Women’s Guided Backpacking Trips

I loved every minute of my trip with Jayme & Ashley. They took care of everything and made the trip so carefree and fun for the rest of us ! 100000% will be signing up for more explorer chick adventures.

It's a week later and I still don't have words for the experience I just had. Being a mom of twins there's not a lot of time to think about just me, but Lauren and Jody took care of everything. Fantastic food, extra comforts, space for laughter, tears and reflection...and that's not even getting to the beauty of the Smokey Mountains. The women on my trip were amazing, we bonded around a fire, hauling ourselves to a mountaintop and zipping through trees at breakneck speed. If you feel even an inkling of a pull toward these trips DO IT. You won't be sorry. I'm already planning 2025.

I took a leap of faith and signed up to travel to Uganda with Explorer Chick Co. and a group of "strangers"....who very quickly became friends! This experience was perfectly amazing....all the details were organized for us, and all we had to do was jump in and experience the wonders around us. There were moments of such profound and overwhelming feelings of joy that it brought a tightness to my heart and tears to my eyes. We went on game drives several mornings and evenings, and were surrounded by majestic wildlife....elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, zebras, water buffalos, and soooo many others! We traveled efficiently between locations with private planes and our own vans. We met incredible people along the way, who were happy and proud to show us their culture. The accommodations were a mixture of humble and luxurious, always safe and clean, and the food…oooo the food was AMAZING! A once-in-a-lifetime experience trekking with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park…the powerful feeling of awe will stay with me forever! We were fortunate to have EC founder Nicki as our tour leader. Nicki has formed positive relationships with local guides who took care of us every step of the way! Her passion for adventure is contagious, and she was committed to ensuring we all felt special and got what we were hoping for out of this adventure. I am actively searching for my next EC travel destination, and can't wait to continue stretching the limits of my comfort zone in the company of other strong, adventurous soon-to-be friends. THANK YOU, Explorer Chick, from the bottom of my heart!

Loved my first Explorer Chick trip to Yosemite - it won't be my last! Guides Christina and Nicole were so kind and attentive. I was a solo traveler and I enjoyed every other woman in my group! I left feeling confident in my strong hiking body and refreshed in my soul. Thank you, Explorer Chicks!

This was the trip of a lifetime! Nicki was the best guide and I could not have asked for anything to be different! Run to sign up for this trip! You will not regret it!

The Uganda trip with Explorer Chicks was beyond my wildest dreams. It was a bucket list adventure taken to extraordinary heights, blending luxury and excitement. I had hoped for at least one game drive, and instead, we embarked on more than a dozen thrilling adventures to see giraffes, elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions, chimpanzees and more. Seeing gorillas up close was a dream come true, and not only did I see them, but I was also touched by a young gorilla—a moment that far exceeded any of my dreams.The accommodations were beyond 5 stars, a true testament to the luxury of the trip and the impeccable planning on the part of Explorer Chick. Imagine being gently woken up by your butler serenading you with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The food was equally exceptional, adding to the overall luxurious experience. Moreover, I forged lasting friendships with the incredible women on this journey. I admire and adore each one of them, and the bonds we created are truly special.This trip was, without a doubt, an unforgettable adventure. All I can say is DO IT!!

This trip is AMAZING! Don't overthink it, just book it and go. It is worth every penny and you will not regret it. Explorer Chick has covered all the details - we just showed up to enjoy it. The animals and wildlife were beyond words! The hotels were deluxe and, if you're worried, the meals were delicious with mostly Western ("normalish") options or regional favorites. The women on the trip were also amazing. It was wonderful to see the African plains, enjoy sundowners, hiking to the gorillas, meeting local people - all of it. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! An adventure of a lifetime. (My trip was December 2023.)

