Essential Trip Information

• This is a multi-day backpacking trip, so a good level of fitness is required. We recommend you start training 12 weeks before departure to build cardiovascular endurance and leg strength. Practice hiking with a backpack, beginning with a light load and gradually increasing weight each week until you can comfortably carry the full pack weight listed below.
• This trip involves hiking uphill and downhill with a 35 to 45 lb backpack for 5 to 7 hours per day. The most difficulty is on Day 1, with elevation gain of 2500 feet over 8 miles. The rest of the trip has moderate daily distances and elevation changes, and trends downhill. There are sections of hiking in significantly rugged terrain that can be wet, muddy, overgrown and possibly snow-covered.
• On this trip, you’ll be required to carry a backpack weighing approximately 35 to 45 lb. Trekking/hiking poles, a backpack and all camping gear is included. You may wish to bring your own sleeping bag.
• The climate surrounding the summit of Denali is notorious for hiding the mountain from view much of the time, so we can't guarantee clear views. It's all just part of the thrill. When the weather permits, this trip provides unobstructed views of the mountain - towering almost 17,000 ft above us - every day of the hike. Fingers crossed!
• On our backcountry hiking trips, bathroom facilities vary by location. Some trails and campsites have simple pit toilets, while others do not have built structures. In these cases, your trip leader will guide you through safe and responsible practices for going in the wilderness, following Leave No Trace principles.

We recommend that you undertake regular aerobic exercise in the weeks before you travel, particularly if you are not in the habit of regular exercise. Walking, jogging, swimming or riding a bike are all good ways to increase your aerobic fitness, which will allow you to enjoy the trip to its fullest.

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 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 or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative 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.

General contact details can be found here www-rei-com.intrepidtravel/travel/about-intrepid

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: Available for phone call on +1 928-224-4480

In order to travel on this trip, you:
1. Must be able to understand and recognize the risks and hazards inherent in the activities of the trip, must be able to decide to assume those risks and hazards and must actually and voluntarily assume those risks and hazards.
2. Must be able to withstand exposure to the outdoors including exposure to diverse climactic conditions during the trip, including temperatures ranging from below freezing to +100 degrees F, potentially rapidly changing precipitative conditions from dry conditions to precipitation including monsoons and flash floods, for the duration of the Program.
3. Must be able to monitor and evaluate changes in personal health condition including the onset of dehydration, hyponatremia, heat illness or stroke or hypothermia and must be able to communicate any changes in personal health condition or safety concerns to the guide(s).
4. Must be able to participate in all activities at the time scheduled for each activity; e.g. to beat the heat, guest pick-up and hike start times during summer months may range between 3-6 a.m.
5. Must be able to manage all personal care and mobility during extended periods of exertion of 10-plus hours per day, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device.
6. Must be able to enter and exit a multi-passenger vehicle either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device.
7. Must be able to withstand up to eight hours as a passenger in a multi-passenger vehicle, transporting up to 14 passengers at a time, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device.
8. Must be able to immediately comprehend and follow verbal instructions either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device.
9. Must be able to traverse wet and dry, sandy, rocky, uneven and/or unstable ground over a distance of 10-plus miles per day including elevation differential (gain and/or loss) of +3,000 feet per day, for a period of up to 10 hours per day, while carrying:
a) BACKPACKING/BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS- a backpack weighing 25-50 pounds,
b) FRONTCOUNTRY/LODGE, BASECAMP AND INN-BASED TRIPS - a fully loaded backpack weighing 10-15 pounds,
either independently or with an assistance companion or an approved assistive device.
10. Must be able to self-manage and self-navigate unsupervised while in the designated camp area either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device.
11. Must be able to perform basic camping activities including sleeping on the ground, consuming water from back country sources, consuming food prepared in a backcountry setting and maintaining personal health and hygiene in accordance with guide directives either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device.

The use of an assistive device to meet any element of the essential eligibility criteria must be approved in advance by Intrepid Travel.

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's 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, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

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 fees 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 group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome 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 group leader or local representative 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.

