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!
We have a Zero Tolerance Policy when it comes to Mean Girls and Debbie Downers.
Explorer Chicks are Kind, Supportive, and Welcoming.
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 just disrespectful.
Mean Girls are also invited to stay home. Bullying, egos, and hurtful trash talk is the fastest way to be removed from an adventure. They will not be tolerated.
Our guides are Explorer Chick Advocates. We will remove Debbie Downers and Mean Girls from a trip because the group’s overall experience is our priority – we will not cater to nor bend to please the never satisfied, persistent complainers, meanies, or down right miserable people. (That being said, we understand everyone has a bad day! This happens. We’ll work through it!).
Teamwork makes the Dream Work!
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.
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 and supportive. She is learning how to adventure for the independence and freedom. She succeeds not for others, but for herself.
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 overnight. 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, lightning 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 😆
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. If available for a trip, you will be given the option to upgrade during check-out.
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.
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.
Prior to your arrival, you will receive a travel guide that will include a recommended gear list as well as any other ancillary information that pertains to each individual adventure.
All of our guides have at least their Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR certifications plus at least 2 years verifiable outdoor experience. We only recruit women who are enthusiastic leaders, decisive in unpredictable environments, exceptionally organized, and naturally caring.
Public Land Agencies have high standards when issuing permits to commercial outfitters which includes guide certifications, insurance coverage requirements, operating plans, evacuation plans, etc. Explorer Chick carries all the permits required to operate our trips.
We will also partner with other Outfitters for our adventures. Our partners may have expertise beyond our own (Rafting, Scuba, Surf, etc), local destination expertise, or the required commercial permits. We vet our partners through referrals from our network, trade association memberships, and a standard set of questions regarding their safety protocols.
During all of our travel there will always be an employee from Explorer Chick traveling with the group and the trips are exclusively for Explorer Chick. Your Explorer Chick Leader’s role is to ensure the trip runs smoothly, manage group dynamics, and be your advocate while traveling.
Basically, all you have to do is show up with all your gear and your spirit for adventure. We take it from there. (This is why our Explorer Chicks continue to book with us!)
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.
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.
We 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.
We will always be able to accommodate Vegetarian, Gluten Sensitive, and Dairy-Free diets.
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.
YES! We take all the work out of you hands and into our’s. You just need to show up and enjoy your Epic Vacation!
As your Trip Planner we do the research, tap into our network for reputable operators, interview outfitters, curate your bad ass itinerary, collect payments from your group members individually, provide you with a travel guide and packing list, etc. Basically, provide you all the services that we do for our advertised trips with the exception of having an Explorer Chick on the trip with you.
We require a $300 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit to start the trip planning process, which will be credited toward the final invoice.
YES!!! Heck, if you’re feeling extra nice, bring the Explorer Dudes too!
We can work with you to run any of our advertised tours privately. We can generally tweak them as well too meet your needs (duration, routes, excursions, etc). We’ll collect payments from your group members individually. You’ll have an Explorer Chick leader with you for the duration of your trip. A NON-REFUNDABLE deposit and a group minimum of 6 is required.
This is shown in the Booking Widget on each trip page. Just use the drop down menu to see the number of remaining spots for all available dates.
When a trip sells out, you’ll be able to add yourself to the wait list. The wait list requires all of the same information as a regular booking including a credit card to keep securely on file (Stripe is our trusted payment processor).
If a spot opens up, we will email the first woman on the Wait List. If she wants the spot, we confirm with her to run the card on file.
If she passes, we move to the next woman on the list.
NOTHING HAPPENS AUTOMATICALLY. We will not run your card or add you to the trip without reaching out to you first for confirmation.
The quick and dirty way is to find the trip minimums under “What’s Included,” check the trip capacity, and view the spots remaining. A little math and you’ll have your answer. Of course, you can always send us an email too!
Don’t wait for others to book. If everyone waits, then a trip will never get confirmed! Once confirmed, you’ll receive an email from us so you can make your travel arrangements.
YES! As stated in our cancellation 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.
Yes, but our trips are priced a little bit differently. We do not offer last minute booking deals. Instead, we run Early Bird Pricing on all of our trips. Depending on the trip, savings can run into the hundreds.
Why do we do this? Everyone loves a good deal! Plus, it helps trips meet their minimums early, so you can make your travel arrangements, request PTO, and kick start your Vacation count downs!
We also don’t think giving someone a last minute deal is fair to our Explorer Chicks who booked at regular price and early. That just doesn’t make much sense to us 🤔
All Early Discount codes can be found on a Trip’s Facebook Event pinned to the top of the page. Not on Facebook? Send us an email. We’ll get your code over to you.
Sometimes we even run an extra sale for a short period of time when we first release a trip! The best way to learn of our sales is to join our mailing list!
Payment is required at booking.
If your Multi-Day Trip requires a Deposit, then the stated deposit is due at the time of booking.The deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. You will have the option to pay the deposit or the entire balance at booking.
You will receive payment reminders with a payment link leading up to your adventure. The remaining balance will be due 60 days prior to your arrival.
Well, kind of.
At a minimum, you must pay the NON-REFUNDABLE deposit at booking. You will receive payment reminders with a payment link leading up to your adventure. This link will only allow you to pay the entire remaining balance.
To make smaller payments than remaining balance due – Please send an email to: Payments@ExplorerChick.com
Please include your Order Number, Name, Trip, Dates, and Amount you wish to pay. We will run the card used at booking and send you a confirmation by email. Please allow up to 2 business days for us to process.
The entire balance of your trip is due 60 days prior to your arrival.
Multi-day adventures
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.
Cancellation notices given at least 61 days in advance of the trip, will receive a Full Refund, less the non-refundable deposit.
Cancellation notices gives between 60 and 31 days in advance of the trip will receive a 50% Refund, less the non-refundable deposit.
There will be no refunds given for any cancellation notices given within 30 days of a trip.
No exceptions will be granted to our Cancellation 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.
Explorer Chick reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour participant should such person’s behavior, health or mental condition impede the operation of the trip.
Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, safety, or other unforeseen incidents.
We strongly encourage you to purchase Traveler Protection Insurance.
Travel Insurance is available from WorldNomads.com
Mini adventures – single day adventures
No refunds will be given 7 days prior to your adventure.
No exceptions will be granted to our Cancellation 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.
Explorer Chick reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour participant should such person’s behavior, health or mental condition impede the operation of the trip.
Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, safety, or other unforeseen incidents.
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 initial an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands in our waiver. This is for you and your group’s safety.