Welcome

to the Intrepid way of travel

At Intrepid, we love to travel. It’s as simple as that.

Every year, we take more than 100,000 travellers
around the world on small group adventures
that allow them to travel the local way, eat the
local way and sleep the local way. This grassroots
style of travel ensures unforgettable real life
experiences, while at the same time minimising
our impact on the communities we visit. We use
local leaders, local accommodation and support
local community projects, ensuring we keep
sustainability and responsible tourism at the
centre of everything we do.

This year is extra special for Intrepid, as it has

been 25 years since we operated our first trip in
Thailand. We’ve learnt a great deal in that time,
from both the travellers on our trips and the
locals we've met, and their feedback has helped
us become the experts in adventure travel.

So what’s changed since then? Well, for a start,

we now run over 1,000 trips in more than 100
countries. This year sees us operating new
sailing trips in both Burma (Myanmar) and
the Caribbean, expanding our range of Polar
adventures, heading to Hawaii for the first
time and taking our new Food Adventures
into Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco,
Argentina and Peru.

But perhaps more importantly, it’s the

things that haven’t changed that define our
adventures: the urge to travel, to learn and to
connect. After all, it’s human nature to keep
exploring. Discovering the world was what
motivated Intrepid’s founders back at the start,
and it’s what motivates every one of our staff
and travellers today.

I hope this brochure inspires you to discover the

world with us.

James Thornton
Intrepid Managing Director

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 Why group travel?
The world’s a big place, and it’s human nature to get out there and explore it. But when there’s a plethora of different
languages to learn, borders to cross and cultures to negotiate, you can spend a lot of energy on simply getting from A to B.
Small group adventure travel allows you to maximise your precious time off. Instead of worrying about logistics, you can focus
all your energy on having the experience of a lifetime.

Hassle-free adventures Just the right balance Unforgettable experiences,

We’ve put years of research into our itineraries,
operators and accommodation. So why spend
hours agonising over every detail of your trip
when you can leave it to someone who lives and
breathes your style of travel? Whether you’re
an independent traveller with limited time or
you want to explore a destination that’s outside
your comfort zone, you’ll have the support and
expertise you need.
The best small group adventures strike the
perfect balance between planned activities
and ‘you time’. After all, it’s your holiday and we
don’t want to cramp your style. If something’s
got the better of your curiosity, mention it to
your leader. They’re happy to help facilitate the
activities that you want to do and make sure
you’re getting exactly what you want out of
your trip.
unbelievable value
Our itineraries come with more inclusions than you
might expect on a typical small group adventure.
Intrepid trips are designed to give you exceptional
value and unforgettable experiences. While other
group tours might drop you off at the Taj Mahal and
leave you to fend for yourself, we’ll help you get the
most out of the experience with our stellar leaders
and insider knowledge.

02 Australia & New Zealand

Why travel with Intrepid?
We all travel for different reasons. People. Culture. Wildlife.
Food. Landscapes. Cityscapes. Whatever motivates you to
get out there and explore the world, we’re here to help you
get as close to local life as possible.
All of our trips are designed to create unforgettable 'wow' moments. From our
destination managers who craft itineraries that introduce you to truly unique
people and places, to our leaders who are on the lookout for opportunities to
facilitate local interaction along the way, Intrepid offers local knowledge and
experience to get you behind the scenes of a destination. Nothing is
pre-packaged or artificial; it's simply unique, authentic insights into local lives.
10
The average number of travellers you’ll find on an Intrepid trip
Small groups
Our groups are small enough to feel like you’re exploring a destination
independently, but big enough to create a good social vibe. Group size will
vary depending on where you’re travelling; some of our overland trucks carry
more travellers, and some of our sailing boats only fit a smaller group. But
our average group size is 10. And we’ve found that’s a great number to let
you connect with the people you meet – whether they’re locals or the other
people in your group.

Private group adventures

If you're part of a group who are looking for their next unforgettable escape, all of our trips are available to book as a private
departure. We can also tailor a trip specifically to your requirements, whether it's for school groups, friends and families, or
groups with particular needs or specific interests.
For groups of four or more, we can organise a one-off departure of one of our existing adventures. So take a look at our trips and
simply pick the right one for your group. To get in contact with us or for more information, please see the back cover of this brochure.

