Intrepid Travel adds Indigenous-led experiences in Canada

Intrepid Travel has introduced new Indigenous-led tourism experiences to two of its itineraries in Canada.

It means the operator has reached its goal of including an Indigenous-led experience on 75% of its Canadian tours by the end of 2026.

With these additions, nine of Intrepid’s 12 Canada itineraries will now feature an Indigenous-led experience, providing opportunities for travellers to learn about Indigenous culture while supporting local communities and businesses.

In a recent survey commissioned by Intrepid of more than 8,000 travellers globally, UK travellers showed the highest demand for Indigenous-led experiences with 77% of Brits saying they would consider taking time to experience local Indigenous culture and support Indigenous businesses when travelling, compared to 74% globally.

One experience comes through a new partnership with Talaysay Tours, an Indigenous-owned tourism company in British Columbia.

The organisations have introduced a ‘We Are the Land’ experience in Whistler (Sḵwiḵw), bringing cultural ecology, stewardship and storytelling to Intrepid’s Grand Canadian Rockies itinerary.

Intrepid will also add a Huron-Wendat experience in Wendake near Quebec City to its Eastern Canada by Rail itinerary, which includes a guided visit to the Huron-Wendat longhouse and museum at the Huron Traditional Site.

Intrepid’s new experiences build on its £265,000, five-year commitment to support the growth and promotion of Indigenous tourism in Canada, as part of its partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.

The company plans to include an Indigenous-led experience on all its Canada itineraries by the end of 2031, ensuring every traveller who visits Canada with Intrepid leaves with a deeper connection and understanding of Indigenous culture.

Christian Wolters, president of Intrepid Travel Canada commented: “Long-term partnerships with Indigenous tourism businesses are essential to how we approach responsible travel in Canada.”

Talaysay Campo, co-owner of Talaysay Tours, added: “We are the original stewards of these lands and waters, and to our people, the land is everything – it is our culture, our identity, our history and our way of life.

“Travellers will walk the land with us, discover Indigenous knowledge and learn about the living relationships that have connected our people to these mountains since time immemorial.”

Intrepid runs 12 tours in Canada ranging from seven to 15 days, including hiking in the Canadian Rockies, rail trips through Ontario and Quebec and cultural tours through the Maritimes.