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For some, being Intrepid means going trekking when you’ve never been the outdoorsy type. For others, it’s trying a new food for the first time, or extending a helping hand to support communities in need.Â
Whatever form it takes, Intrepid is an attitude – a willingness to take yourself away from the comforts of home, embrace difference and open yourself up to new people and experiences.Â
At Intrepid, that’s what we live for. Our travellers choose to see the world in a way that builds human connection, supports local communities, respects the environment and draws us all a bit closer together.Â
They choose to be curious, kind, open, and alive. To be Intrepid.Â
And after the events of the past year, now, more than ever, the world needs more Intrepid people.
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Lola
As a Nigerian-born travel photographer based in Sweden, Lola has sometimes felt like her voice as an African has been disregarded. So, when she travels, she tries to approach everyone with an open mind and listen to their stories. On a small group tour visiting some of the most remote areas of Uzbekistan – a place that isn’t commonly frequented by travellers of African heritage – Lola looks to build human connections with the locals wherever she can.
Denver
Growing up with Sri Lankan parents, Denver assumed he’d be well prepared for the sensory onslaught of the Indian food scene. But it turns out he had a lot to learn; both from the flavours and from the people. Much like any trip to the subcontinent, Denver’s was one of self-discovery. It wasn’t until he’d broken countless naan breads around a shared dinner table did he begin to understand the intricacies of everyday India.
Dave
Dave always wanted to travel beyond his hometown in Minnesota but wasn’t sure how. With the help of an Intrepid local leader and a group of like-minded travelers from around the world, Dave discovered new places, foods and cultures. From a bucket-list camel ride beside the Pyramids, to laughing alongside locals at a homestay in Aswan, Dave opened himself up to new experiences and did things he never thought possible.
Lorena
Much of what Lorena thought she knew about Iran came from news headlines painting the Middle East as a singular, unwelcoming place. But it turns out you shouldn’t believe everything you read. It was only when Lorena visited Iran for herself, experienced the depth of its culture and hospitality of its people, did she really start to scratch the surface and understand just what this country had to offer.
Angel
Like any girl growing up in Virginia, USA, Angel’s childhood was peppered with summer vacations to the beach. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t swim, besides, deep water scared her. Now as a grown up she’s travelled the world, but it was her first visit to the Galapagos Islands that really made her nervous. Angel realised to get up close to the amazing wildlife, she’d need to overcome her fear and learn to swim.
Stacy
Stacy grew up in a small town, so traveling always felt out of reach for her. But when she became a world history teacher, she decided that she wanted to experience the world for herself. So she decided to explore Egypt with Intrepid Travel. With a local leader to guide her to all the places she’d read about (as well as off-the-beaten-path places she’d never heard of) and a group of people to share the experience with, Stacy was able to gain first-hand knowledge about the world and bring that back home to her students.
Mandi
Mandi’s home state of Texas couldn’t be more different to the icy waters and sparkling glaciers of Antarctica. Before undertaking a voyage to the highest, driest and most remote continent on earth, Mandi had never even been on a ship. She didn’t know if she would feel seasick, or how she’d cope with the cold. Her friends back home thought that traveling to Antarctica alone was weird, but Mandi quickly found that by putting herself out there, she didn’t feel like she was by herself at all.
Ari and Tayla
As seasoned adventurers, it takes something unique to really rattle Ari and Tayla. Like the guttural growl of rare mountain gorillas hiding just out of sight, or the gaze of a silverback staring you down. But what starts as a hair-raising experience quickly becomes moving, as the two friends realise we have a closer connection with these vine-jumping, playful primates than we think.
Lauren
Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s action despite the presence of fear. For Lauren this meant setting off on an expedition to Patagonia on her own – without the comfort of knowing what to expect on the road. Shedding her doubts, she found new friends on an experience she’ll never forget.
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#BeIntrepid
Take a look at the latest adventures on The Journal.
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