intrepid travel or g adventures

Travelling Without a Passport

G Adventures vs. Intrepid Travel: Which Operator is Right For You?

Thinking about booking a world-class tour but hitting a roadblock when choosing between two operators who offer seemingly similar trips? Both  Intrepid  and  G Adventures  have spectacular selections of tours to choose from, but how do you choose between them? Here’s a side-by-side glance at both operators.

Group size, age requirements and travel styles

Both operators offer a variety of trips that adhere to different travel styles. 

G Adventures  offers tours to independent travellers aged 18 and up. There are no upper age limits on most tours, but they do have YOLO tours that are restricted to 18 to 39-year-olds based on the nature of activities appropriate for that demographic.

Their Family Adventure travel style has tours available to families with children aged 5 to 17. All other trips (with the exception of YOLO) are open to kids aged 12 and older when accompanied by a parent. The average G Adventure tour has 10 people on a tour but allows a maximum of 15.

G Adventures also has a partnership with National Geographic (called National Geographic Journeys) and offer trips that can be considered premium excursions. These trips offer more inclusions, interactions with local experts, comfortable accommodations and transportation options as well as smaller group sizes.

Intrepid   also allows travellers under the age of 18 on their tours, so no worries about having to leave your 15-year-old sister behind on your Euro-trip.

Similar to G Adventures, Intrepid offers Family Adventure styles of travel that have a range of minimum ages depending on the destination and level of difficulty. While most trips are available to travellers 15 years old and up, all travellers under the age of 18 must have an adult accompany them. 

Intrepid does have a youth-orientated trips called 18 to 29s, which is similar to G Adventure’s YOLO tours in that the tours are available only to 18 to 29-year-olds and are budget-friendly. Other than the 18 to 29 tours, there is no maximum age limit on most tours.

The average Intrepid tour has 10 travellers but allows up to 16 on overland trips but most max out at 12 people. They have some trips that allow up to 24 travellers. Intrepid offers a premium travel experience with their brand  Peregrine , similar to G Adventure’s Nat Geo Journeys, for travellers who aren’t restricted by a budget.

Physical requirements

Both operators offer tours that have stricter physical demands than a typical trip. 

  G Adventures  offers many tours under the umbrella of their Active travel style. These trips vary from trekking to the top of Kilimanjaro, rock-climbing, dog sledding, cycling through China’s countryside and more.

You’ll absolutely need to be in good shape to have the best time possible on these types of tours.  

Intrepid  has their Cycling and Walking & Trekking travel styles that offer tours that require you to be in good physical shape. You can expect to be working your muscles every day on one of these tours!

While Intrepid’s Overland trips don’t focus as heavily on constant physical activity, they do recommend that you are reasonably fit in order to fully participate in this trip style.

Accommodation

G Adventures  rarely have a mandatory single supplement while  Intrepid  steers clear of them entirely.

For solo travellers, both companies will typically match you with a traveller of the same gender to share your room with.  The standard of accommodation will vary with both companies depending on the type of trip you decide to take.

For example, nearly all tours will include air-conditioning and heating but if you’re travelling to a rural destination or a homestay you should adjust your expectations for the facilities.

Transportation

Both operators provide a variety of transportation options based on the trips.

G Adventures and Intrepid use a combination of private buses and public transit to get you where you need to go.

In most cases with G Adventures, you’ll be using public transit but both operators offer very similar transportation options.  

Most of Intrepid’s Overland trips have vehicles that come with their own power supply so that you able to recharge your devices on board.  

Destinations

G Adventures  and  Intrepid  offer tours to the following locations:  North America ,  Latin America ,  Polar Regions ,  Central America  &  the Caribbean ,  Europe ,  North Africa ,  the Middle East ,  Africa ,  Asia ,  Australia  and  New Zealand

Intrepid  and  G Adventures  go to many of the same destinations but Intrepid has a larger selection of tours on all continents.

G Adventures  is slightly more affordable for budget travellers with their average price per day sitting at roughly USD $220 .

They keep costs low with the use of exclusions. While their trips always include the highlights of a destination they also leave out some activities you’d considered “can’t miss.” You’ll pay for that separately in addition to the listed tour price.  

Intrepid   can be considered slightly more expensive as their average  price per day costs approximately USD $245 . Why the slight spike in pricing you ask? Intrepid’s tours generally have activities included in your tour price. 

There are many factors that affect the price of accommodations, which either increase or decrease the price of the overall trip. With G Adventures you’ll likely find cheaper rates in their South America destinations and with Intrepid, the same can be said for their Southeast Asia trips. Travellers should compare individual trips to ensure the best price.

Looking for more info? Find reviews for Intrepid Travel here and reviews for G Adventures here .

Days to Come Editorial Team

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Intrepid Travel Review – the Largest “Small Group” Adventure Travel Company

Amar Hussain

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Who Are Intrepid Travel Tours Good For?

Intrepid travel styles, destinations, intrepid australia, intrepid cambodia, intrepid costa rica, intrepid cuba, intrepid egypt, intrepid greece, intrepid iceland, intrepid india, intrepid jordan, intrepid morocco, intrepid peru, intrepid sri lanka, intrepid vietnam, intrepid travel reviews, intrepid travel vs. g adventures, intrepid travel insurance, intrepid promo code, final thoughts.

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Traveling the world is an exciting adventure, but for many, it can be a stressful experience. Worries of safety, navigation, and tackling language barriers can be enough to put off many travelers, especially if you’re considering going solo.

Intrepid has been operating small group tours for over 30 years and is one of the major leaders in the industry. You can choose from over 1,000 tours to 100 destinations, selecting the comfort level that suits your budget and travel style. You’ll be guided throughout your journey — right from the point of booking — with advice on visas , currency, and other essential trip information .

Intrepid has been a fully carbon-neutral company since 2010 by investing in projects that actively reduce CO2 emissions. So you can feel safe in the knowledge that you’re traveling as green as possible while embarking on your adventure. Intrepid small group tours usually accommodate up to 16 people but tend to have an average of around 10.

Solo Travelers

Most of us have been in a situation where we’ve been desperate to go traveling, but none of our friends or family are in the position to go with us. You’re then left with the dilemma of going it alone or missing out on the experience altogether. Thankfully, that’s where a small group tour can help.

Even though you’re traveling solo, you’re never really alone on an Intrepid tour. There are rarely single supplement rates as you’ll buddy up with another traveler of the same gender. Of course, you still have the option to upgrade to your own room if you would like to.

Friends or Groups

Joining a tour with a group of friends is great if you like the idea of spending time with them while also being open to mixing with other people. No one likes being the organizer, so joining a small group tour eliminates the pressure from 1 person having to book everything and manage payments. You’re all equal participants on an Intrepid tour.

If you’re traveling with children under 17 , you’re welcome to join a family tour. Let someone else do the organizing and navigating so that you can enjoy the experience of traveling with your family . An Intrepid family tour can be a fun and educational experience for your child and can help them gain confidence by interacting with new people.

Hot Tip:  You might have a long flight or some lengthy road trips to contend with. Prepare yourself with some entertainment by checking out the best podcasts and audiobooks for travel .

If you’re on a budget or believe that a hotel is simply somewhere to rest your head for the night, a Basix Tour could be for you. This tour style focuses on simple accommodation (such as camping or homestays) and lots of free time, so you’re not spending money on excursions that you have no interest in.

Original Tours combine tourist-class accommodation (2- to 3-star hotels) with local and private transport. There’s a blend of planned excursions and independent exploration , suiting those travelers looking for a balance between guided local knowledge and free time.

Comfort Tours feature more comfortable and unique accommodation with more frills than the Basix and Original Tours. Private transport is used throughout, and these tours run at a slower pace with exploration and activities usually led by a guide.

Intrepid Travel Tour Themes and Destinations

18 to 29s tours.

As the name suggests, these tours are specifically for those that fall into the 18- to 29-years-old age bracket and tend to cover the highlights of a destination with lots of free time. With around 10 people per tour, there are plenty of opportunities for making friends , while also allowing you to explore independently if you prefer.

Hot Tip: Contiki is a similar tour company that caters to young travelers in a similar age bracket —  18 to 35 years old. Some tours can accommodate much larger groups, upwards of 50 people. Read more about the tour types and destinations in our Contiki review !

Adventure Cruising

Adventure Cruises accommodate less than 50 passengers  so the ships can explore places that large cruise liners can’t reach. Groups are large enough to socialize with various travelers but are small enough to feel that your arrival on land doesn’t swarm a destination impacting that local experience.

Hot Tip: Our ultimate cruise vacation packing checklist helps ensure that you have everything you need to be dressed for any occasion.

Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours are an excellent way to enjoy the journey and the destination , peddling along with incredible views and authentic encounters. Each tour has a physical rating , so you can determine whether the trip is right for you, and includes a tour leader and support vehicle.

Hot Tip: If you’re an adventure seeker, you’ll want to pack all of the essentials for your next active vacation.

Family Tours

Family Tours consist of family-friendly activities and accommodation mixed with flexible free time. Your tour leader will be specifically trained in family travel with groups accommodating 3 to 5 like-minded families.

Food Tours will give you a true flavor of some of the world’s most famous culinary destinations . Discover fresh food markets and local restaurants, or try your hand at a cooking class.

Lonely Planet Experiences

Intrepid has partnered with Lonely Planet to provide exciting tours for adventurous and independent travelers. Seek out the mountain gorillas of Uganda or ride the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. You’ll have a knowledgeable local leader and can read all about the destination before your trip with 12 months of free access to the Lonely Planet app .

Hot Tip:  Tours often include a fair bit of walking to see the sights, so you’ll need a good pair of hiking boots or shoes . 

Polar Tours

They may be polar opposites, but the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic have 1 thing in common — they’re both incredible destinations. Look out for polar bears and the Northern Lights in the Arctic and kayak among breaching whales in the Antarctic. Exploration ships have modern amenities , and expert leaders hold interesting seminars and guide travelers on exciting excursions.

Hot Tip: One of our writers sailed to Antarctica on a trip booked through Intrepid .

Retreats are short breaks that could be just a short drive or flight from your home, where you live and explore as the locals do . All retreats feature 1 accommodation, so you’ll only have to unpack once with all your free time spent immersing yourself in the local community rather than traveling.

Other Tour Themes

• Active Adventures
• Expeditions
• Short Breaks
• Tailor Made
• Urban Adventures
• Walking and Trekking
• Women’s Expeditions

Hot Tip:  Avoid the temptation of pickpockets and keep your hands free to explore with these crossbody bags and purses . 

Intrepid Travel offers over 1,000 tours to over 100 countries within these continents and regions:

• Antarctica/Arctic
• Australia and Oceania
• Central America
• Middle East
• North America
• South America

Intrepid Travel Top Tours

From lush rainforests and glistening beaches to baron deserts and cosmopolitan cities, Australia is a country of contrasts. Every region is uniquely different, and due to the sheer size of the country, it’s unlikely that you’ll get to see everything in a single trip. Most tours stick within a particular region . You could be snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, heading out to Kangaroo Island, or exploring the vineyards of the Margaret River.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, most meals, and some excursions

Hot Tip:  As flights are not included in the tour price, you may want to check out the best ways to fly to Australia with points and miles

The Cambodian people are the country’s shining stars. Incredibly friendly with smiles all around, this inspiring nation has risen from the 1970s bloodshed of the Khmer Rouge and welcomes visitors with open arms. It’s an unforgettable moment seeing the sunrise over Angkor Wat or spotting a rare freshwater dolphin swimming along the Mekong Delta.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, some meals, and most activities

With an ecotourism scene , farm-to-table restaurants, and unspoiled natural surroundings, it’s not surprising that Costa Rica’s motto is “Pura Vida” – the pure life. Spot toucans in the mysterious cloud forests, try your hand at a surf lesson, or glide through treetop canopies on a zipline adventure. There is so much to see and do in Costa Rica , and with a tour, you can let someone else do the driving.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, and some activities

Hot Tip:  Intrepid tours use locally run guesthouses, homestays, and restaurants to support local communities rather than large chains.

When you think of Cuba, you think of colorful colonial buildings, vintage cars, and turquoise waters. But there is so much more to see apart from the vibrant capital Havana and its beautiful beaches. Head out to Vinales to tour a traditional tobacco plantation or enjoy some salsa dancing in historical Trinidad.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, and excursions

Egypt is a land of ancient wonders with a history as long as the Nile itself. Marvel at the magnificent pyramids and bargain for souvenirs in the bustling bazaars of Cairo. Sail down the River Nile on a traditional felucca and discover the ancient city of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, excursions, and some meals

Discover the ancient ruins of Athens before crossing the Aegean to island-hop your way between the beautiful Greek islands. Weave your way around the cute whitewashed houses of Santorini or explore the clifftop ruins of Delphi. Greece is also renowned for its nightlife , whether you’re looking for a quiet bar to watch the sunset or a club to dance into the early hours.

From bubbling hot springs to mountain glaciers, and lush green landscapes to frozen waterfalls, Iceland’s diverse landscape is one of the main attractions that draw visitors to the land of fire and ice. That and the prospect of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon or simply chat with locals in Reykjavik or any of the friendly coastal towns.

India captivates many visitors with its thriving culture, historical sights, wild beaches, and wildlife. The busy cities and sometimes intense atmosphere prevent many from venturing to India independently, and taking a tour can alleviate the pressure . If you love exploring temples, then you’re in for a treat as India has millions.

Soak up the history of the Silk Road, explore the mysterious deserts of Wadi Rum, and visit the magnificent ruins of Petra. Jordan is a haven for history buffs and adventurers alike . For a more relaxed pace, travelers can watch an Arabian sunrise from their Bedouin camp or float in the mineral-rich Red Sea, enjoying every minute of the famous Jordanian hospitality.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, and some meals and excursions

Wander around chaotic and colorful Marrakesh before changing up the scenery with a trip into the Atlas Mountains where you can hike and visit a Berber village. Amble across the Sahara Desert by camel to reach your Bedouin camp or enjoy yoga or surfing in the coastal towns of Essaouira and Taghazout.

Hike within the Andes to reach Machu Picchu — the most well-preserved archeological site for ancient Incan civilizations. Although these mountain ruins are the most visited attraction in Peru , there is so much more to this incredible country. Tours will take you to the unique islands of Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, and deep into the Amazon Jungle in search of black alligators.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, meals, and porters (guided hike)

Hot Tip:  Mosquitoes and other biting bugs can be found all over the world. If you prefer to steer clear of DEET-based repellents, take a look at the best natural insect repellents to help protect you.

Due to its modest size, you can see a lot of Sri Lanka in a small space of time . Not that a trip to this enchanting country should be rushed. Savor your journey around the ever-changing landscapes, from the vast plains of the north, the rocky mountains and rain forests of the center, and beautiful beaches framing most of the rugged coastline. See the largest gathering of Asian elephants or go in search of the elusive leopard. The food is delicious, the culture is captivating, and the people are friendly.

• Includes transportation, accommodation, and some excursions and meals

All who visit Vietnam are blown away by its natural beauty . Watch farmers harvest rice from the colorful fields or sail around the towering limestone rocks of Halong Bay. The powdery white beaches of Phu Quoc Island are glorious, and wondrous waterfalls and caves make for fantastic photo opportunities. If variety is what you’re after, that is exactly what you’ll get visiting Vietnam. One minute you’re negotiating swarms of motorcycles crossing the road in Hanoi and the next your rafting peacefully down the rivers of Ninh Binh.

Hot Tip:  Find out the best ways to fly to Vietnam with points and miles . Currently, there are no direct routes from the U.S. to Vietnam, but with Vietnam Airlines recently receiving the required Air Carrier Permit, this could be on the horizon.

Intrepid Travel is well-reviewed across many of the major review sites. Many customers have recently taken to these sites to negatively review Intrepid’s cancellation and refund policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Trustpilot : 2.8 out of 5
• TourRadar : 4.6 out of 5
• Facebook : 4.9 out of 5

These are some reviews from Intrepid’s most popular tours, and more can be found on the individual destination pages :

Great Ocean Road Adventure ex Adelaide “Great little trip from Adelaide to Melbourne if you’re short on time and want to see the Great Ocean Road. The guide was excellent and the itinerary packed a lot in!” — Kaitlyn

Cambodian Traveller “A good introduction to the country stopping at the main points of interest. Would highly recommend Intrepid as its a well organized operation which takes the difficulties out of traveling in a less developed country where you don’t speak the language. The tour guide was a great help, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and kind. A great trip.” — Imogen

Classic Costa Rica “This has been my third trip with Intrepid. As usual I enjoyed it immensely. This trip deserves additional high praise. Their guides as usual are top class, very knowledgeable and approachable. They show not only in words but actions, how looking after the environment is a major part of Intrepids policy.” — John

Hola Cuba – for US citizens “The Hola Cuba Trip For US Citizens is an excellent introduction to Cuba, it’s people and their culture. The trip provides glimpses into the urban cultures of Habana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos while also allowing travelers to see the quieter lives of those in Viñales and Las Terrazas. Our guide Andy was very knowledgeable of the history a culture of his homeland and did an amazing job of sharing the beauty of Cuba through experience and storytelling. I absolutely recommend this trip for travelers thirsty to learn about Cuba and its people.” — Jason

Egypt Experience “Our group traveling in Egypt was a group of 10- a perfect number. Our leader was mature, very knowledgeable, organized, and treated us all with respect. He did not hover over us and gave us information to make decisions. To visit the antiquities of Egypt was amazing and we had plenty of time to absorb these awesome sites. Our visit to a Nubian village and share a family meal was special. This trip is highly recommended.” — Margaret & Tom

Sail Greece: Santorini to Mykonos “Our sailing adventure true Greek islands was an unforgettable experience! If You love sailing and want to see a real beauty of Greece this trip is for you. Swimming and snorkeling in turquoise water, cave exploration, hiking, beautiful sunsets, sunrises and delicious food are all guaranteed. Great mixture of adventure, relaxation and fun. We also had the best skipper ever, Rita. She was so friendly and knowledgeable. Took the best care of us.! Unbelievable woman with a great personality. She shows us so many beautiful places that we couldn’t even imagine. The boat was way over 10 years old, not 5 as in booklet. All through we had a great trip with great people :)” — Marcin

Northern Lights Escape “I had huge expectations of Iceland. My 6 day Intrepid small group tour (9 of us), met them all. Stefano, our guide, was fantastic – funny, knowledgeable and took great care of us. The itinerary allowed us to see and experience all the amazing highlights of Iceland, and more, even though we didn’t luck out with the aurora. Our tour was early March, so everything was white. I’d do it all again in a flash, and will return and do it in summer, too! I highly recommend Intrepid. Just do it!” — Margi

India’s Golden Triangle – For Solo Travellers “This trip was fantastic! I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t done anything like this before but I’m so glad I booked it. All the hotels were of a good standard as were the tours and transport. Shakti was a fantastic tour leader as was the group I travelled with. I will cherish the memories of this trip forever. I can’t wait to book another trip!” — Chantal

Trek Jordan “Great trip. Ticked all the boxes I was looking for. Loved floating in the Dead Sea and the accommodation there was outstanding. Petra was awesome, especially the trek to the Monastery. That was a great day. Loved trekking Wadi Rum too. What a landscape – no wonder they used it for “The Martian” and other movies. And our guide Muhammad was brilliant – couldn’t have asked for better!” — Robert

Best of Morocco “Intrepid provided an authentic and special experience. I knew my money was going to the people who needed it most. Due to Intrepid’s dedication to providing socially and environmentally conscious tours, the tour drew a unique, like-minded group of people who shared similar values and an appreciation of diverse cultures and the environment. This, along with the exceptional tour guide, are why I will continue to travel with Intrepid in the future. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime!” — Penelope

Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu Extension “This may not be the Inca Trail, but it is still beautiful and cultural. To stand in the Andes and listen to the silence, there are no words. It is still pristine as you wander up through farming communities and then on to the highlands. The waterfall is rather spectacular also and of course Machu Picchu itself. If you are lucky enough to have Kleberth Ovalle as your guide, you will leave much enriched.” — Deb

Cycle Sri Lanka “A wonderful experience to cycle through the country, meeting the local communities and sampling the local food. Some days the terrain was challenging and I was pleased I had an e-bike! Our guide Dodan was enthusiastic, well informed and always went above and beyond the call of duty. A great holiday and one I would thoroughly recommend.” — Heather

Vietnam Express Northbound “This trip gave an excellent overview of Vietnam. The presence of a guide made navigating a country with such a different language and culture to ours much easier. The transport was safe and well organised. Hotels were well situated and clean. We had plenty opportunities to explore on our own but there was always plenty of advice offered about places to avoid.” — Carol

Intrepid Travel and G Adventures are very similar in their product offerings, both offering a wide range of destinations and tour types. Intrepid has over 1,000 tours to over 100 counties , so it does exceed G Adventures’ 700 tours if the range is a factor for you.

