Award-Winning Adventures for Women Since 2014

Explorer chick This was my first trip with Explorer Chicks and it was wonderful from start to finish. I did the four day Yellowstone level 2 trip. The guides Heather and Mary made a good trip an amazing experience. The wildlife tour was amazing and the views out of this world. Loved the cute lunches and especially the lunch with bison experience. The thoughtfulness and attention that went into each experience was great and I felt so comfortable traveling with other wonderful and empowering women. Mary An absolute wealth of knowledge and female empowerment. She was encouraging and kind through gross downpours and motivating during tough hikes. Mary was thoughtful and could answer so many questions about the area which greatly enhanced the experiences. I loved that the hot springs and cold pool was part of the trip it rejuvenated my sore muscles. Heather Such a kind, thoughtful and funny woman whose enthusiasm for learning made the trip all the better. She was great when monitoring progress during hikes and supporting times when people were having challenging moments. She validated hardship especially when it came to elevation and clearly has a love of nature and female empowerment.

Just returned from Alaska with Explorer Chick. This was my 5th trip through this organization and I cannot say enough wonderful things about them. These women go above and beyond to provide such a fabulous experience every time. I love that I don't have to plan anything - I just show up! The guides always share exactly what you need, what to wear, and provide all the snacks possible. The guides are the *trip moms* you didn't know you needed :) It is amazing to sign up for once-in-a-lifetime trips knowing you don't have to be responsible or worry about any part of it. I have always wanted to travel to Alaska but didn't feel confident enough doing it on my own. Thanks to Explorer Chick, I was able to hike, travel from Anchorage to McCarthy to Valdez, enjoy a private bush plane, ice climb, explore ice caves and have a private sea kayaking experience in the Prince William Sound. None of this would have been possible on my own or through an Alaskan cruise. If you need a sign to book a trip with Explorer Chick - this is it!

I had THE most amazing trip to Yellowstone with Mary and Heather. The trip was the perfect life reset, and I can't imagine a better way to spend the long weekend than with a group of badass women hiking through Yellowstone. Mary and Heather were the absolute best guides; they knew more about the park than humanly possible and were so kind and approachable. I can't wait to book my next trip with Explorer Chick!!!

Explorer Chick continues to be my go-to for adventure travel. After four trips, what consistently sets them apart is the outstanding value and care: attentive guides who tailor the experience to the group's needs, thoughtful itineraries, great accommodations even in unique and non-traditional environments, and the peace of mind that comes with an all-inclusive flat fee where you just show up and everything is covered. 7/2024 — Yosemite Half Dome Backpacking This was my very first trip with Explorer Chick, and I didn’t quite know what to expect—but I was blown away by the quality of everything! My guide, Kirstie, was beyond amazing. She did an impeccable job with backcountry meals (even sharing her recipes!), kept things interesting, and expertly managed the group’s pacing so everyone felt supported. To top it off, she put together a thoughtful birthday surprise for me right at the top of Half Dome, making the entire experience truly unforgettable. 6/2025 Update — Great Smoky Mountains Another incredible getaway. Lauren and Kara were wonderful guides who set a warm, encouraging tone for the entire group. The hiking routes offered stunning ridge views, and the balance of active trail time with evening downtime made it a fantastic, refreshing long weekend. 12/2025 Update — Belize A fantastic international adventure! Christina was an exceptional host, and our local guides, Wilson and Siri, brought so much local knowledge and cultural depth to every excursion. From exploring caves to the coastal activities, the logistics were smooth, and the immersion was top-tier. 8/2026 Update — Alaska I had a great time in Alaska, though this trip felt like a bit of an outlier compared to past experiences. While the scenery was breathtaking and the activities were well worth doing, the trip was much more demanding than its 3/5 rating suggested—the strenuous, back-to-back physical days definitely require solid conditioning. The pacing also felt front-loaded with physical exertion, followed by significant transit time toward the end. There were also noticeable hidden costs: many meals had to be paid out-of-pocket, and when alternative activities were offered for those opting out of the strenuous hikes, those came with unexpected extra expenses as well. Additionally, the overall food quality didn’t quite match the standard I have come to expect. It is still a fantastic adventure for anyone with the appropriate fitness baseline, and with a few logistical tweaks and better cost transparency, it has the potential to be just as seamless as their other offerings.

I had an excellent experience with Explorer Chick hiking Half Dome in Yosemite. Fantastic group of women and Kirstie our guide was so helpful! Wouldn't have wanted to do it without this group.

I just finished the Explorer Chick trip to Scotland in July and it was fantastic. We did have true Scottish weather but that was part of the charm. Christina was our Explorer Chick guide and she was always prepared, full of information and making sure everyone was doing okay. The group of women I was with were encouraging, supportive and genuinely amazing people. The hikes we did were challenging at times but so worth it. The midges were the only thing about the trip I would change. Honestly, though, Explorer Chick made a bucket list trip for me an absolute experience I’ll never forget.

Had an amazing and challenging trip hiking in Scotland with Explorer Chicks. Great trip. Guides were outstanding and very helpful.

If you are considering taking a trip with Explorer Chick, DO IT! I just returned from 8 days in Scotland and it was the most amazing trip. My trip was full of amazing women, hikes with local guides who taught us about native plants and animals, great food and lots of laughs. Christina Bruno was our guide and she was amazing. She made sure everyone felt welcome and comfortable and she was so fun! I look forward to booking another trip with Christina in the future!

