Safety Updates
The safety of our passengers, leaders and operators is a major priority of Intrepid. With this in mind we monitor world events very closely. Intrepid makes operational decisions based on informed advice from a number of sources...
- The level of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) travel advisory. For any Intrepid Travel operated trip if this advisory is at Level 5 'Do Not Travel' then Intrepid will either cancel a trip or reroute the itinerary to avoid the areas concerned.
- With over 400 leaders on the ground in operational destinations and subsidiary companies in our main hub cities, Intrepid has access to a up to the minute flow of information as to the mood and feelings within the countries we work in.
- We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
- Other Government travel advisories...
- World Health Organisation
safety guidelines
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.Thailand (04 March 10)
On 14 March 2010 a large demonstration is planned in Bangkok by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD or Red Shirts) supporters. These historically peaceful demonstrations will be centred around Ratchadamnoen Rd and the Royal Field (Sanam Luang) near the Royal Palace and ending at Parliament House. The demonstration is likely to cause some disruption to normal sightseeing routes contained in our itineraries and recommended optional activities such as visiting the Royal Palace, Wat Po, Democracy & Victory Monuments. In the case of disruption to our included activities, alternative sightseeing will be arranged.
It is recommended that travellers avoid the Ratchadamnoen Rd, Royal Field and Parliament House areas; and any large gathering of people during the course of the demonstration.
Our experienced Bangkok office staff and extensive network of local operators continue to monitor the situation and no changes to our current itineraries are planned at this stage.
Updates will be posted on this site should the situation change.
For further information please see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand
Chile Earthquake (03 March 10)
On 27 February, an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale occurred around 300km south of Santiago, centered on the town of Conception.
All Intrepid travellers are safe and accounted for. We are happy to advise all Intrepid operators and hotels in the region are safe and have not suffered any material losses or damage.
An official statement by Santiago airport (http://www.aeropuertosantiago.cl/claves-del-buen-viajero/comunicado-oficial-scl.html - Spanish only) indicates that the airport has now re-opened at a limited capacity. Up to 5 March International flights to Santiago will stop at an alternative Chilean airport to clear immigrations and customs, before continuing on to Santiago airport.
Several roads to the south of Chile have been damaged; however transport is still possible through a number of detours. For this reason local bus companies operating the Santiago to Pucon leg are only departing in the early hours of the morning.
This may result in the following trips departing this leg during the day, rather than overnight as originally planned:
A Taste of Patagonia - GRE
Road to Rio - GRO
South American Explorer - GRIA
Best of South America - GRHA
Spirit of the Tango - GRFA
Unveil South America - GRCA
These itineraries will go back to normal once local authorities deem it safe to travel overnight.
Our ground staff have advised that apart from the travel disruptions experienced in the past 3 days and a limited number of museums and restaurants remain closed, life is getting back to normal in Santiago (Metropolitan area) as well as the other destinations visited by Intrepid in Chile: Pucon, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. Chilean Patagonia (Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, etc) has not been affected by the quake.
All Intrepid trips to Chile will continue to depart as scheduled and normal cancellation fees apply. We will continue monitoring this situation through local authorities and Intrepid staff on the ground and update this site as more information comes to hand.
For further information please see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Chile Earthquake
Peru Mudslides (15 February 10)
Future departures to Peru
Local authorities have advised that Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail will remain closed to public for the remainder of February and March 2010. The exact re-opening day remains unknown.
At this stage all Intrepid trips to Peru will continue to run. Please find below an indicative guideline of activities that will be arranged while Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are closed.
Travellers to Peru departing in February and March can opt to continue travelling, postpone their travel to a later departure or transfer to an alternative trip at no fee. Travellers intending to postpone their trip to Peru must contact Intrepid at least 10 days prior to departure of the original departure date or normal transfer fees may apply. Normal cancellation fees apply.
Normal postponement, transfer and cancellation fees apply to all trips to Peru departing from 1 April onwards.
We will revisit these conditions and update this site as more information comes to hand.
Alternative itineraries per trip code:
Please note these alternative itineraries are guidelines only and the final itinerary may change due to operational or safety reasons.
Dates not mentioned in this guideline are expected to run as per normal itinerary.
For more information on hiking the Lares trek, please visit the relevant trip notes.
Across the Andes (GRK)
Inca Empire (GRGA)
Best of South America (GRHA)
South American Explorer (GRIA)
South America Encompassed (GRX)
Days 25 to 26: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 27: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 28: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Andes and the Amazon (GSE)
Inca Trail (GXB)
Days 4 to 5: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 6: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 7: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Inca Trail Express (GXBA)
Days 3 to 4: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 5: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 6: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Inca Highlights and Beyond (GSU)
Sacred Land of the Incas (GSQ)
Days 6 to 7: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 8: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 9: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Homeland of the Incas (GSO)
Days 11 to 12: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 13: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 14: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Peru in Depth (GSD)
Peru and Galapagos Explorer (GSY)
Days 7 to 8: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 9: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 10: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Peru Encompassed (GSA)
Days 13 to 14: Hike Lares trek (camp for two nights).
Day 15: Return to Ollantaytambo at the end of the Lares trek and visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 16: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Day 17: Today is at your own leisure as per normal itinerary. Dinner will be included tonight.
Peruvian Highlights (GSJ)
Day 12: Cuzco walking tour (as scheduled). Visit Coricancha (entrance fee included)
Day 15: Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site (entrance fees included) before returning to Cuzco.
Day 16: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). A dinner will be included tonight.
Day 17: Today is at your own leisure as per normal itinerary. Dinner will be included tonight.
Majestic Peru (GKP)
Day 9: Walking tour of Cuzco, including a visit to Coricancha (entrance fee included). Dinner will be included tonight.
Day 10: Visit the Sacred Valley as originally planned
Day 11: Visit the archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo and Pisac (entrance fees included), before returning to Cuzco for the night.
Day 12: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included)
Day 13: Today is free for you to enjoy your last day in Cuzco. Dinner will be included tonight.
Inca Encounter (GKY)
Peruvian Pathways (GKI)
Day 5: In the morning, join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Cathedral and Coricancha archaeological sites (entrance fees included).
Day 6: Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas as originally scheduled. Lunch and dinner will be included today.
Day 7: Visit the archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo and Pisac (entrance fees included), before returning to Cuzco for the night.
Day 8: Take a half day tour to the towns of Chincheros and Maras Moray. Return to Cuzco for the night. Dinner will be included tonight.
Inca Heartland - Southbound (GOL)
Inca Heartland - Southbound (GOQ)
Ecuador & Peru Discovery (GOA)
Quito to La Paz (GOV)
Buenos Aires to Lima (GODB)
Ushuaia to Cuzco (GODN)
Ushuaia to Quito (GODL)
La Pax to Quito (GOW)
The above trips will hike the Community trek (please refer to Trip Notes for more details on this itinerary). A visit to the towns of Chincheros, Maras and Moray will also be scheduled. The kitty price will be reduced by approximately USD 130.
Machu Picchu Extension (GAT)
Day 2: Join a half day trip to Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (entrance fees included). Later on pay a visit to Coricancha archaeological sites (entrance fees included).
Day 3: Today is at your own leisure.
Day 4: Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas visiting Ollantaytambo and Pisac on the way.(entrance fees included). Overnight in Ollantaytambo.
Day 5: Take a half day tour to the town of Maras and Moray. Return to Cuzco for the night.
For further information please see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Peru Mudslides
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