Price-wise, both operators are pretty much on par with each other , but if you are comparing a similar itinerary, do check what inclusions are featured as some Intrepid packages include more bang for your buck than G Adventures.

Travel insurance is mandatory when traveling on an Intrepid tour, and your tour leader will need to see documentation before you set off. Although Intrepid doesn’t offer travel insurance, it recommends booking through World Nomads .

Intrepid recommends that your travel insurance covers you for:

• Medical expenses and emergency repatriation
• Personal liability
• Cancellation
• Curtailment
• Loss of luggage and personal effects

Hot Tip:  Don’t get overwhelmed with the variety of travel insurance options available! We’ve created an ultimate guide to buying the best travel insurance to help simplify the process. You may also have travel coverages and benefits offered by your credit card .

While it’s unlikely that you’ll find Intrepid Travel promo codes on third party websites, Intrepid does frequently feature offers for specific destinations or tours that need a push. You’ll also find that booking well in advance can provide savings of 10% to 15% . No promo codes are required to obtain these deals; just visit the Travel Deals page on the Intrepid website.

The heart of Intrepid Travel is in its tour leaders — friendly locals, born and bred in the countries you’re discovering. Who better to show you around? Intrepid’s are some of the best in the industry and are consistently praised in customer reviews for the knowledge and personality they bring to the table.

If you’re thinking about your first tour, or have traveled with another tour operator before, don’t hesitate to give Intrepid a go. You’ll have the most extensive choice of tours and destinations of any operator and the comfort of knowing that you’re traveling with a company committed to having a positive impact on the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is intrepid travel a good company.

Intrepid Travel is well-reviewed across many of the major review sites. Most recently, many customers have taken to these sites to negatively review Intrepid’s cancellation and refund policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But overall, the actual tours are highly reviewed.

Where is Intrepid Travel based?

Intrepid was founded in Australia and has offices in Melbourne, Toronto, London, and New York.

Which is better, Intrepid or G Adventures?

Intrepid Travel and G Adventures are very similar in their product offerings, both offering a wide range of destinations and tour types. Intrepid has over 1,000 tours to over 100 counties, so it does exceed G Adventures’ 700 tours, if range is a factor.

Price-wise, both operators are pretty much on par with each other, but if you are comparing a similar itinerary, do check what inclusions are featured as some Intrepid packages include more bang for your buck than G Adventures.

Are flights included in Intrepid Tours?

Flights are not included in the tour prices you see on the Intrepid website, however, you can book your flights through Intrepid. If you book your flights independently, you need to make sure you arrive in time for your welcome meeting on the first day of your tour.

What age group travels with Intrepid?

All age groups are catered for with Intrepid. 18-29s Tours and Family Tours are the only types that come with age restrictions; anyone else is free to join the other tours. Children over the age of 15 are permitted on most tours, provided they are accompanied by an adult over 18.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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G Adventures vs Intrepid – Tour and Travel Companies Review 2024

G Adventures vs Intrepid?

Updated January 2020

‘G Adventures vs Intrepid Travel?’ Which is best?! If you’re trying to decide between these two similar adventure travel companies, this Intrepid and G Adventures review article should help you come to a decision.

We will be looking at loyalty programmes, cancellation policies, prices, availability, group size and travel style to come to a final conclusion about which adventure travel company is best! G Adventures or Intrepid Travel ?

One of my favourite mottos is ‘Variety is the spice of life.’ It’s no different when I travel. Sometimes I travel solo , sometimes with friends and on occasion, I take a group tour with G Adventures or Intrepid Travel . I have now taken in excess of 6 group tours. 9 of these have been with G Adventures and 2 with Intrepid Travel.

In this article, I will draw upon my extensive personal experience with these two tour companies to review G Adventures and Intrepid Travel helping you to decide if either company is suitable for you and your next adventure abroad!

Find out what other people are saying;

What you can expect from this article...

• 0.1 No time to read the whole article? This is my quick verdict on the G Adventures vs Intrepid, Which is better debate…
• 1 Why take a group tour anyway?!
• 2 What are the Advantages of travelling with either G Adventures or Intrepid Travel?
• 3 Who should Travel with G Adventures or Intrepid?
• 4 Do not book a group tour if you…
• 5.1 G Adventures Review
• 5.2 Intrepid Review
• 6 G Adventures and Intrepid Travels vs World Expeditions
• 7 Intrepid Travel and G Adventures Vs TopDeck
• 8 Intrepid Travel or G Adventures vs Dragoman
• 9 So who wins this review? G Adventures vs Intrepid?
• 10.1 Maldives Dhoni Cruise – G Adventures – 7 days
• 10.2 Which has the most variety of trips, G Adventures or Intrepid?
• 10.3 Which has the most departure dates, Intrepid Travel or G Adventures?
• 10.4 Which has the better loyalty programme?
• 10.5 Which is better for independent travels, G Adventures vs Intrepid Travel?
• 10.6 Which is the most ethical company, Intrepid or G Adventures?
• 10.7 Which company is best overall, G Adventures or Intrepid?

No time to read the whole article? This is my quick verdict on the G Adventures vs Intrepid, Which is better debate…

Whilst both companies are brilliant and I’ve had amazing trips with both, currently I think G Adventures is very slightly in the lead. Both are ethical companies offering a huge variety of styles of trips which are actually very similar. However G Adventures has a better cancellation policy and offers 5% off repeated trips.

If you prefer a slightly more independent trips then the new Lonely Planet Intrepid trips offer more free time and longer in each place to please the more independent travellers.

Are you more of a visual learner, what this video where I explain the differences between G Adventures and Intrepid.

Keep reading to learn more about which group tour company is best, G Adventures or Intrepid?

Why take a group tour anyway?!

For me, the main advantage of group adventure travel is that I can cram a lot into a short time frame which is useful when I’m trying to make the most of limited annual leave. For that reason, group adventure travel companies like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel are great for busy professionals.

There are other advantages of course – it’s nice to have a ready-made set of travel friends and a knowledgeable guide to make sure you get the most out of your trip.

“No road is long with good company.” –  Turkish Proverb (see more travel quotes here .)

If you want to read more about the pros and cons of group vs solo travel check out my article here .

I have travelled with various small group tours in the past but most often with G Adventures and Intrepid Travel . To be quite honest, I would travel with either company again. I’ve had brilliant experiences with both.

However, there are differences and you may choose one over the other for a number of reasons. There may be one which suits YOUR needs better than the other. Today in this G Adventures vs Intrepid Travel review, I will discuss with you what those reasons are and hopefully help you decide which tour company to travel with for your next trip.

If you want to compare these small group adventures to other styles of group travel such as overlanding tours, then read this article; the best group tour companies for single travellers. 

However, if you’ve narrowed it to down to G Adventures or Intrepid Travel , then read on…

What are the Advantages of travelling with either G Adventures or Intrepid Travel?

• Both are internationally renowned companies, G Adventures (formerly known as GAP adventures) operating from Canada and Intrepid from Australia.
• Safety is taken seriously by both companies.
• Both are environmentally conscious, ethical and sustainable – more on that later.
• They contribute to local communities – again we’ll discuss that in more detail in just a moment.
• Both travel with small-ish group sizes. They average about 10 people and have a maximum of 16. Having travelled once with 30 people on a Topdeck trip, I can attest to the importance of small group sizes. I travelled around Europe on a topdeck trip many years ago. Whilst I had fun, I did often feel like we were herded cattle with over 30 of us on the coach!
• Both focus on authentic local experiences and getting off the beaten track. So you’ll often find some of the trips will include a homestay or a village tour. Places and activities which may not be in the guidebook but give you a much better feel for ‘real life.’
• Both will offer a mixture of included and optional activities so you will have plenty of free time should you want it.
• Both offer different levels of comfort so you can choose a level suited to your travel style.
• Both offer a huge variety of trips from sailing in the Maldives to spotting lions in Kenya .

If you are a bargain hunter, check out the sale prices here…

Who should Travel with G Adventures or Intrepid?

I cover this more in the article Group or Solo Travel – the good, the bad and the ugly . But basically, consider a small group trip with either of these companies if;

• You are seeking an off the beaten track adventure – not just staying in the big cities seeing the obvious landmarks.
• You like the company of others.
• You can be fairly flexible and are willing to compromise. You may not always get your choice of restaurant to eat in but you do always have the option of going alone if the group are doing something you don’t want to!
• You don’t get easily irritated by the habits of others.
• You are looking to pack a lot into a short period of time.
• You prefer travelling with others
• You feel too apprehensive to travel alone.
• You don’t have time to plan your own route and you want the convenience of a local guide who can tell you what are the best places to visit or the best places to eat.

Do not book a group tour if you…

• Generally, prefer being alone.
• Want the flexibility to stay somewhere longer when it takes your fancy!
• You are on a very tight budget. Whilst these tours are fairly priced, it is sometimes cheaper to travel alone (but not always!) You are paying for the convenience, the guidance and the luxury of having ready-made travel friends without the need to go looking for them! However, there are exceptions when group tours work out cheaper as they can often secure bulk deals. It really depends on your standard of travel and how many activities you want to do. If you want hotel rooms instead of dorms, decent meals out and activities every day, tours can actually work out cheaper as I have often found out in the past!

So let’s look at G Adventures vs Intrepid

G adventures review.

( formerly known as GAP adventures )

Types of travel with G Adventures

G Adventures offers various styles of travel so you can tailor your trip to your needs or preferred type of travel. G Tours currently include;

• 18-39 travel – if you want to hang out with people your own age.
• Active travel – more of a focus on activities such as kayaking, cycling and hiking. Best for those with a good level of fitness who want to keep active on their holidays.
• Classic travel – a mixture of included and optional activities.
• Private group travel – the trip planning and expertise without the strangers.
• Rail travel – where the predominant mode of travel is train such as some of the amazing rail trips in India or how about the Trans Siberian Express?
• Marine travel – sailing trips where you can expect lots of snorkel stops as well as stops at beaches and towns to explore on land. I absolutely fell in love with this style of travel when I went sailing in The Maldives with G Adventures .
• Local Living – there is less travelling involved with these trips. You may even stay predominantly at one location and take day trips from there. Some trips move between accommodations but there is less time on the road than on classic trips which cover more ground. Great for getting to know the area well and from a more local point of view.

• Family travel – trips for families. The children will have friends to explore with and will benefit from learning about other cultures, religions and traditions at a young age.
• Jane Goodall Collection trips – These trips are focussed on wildlife and are endorsed by international primatologist Dr Jane Goodall so you know they are ethical and sustainable with the wildlife’s best interests at heart.
• National Geographic trips – these are even more hands-on with insider access and tend to include upgraded accommodation and have more included extras.

I’ve taken several types of G Adventures trips including most recently the Sri Lanka Encompassed Classic Tour and these days my personal favourite G tours are the classic trips and marine adventures.

The classic trips have upgraded accommodations and attract people of a wider age range usually between mid 20’s and 60 ish with the average age about 30-35. I’m 33 so this suits me perfectly!

If you want to make sure you’re hanging out with people your own age, choose a G Adventures 18-39’s holiday . National Geographic G tours tend to attract older and more affluent groups.

There really is a trip type suitable for everyone with G Adventures!

The marine trips (small group sailing or cruising) attract a similar range like classic trips but I love how relaxed they are and I enjoy not having to pack up every few days! Why not read my Maldives G Adventures review next?! (There are other G Adventure reviews which may interest you towards the end of this article!)

G Adventures stance on sustainability

G Adventures take responsible travel really seriously and make the social and environmental welfare of the countries they visit an absolute priority.

They have a not-for-profit partner Planeterra which helps to empower local people to develop their communities and run over 50 enterprises worldwide. They target women, at-risk youths in rural and indigenous communities. I’ve visited many of these and I’ve always felt they were making a significant positive impact on the local communities.

G-Local – G adventures commitment to working with small locally owned businesses rather than multinational companies who let’s face it, are rolling in it already and do not need your money!

G Adventures have also made a commitment to animal welfare. They have adopted guidelines in association with the British Travel Agents in Conjunction with the Born Free Foundation.

Guaranteed departures – a great plus point if you choose G adventures. The trip is guaranteed so you will be going exploring. No excuses.

Where G Adventures is better than Intrepid

• They have more departure dates – some trips depart every single day!
• The price, in my experience, then to be slightly less for G adventures than Intrepid.
• If you cancel, there is a lifetime guarantee. This means the deposit you paid in will be kept back so in the future you can use it towards another trip of your choosing! Good to know it’s not money down the pan!
• 5% discount off subsequent trips if you fill in a feedback form

Disadvantages with G Adventures

• There is fractionally less choice than with Intrepid Travel. This has changed recently as G Adventures used to have more programmes than Intrepid.

Intrepid Review

(also known as Intrepid Travel)

Types of trip offered by Intrepid Travel

Intrepid offers more activity themed holidays such as

• Cycling Holidays.
• Foodie breaks – where the emphasis is on street food, local delicacies and cooking workshops.
• Adventure Cruising – Smaller than your average cruise ship so you can reach smaller ports and get further off the beaten track
• Sailing trips – small sailboats with a mixture of snorkelling and island visits.
• Walking and trekking trips
• Polar expeditions – take a walk on the wild side and go searching for polar bears and stunning scenery!
• Wildlife trips – where the focus is on safari or wildlife watching.
• Festivals – where the trip centres around a big festival such as Rio Carnival.
• Overland trips – travel by truck and camp overnight. These trips tend to be quite hands on – everyone works as a team.
• Short breaks – 2-5 days. This would be perfect to start your trip until you get your confidence and are happy to travel alone.
• Urban adventures – the best way to see a city if you’re short of time. These 1-day trips ensure you see as much as possible in a short timeframe.
• Family trips – like G Adventures, Intrepid also offers family trips where your children can make friends AND experience a new culture!
• Expeditions – a new addition to Intrepid trips. These help you get completely off the beaten track in more adventurous trips – See the Burma Ice mountains or hang out with the Nenet tribe in Siberia! There are also women-only expeditions into countries which are culturally sensitive about gender and where it may be an advantage to travel as a group of women only in order to interact more fully with the community (such as in Iran for example.)
• Lonely Planet trips which offer more free time than traditional group trips suitable for the more independent travellers.

I have taken both overlanding trips in Africa and sailing trips with Intrepid Travel. You can read my Thailand sailing Intrepid Travel review here. Again, there are more Intrepid Travel reviews towards the end of the article which may interest you!

Intrepid’s stance on sustainable travel

Intrepid has invested $5 million into grassroots projects worldwide. Grassroots essentially means projects which allow the community to help themselves – similar to G Adventures Planaterra scheme.

Intrepid has been a carbon neutral business since 2010 – they have 1400 carbon offset trips!

Intrepid stand by their principles . They were the 1st tour company to ban elephant rides on their tours and have removed orphanage visits as a means to help contribute to child protection.

Intrepid also has a charity called The Intrepid Foundation . Intrepid covers ALL of the admin costs so your money goes directly to the cause. Also, they match every donation you make and fund projects worldwide.

Where Intrepid is better than G Adventures

• There are generally more options and variety of tours with Intrepid including more activity-based tours.
• They tend to have slightly smaller group sizes.
• They’ve recently introduced Lonely Planet Tours with more spare time in each place suitable for people who want a balance between group activities and their own space and time to explore.

Disadvantages of an Intrepid Trip

• They are slightly less flexible on departure dates but most trips will depart once a week or once a fortnight, some more frequent.
• They are slightly more expensive though this is often marginal.
• They have sadly recently removed their loyalty programme

G Adventures and Intrepid Travels vs World Expeditions

I haven’t travelled with world expeditions since I was 17 (a trip organised through my 6th form college to Belize.) Unlike G Adventures and Intrepid where I have taken 10 trips.

However, I have taken a good look at their website and from what I can see, the trips there are significantly more expensive. Such as their 2 week Sri Lanka tour which is twice the price of G Adventures equivalent tour. For this reason, I suspect that World expeditions may attract a slightly older audience.

Intrepid Travel and G Adventures Vs TopDeck

Unless you are bit of a party animal, I would encourage you to choose Intrepid Travel or G Adventures over Topdeck. I did a Topdeck tour through Europe but found that the emphasis was on drinking instead of sightseeing.

I remember one day when we were in Venice, the Topdeck group insisting we went back to our campsite early as half the group had raging hangovers. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a glass of vino or two, especially when I travel but when a hangover stops me from seeing somewhere I’ve been dreaming about for a while, well that’s probably not the tour for me! Since then I have stuck with G Adventures and Intrepid.

Intrepid Travel or G Adventures vs Dragoman

I think Dragoman definitely has a place in the market and I enjoyed my overlanding trip throughout South America. I do prefer G Adventures and Intrepid in general mainly because they use local guides which are more informative. They give back to the local communities more and the accommodation is more comfortable. That said for places like Africa, overlanding trips such as those with Dragoman can be a real adventure!

So who wins this review? G Adventures vs Intrepid?

In truth, I’m not sure there is a clear winner in the G Adventures vs Intrepid debate. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I do however feel that both companies are superior compared to their other competitors like Topdeck, Contiki, World Expeditions and Dragoman mentioned above.

G Adventures offers more departure dates but Intrepid offers more choice. Both are ethical and sustainable companies delivering high-quality tours and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed whichever you choose!

