Why Choose | Explorer Chick

Here's 10 reasons

Explorer Chick exists to change lives.

We just so happen to do it through adventure travel for women.

Welcome to a proud collective of unladylike misfits who search the ends of the earth for the best places to discover our superpowers. We create action-packed, women-only, bucket-list experiences that feel like secret passageways beyond all the typical tourist traps.

Leave your inner critic speechless and the logistics to us. Rock up, soul-meld with your new sisterhood, and prepare to laugh until a little happy pee comes out.

Let’s be real—most travel companies promise an adventure, but how many deliver a life-changing experience? That’s where we come in. We take you deeper, push you further, and immerse you in unforgettable adventures you won’t find anywhere else.

With us, it’s not just about seeing a destination; it’s about living it. From hidden trails to boutique stays, every detail is designed to create a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will leave you inspired.

Flip the switch and prepare for your needs to be obsessively met through adventure travel run by women, for women.

Life-Changing Travel

We know. It's a bold statement. But it was our community of Explorer Chicks who clued us in with their stories and words.

Woman holding "Explorer Chick" banner at the summit of Torres Del Paine Towers in Patagonia Chile

1 Reignite Your Fire

Transform your vacay mindset from work-recovery to life-discovery. It’s never too late to try something new, reconnect with your inner child, or start again.

Just ask Explorer Chick founder Nicki Bruckmann, who got fed up with the mold she was forcing herself into and essentially blew up life as she knew it (the marriage, the job… you name it.) What came out of the destruction was Explorer Chick.

We help women get out of their own heads through radical acceptance, endless support, and obscene fun. Each adventure is a baptism in self-belief and owning your life.

Peace out, Rick Steves. We’re journeying through our souls over here.

Read Nicki's Story

2 A Feral Sisterhood

“How does this magical vibe exist?” Probably our favorite quote ever. Truth is YOU are the vibe, the special sauce, and the best thing there ever was.

Show up all in with unwavering support of others, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible women who believe in you. The impossible, scary, overwhelming is actually possible. It’s a spine-tingling sisterhood that makes you feel safer than bear spray.

Learn About Our Community

3 Support to Go Solo

80% of our travelers rock up solo with their bad selves and leave with an entire she-pack of besties. How many times have we delayed a trip because our partners aren’t into it or our friends are busy? Explorer Chick makes solo travel hella-welcoming with a mini sisterhood that melts away all the weirdness of “going it alone.”

Why You Should Travel Solo

4 Pro-Age Travel

Badass women ages 30-60+ bust their booties up mountains, down waterfalls, and across glaciers. There is no upper age limit on our adventures. We welcome you no matter your age!

There is only knowing your body and choosing the appropriate experience. We don’t care how many uggo compression socks or knee braces you bring — mindset is the only thing that matters.

Worried You're Too Old? Read This.

5 Courage to Do It Anyway

Face your fears with women who are also crapping themselves over heights, open water, and being away from home for the first time in years. This isn’t an anonymous tour group where everyone politely nibbles their granola bars. Explorer Chicks lose their voices cheering you out from your comfort zone. Remember: Easy doesn’t change you.

The Mantra We Live By

6 All the SHE-Nanigans

What could be better than a stunning canyon view at dusk? Hearing Jenn’s strangled fart bounce about the rock walls.

Leave your best behavior at home and bring that weird goat energy that got you into trouble with the Costco Free Samples lady.

Our adventures combine the best parts of being a grownup with a credit card AND a goofy friend. We attract a diverse yet specific demographic of adventurer who is equal parts kind, brave, and sh*tshow. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

explorer chick women travel company on a game drive in queen elizabeth national park in uganda watching elephants cross the road

7 Mindless Wandering

Get that bucket-list itinerary without sweating a single brain cell. Our expert planning lets you stay fully present—mindlessly wander, breathe in the moment, and create memories that last a lifetime.

All you have to do is board a plane. What’s included on each small-group, women-only adventure is your safety equipment, outdoor gear, reservations, entrance fees, permits, accommodation, transportation, included meals, and more.

We even help you pack smart with our guide-approved hiking gear recommendations, tested in the field so you don’t waste time figuring out what to bring.

What's Included On Our Trips

the explorer chick team on a hike in red rock canyon in las vegas with our team banner

8 Your Dream Team

No rock climber bros or wheezing ornithologists in sight. Explorer Chick guides are wilderness trained and certified to worship your well-being––and they are also really, really fun. We probably snagged Travel and Leisure’s WORLD’S BEST Tour Operator accolade because of our sick dance moves.