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/

1. This trip requires a minimum of two booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your booking agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 60 days out from departure. We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. If your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided.
2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 11 am on Day 1 in Anchorage, AK. Please make your way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information. Your group will then travel together to your hotel in Talkeetna.
3. This trip finishes at approximately 7 pm in Anchorage, AK. No accommodation is booked for this evening. If you would like to spend more time in Anchorage, please speak to your booking agent about additional accommodation.
4. A single tent is provided to all solo travelers at no extra cost. A single supplement is available at an additional cost, if you’d prefer not to share a room on Day 1 in Talkeetna and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. We need to be “bear aware” on our trip. All food, toiletries and scented items must be secured each night and never left in tents or backpacks overnight. Please keep scented items to a minimum and bring the smallest amount necessary for your trip (travel size items are perfect) in order to best fit into bear canisters or into bear bags to be hung away from camp each night.
6. Your trip is operated by Wildland, an Intrepid Travel company.

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 & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through 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. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  http://www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

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 assessment of our group leader or local representative a 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. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

PERSONAL MEDICATION
Medical prescriptions written outside of the US and Canada aren't accepted at local pharmacies. We recommend you bring along your personal medications in the necessary quantities for your trip.

DEHYDRATION & SUN PROTECTION
The most likely medical incidents to occur on our trips are dehydration, over exposure to the sun and twisted ankles from walking on uneven ground. While hiking please ensure you drink enough water to remain hydrated as some hikes don't have refill stations for your water bottles. The sun (especially in desert areas in the West) can be harsh, particularly in the warmer months. Ensure you apply adequate sunscreen and wear a hat.

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

On a backpacking trip, you’ll tuck into tasty, flavour-packed meals to fuel your outdoor adventures. Along with foods that are ideal for camping like pastas, lentils, packaged meats, breads, and granola, you’ll also be offered snacks like trail mix and dried fruits. Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, non-gluten diets, and food allergies can usually be accommodated at the same cost or for an additional fee. All meals on your trip are included and prepared by your experienced outdoor guide unless otherwise noted.

Please inform your booking agent of any dietary requirements or food allergies at the time of booking. This information is essential for meal planning, and last-minute notifications may not be accommodated.

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

You’ll camp in beautiful, well-located campgrounds or backcountry campsites, and spend the night in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents with self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags which are professionally laundered after every trip.

Bathroom facilities vary by location. Some trails and campsites have simple pit toilets, while others do not have built structures. In these cases, your trip leader will guide you through safe and responsible practices for going in the wilderness, following Leave No Trace principles.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.

The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.

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.

The most convenient way to access money is via ATMs, which are plentiful throughout North America. Check with your bank for information on their international fees. Most optional activities can be paid for with credit card.

TIPPING
Tipping is part of the culture in North America – while it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of many industries including the tourism industry, in North America.

YOUR LEADER
Guide gratuities are optional and at the discretion of each customer. A suggested guideline – not an expectation – is to reward outstanding service with a tip of 10-20% of the total trip cost. Please tip your lead guide and they will distribute responsibly to the crew.

TIPPING WHILE OUT AND ABOUT
Restaurants: We suggest 18% to 22% of your bill.
Bars: We suggest US$1 per drink.
A charge that isn’t normally listed in North American menus or pricing are the state and federal taxes. Keep this in mind when your bill comes out slightly higher than the original price listed.

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.

Gear up for your trip at REI, the preferred outfitter of Intrepid Travel, at http://www.rei.com

STORING YOUR EXTRA LUGGAGE WHILE ON TRIP
The best place to store your luggage and vehicle is at your pre/post trip hotel. We have limited capacity to store extra luggage.

Our thorough packing list considers diverse weather conditions, but we suggest refining it based on the weather forecast 10 days before departure. Before your trip, our guides will reach out to review the list with you, addressing any questions. For newly purchased items, we suggest you keep receipts and tags attached until use, as our guides can provide real-time advice on their necessity. This approach ensures that you are well-equipped for your adventure, no matter what conditions you may encounter.

INCLUDED GEAR
We provide all group gear which includes the following:

- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
- Bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear (where applicable)

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.