Cappadocia, Turkey - Samantha Philp

Who should consider a private group? Benefits of a private group

«« Universities and colleges «« Tailor make your own itinerary or choose from one of our
We customise trips for student clubs, business schools and study pre-existing departures
abroad programs.
«« It's your own exclusive departure
«« Public and private schools
For cultural, educational and language trips. «« Get your choice of departure date

«« Corporate «« Choose your own style of travel

Boost office morale and increase staff motivation with domestic
travel, team-building retreats, training sessions abroad and more. «« We offer the personalised attention of a private groups specialist

«« Non-profit «« It's hassle-free planning

If you're a regular supporter of an overseas project, why not
«« We organise airfares, insurance and all of your travel needs.
organise a trip to see your contribution firsthand.

«« Friends and families

Let Intrepid help you plan your next holiday – whether it’s a
tailor-made trip for your family or a special adventure for a group
of friends.

intrepidtravel.com 03
Physical & Our trip styles
cultural ratings Every Intrepid adventure has been carefully designed to make sure you have an
unforgettable, grassroots travel experience. Over the years, we've developed a range
Each trip comes with a physical and of styles to fit a broad spectrum of travellers:
cultural rating, so you can pick one
that's right for you.

Cultural ratings give you an idea of the level

of culture shock to expect and how much
adjustment is required. As a guide:
Taj Mahal, India - Sarah Dibdin
˜™™™™ little or no adjustment
˜˜˜™™ some unusual food and
language barriers
Basix trips Original trips Comfort trips
˜˜˜˜˜ expect a real culture shock For travellers on a budget, our The classic Intrepid style. These Our Comfort trips go at a slower
Basix trips don’t complicate trips come with some included pace, feature larger, roomier
things by adding heaps of activities, and stay at more hotels vehicles and are designed
inclusions. They’re about value than Basix trips. We like to think for those who want more
Physical ratings tell you how physically and offering lots of free time to our Original range is perfect inclusions, a higher standard
exerting a trip is and how fit you'll need to be choose the activities and extras for those who want a taste of accommodation and more
to enjoy it. As a guide: you want to do. of everything. creature comforts.

˜™™™™ easy and relaxing

˜˜˜™™ an average level of fitness
is required
˜˜˜˜˜ a full-on, active adventure for
Which trip is right for you?
the most agile of travellers
Our travel styles share a common philosophy of getting out there and experiencing
the real world. Take a moment to figure out which trip style suits you best:

Single traveller?
No worries! There’s no extra charge when you
Do you prefer to pay for most
share accommodation with a member of the same
things before you travel?
sex. And on our Original and Comfort itineraries,
there's often a single supplement available in case YES NO
you'd like a room to yourself.

Guaranteed departures
We run trips on a maximum-number basis,
not a minimum, which means we guarantee
departures for most of our trips.
Do you enjoy being on the road (as Are you looking for more
opposed to having a few days to unpack)? organised group activities?
Price guarantee
Once your trip is paid in full, there's no surcharge
within the validity period of this brochure.
NO YES
? YES NO

Are you happy Do you want to cover a

to forego a few lot of ground rather than
creature comforts? explore a region in depth?

