With demand for its top adventure itineraries up 64%, Intrepid Travel is seeing growing demand for experiences that combine physical challenge, cultural immersion and local expertise.
Travelers are lacing up their hiking boots, taking on ambitious trails and increasingly choosing to explore the world on foot. From the mountains of Tanzania to the jungles of Colombia, active adventures are enjoying a remarkable run.
At Intrepid Travel, walking and trekking is now the company's fastest-growing category, up 16% year over year. Demand for its top five adventure itineraries has climbed 64%, with some of its most challenging experiences posting even bigger gains. Colombia's Lost City Trek is up 111%, while Kilimanjaro trips have grown more than 60%.
The Appeal of Taking the Long Way
Intrepid's latest consumer research offers some insight into travelers’ motivations.
In a survey of 8,000 consumers across the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, 82% said being guided by a local expert allows them to connect more deeply with a destination than exploring independently. Another 83% said it's important to choose travel that positively impacts the people and places they visit.
These priorities have notable relevance for walking and trekking, where local guides play an integral role in the experience. Their knowledge brings context to the landscapes travelers encounter, from the history of a remote mountain trail to the traditions of communities along the route.
“For a long time, adventure travel had a reputation for being something you needed to be incredibly fit or experienced to do, and now that's changing. There's a whole range of experiences out there, and we're seeing more people willing to give them a go. The opportunity for our industry is to meet that curiosity with great trips, great local leaders and experiences that also deliver for the places people visit,” says Leigh Barnes, president of Intrepid Travel North America.
Making Adventure More Accessible
Guided, small-group adventures are also opening doors for solo travelers, particularly women. Intrepid's Women's Expeditions grew 32% in 2025, with 77% of travelers on those trips traveling solo.
For travel advisors, there's room to introduce active adventures to clients who may have overlooked the category in the past. Walking and trekking experiences span a wide range of difficulty levels, destinations and travel styles, creating opportunities to match travelers with experiences suited to their interests and abilities.
Growing Demand, Greater Opportunity
“When more people get out and explore on foot, there's a real opportunity for the communities along those routes. That includes rural communities and gateway towns near national parks, where local guides and small businesses can benefit directly from tourism. But as demand grows, we have to be thoughtful about how these trips are developed and managed. These are incredible places, and we have a responsibility to make sure the landscapes and communities that make them special continue to thrive,” says Barnes.
For Intrepid, the momentum reinforces the value of locally led, small-group adventures. With more travelers seeking active experiences across a range of abilities and interests, there's plenty of room for the category to grow, and for the communities welcoming visitors to benefit alongside it.