Women’s Guided Paddling Trips

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!

Exceptional in every way! So organized and fun. I felt safe the entire trip. Ashley facilitated an environment that made it easy to make friends and support each other. Ashley even found ways for each of us to meet our very-different goals. Enthusiastically recommend!

Can’t say enough amazing things about Explorer Chick Adventure Trips! I recently did the Shenandoah National Park hiking trip with my sister and five other women who started as complete strangers but quickly became friends. The entire experience was unforgettable, but the absolute highlight of the trip was our incredible guides, Christina and Savannah. These women deserve 5 stars across the board for everything, customer care, knowledge, leadership, encouragement, fun, and heart. They were so attentive to everyone’s dietary needs and restrictions, always checking in and making sure every woman felt comfortable, included, and supported. They set the perfect pace for the group and created such a positive, uplifting environment. Christina and Savannah are extremely knowledgeable about the trails, terrain, and hiking experience overall. You can tell they are experienced athletes, adventurers, and truly passionate about what they do. Beyond their skills, what inspired me most was watching two such strong, accomplished women genuinely dedicate themselves to lifting up and encouraging other women to believe in their own strength and push beyond their comfort zones. This trip was so much more than hiking. It was empowering, inspiring, healing, fun, and full of connection. I left feeling stronger, more confident, and so grateful for the experience and the friendships made along the way. Highly, highly recommend Explorer Chick Adventure Trips and if you get Christina and Savannah as your guides, you are incredibly lucky!

If you’re considering an adventure with Explorer Chick Boots and Roots in the Smoky Mountains — book it. This trip exceeded every expectation. Our guides, Kirstie and Cailyn, were absolutely phenomenal. They went out of their way every single day to make sure we were well-fed, well-guided, comfortable, and enjoying the experience. From yummy "Trader Joes" style meals to unforgettable moments, they created an experience I will remember fondly. One of the highlights was Cailyn fully committing to the fun by donning overalls for an authentic moonshine tasting experience that had all of us smiling from ear to ear. It’s those little touches that made the trip feel so personal and memorable. And then there was the hike to Charlie’s Bunion that had to replace Ramsay's Cascade due to bear activity... 8 miles round trip (uphill both ways LOL just kidding) and worth every single step. The views were simply breathtaking. Truly the view of a lifetime. Standing there in the Smokies, surrounded by those endless mountain ridges, is something I’ll never forget. If you want incredible guides, meaningful experiences, beautiful scenery, and memories you’ll be talking about long after you get home, just book the trip!

My sister and I participated in a 3 day Shenandoah Hiking Adventure and it was an exceptional experience, in large part because of our two guides, Christina and Savannah. They are both incredible woman with a vast knowledge of hiking in the wilderness and an intense passion for all that they do, which includes leading many, many expeditions throughout the U.S., and around the world. We felt so fortunate that we had them as guides because they have so many years of experience hiking in a diverse range of terrains and climate zones, couples with years of experience as a guides, which means they have highly honed skills when it comes to leading participants during all of our hikes, and through all aspects of the tour experience. One of the challenges of leading tours like this is that participants vary greatly in their levels of experience, fitness, and personality styles, and yet, both Christina and Savannah managed this challenge with great facility. They were able to create an environment that fostered connection and camaraderie, and that encouraged everyone to challenge themselves in positive and growth-enhancing ways. Additionally, the hikes we took were all spectacular. The beauty of the Shenandoah's is incredible. I experienced so much peace, pleasure and joy from the time we spent hiking along various trails. For anyone who enjoys time in nature, or who wants an opportunity for nature immersion, this tour definitely fits the bill. Additionally, Explorer Chicks does a great job of planning and communicating all of the logistics which made it possible to let go of everyday hassles and to be fully present for the wonderful experiences that were offered through this tour.

To start off, our guides were fantastic. Full of knowledge and so very kind. We were all shock to hear that this was the first guided hike that Mary and Laura had done together. It’s like they just clicked. Thought they’d been together for a long time. Hikes did not disappoint and we had a nice bunch of girls, which made it fun. Hoping that all of our paths will cross again on another Explorer Chick adventure. We will all definitely rebook with you again!!!

I just took an amazing trip to Zion and Bryce National Parks with Explorer Chick! Everything about this trip was top notch. Everything was well planned and coordinated. Our FANTASTIC guides, Lauren and Christina, were very experienced and knowledgable about every thing we did/saw/experienced. They kept us well fed, hydrated, cared for during then entire adventure. We hiked and rappelled through some breathtaking scenery and glamped in tents that literally had all the comforts of home. Several of us were solo travelers. The entire vibe of the group was welcoming and supportive. I highly recommend this company to any woman looking try out an adventurous vacation.

Wonderful Explorer Chick hiking/glamping trip with my sister in Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park! Our guides - Lauren and Christina - were fantastic, the weather was glorious, and the landscape was stunning. We hiked through rivers and up mountainsides and rappelled down a few. Already looking forward to our next adventure!

Two absolutely amazing guides, Lauren and Christina, took us on our adventure to Zion and Bryce. Our group was pampered with snacks galore, Trader Joe’s-inspired lunches, and glamping accommodations we all appreciated. Lauren and Christina were not only knowledgeable about the areas we visited, but they also intentionally curated a trip that built camaraderie and honored each of our skill levels. Several of the women in our group, including me, were first-time Explorer Chicks travelers. This trip was a reminder of how important it is to invest in myself and build connections with women who share the same love for nature and adventure. I had been following Explorer Chick for several years before finally booking a trip, and I couldn’t be happier that I chose Zion/Bryce as my first experience. I already can’t wait to book my next adventure!

I recently attended the Red River Gorge backpacking workshop, and I can't say enough great things about it! Our guide, Janie, was friendly, funny, knowledgable, and patient. The equipment was perfect. I am so excited to take more trips with Explorer Chick!