Intrepid Travel is set to offer over 100 global Indigenous experiences in 2023. The company first joined the reconciliation movement at home in Australia in 2018, partnering with First Nations groups to build travel experiences, report on progress and raise awareness through tourism.
While authentic community-based tourism has always been core to Intrepid’s product, from 2020 to early 2022, Intrepid went a step further by increasing Indigenous offerings 120 percent in the U.S. to 11, and 250 percent in Australia and New Zealand to 52 experiences. Since then, Intrepid has been working with First Nations groups in new countries, introducing more experiences around the globe.
Among the 100 experiences are several new offerings for 2023, including a Mayan village medicinal garden visit and textile weaving workshop on the “Real Central America” itinerary; the five-day Australia “Walk Queensland’s Scenic Rim” trip, led by host Gurruhmun “Old Man Kangaroo,” an Ugarapul and Bidjara man; and a visit to an indigenous shaman on the “Maya Encounter” tour in Guatemala.
Additional highlights include:
- Mexico – On Intrepid’s “Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights” trip, groups will meet and tour the farm of a native Mayan family, followed by a hands-on cooking class before enjoying a traditional meal.
- Costa Rica – While on Intrepid’s “Best of Costa Rica” trip, travelers can visit and learn about the traditions of the Terraba River Indigenous Community, who have survived off the land for over 500 years.
- United States – On “Hiking Utah’s National Parks,” Intrepid travelers will trek across landscapes, learning about local plants, animals and geographic features from a passionate Native American guide.
- Kenya – During a “Kenya Wildlife Safari” Intrepid groups will camp at Tepesua Village, share stories with Maasai warriors in the night, and learn about the community’s resilience in paving the way for female education and health equity.
- Australia – On Intrepid’s “Premium Red Centre & Uluru,” the “Watarrka National Park Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience” gives travelers the opportunity to learn about the healing power and spiritual significance of bush medicines to the Luritja and Pertame people.
Intrepid launched its first “Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan” in 2019, followed by its two-year “Innovate” RAP in 2020. The company has completed 75 percent of the 90 actions in the plan, with commitments built around the four key pillars of: opportunities, relationships, governance and respect. In 2020, Intrepid launched the first-ever “Indigenous Tourism Forum” of the Americas, a meeting place for leaders to discuss the challenges facing Indigenous groups today and the role tourism plays in supporting equal opportunities for a fair and thriving life.
By listening to and learning from First Nations people, Intrepid aims to expand perspectives, fight racial discrimination, support local communities and continue to build unity through experience-rich tourism.
For more information, visit www.intrepidtravel.com.
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