Emma took four Intrepid trips in three months and credits her most memorable moments to her local leaders and their unparalleled insights and generosity.
Soft desert sand padded Emma Boughton’s boots as she trekked across the rust-coloured dunes of the Sahara. She was on the first leg of a Women’s Expedition across Morocco. Despite the views that stretched for miles, it was a challenge for the experience not to be mired by the onset of tummy troubles.
This was not the experience Emma had envisioned, but thankfully she was in the hands of Intrepid’s local leader, Hanane.
‘I got quite ill on the third day of the hike,’ explains Emma, who was in the middle of the desert when she took a turn for the worse.’
Behind the scenes, Hanane leveraged her expertise and contacts to find a solution. ‘She managed to get a car so I could go back to the guesthouse at base.’
It can be nerve-wracking to be unwell in an unfamiliar place. Emma credits Hanane with making the experience as positive as possible. ‘She checked in with me regularly over the phone.’ Thankfully, after a day of rest, Emma was able to rejoin the group for the next portion of the trip once they returned to base the following morning.
As a seasoned solo traveller, Emma expects the unexpected while travelling. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Emma grew up between Singapore, Laos and the Netherlands, so she’s no stranger to adventure and has 41 countries under her belt (six of them with Intrepid).
A few years after her first Intrepid trip to Cuba, Emma was keen to see more of the world with like-minded travellers and knowledgeable local leaders.
So she decided to take three months off work to travel with Intrepid. She often visited Intrepid’s website for inspiration on underrated experiences and to consider countries she knew less about but was keen to explore.
‘[This] was a good opportunity to visit places I didn’t feel confident going to by myself, like India. I’m really glad I did it this way.’
She ended up booking four trips; each of them had its own appeal. On the Women’s Expedition to Morocco (where she hiked across the M’Goun Valley and broke bread with Amazigh families) she was keen to tap into her passion for hiking.
Next, she explored Sri Lanka’s several UNESCO sites by hiking, biking and kayaking, as well as venturing into the heart of India’s largest state: Rajasthan. ‘India and Sri Lanka have always been on my bucket list, and I also love kayaking which sparked my interest.’
She finished her world tour by eating and drinking her way around Georgia and neighbouring Armenia. ‘I spent a large part of my undergraduate degree learning about [Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus] which sparked my interest in Georgia and Armenia,’ she says. ‘I am a bit of a foodie and had heard fantastic things about the food and wine in particular.’
While each country introduced Emma to new cultures and perspectives, travelling with Intrepid’s local leaders made a difference.
‘They were all so skilled at bringing people from all life experiences and backgrounds together. They were open and engaging with everyone, taking time to talk to each person individually, sit with different people at meals, and ask them how their accommodation was. They worked to make sure everyone was included in all activities, but also organised separate activities if needed. It’s a testament to the leaders that they’re able to do that.’
In Morocco, while hiking for four days through the outposts of Amejgag, Issoumar, and Agouti, Emma also visited Bou Tharar, a village known for its intricately carved kasbahs that rise above the rugged landscape.
‘[On route to the village] we’d stop in farming areas where locals welcomed us into their homes to drink mint tea and pick different fruits and herbs with children we met along the way,’ she says. Thanks to Hanane, there was no language barrier, as ‘she was phenomenal at communicating and translating with some of the locals to communicate our ideas.’
Leaders added a layer of connection and discovery in every destination and shared their personal experiences of growing up and continuing to live in these places. ‘I got an insight into the destinations but the political and social aspects of each place that perhaps you don’t usually pick up on when travelling.’
This helped Emma feel more at ease in spaces where she felt out of her depth. She recalls how Yaddu made sure the women on the trip to India felt safe by organising women-only carriages on the train.
Leaders added a layer of connection and discovery in every destination and shared their personal experiences of growing up and continuing to live in these places.
Beyond the day-to-day logistics, Emma says that Yaddu also ‘made sure there was ‘Indian magic’ everywhere, including helping her get back an iPad she left behind at a hotel, which he went back for without telling her, and celebrating travellers’ birthdays and anniversaries. ‘He had so many connections and ensured we had a great time despite the heat.’
During her trip to Georgia and Armenia, Emma turned 33. She hadn’t told anyone it was her birthday, but her leader Yulia must’ve noted her birthdate in her booking information. ‘She secretly organised a birthday cake, candles, a bottle of wine and a small present… I thought it was such a beautiful touch.’
Emma says Yulia is the best leader to travel with. ‘She was open to any and all questions and was never offended. She also talked about different places she wanted to try… We went to an incredible cheese restaurant because of this!”
Emma adds that going the extra step is something all her leaders shared. ‘[They] made sure everybody feel comfortable… Another traveller’s luggage didn’t arrive in Sri Lanka, and our leader, Sam, was phenomenal at finding out what was happening.’
When Sam wasn’t tracking down luggage, he was showcasing the history of his country through cultural events. ‘He took us to a family’s house to learn how to make many dishes including coconut sambal and organised a traditional dance show in Kandy, where we met a dancing troupe with a long history of dancing for dignitaries such as from the UN and different royal families.’
Despite being a solo traveller, Emma says she now has a new appreciation for small group trips. ‘I don’t know what magic they’re weaving at Intrepid, but they’re doing something right.’
See the world with a legendary local leader on your next small group adventure.