Hydration System – 3+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries
(Note: always test your headlamp before trips, travel/pack without batteries in device, and for longer trips (4+ days) consider a spare bulb and 1 set of spare batteries)
Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm
2 cotton bandanas if hiking in dry and hot conditions
Contact Lenses and Glasses – if you wear contact lenses, please also bring a pair of glasses – your contacts are likely to become dirty and may be difficult to clean
Prescription Medication – please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking
Toiletries – small amounts, travel sizes and/or just what you need for the trip

HIKING CLOTHING
Hiking Boots/Shoes – mid-weight, lug-soled, and ideally well broken in
(Note: buy your boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than your street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)
Secondary Footwear – supportive, lightweight, well-drained shoe or sport sandal for creek crossings and/or for camp comfort
Hiking Socks – one pair for every two days of your trip, plus an extra pair to sleep in. Hiking-specific padded socks, no cotton please!
(Note: wearing thin liner socks under your hiking socks can help prevent blisters)
Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
Cotton T-shirts if hiking in dry and hot conditions – 2 short and/or long sleeve cotton t-shirts.
(Note: When hiking in hot and dry weather only. Cotton retains moisture and helps to cool the body down in hot, arid desert environments. Cotton shirts are critical garments in terms of safety and comfort in the hotter months.)
Hiking Shirt – 1-2 non-cotton, breathable short or long sleeve shirts
(Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)
Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
Hiking Pants & Shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings
Rain Gear – breathable waterproof jacket

ADDITIONAL CLOTHING FOR COOL/COLD WEATHER
If you are traveling between October and April, or if you are hiking in a destination at high elevation or experiences cold overnight temperatures, you should come prepared with some additional cold weather gear. Check the weather forecast for your trip and add cold weather gear as needed.

Warm Hat & Gloves – lightweight beanie/toque and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves
Additional Hiking Shirt – 1 additional non-cotton, breathable long sleeve shirt
Mid Layer Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy-weight fleece jacket
Base Layer/Long Underwear – 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool…etc.
Rain Pants – waterproof pants, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. Look for side zippers that will allow you to pull them over your boots.
Important Note: Please, no cotton hiking clothes with the exception of the “Cotton T-shirts” section above (which are important!)

RECOMMENDED ITEMS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BRINGING
Swimsuit – only if swimming is an option on your trip
Camp Pillow – lightweight, compressible and packable
Stuff Sacks – various sizes for better organization of clothing & gear, and/or to help create a camp pillow, etc.
(Note: A lightweight waterproof stuff sack can be extremely useful in wet conditions)
Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc…)
Camp Reading Material – lightweight paperback book, magazine or small notebook/pen for journaling
Cell Phone or Camera
Spare Batteries – for camera, headlamp or other electronics
Solar Charger or Charging Bank – small, lightweight devices to recharge electronics
Quick Dry Towel – lightweight, compressible and packable – bandanas also work
Insect repellant
Ear plugs and eye mask
Personal medical kit. A larger kit will be on hand with your leader, but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, antihistamine tablets and any personal medication you may need

VALUABLES
Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables. It’s also recommended to bring a copy of all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

WEATHER IN ALASKA
Alaska's weather can be highly variable, so it's essential to be prepared for rapid changes in conditions. Alaska is famous for its “midnight sun” during the summer when there can be up to 20 hours of daylight so you may want to bring a sleep mask. Don’t be fooled by the northerly latitude – the sun can be quite strong so bring sun protection. You will almost certainly experience rain during your trip so come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear.

Coastal Areas:
Coastal areas, such as Anchorage and Seward, experience a maritime climate with milder temperatures and more precipitation than interior areas. It is not uncommon to experience a wide range of weather conditions from bright sunshine to cold wind and rain on the same day. Summers (June-August) have long daylight hours (16-19 hours) and high temperatures ranging from about 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F) and average lows from 9°C to 13°C (48°F to 55°F). Fall (September-October) has cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage. Fall highs average 10°C to 5°C (50°F to 41°F) and lows average 3°C to -3°C (37°F to 26°F).

