It’s no secret that the world looks different to this time last year. 

By now we’d normally be seeking out next year’s rising star destinations or planning which classics we want to tick off our travel wish lists. But, as we wonder where we'll be able to go in 2021, take a moment to consider how we travel in the future. Because after a year at home, we’ve been reminded that travel is a privilege. We’re ready to take the best bits of what we’ve always loved about travel – connecting with like-minded strangers, learning about local cultures and challenging ourselves to discover something new – and explore new ways to combine them with travel styles that are better for the world. Whenever the magic of travel is open to us again, it’s more important than ever that we go the right way, which is why we've come up with five foundations for the future of travel. 

1. Go on a human-powered adventure

With bars, restaurants, museums and galleries closing during 2020, we were encouraged to discover new ways to get out and entertain ourselves. And, for a lot of us that meant taking up the challenge of a new active hobby like walking or cycling. Trends so far are pointing to ‘human-powered’ trips, such as Cycling, Active or Walking & Trekking adventures being a much bigger part of how we travel in 2021, which is why we have four new Cycling and four new Walking & Trekking trips joining our existing range.

 

7 Days From 2067

Travel to Peru to discover the Inca, Peru's ancient civilisation. Trek or train to...

15 Days From 2371

Embark on the trek of a lifetime to Everest Base Camp on this 15-day tour. Fly into...

5 Days From 2430

From Alice Springs, trek four sections of the Larapinta Trail, taking in Ormiston Gorge...

4 Days From 1830

Cycle New Zealand's South Island, from Queenstown to Middlemarch’s Otago plains. Follow...

15 Days From 2693

Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Vietnam. Take in cultural...

7 Days From 882

Discover Marrakech and trek Mt Toubkal on this seven-day adventure, including Aroumd...

4 Days From 1473

Cycle Victoria's High Country, from historic Beechworth to charming Bright. Follow the...

8 Days From 4388

Conquer Mt Kilimanjaro on the picturesque Marangu Route, hiking with porters on an...

6 Days From 2995

Tackle one of Australia’s greatest treks, among some of its most incredible scenery, on...

2. Go to regenerate, not just sustain

We’ve always been passionate about sustainable travel – from combatting overtourism by seeking out less popular destinations, to carbon-offsetting all our trips. But we shouldn’t just be leaving lighter footprints everywhere we go; we need to leave positive impacts on the people and places we visit. That’s why we support local communities, human rights, wildlife and environmental conservation projects everywhere we travel and stay in homestays and support community tourism initiatives on as many of our itineraries as possible.

 

15 Days From 2064

Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on this 15-day Vietnam adventure. Trek in the...

15 Days From 2717

Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...

15 Days From 3785

Travel to Myanmar and discover mythical landscapes and amazing hospitality. Visit...

9 Days From 2764

Get to know Colombia on a coffee-scented adventure that will take you through the...

15 Days From 1753

Embark on a 15-day Annapurna trekking experience in Nepal. Cross the Himalayas,...

3. Go slower

Slow travel is about embracing a destination and being completely present in your surroundings. It’s about connections. Connecting to the food, the culture and perhaps most importantly, the people. It’s about experiencing places slowly, unplugging and taking time for yourself. Slow travel means planning lightly to create space for those unexpected moments that create the joyful memories that only travel can. Our brand-new range of Intrepid Retreats were designed specifically with this in mind – to help you slow down and discover incredible places a little closer to home.

 

5 Days From 2629

Take a five-day adventure tour through the coastal wilderness of Kuku Yalanji land,...

4. Go into the wild

Wilderness might just be the new wellness in 2021. After a year with a lot of time spent at home on video calls or binge-watching TV, the future of travel will be surrounded by nature. Travelling into the wild creates a feeling of freedom. Whether it’s the wilds of Antarctica or seeing gorillas in their natural habitat, there is no place more calming (and needed) in 2021 than the great outdoors. So, while we all take some time to get comfortable with crowded cities again, there is no better time to pursue a trip into the wild, whether in your own backyard or further abroad. 

 

11 Days From 13970

Experience the magic of the Antarctic Peninsula and its islands aboard the Ocean...

16 Days From 5085

Encounter the wildlife of Kenya and Uganda on this 16-day adventure including a gorilla...

10 Days From 4497

Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard of the remote Galapagos...

15 Days From 10788

Trek through Chile and Argentina on this 15-day tour and take in Laguna de Los Tres,...

9 Days From 4124

Uncover the real Fiji on an expedition to the highlands of Naga and Nubutautau,...

8 Days From 4127

Embark on an eight-day expedition to the beautiful islands of Vanuatu where you can...

17 Days From 4536

Soak up Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on this 17-day tour that begins in Bishkek and visits...

15 Days From 4378

Travel to Mongolia and discover a remote part of Asia. Visit nomad families, ancient...

14 Days From 3864

Embark on a wildlife and jungle-filled adventure through Madagascar visiting...

5. Go on your own terms

The future of travel will be forever flexible. Whether you feel more comfortable booking with your bubble, going with a travel buddy, or pursuing adventures closer to home, it’s important you travel on your own terms, in a way that is comfortable for you and your loved ones. This is why we’re so excited to continue rolling out our Tailor-Made style of travel, where over 800 Intrepid itineraries will now be available for you to customise and tailor to your individual travel preferences. 

 

Why travel with us

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Safe travels

As we gradually return to running trips, the safety and wellbeing of our travellers, leaders, crew, staff and suppliers will remain our priority and our return to operations will be done in a safe and responsible way. 

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Flexible bookings

We understand that sometimes plans change. That’s why, when you book with us you have the flexibility to change your travel plans to suit you – with assurance that your money is protected. 

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Certified B Corp

When we became certified as the world's largest travel B Corp in 2018, it was not only our official pledge to be a responsible business, but also a promise to be the best travel company for the world.

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