FAQ’s
Rule #1 – Let Go & Have Fun!
Our philosophy is simple: Get outside and Play! It is up to you to make that happen. To do so, you’ve got to let go and just have fun. “Be here now” is our favorite mantra.
This is group travel!
- If you are a Debbie Downer that loves to complain, do not book an adventure with us. Debbie Downers not only ruin their vacation, but can quickly have an averse effect on everyone else’s trip. Bad attitudes are cancerous to our group dynamics and disrespectful. They will not be tolerated. We will remove Debbie Downer’s from a trip because the group’s overall experience is our priority – we will not cater to or bend to please the never satisfied, persistent complainers, or down right miserable people. (That being said, we understand everyone has a bad day! This happens. We’ll work through it!).
- When it comes to goals on our trips, we embrace achieving our goals together and building a community. Teamwork makes the dream work! We love rugged individualism and even practice this ourselves independently for personal growth. Yet, our sense of togetherness on an adventure makes Explorer Chicks feel more comfortable taking risks and moving them to explore things they otherwise might not try. To this end, do not expect to set individual speed records up a mountain. Instead, enjoy the strong bonds formed with your group when your band of Explorer Chicks works together.
The Explorer Chick Experience
Explorer Chick is proudly not a mainstream premium, luxury tour operator. We value authentic experiences, not cushy, ubiquitous lodging and soft adventures. You can do that anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.
Explorer Chick curates lodging that allows you to best experience a location purely. We stay in Eco-hotels, tents, yurts, chalets, vacation homes, and the occasional standard hotel. Pampered princesses should only book if they are ready to get outside of their comfort zone.
Explorer Chick chooses adventures that tend to not be touristy. This means our adventures are more challenging, more rewarding, and more “Likable” on social media. You are practically guaranteed to return home with scrapes, bruises, and sore muscles aka Bonus Souvenirs. We do not dish out soft adventures.
We promise hysterical laughing, unladylike behavior, strings of cuss words, and happy exhaustive fatigue on all of our adventures.
Who is an Explorer Chick?
She is a woman who wants to be taken seriously in the outdoors. She’s skipping the pretty in pink version for the challenging and empowering experience. She embraces new adventures with open arms, an open mind, and an open heart. She is kind. She is learning how to adventure for the independence and freedom. She succeeds not for others, but for herself.
Is the itinerary guaranteed?
Oh, hell no! We are an outdoor adventure company and always at the mercy of the elements. We never know what Mother Nature will throw at us. Often times, she loves to shake it up over night! We always keep an eye on the weather but do not bank on predictions. Changes can happen 12 hours out. That’s nature, baby. The day has yet to arrive where an itinerary goes off as planned (High winds, lightening storms, flooding, clouds over a sunset, construction, etc) 😃
Explorer Chick cares about your safety. You will not venture out if your Explorer Chick Leader or a partner does not deem it safe. End of story. Our itineraries are dynamic. Your Explorer Chick guides will work to find alternatives or modifications to ensure the best value for your trip. We preach prudence, and we practice prudence. A dead Explorer Chick is a terrible client 😆
Can I travel alone?
Yes!!! This company was founded because of a need to travel but having no traveling partner. Trips are exclusive to women and it will not be long before you are making new friends. We pride ourselves in creating a sense of community through designing trips with many shared challenges.
We do not charge single supplement fees. Instead, you’ll share lodging with other Explorer Chicks.
If you do dig some alone time at the end of your day, most of our trips have a single room upgrade. These rates vary according to trip, so please send us an email to inquire! Info@Explorerchick.com
Am I too old?
Bananas! Age is just a number! Women range in age from mid-20’s through 50’s. As long as you can meet the physical demands of your trip, let’s go.
Am I fit enough?
Each and every trip details the physical demands including mileage, elevations, and terrain when available. You are responsible for reading the physical demands and ultimately deciding if you are physically capable of participating in your selected trip.
It is recommended to train for your adventure. We think training for an epic adventure is much more fun than training for a marathon!
Explorer Chick prides itself in curating trips for women who live an active, healthy lifestyle. What this means is we tackle the big climbs, the long trails, the bucket lists, and the uncomfortable. To get the most from your trip we recommend having a solid fitness base with training on the trails in a variety of weather conditions. Train how you play!
All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands upon booking. This is for your and your group’s safety.
But I’ve never hiked/camped/surfed/etc?
Perfect! Our trips are geared towards all levels of outdoor chicks! An Explorer Chick adventure is the ideal place to learn surrounded by an encouraging community of women!
Arrive to your adventure with the gear on the packing list. Also, make sure you can meet the physical demands of the trip. We’ll take it from there. You can always send us an email if you’re unsure! info@Explorerchick.com
What do I pack?
Prior to your arrival, we will send you a travel guide that will include a recommended gear list as well as any other ancillary information that pertains to each individual adventure.
Are tips included?
All gratuities are built into the included features of your adventure with the exception of those for your Explorer Chick Leaders. Tipping for your EC Leaders is optional and not included in the price of your adventure. Gratuities may be given to one leader—the team divides tips among themselves after the trip. We recommend 10-20% of your trip cost or $20 per day.
Why aren’t Trip Leader gratuities included in the trip price? Allowing leaders to accept tips is customary in the tour industry and for good reason. It encourages our EC Leaders to provide you with high touch service and our Explorer Chick travelers enjoy the opportunity to recognize leaders personally for their hard work.
Do your trips include airfare?
Explorer Chicks arrive from all over the US to begin our adventures and it is not possible to include airfare in our prices. Each trip page will detail transportation information including recommended destination airports.
Can you accommodate vegetarians or special dietary restrictions?
We work with our partners and design our menus in best efforts to accommodate dietary restrictions; however we may be unable to meet all needs. Please be prepared to supplement our included meals if needed. You must advise Explorer Chick of any specific requests at time of booking in the comment box provided.
Explorer Chicks will have to manage their diet for non-included meals and additional nutritional needs. You know your body and needs best, please plan accordingly.
How do I pay?
After you fill out the Explorer Chick reservation form, you will receive a Paypal invoice within 48 hours of your reservation. The deposit is required to guarantee your spot.
Do you offer payment plans?
Well, kind of.
Each trip requires a deposit as stated on the trip’s page to guarantee your spot. When you receive your invoice from Paypal you will be required to pay at least the deposit. You can then make payments towards your trip as best fits your needs. The entire balance of your trip is due 60 days prior to your arrival.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Explorer Chick wants nothing more than for you to escape on one of our adventures. However, we understand emergencies do occur that may cause you to cancel your reservation. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
The deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.
60-31 Days prior to arrival: 50% of your trip is non-refundable.
There will be no refunds given for any cancellation notices given within 30 days of a trip.
There will be no refunds given during or following a trip.
No exceptions will be granted to our Cancellation and Refund policy.
We reserve the right to cancel trips with inadequate participant attendance, in which case all money paid to Explorer Chick Adventure Co, Inc will be fully refunded. Explorer Chick Adventure Co, Inc. CANNOT be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or tour cancellations.
We strongly encourage you to purchase Traveler Protection Insurance.
Travel Insurance is available from WorldNomads.com