NO YES NO YES

Comfort Original Basix

04 Australia & New Zealand

Who makes the magic happen?
When it comes to your hometown,
we bet you know the stories behind
the hidden sights, all the best bars and
the tastiest spot to grab a bite to eat.
But when you travel, you’re suddenly
the new kid in town. That’s why it
makes sense for a local to help show
you around.
Take Bruno for instance (pictured right), one of
our friendly leaders in Sri Lanka. Bruno won the
prestigious Gold Wanderlust World Guide Award
in 2011, and many passengers have sent us
feedback to comment on Bruno’s commitment,
like waiting overnight at Colombo Station to make
sure his group were able to get first-class tickets in
the observation car. But going above-and-beyond
is a quality common to all of our leaders. Take a
look at the ways a local leader like Bruno can help
you get the most out of your adventure…
Trip themes
Whether you're chasing a global gastronomic dream or wanting to travel across the expansive Outback, there's a theme for you.
Overland
Explore the rugged terrain of some of the world’s
most far-flung places in our purpose-built trucks
and buses.
Explorer
As grassroots, authentic, local experiences,
Explorer trips are the essential and iconic
Intrepid journeys.
Wildlife
Experience some of the world’s most epic wildlife
with the industry leaders in sustainable tourism.
Sailing
Fully skippered and with no sailing experience
necessary, you can sail off into the sunset
in Thailand, Burma, the Mediterranean, the
Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands.
Listen
Learn
See
Freedom
Move
Polar
Discover the magical, icy worlds of both the Arctic
and Antarctic.
Walking
Make the most of the outdoors on a group tour
or self-guided itinerary. Accommodation is
pre-booked, and luggage will be transferred from
point to point.
Short Break
Mini-breaks with a difference, these 2-5 day trips
offer the same local, authentic experiences as our
longer trips, but in a shorter amount of time.
Cycling
A cycling adventure can take you over the cols of
the Alps or across the roof of the world in Tibet. You
don't have to be a Bradley or a Cadel – whatever
your level of fitness, we've got le tour for you!
Tell him what you want to see, eat and do
and he’ll help you make it happen.
Bruno knows his stuff. He’s gone through
extensive training as a leader and can’t wait to
share his knowledge of his country with you.
Bruno has a keen eye. He’ll spot something
tasty in a market, a rare flower in the jungle
and a monkey in a tree.
Bruno’s not there to hold your hand. He’s
there to point you in the right direction and
make sure you get the most out of your trip.
Getting from A to B is half the fun. Bruno
knows where to stretch your legs, where to
explore and will get you to the airport on time!
Food
With a focus on street fare, local specialities,
home cooking and urban food culture, these
trips offer authentic local experiences with an
emphasis on cuisine.
Family
Carefully crafted itineraries that allow you
to create a memorable adventure with your
children. Experience authentic local culture with
an English-speaking leader.
Festival and Events
Dancing through the streets of Rio during
Carnaval or getting dusted in neon powder
during India’s Holi festival – immerse yourself in
the local culture and experience it all firsthand.
intrepidtravel.com 05
 Kakadu National Park
Australia has its fair share of
incredible places, but Kakadu
National Park... Well, we could
wax lyrical, but words just
wouldn't do justice to this
natural and cultural wonder.
See trip on page 17

The Bungle Bungles

Until the 1980s, the only
people who knew that this
350-million-year-old range
of striped, beehive-shaped
domes existed were the
local Kija Aboriginal people.
See trip on page 24

Uluru
A place of significance for
the local Anangu people
and one of Australia's most
iconic natural sites, Uluru is a
mesmerising place, especially
at sunrise and sunset.
See trip on page 13
Freycinet National Park
Granite mountains, beautiful
walking trails, stunning
beaches and Wineglass Bay –
voted one of the top-ten
beaches in the world – all
await in this spectacular park.
See trip on page 30

06 Australia & New Zealand

 The local way
Fraser Island
Ancient rainforests, endless
white beaches, freshwater
lakes, mangroves – for a place
only 123 km long and 22 km
wide, Fraser Island packs in a
heck of a lot of natural beauty.
See trip on page 31

It’s all in the journey

Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself.
That’s why Intrepid adventures come with all
manner of transport modes – from the slightly
unusual to the downright bizarre! You could
find yourself atop a camel, four-wheel driving
along a dusty outback road or soaring north
over dry creek beds in Australia's most famous
train. No matter the mode, it's the getting
around that's part of the adventure.

Rotorua
The allure of Rotorua is
not its unique aroma but
the array of bubbling mud
pools, gushing geysers,
forest trails, adventure
activities and tranquil lakes.
See trip on page 33

A room with a few

Where our weary travellers rest their heads
each night is really important to us. Be it a
family-run hotel, an outback station or a swag
rolled out under a million stars, plenty of thought
goes into each night's accommodation. Where
we stay ensures we keep our travellers firmly
entrenched in a region's people and culture, and
provides them with unique local experiences that
benefits the community too.

Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is a majestic
fjord located in New Zealand's
south-west. Cruise past
the waterfalls, islands and
sheer mountain faces of this
virtually uninhabited region.
See trip on page 33

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 Uluru, Australia

08 Australia & New Zealand

Get connected
When it comes to staying in touch while travelling, we've come a long way from sending a postcard that ends up arriving after
we've returned home. Visit us online at intrepidtravel.com or on social media to instantly connect with our global community
of travellers. And if you #hearttravel as much as we do, use the Intrepid hashtag and we'll share your love.

Get to know before you go

If you grab Intrepid's free Meet Up app, you'll be able to chat with your group members before your trip.
You can share all of the anticipation and buzz without rubbing it in the faces of those poor folk you're leaving
behind. You can find the 'Intrepid Meet Up' app in three locations – our facebook page, the iTunes store and
Google play store.

Once downloaded, simply choose your trip from the dropdown list and select the date your trip departs
(or add your departure). Then you can get the ball rolling with a message for your fellow travellers. Visit
intrepidtravel.com/meetup for more info.