Meet The Dream Team

9 We Give a Damn

Coming on strong is our jam. You’re about the only thing we’re super serious about around here. And it’s written in our guiding principles to treat you with endless love and respect like we’ve been bffs since second grade. Should we write our initials in the sand now, or?

Our mantra: Give ‘em what they never dreamed possible. Everything we do, from planning the itinerary to sneaking in pop-up surprises to hyping you on social media, is designed to help you feel deliciously powerful. So you can’t help but find your edge.

Learn More About Us

10 You + EC = 4 Ever

Our retention rate for returning travelers is 30 PERCENT. That is absolutely bananas when you consider most people return to their snoozefest tour companies exactly zero times. We are constantly on-boarding new trips, more guides, and exciting new adventures to keep Explorer Chicks coming back for more.

Read Our Testimonials

⭐4.9 Stars from 500+ Women Travelers

Christie G.

I had an incredible trip to Zion and Bryce canyon with Explorer Chicks with an even more incredible group of women! The trip was full of belly laughs, some women challenged their fears and the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. My favorite part of the trip was the repelling into the slot canyons! Was such a fun experience but truly the whole trip was amazing! I came solo and left with 10 new friends! It was a very inspiring and empowering trip. Im already booking my next one. A huge thank you to my guides Kayla Lamb and Ashley Butler. They went above and beyond taking care of everyone. Don’t save it for later, book your Explorer Chicks trip now!

Erin H.

I highly recommend Explorer Chick to anyone who is looking for an inspiring, no pressure, bring your whole self organized tour and hike. The tour guides I had- Kayla and Katie were absolutely amazing. They made sure everyone had a great time and got their needs met, no matter what the persons skill level or comfort level was.

Traci M.

What a great group of women! I cant say enough about our guide Kirsti and all the women on our trip. This was my first trip but it will not be my last. I cant wait to schedule my next adventure with Exployer Chicks! Easy doesn’t change you🥰

Megan M.

Explorer Chick is an amazing premier travel company for adventurous women. The Machu Picchu multisport, Banff hut-to-hut, and Jordan trips have been unbelievable memory making experiences. More recently, the South Africa trip was a fantastic exploration of Capetown, shark-cage diving, Table Mountain hike, e-biking through wineries, safari to see the Big 5 in Greater Kruger national park, and cultural exploration of Johannesburg. It was very safe and expertly guided by both Explorer Chick and local guide collaboration. The accommodations and cuisine are always top notch. You will develop lifelong friendships and get the benefit of local expertise. Highly recommend!

S E.

Explorer Chicks Zion & Bryce glamping, hiking and canyoneering trip is wonderful for anyone looking for a worry free fun adventure in the beauty of Zion & Bryce National Parks! Kayla and Ashley took care of every detail, while constantly teaching us new skills and sharing information about the wildlife, plants and topography of Zion & Bryce. They were our expert guides, chauffeurs, photographers, cheerleaders, friends and "moms" along the way; taking into consideration all of our individual requests, fears, and quirks; without ever making us feel like a bother. They created an encouraging, fun atmosphere that let this group of 9 women help one another through the adventures and build lasting friendships, as we experienced one of the most beautiful places in the world! Highly recommend this trip.

Jamie L

Wow! What an amazing adventure. This was my first Explorerchick trip and it exceeded my expectations. I went on the Las Vegas climbing and paddling trip. My guide, Kirstie was beyond incredible. She handled any snag we encountered quickly; not that there were many. Our dining out prior to, and after adventures were exquisite - from steakhouse dinners to a fun-filled experience at Nacho Daddy, laughing and sipping margaritas! The climbing and rappelling were both challenging and rewarding. The paddling portion was a fun way to get to know my paddling partner. Camping under the stars was the perfect way to reset. No cell or internet service made everything more peaceful and wonderful. Also, Sarra from the kayak place was awesome! Not only was she a great cook, but she was helpful and kind. I can't say enough about how great this trip was. Highly recommend taking an adventure with Explorerchick!

Janelle G.

I went on the Zion and Bryce Canyon hike at the beginning of October and I am just so grateful that I did this trip with Explorer Chick specifically. Explorer Chick had very helpful instructions for what to pack (I had exactly what I needed, nothing more or less), the itinerary (with descriptions that made it clear what to expect and the difficulty of the trip to train up for), and the all-female group (that energy was so much appreciated and set an empowering vibe throughout the trip).
The guides Kayla and Katie were incredible in their ability to balance so many things to make sure that the group members were there to just enjoy their time and do some beautiful hikes together. We had such a tricky time with the weather (rain, lightening, flooding...Mother Nature was working overtime) and these guides were able to quickly create backup plans and backups to those plans- to the point that we couldn't tell that the experience was any different than it was meant to be. The guides were fun, knowledgeable, and attentive- so much laughing, support, encouragement, joy. They made sure we took the best photos of the amazing landscape (and that we looked good doing it) and that the meals were delicious, filling and healthy. Kayla and Katie were working hard but they never let it show. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. It truly was an awesome 4 days that I would absolutely do again with the same guides- rain or shine.

