Intrepid Travel has unveiled 15 itineraries across the United States. The trips focus on backcountry and hiking adventures that provide both a minimal footprint and immersive nature-based experiences. In April 2022, the company saw bookings in North America up 208 percent year-over-year, with customers predominantly planning active summer trips. For the U.S. year-to-date, active trip bookings are up 61 percent vs. 2019, with walking and trekking tour bookings up by 211 percent.
Here are a few samples of the new backcountry trips offered by Intrepid:
On the four-day “Hiking and Backpacking Yosemite’s North Rim” itinerary, travelers will see Yosemite Falls, North Dome and Indian Rock while taking in views of the entire Yosemite Valley and High Sierra. They will witness Yosemite’s only above water natural arch and climb to the summit of Half Dome’s smaller twin, North Dome.
The three-day “Hiking and Camping in Zion” itinerary will take visitors to the heart of Zion National Park in Utah. Highlights include strolling down the paved River Trail, buttressed by tumbling water and a 3,000-foot cliff face, experiencing the Virgin River Narrows hike on the way to Orderville Canyon, and exploring Snow Canyon.
On the six-day “Hiking Washington’s Olympic National Park and Mt Rainier” itinerary, travelers will hike along a ridge traverse 5,500 feet above sea level on a coastal hike to Shi Shi beach, walk through the Hoh Rainforest and visit the Reflection Lakes at Mount Rainier. The trip also includes a visit to Makah Museum to learn more about the cultural history of the local Makah people.
“Hike New Hampshire’s Appalachian Trail and Presidential Peaks” is a four-day itinerary. Travelers will hike the the Presidential Range, including Mount Monroe and Mount Eisenhower in New Hampshire, and the highest point in the northeastern United States–the summit of Mount Washington. They will spend nights in authentic backcountry huts and enjoy views of the Ammonoosuc River and waterfalls, have a picnic lunch at Lake of the Clouds hut perched above the trees near alpine lakes.
On the three-day “Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina’s Appalachian Trail”, visitors will discover the Cradle of Forestry area where American forest conservation began. Highlights include a stop at Looking Glass Falls, two nights of camping near the rock feature known as Shining Rock. Visitors can take in views of the Appalachian Mountain Range as they enjoy lunch on the summit of one of the peaks or in the meadows of Ivestor Gap.
The addition of these new experiences is a result of Intrepid’s recent acquisition of Wildland Trekking, an environmentally conscious U.S.-based tour operator focused on walking and trekking experiences.
For more information, visit www.intrepidtravel.com.
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