Walk Tasmania’s Bay of Fires
from $2305
Duration: 5 Days
Seclusion, solitude, stunning scenery and sweeping stretches of sand await on this five-day walking adventure from Launceston. Head east to this remote corner of Tasmania and follow trails to bright beaches rimmed with red-ringed rocks that contrast with the blue waters of the bay. Walk up summits for vast views, and through coastal tea tree and heath country. Let your experienced leader guide the way with their unmatched local knowledge, leaving you to focus on soaking up this world-famous stretch of coastline. This active adventure is the perfect way to get out and explore the incredible sites just beneath your feet.
  • There’s no need for a map or GPS on this walking trip – with an expert local leader that knows the area inside-out, all you have to do is enjoy the journey.
  • Escape the everyday, get active, and take the time to reconnect with nature in one of Australia’s – and the world’s – most beautiful coastal regions.
  • The only thing better than the landscapes and wildlife you’ll see are the conversations you’ll have along the way, whether it’s the insights from your leader or stories from the group.
  • This is the ultimate in low impact, local travel, supporting regional communities and getting right to the heart of the landscape on two feet.
  • Find a slice of paradise in your own backyard with walks to the red rocks and crystal-clear waters of The Gardens, Mt William National Park and Eddystone Point.
  • Bay of Fires Conservation Area - St Helens & Binalong Bay walks
  • Mt William National Park - Stumpys 4 Campground to Deep Creek or Eddystone Lighthouse
  • Bay of Fires Conservation Area - The Garden to Policeman’s Point walk
  • Blue Tier Regional Reserve - Day walks
  • Day 1 Location: Launceston
    Welcome to Launceston – the first stop on our Tasmanian walking trip. With powdery beaches, snow-capped mountains and cities brimming with character and charm, Tasmania offers all kinds of delights. Launceston is one of Australia’s oldest settlements and boasts incredible architecture and heritage streetscapes. It’s also one of only two cities in the entire country lucky enough to be listed as a UNESCO city of gastronomy – yeah, amongst other things, it’s a foodie’s paradise. If you arrive early today, why not make your way to Cataract Gorge, just 1.5km from the city centre. You could be in the city one minute and the next, in the middle of an incredible 65-million-year-old gorge. Spoiler alert – it’s well and truly worth the visit. Or, if the arts are more your thing – you won’t have to look far to find a museum or art gallery to tickle your fancy. Tonight, you’ll meet your local leader and fellow walking companions in the lobby of your hotel at 6pm for an important welcome meeting to get your ready for the upcoming days adventures. After the meeting, you’ll get to know your fellow travellers over a group dinner together.
    Day 2 Location: Bay of Fires / St Helens
    Your day starts bright and early today with a 7:30am departure from Launceston, heading east to St Helens. After a moment for a homemade morning tea, we’ll continue to Binalong Bay and the southern end of larapuna and the Bay of Fires. Here, start your first walk of the trip in Humbug Point Conservation Area and explore the coastline north of Binalong Bay. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like wallabies and echidnas along the way, and if you're a bird lover you’re in luck – you might spot pied oystercatchers, pacific seagulls and even pelicans taking to the skies here. After today’s walk, you’ll check in to your accommodation for the next three nights in St Helens, a quaint town perfectly positioned to explore the walking trails of Tasmania’s north-east coast. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.
    Day 3 Location: Bay of Fires / St Helens
    This morning, say goodbye to St Helens (just for the day, don’t worry) as you drive to Eddystone Lighthouse to enjoy the view along the Bay of Fires (larapuna). From here, you’ll head to Deep Creek Campground where you’ll begin today’s walk along the park's isolated, white-powder beaches dotted with rocky outcrops, lapped by turquoise water. Keep your eye out for some of the many shorebirds that call this area home. Depending on tide heights you may need to roll up your jeans and take off your shoes to cross Deep Creek on your way today – it’s all part of the adventure, right? Be sure to pack a towel and perhaps a spare pair of pants for the trip home (just in case). At the end of today’s walk, you’ll head back to St Helens, with the possibility of a stop at a local winery along the way (time and group dependant).
    Day 4 Location: Bay of Fires / St Helens
    After breakfast, more white sand beaches await you. You’ll drive to Policeman’s Point, stopping for morning tea and lunch with a view along the way. Here, you’ll find boardwalks and lookout platforms across bright white sands, fiery lichen boulders and water clear right to the seabed. This is the most challenging walk of the trip so you can expect a few loose pebbles and headlands to scramble over and navigate around. Don’t worry, it’s nothing that you won’t be able to handle under the experienced guidance of your leader. The walk finishes at The Gardens, where you’ll make head way back to your cosy accommodation and enjoy a hearty meal with your fellow travellers and toast to the final evening of the trip.
    Day 5 Location: Blue Tier Regional Reserve / Launceston
    Today, we're shaking things up and heading to the Blue Tier sub-alpine plateau. This area boasts various rainforest walks, each with different levels of ease and difficulty. There’s the 600 metre Goblin Forest walk which meanders easily along a path and explores the history of tin-mining in the region. Or there’s the more challenging Mount Michael loop track which takes you through mature rainforest to reach the top of Mount Michael. You’ll reach sub-alpine vegetation as you near the summit – some 800m above sea level. From here, you’ll enjoy the spectacular views over St Helens and through to the east coast. Your expert guides will choose today’s tracks, considering weather and track conditions. From the Blue Tier area, drive back to Launceston where our adventure comes to an end in the late afternoon.
    Dates
    Prices
    Availability
    Departure Date:
    23SEP2023
    Return Date:
    27SEP2023
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    30SEP2023
    Return Date:
    04OCT2023
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    07OCT2023
    Return Date:
    11OCT2023
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    28OCT2023
    Return Date:
    01NOV2023
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    18NOV2023
    Return Date:
    22NOV2023
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    06DEC2023
    Return Date:
    10DEC2023
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    08JAN2024
    Return Date:
    12JAN2024
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    15JAN2024
    Return Date:
    19JAN2024
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    29JAN2024
    Return Date:
    02FEB2024
    2305NZD
    available
    Departure Date:
    05FEB2024
    Return Date:
    09FEB2024
    2305NZD
    available
    Last modified (date)

