Adventure travel with a touch of comfort – they said it couldn’t be done, but that’s exactly what these new trips are all about.
This round-up still sidesteps the beaten track (like all good adventures should) but offers a little extra comfort along the way. With this style of travel, you can expect a little more oomph in your accommodation, private vehicles and more leader-led experiences that really immerse you in a destination.
Comfort trips offer more frills than Intrepid’s Basix and Original trips without all the bells and whistles of Premium. If this sounds like your cup of tea, put these adventures on your radar for 2024.
1. Go up and down the Canadian Rockies in seven days
Seven days and oh so much to see on this new Classic Canadian Rockies trip that takes you along the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper and back again. We’re talking about impossibly blue lakes, rushing glacial waterfalls and maybe even a classically Canadian critter or two like black bears, elk or the elusive moose. Putting Canada’s quintessential sights aside, you’ll go beyond the obvious with special experiences like spending time on an Indigenous medicine walk, finishing your adventure atop Sulphur Mountain and having dinner with an unbeatable view of the Rockies.
2. Dive into local experiences in Morocco
From Casablanca to Marrakech, this Classic Morocco trip certainly covers some ground, but it’s the round-up of included activities that really sets it apart. You’ll travel by camel across the dramatic red dunes of the Sahara to spend the night camping under a blanket of North African stars. Hike through Todra Valley to see how the locals farm their produce and bask in the views of the Atlas Mountains. Dig into local delicacies and homemade meals, then wash it all down with the best mint tea of your life at a local teahouse.
3. Explore the best of mainland Greece
This trip proves there’s more to Greece than the Mediterranean. This eight-day Classic Greece trip will have you hiking along the stunning Menalon Trail, taking a scenic train ride from Diakopto to Kalavryta and eating your way around picturesque Peloponnese. You’ll wander beyond the beaten track to mingle with the people who live there and tuck into traditional Greek wines with a local leader by your side who knows all the good spots.
4. Get to know classic Egypt from a new perspective
Let your experienced guide bring the captivating stories of a time gone by to life as you immerse yourself in the history, grandeur and culture of ancient Egypt without forgoing modern comforts. The best part of this Classic Egypt trip is you get to spend four nights floating along the River Nile on a boat cruise. Watch the day turn into dusk from the sun deck as you enjoy a quintessential experience in Egypt.
5. See shimmering skies and iconic sights in Iceland
Get a front-row seat to nature’s most spectacular show. On the new Iceland’s Classic Northern Lights trip, you’ll make the most of the long winter nights by tracking down the shimmering lights of the aurora borealis. When you’re not stargazing, you’ll be chasing waterfalls and exploring some of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders – from geysers to glaciers.
6. Find more to marvel at in Sydney
From big city lights to mountain delights, spend three days exploring the Best of Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Go beyond the well-trodden side of Sydney to discover the city’s cultural history during an Aboriginal dreaming tour around The Rocks neighbourhood in the shadow of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Then, hit the highway and head out of town. Breathe in the fresh Blue Mountains air and wander along boardwalks and rainforest paths before hopping aboard the Katoomba Scenic Railway – said to be the world’s steepest cable-driven funicular.
7. Refuse to choose between Spain and Portugal
Explore the best of southern Europe alongside a local leader with all the know-how on a Classic Madrid to Lisbon adventure. If the narrow, cobbled streets, colourful architecture with hilltop views and glittering coastlines aren’t enough, the food and wine scene here will really hit the spot.
8. Go on safari to spot Sri Lanka’s iconic wildlife
Get into the depths of national parks and forests on Sri Lanka Safari. You’ll unearth an adventure where you get to know the local wildlife on safaris on land and water. Couple these safari experiences with some exploration on foot, a cruise on a natural lake, delicious local bites and a night spent in an eco-lodge among the sounds of the forest.
9. Learn a thing or two from the pros in Panama
Intrepid’s Classic Panama trip is packed with hands-on experiences that will introduce you to the country’s local culture and teach you a thing or two along the way. Try your hand at a Panamanian cooking class (before getting stuck into the fruits of your labour), see how a sombrero pintao (traditional hat) is crafted and take a mask workshop in Chitre.
10. Answer the call of Spanish food and wine
Everyone needs an east coast Spanish sojourn at least once in this lifetime. This seven-day Classic Barcelona to Madrid trip is a food and culture lover’s dream. It includes a delicious excursion to a cava winery in the heart of the Catalonian wine region, visits to ancient oceanside amphitheatres and all the tapas you can eat.
11. Explore Australia’s highlights
Intrepid isn’t messing around with the aptly named Best of Australia. From the iconic city scenes of Sydney to the country’s incredible Red Centre and to North Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, this trip doesn’t miss a beat. Jam-packed with activities like a Uluru sunset tour, a rainforest river cruise and a cultural Dreamtime walk through Mossman Gorge, this new trip will become a crowd favourite.
Discover these trips and more in our complete collection of Comfort trips. Find out what else is new for 2024 with The Goods.
