Exploring Family Travel with Intrepid: A Personal Adventure in India
Traveling as a family is often filled with excitement, challenges, and the occasional dose of unpredictability. Having explored over 80 countries without joining group tours longer than a few hours, I found myself in a situation last year that led me to rethink my travel strategy. An unexpected event forced me to cancel a planned trip, nudging me towards a small-group tour with Intrepid Travel. While I initially hesitated, my kids and I ended up loving the experience so much that we immediately booked two more tours. Here’s what we discovered during our 14-day Northern India Family Holiday Comfort itinerary.
Hands-On Experiences that Bring Culture to Life
Choosing the Northern India tour was a dream come true, especially for someone eager to see the Taj Mahal without feeling overwhelmed. Navigating the crowded, vibrant chaos of Indian cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur can be intimidating for any traveler, especially families. Intrepid’s decision to employ local guides, like our exceptional guide Ravi, eased those concerns significantly.
Ravi was not only knowledgeable about Indian history and culture, but he was also a hit with the kids. He engaged them with quizzes about India, encouraging them to remember fun facts like the population of Delhi and the story behind the Taj Mahal. A highlight was when he took the kids to fly kites on a large hotel lawn, blending an everyday local tradition into our itinerary. He even suggested an unforgettable outing: a night at a Bollywood film, which encapsulated the magic of Indian cinema.
Flexible Scheduling: Balancing Activities and Relaxation
Intrepid’s tour had a well-structured itinerary filled with exciting activities — from visiting the Taj Mahal to going on a tiger safari and even participating in a Bollywood dance class. Yet, what impressed me most was the ample time left for unstructured play. Whether it was a casual soccer game or some downtime by the hotel pool, the schedule felt relaxed yet fulfilling.
Ravi further enriched our experience by helping us plan an impromptu visit to the Karni Mata Temple, famously known as the Temple of Rats. This detour from the standard itinerary was not only a fantastic experience but also offered us a moment to explore something unique, away from the usual tourist paths.
The Value of a Supportive Travel Community
Travel can sometimes feel isolating, especially when you’re with kids and trying to navigate a foreign culture. Fortunately, having other families on our tour offered an invaluable support system. Kids bonded over shared experiences and parents often teamed up to watch each other’s children, creating a sense of camaraderie.
On nights when some families wanted to venture off on their own for dinner or explore a temple, there was never a sense of judgment; rather, it was an understanding that traveling as a family often requires a flexible approach. By the two-week trip’s end, we felt like we had forged lasting friendships with the other families, defying my earlier concern that being with the same group for so long might become tiresome.
Booking With Intrepid: What Families Should Know
For families considering travel with Intrepid, the company currently offers 44 different small-group family itineraries. Each group needs at least one child, and the minimum age for joining varies from 5 to 10 years depending on the tour. Grandparents and extended family members are more than welcome, and groups are typically limited to 16 to 18 participants, which fosters a sense of intimacy and connection.
Intrepid caters to families through two styles of trips: Original and Comfort. I opted for the Comfort option, which featured upgraded accommodations and additional activities. The hotels were clean, comfortable, and had essential amenities like hot water, while still being locally owned to support local economies.
Final Thoughts
Choosing to explore India with my family through a small-group tour with Intrepid Travel was a rewarding decision. It broke the usual mold of independent travel while still offering the freedom to explore at our own pace. Through hands-on experiences, flexible scheduling, and a supportive travel community, we emerged from this adventure not just with memories, but with a deeper appreciation for family travel and the vibrant culture of India.