Ask us a question, get plenty of travel
inspiration and see what other travellers
are saying about us: facebook.com/
intrepidtravel and #hearttravel
Join in on Google hangouts, watch
+ videos and see what we're up to:
google.com/+intrepidtravel
140 characters of advice, handy links
and travel conversation:
@intrepid_travel and #hearttravel
Want to know what it's like on an
Intrepid trip? Check out our range
of videos:
youtube.com/user/IntrepidTV

From our awkward travel photos to the

best food snaps, this is the place to go
for some light-hearted travel inspiration:
pinterest.com/intrepidtravel

Express yourself
More than just an email newsletter, Intrepid Express features stories from our travellers and staff, and has the chance to win a
free trip every week! Subscribe today at: intrepidtravel.com/subscriptions

Morocco - Lyn Meredith Bolivia - Moira Schlossberger

We value your loyalty Legends

5 % Intrepid offers a loyalty discount of 5% If you travel on nine of our trips, your 10th trip is on us*, and
after completing only one trip. And you you are officially a legend! Then every trip you take after this,
can use it at anytime without it expiring. you get 10% off – for life!

*T & C's apply

intrepidtravel.com 09
 Mt Cook, New Zealand

10 Australia
Europe & New Zealand
Responsible travel
At Intrepid, we’re committed to a style of travel that benefits our travellers, our
communities and our business. We believe travel can be environmentally, culturally,
and economically responsible, and so do our travellers. One of the main reasons our Intrepid is promoting gender equality
travellers keep returning to Intrepid is because of our commitment to sustainability through their global initiative, Project
and responsible travel. SAMA. Meaning ‘equal’ in the Bahasa
language, Project SAMA aims to raise
Intrepid and climate change Responsible traveller tips awareness around the importance of
When you travel on an Intrepid operated trip, you Before leaving home, take some time to gender equality, as well as raise funds
can relax in the knowledge that we have worked learn about your destination's culture
for projects around the world that
hard to reduce the environmental impact your trip and customs.
makes. For the carbon emissions we can’t avoid, address gender inequalities.
we have calculated and offset them into highly Be mindful of limited resources like
accredited renewable energy projects. And we water, fuel and electricity, and always
don’t stop there. We also offset all the emissions take a carry bag with you.
from our offices around the world and offer our
Avoid venues or activities where animals
travellers the option to offset their flight.
are mistreated.

Being a responsible business Avoid buying plastic bottles.

Being a responsible business is ingrained into who we Use a refillable bottle and
are and what we do. But to keep us in check, we report water purification methods.
every year on our pledge to tackle global sustainability
Dress respectfully and observe
issues like the environment, human rights, labour
local customs related to modesty
standards and corruption. This annual reporting is
a requirement of our ongoing commitment to the
and behaviour. Why is gender equality
United Nations Global Compact and helps us respond Always ask before taking so important?
to ever-evolving world issues. See the responsible someone's photo. Girls in the poorest regions of
business section of our website for more details.
the world are among the most
disadvantaged people on the planet.
They face unique barriers to survival
and development – simply because
they are girls.

Some of the problems:

«« 53 million girls in developing countries are
denied access to an education.

«« Women produce half the world’s food and

work two-thirds of the world’s working
hours, yet earn only 10% of the world’s
income and own less than 1% of the
world’s property.

Some of the solutions:

Travellers making a difference «« For every year girls go to school beyond
grade four, family size reduces by 20%,
We're finding more and more of our travellers are returning home from their child mortality drops by 10%, and wages
rise by 20%.
trip having been moved by their travel experiences. They often want to make a
contribution to the people or places that have had such an incredible impact on «« An increase of only 1% in girls secondary
them, particularly the local Intrepid Foundation-supported projects they've visited. education attendance adds 0.3% to a
country’s GDP.
The Intrepid Foundation was established in 2002, with a mission to invest in vital grassroots projects in
the regions we operate. In 11 years, close to $3 million has been distributed to more than 75 non-profit «« Investing in girls also has significant benefits
organisations in over 25 countries. for their families, communities and entire
countries. Everyone benefits, including boys
If you, like many of our travellers, want to make a contribution to any of these
and men.
projects, you can do so in the knowledge that 100% of your donation goes directly
to your chosen recipient, as all administrative costs are covered by Intrepid. Learn more at:
Learn more about The Intrepid Foundation at: theintrepidfoundation.org intrepidtravel.com/sama

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