G Adventures have a better cancellation policy and 5% off repeated trips and since the Intrepid Legends loyalty programme has been scrapped, I would say G Adventures is currently in the lead… slightly! I think whichever company you choose, you will have an incredible time just like I have every time I’ve travelled with G Adventures or Intrepid Travel!

Still not sure which company to choose?! Maybe reading these reviews by other travellers will help…

Check out currently discounted trips  by clicking below ➡️ 

G Adventures  |  Intrepid

Intrepid Travel and G Adventures Reviews…

Here are some G Adventures and Intrepid tours I can personally recommend!

Maldives Dhoni Cruise – G Adventures – 7 days

I spent a week sailing around the Maldives with G Adventures. We spent our days snorkelling reefs, chilling on sandbars and exploring deserted islands. We danced with the locals at a drumming evening and we had dinner under the stars on a beach lit up with candles. It was bliss.

I was always blown away by the attention to detail by the crew. One guy dropped his prescription sunglasses in the ocean. 2 crew went free diving for over an hour, still couldn’t find the glasses so the captain hopped in the dinghy, went to visit another nearby boat to borrow their dive equipment and returned the glasses safely! Now THAT is service!!

Sri Lanka Encompassed – G Adventures – 14 days

This particular Sri Lanka G Adventures trip was action-packed and extremely varied. We trekked through rainforest, relaxed on gorgeous beaches, took safari’s to see leopards and elephants, visited tea plantations, cities and temples. It is definitely one of my favourite countries to visit and this trip comes highly recommended. Read my full review here .

Phuket Sailing Adventure – Intrepid – 7 days

Sailing around Thailand’s islands with Intrepid is a super relaxed way to get about the best snorkel spots, beaches and islands. There are loads of great stops such as Railay Beach and Ko Phi Phi. Read my full Intrepid review here .

Kenya Wildlife Adventure – Intrepid Travel – 8 days

This Intrepid Kenya trip combines culture with wildlife. Stay overnight at a Masai village and visit the iconic Masai Mara as well as plenty of other great wildlife spots along the way! I recommend taking a walking safari at Lake Naivasha.

Galapagos on board the Monserrat – G Adventures – 10 days

The best way to see The Galapagos is by a G Adventures budget cruise and I cannot recommend it enough. From the food to the rooms to the guides – it was all brilliant. But the main highlight is the wildlife – from spotting orcas to swimming with curious sea lions! Read about it here in this G Adventures review ➡️ Galapagos G Adventure review .

  Classic Peru – G Adventures – 10 days

This Peru G Adventures tour combines the main highlights Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. Choose between The Inca Trail or The Lares trek – I personally recommend the Lares trek. Click here ➡️ to read more about The Lares Trek in my G Adventures Lares review or read my detailed Classic Peru G Adventures review .

Indochina Discovery – G Adventures – 30 days

Visits all the main highlights in Thailand, Laos , Cambodia and Vietnam with G Adventures from Angkor Wat to Halong Bay. My favourite though was Luang Prabang in Laos. So much culture and scenery and it’s incredibly peaceful! Kuang Si Waterfalls are the best I have ever seen. Read about my Laos experience here . This trip is a brilliant overview of SouthEast Asia featuring beaches, mountains, coast and culture. Perfect for a mini-sabbatical!

Bangkok to Singapore on a Shoestring – G Adventures – 14 Days

A great combination of rural and city locations. The visit to Koh Samui actually takes you to a really peaceful deserted beach – an oasis of calm on the renowned party island so don’t let the name put you off! This was one of my highlights!

Which has the most variety of trips, G Adventures or Intrepid?

Both companies have a huge variety of styles of trips from 18-30’s adventure trips to more comfortable luxury trips, sailing adventures or camping safaris. Intrepid Travel offers slightly more variety in terms of activity based tours.

Which has the most departure dates, Intrepid Travel or G Adventures?

Both offer frequent departures but G Adventures does seem to offer more departure dates than Intrepid Travel.

Which has the better loyalty programme?

Until recently, Intrepid was winning with their legends loyalty programme but sadly it is no longer. You can get 5% off G Adventure trips with repeated bookings when you fill a feedback form.

Which is better for independent travels, G Adventures vs Intrepid Travel?

Intrepid and Lonely Planet have recently partnered to offer slight more independent trips with more free time to enjoy each location. Look for the Lonely Planet Experiences .

Which is the most ethical company, Intrepid or G Adventures?

Both companies make sustainability and ethics a priority so both win on this score!

Which company is best overall, G Adventures or Intrepid?

My personal favourite so far is G Adventures having taken 9 fantastic trips with them but both companies are great and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either.

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So what are you waiting for? Get booking your G Adventures or Intrepid Adventure! You won’t regret it! I hope you’ve found this review helpful. Click these links to see if any of their trips inspire YOUR next adventure!

Further Reading…

• The Best Group Travel Companies for Singles
• Solo Travel vs Group Travel
• G Adventures Maldives Dhoni Cruise review
• G Adventures Classic Peru Review
• G Adventures Galapagos affordable cruise review
• Intrepid Sailing from Phuket, Thailand Review
• Cambodia and Vietnam G Adventures tour review

Have you been on a G Adventures or Intrepid Travel trip before? What did you think? Or do you have any questions that I haven’t yet answered in this Intrepid and G Adventures review? If so please comment below and I will get back to you ASAP. As always, I really appreciate if you can share this post and help me get the word out about these fabulous adventure companies!

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These group adventure tour leaders need medals – stories from epic group trips., when is the best time to visit iceland find out with this fun quiz, powerful quotes about travelling with friends – perfect for instagram captions, this post has 23 comments.

Great post! I’ve travelled a lot with G Adventures and have always had the best time on the trips. I travel on my own a lot and always want to make the most of my annual leave. Organised trips like these really do take the hassle out of the organisation and when you travel alone you get a bunch of ready-made friends. On the last G trip I did, there was a girl who recommended I check out Intrepid for my next trip to share the love, and I think I will!

I’m glad to hear you’ve had such positive experiences! The intrepid trips I’ve taken were also great! Check out the links above!

I did Morocco with Intrepid and loved the trip. As a couple (2 women), we were by far the oldest people in the group (were in our 40s) and could not have been more welcomed or taken care of. And the on the ground experiences were fantastic. Haven’t done G Adventures but will check them out (we are now even older than the average age by 20+ years!)

I think the age range of both tours is very dependent on the location. Cheaper destinations attract the youngest audience. In South America the average age was about 30 and the oldest were in their 60s. But in se Asia, the average age was about 20 and I was the oldest in my late 20s!

Wow, this blog post is so in-depth and informative. I’ve never done a group adventure tour but I think I would be inclined to go with G Adventures myself.

I’ve heard alot about G adventures (and particularly want to do the Inca Trail) but Intrepid is a company I’d never really heard of, so this was such an insightful post! Particularly great that you have genuine experiences to offer recommendations on for both!

These look interesting. To be honest I have never heard of either. I’m assuming they are US based travel agencies? 🙂 Would be curious to know how this concept would translate in a European market. In any case, I learned a lot from this post already!

Actually G Adventures originates from canada and Intrepid from Australia but they are worldwide companies now. Most people I’ve met on these tours are from Australia, the UK, Europe and some from the US and canada. I’d say I mostly meet other british travellers on these tours.

I’d heard of both of these companies, so it’s great to get an insider perspective on them! Definitely given me food for thought!

That’s what I call a real guide to choose tour companies! I’ve never used any of them, but I loved your review! Definitely going to check them out!

That’s interesting, I have never used any of them but that would be the perfect starting point for anyone. Will check them out, thanks for sharing!

I’ve always wondered about these trips. We’ve recently hit the over 30 mark, so I’m still a bit hesitant but we’re also typically independent travelers. However, I am always interested in trying a new way to travel.

Well to put it in contect, I was on a borneo trip with G adventures last week. There were 2 couples over 50 years. 3 of use between 30-45 a couple in their mid 20’s and 2 19 years olds on a gap year. We were a diverse and brilliant group, I had so much fun!

I haven’t tried G Adventures yet, but know someone who did a tour in India with them recently and loved it. I went with Intrepid to Egypt last year and it was honestly a near-perfect experience that will be hard to top the next time I get out there. Well-planned, great group of people, crazy-informative guide… No complaints other than the trip was too short 😉 Thanks for the rundown on both companies. I knew about the Intrepid loyalty program, but I didn’t know about G’s cancellation policy. Good to know!

Although there are some differences, I would travel again with either! These are definitely the 2 best companies I’ve travelled with!

Hey! I’m thinking of doing the Bangkok to Singapore on a Shoestring and I was hoping to learn more about your experience. Im a 23 yr old woman traveling solo for the first time! Intrepid has the same trip for 19-29 year old so im not sure which to go with? Any advice at all would be great.

Whilst both are great companies, I tend to lean more towards g adventures. This is the tour I did: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2204&awinaffid=427115&clickref=suggested+itinerary+bangkok+to+singapore&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadventures.co.uk%2Ftrips%2Fbangkok-to-singapore-on-a-shoestring%2FATRM%2F It was with g adventures and was d’s brilliant tour leader nice group size, young adventurous group. The average age was mid 20s so would be perfect for you.

HI mate, I’m a 31 year old gp looking to do the indochina in depth with g travel which I believe is an extension of yours but including Myanmar. Was there any must sees on your trip other than the Laos bit u commented on? Particularly with the optional activities. Did u do the elephant sanctuary in chiang mai? I am trying to compare indochina between intrepid and g travel. Have u heard any comparisons for the 2 for indochina?

Thanks for the helpful comparisons. I’m planning to do south America next year so will probably go with G☺

I would say the best part of Laos was visiting Luang Prabang. Its incredible there, definitely go to see Kwang Si waterfalls and try to go early to avoid the crowds. I have an article about Loas you may find useful: https://www.theglobetrottergp.com/backpacking-laos/ I did do the elephant sanctuary but there are several so make sure you choose one which is ethical. Knowing what I know now, I would always avoid riding the elephants. I was much more naive when I was younger. Intrepid is a good company as well and Ive travelled with them a few times. But Ive now taken 9 G Adventures trips which hopefully shows how much I love their trips. I did Indonesia independently but im sure it is just as good as the other trips Ive taken elsewhere in SE Asia. Ive also done a few G advenutre trips in south america and thought they were just as good. Have you read my Peru and galapagos review? https://www.theglobetrottergp.com/g-adventures-review-classic-peru/ https://www.theglobetrottergp.com/g-adventures-galapagos-budget-cruise-review/

I’ve traveled with Intrepid eight times since my first trip to Everest base camp with them in 2015. My ninth trip will be to India in April. I’ve traveled solo everywhere prior to this and truly believe that the relationships one forms on these trips with fellow travelers are one of the kind. At times the pace is fast, but plenty of local and cultural experience. Plenty of free time and adventure. I went to Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, camped through South Africa, Central America, Vietnam and Cambodia with Intrepid. Simply awesome

Wow, you’ll be due your free trip soon with their loyalty programme! Sounds like you’ve had some epic adventures!

The Trip from Hell Avoid Intrepid Travel! My sister and niece recently returned from a tour in Central Asia booked through Intrepid Travel. After about 24 hours of travel, they were not met at the airport nor did they have a room. After getting that straightened out, the next morning they were informed that the vehicle they would be traveling in had no air conditioning. The temperatures were over 100 degrees to about 115 degrees or more. The heat was unbearable and no one inquired about how they were coping or their health. Their welfare was ignored. So they left the tour early so they wouldn’t have to camp in the desert for two nights. The tour leader booked their flights to Istanbul but neglected to tell them they would have to rebook their flights to Los Angeles. Upon arriving at the airport in Istanbul, they were told they couldn’t get on the flight. New tickets cost them $1800 EACH! Intrepid Travel has refused to take responsibility or provide any satisfaction in this matter. BEWARE!

Hi Judyth, so sorry to hear your sister didnt have an enjoyable trip. Ive had nothing but positive experiences with both companies. But its also important to know that most of their trips are not designed to be luxury trips, they are designed to be more adventurous/backpacking style. They offer different levels of comfort on different tiers so there are more luxurious optiosn too) but the shoestring tours are exactly that and personally I wouldnt expect air-con necessarily on those tours. If you get the mid or upper-tier tours, more comforts like air con travel and nicer hotels will be included. Also, flights are not arranged by Intrepid so actually the fact that they arranged even the first leg of the journey is going above and beyond what they would normally offer. These tours are not for everyone, they are certainly more adventurous than some companies but that is what I LOVE about them. There are companies that offer more luxurious trips with more inclusions but they do come with a more luxurious price tag too! Perosnally I feel both companies are brilliant value for money!

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Outdoor Adventures + OREGON Living + Spreadsheets, Always

Intrepid travel & g adventures reviews: good, bad, and how to choose.

Last Updated: September 25, 2020

Tours. There’s a word that gets sneers from backpackers around the world. I never considered going on a “tour” vacation until I started planning for my around the world trip last year. Traveling as a group always conjured up images of bus loads of senior citizens. Or having to follow someone waving a flag or wearing matching yellow hats. However, there are a few companies out there that offer small group adventure travel on a budget. Over the last decade, I’ve went on a half dozen “organized” trips. So here’s a breakdown of what I liked and disliked about traveling with Intrepid Travel , and my G Adventures  reviews (formerly GAP Adventures).

The Good – Pros of Intrepid/G Adventures:

• Built-in travel companions who are starting/ending the same place. One of the fun parts of traveling solo is meeting new people and traveling together. But sometimes–lets face it–you meet really cool people who just came from where you’re going etc.  It’s a total crapshoot on meeting people in hostels. Sometimes you meet someone the first day that you click with. Other times you’ll be somewhere a week, and you don’t always find people who want to go the same places. Organized trips like GAP are great for this aspect. First, a lot of the people who travel on these trips are young professionals, like myself, who like to mix it up with small group adventure travel. Or really interesting older couples, who you would rarely meet at a hostel and are truly unique individuals. You’ll often find like-minded travelers as well. So you can skip the “Oh, uhhh I don’t really like to read, except for magazines” conversations. Typical Intrepid/GAP travelers like to have a good time. But not so good of a time that they wake up at noon and drag their butts to the bus station having missed out on experiencing anything other than the local bar. It also changes the group dynamic to have a mix of ages. After the hostelling “scene” it’s a nice break.
• Safety. As a solo female travel, safety is definitely high on my priority list. Yes, I use some common sense for things like dressing more conservatively, not wandering around at night alone, always knowing how to get back to my hotel etc. But mixing it up with small group adventure travel is like a vacation from your vacation.  It’s great to not have to think about things as much. I did a three week Morocco trip through Intrepid Travel and then stayed on in Marrakech for several days afterward. The difference of being in a group vs solo was HUGE! Having blond hair and blue eyes is going to make you stand out in many countries around the world. But when you’re alone, you get talked to way more (sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing). And followed and in some places — it can be less than relaxing, especially if you’re planning on traveling within the country. A city break is so much different than arriving alone into town on a 11pm train.
• Get off the beaten track. This is one of my main reasons for joining up with an adventure travel company. I wanted to go to Eastern Europe and not just take the train from Budapest to Bucharest to Sofia. When you want to get out of the cities, without recruiting a fellow traveler, small group adventure travel on a budget is brilliant. I really don’t see myself hiking around in the mountains of Bulgaria alone or taking the overnight train to Istanbul solo.  Although I love seeing new cities, give me a week and I’ll be headed back out into nature. Getting out into rural areas and the outdoors gives you a different perspective on countries and people.
• Budget Options. When you typically think of group travel, you think of seniors piling off of a coach and lining up for the bathrooms. Or cruise ship goers who pay 20 times the price to take a bus somewhere a public bus already goes. What’s great about G Adventures and Intrepid is that they have different pricing and comfort levels. Basic is like bottom of the line accommodations (but still nicer than a lot of hostels). Original is a step up with more included items. And they even have Comfort trips, for the very hard to please.  I love how when I’m on a GAP trip we’re traveling just how I would if I was solo. For example, taking the public buses, cheap trains and accommodation etc.
• Sustainable travel has become somewhat of a buzzword recently. But G Adventures and Intrepid are big on helping the local communities and supporting local business. Sometimes when you stay at hostels it feels like you’re just getting recommendations for a lot of expat businesses. Or relying on the Lonely Planet guidebook, and occasionally stumbling upon something truly unique all by yourself. I really enjoyed the local aspect of my trips. Whether it’s hiking with a local guide and having tea with a Berber family in Morocco. Or a home-stay in rural Romania or meeting people who grew up during the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. It’s experiences you would rarely just happen upon on your own.  It doesn’t feel forced either. Because most of these people are genuinely interested in sharing with you what’s going on in their lives. It’s not all Hallmark momenty, but definitely a good time. Helps you think about humanity instead of just hitting the beach and the bar.
• I only have to share this room with one other person? Not 24? I even lucked out and got my own room once! Let’s face it, hosteling for months at a time can get really old. Locking up your stuff, carrying your toiletries to the shower, hopping around on one foot trying to change in the showers. Or being assigned to a smelly 12 bed dorm and being the only female. Tiring of exchanging your ‘travel intro’ a gazillion times. I loved the break from hosteling and having my own room.
• It’s like your own personal Amazing Race and Survivor combined. I guess this could be a con for some. But who hasn’t thought it would be fun to be on the Amazing Race? I find it quite good fun to watch a group dynamic. Although all of my trips have been fairly drama free, there have always been a few hilarious “OMG” moments. ;)
• Do what you want. As I’ve said, it’s your holiday, so you can do as much or as little as you like. I’m one of those people who needs space and solo time. Some days I would wake up early and go wander around town. Other days I would hang out with a few people from my group.
• Discounts. Did someone say discounts? You know when you’re standing in line to buy tickets for something and you see the prices for groups vs solo. Wish you could wrangle up a group of 10 and cash in on that discount? Group trips often include a few big attractions, like the Aya Sophia in Istanbul for my Turkey trip.
• Diversity. We travel to see new things and experience new cultures and meet new people. You’ll meet all kinds of people on your trips. You’ll usually find more Canadians on G Adventures trips since they’re a Canadian company and likewise with Intrepid and Australians. On my trips there have always been a few Americans, Brits, Kiwis, or Germans too.
• No planning required. As mentioned, it’s like taking a vacation from your vacation. Although I love planning and logistics, sometimes lining up transport and hostels and figuring out schedules can be frustrating. This is especially true in countries where everything is on “when it gets here” time. For example, when the road was closed due to flooding in Morocco, we had to backtrack several hours. I wasn’t too bugged. If I’d been alone I would have been second guessing the driver’s motives. And wondering where I was going to stay.

