Explorer trips & cultural tours

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Our trips are guaranteed to depart once they have one fully paid customer, unless the minimum group size listed in the Essential Trip Information and/or Special Conditions state otherwise.

We’ll try our very hardest to accommodate all dietary requirements, but it can be difficult to guarantee in some out-of-the-way places. We'll let you know if there are places on your itinerary where this is the case. Please let us know your dietary requirements at the time of booking and we’ll pass the information on to your leader.

You sure do. Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips if you’re travelling internationally. Your leader will take down your insurance details on the first day in case they are needed during the trip, so make sure to bring your policy documents.

Learn more about travel insurance.

Good things come in small packages, which is why we keep our group sizes to a minimum. Small groups allow us to remain flexible with itineraries, use public transportation wherever we can and visit communities without intimidating the locals.

Most Intrepid trips run with an intimate group of 12-16 travellers, though they usually average around 10 people.

Our overland trips use purpose-built vehicles that can carry up to 24 travellers. Group sizes are displayed in the description of each trip.

Explorer trips come in a range of styles – from Basix to Premium – so the establishments range from 2 to 2.5 stars to 4-star level. We choose to stay at small, locally-owned accommodation wherever possible.

Learn more about our trip styles

It's your call. Rooming is organised on a twin-share basis, but most of our trips also have the option to pay an extra fee for your own room. Just let us know at the time of booking and we'll arrange it for you. 

For twin-share rooms, we pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what's indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you. 

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open-gender, multi-share basis. In those instances, it will clearly be stated in your Essential Trip Information. 

All Explorer trips include accommodation, on-trip transport and an expert local leader.

When it comes to meals and included activities, it depends on the trip style you've chosen. Basix and Original trips have a mix of included activities, optional activities and free time so you can choose how to spend your time and money, whereas Comfort and Premium have more inclusions and unique experiences.

Learn more about inclusions on our trip styles page