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Genuine adventure is more than just sightseeing. Authentic travel is about going beyond the pages of the guidebook to connect with the pulse of a place. It’s about learning and participating, discovering hidden gems, making new friends, and experiencing countless unforgettable moments.

To shine a light on how exciting immersive travel can be, we’ve partnered with travel company Intrepid, a proud B Corp who have been taking travellers around the globe since 1989.

On an Intrepid trip, you’ll connect with locals and have authentic experiences in a way that gives back, and respects the people and places you visit. Plus, with small group sizes, holidays are intimate and personal. There are thousands of tours to choose from, but to show you how diverse these small group adventures are – and give you a glimpse of the unique experiences on offer – we’ve picked some of our favourites.

Here are five destinations to reignite your sense of adventure.

And, between now and December 1st, you can get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures. Use the button below to find out more. T&Cs apply.

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, is known for its beautiful landscapes and fascinating wildlife – and on Intrepid’s 10-day Best of Costa Rica trip, you’ll see the best of both. Journey from the sprawling concrete jungle of the capital, San Jose, into the real jungle, where you can look out for the resplendent quetzal – with its quirky hairdo – as well as hummingbirds, iguanas, tapirs, and sloths.

Other highlights include soaking in hot springs, exploring Monteverde’s beautiful butterfly garden, and visiting an organic family-owned farm, producing some of the best coffee in the world. You’ll also tuck into a super fresh garden-to-table lunch of Costa Rican favourites, and meet the Terraba people, a matriarchal community who’ve lived along the Terraba River for the last 500 years.

  • San Jose - La Fortuna - Monteverde - Manuel Antonio - Copey District

    £493 off | Costa Rica | 10 days | Accommodation Included

    Black Friday Sale: Get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures! Ends December 1st. T&Cs apply.

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,972pp £2,465pp  

2. Japan

Japan

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, why not treat yourself – and your taste buds – to an unforgettable journey? Intrepid’s 11-day Japan Real Food Adventure journeys from Tokyo to Osaka, exploring the country’s most delicious foodie hotspots. But this trip is as much about Japan’s culture, history, and people as it is about the cuisine, with iconic experiences you’ll remember long after the last bite.

In Tokyo, you’ll learn the history of sushi, how to choose the best fish, and make some yourself (with plenty of sampling, of course!). You’ll also try street food favourites like takoyaki (battered octopus snacks) and okonomiyaki (fritter-like pancakes). Then go behind the scenes of Japan’s favourite drinks, touring a sake brewery in Kyoto and matcha farms in Uji, with a hot cuppa in hand. Plus, much more!

  • Tokyo - Kanazawa - Kyoto - Koya-san - Osaka

    £664 off | Japan | 11 days | Accommodation Included

    Black Friday Sale: Get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures! Ends December 1st. T&Cs apply.

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £2,656pp £3,320pp  

3. Peru

Peru

Home to Incan ruins, colourful towns, and the mystical, soaring Andes, Peru is captivating. Intrepid’s 15-day Majestic Peru trip is an epic journey across wild Andean landscapes – from coastal plains to mountain rainforests and vast, gleaming lakes. You’ll learn about the unique culture and history, feast on delicious Peruvian food, and get to know local families.

Highlights include exploring the scenic Sacred Valley, touring Lake Titicaca’s floating islands, and visiting Machu Picchu, the once-lost Incan citadel perched upon a forested peak. You’ll visit the world-famous Machu Picchu by train, take tours of the capital Lima and the vibrant high-altitude city of Cusco, participate in local ceremonies, and admire the enormous Nazca Lines (a group of pre-Columbian geoglyphs etched into desert sands) — one of Peru’s greatest mysteries.

  • Lima - Paracas - Nazca - Arequipa - Puno - Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes

    £428 off | Peru | 15 days | Accommodation Included

    Black Friday Sale: Get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures! Ends December 1st. T&Cs apply.

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £2,427pp £2,855pp  

4. Vietnam

Vietnam

Vietnam is a fascinating destination full of life, colour, and flavour, and on Intrepid’s 10-day Vietnam Express Southbound, you’ll get to experience the best bits. Travelling from the capital Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll visit many of Vietnam’s most iconic sights while fuelling yourself with banh mi, condensed milk coffee, and delicious, authentic street food.

Glide through UNESCO World Heritage-listed limestone karsts and island caves, and spend the night stargazing on an overnight cruise. Then, in historic Hue, you can travel like a local – from the back of a motorbike! – taking in sights of its imperial monuments before slowing things down on a private boat tour of the iconic Mekong Delta. Hoi An’s old town, with its remarkably well-preserved streets, is also a joy to explore.

  • Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta

    £149 off | Vietnam | 10 days | Accommodation Included

    Black Friday Sale: Get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures! Ends December 1st. T&Cs apply.

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £846pp £995pp  

5. India

India

Colourful, lively, and utterly compelling, Rajasthan has captivated visitors for centuries. On Intrepid’s 14-day Premium India in Depth trip, you’ll travel from forest to desert, uncovering the region’s rich culture, striking scenery and diverse cuisines as you go. Led by an experienced local leader, it’s the perfect introduction to this busy, beautiful country.

The vibrant and historic cities of Agra, Udaipur, and Jaipur are a joy to explore, while Mumbai and Delhi have a more contemporary feel. Visit elaborate palaces and imposing forts, tour the Taj Mahal, take street food tours and search for Bengal tigers on a wild jungle safari. Other highlights include dining beneath the stars on Pushkar’s sand dunes and watching traditional dance performances.

  • Mumbai - Udaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Ranthambhore National Park - Agra - Delhi

    £330 off | India | 14 days | Accommodation Included

    Black Friday Sale: Get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures! Ends December 1st. T&Cs apply.

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £2,975pp £3,305pp  

Final thoughts…

From the Far East to the furthest corners of South America, these five trips take you to some of the world’s most dazzling and diverse destinations. While each Intrepid excursion is different, they all go beyond the usual travel experience, reigniting not only your spirit of adventure but a sense of wonder, too.

With local leaders to show you around, you’ll see new sides to every place you visit – diving deep into culture, cuisine, and history, and connecting with the people you meet along the way.

Intrepid trips are about far more than good views and great times; they’re about creating positive changes through the joy of travel. So, if you’re keen to see more of the world, meet like-minded people, and create memories to treasure for life, why not explore with Intrepid?

To browse more Intrepid trips, head over to their website.

And, between now and December 1st, you can get up to 20% off hundreds of adventures. Find out more using the button below. T&Cs apply.