The Bad/Ugly – Cons of Small Group Travel:

• You don’t get to pick your roommate (unless you’re traveling with them). On one trip I was the only single girl so I got my own room.  As luck would have it, on another trip there were 4 of girls in our late 20’s and 30’s and 1 lady in her 60’s. I’m by no means an ageist, but it happens that none of us really hit it off with this lady. So we took turns rotating rooms. It wasn’t a catastrophe, but there was a lot of internal rolling of the eyes on my part.
• You don’t get to pick your tour guide. My guide in China was a nightmare. She was unprofessional, unorganized and even talked about how much work it was and how she didn’t make enough money. I ended up having a great time on my trip, but it was in spite of her. Thankfully, I didn’t have that experience a second time. And my G Adventures reviews to the company expressed this issue.
• Tours cost more. Generally, organized tours cost more than if you were to do it solo. However, watch the last minute sale sections of G Adventures  and Intrepid . You can get 20 – 25% off a “last minute departure” trip. When I was in Romania, I bought a sale Intrepid trip leaving out of Istanbul for 3 weeks later. Because I knew I would be going to Istanbul. I also saved money by calling with my Skype phone to a local Intrepid office in Melbourne. I paid in Australian Dollars which saved me a few hundred dollars. They were charging more in USD and the 3% exchange rate fee on my credit card was well worth it. Not sure if this is still a concern.
• Watch those extras. When you’re traveling with a group, sometimes you can get caught up in “group think” about activities and restaurants. When you’re on your own, it’s easier to say “No, that’s not something I’m interested in”. However, when you’re with a group and you’re the only person who doesn’t want to do something… you can feel like “UGGGH!” But it’s your vacation so speak up. Many times other people are just going along to be agreeable. Since I was on a budget, this was never really a problem for me. I’m frugal to start with, and like to save on some things to splurge on stuff I really care about. Several times everyone was going to an expensive restaurant for dinner. I just wasn’t up for dropping $20 on a meal and just wanted grab some street food. So I just said, “Hey, I think I’m just going to grab something quick and cheap for dinner, so don’t worry about waiting around for me”. Most of the time there were others who felt the same way and voilà I still had dinner companions. It just takes one to be the first to speak up!
• Set itineraries. Sometimes you arrive in a new town and find it charming and perfect and you want to stay for a week. While other times you arrive and want to leave on the next train. When you’re on a tour, it’s not a hop on hop off bus. You can’t really change up your itinerary. Unless you want to pay for your hotel and transport and leave the group. That part can be frustrating on occasion. But really it just makes you want to go back to some places someday. They get a lot of feedback on what people like and dislike about the trip. So the time is usually allotted quite well.
• Nobody expects the wild card. Not only do you not get to pick your roommate, but you might just have a nutter on your trip. These things do happen, rarely, but they do.
• Optional Activities. It all depends on the tour leader, but I had one that was quite pushy on doing certain add-on activities. This made me wonder what their motivation was, maybe a kickback. Most leaders also get a free dinner, when they join the group at restaurants. I typically don’t like dining in groups of 8-12. I had more fun splitting up into smaller groups with a few people that I really clicked with. Also, I was quite vocal on what my budget was. If the tour leader mentioned a “really good restaurant” I would do a little research on my own by asking what the price range was or even stopping by to check out the menu. Splitting dinner bills is another thing I was careful with. Often times everyone will say, well let’s just divide it by 6 and it will all even out. Call me cheap, but I’ve usually said “No thanks”. I have explained that it will never “even out” for me since I’m a vegetarian, don’t order starters, and didn’t have 5 beers. It’s fine to get slighted every once in a while when you go out back home. But when you’re on the road for a year, this can really add up. Thankfully, everyone has always been extremely cool about this!

Bottom line: G Adventures Reviews – Would I recommend a trip?

That depends. How’s that for an MBA answer? ;)   But it really does depend on several things. First, who you are, where you’re going, and your travel style. And also how much time you have, if you’re traveling with someone, etc.

• If you’re traveling solo and female I would check out any of their cheap trips to parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• If you’re traveling solo (male or female), I would recommend GAP for some third-world countries like Morocco and Cambodia. It gives you the chance to really experience the countries at a deeper level, especially if you’re limited on time.
• If you’re going to Eastern Europe and you’re traveling as a couple I would say do it on your own. Some of the rural areas are pretty spendy solo, but 2 – 4 people to split costs would be ideal.
• If you’re going to Paris or Berlin or Barcelona definitely skip the GAP trip. My first visit to Europe was in 2006. I was admittedly a little nervous along with my excitement, but going on a trip would have been a waste. Most European cities are more fun to experience solo or as a pair. Unless you get a smokin’ deal. Or are doing something really specific like a culinary trip or something, I’d say go it on your own.
• If you’re traveling with a friend, you might enjoy a group trip more than if you’re traveling as a couple. I would suggest couples try out a short (4 – 8 days) trip and then do a week or so on your own.
• If you have two weeks vacation time and you want to see the highlights of an unpredictable (read 3rd world) country. Then I’d recommend a G Adventures trip.
• If you think Muslims are terrorists or that traveling is dangerous, I would encourage you to reevaluate your bias, check out some crime statistics, “simmer down” and book a trip to Morocco.
• Do the math. I have a travel spreadsheet that I use to calculate the trip price + local payment + food + activities/shopping = total price / days = Price per day.  Now, if this price per day is less than you could do solo, go for it. For example: I found a 3 week Intrepid trip to Morocco on sale for $580 + 475 local payment.  It included a camel trek in the Sahara, some guided hikes and a few breakfasts.  So excluding food and shopping, that’s $50/day.  Lonely Planet says you can get by on $40 if you’re really slumming it.  So going with Intrepid in this instance was a no brainer!  It would have been difficult to find all the transport and lodging for less than that as a solo traveler.

I hope you’ve found this Intrepid & G Adventures reviews info useful. While I’ve only traveled with G Adventures and Intrepid Travel (and yes, they used to be sister companies), I’ve met people who’ve traveled with Gecko, Exodus, and Dragoman. But after a quick price check, I think I’ll stick to G Adventures and Intrepid.

Any thoughts on group travel? Do you have any Intrepid or G Adventures reviews? Do share!

Note: this post contains affiliate links. Powered by Tofu may receive a small commission on trips purchased through these links, at no additional cost to you. I received no free trips or compensation for these reviews. Just my honest opinions after traveling with them (as evident in the Good, Bad, and Ugly sections). Happy travels! Originally published May 2009, updated 2014.

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E. L. Choong

Great article. I am a well-travelled single male in my 50s and interested in doing the Trans-Siberian as well as the South Caucasus. Any suggestions visa-vis Intrepid, Peregrine or GAP?

Intrepid Kruger 4-day Experience 2016 Review

Intrepid booking staff made some mistake in that my trip had a guarantee to run. Then a month before trip they said it was an online mistake and asked me to change my dates or pay extra for the upgraded lodge type. I had already booked flights etc., so couldn’t change without cost. They unethically tried to go against their guarantee and make me pay for it–poor form! I complained and they gave me the upgraded booking no charge, as they should have from the start. Some weeks later, a friend was considering joining, but Intrepid booking staff made it so difficult to help arrange alternate first day transportation arrangements (from a different lodge in the area rather than Joberg) that she decided to not come. Once in-country and talking to transportation staff, I’m sure it could’ve been worked out for an extra fee with transportation or lodge help. All in-country staff (lodge and transportation) were very nice and very helpful. The social scene of the lodge meals was very conducive to conversation and meeting people–a nice bonus. Actual lodge rooms were somewhat run down. Food was basic and cheap, but good for what it was. Guides (I had 3 different guides) for safaris were poor quality. Safari into Kruger was good length and saw many animals. Overall, I’d recommend for students looking for easy travel to Kruger area. However, a better idea for others would be to look for a lodge of suitable price and quality (they can be expensive for what you get because of area) and then let that lodge arrange rides (they’ll have company’s they work with) and activities (activities are similar by area).

The LA Lady

I did a G Adventures trip to Peru and had an excellent time (our guide might be one of the best human beings on the planet). My husband and I went in a small group with 6 other family members so we knew everyone in the group. We liked not having to deal with the logistics of the trip but there was plenty of flexibility when we wanted to go off and do our own thing.

Since we had such a good experience with them, we are definitely going to do a Morocco trip through G Adventures, but after reading this I’m not sure if I’d do a Spain trip. What do you think? We’re both fairly experienced travelers but we also love having a guide who keeps us on schedule and can navigate any tricky situations. I can see that being important traveling around Morocco but perhaps it would be overkill for Spain…

I know it’s been a while since you wrote this original post but I would love to hear your thoughts.

I agree with the comments that it all depends. Even with the same company, you can have a great time on one tour, and a terrible time on another. Case in point, I traveled with Intrepid twice–my trip to Africa was great, while the Cambodia trip was nasty (giant roaches, bad guide, cranky group.) At the same time I went with the cheaper Gecko’s to Nepal and they were awesome (great activities, great guide, fun group.) You never can tell.

I would recommend doing your research and seeing what others think of a company by a certain location.

Finally, for many countries, you really don’t need to take the tour, unless you want company, less hassle planning, or are on a fixed time limit.

For me, I would never go on a tour to many parts of Asia (China, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, etc.) These places are perfectly doable on your own, even to places where limited English is spoken, like China. I kick myself for going on a tour to Cambodia, as I could have easily done that one my own.

I feel the same way towards South America. I went to Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina on my own and it was fine. The prices of these tours are quite high compared to the costs of doing it yourself. Plus, they sometimes place you in dive-y/out-of-the-way hotels, which defeats the purpose of being in that location at all.

I would only take tours again for special experiences (long-term camping trips in Africa, for instance), or when you are traveling to a country with a high-hassle factor, and it is hard to go their alone (Egypt and India, for instance.) Otherwise, forget it.

I am interested in a tour in the Balkans – Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia – in the spring of 2014. I am a “senior” and I will be traveling solo. I have traveled extensively and am interested in a tour that includes major cultural and historic sites, that has a relaxed pace, and good folks to travel with. Suggestions?

Had to chime in and say that I took a GAP or (G Adventures) Peru on a Shoestring tour end of 2012. It was my first trip overseas. The trip included the Inca Trail and that leg of the tour was handled by a different group of G Adventures people.

I also ran into lots of Peregrine (?) and Intrepid groups during my own trip. My thoughts:

G Adventures is BIG business in Peru. They are the most prominent small tour operator that I came across and we did run into lots of other G Adventures staff and tours. My trip was about $1000 less than the equivalent tour offered by Intrepid, say what you will about inclusions, they were fairly comparable.

The group was small. There were 5 of us in the group – all girls, all single, aged 25-35, mostly highly educated and wanting to see all the amazing places around the world. Everyone else in the group was much more travelled than me and had visited several countries already. The group was absolutely fantastic and I learned so much from my travelling companions – was very sorry to say goodbye to them.

Our tour guide was… mediocre. He spoke excellent English, was enthusiastic about learning more, but mostly was herding us onto the right bus at the right time. He didn’t provide any real information about the sights or places we were visiting, which I think is a real shame since he was a local. I didn’t expect a history lesson, but I would have liked to hear his thoughts and opinions a lot more than I did.

The accommodation was fine, no troubles there. The places our guide too us to eat were not as adventurous as I would have liked, but I didn’t realise until near the end of the trip that we kept ending up in pizza/pasta places (yes – in Peru). This may be for safety… not sure. Food wasn’t cheap. And towards the end the group starting looking for “fine” dining restaurants which i think for not much more money was much more authentic and delish.

Would I recommend G Adventures for Latin America & Peru – absolutely. However do your reading if you’re interested in culture and history before you go – your guide will not help you.

I would go with G Adventures again if I’m visiting a non-english speaking nation or 3rd world country.

The itinerary was pretty well balanced, I didn’t feel swamped by other tourists and in fact our guide often suggested that we leave/arrive at certain times to avoid other groups (until we reached Macchu Picchu when you couldn’t avoid the swarms) and there was plenty of free time to select our own day trips and activities.

The Intrepid tours I met in Peru were smaller again and I was really glad I didn’t go with them – 5 people was small enough! I also didn’t think the Intrepid outfit looked as organised or professional in Peru – esp on the Inca Trail when the Intrepid porters look like they received half the pay of the G Adventurers crew – which was saddening.

Hey fellow travellers! A friend and I (23 yrs) are planning a 32 day trip Cancun to San Jose this May. I am really torn between Intrepid and GAP. Any suggestions? Also, has anyone been on this kind of trip? I’ve never done a group tour and although I do not expect luxury, I could see myself losing sleep over a room crawling in roaches.. I appreciate your input!

carmen leaver

Do it. It is a great tour. I did it from Mexico city to Antigua Guatemala. I loved it

I have recently done the Road to Zanzibar trip(Nairobi, Serengeti, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar etc) with Intrepid. Awesome group, helpful guides and overall was a fantastic experience.

I was looking at doing a G Adventures (GAP) holiday to Thailand next year. Possibly the Hike, Bike and Kayak – has anyone been on this trip before?

Family Travels on a Budget

Our family has taken one group adventure through China. Traveling with kids, it helped to travel in a pack and not be responsible for all the decision making. I could “follow the leader” and focus my brain energy on my kids. Now that we’re more accustomed to international travel, we tend to make our own itinerary, but if I ever venture someplace remote, I’ll probably go back to the pack. At least the first time!

There’s a lot of differing opinions out there.. Let me add mine.

My wife and I just finished a G Adventures (formerly Gap Adventures) 9-day tour from Johannesburg, South Africa to Victoria Falls, Zambia. We couldn’t have had a better time! A few thoughts:

– So much depends on the tour guide. Our guide, Vladia Bajerovska, was fantastic. She was both a great organizer and a great cheerleader, making sure everybody was included and knew what was going on. She had a lot of knowledge, both natural (describing animals) and practical (navigating border crossings). She answered all of our questions, no matter how many times we asked. I can’t say enough good things about her. Our driver, Stefan, was also fantastic.

– A lot also depends on your group. We had 20 people, mixed group from US/UK/Canada/Australia, aged from mid-20s to mid-40s. By the end of the trip we were all great friends. Our tour involved a lot of “participatory camping”, meaning everybody had to pitch in to load/unload the truck, chop veggies for dinner, etc. Everybody pitched in without even having to ask, which was great. Obviously this is one of those things where one bad apple can spoil the bunch… There was a little bit of drinking at the campsites (some had bars, others were BYOB), but everybody was pretty much in bed by 10.

– We had the “basic” accommodation level, and believe me, it was BASIC. We spent nearly every night in tents, though there was an option to upgrade to a cabin at some sites. If you enjoy camping for multiple days, you’ll be fine. But if you’re the type to whine because there’s no hot water in the shower, or there’s a bug in your tent, or your sleeping bag smells funny after a week, you won’t have fun.

– There was a lot of driving, sometimes 4-5 hours per day. The overland truck was pretty sweet, though spartan. Personally, I didn’t mind the long drives; I had a well-stocked Kindle, great scenery to look at, and a truck-full of people to get to know. But this might get tiresome for some people. Read the itinerary carefully.

– A lot of the activities billed as “optional” were pretty much required, if you wanted to have fun. The focus of our tour was African game drives, and except for one, they were all “optional”, and cost between US$30-50 dollars each. My wife and I had decided ahead of time to do all of the optionals (spent approximately $250 total for each of us) and I’m glad we did, but if you’re a penny-pincher, I could see it getting annoying. Again, read the itinerary carefully.

All in all, I feel that by taking G Adventures, we were able to see a lot more of southern Africa than if we had just gone on our own. I suppose it depends on your comfort level in the third world, but there were some situations (choosing safe markets to shop at, bribing corrupt SA police (really!), and navigating the crazy Botswana-Zambia border crossing) that I know I wouldn’t have been able to do by myself, and least not without great stress. The lodging and travel is definitely not luxury, but I think it was more fun that way. All we had to do was spend a few nights roughing it and helping around the campsite, and we had the trip of a lifetime.

Thanks for all this great information. I’m thinking if doing a 67day tour with intrepid quito to buenos aires so I can cover more in my time in Sth America as a solo traveller. Has anyone been on intrepid tours in south America in 2012?

Great Review!

We did Roam Cambodia and Vietnam with GAP and it was the most amazing experience! Our tour guide, Vicky, was fantastic. Although she was Australian, she spoke Thai and Cambodian therefore she was able to help us all when it came to sorting anything out (splitting bills etc). She even managed to sort out one of our party who wasn’t being allowed into Vietnam – we’d have been lost without her knowledge and expertise. The tour had a huge emphasis on helping the local communities, which meant we got to have a deeper insight into the state of the country and what they were doing to help themselves. I can’t speak highly enough of this tour!

I did “Peru Encompassed” with GECKOS Adventures. They were AMAZING. Elvis Vargas and Belji were the two most awesome guides ever! If you want adventure, to feel like you’re going to crash on a flight over the Nazca lines, screaming downhill in sand dune buggies, eating “mystery food”, history, tradition, death-defying bus rides over canyons and welcome hospitality at a homestay on Lake Titicaca, this is who you should go through. Our group of 16 were varied between ages 23 and 72 with only 2 of us under the age of 30 (I was 28 at the time). I’m off to Japan in March with INTREPID. Really looking forward to it.

I can’t stress enough: BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHTS. I work in logistics so it makes sense for me to book the flights I want with the providers I want and only use the travel companies for the tours/accommodation/transfers. I have had no problems yet. I have a friend who had a bad experience with a budget South American Airline so I prefer to stick to known “OneWorld” partners…

I had no problem with my transfer in Lima. The dude was very professional and friendly; he found me wandering around completely lost outside the terminal LOL

GECKOS is a British company so it might end up being a bit more expensive and having different requirements to the Aussie-owned INTREPID… I haven’t used GAP but a friend of mine did and she had no complaints.

If you are considering using the services of GECKO Trail Adventures:

Here is my experience, so traveler beware.

They insist that you pay in advance by credit card and they issue a voucher. For example travel is $40 per person from San Jose to Puerto Viejo.

My flight was delayed and I called to move the shared shuttle to the next day and they refused to honor the voucher. They claim when you call them that its because they have independent contractors providing the shuttle service, but I think that’s a poor excuse.

This company works with Banana Azul in Puerto Viejo. I strongly recommend avoiding them. Of course the best way to not get ripped off is to not pay companies in advance, but to pay cash for services rendered. This was a special circumstance, my brother’s honeymoon, so I wanted to make it hassle free for him and pay everything in advance. I have learned my lesson with Gecko. I hope you will choose not to use them and go with a more reputable provider.

My husband and I are planning a trip to Kenya and Tanzania for February 2012. We are deliberating between GAP or Intrepid. Can anyone share feedback about their experience using either of these tour companies? We are also open to other tour companies. I tried looking up Nomad Adventures, which someone suggested above but their itinerary didn’t seem as extensive as Gap or Intrepid. Thank you kindly.

