The World is your Oyster! (Intrepid Travel)

Member Name: CharliJade

Product:	Intrepid Travel
Date:	04/03/09 (469 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An experience for life!

Disadvantages: Local payment is a bit sneaky.

For me, the highlight of travelling is to learn about different cultures, religions and and experience new things. Intrepid Travel allowed me to do just this.

**The company**

Intrepid Travel is predominantly for those who want to experience 'local life' with real local tour guides. The company allows you to venture off the beaten track and explore places and towns that many travellers will miss out.

Intrepid Travel was started up in 1989 with the idea of getting travellers to actually experience Asia and how people really live. The company has expanded greatly over the recent years and now operates, not only in Asia, but in 90 different destinations all over the world.

The way Intrepid works is slightly different to most other tour operators. The company believe in helping the environment, so this means wherever possible public transport will be used along with eating and sleeping in local establishments.
Personally I think this is a great way to learn about different cultures and have fun at the same time.

**Where can I travel to?**

There are over 300 trips for you to chose from! They can range from just a few days to months of travelling. Regions covered are; Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America, The Middle East and Australasia. Trips depart every day of the week.

**Group Travel**

Intrepid prefer trips to be in small groups. This way you get to enjoy a more personalised experience and learn much more. The group size is approximately 12 people per trip. I loved travelling in a small group, I felt like everyone really got to know each other and it was like travelling with friends.

**Where will I sleep?**

Sometimes depending on which type of experience you opt for, you will stay with local families and tribes. This is a great way to learn about religion and culture and try some fantastic home made cooking.

I actually stayed with a family in Malaysia that owned a private island! This was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the muslim religion, try some delightful homemade cooking and meet the jungle village tribe on the next island.

One night we all dressed in sarongs, sat on the floor and ate with our hands. We stayed in small wooden shacks under mosquito nets, overlooking the lake. This is not for the faint hearted though, you are bound to come across a few creepy crawlies along the way! This family shared their island with wild elephants, tigers and monkeys.

Most of the time we stayed in guest houses and hotels. I was very happy with the standard of the accommodation.

**Free time**

With Intrepid Travel you do have quite a lot of free time to explore on your own. They have a range of extra activities you can do as a group, but you do not feel presurised in any way to participate.

The extra options our trip offered was to visit temples, mosques, zoos, shows and factories. Most of these are at a small extra cost.

**Feed me**

Some meals may be included in your trip, whilst other times you are free to eat wherever you like. The guide will always give you ideas and recommendations.

They say that the street stalls are safe enough to eat from, this may be the case for the locals. However, if you are new to travelling and are not used to spicy food, remember to pack Imodium! This could be a life saver if you have a long bus journey the next day! Be wary of the fruit stalls. The fruit looks juicy and is cheap but I contracted a parasite bug from eating the fruit. This is common as no pesticides are used.

**Is it expensive?**

I found the Intrepid trips to be great value for money. If you are a single traveller you have the option to save the single supplement and share with someone else in the group.

Just as an example, I did a 22 day trip, original package and the cost of this was £710. This included all transport and accommodation from Singapore, through Malaysia, Thailand and North Thailand. 7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 3 Dinners were also included. Some temples, trishaw rides and an elephant trek was included.

Intrepid also offer a multiple trip discount if you book more than one trip.

**The hidden cost**

Most of the Intrepid tours require compulsory Local Payment. Personally I think this is a bit of a con as you have already paid for the trip. The Local Payment is made upon entering each country of the trip. This payment has to be paid in cash and pays for local guides and entry to some museums, temples etc.

**Follow my leader, leader, leader**

The tour leader depends on which trip you are doing and how long for. It can be a westerner with a passion for travelling, or it can be a local guide that wants to teach you about their country. Either way, the leaders are highly experienced and ready to answer any questions you have. I had several guides and all of them were very informative and enthusiastic. Every guide will know what to do in an emergency and where to take you if you are ill. Unfortunately I had to go to the doctors and the leader made me feel very relaxed. The guide would always tell us to be careful with our belongings and I felt very safe.

**Different types of trips**

Intrepid offer different ways for you to travel to suit your needs.

Basix - Majority of travellers are between 18-30. If you are happy to 'rough it' then this is for you!
Original - More meals and tours are included. Also a better standard of accommodation.
Comfort - Quite a price jump from Intrepid Original package, but more private transport and better quality hotels are used.
Family - Adventure traveling for all the family, action packed for children and parents.
Active - If you are an adrenaline junkie then this is for you! Ideal for those who like challenging adventures.
Independent - 1st class accommodation is used, you have your own itinerary and often no guide is provided.
Overland - Lots of camping and travelling long distances.
Special Groups - See if you can round up the troops for the ultimate group travel. Friends and family or organisations will benefit.
Out Adventures - This is for gay and lesbian travellers and includes all levels of trips.
Urban Adventures - Short city sightseeing tours that take you to places that you wouldn't dream of going normally.

**How do I book?**

Intrepid Travel can be booked through most travel agents including STA Travel. You can also book directly through them by visiting www.intrepidtravel.com

I found their agents very helpful and they also advised me how to apply for visas, travel insurance, vaccinations and what I would need to pack.

I had an amazing experience with Intrepid Travel and I hope to book again in the future.

Thank you for reading - safe travelling! xx

Summary: Thoroughly recommend and I'd do it again!