Intrepid Travel today announced the launch of a new operational hub in Santiago, Chile, marking a significant expansion of its global footprint. The new Destination Management Company (DMC) will oversee operations in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, enabling Intrepid to strengthen local partnerships, and scale up operations in one of its in one of its fastest growing regions.
"This is a key milestone on our journey to becoming tour operator of choice across Latin America by 2030.” said Gary Cohen, Regional General Manager for the Americas at Intrepid. “With a stronger local presence, we can scale responsibly and deliver even richer, more meaningful experiences in one of our most strategically important destinations, Chile, a world class hub for adventure travel and gateway to Patagonia."
This move comes at a time of strong momentum for the region. Intrepid's South American bookings are up 20% year-over-year and are up 32% in 2026 for booking across Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Intrepid celebrated the expansion with an event at Hotel Bidasoa in Santiago on October 21, attended by representatives from the Chilean tourism ministry, the Australian Embassy, and key trade and industry partners.
As it expands, Intrepid plans to grow with purpose, prioritizing conservation and positive social impact through its non-profit arm, the Intrepid Foundation, which partners with seven local non-government organizations (NGOs) across the region.
While Santiago marks the latest milestone in Intrepid’s long-term commitment to Latin America, Peru remains the cornerstone of its regional offering, with direct operations since 2007. This week, Intrepid also announced that it is making its 2026 tours on the world-famous Inca Trail even more accessible to a wider range of travelers. Through improved value pricing, its Inca Trail treks are now some of the best value options among all major operators
By focusing on value, we’re making the Inca Trail more accessible without compromising the trusted Intrepid experience; expert local guides, ethical porter welfare, and top-tier inclusions,” Cohen continued. "These efforts put Intrepid on track to become Peru’s largest adventure tour operator by 2030."
For a full view of Intrepid’s business and future plans read the Integrated Annual Report here.
ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL
Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for 36 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of country offices in 32 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognised for their commitment to transparency and ethical travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018. Its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has disbursed more than $20 million to more than 160 partners. For more information, download the company’s 2024 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.