Jill K.

This is my 4th trip with Explorer Chick and I have already booked my 5th trip for next year! For each trip, I have had a different guide. This might worry someone initially (you don’t know how you’ll vibe with the guide or how the guide will be etc) BUT, let me tell you, every guide goes above and beyond to give you the ultimate experience. Although each guide is unique and adds their own flair to the trip, every single one of these women is inspirational, knowledgeable, and amazing. In every situation the guides step up and show up. It’s like traveling with the over-prepared mom who is also hilarious and fun!
I would have never traveled to Iceland or Alaska or learned to ice climb and cowboy camp without Explorer Chick. I have met some phenomenal women on these trips (many of us have stayed in touch and done multiple trips together) and my heart feels so full whenever I return home from a trip

Lynn K.

Just returned home from the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adventure. From start to finish, this trip was absolutely incredible. It was the kind of experience you dream about but rarely expect to live — and it far exceeded my expectations in every way.

Our guide, Mary Morton, was phenomenal — knowledgeable, passionate, and truly dedicated to making sure every single person on the trip had an amazing time. You can tell Mary genuinely loves being a guide, and that energy made all the difference!

This vacation is so much more than hiking the Inca Trail. It is also learning about the culture, trying out unique experiences, soaking in the scenery and of course hiking through stunning landscapes.

And the food? Excellent. We were treated to a variety of local dishes that were not only delicious but also gave us a real taste of the region’s culinary traditions.

I can't recommend Explorer Chick enough, it was truly the trip of a lifetime, and I’m already looking forward to planning my next adventure with them! If you're hesitant about taking the leap—don’t be. This was my very first guided trip, and I have absolutely zero regrets and memories to last a lifetime!

Claire T.

I just got back from the 11-day Explorer Chicks trip to South Africa, and WOW — what an experience! From exploring Cape Town and its gorgeous coastline to wine tasting in the vineyards and safaris in the bush, every single day was unforgettable.

Our tour guide, Christina Bruno, was absolutely fantastic. She brought so much energy, humor, and heart to the trip. You could tell how much she loves what she does — she kept everything running smoothly and made sure we all felt included, safe, and inspired.

The group of women was amazing too — supportive, adventurous, and full of laughs. Ending the trip in Johannesburg was the perfect finale to an incredible journey.

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting South Africa, do it with Explorer Chicks. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, culture, connection, and fun. 10/10 recommend — I’m already thinking about my next trip! 🦁🍷✈️ #ExplorerChick

Marissa D.

Explorer Chick is a great company for group travel! This was my first trip of any kind with a group and I honestly did not know what to expect. EC exceeded my expectations with their organization, communication, and with the food/activities that were planned. Our guide, Kirstie, was so knowledgeable and fun! She was able to troubleshoot small issues that arose without any issue. I had so much fun throughout the trip and got along great with the other women in the group! I would highly recommend this company for anyone interested in group travel and adventure!

Karen R.

Fall 2025 EPIC Trip to South Africa!!!! I saw SHARK CAGE DIVING on the itinerary and booked it immediately. I got SO. MUCH. MORE from this trip - Penguins swam UNDER MY KAYAK!! Hiking, kayaking, SAFARI, biking, wine tasting, CULTURE!! The people of South Africa are friendly and welcoming. Our EC Guide Christina is professional, experienced, and so wonderful - the local guides were an absolute joy, especially Brittany. We got to walk and talk with the Black Mambas, the only female anti-poaching conservation unit in the world (and those women are badass). We had morning and night game drives in Kruger National Park, sat under a tree while a LEOPARD took a bath, walked by wart hogs rolling in the mud outside our cabin, ate SO MUCH amazing food. TAKE THIS TRIP, you won't regret it. This was my third trip with EC and I will be taking more.

Fall 2024 Norwegian Fjords with EC Guide Kirstie and local Guide Oda - the breathtaking beauty of this landscape can be overstated. I would move here in a heartbeat if my friends and family would come. Northern Lights, HIKING HIKING HIKING and then sauna with cold plunge in the arctic waters!! Memories from this trip will last a lifetime.

