Intrepid’s new and improved adventures for 18 to 35s invite you to learn, connect and see the world in new ways.
Ready to level up your travel game? Whether you’re chasing thrills in New Zealand, vibing with island life in the Philippines or getting hands-on with local crafts in Korea, these new Intrepid trips and experiences for 18 to 35s are worthy of a spot on your travel wish list. See mountain gorillas in Uganda, cycle Colombia’s Caribbean coast and check out a chocolate farm in Thailand – all with a crew who are as curious and adventurous as you.
1. Hop along Colombia’s Caribbean coast
Say hello to cool coastal cities and floating villages on the new One Week in Colombia trip, a new destination for Intrepid’s 18 to 35s collection. Cycle along the waterfront in bustling Barranquilla – learning more about Intrepid Foundation partner World Bicycle Relief as you go – before hopping aboard a traditional fishing boat to see the colourful stilted houses of Buenavista and Nueva Venecia. You’ll also spend the night at a jungle-shrouded eco-hostel, where you can soak up an epic sunset and mountain views from the infinity pool.
2. Uncover the spirit of Scotland
Spend eight days travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh on the new Essential Scotland trip. Experience Scotland’s farming culture firsthand on the Isle of Mull by visiting a dairy farm where sustainable energy is used to make not only cheese, but whey-based spirits too. Then, snap a selfie at Loch Ness (Nessie, are you there?) with your new besties.
3. Beach hop around the Philippines
Set sail on the Essential Philippines trip for the tropical jungles and laidback island vibes. Watch Bohol’s iconic Chocolate Hills – hundreds of grass mounds that turn the colour of cocoa in the dry season – glow at sunrise. Flow through a stand-up paddleboard yoga session on the Loboc River, then explore Loboc River Village, helping locals make nipa roofs (made from dried nipa palm leaves) before sipping coconut wine and learning some traditional kuradang dance moves.
4. Find adventure in New Zealand
Get your adrenaline pumping on the new One Week in New Zealand: North Island trip by slipping and sliding down Mt Ngongotaha inside a giant inflatable zorb. You’ll also learn about local indigenous culture at the Whakarewarewa Maori Village and tuck into the best of Kiwi kai (food) – from farm-to-table produce and classic fish and chips to locally brewed beers. This trip offers a taste of traditions that will stay with you long after you return home.
5. Design your own Korean paper masterpiece
There’s a new experience for 2026 on the nine-day Essential South Korea trip: making hanji (Korean paper). You’ll dive into the centuries-old Korean craft at the Jeonju Hanji Museum, where you’ll check out intricate paper artworks, traditional tools and ancient manuscripts, before getting hands-on and creating your own hanji masterpiece. It’s a creative and cultural experience that connects you with Korea’s past – and leaves you with something uniquely yours to take home.
Read more: 10 cultural craft experiences to try in 2026
6. Take a trek on Uganda’s wild side
Think Uganda, think gorilla trekking? Hike through the Kibale Forest with expert trackers and spot rare mountain gorillas as well as chimpanzees on the new Essential Uganda and Gorilla Trek. Then hit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk, keeping an eye out for monkeys, butterflies and the great blue turaco – the jungle’s ultimate feathered show-off. Spend a couple of days in Jinja with your new mates, using your ample free time to go ziplining and whitewater rafting, or simply chill by the river.
Read more: 15 new adventures for nature lovers
7. Craft with cocoa in Thailand
Calling all chocoholics: get a behind-the-scenes look at chocolate-making on the revitalised Real Thailand and Laos trip. Visit Nan’s Cocoa Valley for a new hands-on experience at a working chocolate farm. Explore the farm, then create your own aroma bag, lip balm or candle using cocoa bark, dried flowers and volcanic stone in a sustainable approach that turns what would be waste into something useful. If timing allows, you’ll even get to make chocolate.
8. Bushwalk in Botswana
Newly added for 2026, the sundowner bushwalk on the Essential Botswana trip takes travellers through striking baobab forest with a local leader, who’ll share fascinating details about the ecology, geology and biology of the world’s largest succulent. As the sunset lights up the sky, enjoy a drink or two by the campfire and hear stories about this vast saltpan desert – once the largest freshwater expanse on the planet.
9. Make traditional art in Kyoto, Japan
There’s a new hands-on highlight on the revamped Essential Japan adventure: a Kyo-yuzen workshop. Dating back to the 17th century, this traditional dyeing technique uses stencils and hand-painting to create intricate, one-of-a-kind designs. Choose your canvas – a phone case or tote bag – and bring it to life with vivid colour under expert guidance. It’s the perfect mix of creativity and culture, giving you a personal souvenir and a genuine connection to Kyoto’s artistic heritage.
10. Trek Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail
Maybe you’ve explored Sri Lanka before, but have you trekked through its tea country? Hit the new Pekoe Trail on the Essential Sri Lanka trip, supporting sustainable tourism and local communities while wandering through scenic tea plantations. After your trek, unwind at Forest Lodge Camp, glamping by a tranquil lake and dropping off to the distant calls of elephants. It’s an immersive way to experience Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, culture and wildlife all in one epic adventure.
Find out what else is new for 2026 with The Goods – a collection of new trips and experiences to inspire a year of adventure.