    04 Jul 2023

    Trip title

    Walk Tasmania's Bay of Fires

    Trip code

    PJXF

    Validity

    Validity: 01 Jan 2023 to 30 Jun 2024

    Introduction

    Seclusion, solitude, stunning scenery and sweeping stretches of sand await on this five-day walking adventure from Launceston. Head east to this remote corner of Tasmania and follow trails to bright beaches rimmed with red-ringed rocks that contrast with the blue waters of the bay. Walk up summits for vast views, and through coastal tea tree and heath country. Let your experienced leader guide the way with their unmatched local knowledge, leaving you to focus on soaking up this world-famous stretch of coastline. This active adventure is the perfect way to get out and explore the incredible sites just beneath your feet.

    Style

    Original

    Themes

    Walking & Trekking

    Transport

    Private vehicle,Walking

    Physical Rating

    4

    Physical preparation

    The walks on this tour vary from easy to moderate, with the option for some hard walks on the last day. Walks are mostly along the beach, including soft sand and rock sections with unstable, uneven surfaces. However, the walk has been designed to make it achievable for those with a reasonable amount of fitness by the fact that you only carry a daypack. A positive mental attitude is most important. If you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. If you have done some training prior to the walk you will enjoy it all the more. The best way to prepare physically for the trip is to walk, walk and walk some more - preferably on rocky and uneven surfaces and lots of stair walking. Try to walk frequently and do some sand walking training. Even walking around your suburb will get you walk-fit, but consider practicing on some soft sand for this tour as well. By the start of our tour, you should be able to comfortably walk 12km, and try and do a few 20km walks on rough tracks, as well as be fairly comfortable with steep up and downhill sections. We know that this type of preparation is difficult to fit into a busy schedule. If you don't have the time to do long walks, we recommend doing regular stair walking sessions. Walking small distances frequently helps a lot as well. For instance, walking 3 - 5km four times a week, and 8km once a week, is a great help. If you're doing short training sessions, make sure you get yourself puffed and sweaty. Otherwise, you won't benefit from your efforts. Another good way to get your glutes, hamstrings and quads well prepared is with regular lunges and squats. As you get closer to the walk take it up a notch and do jumping squats. And start walking in the shoes you will wear on the walk now!

