Intrepid’s new Premium Family trips turn shared curiosity into deeper connections with local cultures, places and each other, for kids aged five and above.
Travelling with kids can be daunting. There’s the planning, the packing, the balancing of everyone’s different needs… but get it right, and the rewards are worth it. Often, it’s not the big-name sights that have the most impact but the moments in between: trying something new together, connecting with people you wouldn’t otherwise meet or simply seeing a place through your children’s eyes.
Spontaneous as they may be, making space for these moments to happen still takes some work – and that’s where Intrepid’s new Premium Family trips come in. These upgraded small-group adventures come with an added layer of comfort (think high-class transport and more included meals), some extra-special accommodation and a whole heap of unforgettable experiences – all led by leaders who are seasoned pros at sharing local culture with curious kids and their grown-ups.
The result? You can spend less energy on logistics and more time on what matters the most: being fully present for those ‘wow’ moments that you and the kids will be talking about for years to come.
Live your best jungle life in Costa Rica
The Costa Rica Premium Family Tour drops you straight into the good stuff: rainforests, beaches and wildlife. It’s not just about spotting sloths (a definite upgrade on the usual ‘I spy’) – you’ll take part in hands-on conservation work at a wildlife rescue centre, making enrichment toys for the furry and feathered residents. You’ll also get creative and craft your own jicara (traditional drinking cup) session with the Indigenous Maleky community and learn how to whip up tortillas before sharing lunch with a local family, too.
When it’s time to dial things down, sip cocktails and mocktails on a sunset catamaran cruise along the Papagayo coast, or soak in muscle-soothing hot springs near La Fortuna to the spa-worthy soundtrack of jungle noises.
Slow down in Sri Lanka
Travelling with a mix of ages and attention spans? Sri Lanka hits a sweet spot for family travel, with beaches, wildlife, history and great food all within easy reach.
The Sri Lanka Premium Family Holiday keeps things fresh. One day, you’re cruising down the Madampe River and trying your hand at mangrove planting for a lesson on the real-life effects of climate change; the next, you’re learning to make sweet, sticky kithul treacle (made with palm sap) the traditional way. When it’s time to recharge, kick back at your beachfront Feature Stay in Galle, where the views do most of the talking and nobody minds a bit of downtime around the pool.
Read more: Ways to make your next family trip a hit
Find your creative side in Morocco
Vast landscapes, ancient cities and traditional crafts are all thrown into the mix on the Morocco Premium Family Holiday. In Fes, wander the markets and tanneries of the medina, followed by a hands-on pottery workshop with a local artisan. Up in the Atlas Mountains, it’s time for you and the kids to have a go at intricate, meditative and absorbing Arabic calligraphy.
Down south, the Sahara shifts the pace entirely. Endless dunes and star-studded skies will likely leave you all living out your Lawrence of Arabia dreams, while a sleepover at a desert camp feels adventurous but in no way close to roughing it.
Go with the flow in Vietnam
Kick off your Vietnam Premium Family Holiday with an overnight cruise in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, where you can opt to kayak together around towering limestone karsts. The Tu Lan cave system in Phong Nha is another standout experience, thanks to vast, echoing chambers and winding rivers that will likely leave an impression on the whole family. From here, the journey shifts from natural beauty to creativity in heritage-rich Hoi An, where streets glow with lantern light as evening sets in.
Go wild for wildlife in Borneo
For families drawn to the natural world, the Borneo Premium Family Holiday offers a steady stream of close-up encounters. At Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you’ll watch orangutans swing, climb and generally show off, while learning about the work being done to protect them. There’s also a private tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where you’ll make enrichment toys for the world’s smallest bears.
Things dial down a gear on Gaya Island, where your overwater villa makes a strong case for doing very little. But if your budding conservationists can’t sit still, they can go snorkelling before doing their bit by planting coral at the on-site nursery, which helps marine biologists to restore local reefs.
Travel in style in Thailand
Getting there is half the fun on the Thailand Premium Family Holiday, whether you’re hopping in an electric tuk-tuk to explore Bangkok’s Old Quarter, cycling among ancient ruins in Sukhothai or kayaking along the jungle-shrouded Mae Taeng River before meeting rescued elephants in Chiang Mai. Unwind after all the action with plenty of free time on Koh Samui’s turquoise-trimmed beaches.
Read more: Contributing to wildlife conservation with kids in Borneo
Meet the locals in India’s Golden Triangle
You’ll see Jaipur’s heritage streets, Agra Fort and sunrise at the Taj Mahal (well worth the early start) on the India Golden Triangle Premium Family Holiday. You’ll even spend a night in a palace. But while India‘s icons are unmissable, you might find it’s the quieter moments that steal the show.
Like on a safari at the crack of dawn, each of you holding your breath as you scour the jungle for a glimpse of an elusive leopard. Or during a cooking class with a local family, where you and the kids can pick up new skills and recipes to take home, share stories and connect over food in a way that doesn’t happen on the typical tourist trail.
Trace past and present in Egypt
Any trip to Egypt brings history into sharp focus, but the Egypt Premium Family Holiday goes beyond the headline sights. Yes, you’ll take in the pyramids, the Nile and the temples of Luxor, but there’s more to Egypt than what the kids have studied at school. A visit to a Nubian village brings a more personal perspective, with a home-cooked meal and time to sit, chat and take it all in. There’s also a stop at Animal Care in Egypt, an Intrepid Foundation partner that supports working animals, giving you a glimpse of a different side of the country – one that’s likely to stick with you.
Find your family adventure on a small-group adventure with Intrepid. Family trips have a minimum age of five or ten, depending on the itinerary’s physical rating, and a maximum age of 17.
