Are you ready to embark on a new adventure in 2025? You can make 2025 your year of adventure if you want to.
Travelling alone can be both exciting and overwhelming. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the details that need to be arranged, from booking hotels and flights to fitting in every activity.
But don’t worry. It’s much easier to climb a mountain if you break it down into manageable pieces.
This step-by-step plan will help you to dream, plan and secure an adventure.
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Start dreaming
Allow yourself to daydream. You may have imagined yourself lost in the saffron-scented souks of Morocco or sailing Greece’s sparkling seas. You may have seen a movie (cue Mamma Mia!) or watched a documentary that inspired you to visit a certain place or experience a particular activity. You may have always wanted to travel by train through Europe, go on safari or climb Nepal’s peaks.
You don’t need to travel far. The best adventures can be found right in your backyard, like visiting national parks or exploring cities and coastlines.
Close your eyes, and let your thoughts wander.
There are so many amazing destinations to choose from that a little insider knowledge can make your trip extra special. Intrepid offers 1000s of unique experiences in more than 100 countries, all led by local experts. Intrepid offers cycling tours that will take you into the heart of the Vietnamese countryside. Women’s Expeditions are designed to break down gender barriers and offer all-female experiences. There are even food trips where you can cook, crunch and slurp like the locals.
Explorer trips and the Intrepid Classics combine culture, history, and adventure with good food.
Browse through travel stories and itineraries for inspiration. Allow excitement to be your guide.
Create wish list
Even though you may not be able to visit them all, keep a list of the places that interest you. This will be a great source of inspiration in the future.
Intrepid’s Wishlist Tool is a fantastic way to gather all of your must-visit destinations from around the globe in one place. Create an account and click ‘Add to My Wishlist’ on the trip pages or search results.
Decide on who you will be travelling with
The next step is to decide if you want to go solo or bring others with you.
Travelling alone?
Solo travel means that you can decide where you go and how fast you move and create a trip to your liking. You can travel at your own pace, whether you want to take cooking classes, experience river rapids, or learn more about Indigenous cultures. It’s also a good way to gain confidence and meet new people.
If you are toying with going solo but want the structure and security that comes from being part of a group, a small-group trip could be the perfect option for you. Last year, I went on the Sabah Adventure and enjoyed the combination of travelling with other like-minded individuals and having time to myself. The fact that everything was organized, from hotels to transport, made me feel more secure.
Travelling solo? These guides will help you.
- Ten handy tips for solo travellers
- The best solo travel destinations for travellers aged over 50
- I am a solo traveller aged 40. Here’s why I enjoy group tours
Travel with friends or a partner?
There are more things to think about if you’re travelling with friends or a significant other. First, you must all agree on the type of vacation to be taken. Some people want to relax on a beach and read, while others want to pack in as much excitement as possible. Money is the most important factor. To ensure that you are on the same page, it’s crucial to set a budget and be open with your travel companion(s).
What if I only want to go on an Intrepid trip with my partner/friends?
The average group size for most Intrepid trips is around 10 people. However, the maximum number of participants can be 16. The group is large enough to ensure a good mix of people but small enough for you to benefit from your local leader’s expertise and reach places that are out of the way.
Custom-made is a great option if you want to go on an adventure trip but only with your crew. You can also use this option to create the journey of your dreams or modify an existing itinerary.
Create a budget
Budgeting is an important part of planning a trip, but it doesn’t need to be restrictive. It’s crucial to decide what is important to you.
Would you prefer to stay in a homestay for a more immersive and memorable experience, or do you want to indulge in a fancy hotel? You can tick all the items off your bucket list, but you also want to travel as much as possible. Everyone’s different.
Early budget planning can help you prioritize your must-dos without going overboard.
What travel style are you?
Consider whether you are a frugal traveller or a creature-comfort lover. Are you looking for a lot of free time or a ton of activities?
Intrepid’s different trip styles are great for comparing different types of experiences and budgets.
Basix is for budget travellers. These trips feature clean, simple accommodations, local transportation, and plenty of time to explore. You can choose to do only the activities that you want, rather than paying extra for things you don’t like.