I have been a frequent traveller on GAP and Intrepids. One thing I did not like about GAP on the AAfrican route is the heavy presence of Western Tour Guides at the expense of Local read African Guides. I would be very comfortable doing trips with the indegenous people to learn their history and cultures afterall this is what is considered Sustainable tourism which benefits locals! The rest is just exotic version that has impoverished the host communities leaving them worse than they found them! The Southern African leg was more of an Afrikaan experience. Undeniably this is part of the South African History but this leaves out a huge swath of land namely Zambia, Namibia ,Botswana etc… Gap should make their African Trips be uniquely African

I have experiences both tour groups. Years ago I booked a GAP tour of South America due to time constraints. It was a horrible experience. The arrival transfer in Rio did not show up. I made my way to the originating hotel and they claimed that I was not on the itinerary so I would have to re-book. In fact I had booked four months earlier. I had to fight for a spot despite having my confirmation in hand. There was a lot of unnecessary phone calls and hassle on my end as the tour guide had no idea how to handle it. It ended up that seventeen people had to be in the group due to an I.T. error. The group almost consistently comprised of young drinkers and the tour was compromised to accommodate them (majority rules) so most places of cultural interest were disregarded. One tour member was abusive to all of the tour participants and when brought to the tour guides attention (who was the brunt of most of the harrassment) said that we would just have to put up with it. The tour guide hated Chile so all we heard was his whining through that part of the tour. Once the tour was over GAP was virtually unresponsive to my complaints.

Years later I decided to give Intrepid a go. It was wonderful (Rajhastan Adventure). I could not recommend them enough. It was the complete opposite to my GAP experience and I have done two more tours since then with Intrepid. Time restraints sometime make independent travel (which is my preference) problematic but Intrepid has made travelling with a group a great experience.

has anyone travelled with Geckos? how were they? I am having a hard time finding reviews of them. what is the general age range they attract? I was looking at an Ecuador trip.

to continue with this thread, I have taken 3 GAP trips. (I am now 40, nyc, traveled extensively). these are the only times I have ever done group travel. The Egypt trip was amazing..best guide, I went with a friend, and we had a great group. I did Turkey…great iteniery…an older group (3 of us under 40). The guide I did actually complain about afterwards. He was nice and tried hard, but it was his first time doing a GAP trip, gave us very little free time and his ENglish was not very good. He was very knowledgable though. I did a short Croatia trip. was overall good..but the group was less compatible, (some older couples who kept to themselves), the guide was great, but something was missing from that trip I think. Like many have said, I think a lot has to do with the guide and mix of people, and just some luck. I did talk to a few people on these trips who took other GAP trips..some were so-so reviewed (Central america-had young american guides who didnt speak Spanish), and a couple positive reviews from Africa. I think it has a lot to do who the subcontact the tour to, and also, if it a more in-demand trip which they do frequently and have the kinks worked out well.

Hi Tofu, thanks for posting your review of these two businesses, we’re looking to book a trip to Central America and needed some indication of quality/affordability of each. Better get crackin on your list!

Lisa Blewitt

I see several people saying they are going to India and I really want to hear/read how their experience was with Intrepid vs. Gap. I am planning to go winter 2012 and need to decide between these two companies. I would be traveling solo, age 37, and have done quite of bit of traveling previously with Contiki (pre age 35). How was India with Gap or Intrepid? Which tour(s) did you do? Thanks!

Richard Friedman

Hi, I looked at this site a few months ago because I had booked a trip in Africa with GAP. Honestly, it made me very concerned that I may have made a big mistake. Well it turned out to be the best trip I have ever taken in my life. It was 40 days of pure pleasure. Your comments are absolutely correct, the trip really depends on the quality of the guides. We had the very best: Retief, Vernon and GP. They made the trip. They were outstanding. I also was very impressed that GAP delivered exactly what they promised and that the quality was excellent. I really felt that I got tremendous value for my money. There is no way I could have ever done this trip on my own. Africa is incredible and the GAP trip Capetown to Nairobi is superb. I was so impressed that I have booked two more trips with GAP, one in Nepal and one in India the Fall. One last comment. The people on my trip were from a dozen different countries, ranged in age from 18 to 77 (most 25-35) and had diverse backgrounds. Most of the travelers were singles. Just a few couples. The people make a big difference and GAP seems to attract a good group. Everyone had fun.

Looking at Kenya/Tanzania for August. I’d do Intrepid but 2 of the 3 week in Tanzania are Dragoman which I’ve heard not so great things about. I’m also a little worried about “participatory camping” and wondering if by the time I buy everything I need I could just upgrade to a lodge for marginally more.

I had a good time on Intrepid for India/Nepal and Vietnam/Cambodia. I did GAP for Argentina/Uruguay/Brazil and it was good. I did get really annoyed at GAP for refusing to be reasonable (and keeping a lot of my $ when I got sick for Central Amer. trip and had to cancel. I liked our S. America guide but got annoyed that she sneaked her boyfriend on to the tour and cut off our time at the fall (probably to spend time with him), discouraged the bird park (which is amazing) and at one point put us 4 in a room. At age 34 I feel like the GAP groups are too young for me – we had a lot of college age kids. Intrepid seems to have more of an age range.

Hi Any more advice on ‘moose adventure travel’ in canada. One good comment on it. my friend and i were thinking of doing the inclusive tour on the east coast. any thoughts?

I am a 26 year old female looking to do a trip solo this year around Thailand or Argentina.

I’m seeing mixed reviews for both Intrepid and GAP (as well as Contiki). Which would be the best company to go with if you’re looking for a good balance between culture and fun? I’ve never traveled with a tour company before, but since I’m thinking about traveling alone I thought it might be good.

My friend and I are looking for a trip in mexico for May. We were thinking about going with GAP… But looking at the comments people had on them I’m not sure anymore if I should book with them… Any suggestions??

Thanks for you tips. I am thinking of doing a solo Greece trip spring/summer and cant decide which one is better. Any recommendation??

HI Guys, Don’t know if Im too late with this tread but…about to book a two week trip round vietnam/cambodia with either GAP or Intrepid tomo!Which one should I go for?Both sound similar Any last minute advice?Thanks!

I have to say that I agree with many of the comments here. I first travelled with Gecko in SE Asia in 2009 – it was OK – the guides were good, a little disorganised at times but mostly good, the group was a bit of a mixed bag and the tour was a mish-mash of several different tours of varying lengths and varying starting and finishing points. I would definitely recommend checking on this aspect if you are travelling alone and hoping to connect with people for the duration of your trip. On the other hand, having some people come and go may be a blessing…. This year I travelled to Morocco with Intrepid. Undoubtedly the best trip of my life. It’s unfortunate Anna that you had such a bad experience but really just goes to show that group travel can be a bit hit and miss. I am looking to go to Central America next year. Like many here I am considering Intrepid and Gap. Gap seem to have more choice of itineraries and departure dates but like so many others here I too am now having reservations. I am in my mid-30s and looking to travel with likeminded people. Anyone been to Central America recently and have any advice regarding tour operators, guides, age-groups on these trips?

Thank you for your post and hope that GAP is much better than Intrepid. I just got off a 15 day tour through Morocco with them and it was horrible. The hotels were not researched and were filthy and full of cockroaches. The guides were not trustworthy and didn’t have full education on the sites we saw. I would ask if they been here before and there answer was always “Yes, why do you ask?”. I wanted to answer “Because you don’t seem to know anything about this place?” The whole group got parasites at the end of the trip from the included trip. Find another group other than Intrepid.

Hi, I will be doing the indochina discovery tour with gap the end of December, I choose them as I will be a solo female traveller and heard that they are better for a younger age group, I am in my mid 20’s. I would love to hear anyones experiences of this trip, good or bad and if anyone could give me any useful advice on do’s and donts and things to watch out for?

Hi There, I know your post was several years ago but I am just wondering how the tour went with Gap? I am also a solo female traveller mid 20’s, and planning on doing the same tour in March, just trying to decide between gap, intrepid, and tucan. Cheers

I have tavelled with both GAP and Intepid. I did a basic Intepid tour of Jordan and Egypt, it was great so was the leader and the other tavellers that ranged in ages from early 20’s to late 60’s. I also did a basic Intrepid tour of Ecudor/Peru/Bolivia, again no complaints, loved the leader who usually would have only done the Ecuador portion but due to some issue with the other leader who was supposed to take over at the boder he continued on and despite never having lead a group in that area before he did a great job. That being said for part of the trip our itinary was very similar to that of the Original style Intepid group and I would have lost my mind if I had their leader, I found her rude and bossy and treated the group as little school children. I went with GAP for the shoestring Galapagos trip, it was great, however I am not sure how much credit can be given to GAP for that, as it all was subcontracted out to another operator on the islands. Also as a single female taveller who dosent speak spanish and where I didnt land in Quito till 2 in the morning I had arranged with GAP for a hotel tansfer, there was a guy there witha GAP sign but my name wasnt on his list, luckly there just happened to be others doing the same thing, luckly I had my voucher so he took me to my hotel. Now looking at going to Ethoipa and am torn which to go with.

‘Anonymous’ I think that comment is ridiculous – the comments are fake???

I have just happened to come across this site as I am considering a group tour with either Intrepid or GAP and I think that without exception that all of the posts above are just as genuine as mine.

I have travelled with Intrepid before and had an amazing time but I can accept that other people may not have had such a good experience as me.

So there you go, I don’t doubt you had bad experiences with Intrepid, no company can get it right 100% of the time, but I do feel quite strongly that instead of that stupid comment you should have shared the bad experiences you have had.

I have found the honest comments particularly helpful and whilst I haven’t dismissed GAP entirely I will definately be doing more research into the reviews about their trips. I mean, who knows maybe all the comments are from Intrepid staff here spouting negative reviews about GAP to boost their income?

On a separate issue:

Some people mentioned overland trips so I just wanted to give a recommendation – in 2008 I did an overland trip from Kenya to South Africa with a company called Oasis Overland. It was excellent value for money and an amazing experience both with the company and my fellow travellers.

Happy travels

fake intrepid comments….i did 2 trips with them and would never do it again

Hi everyone, Fantastic site! Love all the feedback by knowledgeable travellers. My two cents: did Peru with GAP in 2007 – great trip, amazing amazing guide (José Valdivia) who, being Peruvian, spoke the language and knew how to get things done down there. Nothing negative to say about it – brilliant. Took GAP again this year for our honeymoon in the Galapagos, and I wish I could be as positive. GAP did a good job, the crew on the boat was very good (very good guides, brilliant chef), but the problem was the boat itself. It had a lot of mechanical problems (diesel fumes in rooms, deficient plumbing, flooding in our room, etc). It was due for maintenance right after our trip, and it should have gone before. Given that I had paid extra for a “comfort” boat, and extra again for a “suite” room instead of a cabin, I felt that I did not get what I paid extra for. The condition of the boat turned what could have been a slam-dunk trip into a “great, but…” It makes me rethink using GAP for Antarctica, but I would consider them again for other trips. We also did Egypt and Jordan with Gecko’s and found it ok, but not as great as GAP Peru. The Egypt guide was friendly and helped us whenever needed, but I would have liked a bit more “local colour” than the fast-food restaurants we often went to (not always much time to wander around to find your own meal). The guide in Jordan was very knowledgeable, but often stayed at other hotels than us, and once in the next town, and was not always well organized. The guide on a group trip makes or breaks the experience, I think. I am now interested in trying Intrepid, given all the good reviews I have read here. Another thing about small group travel: people are usually like-minded, flexible and friendly. The group in the Galapagos was especially great – 20s to 50s, all interesting and willing to help each other.

I recently booked a tour with Gap Adventures with several other friends and family. I usually don’t do tours as I prefer to have more flexibility.

If you book with Gap, make sure you are fully committed, as you will not be able to get any of your money back if you cancel for any circumstances AND they will lot let you transfer your tour to another person. This situation came up with one of our friends.

Also, do not expect much in the line of customer service. They were great when I booked the trip, but since then, when I have called with questions the travel agents have ranged between surly and condescending. I could compare the experience to dealing with US Airways agents at best.

I haven’t taken the tour yet, but based on my experiences so far, I am not getting my hopes up!

The feedback is awesome. A couple of friends and I in our mid 20’s are looking at doing the tour from South East Asia (Bangkok to Singapore). The same tour is offered by Geckos (Intrepid) and GAP. GAPs tour is a little bit cheaper but have heard mixed reports on the company, espcially in Asia. I have done a Geckos tour before and it was awesome. Any suggestions??

Planning a trip to Thailand next Spring and have been looking over the GAP trips however having read reviews online am now reconsidering, I know from the very helpful posts on this site that the success of the trips seems to rely on the quality of the guide but if anyone has been on the northern thailand trip with Gap or intrepid i’d appreciate some advice.

These are all great posts. I have taken three GAP trips (Peru, Brazil/Argentina, Galapagos) and one Intrepid (Egypt). On all three GAP trips, the guides couldn’t really be bothered with the travelers. After taking the first trip (to Peru, which was so amazing and hard not to enjoy in spite of roommate, GAP guide not being much of a guide), I booked two others back-to-back (probably wouldn’t have done the third one if I’d known how rotten the tour guide on the second one would be). Intrepid, however, was amazing. The other travelers were amazing (which seems a common theme), the tour guide was outstanding, and all but the Cairo hotel were fine or very nice. Take Intrepid if the dates work. If GAP offers a better itinerary or dates, take it but don’t expect greatness.

Hello…Great reviews on here but now I am torn bwtween Gap or Intrepid…I am craving LOL to go to Asia…i would really like to do Vietnam and/or Cambodia….I am a single female 32 yo and have traveled on my own overseas to Europe and Africa & Tunisia but not on an organized tour to Asia for 2 weeks….any feedback would be helpful…..what can I expect as a single female traveler? Whats the age range on those tours?

Great Site. We travelled with Intrepid Family to Vietnam about 4 years ago and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Very organised and really took the hassel out of travelling.

We are doing a Gap trip to India at xmas time and am now a bit dubious over some of the reviews regarding hotels and guides used.

Has anyone travelled with Gap thru India? Thanks

Enjoyed your impressions/pros/cons of group travel and have learned a lot from the comments.

I’m in my late 50’s and if I may share a few of my experiences???

Age has nothing to do with whether you are a good or poor travel companion nor does it have anything to do with how one views the travel itself, i.e. accommodations, travel modes etc. Unless a trip is totally screwed up–having a flexible mind and a “young-at-heart” attitude is the most important.

In my mid-thirties I went on a nature of tour of Iceland. I was the youngest and the next youngest was the tour guide. Everyone else was 65 plus. I considered myself reasonably fit, but I had trouble keeping up with these “senior citizens” who hiked, joined in every activity possible and partied until the wee hours of the morning.

Recently I was on an OAT (Overland Adventure Tour) which caters to an older group. At 57 I was the youngest (nice feeling). Again, these folks were fearless–all but four of us went on the zip line for instance–including an 85 year old (she had a someone with her from the zip line company).

I have also done several Earthwatch.org trips which are volunteer vacations–including archaeology and two animal expeditions. Ages have ranged from early 20’s upwards of 85. Have had excellent experiences with Earthwatch–they provide on their websire 40 plus expedition guide briefings so you know exactly what you are getting into. Unfortunately free time away form the project is practically nil so if you want to see the area, you should either go in early or leave late and either travel solo or book a three-to-four day group if you don’t want to be on your own.

My advice, in this rather long email, would include the following:

a) Know what your goals are before you book. Do you want to hike a lot, be socially conscious, learn about wines, volunteer with animals etc. Then look for trips that will satisfy your goal(s).

b) Talk to other travelers, read blogs etc., google the name of the tour/organization with words like “Intrepid reviews” and read them with a critical eye. I’ve noticed many times the most irate reviews are from travelers that didn’t read the “fine” print or do any research. But pay attention to the negative reviews that seem legit. Call and ask the company about them and be wary if the company glosses over some of the complaints that appear most frequently.

c) Like Powered by Tofu–create some sort of spread sheet about costs so you know exactly what is covered and what is not. Also, make a spread sheet of the tour by day and put down the meals, hotels, rides, and activities–you might be surprised for instance once you mentally clock the travel time to find you have VERY LITTLE time in the next city. For instance, I went on a Christmas Market tour with Globus and was very disappointed in the amount of time spent in the Christmas markets vs. what seemed promised in the brochure. We had at the most 90 minutes in each market. If you have ever been to an European Christmas market (large ones that is)–you know 90 minutes only just gets you into the flavor of the event. Not the shopping as much as the other activities (sometimes little skits, plays, outdoor cafe type places while you sip hot apple cider etc.)

d) Keep an open mind towards your other travelers–especially if they are older. They may not want to go out and party every night, but every senior I’ve traveled with has extensive travel experience and by knocking age misconceptions off your agenda, you can learn a lot. In one of the trips I had gone on, these mid-70 folks had done a walking tour of England–both a group and individual effort. The started as far south as they could and walked to the Scotland borders via the various trails and walk throughs. I got some great ideas from these folks to put on my travel “bucket” list. Another couple I know that is in their late 60’s and has money, but does adventure type tours has probably had the most exciting experiences of anyone I’ve traveled with.

So I’ll shut up now. Just do as much research as you can by googling or binging or yahooing your trip. Don’t forget too to look at Google images, YouTube videos etc. of the places you want to go.

This website is a real find for me. I am hoping to do a decent length tour of south America early 2011(3mths +) and am trying to figure out whether to go GAP or Inteprid! Has anybody done a long tour around south America with either of these companies?? I have travelled Asia with Gap and although it was great it was not without it’s ups and downs, but overall a great experience. People seem to be rating Inteprid for south America but because I am doing a long trip I don’t want to make the mistake of booking with the wrong tour group I know it’s a long time to go on a tour but I will be a solo female traveller trying to see South America and being safe at the same time. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks a million!

Extremely helpful reviews! Thanks a million!

From what I’ve read, it seems that Intrepid is the choice for South East Asia travel. I plan on a 22 day “Trail of the Gecko” which embarks on a journey through Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

At 22, and as a solo female traveler, I will definitely agree that going “off the beaten path” with a small group is much safer. If you read the “Trip Notes,” you will be able to find a complete itinerary which should certainly help in making your final decisions. Thanks again!

Happy travels! :)

I’ve been to Peru(Inca Trail/Lake Titicaca) and China with GAP. I’ve also been to Jordan and Egypt with Gecko’s (similar to GAP and Intrepid).

I think that the success of a tour is mostly(but not entirely) based on how good of a tour leader you end up with. Which, of course, is beyond your control. In Peru, my tour leader only had 6 months of experience and it showed. He was a bit disorganized, but he got us to where we needed to go! The local guide on the Inca Trail was stellar! Overall, it was a great trip. My tour leader in China was awesome. That was a fantastic trip. My tour leader in Egypt was ok. He was a tad bit disorganized. But still a good trip. My tour leader in Jordan was great! Wonderful trip, overall. I plan on using GAP for a future trip to Cambodia.

Tours definitely take the hassle out of planning. And someone else (the tour leader) has the burden of figuring out what to do if things go wrong.

I know there are some who don’t like group tours because of “all the other people”. But you know what? Tour group or no tour group…as a tourist/traveller…you will be amongst a lot of people anyway, because everyone and their mother will be going to the same places you’ll be going at some point during your travels.

Wow, fantastic reviews! Exactly what I needed/ wanted to see! I’m in the process of organising my 3 month trip through South America later this year. I have decided to take one pre-organised tour through Peru from Lima to La Paz 21 days (inc. Inca trail). As I have to book super soon I can still not decide on taking either GAP or Intrepid. Has anyone taken a tour with either of them through Peru recently??? Any suggestions?? I just want overall great experience/ memories and value for money (and one with a great reputation for good tour guides!) Thanks.

