Virgin Holidays and Intrepid partnership
Real world experiences are the times you try something for the first time, mingle with villagers in far-flung
corners of the planet away from the beaten track, get treated to a home-cooked meal by your new local friends or
laughing at your travel companions as you fall out the back of a tuc tuc! It is the real life experiences that
add incredible value to travelling overseas and for this very reason, Virgin Holidays have partnered with Intrepid
Travel, experts in the art of enjoying the simplest of travel arrangements whilst maximising enjoyment and reward.
We loved Intrepid's concept of small group adventures to each corner of the globe; the variety of accommodation;
multitude of locations and the various forms of transport and, in some destinations, a chance of a local home stay.
Sharing the same travel philosophy, these small group adventures allow you to experience the real world without
impacting on the fragile ecologies that so many of the world's unique cultures depend upon.
Richard Branson
Intrepid Travel is about meeting local people in an atmosphere of respect and experiencing their culture without
dominating it. From our humble beginnings with just 2 staff, 1 destination and just 47 travellers, Intrepid now take
around 80,000 like minded travellers to over 100 countries. Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that despite our
growth, our philosophy on travel hasn't changed. We still believe that the best way to experience a country is to
get close to it.
Intrepid Travel are thrilled to be joining forces with Virgin Holidays. The partnership just seems so natural -
Intrepid are leaders in innovative, adventure holidays throughout the world, while Virgin Holidays are leaders in
tailoring quality holidays for British travellers. Working together we can offer some of the greatest travelling
experiences available today.
Darrell Wade
Intrepid Travel CEO & Co-founder
freedom and flexibility
Photo: Afternoon Hammock - Iqbal Fuad
Sometimes people hesitate to travel in a group, for fear of being shepherded from one place to another, losing
the opportunity to do your own thing. One of the great things about travelling with us is that it's a lot like
travelling independently, but with none of the drawbacks. You enjoy the convenience of travelling within a group
but the freedom to do as you choose. You can be as spontaneous as you like; pursuing your own interests one day
and taking part in activities we've arranged the next. It's up to you how much or how little you do. After all
it's your holiday and we want you to get the most out of it.
When tailoring your travel plans, the unlimited flexibility we have on offer allows you to do as much as you
want while you're away. In addition to your selected tour you can choose to extend your visit before or after your
tour or both! Our range of accommodation options provide you the option of a night to relax after the flight and
before your tour to break on the beach to chill-out before coming home, you may extend your journey at a multitude
of hotels or on any other trip. A choice of cookery schools, city or beach hotels are available to extend your
adventure, or you may just want to do a 2nd tour to see and do even more.
responsible tourism
Photo: Cambodia - Ross Frater
Wherever we go in the world, it's important that we take a responsible attitude with us. Virgin Holidays teaming
up with Intrepid Travel is the perfect match of responsible travel philosophies. We share a common awareness of the
need to manage our impact on the planet and take into account the sensitivities of the many cultures with which we
interact on our travels.
This means travelling in a way that both respects and benefits local people, their culture and the environment.
We mostly use public transport, stay and eat in small-scale, locally-owned establishments and travel in small
groups so that you contribute, as a participant, towards sustainable tourism. Every year each trip is evaluated to
ensure its compliance with a strict Responsible Travel Code of Conduct.
You'll have the chance to meet local people and really get to know their culture first hand, contributing directly
to local economies and helping to develop cross-cultural understanding. In other words, enjoy a real life experience.
By taking these small steps, you'll be making a big difference.
small groups
Photo: Intrepid Travel Group - Angela Zuniga
We think the smaller the group, the better the experience. That's why the numbers on every tour are limited (see
the before you book section on the relevant page). By avoiding larger group tour departures it means that we don't
dominate the places we visit and you get to experience more of the local culture, travelling like a group of friends
- you just haven't met them yet!
Behind every great adventure is a great Intrepid Travel tour leader, their enthusiasm, versatility and knowledge
of local culture is second to none - in most cases because they're taking you round their home country! In fact 85%
of our leaders are local. Others are westerners with an urge to share their passion for travelling in foreign lands
and every one of them is the reason why so many travellers return to us year after year.
In some destinations you'll have the added bonus of being accompanied by a local guide with specialised knowledge
on the history, culture or importance of your destination. In fact 5 of Intrepid's tour leaders were nominated for
Wanderlust Magazine's Paul Morrison Guide Awards in 2007.