Original trips are a great choice if you want to combine included activities with free time to explore the destination independently. Accommodation and meals are included.
Comfort trips soften the rough edges of adventure travel by adding a few extra pleasantries. Enjoy a slower pace, inviting accommodations, more activities, and many meals.
The premium trips include more activities, a higher level of accommodation, and a variety of experiences led by knowledgeable guides. Daily breakfast and many lunches or dinners are included.
Still, trying to figure out your budget? These guides may be helpful.
- Travel to 5 countries that are affordable for budget travellers.
- Intrepid Premium: What you can expect
- Make the most of your time when you travel.
- Intrepid’s team of experts has a few travel budget hacks they can’t keep a secret.
Choose your dates
It’s important to be flexible with dates. If you need to request annual leave months in advance, you should book your trip early.
Booking your annual leave around holidays can help you get more out of it. If you’re in America, for example, you can enjoy a nine-day vacation by taking four PTO from 18-21 February 2025 to celebrate Presidents’ Day. It’s pretty cool.
If you’re feeling spontaneous or have extra time, look for deals at the last minute. Intrepid’s Cyber Sale, which takes place at the end of the year, is a good opportunity to grab a bargain.
Find out about the best time to visit for your activities. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture, you can align your dates to cultural events such as Holi in India or Carnaval in Brazil. Some religious festivals and public holidays can affect local transport and the opening hours of restaurants and tourist attractions. It is worth doing your research to find out what will work best for you.
If you don’t like crowds, shoulder season or off-season is a better option, especially for major European cities and resorts on the coast.
Need help deciding on dates? Here are some hacks to help you decide on dates:
- What is the maximum annual leave you can take in 2025?
- What to do every month in 2025?
Book your Trip
Are you ready to book? Great! It’s great!
Book with Intrepid, and you will:
- You can reserve your spot for up to five days without having to pay a deposit.
- You can pay in instalments up to 56 days prior to departure.
- You can cancel or change your travel plans without any fees up to 56 calendar days before departure. In most regions, you can use your deposit for future travel.
A guaranteed departure policy is also in place. Once one customer has paid in full, all trips will run (unless otherwise stated by the Essential Trip Information or Special Conditions).
Small group travel has the advantage that nearly everything will be taken care of. If you plan to stay a few extra days, you should book your accommodation and activities in advance, especially if it is peak season. This will help you avoid paying high prices or missing out on the best deals.
Have a few days to spare? Intrepid Day Tours: Urban Adventure
Find Flights
It can be difficult to find flights with all the airport codes, layovers, and stopovers. When booking with Intrepid, you can ask for a flight quote by contacting an adventure consultant. They can offer you very low prices and find the best connections for your trip. Intrepid cannot book international flights for North American residents but can recommend other companies.
Sign up for emails from airlines that send out offers to fill seats. You never know when you might have an unexpected gap in your schedule and want to take a trip.
Feeling spontaneous? You may be interested in:
- The benefits of last-minute travel for indecisive travellers
- Why Tasmania is the perfect place to go on a close-to-home trip.
Prepare yourself
All booked! It’s now time to use that excitement and get your ducks in order before you leave. The essentials are not as exciting, but they will ensure a smooth trip.
- Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months
- Visa & Entry Requirements – Use Intrepid to find out if you require a visa to enter the country(ies) you wish to visit
- Travel vaccines– vaccinations and general medical requirements vary from country to nation, so consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice
- Travel Insurance is required on all Intrepid international trips. Contact us for a quote
- Packing List– Check this handy list to see what you need, and research the local dress codes.
- Tell your bank. – Transactions made overseas may be flagged suspiciously, so tell your bank your plans in order to prevent your card from being frozen.
- Phone Plans and SIM Cards Check data roaming rates with your provider, or consider buying a SIM card in the country you wish to be connected to.
Get excited
It’s time to start getting excited. What are some of the local dishes you’re looking forward to? You could prepare by learning some phrases. There’s nothing like experiencing the culture first-hand to understand the dos and don’ts. However, some research before your trip can make it even more enriching.
Keep an open mind and be prepared for a few hiccups along the way. Remember to allow yourself some time to wander without a set plan. That’s where magic often happens.