    Joining point

    Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

    29 Cameron St

    Launceston

    AUSTRALIA

    Phone: +61 (0)363343434

    Finish point

    Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

    29 Cameron St

    Launceston

    AUSTRALIA

    Phone: +61 (0)363343434

    Important information

    START & END TIMES This trip begins in Launceston on day 1 at 6pm and finishes in the late afternoon on Day 5 at around 5pm. Please keep this in mind when arranging your arrival and departure flights. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. OPERATOR This trip is operated and run by Inspiration Outdoors, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Inspiration Outdoors customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Inspiration Outdoors to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time away.

    Group leader

    All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

    Safety

    Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips.

    https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

    Communications

    In Tasmania, Telstra has the best coverage, with Optus coming in second. There will be little reception along the beach walks and in the Blue Tier, and what there is is patchy and poor quality, but there is full reception at Binalong Bay and St Helens. The accommodation in St Helens has free wifi; ask at reception or check the information pack in your room for more information.

    Visas

    PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. Entry requirements can change and are different depending on your nationality. Please refer to your government's foreign travel advisories, the consular websites for the countries you’re travelling to and those you may transit through. Always follow visa advice from official websites; not all visa information found online may be valid. You can also head to Intrepid’s Entry & Health requirement page to get the latest information on travel documents and visa requirements, plus local government COVID-19 vaccination and quarantine policies: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/visa-health-requirements All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check the following website or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

    Why we love it

    There’s no need for a map or GPS on this walking trip – with an expert local leader that knows the area inside-out, all you have to do is enjoy the journey.

    Escape the everyday, get active, and take the time to reconnect with nature in one of Australia’s – and the world’s – most beautiful coastal regions.

    The only thing better than the landscapes and wildlife you’ll see are the conversations you’ll have along the way, whether it’s the insights from your leader or stories from the group.

    This is the ultimate in low impact, local travel, supporting regional communities and getting right to the heart of the landscape on two feet.

    Find a slice of paradise in your own backyard with walks to the red rocks and crystal-clear waters of The Gardens, Mt William National Park and Eddystone Point.

    Is this trip right for you

    This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Good footwear, clothing for all types of Tasmanian weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary. This trip is operated and run by Inspiration Outdoors, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Inspiration Outdoors customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Inspiration Outdoors to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in Tasmania.

    Health

    GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. COVID-19 The safety and wellbeing of our travellers, leaders, crew, staff, and suppliers continues to remain our highest priority as we travel. You can read more about how we will keep you safe on our trips, including our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safe-travels VACCINATION POLICY From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for this trip. However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully. For more information, including a detailed FAQ about this policy, please visit https://www.intrepidtravel.com/covid19. HEALTH SCREENING If you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to complete a self-screening health form at the group meeting for this trip. If you are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have any health concerns during the trip, we will follow the advice of local health authorities to determine whether medical assistance, isolation or further action is required. Travellers who test positive while taking part in an Intrepid trip will need to leave the group for a minimum of five days and may only rejoin the group if presenting as asymptomatic – our team will assist them in arranging a place to self-isolate and any onward journey. It's quite possible that the destination country may have different or more strict protocols than your home country regarding COVID-19. This may include hotel or hospital quarantine or quarantine for the group. Please check your government's travel advice or contact the closest embassies to find out the details. We ask all travellers to continue to monitor their health throughout their travels and report any relevant symptoms to their tour leader. HYDRATION Daytime temperatures across Australia can be extreme from October to March with temperatures over 40C/104F. Even for travellers familiar with these temperatures, it’s easy to become dehydrated. The key point to remember is not to wait until you’re thirsty, but to drink water regularly. Adding an electrolyte solution can aid in replenishing the salts/electrolytes lost when travelling at this time of year. MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. Under certain circumstances your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate on the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests experiences, are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour. You can bring a CPAP machine whilst on tour but you will need to purchase a single supplement.

