The Original real life adventure

These are our classic small group adventures and the foundation for the whole Intrepid range. We call these trips Original because they are the same style of trip as the first ones we led way back in the eighties (you don’t mess with a winning formula).

They run at a relaxed pace, include plenty of free time, are built from local know-how and have an off-the-beaten-track vibe. Our passengers love them because they’re the opposite of the clichéd big bus group tour: think small, fun and adventurous.

What is Original travel?

Our Original style trips have a great balance of included activities with your group and free time to explore independently. We use a combination of local and private transport and mostly stay at tourist-class hotels – though you could also find yourself camping or the privileged guest of a local family while on a homestay.

View our Original trips

 

What is the accommodation like?

Where we stay ensures we keep our travelers firmly entrenched in a region’s people and culture, and provides them with unique local experiences that benefits the community too. In most locations we stay in simple tourist-class hotels (i.e. 2-3 stars), plus on many trips you'll also get to experience a night with a local family on a homestay or something a little different like a Bedouin camp in the Sahara. Here's a little taste of some of the more interesting accommodation you might find along the way:

Coffee estancia, Colombia

Venture into Colombia's picturesque coffee-growing heartlands for a stay at a traditional coffee station. Get the inside story on the local industry and sample firsthand what the fuss is all about. 

Trips that stay here: Café Colombia

Kerala Backwaters, India

Accommodation meets transport. Discover one of rural India's hidden treasures and cruise the backwaters of Kerala on your own private houseboat for an evening.

Trips that stay here: Southern India

Villa, Macedonia

Get a taste of the Macedonian culture and countryside during a homestay. Taste the owner's prize-winning wine and try many local delicacies including home-baked bread, jams, salami...

Trips that stay here: Dubrovnik to Athens | Dubrovnik to Santorini 

I'm traveling solo

Great! You're about to meet a bunch of potential new friends who want to explore the same destination as you. There’s no extra charge when you share accommodation with a member of the same gender, but if you'd like a little more privacy with a room all to yourself, there's a single supplement available on most Original trips. Learn more

What else is included in the price?

In addition to accommodation, we also include all transport plus:

Leader Moha

Local leader

The passion our local leaders have for showing you their region is what makes an Intrepid trip so special. No matter the trip you’re on, you’ll have a leader who’ll be there for your every step of the way, sharing their tips and showing you secret haunts that only locals know about. Meet our leaders.

Leaders Rickshaw

Group activities

Our Original-style trips have the perfect balance between included activities and ‘you time’. After all, we don’t want to cramp your style – it’s your trip afterall. If something’s got the better of your curiosity, mention it to your leader. They’re happy to help with activities that you want to do, offer optional extras along the way and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want out of your trip. 
 
Food meals paella

Some meals

From time to time the meals will be on us. At other times, you'll have the freedom to seek out your own food discoveries. And if you’re ever unsure about where to eat, you’ll have your leader on hand to help you find whatever you’re craving. 
 

Transport and how we move around

Original style trips come with all manner of transport modes and use a mixture of local and private transport. You might find yourself sailing in a dhow in Zanzibar, jumping on a rickshaw in Sri Lanka or sailing on a yacht through the Galapagos. No matter the mode, it's all about minimising our environmental impact and making getting around part of the adventure.

Our other styles of travel

Not sure this is your style of travel? Check out our other styles below or view all Original trips