I’m 30 and I’ve done two trips with GAP- Patagonia and Inca Trail/Amazon/Galapagos. Overall both trips were amazing lifetime experiences and all the people on the trip were awesome, a lot of us have kept in touch since then. The local guides for Patagonia, the Inca Trail and the Amazon were top-notch. While service on the liveaboard boat in the Galapagos was great, my only complaint would be the guide and the chef. For lack of a better term he was a douche (although the guides from other tours we ran into on the islands were as well), and everyone on the boat got sick from the food/water. Also the vegetarian food on the boat was horrible, especially compared to the gourmet veggie food we got on the Inca Trail. The meals on the trail were healthy, garnished and on the last morning before the dawn climb to Machu Picchu the cook made us a cake- which was astonishing considering the porters had to carry all these ingredients there over 3 days on their backs. I should mention though the Galapagos crew wasn’t GAP staff, they were just chartered by GAP. So basically I would highly recommend GAP in South America, except in the Galapagos.

Hi! My husband and I went on a group tour through Egypt with GAP and it definately had its ups and not so ups for us. Our tour leader in Egypt was amazing…Not only did Simpson surprise us with presents on Christmas day, he even arranged a Christmas dinner for the group. We met some lovely people on the tour and visited places that we surely wouldn’t have on our own. Simpson even took us to his friend’s house in Luxor. The down side for us was the food and the fact that getting away from the group to do some exploring on our own was difficult. We weren’t interested in the visit to the high dam and so were left on the side of the road to wait and then came the “perfume shop tour” where we were essentially held captive for 2 hours while being hawked to by the proprietor. Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal but that ended up being 3 hours total of our trip that we could have spent cruising the bazaar or enjoying a cafe by the Nile. I have to say though that it was really well done for the most part and I’ve booked a trip this summer through Turkey for my sister and I through GAP. This time I will be wary of those side excursions and politely decline.

I’ve been to India, China, Vietnam and Thailand with Intrepid and always had amazing trips. My guides were always fantastic – organised, fun, friendly, knowledgable and above all, interested in the group and keen for us to have a good time. Now i’m planning a trip to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala – I want to go with Intrepid again but Gap’s dates suit me better. I can only hope that Gap is as good as Intrepid, as I feel that they have set the bar quite high for me, but the reviews aren’t looking as good. If I do go with Gap I’ll get back on here and give you all a comparison of the 2 companies. Happy travels everyone!

Nice article and some very interesting comments.

I’ve been doing these small group adventures since 1997 with a number of operators including GAP, Intrepid, Imaginative Traveller, Dragoman, Geckos and Tucan Travel and a few more.

What has happened in the past 10 years is that this style of travel has boomed due to the less time we have in our lives to travel and the popularity of “off the beaten track” destinations. The pros as the original article states makes this a brilliant way to experience genuine travel.

Increased popularity though has meant that these operators are now serious business and have either become large organisations or have been bought by huge coorporate companies such as TUI which brings up a few more pros and cons for the potential booker.

Pros are that years of experience means they should understand your wants and needs as a traveller. Also you are better financially protected against unforseeable circumstances and the company has less chance of going under.

Cons: Many itineraries advertised in the brochures are sub contracted and are operated by other companies even though the staff have branded shirts and vehicles. This can make it difficult to maintain quality and means if something goes wrong it can get a bit messy trying to find recourse.

You can always ask if your tour is organised and run by the company you are booking through and make your choice.

Some travel agencies have “preferred” operators which means they will only offer one or two operators that pay the highest commission and maybe not give you the choice you need.

There are many great operators out there so worth researching and I would find out the following to help me decide

How much experience they have in my chosen destination Do they operate their own tours in that destination Have they won any awards or accolades voted by past travellers What responsibilties the tour leader has to you. Some are just there to facilitate some are encouraged to learn and love their destination and pass that passion on. Tour leader quality really does vary and it’s a massive part of your experience.

Apologies for the long post!

I have never ever been on any trips by myself before.. never ever!! Right now by 26 I really want to do something by myself and travel on my own. However, i want a more lay back trip… not looking for parting all night kind of trip. Just want to go explore a place with a group of people that want to travel with the same style.

I really really really want to go do this once before i am too old or too tide down with my work and career… and is desperately for some recommendation from ppl who had been on these kindda trip.

So what do you guys recommend? Really appreciate you guys’ help!

Thanks!!!!!

Hi! I am actually looking to do the same Indo-China loop that Anna mentioned. I was trying to decide between GAP and Intrepid and feel like I’m leaning towards Intrepid after reading different comments. Has anyone else taken a trip like this and can recommend another tour company? I’m female and traveling solo, with a pretty set time frame, which is why I was looking for a tour to begin with.

Thanks for this review. This was really helpful!

Hi, i stumbled across your site whilst looking for unbiased comments on Intrepid Travel. I really found it very helpful. What would your advice be for me travelling solo to Eastern Europe, i’m 48 yo. but relatively fit i guess and young at heart.

thanks for the info and comments from other readers. i’ve been traveling around the world for the last few months and am now sitting in los angeles, trying to figure out what would be the easiest way to do mexico. so i may be flying out next week on one of the tours operated by gap. carol’s comments suggest it’s all a matter of getting a good tour guide which i agree since it was the tour guides that made my tours through africa awesome.

@leela – i did a 40 day trip from capetown to nairobi with a group called nomad tours with most of its travelers from germany and other european countries. i did a short gorilla trek tour with africa tour company aka ATC with many travelers from the UK and Australia/New Zealand. i thought both nomad and ATC did great jobs on the tour. the tours that i saw on the road with a lot of partying tended to be operated by intrepid and oasis.

Hey everyone-

I’ve enjoyed reading all your comments. I am looking to do an Egypt/Jordan tour this summer and from what I’ve researched on the internet, I’m leaning more toward Intrepid.

Hey! me and my girlfriend are looking to do a 20 day intrepid trip through china but have seen that the luggage recomended is only a backpack. we are travelling onto canada and south america for up to a year and are gonna be carrying a large suitcase each and backpacks… we dont mind carrying to hotels and off buses etc… but not if we are gonna be dragging all luggage while we are on daytrips and tours. anyone know how theses tours work and if its worth it with all the luggage??? Thanks!!!

I did a Tour Of Egypt a couple of years ago with Geckos Adventures and it was terrible. All the Tour Guide did was go on about money and how we had to give him a large tip at the end. We were passed on from one guide to another while our guide caught up with friends. We went on a Camel ride in the Desert with a group of local boys. They were hitting the camels with sticks and the poor camels were exhausted as it was the end of the day. I nearly fell as did a few of the others. When I got back home and complained I received no response. So much for Grass Root Adventures. Travelling with Local Guides is great if you get a good one. After all you experience is dependent on the guide. These Tour companies need to monitor what is happening. I will never travel with Geckos Adventures in Australia again.

Update on our GAP experience:

We emailed them about our concerns with the tour leader and they took it quite seriously – they sent an email apology, letting us know that the tour leader was suspended and put under review, as other travelers had complained as well. In addition to this, they offered us a rather substantial refund, and gave us travel credits for future trips.

Very reassuring that they acted so quickly to rectify this!

Great article! I too am a single female traveler in my late 30’s. I am interested in a tour of the American Southwest. The tour sounds great but I have not read any reviews for GAP or Intrepid American tours. I’m also open to going with other companies. I’ve got 2 weeks to play with and I’m dying to see the Grand Canyon! Any ideas?

I would never risk booking with GAP again after my experiences and observations in the past months. I had a very similar experience to Gordon Laqmb above with my Antarctica tour. I was given 3 weeks notice of cancelation though so I should be thankful for that.

EVERY GAP Antarctica cruise this season (from October onwards) has been canceled one after another 1-4 weeks before departure. A bit of research online will confirm this to be true.

The MS Expedition’s “mechanical difficulties” may be out of GAP’s control but the time they gave their customers to make rearrangements was in their control. GAP could and should have warned passengers booked on these “100% Guaranteed Departure” trips of a problem AS SOON AS the problem was first identified (ie. early October). That would have been fair. Instead, they held off as long as possible before each and every departure date because it was in the the Company’s best interests to do so.

Because of the short time frame given, available options were limited to say the least. My accommodation deposits and flights were non-refundable at that late stage and my travel insurance would not cover anything because they considered it GAP’s responsibility. GAP did not agree. The good news is that I was lucky and was able to hop aboard another ship with another operator (Quark) departing that day and, thankfully, I had a fantastic trip in the end :)

Great site. I’d agree with the few commenters who say that Interpid is better than GAP. I used Intrepid for Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand, and GAP for Chile/Argentina/Brazil. What a difference. Intrepid had decent hotels, great guides, and organization. GAP had the opposite, and I wouldn’t travel with them again.

Great website and your list is spot-on! Couldnt agree more with your pros and cons.

I’ve never used GAP, but have used Intrepid last year on a 4 week tour through South East Asia (‘Great Indochina Loop’ – Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia). Overall I would say it was a great trip, extremely well organized and great value for money. I could have never ever managed to see as much in 4 weeks on my own. And most importantly, as female solo traveller I would have never dared to travel to certain regions on my own. What I didnt like about the trip had more to do with the pros/cons of group travel described so well on this website than with anything that was done ‘wrong’ by Intrepid. The only thing I might criticize was the slightly unbalanced amount of time we spent in some of the countries, compared to others. For instance Vietnam could have easily been cut short (spent almost half our time there), whereas Cambodia felt like we were rushing through. But that was my personal view, others may have perceived this differently. One point everyone disliked on my trip was the ‘homestay’ in a village in Laos. That was the only time I felt like a tourist. Although it is supposedly designed to meet the locals, the locals seemed utterly disinterested in even meeting their overnight guests. It just felt like an artificial and forced experience and the only time I felt like a typical tourist. One particularly positive thing I’d like to point out about Intrepid is the accomodaton used on this original trip. I expected some pretty basic lodgings throughout, but in actual fact basic guesthouses were intermixed with some really great hotels and all of them always very clean.

One word about our leader travelling with us – she was fantastically organized, even though she wasnt an easy personality and her habit of bashing some of her former group members got on everyones nerves pretty quickly. But reading these posts it seems that so much really depends on the guides you end up with.

I’m now planning a trip to either China or Japan and I’m undecided whether I should go with Intrepid again or try GAP. Has anyone been on any GAP trips in Japan?

We recently went to Mexico with gap – our first experience with them and ended up really disappointed in how consistently our tour leader misled us about details on our itinerary, failed to follow through with arranging day excursions and was unavailable and uninterested in helping us out.

The tour leader did not accompany us on our excursions, disappeared during the day and was difficult to find during the evening. This made coordinating excursions through him very challenging. Oftentimes, we ended up investigating and booking excursions on our own, and we had to pay higher-than-anticipated rates because we weren’t in a large group and had to book individually.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the itinerary has a lot of mentions of ‘we can’ or ‘optional activities may include’ rather than firm commitments of what is on offer. This is highly dependent on a motivated and organized tour leader. We lacked on, and many times during the trip, we were instructed that we had a specific departure time (usually an early-morning departure) only to find out that the tour leader had misled us about booking our tickets. In one case, in Oaxaca, the tour leader told us that we would be leaving at 9:00 am (noting specifically that tickets had already been purchased). The evening before we were set to leave, he left a note at the front desk of the hotel saying that all morning departures from Oaxaca had been sold out and that we had no other choice but to leave at 2:00 the next afternoon. We were shocked and confused by the change, and, since our tour leader wasn’t around to explain things, we decided to contact the bus company to see what had happened. We found out that there were more than 30 seats available for three earlier departure times but he decided not to book them. This proved very frustrating and disappointing, as we had been looking forward to visiting a temple near our next destination, but would not be able to see it because we were leaving too late in the day.

Similar incidents happened in other cities, which meant that it was very difficult for us to judge and juggle our itineraries. Because of these disruptive, unnecessary and unplanned itinerary changes, we frequently ended up having to abandon our travel plans and were left with entire mornings and afternoons with nothing to do but wait around at bus stations for 3 – 4 hours. It felt like entire days from our itinerary got erased because our tour leader didn’t follow through with early-enough departures, or let us know that we would have an extra morning to more thoroughly explore the city we were in.

Don’t get me wrong – there was a lot to like about this trip. On the whole, our hotels were quiet, clean and comfortable. The buses we traveled in were impeccably clean and safe. The trip itinerary, as advertised, provided a fantastic mix of ruins, cultural activities, and outdoor excursions. But the follow-through required of our leader to make this itinerary come to life, was sorely missing.

I sincerely want to believe that this problem was the failing of our specific tour guide, and not reflective of GAP itself. In some hotels we stayed at, other GAP tour leaders had left information for their travelers, like sign-up sheets for day excursions or details & highlights of the particular cities we were in. In one city, our tour intersected with another GAP tour (the same trip heading in the reverse direction) and we had the opportunity to have a day excursion with a different tour leader. She was great – organized, friendly and engaged. Our particular tour leader not only lacked a sufficient attention of detail and organization, but he didn’t seem interested in helping us out or keeping our group on track at all.

I’m desperate to do a tour of South East Asia, and the GAP itinerary is more suited to what I want to see, but I’ve heard some awful feedback (nights slept on floors, no bathrooms for days on end) so I’m leaning more towards Intrepid. However, I am a gap year student and would like to be around people of a similar age to me – how likely is it that I’ll be with people in my own age range?

My husband and I are looking at doing a volunteer excursion in Africa through GAP – has anyone heard anything about these tours? Any thoughts or suggestions regarding other tour companies that include volunteer and travel? Thanks

Can someone recommend a tour group for “Eastern Europe” (Hungary/Prague etc) for the summer?

Anyone have any experience with “Exodus” or “Globus” for Eastern Europe?

Hi Jessica,

I just finished an Egypt tour with GAP and the trip was great. I have never done Intrepid or Gecko yet.

I did a GAP trip to New Zealand in 2007. The “knowledgeable local guide” had never visited the country before, which did slightly spoil the experience. He normally guided in South East Asia and was too laid back for guiding in a “Western” country – he never seemed quite sure about where we were staying or what time the buses were.

Also, this is going to sound a strange criticism, but the group size was too small! There were only four in my group, two guys who knew each other, myself, and another solo traveller. This meant that the group couldn’t split up to do different activities or to go to different restaurants, and on a couple of occasions I felt pressurised into doing what the guide wanted, rather that what I would have chosen. I’d definitely recommend checking how many people have already booked on the trip you are considering, and try to join a group of 6-8 if possible.

I’ve also traveled with Moose Travel Network in Canada and found them to be brilliant. With Moose our guide really seemed to know the roads, e.g. when we hit roadworks he quickly changed the route and took us to a lovely village for coffee and a look at artists shops – even though this wasn’t on the schedule he seemed to know the area very well. This made a huge difference. The set up of the trip seemed much more flexible – I wasn’t insured to go canoeing, so when my companions decided to go, I said I’d stay behind at the youth hostel and go for a walk. At breakfast the guide appeared with a hand-drawn map and said “you like wildlife, don’t you? I’ve spoken to the warden; this is the route to a beaver dam”. It was so thoughtful, especially compared to my later experience with the less-flexible GAP.

I’m going to try Intrepid next year!

Hi there, great web site.

I am planning a career break next year, I am 30 and female. I want to travel in the comfort of a group in Africa and Asia. Has anyone had experience of travelling for 9-12 months on long overland trips and non-overland trips with Dragoman, Intrepid and G.A.P?

Did the trip run smoothly?

Intrepid have recently introduced overland Africa and Asia tours, anyone had experience of these? I am really confused as to which company to choose for which destination.

Many thanks for your help.

Anyone done a tour of Egypt with gap, gecko or Intrepid? I’m looking to do an approx 12 day one, found one with Intrepid which looks good but am now wondering if another company would do it better? I want to see Alexandria, the pyramids, Valley of the Kings etc but want to have the best experience possible rather than just seeing things…

Thanks for all of your insight, and for these comments, as well! I went on a Contiki trip this summer and it was OK, but I have been scoping out an Intrepid trip to Russia and Mongolia that sounds like it would really suit me (I am a female and would be doing it solo, and those are two places I would rather not go alone, at least at first). It was great to hear all of these different thoughts and opinions about the various tour companies. It sounds like they all definitely have their pros and cons.

You mentioned that you took a GAP tour to Costa Rica…which one did you take? I’m looking at their budget tours. Thanks.

Everyone I have met who did both Intrepid and GAP says Intrepid is better. I never did intrepid but is on my third GAP tour – probably not going to do another one. Tour leaders are either unknowledgeable, unprofessional or ask for money not mentioned on the itinerary.

Danielle and Matt

hi just looking to see if any one has been or is going on a trip through Jordan and Egypt with intrepid. I have read some pretty bad reviews and would like peace of mind.

Thanks for the information and the inspiration. I took your lead of 101 things in 1001 days and started my own list – it’s a great idea!

Gordon Laqmb

I would like to warn anyone who is thinking about joining a GAP trip in the near future. I booked on a GAP trip to Antarctica in October this year, paid all money up front. Waited and waited for the documents to arrive, 7 days before we were due to depart we still had not recieved the documents. I then rang the agent Chimu Tours in Sydney Australian and I was told that there were problems with the one of the engines on the boat taking us to Antarctica. I then told Chimu to change our tour immediately and we managed to book another passage. Which was really good. But GAP have a very bad history of tours going wrong in Antarctica. In 2007 a ship was sunk after it hit an iceberg, on our trip down to Antarctica one of the leaders was also a guide with GAP on the ship that sunk. He gave us a rather graphic story of what happened. For instance 3 out of 4 life boat engines would not start. They had to tow open lifeboats with inflatable Zodiacs to rescue all the people off the stricken ship. There were a lot of usanswered questions as to why the ship sunk in 2007. It was a major disaster. Our experience with GAP leaves a lot to desired and we were not the only people treated in this manner. Whilst in Antarctica we met another 4 people who had had their tour cancelled at the last minute by GAP. If anyone is considering travelling to Antarctica on a GAP tour in late 2009 or early 2010 be very careful and make sure you recieve your travel documents in plenty of time. We eventually travelled with Oceanwide Expeditions they were really first class. Another tour group would be Polar Quests they are also very good.