    Food and dietary requirements

    All meals are included unless indicated in the itinerary. Breakfast comprises cereal, fruit, yoghurt, toast, and spreads with juice, tea, and coffee. Lunch is self-made from supplied bread, salads, and meats, except on the first day when we have either bakery-bought lunch or rustle up a picnic, supplier-dependent. We'll eat dinner the first night at the hotel, and the other dinners will be at restaurants in St Helens. Please let us know of any dietary requirements, and please be aware that while local restaurants do cater to different requirements, the options may be limited for more restricted diets; for example, gluten-free and vegan diets may only have one or two options. Each day we provide morning tea, and fruit is available for snacks. You're welcome to bring additional personal snacks if you have particular faves! There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase additional supplies and alcohol throughout the tour in St Helens. Your out-of-pocket expenses for this trip include personal snacks and alcohol. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS From vegetarians to pescatarians to meat-loving carnivores with an aversion to cucumbers, we cater to all dietary requirements and will make sure you are well-fed and looked after on tour. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. Also please keep in mind that in Tasmania, restaurants outside Hobart and Launceston may not cater well to more 'restricted' diets; for example, there may only be one or two gluten-free or vegan options.

    Money matters

    CURRENCY The Australian Dollar (A$ or AUD) is the currency of Australia. CREDIT CARDS Credit and debit cards can be used for purchases in most shops and restaurants. ATMs are common across Australia but may be limited in remote areas. Your leader will advise when this may occur so you can withdraw enough cash in advance. Credit cards in Australia require a PIN rather than a signature and may have a small surcharge for purchases. TIPPING In Australia, tipping, while appreciated can be the exception rather than the norm. As a guide, tipping is appropriate in a restaurant for a meal (10-15% as a general rule). In a taxi, a cafe or bar, rounding up is acceptable. You can consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline AU$2-5 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service. SPENDING MONEY When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling. CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

    What to take

    EQUIPMENT FOR WALKS • Hiking-specific day-pack - with a thick waist strap to help take some weight off your shoulders. In wet weather, a waterproof cover or a bin bag to wrap your belongings in can be handy. • Torch/headlamp (good to have just in case the walk is delayed and we return after dark). • Any preferred first-aid supplies - such as your favourite blister treatment! (Your guide will carry a full first-aid kit). • Water bottle/s or bladder - 2 to 3 litre capacity MINIMUM. • A lunch container or reusable sandwich bag. • Sun protection - hat (secure fitting and/or with chin strap), sun cream, sunglasses. • Waterproof jacket. Inclement weather occurs at any time of the year in Tasmania so be sure to bring wet weather gear, even if the forecast is fine. CLOTHING FOR WALKS • Shorts/long pants and shirts - as many sets as you wish! Please avoid cotton - wool or 'quick-dry' synthetic material is best. Avoid jeans or tracksuit pants. • Socks - whichever thickness you're comfortable walking in and as many pairs as you like. • Boots/shoes for walking (make sure you wear them in well - see note on footwear below). • Light- to medium-weight outer layer. • Thermal under-layers. • Light-weight and packable warm outer layer - e.g. thick fleece or down/synthetic 'down' jacket. • Beanie, gloves, scarf. Particularly in mid-late Autumn and early Spring, We recommend that you bring these items with you in your main bag. The guides can then recommend what to bring on the walks. CLOTHING FOR THE EVENINGS • Whatever you want!! (But bring something warm to throw over the top). OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED ITEMS • Walking poles. These are a very personal choice - we recommend them on this tour for the rocky, unstable sections. • Gaiters for snake bite protection are recommended if wearing shorts. They're also good for keeping sand out of your shoes. • Sock protectors (to keep sand out of your boots). • Bathers and towel. • Snacks and alcohol - there will be time to purchase more during the week if you need to. Extra treats like chocolate, nuts, lollies etc. OPTIONAL ITEMS • Waterproof pants. Some people love them and some hate them - personally, we don't wear them but there have been times when we have wished for a pair! • Camera and charger/batteries.

