Drift down jungle rivers, wander through UNESCO biospheres and follow trails where wildlife roams free on these new Intrepid trips and experiences for 2026.
Here’s to the journeys where nature feels larger than life, cosmic, out-of-this-world even. The ones where summits rise above the mist, waterfalls come at you full tilt, stars feel impossibly close and creatures are the spectators, peeking at you. Whether you’re hiking through the highlands of Saudi Arabia, meeting meerkats in Botswana or sailing between Greek islands, these new adventures for 2026 bring you closer to the rhythms of the wild.
1. Meet tapirs in Costa Rica
New on the Classic Costa Rica trip is an experience that takes you deep into Tapir Valley Nature Reserve, one of the best places to see the country’s gentle, long-snouted mammals. Tapirs are considered living fossils, given that their prehistoric ancestors likely lived alongside dinosaurs. Today, rather surprisingly, their closest living relatives are horses and rhinos. With a naturalist guide, follow fresh tapir tracks through the rainforest and learn how local conservationists are protecting this incredible species.
2. Snuggle the kids in a starlit pillow fort in Botswana
On the new Botswana Family Safari (with a few added creature comforts), meet playful meerkats on the edge of the Ntwetwe Salt Pan. Thanks to an ongoing habituation programme, you and the kids can get remarkably close to them. Then it’s time to wind down for the night in an open-air campsite under Makgadikgadi’s endless stars. With sunset drinks, a fireside barbecue and cosy bedrolls on the sand, it’s part-safari, part-pillow-fort and wholly unforgettable for the whole family.
3. Chase an eclipse across the Arctic
This year, one of the best places to see a total solar eclipse is from the deck of the Ocean Explorer alongside world-renowned cartographer Michael Zeiler. The one-off Iceland to Greenland trip is an unreal (and rare) mix of science, scenery and Arctic wonder. You’ll gain fascinating insight into eclipse viewing and the science behind how the sun, moon and earth align in perfect cosmic timing. When you’re not gazing at the night sky, you can explore Reykjavik, Nuuk and Greenland’s icy fjords.
4. Give the kids a taste for adventure in India
Level up your quality time with family (and the kids’ ideas for show-and-tell and school projects) on this exciting new India Golden Triangle Family Holiday through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. There’s Bollywood dancing, rickshaw rides and even a sleepover in a real-life palace. You’ll all fall in love with the Jhalana Leopard Safari, a wildlife-filled park in the Aravalli Hills that is home to more than 40 leopards (and their five cubs), plus hyenas, civets, deer and desert foxes.
Read more: 11 new family adventures for 2026
5. Experience Indigenous life in Mongolia
Here’s an OOO that’ll make your colleagues’ jaws drop. Picture spending two weeks utterly immersed in the northern Mongolia taiga (a vast forest in the north), following the footsteps of the Tsaatan reindeer herders and spending nights in a homestay experience with them. This new Mongolia Expedition for 2026 is a rare chance to learn from a community that has lived in harmony with the land, their animals and the seasons from one generation to the next for centuries. Join the Tsaatan in daily tasks, share meals and swap stories beneath starry skies.
6. Drift jungle to coast in Sierra Leone
The new eight-day Sierra Leone Adventure includes two island experiences in nature that feel worlds away from the day to day. Cruise the Moa River, drifting past jungle-clad banks into the wilderness of Tiwai Island, a UNESCO haven known as the Land of the Apes. Then slow down on the Banana Islands, where forest trails, golden sands and the Atlantic Ocean make it beyond easy to soak up views off Sierra Leone’s coast.
7. Enjoy the magic of Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Intrepid’s new Tulum to Chichen Itza Short Break is proof that unforgettable adventures don’t need to take weeks. Sail through the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, floating along a centuries-old Maya canal once used for trade and spiritual ceremonies. Wander the peaceful Muyil ruins hidden in the jungle. Then take a trip to the legendary pyramids of Chichen Itza, where they say whispers from the past still echo through the stones.