I have traveled with Intrepid (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos), Kiwi Experience and Contiki (Europe camping 23 countries in 35 days). I did the Contiki trip at 23 it was my first overseas trip and I had a great time. it was mostly a younger group (i was one of the older ones….) and while there was a good amount of drinking we still got ourselves out of bed early to go sightseeing. our tour guide and cook were phenomenal and many of us are friends to this day. great first time trip. I spent a year living/working in New Zealand. there i did the Kiwi experience hop on/hop off bus. it follows the regular tourist trails with occasional stops at parks for short hikes and other fun outdoorsy stuff. pretty dear price for what you get (really a bus and someone who can organize group activities if you like) but again met fun people on that trip. and it was nice to have the flexibility to stay as long as you wanted in a location. 3 years ago did Intrepid around SE Asia. 3/4 tour guides were amazing and helpful. for instance i wanted to change my train ticket back to bangkok and stay extra time in Koh Tao and they ladies at the train counter didn’t speak english so my guide helped me out. Cambodia was amazing. we had a guide who had lost family to the Khmer Rouge and was open about sharing his history. did a homestay and sat under a house helping 2 little girls with their english. visited small orphanages run by volunteers and hung out with the kids. visited the genocide memorial and killing fields. Vietnam our guide was useless one of the girls had her stuff stolen from the hotel by a guy who work there it was caught on camera and both Intrepid and our guide did NOTHING to help her. the police ended up interogating her alone.

looking to do Africa overland this summer any advice on Gecko vs Intrepid vs GAP???

My husband and I did GAP Galapagos and then Absolute Peru earlier this year and had a great time on both. Neither trip was perfect and our neither were our guides. They outdid themselves with some things and were a bit lax on others so totally human. Overall, the positive far outweighed any negatives although a couple of times were annoying we were all over it in a very short time. We were the “oldies” in the Peru group & sometimes joined the others & sometimed not. Everyone was great and we all felt free to do what we each wanted. Hotels were fine, good mix of public & private transport, most breakfasts (surprise, surprise) turned out to be included – bonus. We’re off to South Africa in January with Drifter’s Tours – anybody ever travelled with them?

i did an intrepid trip to vietnam and cambodia as well as a thailand one. im heading off to peru with them next week. the only one which (so far) was even vaugely disappointing was having a kiwi guide in cambodia so no local that spoke the language. he got angry with the locals easily which is a no no in cambodia. and really wasnt all that helpful (more than i coulda been with a written itinerary etc) but the thai guide and the vietnam one were awesome (and i oddly enough ran into my thai guide in hanoi about a year later). got to enjoy local markets, ask what things were etc and i even got my stuff back when it was stolen at the hotel in saigon (checked it at the front desk like they say to, then it was gone, oddly they found it in the drawer they looked in 30 times.. yeah right). friend of the guide flew it up to hanoi, met us on the highway to hand it over and woulndt take any money. i coulda kissed it goodbye if i was on my own.

Any one take a Intrepid trip to Vietnam Cambodia or Laos recently? Trying to decide between Gap or Intrepid.

I have traveled with Intrepid in one trip Called The best of North and South. to Marrakesh. I was surprised about your ideas about Intrepid especially. So let’s do the simple the math : you pay a room in casa : tranfer to hotel with Intrepid : moe 30 Euros. Train by yourself = taxi = 6 Euros Book a hotel throught the company : 70 Euros. Book by yourself : 38 Euros No breakfats in all the places we stayed in all north and it means you have to put more and more along the trip. You need to put at least 4 Euros a day. No lunch and no dinner included. I’d prefer to deal with the hotels myself if I knew. It would be cheaper than the trip with Intrepid. Only 2 or 3 guides are included in their trips. You need to put more. Hotels most of them are filty and dirty. I can add unsafe especially in Casablanca. Responsible travel you said? I am laughing you should ask those people how much they are paid to lodge and feed people. It’s a question of going for less and save money for the company. I can always add more!

Wow – tx so much for this clear and enlightening review. I agree with almost everything you’ve said.

And since I’m here, I’ll share my experiences. I’ve been on 2 GAP trips. Roam Mexico was the first and I had an amazing time, despite the group leader who was unorganised and just not made for the job. The itinerary and the group itself was just brilliant though, with mainly a lot of like-minded 20/30 somethings.

My second GAP trip was Roam Egypt. Again, I had a blast, but I have to say the tour leader here was even poorer, trying to push people into day trips and eventually just vanishing from the group 2 days from the end!

So you might ask why I’m considering another tour with GAP now (thinking about Roam Cabodja and Vietnam in November)… I think the people I’ve travelled with have been great and the itineraries have been spot on each time, enabling us to see a lot in a relatively short period of time (even though a lot of traveling was involved).

So my main motivation for traveling with a group is that it enables me to see more in less time and I enjoyed the company of the group members on both my trips.

Happy travels!

My daughter and I went to Peru on a 9 day trip with GAP. Overall I was pleased with the organization and hotels. Our guide, Mary Lu was amazing!!! She was so informative. I appreciated that she knew all the ins and outs of the tickets and line ups for Machu Picchu and getting a number for Wayna Picchu. My only complaint was that we had too many different handlers with GAP. It was always a different person dropping us off or picking us up.

I am a solo female traveler, i was looking at a GAP called Roam Cambodia. It starts in Bangkok goes through Cambodia and ends in Ho Chi Mihn City. I noticed that Intrepid has almost the same itinerary for about $300 more, but it sounds like people prefer Intrepid over Gap… any advice?

Great review! I’ve traveled on my own and with both GAP and Intrepid and I agree with your pros and cons 100%.

I went to Peru with GAP, and after that experience would recommend hiking the Inca Trail with no one but GAP; I also did an Antarctica trip with GAP that was excellent.

So far I’ve only been to Greece with Intrepid. I don’t think at guided tour was needed for that trip, but my friend and I wanted others to travel with and were really just too lazy to make all the arrangements. Our tour guide was just ok, but the trip itself was great. I’m off to Africa with Intrepid in a few months!

Thanks again for the great review. I’ll be sending others over to read it the next time they ask me about travel with GAP and Intrepid. :)

I’ve traveled with Gap once (around Peru) and it was OK – mediocre guide but an excellent and small group (only 7 of us). I tend to organize most trips myself but this helped with access to the Inca Trail among other things. I ended up arranging to stay longer in the Amazon (before traveling) and missed the end of the trip. Apart from the guide, I thought Gap did everything well – hotels were fine, pre-trip was good (enough info etc), itinerary and activities were varied and matched everything they promoted plus a few extra places that weren’t included in the original itinerary making for full days. I’d have taken much longer to see all this under my own steam as they’d sorted out the transport part (even though much was using local public transport) cleverly. Food was flexible and excellent for a small group as we had an adventurous group that balanced good eating with quick eats and explore the town type dinners (we tended to organize ourselves as the guide was on the take from all the places so we primarily cut him out and did our own eating arrangements – easy enough in Peru). I’ve never tried Intrepid but I suspect all companies with good names remain at the mercy of the group you end up with, the actual guide, a bit of luck (weather, things being open, etc) etc..

Martha Vanthienen

I am back from my second trip with gap. my husband and I enjoid the first trip (Mexico) better, than Egypt, Jordan, but the tour leader from Jordan made at wright, at was still value for Money, Garanty. also as we were old, we can only say, they made us feel very welcom, keep up the good work, we are looking forward for the next one.

I have just come back from a family safari trip with GAP in Tanzania. We had a great time, great driver, stayed in lodges as well as camping one night and it’s a trip my daughters (age 13 and 15) and my dad (age 75) will remember forever. No complaints at all.

We were with GAP in South America, and it was terrible. The places were great, but we had a good time despite GAP and out tour leader, not because. They cut out all your promised meals, changed hotels to camping (so anyone fancy 11 nights in a row being bitten by mossies and finding sticks to pic the black widows off your tent?) It was just dismaying not to have a hotel inbetween camping as promised. Also they did not give us a overland truc but two 4x4s with bucet seats designed for 4 ppl but made 5 squeeze in, given that the suspension went halfway through the trip you had one cheek on raised plastic and one on lower seat, and some journeys are 10-16 hours long, you could barely walk the next day. And watch out for the Peruvian guides, ours was discriminatory to women, had thre out of the 4 girls in our group in tears at diff points!

Our group was older couples and we were looking for late night fun in bars etc, wheras we met another group who were all under 22 and pissed everynight excpet for one 40yr old swedish woman who was very isolated.

poweredbytofu

@rachel, thanks for sharing your experience! That’s the 2nd South America complaint I’ve heard. I did one of their Costa Rica trips, which was great — so it seems their SA trips might be a little hit-or-miss… I have a friend who did their Peru/Bolivia trip and they had a great time.

Nancy Allen

Do you recommend using GAP or Intrepid for a 2 week trip with my daughter? I’m 55 and she’s almost 17. We want a “travel” trip not just a vacation-looking at Central or South America, or possibly India. While not on a strict budget, I don’t need luxury level either.

@Nancy I think both companies have family trips that allow teens (& younger kids too). While I don’t have kids, I think it would be an ideal type of trip for “off the beaten path” destinations since you wouldn’t have to plan the logistics or worry about safety etc. I imagine their family trips would be reasonably affordable as well. Anyone else been on a family trip?

Great advice. Travelled w/ Gap twice. It was great in Antarctica but extremely disappointing in Mali. I guess it depends on who they subcontract out to. Friends who have gone with both Gap and Intrepid say they much prefer the latter – better bang for the buck. Even though they seem cheaper, unexpected payments on the Gap trips added up so you end up paying more without the added experiences, benefits etc.

I just stumbled on your blog while looking for info on group tours vs. independent travels. Did you do a trip around SE Asia? You mentioned that tours might be safer for solo female travellers heading to Cambodia..any other tips?

Hi there! Yes, I did an Intrepid trip in Cambodia/Vietnam. SE Asia is very do-able on your own or with a friend, but I had a great time on the trip. I had a round trip flight that I was planning around, so it was reassuring that I would definitely be in a given city by a certain date. On the other hand, it’s definitely not slow travel, which can be frustrating. If you’re looking at it more for the safety in numbers approach, check out the Basic/Roam style cheaper trips. Cheers!

Thanks for this writeup – I’m actually on a Intrepid trip booked for Morocco this fall and its good to know that it was a wise decision.

I travelled with GAP to South America and thought the were dreadful. The guide on the trek was lazy, rude and frankly it ruined the entire experience. I for one won’t ever be using them again.

I really enjoyed your website! I was looking up Gap Adventures on google and found your site. I also have a life list too! Glad to find people that love to travel as much as I do. I enjoyed reading your Eastern Europe stuff too since I am going next week!

Good luck in completing your life list!

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G Adventures vs Intrepid

The low down.

In Their Own Words We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them

G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own. On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.

Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 30 years. Every trip is designed to truly experience local culture - to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Led by a local leader, our small group tours offer a sustainable way to travel off the beaten track, while giving back to the places and people that travellers visit.

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G Adventures vs Intrepid: Choosing Your Travel Adventure

• February 12, 2024

When it comes to embarking on a thrilling travel adventure, two names often stand out in the crowd: G Adventures and Intrepid. These renowned tour operators have carved a niche for themselves in the travel industry, offering a wide array of exhilarating experiences to cater to diverse interests and preferences. Whether you dream of exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef, or immersing yourself in the vibrant cultural tapestry of Southeast Asia, both G Adventures and Intrepid have you covered. But how do you choose between the two? In this article, we’ll delve into the similarities and differences of G Adventures and Intrepid, helping you make an informed decision for your next travel adventure.

The Experience Factor: What Sets G Adventures and Intrepid Apart

When it comes to seeking unique experiences, both G Adventures and Intrepid have a rich portfolio to offer. Each company prides itself on providing authentic, immersive, and sustainable travel experiences that go beyond the beaten path. However, they have their own distinctive approaches that set them apart from each other.

G Adventures: Embrace the Spirit of “Small Group” Travel

G Adventures, as their name suggests, believes in the power of small group travel. Their itineraries typically consist of around 10-15 travelers, fostering an intimate and close-knit experience. This allows you to form genuine connections with fellow travelers and engage more deeply with local communities. G Adventures aims to provide a platform for meaningful cultural exchange, where you can truly connect with the destinations you visit.

Intrepid: Unleash Your Inner Explorer

On the other hand, Intrepid takes pride in their innovative approach to adventure travel. They offer a diverse range of itineraries catering to various travel styles, including family adventures, solo travel, and food-focused journeys. Intrepid’s tours often incorporate unique and immersive experiences, allowing you to truly step off the beaten path and embrace the spirit of exploration. Their itineraries are carefully curated to offer a well-balanced mix of iconic highlights and hidden gems.

Destination Coverage: Where Can G Adventures and Intrepid Take You?

Both G Adventures and Intrepid have an extensive global reach, offering tours to countless destinations across all seven continents. From the enchanting landscapes of Africa to the bustling streets of Asia, the possibilities are endless. Let’s explore some of the popular regions covered by both tour operators.

G Adventures: Discover the Wonders of Latin America

G Adventures has made a name for itself in Latin America, offering a wide range of adventures across this culturally-rich and diverse region. Whether you wish to trek to the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, explore the vibrant cities of Colombia, or venture into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, G Adventures has thoughtfully crafted tours to satisfy all Latin American wanderlust.

Intrepid: Embrace the Richness of Asia

Intrepid shines in the realm of Asian travel, with an impressive selection of itineraries spanning this vast and captivating continent. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the tranquil landscapes of rural Japan, Intrepid’s tours offer a deep dive into the rich history, vibrant cultures, and mouthwatering cuisines of Asia. Whether you’re yearning to cruise along the iconic Halong Bay in Vietnam or explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Intrepid has something to cater to every Asian adventure seeker.

Travel Styles: Finding Your Perfect Fit

One crucial aspect of choosing between G Adventures and Intrepid is understanding the different travel styles they offer. Each company curates itineraries to cater to various travel preferences, ensuring that you find your perfect fit.

G Adventures: From Classic to Active Adventures

G Adventures offers a diverse range of travel styles, making it easy to find a tour that aligns with your preferred level of activity and comfort. Whether you opt for their “Classic” style, which encompasses a well-rounded mix of cultural highlights and immersive experiences, or their more physically demanding “Active” style, which incorporates activities like hiking and kayaking, G Adventures ensures that there is something for everyone. Their travel styles also extend to “National Geographic Journeys,” offering an exclusive and enriching experience in partnership with the renowned National Geographic Society.

Intrepid: Tailored Experiences for Every Traveler

Intrepid takes a similar approach, offering a variety of travel styles to cater to different preferences. From their “Original” style, which encompasses a mix of well-known sights and local experiences, to their “Basix” style, which focuses on budget-friendly adventures, Intrepid ensures that you can choose a tour that best suits your desired level of comfort and immersion. They also offer specialized travel styles like “Family,” “Food,” and “Independent,” allowing you to embark on a journey tailored to your specific interests.

Social and Environmental Responsibility: Making a Difference Through Travel

In today’s world, responsible travel has become increasingly important. Both G Adventures and Intrepid recognize their roles in preserving the planet and supporting local communities. Let’s explore how these companies prioritize social and environmental responsibility.

G Adventures: Changing Lives Through Travel

G Adventures has built its foundation on the principles of sustainable and responsible travel. They strive to make a positive impact on local communities by supporting small-scale, locally-owned accommodations and businesses. G Adventures also established the “Planeterra Foundation,” a non-profit organization that focuses on community development and social enterprise projects around the world. Through their initiatives, they aim to empower local communities and preserve the destinations they operate in.

Intrepid: Leading the Way in Responsible Travel

Intrepid is widely recognized as a leader in responsible travel. They have a comprehensive set of initiatives that address environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Intrepid has been carbon-neutral since 2010 and is actively working towards becoming net-zero by 2025. They also believe in promoting gender equality and empowering women in local communities through their “Project SAMA” initiative. Intrepid’s commitment to responsible travel ensures that your adventures leave a positive footprint on the world.

Group Size and Dynamics: Finding Your Travel Companions

When embarking on a group tour, the dynamics of the group can greatly influence your overall experience. G Adventures and Intrepid differ in their group size and demographics, catering to different travelers’ preferences.

G Adventures: Small Groups, Big Connections

As mentioned earlier, G Adventures takes pride in their small-group approach, typically consisting of around 10-15 travelers. This intimate setting allows for a more personal experience, fostering camaraderie and genuine connections with fellow travelers. If you thrive in a close-knit group dynamic and enjoy forming meaningful connections, G Adventures may be the perfect fit for you.

Intrepid: Travel with Like-Minded Adventurers

Intrepid’s group dynamics are designed to bring together like-minded adventurers who share similar interests and travel styles. Their tours attract a diverse range of travelers from different age groups and nationalities, fostering a vibrant and inclusive group dynamic. If you enjoy meeting new people and experiencing diverse perspectives, Intrepid’s group tours may be your ideal choice.

Accommodations and Inclusions: Finding Comfort and Value

The type of accommodations and inclusions provided by G Adventures and Intrepid can greatly influence the overall value and comfort of your travel experience. Let’s explore what each tour operator offers in terms of accommodations and inclusions.

G Adventures: Variety and Flexibility

G Adventures offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. From comfortable hotels and guesthouses to unique homestays and wilderness camps, G Adventures ensures that there is something for every traveler. They also provide a good balance of included activities and free time, allowing you to tailor your experience according to your interests.

Intrepid: Immersive and Authentic

Intrepid takes pride in providing immersive and authentic experiences, and their choice of accommodations reflects this philosophy. They prioritize staying in locally-owned and culturally significant accommodations, allowing you to connect more deeply with the destinations you visit. Intrepid also includes several activities and meals in their itineraries, ensuring that you get a well-rounded experience without the worry of additional costs.

Price Range: Finding Adventure Within Your Budget

Your budget is an essential consideration when choosing between G Adventures and Intrepid. While both tour operators aim to provide value for money, there are differences in their pricing structures.

G Adventures: Catering to Different Budgets

G Adventures offers a wide range of tours and travel styles, allowing you to find options that fit within your budget. Their tours are categorized into different price tiers, including “Budget,” “Standard,” and “Comfort,” enabling you to choose the level of comfort and inclusions that align with your financial means.

Intrepid: Budget-Friendly Adventures

Intrepid is known for offering budget-friendly adventures without compromising on quality and experiences. They strive to keep their tours affordable while still providing immersive and enriching experiences. If you’re looking for exceptional value for money, Intrepid may be the ideal choice for your next adventure.

Booking Process and Support: Seamless From Start to Finish

The booking process and support provided by G Adventures and Intrepid can greatly influence your peace of mind and overall satisfaction. Let’s explore how their booking processes and customer support compare.

G Adventures: User-Friendly and Supportive

G Adventures offers a user-friendly booking platform, allowing you to easily navigate through their diverse range of tours and travel styles. They provide transparent information about itineraries, inclusions, and optional activities, ensuring that you can make an informed decision. G Adventures also has a dedicated customer support team that is readily available to assist you at any stage of your journey.

Intrepid: Easy Booking and Expert Guidance

Intrepid’s booking process is straightforward, allowing you to browse through their extensive list of tours and travel styles. They provide detailed information about each itinerary, including essential trip notes, so you know exactly what to expect. Intrepid’s customer support team consists of seasoned travel experts who can provide guidance and answer any queries you may have, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free booking experience.

Reviews and Reputation: What Do Travelers Say?

Taking into account the experiences and opinions of fellow travelers can provide valuable insights into the reputation and quality of both G Adventures and Intrepid. Let’s explore what travelers have to say about these tour operators.