Just returned from hiking in Slovenia with an amazing group of Explorer Chicks. This was my second trip with this company and certainly not my last. Our guide, Mary deftly looked after everything from geology lessons and gear advice to snack distribution and sometimes even sherpa duties. Our group had lots of laughs as we got to know each other, and i could not have asked for a better group of ladies to do it all with. It was challenging in all the ways i wanted it to be. Slovenia is a wonderful country with SO many things to explore (and remains slightly under the radar of most tourists, which makes it even better). Wishing i could go back and do it all again! No regrets!

When my best friend had asked me to do this trip with her. I was very hesitant. But decided I would jump in. And now that the trip is done, I have to say that it was worth every penny and all across the board it was a fantastic experience!! Our guides, Amy and Lauren were amazing and incredibly knowledgeable! The timing of our trip brought in some bad weather, but they had already figured out new route for us before we as guests even knew what was going on weather wise.. they figured out another hike that was Challenging and also gave us beautiful views! They didn’t want us to miss the views of the Smoky Mountains And then there were the delicious lunches and dinners they made for us. It was definitely exceptional. The time with a bunch of 14 women that I did not know except for my one friend, was at first very incredibly intimidating, but ultimately it was so Fun, energetic and incredibly welcoming. (this is coming from this pretty introverted person) . I loved all of it! Can’t wait to return and do another trip with Explorer chick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I honestly don’t even know if I have the right words to fully explain what my trip to Italy with Explorer Chick meant to me. This was so much more than a trip or a vacation. It was an experience that truly changed me and left an impact on my heart that I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have traveled to Italy and experience so many things I never thought I would. From wandering through the beautiful streets and canals of Venice, trying unforgettable food (seriously… #CleanPlateClub 😂🍝), immersing myself in a completely different culture, and seeing places that I had only ever dreamed about, there were so many moments where I had to stop and think, “Is this really my life?” I will forever cherish those moments. The hikes and activities challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, but that’s what made them so rewarding. There were definitely moments when I had to push myself, but I never felt like I was doing it alone. Being surrounded by a group of incredible women who supported one another, encouraged each other, and pushed each other to become stronger and better was something truly special. We celebrated each other’s victories, helped each other through the hard moments, and reminded one another that we were capable of more than we thought. There is something incredibly powerful about being surrounded by women who genuinely want to see you succeed. One of the most special parts of this experience was having Katie as my guide. She was absolutely incredible and made the entire trip feel even more special. What made our connection even more meaningful was discovering that we are both from West Virginia area and share that Appalachian background. There is something so special about meeting someone who understands a part of where you come from, especially when you’re halfway around the world. Finding that little piece of home in Italy was something I never expected, and I will always be grateful for the bond we formed. This trip changed my perspective on life in ways I didn’t expect. It reminded me that there is a whole world out there waiting to be explored and that I shouldn’t be afraid to step outside of what is comfortable and familiar. I came home realizing that life is too short to keep waiting for “someday.” There is so much beauty, culture, adventure, and connection waiting for us if we are willing to take the chance and go find it. I left Italy with more than just pictures and souvenirs. I came home with a heart full of memories, a deeper appreciation for the world, a new sense of courage and curiosity, and friendships and connections that I will always treasure. This experience made me want to see more, learn more, challenge myself more, and experience as much of this beautiful world as I possibly can. I will forever be thankful to Explorer Chick for giving me an experience that I will never forget, and especially to Katie for being such an amazing guide and for making this adventure even more meaningful. I truly believe some experiences come into our lives at exactly the right time, and this trip was one of those experiences for me. Italy will always have a special place in my heart. 🇮🇹❤️ And I have a feeling this is only the beginning of my journey to see more of this incredible world. 🌎✈️ #CleanPlateClub 🍝😂

If you enjoy hiking, the Slovenia Hiking Trip is for you!! I just returned from this trip with Mary as our guide. The trip is a combination of challenging hiking (with a few bonus hikes that you can participate in or opt out), relaxing sunrise paddling boarding, and fun rafting and biking. Throw in some delicious meals and a few geology and history lessons, an awesome Slovenian guide (Aljaz) and it culminates in a spectacular 8 days. Slovenia is absolutely gorgeous with the friendliest people. This was my second EC trip and I had Mary as my EC guide both times. She rocks (inside joke, as she is a geologist)!! I’m a mountain girl at heart but I would go on any trip EC offers, if I knew Mary was guiding. She was always upbeat and encouraging, her communication with the entire group was excellent, and I always felt safe. Great experience!!

Things I learned (or remembered) on my Explorer Chick Shenandoah adventure: 💚 I can do hard things, especially in a supportive and encouraging environment. 🌿 Nature is healing, and physical activity can help me process deep and complex emotions. 🎒 I tend to carry more than I need to. ✨ Sometimes when things don’t go as planned, they turn out even better than I could have imagined. 🍷 I want to still be dancing to live music at wineries in my 70s and beyond. 💪 I should trust my body more. I am much stronger than I think I am. I am so grateful to our amazing guides, Christina and Kaylin, for all of their guidance, support, and encouragement - plus all of the fun surprises and treats throughout the trip!

Quite possibly the best 8 days of my life! Our guides, Savannah and Nicole took care of everything--transportation, meals, lodging, itinerary, permits, celebrations. Utah was beautiful; my explorer chick companions were capable and enthusiastic, and the memories I will carry with me forever. Book a trip, and get ready to hike with your (new) forever friends.

All I can say is that if you are thinking about taking a trip with Explorer Chick, JUST DO IT!!!! I just went on my first adventure, to Croatia, and the trip far exceeded my expectations! Food, lodging, experiences, camaraderie...all top notch! You will not be disappointed! I have already signed up for 2 more trips, that's how much I loved it!