Are you ready to make 2025 your year of adventure? Here’s everything you need to know to make it happen.
Planning a trip can be equally exciting and overwhelming, especially when traveling alone. With so many details to organize—from booking flights and hotels to making sure every activity is fit into your schedule—it’s easy to feel lost.
But don’t worry. Just like climbing a mountain, planning a trip becomes easier when you break it into manageable parts.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you dream, plan, and lock in an adventure.
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start dreaming
Start by giving yourself permission to daydream. Have you always imagined getting lost in the saffron-scented souks of Morocco or sailing on the sparkling seas of Greece? What movies (like Mamma Mia) or documentaries have you seen that made you think, “I have to go to that place” or “I need to experience that culture”? Maybe you’ve always wanted to go on an adventure, take a train across Europe or hike the pinnacles of Nepal?
You don’t even need to go far. Sometimes the best adventures are closer to home – like exploring a national park, coastline or city on your doorstep.
Close your eyes and let your mind wander.
There are so many incredible destinations in the world, and a little insider knowledge can make your trip special. Crafted by the fearless 1000+ experiences In more than 100 countries, led by local expert leaders. have cycling trip Take you deep into the lush Vietnamese countryside, women’s expedition Break down barriers with an all-female adventure, and even Food tour Allowing you to cook, chew and smoke like a local.
If you are a traveler who likes to try a little bit of everything, you might be interested in journey of discovery – A fearless classic – a blend of culture, history, adventure and food.
read traveler stories And browse a range of itineraries to make traveling fun. Let excitement be your compass.
Create wish list
Keep a handy list of places that pique your interest, even if you know you may not be able to visit them all in one trip. This will be a good source of future inspiration.
of the fearless Wish List Tool A great way to get a range of must-see attractions from around the world in one place. Click “Add to my wishlist” on the search results or on each trip page and create an account to save them for later.
Decide who to travel with
Next, it’s time to decide whether to go alone or with someone else.
Want to travel alone?
Traveling solo means you can choose where to go, decide your pace, and plan a trip exactly the way you want it. Whether you want to take a cooking class, get your blood pumping on the bike trails or learn about Aboriginal culture, you’re free to travel on your own terms. Plus, it’s a great way to build confidence and connect with people in a way you might not have when traveling with familiar faces.
If you’re considering traveling alone but haven’t taken the step yet, joining a small group tour is a great option. i did Sabah Adventure Last year I enjoyed traveling with like-minded people and having free time to do my own thing. Everything from transportation to hotels and activities was taken care of for me which also made me feel at ease.
Traveling alone? Check out these guides:
Want to travel with friends or partner?
If you’re joining with friends or a partner, there’s obviously more to consider. First, everyone must agree on which type of trip to choose – some people travel to relax and do nothing but read on the beach, while others want to have as much adventure as possible. However, the biggest factor is usually money. It’s important to be transparent with your travel partners and set an agreed-upon budget to ensure you’re on the same page from the start.
What if I just want to go on a fearless trip with my friends/partner?
Most Intrepid tours have a group size limit of 16 people, but the average is usually 10 people. This is large enough to form a good social mix, but small enough to reach remote locations and benefit from the expertise of local leaders.
If you like adventure travel but want to travel with your crew, you might be interested Tailor-made. It’s also a great option if you’re looking to take a dream trip or want to tweak an existing itinerary.
Set a budget
A budget is an important part of travel planning, but it doesn’t have to be restrictive. The key is to determine what is important to you.
Do you want to treat yourself to a luxury hotel or would you like a homestay for a more immersive experience? Do you want to check off all the activities on your bucket list or travel for as long as possible? Everyone is different.
Creating a budget early can help you prioritize the activities that must be completed without spending too much money.
Which type of travel suits you?
Start by reflecting on whether you are a frugal traveler or a lover of creature comforts. Do you want lots of free time or lots of activities?
of the fearless travel style Reflecting different levels of content is a great way to browse different experiences for different budgets.
Bassix The tour is suitable for travelers on a budget. They offer simple, clean accommodation, local transportation and plenty of free time. This means you can do what suits your budget and interests rather than paying for content you don’t want.
original Traveling is perfect if you want to take part in a variety of activities and have free time to explore the destination on your own. This includes accommodation in the city center and some meals.
