One of the joys of train travel is slowing down the pace and watching the world go by. But sometimes that journey will be taken at a special local speed, as Intrepid’s Sameh Tawfik explains…
“As we arrive at Cairo station to catch the 8:00pm overnight train to Aswan, we find a group of seats away from the crowd to gather together. We wait. You can never be entirely sure when the train will arrive, how long it will stay at the platform or what time it will leave. As I explain this to my group, I start with my favourite phrase in situations like this… “Welcome to Egypt.”
(more…)
How do you gauge the value and enjoyment of your holiday? At Intrepid we have ‘passenger feedback ratings’ so you can get an idea of how much previous travellers enjoyed each trip, but recently Yaffa Gould and her group came up with a unique rating system while they feasted their way around Asia, and we think could take off…
“We recently completed Intrepid’s Best of Vietnam & Cambodia – 18 Days. Vietnam was wonderful for its scenery, its people and hearing the recent history first hand. Individual area guides shared with us their personal stories: for example at the Killing Fields, our guide, only five years old during Pol Pot’s reign of terror, told of working as a scarecrow in the rice fields for 12 hours a day.
(more…)
As Intrepid prepares for this month’s 10th Annual Tree Planting Day in Australia, we’re excited to report on another special planting day. Our Thailand Responsible Travel Coordinator, Nai, writes…
“In 2007 a wildfire went through part of Doi Suthep National Park, near Chiang Mai. The best way to restore the forest is replanting and the proven way to protect the forest after revegetation is with wide community participation. To help make this happen The Intrepid Foundation recently donated US$2,500 towards the propagation and planting of 1000 trees, through Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU).
(more…)
The tallest free-standing mountain in the world is one of the 28 finalists for the New 7 Wonders of Nature and we find out in November if Mt Kilimanjaro is voted into the top 7. This incredible mountain may be an inactive strato-volcano, but trekking to the top is one of the world’s greatest active adventures, as Karen Graham can attest…
“At 5895 metres (19,340 feet) above sea level, Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa. My trek to the top was the most challenging and rewarding experience I’ve ever had, especially due to the spectacular landscapes I encountered en route.
(more…)
The Taj Mahal is an extraordinary example of Muslim art and a worthy New 7 Wonders of the World. Of course it’s no wonder that this white marble mausoleum is one of India’s most photographed sites, but it can be difficult to get a great photo. Intrepid’s Graham Stanley helps with some good Taj photography tips…
“1) Time of day: it doesn’t really matter with the Taj Mahal, because the aspect of the sun enables a reflection off the front almost all day (except for the dying minutes of sunset). Sunrise is great because you see the colour of the white marble change as the sun gets higher in the sky. Try to go before 9:30am so the sky is a little bluer with less smog, because brilliant white marble against a bright white sky can make your photos seem washed out . Also the crowds start to arrive from around 9:30am, so getting in early has its benefits.
(more…)
In a few hours Intrepid Urban Adventures help you get under the skin of the city you’re visiting. These day tours with a difference are a great way to connect with a city and as Rodger and Gwen Elliot discovered, where better than Prague to be shown around town by a local…
“Prague is renowned as being one of the world’s most fascinating cities, and it is a reputation well-deserved. Many friends had said “You must visit Prague if ever you get the chance”, so when we were in Europe earlier this year it was a top priority to include it in our itinerary.
(more…)
From the bewildering Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an to the astounding stone petroglyphs of Cholpon Ata and beyond, a Silk Road Journey always piques the curiosity of adventurous travellers. Intrepid’s Tara Kennaway has long been intrigued by this fascinating region, and there are still many lingering questions about the legends of this vast land…
“Samarkand, one of the legendary cities of the Silk Road, is a place of many marvels and mysteries. Travellers are immediately drawn to the magnificent Registan – the immaculately decorated medressa and mosque complex that dominates the centre of the Old Town, and mesmerised by other glittering remnants of Samarkand’s golden past, such as Guri Amir – Tamerlane’s gilt-lined mausoleum. But on the dusty fringes of the town, surrounded by sloping hills and with a stream running by, is perhaps the most curious site of all: the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel.
(more…)
Curious as to whether pastoralisation, conservation and tourism could co-exist, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was set up in 1959 as a land-management experiment. Fortunately the pioneering agreement has succeeded in protecting this natural habitat. Considered by many to be the 8th wonder of the world, Helen Dawes is amongst those who are completely captivated by this volcanic crater…
“My travels over the years have taken me many places, but if there’s one place I would go back to, it would be Africa. I’ll never forget my first glimpse from the rim of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater.
(more…)
Travellers enjoy finding practical ways to assist local communities – but what’s really the best way to help? First and foremost, we encourage cash donations through The Intrepid Foundation, where your money is used responsibly for a range of great verified projects. But we are often asked about the giving of material things, such as clothes, books, medical supplies, etc. Donating items can be a useful way to help, or it can be counterproductive and cause problems for the beneficiary communities.
What are some of the traps to be avoided and what are the best options for assistance? We asked Jane Crouch, Intrepid’s Responsible Travel Manager…
(more…)