Summer of 2023 I said to my husband, I need to do this trip, I went to the EC Banff Canada trip in March (first trip alone and I was freaking out) and it was absolutely amazing… but for some reason this trip just spoke to me… I was supposed to be there for my 40th in 2020 and you all know how that worked out! I booked it!!! I was scared to death. I packed and unpacked 1 million times and it was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. Do you have any idea what it feels like to travel across the world, to be an independent woman, to do it by yourself… to meet the most amazing people that you know you’ll be friends with forever. Women that to this day I still talk to and have traveled to see again. Uganda is such an amazing country, you will never ever regret it. The people the experience, the culture, the food, the animals it is absolutely breathtaking. Don’t pass this up life’s too short go for it.

I just completed the challenging and spectacular Yosemite Half Dome Backpacking trip with Explorer Chicks. Our guide, Ashley, was organized, knowledgeable, kind, calm and encouraging and we all agreed we would definitely travel with her again!! This was a trip of a lifetime and I’m so glad I got to experience the beauty of the Yosemite backcountry!

I just got back from the Yosemite - Half Dome Backpacking Trip. From beginning to end it was AMAZING, STUPENDOUS, FABULOUS...you get the point. Kat was our guide and she was the absolute perfect fit for our group. Everything was so well thought out, meals were amazing! Loved our "Trailsgiving Dinner". Kat was great at reading the vibe of the group, making adjustments when needed and giving us super helpful little tips to make the trek easier. The itinerary was great and we had the trails mostly to ourselves in the backcountry with exception of the few high traffic areas so it felt like a magical little retreat. There were so many thoughtful details that made the trip extra special. We hiked Half Dome to watch the sunset and it was breathtaking. At no time did I feel unsafe because Kat coached us how to approach the cables and was there the whole time helping anyone who felt nervous. We had emails ahead of the trip with what to expect, frequent communication during the trip outlining the details of each day as well as a recap email that captured all of the special moments. I would so strongly recommend Explorer Chick to any woman looking for an adventure! BOOK IT!! You will not regret it!

This trip was wonderful from beginning to end! I am so thankful I found out about Explorer Chick! I will definitely be booking another trip soon. Kat was our guide and she truly was the best I could have asked for in a guide. You get to know people intimately when you go backpacking and share tents. Kat’s personality is optimistic and patient. Guiding 5 women who have hardly any experience backpacking or climbing could potentially be a very difficult situation but Kat is knowledgeable and kind and I trusted her guidance.

I just got back from my third Explorer Chick trip--this time to Yellowstone. It was a busy trip and we saw a lot in one week. Our guides Christina and Jayme were first class and facilitated not just the logistics of travel, meals, and activities but also empowered us, educated and listened and were fun to be around. These are not trips if you want relaxing, easy vacations. But if if want to meet fantastic women and challenge yourself, sign up. There are so many options to choose from and new people to meet.

Explorer Chick was absolutely phenomenal! I recently completed their Yosemite National Park Half Dome Backpacking trip and had an incredible experience. My guide, Kirstie, was beyond amazing. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the park, its history, and the surrounding area. Her enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors were contagious, making the trip even more enjoyable. Kirstie was also very approachable, making it easy to ask questions and feel comfortable in the group. I was impressed by her attention to detail, ensuring that everything was well-planned and executed. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure, I highly recommend booking a trip with Explorer Chick!

I recently returned from Yosemite National Park after completing one of my bucket list hikes, climbing Half Dome! The group of women and our guide Katie K. were an encouraging and inspirational circle to be surrounded by. It wasn't just about hiking and completing a goal; it was about connection, learning, and trust. My guide went above and beyond in educating the group, teaching meditation and relaxation techniques, and adapting to each individual and their personal comfort level. I look forward to more adventures in the near future!

I just got back from the Yosemite hiking trip with Kara and Kirstie as guides and it was phenomenal! We covered several varied parts of the park and were so well taken care of by our guides! They adapted to each woman’s fitness level like pros. I will definitely be going on another trip with Explorer Chick and highly recommend them to any women thinking about it!