Only Intrepid
Sometimes it's the littlest things in our travels that leave the biggest mark on us.
It’s the moments between the mile markers. The serendipity of finding yourself in this place, at this moment, with these people.
Intrepid Travel’s small group adventures bring you into these moments with like-minded travellers and a locally based leader.
Only you. Only here. Only now.Â
Only Intrepid.
Browse experiences
Marrakech is synonymous with sensory overload. But if you slow down and tune in to the everyday rhythm of local life – often found in the souks of the labyrinthine medina and the city’s vibrant main square – a distinctly Moroccan beat emerges.
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Vietnam’s hallowed Halong Bay has a lesser-known neighbour. Sidestep the crowds, swap cruise boats for kayaks and explore the soaring limestone karsts, turquoise lagoons and secluded white-sand beaches of World Heritage-listed Lan Ha Bay.Â
As the sun rises over Kathmandu, the city sits in a quiet stillness – a rarity in these usually chaotic streets. But the halls of Khachoe Ghakyil Ling, a Buddhist nunnery on the city’s outskirts, are loud – it’s time for prayer (and chai).
In the old quarter, markets spring to life at dawn and dusk – punctuating busy days with opportunities to linger over tightly-packed stalls. Shop like a local and lose yourself in the fresh, zingy flavours of banh mi and bun cha. This is street food, Hanoi-style.
Lions and leopards aren’t the only predators that prowl the grassy plains of Kruger National Park. Fortunately, the Black Mambas, the world’s first women-only anti-poaching ranger unit, protect the Big Five from human hunters, while sharing their conservation know-how with safari-goers.
The best homestays make you feel like one of the family. In rural Japan, that includes being put to work in the best way possible – mashing hot, sticky rice together outside to make mochi the traditional way. Appreciating the effort and ritual behind making these treats makes them taste all the sweeter.
The Taj Mahal may have been built to honour an empress, but there’s another testament to the power of women to be found in Agra. Sheroes Hangout is a cafe run by acid attack survivors where, alongside nourishing Indian dishes, they share stories of resilience and harness the power of community.
Iced and milky. Strong but sweet. Sometimes salty, occasionally made with egg. Vietnam’s coffee scene is absolutely buzzing – and it’s not just because of those intense homegrown robusta beans. This is innovative caffeine culture at its mood-boosting best.
Nothing compares to an encounter with a silverback and its family in the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. But when you’ve been briefed by the Gorilla Doctors, the experts working to protect the health of this endangered species, it’s all the more memorable.
The familiar sound of spoons clinking against china. The hum of cheerful chit-chat. That first bite of a crumbly chocolate cake. Vienna’s coffee houses are a cosy and comforting cultural marvel – even UNESCO agrees. But at one special cafe staffed by Austrian pensioners, the caffeine hits different.
An under-the-radar alternative to Peru’s busiest trek, the newly-expanded Quarry Trail takes in the same soaring Andean peaks, equally epic ruins and the classic Machu Picchu finale. With more opportunities to connect with local communities and far fewer crowds, this is the true definition of off the beaten track.
There’s something poetic about masala chai. It’s a symbol of Indian culture and hospitality – and this sweet and spicy blend tastes even better in good company. So stop. Inhale. Take a sip. Share smiles, connect and watch the world go by. There’s no need to rush; as the locals know, good chai takes time.
The ochre-coloured hills of Ounila Valley have inspired creatives for centuries. With dazzling views of Ait Benhaddou – a desert village favoured by Hollywood moviemakers – from its colourful terrace, Taman’Art Space celebrates modern Moroccan art and culture rooted in this region.
From giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies, evolutionary oddities abound in the Galapagos. With a passionate local leader and naturalist guide at your side you’ll spot penguins, marine iguanas and sunbathing sea lions. Learn about vital conservation work and leave feeling like a modern-day Darwin.
We can make all the plans and see all the sights, but sometimes it's the smallest moments in our travels that leave the biggest mark on us. From learning how to make mochi at a homestay in Japan to camping out with an all-women wildlife ranger crew in South Africa, find your moment.