Interior Alaska:
Inland areas, like Talkeetna and Denali National Park, have a subarctic climate with warm summers, frigid winters and drier conditions, however they can experience periods of rain during the summer. Mosquitoes can be abundant during summer, so pack insect repellent. Daylight hours are especially long during the summer months in interior Alaska (18-20 hours). In Denali National Park average summer high temperatures are in the 60s to the low 70s Fahrenheit (around 15°C to 24°C) and average low temperatures are 40s to the mid-50s Fahrenheit (around 7°C to 13°C). In the fall, temperatures can drop more than in coastal areas. Average highs in September and October are 28°F to 50°F (-2°C to 10°C) and average lows are 16°F to 38°F (-9°C to 3°C).

USA NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The following national holidays are observed in the US, which can affect our itinerary as traffic can be extreme, and shops, restaurants and attractions can be closed:

New Year's Day (01 January)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
Washington's Birthday (third Monday of February)
Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
Independence Day (4 July)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
Veterans Day (11 November)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
Christmas Day (25 December)

Your group leader’s role involves organising the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics and camp responsibilities. Our leaders are also fully qualified and experienced to lead all the treks included in this trip, therefore, your leader is also your trekking guide. In addition, they are responsible for driving the van and navigating across the country/state. The allowable driving times for drivers is strictly controlled in North America. This ensures our drivers are well rested and are not over-tired from too many hours on the roads.
Please note that guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24 hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time/ etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask our travellers to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ time off and sleep time unless there is a true (life threatening) emergency.

TRAVEL ADVISORIES & ALERTS
We recommend that you check your government's foreign travel advisory for the latest information about the destination before you travel. You will also need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. We also recommend saving the phone number for emergency consular assistance for your government’s consulate in the destination/s you’ll be travelling. Links to travel advisories and any current travel alerts for our trips can be found here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts

PERSONAL SAFETY
Ensure you have a secure method of carrying your passport, phone, credit cards and cash while travelling such as a money belt. Leave all other high value items, including jewellery, at home Use safety deposit boxes at hotels to store your valuables when available and ensure your luggage is lockable. Be aware of the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Exercise caution when walking at night, don’t walk alone and stick to well-lit streets wherever possible. Be vigilant on public transport and look out for your fellow travellers. Take precautions such as carrying your bag in front of you and never leaving personal items unattended.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
Intrepid welcomes all LGBTQIA+ customers on our trips, however we operate in parts of the world that are less accepting. We support LGBTQIA+ customers to travel to these destinations and are committed to ensuring they face no discrimination on any part of the trip we control. We recommend you visit Equaldex (https://www.equaldex.com/) and your government's foreign travel advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers when choosing your trip.

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

BEARS
Human-bear encounters are rare. Your leader is trained in bear safety and will carry bear spray during hikes as an extra precaution. When hiking in regions where bears live, hike in groups, be alert, and never approach a bear or other wildlife. When hiking, periodically yell “Hey bear!” to alert bears to your presence, especially when walking through dense vegetation/blind spots, traveling upwind, near loud streams, or on windy days.

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities.

To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip.

Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip.

If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

LEGAL DRINKING AGE
In the US the legal drinking age is 21.
In Canada the legal drinking age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 in the remaining provinces and territories.
Our leaders are not able to help underage customers buy alcohol.

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
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.

We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis.

On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

For travelers who reside within the USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly advised, and we strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects.

Each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements for travel insurance. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travelers, regardless of their nationality. Travelers from the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the welcome meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

If you have credit card insurance, your trip leader or local representative 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.

When REI partnered with Intrepid Travel, an important part of that decision was based around our shared values and commitment to 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 tour leaders and local representatives, 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

Our non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, gives travellers more opportunities to make a positive impact in the places they visit.

We have over 50 Intrepid Foundation partners across the globe addressing four key focus areas: protecting the environment, taking a stand for wildlife, addressing inequality and empowering communities.

Intrepid matches all post-trip donations dollar for dollar and takes care of the admin fees – this doubles your impact and ensures every cent goes to our partners on the ground.

Visit our website for more info: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

REI Cooperative Action Fund
One percent of trip sale proceeds will support the REI Cooperative Action Fund, complementing Intrepid’s commitment to responsible travel through The Intrepid Foundation. Since its launch in 2021, the REI Cooperative Action Fund has invested nearly US $31 million to 460 nonprofits across the country doing essential work to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive. Get involved and find out more at https://www.reifund.org/