Read more: 10 new Short Breaks that go big on adventure
8. Set off on a train journey across Kenya
Escape to Kenya by Rail on a new trip that links you to the conservation happening behind the scenes of the plains and savannas. Visit the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary Reforestation Project, where over 10,000 native trees have been planted to restore the land after years of bushfires, drought and overgrazing. Then head out on morning and night safaris to spot lions, giraffes, elephants and many more animals, all thriving in this recovering landscape.
9. Spark a love of natural history in Slovenia
Curious teens will gladly ditch their screens in favour of fresh air on the new Slovenia Family Holiday. Pace yourself with a wander around Ljubljana’s street art and cafes, before hitting alpine bike trails with views of glacial lakes and going white-water rafting in the foothills of the Julian Alps. Join a local guide for a hike through Tolmin Gorge, where the path twists between rocky walls and teal-coloured streams. You’ll hear how water carved these gorges and get a feel for the natural history that makes this place so surreal.
10. Sail through Greece’s Sporades islands
Go where whitewashed villages spill into the Aegean. The Sail Greece: Skiathos, Skopelos & Alonnisos trip is new for 2026 and includes a visit to the uninhabited island of Peristera, part of the national marine park of Alonissos, where sea life is abundant. You’ll also spend time with volunteers in Patitiri village who are dedicated to safeguarding the monk seal, one of the world’s rarest marine mammals. You’ll learn how international research projects are helping protect these gentle creatures and the waters they call home.
11. Explore a land almost as old as time in Australia
The new Melbourne to Sydney Adventure will whisk you to ancient forests, caves that started forming millions of years ago, and one of the oldest cultures on the planet. Ferry to Raymond Island for a walk beneath eucalyptus canopies where koalas doze in branches. Then explore the limestone chambers of Buchan Caves with a local guide. Along the coast in Eden, you can walk the Bilbaan Trail with Country Custodians whose ancestors have cared for this land for thousands of years. Their stories bring the landscape and its deep cultural roots to life.
12. Journey where deserts turn green
Maybe you’ve never pictured yourself visiting Saudi Arabia, but here’s a glimpse of what awaits on the new Saudi Arabia Expedition, which goes far beyond the Kingdom’s silky desert dunes. Venture deep into the highlands of Asir, hiking Tanomah’s fog-wrapped trails through pine forests and hidden waterfalls. Guided by locals, you’ll explore Al Sharaf Park, where mist clings to the cliffs and the air is rich with the smell of juniper.
13. Follow the trails of ancient Jordan
Explore a side of Jordan where nature takes centre stage. From olive groves to desert peaks, Intrepid’s new Jordan: Hike, Bike & Snorkel adventure invites you to reconnect with the natural world and yourself. Hike the ancient backdoor trail to Petra through rugged sandstone and timeless silence, bike through the rolling hills of Umm Qais with views over the Jordan Valley and snorkel the vibrant coral reefs of Aqaba in the Red Sea.
14. Lace up for a gorilla trek through Uganda
Join expert trackers on a trek deep into the rainforest of Kibale in search of chimpanzees – an experience found only on Intrepid’s brand new Essential Uganda and Gorilla Trek. You’ll also explore the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to vibrant birdlife, where you’ll see playful monkeys and (if you’re lucky), catch a glimpse of the striking great blue turaco (a colourful fruit-eating bird). Finally, venture into the Bwindi jungle for the ultimate wildlife dream: coming face to face with mountain gorillas.
15. Chase waterfalls and wild places in eastern Canada
Take in the natural wonders of the Great White North by rail. Ogle Niagara Falls, a UNESCO-listed marvel where mist rises from roaring cascades. Cycle through the forests of Gatineau Park, spotting wildlife from raccoons to black bears and hike the glacial valleys of Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier. From thundering waterfalls to tranquil forests, the new Eastern Canada by Rail trip parks you front and centre in the region’s natural beauty.
Find out what else is new for 2026 with The Goods – a collection of new trips and experiences to inspire a year of adventure.
