The outdoor and adventure tourism industry has long been known for its gender imbalance, with women often being underrepresented in this field. However, in recent years, there has been a positive shift towards gender diversity in this industry, thanks to the efforts of a few female-run businesses. These businesses have been founded by women determined to change the status quo by offering women-led trips and employing women in various positions. These businesses offer a range of exciting and adventurous women-only trips that cater to all kinds of interests, from hiking and camping to kayaking and wilderness exploration. Sign up for a trip and explore a safe and supportive environment where you can challenge yourself, connect with like-minded individuals, and experience the great outdoors in a unique and empowering way.
In 2009, Thinlas Chorol founded The Ladakhi Women's Travel Company, the first professionally-trained female trekking guide in the region. LWTC is owned and operated by Ladakhi women and all the tours and treks, which are open to women and men, run by the company are led by women guides and all the staff, including porters, are women. The company offers travel services for female travellers, although men accompanying them are also welcome. Its main objective is to provide employment opportunities for women and a platform to express their talents and aspirations.
The Ladakhi Women's Travel Company is renowned for its well-researched itineraries and local participation, with a focus on two things: treks led by female guides and promoting homestays. They describe homestays as villager-run Ladakhi homes that offer authentic meals and a chance to experience the local culture. LWTC offers numerous multi-day treks, from three-day to 14-day treks, in the Sham and Hemis National Park regions. It also offers shorter one-day to five-day tours focused on monastery visits and scenic tours to Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso. Read more about them here. You can find details about treks on their website.
Interested in trekking the beautiful Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route as it winds through the lush northwest coast of Spain? Join a group of like-minded women and explore the Camino at a leisurely pace that allows for relaxed coffee breaks in the morning sun and rejuvenating stays at cosy rural hotels along the way. This trek is one of the many travel experiences offered by Wild Women Expeditions, a leading global women's travel company that creates safe and empowering opportunities for women to break free from the ordinary and explore the world. Founded by women and run by women, this company employs women in every role, including as tour leaders and local guides. Diversity is celebrated here, and women from all walks of life, ages, sexual orientations, and identities are welcomed. Find out more about their 2024 trekking calendar here.
If you are looking for an adventure of a lifetime while also making a positive impact, then look no further than Earth's Edge. This Irish company offers high-altitude trekking expeditions across the world, with a mission to not only provide unforgettable experiences but also to make a difference in the communities they visit. They have organised the first-ever all-female expedition to Mt Kilimanjaro, an epic journey attended by an all-women group of guests and led exclusively by female porters and guides on the ground in Tanzania. The goal was to raise awareness about gender inequalities in the outdoor industry and provide job opportunities and training to women in the region. They also conduct expeditions with female porters and guides in Peru, Kenya, and India. Read more about them in our article here. Find out more about upcoming treks on their website.
Sapa Valley is a stunning trekking destination located in the Lao Cai province of Vietnam's northern hilly highlands. This region, situated northwest of Hanoi and bordering China in the north, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage. To experience the best of Sapa Valley, sign up for a trek with the Sapa Sisters, a company run by Hmong women. The Hmong ethnic minority is one of the largest groups in the region, and the Sapa Sisters are one of the few Hmong enterprises that are wholly owned and operated by women. These women have grown up in the mountains, and their deep connection with the land and their community makes them the perfect guides to help you explore the region. The treks are tailored to the individual's needs, and the guides can take you on anything from a leisurely stroll to a challenging multi-day trek. Along the way, you can immerse themselves in the local culture, interact with the ethnic minority communities, and learn about their way of life. Find out more here.
Whoa Travel collaborates with female guides and local business owners across the world to create a positive impact that strengthens communities. They bill their trips as "women-powered adventures." All of their partners are small grassroots organisations that support local resources directly where they are needed the most. They offer various treks, including ones to the top of Kilimanjaro and to the mountain passes of the Himalayas. One of the trips to sign up for in 2024 is the Tour du Mont Blanc, where you can trek stunning Alpine landscapes, stay in charming mountain villages, and cross through three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. More about them here.