Keen to be active and travel more?
It’s approaching that time of year when we all start thinking about goals. Whether you love New Year’s resolutions or think they’re a fad, there’s no harm in using them to recalibrate and align with who you want to be.
Getting active tops many people’s lists, whether it’s taking an extra gym class or raising your step count. Travel is up there, too – it could be exploring closer to home or finally tackling that trek you’ve been dreaming about for years.
But what if you could combine the two?
Enter Intrepid’s active trips.
Active trips are for people who can’t just take photos of nice landscapes but need to be in them. They’re for travellers who feel most alive at the top of a mountain, rushing through river rapids or freewheeling down a winding mountain pass. Active trips still have the classic Intrepid ingredients – authentic cultural activities, connecting with the locals and delicious food – but you’ll use the power of your arms and legs to get from A to B.
Plus, booking an active trip gives you a fitness goal to work towards – and a fun one at that!
Here are seven trips that’ll get you moving in some seriously beautiful places.
1. Hike to an ancient icefield in Alaska
Trip: Hiking the Great Land of Alaska
Who would’ve thought you could hike through forests and flower-filled meadows, climb above the tree line to the toe of a glacier, and walk along an icefield that stretches as far as the eye can see – broken only by the occasional peak? Alaska does natural beauty on an epic scale.
Spanning a mind-boggling 1800 square kilometres (695 square miles), witnessing the Harding Icefield will quite literally take your breath away. When you’re not crunching over the ice, you’ll be kayaking in bays frequented by orcas and sea lions, camping deep in Denali National Park and enjoying some good ol’ Alaskan hospitality in quirky towns.
2. Dive into Fiji’s tropical landscapes
Trip: Fiji: Hike, Raft & Snorkel
Not a fan of drop-and-flop holidays? Neither are we. While many flock to Fiji for some R&R in plush resorts, we prefer swapping sun lounges for snorkel sets and adventures in seldom-seen spots. On this trip, you’ll trek into the jungle to palm-fringed pools, rumble down rapids in volcanic gorges and take in the views of the Coral Coast from 60-metre-tall sand dunes. When it’s time to relax, you’ll have plenty of chances to unwind whether it’s cooling off with a coconut in local markets, hanging out with villagers or taking part in sacred ceremonial customs. Get ready for the real Fiji.
3. Get your heart-racing in Andorra
Trip: Andorra: Hike, Bike & Raft
Landlocked between France and Spain, tiny Andorra is the perfect example of good things coming in small packages. It might only be 468 square kilometers (180 square miles) – about a third of the size of Los Angeles – but it punches well above its weight when it comes to stunning landscapes.
In winter, it boasts some of Europe’s best ski slopes, but when the snow melts come summer, it offers even more adrenalin-fuelled fun. We’re talking about riding along the ancient Iron Route, zip-wiring through the treetops in Cortals Valley and hiking to Ransol Ridge for sweeping views and epic photo ops.
4. Ride Lucca’s medieval ramparts
Trip: Cycle Tuscany
Say arrivederci to the tourists of Rome and Pisa and ciao to the quieter streets of provincial Italy. Tucked away in Tuscany at the foothills of the Apuan Alps, Lucca is a well-preserved medieval city with all the restaurant-lined alleys, grand piazzas and impressive churches of Italy’s most famous cities – but with a fraction of the crowds.
Constructed in the 16th century as a defensive structure (replacing the earlier Roman and medieval walls), the walls surrounding Lucca’s Old Town are one of Italy’s best-preserved examples of fortification. Our favourite way to explore? On two wheels. Circle the ramparts, uncover the history hidden between the walls and enjoy a picnic of local Tuscan produce overlooking the city.
5. Take the trail less travelled in Peru
Trip: Inca Trail Express
When we say ‘Peru’, does your mind jump to the Inca Trail? It may be the Pachamama of Peru’s treks – and don’t get us wrong, it’s incredible – but if you’re keen to veer off the well-worn path and do something a little different, the Quarry Trail could be just the ticket.
Kicking off in Choquequilla, a small ceremonial site where Incas worshipped the moon, trek to a remote community near Qory Song’o Hill, where you’ll have sweeping views of the valleys and visit sacred tombs that have been seen by few travellers. You’ll still get to visit the iconic Lost City of the Incas, AKA Machu Picchu, after the trek, but the Quarry Trail helps reduce the impact of overtourism and spread the benefits to more Andes communities. Win, win.
6. Trek to Colombia’s Lost City of Teyuna
Trip: Lost City Trekking in Colombia
The ancient city of Teyuna, AKA the (other) Lost City, is one of Colombia’s most important archeological sites. Hidden in the Sierra Nevada mountains among dense jungle, the ruins are a testament to the rich culture and architectural mastery of the prehispanic Tayrona civilisation, which predated the Incas. The site was off-limits to travellers for many years and remains off the tourist radar… for now.
The only way to get to Teyuna is on a multi-day trek. After diving into Colombia’s colourful culture in the historic cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta, spend four days journeying deep into the rainforest, meeting the spiritual guide of a local Indigenous community and sleeping in mountain camps featuring natural pools. This is a digital detox at its best.
7. Uncover Navajo history in Bears Ears National Monument
Trip: Hiking Utah’s National Parks
Ready to experience the rugged beauty of Utah’s national parks? Beyond the thrills of wading through the famous Virgin River Narrows and weaving through Bryce Canyon’s crimson-coloured hoodoos, Intrepid invites you to dig a little deeper. On this trip, you’ll explore some of the USA‘s most famous national parks while learning about the rich Indigenous history they hold. Watch the landscape of Bears Ears National Monument come alive on a guided hike with an expert Navajo guide. Listen to stories that have been passed down for generations, visit sacred Indigenous sites, and learn about the region’s diverse wildlife, plants and geology.
How fit do you need to be for an active trip?
The beauty of Intrepid’s active trips is that you don’t need to be super fit to join. Anyone with a moderate fitness level will get by with no trouble. Ultimately, they’re designed for people who want a different perspective of a destination through heart-pumping activities in the great outdoors.
The days are divided into manageable sections with rest and photo stops, and there’s plenty of free time to relax or do your own thing. On Intrepid’s cycling trips, you can also hire an e-bike, which is a great way to save energy for more adventures off the saddle.
Ready for a trip that takes you places and pushes your limits? Explore Intrepid’s multi-active, cycling and hiking trips for a unique way to travel.
