Travel guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has teamed up with Intrepid Travel to launch its own range of carbon neutral tours for the first time.
Lonely Planet Experiences is offering 200 day tours, run by Intrepid’s Urban Adventures brand, and more than 130 multi-day tours, operated by Intrepid Travel. These include walking, cycling, food, festival, family and marine trips, in 65 countries.
The trips, now bookable and ranging in length from two hours to 22 days, have been designed to have a low environmental footprint and a positive impact on local communities.
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All tours will have a maximum of 16 holidaymakers and use local transportation. They will support local businesses, and will be 100% carbon neutral. They will also include exclusive discounts on Lonely Planet’s guidebooks, and free access to its Guides app.
Example of day tours include A Tour Through Tokyo’s Kitchen, including its famous fish market, for 2.5 hours from around £59; and a two-hour Vintage Las Vegas Arts Tour, from around £34.
Multi-day tours include a seven-day Galapagos Experience, from £726, and 15-day Explore Egypt, from £815.
Travel agents will be able to book Lonely Planet Experiences through Intrepid, which will handle all bookings and customer service.
Lonely Planet chief executive Luis Cabrera said: “For over four decades, travellers have looked to Lonely Planet for trusted travel advice. Now, global explorers looking for the inside track can journey along with us on this new range of tours. This is an exciting innovation and evolution for the Lonely Planet brand.”
He said working with tour operator Intrepid was a perfect fit for Lonely Planet. “The two brands share an unmatched passion for travel and a genuine commitment to responsible travel and we’re proud to combine our expertise to deliver amazing adventures for like-minded travellers around the world,” he said.
Intrepid has been carbon-neutral since 2010 and has committed to becoming climate positive in 2020.
Intrepid’s chief executive James Thornton added: “These experiences combine our expertise to create a new tour range that will support local communities, protect our natural environment and ensure travellers see the world in a responsible and sustainable way.
“Lonely Planet helped pioneer access to more authentic and grassroots experiences for independent travellers. That’s why we’re thrilled to be part of the next phase of their growth and helping to makle sustainable experience-rich travel a mainstay for travellers everywhere.”