscape right outside your door.
The Premium format should appeal to travellers who want meaningful cultural experiences and impressive scenery without sacrificing comfort.
Greenland isn't an inexpensive destination, and its remoteness means that logistics matter. Having accommodation, transport and activities coordinated as part of a small-group itinerary can make the experience considerably easier to plan.
For anyone who has been thinking about visiting Greenland, this is a trip worth investigating.
16 days | Canada and Alaska | Wilderness and Indigenous cultures
This one particularly appeals to my interest in remote landscapes and the stories that connect people to them.
Starting in Vancouver and ending in Anchorage, this 16-day adventure follows routes through British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska, travelling along the Cassiar and Alaska highways. Rather than concentrating on major cities, the itinerary explores quieter communities, mountain scenery, glaciers, lakes and wilderness.
There are opportunities to see places such as Bear Glacier and Salmon Glacier, and to look for bears at a wildlife observation site near Hyder, Alaska. Camping is part of the experience, bringing travellers closer to the landscapes they are exploring.
But what I find particularly interesting is the emphasis on Indigenous cultures and the connections that cross today's international border.
The trip explores how salmon migration routes, trade networks and shared knowledge have connected communities in this part of North America for generations. Visits with Indigenous community members provide opportunities to learn about fishing traditions, local history and the continuing importance of the land and its resources.
This is an important distinction. The North isn't simply an empty wilderness waiting to be explored. It is a lived-in landscape with deep cultural connections and a long history.
For Canadian travellers, there's also something appealing about exploring our own country in greater depth before continuing into Alaska. British Columbia and the Yukon are vast, and travelling through them by road reveals just how much lies between the familiar destinations.
The itinerary includes camping and long driving days, so it won't suit everyone. But for travellers who value wilderness, cultural encounters and the journey between destinations as much as the destinations themselves, it looks like a compelling adventure.
Seven days | Indonesia | Culture and island exploration
Indonesia has thousands of islands, and many visitors naturally gravitate towards Bali. Sumba offers a different experience, combining traditional villages, rolling savanna, beaches, waterfalls and turquoise lagoons.
This seven-day Intrepid trip caught my attention because it puts local culture at the centre of the experience.
Travellers visit traditional villages such as Ratenggaro and Prai Ijing, where distinctive houses with towering thatched roofs reflect Sumba's cultural traditions and ancestral beliefs. There are opportunities to learn traditional dances, participate in local activities and take part in an ikat-weaving workshop.
Ikat is a traditional textile technique in which threads are resist-dyed before weaving. On Sumba, the craft is more than a souvenir-making activity; it is part of the island's cultural heritage. The workshop also supports a social enterprise helping women build financial independence.
The itinerary includes time outdoors, too. Travellers can hike to Tanggedu Waterfall, swim in Waikuri Lagoon and see the island's distinctive sandalwood ponies roaming the savanna at Wairinding Hill.
I like the balance here. There is enough activity to explore the island, but also time to relax and appreciate the surroundings.
Sumba is an interesting option for travellers who have already visited Bali or are looking for an Indonesian island experience that places greater emphasis on local traditions and community connections.
11 days | Rwanda | Cycling and wildlife
Rwanda has become well known for mountain gorilla trekking, but this new cycling adventure offers a different way to experience the country.
The itinerary combines rides through rural communities and varied landscapes with wildlife experiences, including a visit to Akagera National Park. Travellers cycle on paved roads and gravel trails, tackle a section of the Congo Nile Trail and ride part of the route used for the UCI Road World Championships.
The cycling is only one part of the experience. In Akagera, the itinerary includes a safari and a boat excursion on Lake Ihema. Further west, there are opportunities to experience the landscapes around Lake Kivu and Nyungwe Forest, including its canopy walkway.
An optional gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park offers another way to encounter Rwanda's wildlife.
What I like about this itinerary is its variety. Rwanda's hills, lakes, forests and rural communities create a varied backdrop for an active journey, while the inclusion of cultural visits and historical context adds depth beyond the cycling itself.
This is a trip for cyclists who are comfortable with challenging terrain. Some days involve significant distances and steep climbs, so it is important to check the physical requirements before booking.
For travellers who want an active holiday that combines cycling, wildlife and culture rather than focusing on just one of them, Rwanda is an interesting choice.
Eight days | Norway | Premium travel
I've visited Norway many times, and it remains one of those countries where the landscapes keep drawing me back. But even in a destination famous for its scenery, how you explore makes a difference.
Intrepid's Premium Norwegian Fjords itinerary combines the country's spectacular west coast with local food, coastal history and distinctive accommodation.
The journey includes a cruise through Geirangerfjord, with its steep mountain walls and waterfalls, as well as viewpoints along the dramatic Trollstigen mountain pass. The Golden Train provides another perspective on the landscape, passing mountains, rivers, waterfalls and the enormous Troll Wall.
The experiences beyond the scenery are what make this itinerary particularly interesting to me.
In the fishing village of Kalvåg, travellers stay at Knutholmen, a collection of sea houses overlooking the water. A local family introduces the group to the village's fishing heritage, including traditional rope-making and local food. Another excursion involves visiting an island, trying fishing and crab-pot setting, and sharing a seafood lunch.
The journey continues through Ålesund, known for its Art Nouveau architecture, before ending in Trondheim, where local food and history are part of the experience.