G Adventures: Highly Rated and Acclaimed

G Adventures has garnered a strong reputation within the travel community, with consistently positive reviews from travelers. Their commitment to sustainable travel, immersive experiences, and small group dynamics resonates with many adventurers. G Adventures has been recognized with numerous awards, including being named the “Best Adventure Travel Company” by the British Travel Awards for multiple consecutive years.

Intrepid: A Trusted Choice Among Travelers

Intrepid is also highly regarded among travelers, with a strong reputation for authentic experiences and responsible travel. Customers often praise their knowledgeable guides, well-designed itineraries, and commitment to supporting local communities. Intrepid has received accolades such as the “Best Large Tour Operator” at the 2020 British Travel Awards, solidifying its position as a trusted choice for adventure travel.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Adventure Partner

Whether you opt for the small group intimacy of G Adventures or the diverse range of travel styles offered by Intrepid, both tour operators excel in providing exciting and immersive travel experiences. Consider your personal preferences, travel style, desired destinations, budget, and the dynamics you seek in a group tour. Whichever adventure partner you choose, rest assured that your journey will be filled with unforgettable moments, deep connections, and the joy of exploring our incredible world. So, are you ready to embark on your next travel adventure with G Adventures or Intrepid? The choice is yours.

(Note: This article is based on research and personal opinions of the author and should not be considered as a definitive guide. It is always recommended to visit the respective websites of G Adventures and Intrepid for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their tours and services.)

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7 Tour Companies Like G Adventures

G Adventures is a well-known tour company that has been operating for over 30 years, offering small group tours to a variety of destinations around the world. With a strong focus on sustainable and responsible travel practices, G Adventures has gained a reputation as a leader in the adventure travel industry.

While G Adventures is a popular choice for many travellers, there are other tour companies that offer similar services and experiences. The focus of this blog is to explore those other tour companies, comparing and contrasting them with G Adventures in terms of their offerings, style, and approach to travel.

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Why look for alternatives to G Adventures?

G Adventures is great, but it might not be right for everyone. Some travellers might look for other tour companies like G Adventures for a variety of reasons such as: Different destinations: G Adventures may not offer tours to all the destinations that a traveller wants to visit. In such a case, they may need to look for other tour companies that offer tours to those specific locations. Price: G Adventures may be too expensive for some travellers. They may need to look for other tour companies that offer similar experiences but at a lower price. Tour types: G Adventures offers a wide range of tour types, including adventure tours, cultural tours, and wildlife tours. However, if a traveller is looking for a specific type of tour, they may need to look for other tour companies that specialise in that area. Personal preferences: Travellers may have specific preferences for the type of tour they want to go on, such as the size of the group, the level of physical activity, or the accommodation type. They may need to look for other tour companies that offer tours that meet their specific requirements. Availability: G Adventures tours may be fully booked for the dates a traveller wants to travel. In such a case, they may need to look for other tour companies that offer similar tours during their preferred travel dates.

Key features that distinguish G Adventures from other tour companies

G Adventures is known for its unique approach to travel, which emphasises cultural immersion, sustainability, and responsible tourism. Here are some of the key features that distinguish G Adventures from other tour companies: Small group sizes: G Adventures typically limits group sizes to 12 people, allowing for a more personalised and intimate travel experience. This is in contrast to other tour companies that may have larger group sizes. Emphasis on sustainable and responsible travel: G Adventures is committed to minimizing the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local communities. This includes supporting local businesses, reducing waste, and promoting responsible tourism practices. Local experiences and cultural immersion: G Adventures places a strong emphasis on connecting travellers with local cultures and customs. This may include activities like home stays, cooking classes, and visits to local markets and communities.

One Life Adventures Review

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Flexible itineraries: While G Adventures provides pre-planned itineraries, there is also room for flexibility and customisation based on the group’s interests and preferences. Diverse destinations: G Adventures offers trips to a wide range of destinations, including off-the-beaten-path locations that may not be as accessible to independent travellers. Expert local guides: G Adventures hires local guides with in-depth knowledge of the destinations and cultures being visited, providing travellers with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the places they are visiting.

Other tour companies like G Adventures

As a leading tour company, G Adventures has made a name for itself in the travel industry with its unique travel style and focus on sustainable tourism. However, G Adventures is not the only company that offers such tours. In fact, there are several other tour companies that offer similar travel experiences, including:

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a travel company that offers small-group tours to a wide variety of destinations around the world. The company was founded in 1989 with the goal of providing travellers with an authentic and responsible travel experience, while also supporting local communities and minimising negative impacts on the environment. Intrepid Travel offers a range of tour styles, including adventure tours and cultural tours, among others. Their tours typically have a maximum group size of 12 to 16 people, which allows for a more immersive and personalised travel experience. The company also places a strong emphasis on sustainable travel practices, such as minimising waste and supporting local businesses. In addition to its regular tours, Intrepid Travel also offers a range of themed tours , such as food tours, cycling tours, and wildlife tours, as well as custom tours for private groups.

Contiki is a tour company that caters to young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, providing them with unique travel experiences and opportunities to explore the world with like-minded individuals. Founded in 1962, Contiki has been a popular choice for young travellers for over 50 years, with a reputation for providing fun, social, and immersive travel experiences. One of the key features that sets Contiki apart from other tour companies is its focus on young adults. Contiki understands that young people have unique travel needs and desires, and has designed its tours to cater to these needs. For example, tours typically include a mix of cultural activities, adventure activities, and social activities, providing travellers with a well-rounded travel experience that is both enriching and enjoyable. In addition to offering a diverse range of activities, Contiki also places a strong emphasis on group dynamics and socialisation. Tours are designed to encourage group bonding and provide opportunities for young adults to make new friends and connections from around the world. This is especially important for young travellers who may be travelling solo or looking to meet new people.

One Life Adventures

One Life Adventures is a tour company that specialises in adventure travel experiences in Asia. Founded in 2019, One Life Adventures aims to provide travellers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences that are not typically included in traditional tour itineraries. The company prides itself on its sustainable and responsible approach to tourism, and works to minimise its environmental impact and support local communities. One of the main features that sets One Life Adventures apart from other tour companies is its focus on small group travel. The company limits group sizes to a maximum of 16 people, which allows for a more personalised and intimate travel experience. This small group size also makes it easier for the company to offer unique and exclusive experiences that may not be possible with larger groups. Another key feature of One Life Adventures is its commitment to responsible tourism. The company works with local partners to support sustainable tourism practices and reduce its environmental impact. This includes minimising the use of single-use plastics, supporting community-based tourism initiatives, and using eco-friendly accommodations whenever possible. One Life Adventures offers a variety of tours throughout Asia, with a focus on destinations in Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

TruTravels is a popular tour operator that offers exciting and affordable travel packages to 18 to 35-year-old travellers. What sets TruTravels apart from other tour operators is its focus on creating a sense of community among its travellers. The company believes that travel is not just about seeing new places, but also about connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. To achieve this, TruTravels organises small group tours with a maximum of 14 travellers per trip. This allows for a more intimate and personalised experience, where travellers can get to know each other and the local communities they visit. TruTravels has a wide range of travel packages to choose from, including adventure tours, island hopping, cultural immersion, and party trips. Each trip is carefully designed to cater to the needs and interests of young travellers, with a focus on adventure, exploration, and fun. TruTravels’ tour leaders are all experienced travellers themselves and have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with their groups. They are also trained to provide a safe and supportive environment for travellers, ensuring that everyone has a great time while on the road. One of the reasons TruTravels is so popular with 18 to 35-year-old travellers is its commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism. The company works closely with local communities to promote sustainable tourism practices and minimise the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local cultures. TruTravels also supports local charities and social enterprises, and encourages its travellers to give back to the communities they visit.

Bamba Travel

Bamba is a tour company that specialises in flexible and customisable travel experiences. Founded in 2006, Bamba has grown to offer a wide range of tours and activities in destinations all over the world, with a focus on adventure, cultural immersion, and responsible tourism practices. One of the key features that distinguishes Bamba from other tour companies is its emphasis on flexibility. Bamba offers “hop-on, hop-off” passes that allow travellers to design their own itineraries and travel at their own pace. This means that travellers can stay longer in destinations they love or change their plans if something unexpected comes up, providing a level of freedom and flexibility that is rare in the tour industry. Bamba also offers a range of pre-planned tours and activities, from day trips to multi-day adventures. These tours are designed to provide immersive cultural experiences and opportunities for adventure, such as trekking, surfing, or wildlife viewing. Bamba also places a strong emphasis on responsible and sustainable travel, with a focus on supporting local communities and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

On The Go Tours

On The Go Tours is a UK-based tour company that offers a wide range of guided group tours and tailor-made travel packages to destinations all over the world. The company was established in 1998 and has since grown to become one of the leading tour operators in the UK. The company’s tours cover a variety of themes, including cultural, adventure, wildlife, and historical tours, as well as family and solo traveller trips. They offer small group tours with an average of 16 travellers, allowing for a more personalised experience and greater access to local culture and experiences. On The Go Tours also offers tailor-made travel packages, which allow travellers to create their own itinerary and select their preferred activities, accommodation, and destinations. The company’s team of travel experts provides assistance and advice to ensure that the itinerary meets the needs and preferences of each traveller. One of the company’s core values is responsible tourism, which is reflected in their choice of partners, sustainable travel practices, and ethical treatment of local communities. On The Go Tours also supports a number of local projects and charities in the destinations they visit, helping to give back to the communities they interact with.

INTRO Travel

INTRO Travel is a tour operator that specialises in providing authentic and affordable travel experiences to young adults. Their focus is on creating group tours that encourage travellers to discover new cultures, meet new people, and push themselves out of their comfort zones. One of the main reasons why INTRO Travel is so popular with young adults is because they cater specifically to this demographic. They understand that young people are often on a tight budget, but still want to travel and have fun. That’s why their tours are designed to be affordable, while still providing all the necessary amenities and experiences that travellers want. Another reason why INTRO Travel is so popular is because of their emphasis on group travel. Travelling with a group of like-minded individuals can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as it allows travellers to make new friends and share unique experiences together. INTRO Travel’s tours are designed to be social, with plenty of opportunities for group bonding and fun. In addition to their focus on group travel, INTRO Travel is also known for their focus on authentic experiences. Rather than just ticking off the typical tourist attractions, INTRO Travel’s tours are designed to give travellers a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life. This might involve staying with local families, visiting local markets, or even taking part in traditional ceremonies and rituals. Finally, INTRO Travel is popular with young adults because of their commitment to responsible tourism. They understand that tourism can have a negative impact on the environment and local communities, and so they work hard to minimise this impact as much as possible. This might involve using eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, or taking part in volunteer projects.

It’s important to know that G Adventures is just one of the many tour companies out there that you might want to check out. Each tour company listed above has its own style and focus, so it’s worth doing your research to find the one that is right for you. And the best part? You can book tours with these companies directly on our website . You can read reviews from other travellers, compare prices and itineraries, and book your tour all in one place. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today!

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Age Range: 18 - 80

Average Tour Price: $2,377

Accommodation Style:  Unique stays in boutique 3  and 4 star hotels

Group Size: Small groups - max 16 on most trips. To increase travelers safety during Covid-19, Intrepid has decreased their group size to an average of 10 people

Travel Style: Cultural immersion, active adventure, overland

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We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information....

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This was my third trip with Intrepid, and I'll continue to plan future trips with them. I choose Intrepid to travel to parts of the world where I don't feel comforta...

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I keep coming back to Intrepid cos they just keep doing it right! The organisation, logistics, variety and quality of experiences, the challenges, the balance betwee...

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I love Intrepid Real Food adventures and have now been on a few. India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Mexico. Morocco Vietnam, as well as Jamaica. It can be very get in amongst...

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Intrepid Travel - Quick Facts

Founded in 1989

No Single Supplement (rare exceptions)

Small Groups: max 16 on most trips (10 max during Covid-19)

Average Age:  48

Travel Style: Cultural immersion, adventure, overland,  sustainable, and active

Accommodation Style: Camping, Hostels, 3 /4 star hotels, locally owned

Top Regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, South America

Other Brands: Peregrine

Commonly compared with G Adventures »

Intrepid Travel is all about ‘real life experiences.’ With a name meaning fearless and adventurous, Intrepid offers nothing less than big travel adventures -- such as an 11-day hike through Papua New Guinea.  However, Intrepid is broad-based enough to offer varied experiences such as food tours in Greece, complete with a visit to a Kalamata olive grove.

What Makes Intrepid Travel Stand Out?

• Responsible travel
• Industry experts
• Authentic experiences
• Small groups

Intrepid believes that with great travel experiences comes great responsibility. They are focused on responsible tourism which includes not only treading lightly but also making a positive impact on the destinations they send travelers to.  As a Certified B Corp since 2018, Intrepid donates to grass root projects around the world, are a carbon-neutral business and are committed to animal welfare.

Travelers can rest assured when they travel with Intrepid because they will be in the hands of industry experts . Intrepid partners with local leaders to be guides for travelers. This gives travelers first hand experiences from someone who knows the area well.

Above all else, Intrepid strives to get its travelers off the beaten path and under the surface of the local culture. To accomplish this, group sizes are small, maximum of 16 on most trips. This allows for more use of local transportation and lodging, along with fostering cultural immersion . Intrepid also employs local English-speaking leaders who act more as a resource for local exploration than do typical ‘guides,’ shepherding groups from one place to another. 

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Intrepid Travel?

• All types of travelers
• Cultural enthusiasts

Intrepid is one of the early pioneers of the “adventure”-style guided trip . Despite its informal beginnings and emphasis on younger, highly adventurous travelers, Intrepid has expanded to a global company with a broad range of trips to fit all ages.

Intrepid divides its small-group trips into three separate styles of travel, all priced accordingly. “Basix,” for budget travelers , keep inclusions to a minimum and offer plenty of free time. “Original” journeys offer more included activities and hotels, while “Comfort” trips offer luxury experiences that include the highest level of included activities and standards of accommodation, as well as roomier vehicles. No matter what kind of traveler you are, there is a style right for your specific desires.

The age range on Intrepid tours varies widely from tour to tour, and they are welcoming to all ages.  The only exception to this are their 18-29 themed tours which are specifically for that age group. 

Intrepid travelers have  a real sense of adventure - whether this means hard adventure, or simply going deeper off the beaten path. Interacting with locals is an important factor when you travel, as is gaining a unique cultural perspective.  A sense of fun is also essential, whether it means going out at night with your tour mates, trying new foods, or exploring the local markets.

Which is better? Intrepid Travel or G Adventures?

Commonly compared, both G Adventures and Intrepid Travel specialize in culturally immersive and off-the-beaten-path experiences. They are top companies to consider if you enjoy local & authetic travel and value having lots of free time during the itinerary. See our ultimate guide to decide which is right for you: Intrepid vs G Adventures, full comparison »

Top Destinations

Originally focused on small group adventure tours to Asia , Intrepid has expanded rapidly over the years, while maintaining its classic, adventurous, and immersive style. Today Intrepid Travel offers more than 1,000 different experiences in over 100 countries, on all seven continents. Regions with the most trips include Asia , South America , Africa , and Europe .

Does Intrepid Travel include flights?

While all your internal transportation is taken care of, often utilizing traditiona local methods such as tuk-tuks in Thailand, international flights to and from your home and the tour destination are not included.  Their travel specialists can recommend where to look for flights however.

Intrepid Travel Style

Intrepid enjoys using local, unique forms of transportation. You might find yourself traveling by felucca in Egypt   or in a tuk-tuk on the best Thailand tour of your life.

Accommodations, which could range from guesthouses to home stays, are also locally owned, allowing a more authentic taste of the region while contributing to the local economy.

There are a few broad travel styles to choose from when deciding on an Intrepid tour:

1. Basix - Budget travelers who don’t mind, and in fact prefer, simple accommodations - camping and homestays with basic amenities, and crave a lot of free time for exploring independently will love these tours. Public transportation is used exclusively so pack light! These trips often attract a younger crowd who love the idea of throwing a backpack on, keep plenty of room for the unexpected in their schedule, and allocate their travel funds towards spontaneous bus tickets and street food instead of museum tours and 5 star restaurants.

2. Original - These trips take the backpacker spirit of local immersion, incorporating all the benefits that come with going with a planned itinerary. This style is called “Original” because it’s the type of travel that put Intrepid on the map...pun intended. Accommodations are still simple and budget minded - often homestays are used to give you a true sense of place, personality, and culture . Mostly public transportation is used.

3. Comfort - Intrepid is known for the active adventure style of travel and these trips keep that mentality, with a few more creature comforts thrown into the mix. You can expect higher luxury accommodations that include a wider variety of included amenities, transportation is mostly private, though you can still expect to use some public transport, as is the Intrepid way. More meals are included in the trip price, and more group activities - which means a bit less free time to explore on your own.

Why Choose a Tour With Intrepid Travel?

Intrepid is a good tour company if you don’t mind foregoing some creature comforts for a truly authentic, local experience . If you enjoy meeting locals when traveling, sampling new and exciting foods , and traveling in mixed-aged groups of 10-16 people, Intrepid could be a good fit for you.

It’s important to note, sometimes “ample free time” can be a blessing and a curse. It sounds great on paper, but if you’re looking to maximize your dollar and your vacation time, be sure you understand the implications of having a lot of free time during your itinerary.

For some travelers this is an absolute requirement, but for others it can be tough to branch off and explore independently - you also need to make sure you allocate enough travel money for independent meals .

The tour leaders are great resources of information for how to spend your free time, but if you like having a full day scheduled from breakfast to dinner, Intrepid may not be the best company for you.

Lastly, if sustainable and responsible travel is important to you, Intrepid has poured millions of dollars into local economies, and has a very strong emphasis on responsible travel. So you can feel good knowing that your money helps support some of the innkeepers, vendors, and communities that you’ll meet along the way.

Is Intrepid Travel Safe?

Yes, Intrepid is a very safe company to travel with and they take the safety of their tour goers very seriously.

In response to Covid-19, Intrepid has reduced their group size to an average of 10 people. Their guides have been fully trained on new sanitation requirements and Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

They have also implemented flexible booking options. 

General Covid-19 Travel News

Some countries are beginning to reopen to international visitors, with entry restrictions, while others have remained closed. 

Keep checking back regularly to keep up to date with the frequently changing situation of the coronavirus.

Want more information about travel safety and the coronavirus? Read about where it's safe to travel to in 2020 >>

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About the company, the intrepid travel experience.

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

•   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
•   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
•   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
•   Local transport - get close and personal
•   Local accommodation - experience real living
•   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

• Integrity – Doing the right thing
• Responsible – Think global, act local
• Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
• Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
• Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
• Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

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Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

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As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

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We’re the leader in small group adventure travel for more than 30 years. How’d we get here? By redefining the way travellers see the world. Check out how we’re creating the future of travel.

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Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.

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At G Adventures, we don’t have tour guides — we have Chief Experience Officers. And they are all locally based, meaning they know the area you’re exploring like the back of their well-travelled hand.

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No matter the Travel Style, our tours balance well-planned itineraries with the flexibility to do your own thing and make the experience your own.

When you travel with us, you experience first-hand our commitment to making travel a force for good is in everything we do.