Fall 2023 Still glowing from a truly awesome trip to Zion & Bryce. Guides Mary & Christina were truly amazing - knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful and really seemed to anticipate our needs before we knew we had any. It was so fun meeting so many wonderful and adventurous women and I look forward to more trips through EC with my new friends!! It was honestly a life changing experience and I recommend it for everyone!!

Jennifer M.

Just did the Zion and Bryce 4 day trip with Kayla and Katie. It was a fantastic first Explorer Chicks experience. Kayla and Katie were infinitely patient, unendingly enthusiastic, always safety conscious and took care of everything. Change of plans? No problem. weather not cooperating? No problem. They had food for everyone and never forgot who had a dietary restriction or request. They made sure that everyone knew whatever they were up for was fine. No pressure at any time, but plenty of positive encouragement. The itinerary was great, the adventures were something everyone could do and enjoy. The van was a little cramped but there isn’t much to do about that. The glamping accommodation was so much better than expected! Highly recommend traveling with them, I plan to do it again!

Allison M.

Had a great trip to Shenendoah National Park with Explorer Chicks. Led by Ashley and Kara, we had a great 3 days of hiking. A camll group of 8 women was perfect for this trip. Everything was taken care of while on the trip (food, snacks, room, driving). They knew the best places to go, the trail routes, and were able to accommodate all abilities in the group.

Laurie Richards - Simply M.

This was THE BEST trip. Smoky Mountain Boots and Roots with guides Kayla and Kaylin. Guides were A.MAZING. They anticipated our every need, shared a lot of great information and history about the area, and were just so fun to spend time with. Every detail was planned out - I love just showing up and having everything taken care of! What a nice break from responsibility!! Food was great, accommodations were great, camaraderie was fantastic.

The hikes were just gorgeous. The first day's big hike pushed me to my physical limit, but that's partially my own damn fault. I will better prepare for my next adventure.

I can't recommend Explorer Chick highly enough. 10 out of 5 stars. #explorerchick for the win

Finding women who get you, who crave connection, adventure, and good old-fashioned cheerleading?

That’s not easy these days. Especially when you’re juggling work, motherhood, and about a thousand other things.

Explorer Chick Camille said it best: there really is something powerful about finally meeting women who match your vibe, who lift you up, cheer you on, and aren’t afraid to climb a mountain and go deep 🤍

If you’ve been searching for that kind of connection…comment “🥰” below!

#ecinherwords #grouptravel #femalefriendships #womenwhotravel #girlstrip #grouptravel #connection #travel

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Finding women who get you, who crave connection, adventure, and good old-fashioned cheerleading?

That’s not easy these days. Especially when you’re juggling work, motherhood, and about a thousand other things.

Explorer Chick Camille said it best: there really is something powerful about finally meeting women who match your vibe, who lift you up, cheer you on, and aren’t afraid to climb a mountain and go deep 🤍

If you’ve been searching for that kind of connection…comment “🥰” below!

#ecinherwords #grouptravel #femalefriendships #womenwhotravel #girlstrip #grouptravel #connection #travel

Rini started with a 3-day trip. Just a taste, but it lit a fire…

She felt the pull to go bigger, so she said yes to the Dolomites. Was she nervous? Totally.

But she also knew she wouldn’t be doing it alone. With a crew of supportive women and a guide she could trust, she leaned into the challenge, and came out stronger for it.

Sometimes the next trip isn’t just farther, it’s deeper. It’s the one that reminds you what you’re capable of ❤️

#ecinherwords #grouptravel #solofemaletravel #womenwhotravel #womenover40 #womenwhoexplore #italandolomites

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Rini started with a 3-day trip. Just a taste, but it lit a fire…

She felt the pull to go bigger, so she said yes to the Dolomites. Was she nervous? Totally.

But she also knew she wouldn’t be doing it alone. With a crew of supportive women and a guide she could trust, she leaned into the challenge, and came out stronger for it.

Sometimes the next trip isn’t just farther, it’s deeper. It’s the one that reminds you what you’re capable of ❤️

#ecinherwords #grouptravel #solofemaletravel #womenwhotravel #womenover40 #womenwhoexplore #italandolomites

Emily in Paris? Please. Meet Emily in Peru 🇵🇪 🙌🏽

Explorer Chick, Emily, joined us on our Machu Picchu Multisport Adventure and had nothing but love for her time with us. Sure, the Andes are breathtaking, but she swears the real magic was sharing the journey with an incredible crew of women.

Tag your favorite adventure buddy below and tell her it’s time for your next big “pinch-me” moment together 🌄💃

#ECinherwords #peru #grouptravel #womenwhotravel #sisterhood #machupicchu #hikeperu #traveladvice

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