    Climate and seasonal

    Tasmanian weather is typically hard to predict. In fact the only thing we can say for certain is that the weather will be unpredictable! Daytime temperature can range from mid-teens to low 30s, and it can be calm and fine, or windy and raining, or anything in-between! At night it can get cool, but likely not icy given the coastal location.

    A couple of rules

    We like to think our Intrepid travellers are all connected by a love of adventure and passion for seeing the world in a different way. We've laid down a few non-negotiable rules to ensure everyone feels connected, comfortable and safe on our trips. We ask that you respect your fellow travellers, group leader, and local people and places we visit in all circumstances. We don't tolerate any forms of violence and expect that you follow the local laws, customs and regulations in any destination we travel to. Any behaviour contrary to the above, including any behaviour that prevents our staff from performing their duty of care or continuing the itinerary as planned, may result in travellers being removed from the trip. If you consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect you to abide by local alcohol laws. To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, all decisions made by group leaders and ground staff are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leaders are not permitted while on trip. By travelling with us, you agree to comply with these rules and the laws and customs of all countries visited. If something is concerning you during your travels with us, please speak to your group leader or local guide immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in your Essential Trip Information’s Problems and Emergency Contact section.

    Feedback

    Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

    Emergency contact

    While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time. For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/ In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the number below: Intrepid's Local Operator: 1300 544 882 or +61 8 6219 5164

    Responsible travel

    Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip leaders, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN As an Australian-owned business with a vision to change the way people see the world, Intrepid is committed to reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. While Intrepid might have done a lot to empower communities, businesses and our partners around the world over the years, there’s still a lot for us to do here at home. We are working towards a better, more inclusive and fairer Australia. You can find more information about our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/reconciliation

    The Intrepid Foundation

    We created our not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation because you – our travellers – told us you wanted to make an even greater impact in the communities you visit. The Foundation works by teaming up with partners around the world so that together we can deliver greater positive impact at scale. Partners are identified by our local staff who live and work in our destinations. They harness their powerful community connections to determine the issues that matter most and select local partners who can deliver real solutions. Since 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has raised more than 12.8 million dollars and supported more than 130 communities worldwide. Now, with almost 40 partners all over the world, your donations are helping to restore forests in Kenya, empower women in Honduras and promote elephant welfare in Laos, to name just a few. By simply being on this trip, Intrepid Travel will make a donation to the Intrepid Foundation on your behalf. If you choose to donate too, 100% of your donations will go directly to our partners on the ground – where they’re needed most. For more information about the Intrepid Foundation, please ask your leader or visit our website: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

    Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING DOMESTICALLY Travel insurance will help ensure you’re protected in case of any unforeseen changes to your journey – such as flight cancellations or COVID-19 related disruptions. For this reason, we recommend you purchase comprehensive domestic travel insurance for your trip. This may not be something you would have typically done in the past when travelling domestically in Australia, but it does offer you a number of benefits in these dynamic times. While Australians and Australian Permanent Residents travelling within Australia are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare, a comprehensive domestic travel insurance policy should cover you for expenses resulting from – among other things – COVID-19 related changes, including an outbreak in your destination or on your departure necessitating changes to your travel plans that incur additional costs. Domestic travel insurance plans may also include personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage and personal effects, and other benefits. It is also advisable that domestic travellers have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Please be sure to carefully check the policy’s inclusions with your preferred insurer.

    Your fellow travellers

    As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. SOLO TRAVELLERS The beauty of our style of travel is that it caters to travellers who are travelling solo and who want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people. On our trips rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you. We also have an optional single supplement available on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will be on a single room basis. On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open gender, multi-share basis (for example on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). In those instances it will clearly be stated in our Essential Trip Information prior to booking and travelling.

    Itinerary disclaimer

    ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

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