Comfortable The tour makes up for some of the rough edges of adventure travel by including more small talk. You’ll enjoy a more relaxed pace, cozy accommodations, more activities and sumptuous meals.
high quality Trips feature unique, high-end accommodations, many experiences led by the most knowledgeable leaders and many more included activities. Daily breakfast and a selection of lunch and dinner options are included in the room rate.
Still calculating your budget? You may find these guides helpful:
Select your date
Dating flexibility is important. If you need to apply for annual leave months in advance, try to lock in your schedule as early as possible.
You can also extend your annual leave even further by strategically booking around public holidays. For example, if you’re in the United States, you can take four days of PTO on Presidents’ Day, February 18-21, 2025, giving you nine days of vacation. Pretty neat, right?
If you have more time to play or like to improvise, keep an eye out Last minute deals. Year of the Fearless Internet sales The end of the year is a great opportunity to bargain.
Learn about the weather, seasons, and the best times to do the activities you want to do. If you want to delve into the local culture, you can combine your dates with cultural events like Holi India or brazilian carnival. Likewise, some religious festivals and public holidays may disrupt local traffic or affect the opening hours of restaurants and tourist attractions, so it’s worth doing your research before deciding on a date.
In many destinations, school holidays and major holidays such as Christmas and New Year are prime travel times, so if you don’t like crowds, shoulder or low season may be better, especially in major European cities and coastal resorts.
Need help deciding on a date? Check out these hacks:
Book your trip
Ready to book? Great! Before you grab a seat, it’s good to know that Intrepid offers Flexible booking options To adapt to the unpredictability of life.
When you book with Intrepid you can:
- Reserve your seat for five days with no deposit required
- Installment payment – in most areas, you can pay the amount you wish up to 56 days before departure
- Cancel or change your plans for free 56 days before departure and use your deposit as credit towards future travel in most areas
There is another Guaranteed departure policy. All trips are guaranteed to run once you have one fully paying customer (unless otherwise stated in the minimum group size listed in the basic trip information and/or special conditions).
The beauty of small group tours is that almost Everything is taken care of for you. However, if you want to extend your stay, it’s best to book your accommodation and activities in advance, especially when traveling during peak season, to avoid missing out or paying sky-high prices.
Have a few days free? Explore Intrepid with an urban adventure day trip
Find a flight
Finding flights can be stressful with airport codes, layovers, and layovers. If you are traveling with Intrepid, please contact an Adventure Advisor at the time of booking to request a flight quote. They can get very affordable prices and find the transfers that best suit your journey. (If you’re in North America, Intrepid can’t book international flights, but they can recommend companies.)
Many airlines send out deals when seats become available, so if you have a slot on your calendar and want to take an impromptu trip, it might be worth signing up for their emails.
Does it feel spontaneous? You may be interested in:
Be prepared
Y’all are booked! Now it’s time to channel that excitement into getting your ducks in a row before heading out. These necessities may not be as fun, but they are the key to smooth sailing.
- passport – Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months
- visa and entry requirements – Use Intrepid’s tool to check if you need a visa where you want to go
- Travel Vaccinations – Vaccination and general medical requirements vary from country to country, so please contact your GP or travel doctor for advice
- travel insurance – If you travel internationally, insurance is compulsory for all Intrepid travel. Contact us Get a quote
- packing list – Check out this handy list of packing essentialsresearch local dress codes and check basic travel information as you may need specific items
- Notify your bank – Overseas transactions may be flagged as suspicious, so let your bank know your plans to avoid having your card blocked
- Phone plans and SIM cards – Check data roaming charges with your provider or consider purchasing a local SIM card if you want to stay connected.
get excited
Now that everything is in place, it’s time to get excited. What local dishes are you looking forward to trying? Are there any phrases I can learn ahead of time? While there’s no better way to learn the cultural dos and don’ts than on the ground, it doesn’t hurt to do some research before traveling to make your experience even more enriching.
Adventure travel isn’t always smooth sailing exactly Follow a plan, so be open to a hiccup or two along the way. Remember to leave some space in your days to allow yourself to roam without a plan, as this is often where the magic happens.
Ready to make it happen?
There’s no denying that booking a trip requires some organizational muscle on your part, but we hope you feel more confident about getting started now that you know what’s involved.
Find your dream adventure or learn more How Intrepid Small Group Tours Work.
