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
Only in Alaska can you hike through forests and flower-filled meadows, climb above the tree line to the toe of a glacier, and walk along an ancient icefield that stretches as far as the eye can see. Spanning a mind-boggling 1800 square kilometres (695 square miles), the Harding Icefield trail will quite literally take your breath away. When you’re not crunching over ice, you’ll be kayaking in bays filled with orcas and sea lions, camping deep in Denali National Park and enjoying some good ol’ Alaskan hospitality.
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 fancy resorts, we prefer swapping sun lounges for hiking boots and snorkel sets. On this trip, you’ll trek through 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, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to unwind, whether it’s cooling off with a coconut in local markets, hanging out with villagers or participating in sacred ceremonies. 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 – like cycling the Iron Route, zip-wiring through the treetops in Cortals Valley and hiking to Ransol Ridge for 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. Located 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.
The walls surrounding Lucca’s Old Town, constructed in the 16th century as a defensive structure (replacing the earlier Roman and medieval walls), are one of Italy’s best-preserved examples of fortification. And 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 the country’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 for sweeping valley views and visit sacred tombs seldom seen by travellers. You’ll still get to visit the 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, the (other) Lost City, is one of Colombia’s most significant 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 culture in the historic cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta, spend four days journeying through the rainforest, meeting the spiritual leaders of local Indigenous communities 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
Beyond the thrills of wading through the Virgin River Narrows and weaving through Bryce Canyon’s crimson-coloured hoodoos, there are many opportunities to connect with Utah’s landscapes on a deeper level. On this trip, you’ll explore some of the USA’s most famous national parks while learning about their rich Indigenous history.
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 outdoor activities.
The days are divided into manageable chunks 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.