This is a good example of what I like about Intrepid's approach. The fjords are a major attraction, but the itinerary doesn't stop at admiring the views. It also explores how people have lived and worked along Norway's coast.
The Premium style adds comfort to the experience, making it appealing to travellers who want cultural immersion without a rugged camping holiday.
12 days | Turkey and Georgia | Culture, food and landscapes
Many visitors to Turkey focus on Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Mediterranean coast. This itinerary heads in a different direction, following the Black Sea coast and northern highlands before crossing into Georgia.
It begins in Istanbul and visits the UNESCO-listed town of Safranbolu, known for its historic architecture and traditional Turkish delight. Further east, the route includes the remarkable Sumela Monastery, built into a mountainside, and the tea-growing region around Rize.
The food experiences are another reason this trip appeals to me. Travellers can learn about tea production on a plantation, sample regional dishes and visit a family of cheesemakers for a homemade lunch.
The journey continues through the highlands, including a stay around the Ayder Plateau and a hike in the Elevit Plateau area. The itinerary also visits the medieval ruins of Ani, close to the Armenian border, before continuing into Georgia and finishing in Tbilisi.
What interests me is the way the trip explores regional differences within Turkey. The Black Sea coast has its own food traditions, landscapes and cultural influences, and it feels quite different from the image many travellers have of the country.
Ending in Georgia also makes this a particularly interesting journey for people who enjoy exploring the connections between neighbouring countries.
Sri Lanka | Walking and tea-country landscapes
Sri Lanka is a country where landscape, history and culture come together in a relatively compact area. This hiking itinerary focuses on the island's central highlands and tea-growing regions, following sections of the Pekoe Trail.
The route passes through tea estates, rural communities and green hills, offering a different perspective on Sri Lanka from a conventional sightseeing tour.
The itinerary begins with time in Kandy, including a home-cooked dinner with a local family. The walking then takes travellers into the tea country, with visits to the Ceylon Tea Museum and historic plantations.
Along the way, hikers encounter highland lakes, villages and waterfalls, including St. Clair's Falls. The scenery changes as the trail moves through different tea-growing areas, providing a sense of how geography and agriculture shape local life.
This is the kind of active travel I particularly appreciate: walking provides the means to explore, rather than being the only reason for the trip. There is time to learn about tea production, enjoy local food and experience the communities that make the landscape what it is.
The Pekoe Trail is also an interesting option for travellers who want to explore Sri Lanka beyond its beaches and best-known cultural sites.
As with any walking holiday, the daily distances, elevation changes and weather conditions deserve a close look before booking. But for travellers who enjoy moderate to challenging walks and want to combine them with cultural experiences, this trip is worth considering.
Six days | New Zealand's South Island | Cycling
New Zealand's South Island is made for active travel, with mountain ranges, glacier-fed lakes, quiet roads and dramatic coastlines. This six-day cycling trip follows the Alps 2 Ocean route, linking the Southern Alps with the Pacific coast.
The journey includes cycling near Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau, with time to explore Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on foot. Other highlights include the Omarama Clay Cliffs, historic sites and the coastal town of Oamaru.
I particularly like that the itinerary includes more than cycling. There are opportunities to sample local produce, visit a salmon farm and enjoy the region's wine, while an overnight stay in Twizel offers the chance to experience the night sky in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
The route combines scenic riding with some more challenging sections, so it is worth checking the daily distances and terrain. But the six-day format could appeal to travellers who want an active holiday without committing to a multi-week cycling expedition.
It also has the advantage of being relatively focused: a dedicated cycling journey through one of New Zealand's most scenic regions.
What These New Intrepid Trips Have in Common
These nine itineraries cover very different parts of the world, from the Caucasus Mountains and Greenland's Arctic coast to the tea plantations of Sri Lanka and the wilderness highways of western Canada and Alaska.
Yet there is a common thread.
They offer ways to experience places rather than simply visit them. Walking brings travellers into mountain villages. Cycling creates a connection with the landscape between destinations. Local food and cultural encounters help explain the traditions that shape a region. And wildlife experiences provide a reason to understand the environments in which animals live.
That is what I look for when comparing tour operators and recommending trips to clients.
A destination may be the starting point, but the itinerary determines how you experience it.
Why I Keep Recommending Intrepid Travel
With well over 1,000 trips available, Intrepid has a remarkable range of adventures. What keeps me interested is that the company continues to add new options that reflect different interests, travel styles and ways of exploring.
These nine trips are a good illustration. Some are designed for hikers and cyclists who want a physical challenge. Others combine culture, food and landscapes with a higher level of comfort. Some explore places that are already familiar to travellers, but approach them from a fresh angle.
After more than 30 years in the travel industry and visits to 109 countries, I still enjoy discovering new itineraries. I also know that the best trip for one person may be entirely wrong for another.
That's where I can help. Through Adventure Coordinators, I work with travellers to compare options and find the tour that best matches their interests, budget, preferred pace and comfort level. You get access to Intrepid's extensive range of small-group adventures, along with personal advice from a dedicated travel advisor.
In addition, when booking an Intrepid trip through Adventure Coordinators, you qualify for a free Urban Adventure.
If one of these new trips has caught your attention, or you'd like to see what else Intrepid has added, let me know.
And if you would like help choosing the right one, get in touch with Adventure Coordinators.
There are still plenty of places to explore, and plenty of new ways to experience them.
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