Wild Women Expeditions

The trail to Machu Picchu can be lifelong, and this womens trip of Peru is built on a rock solid dream, a commitment to spiritual enlightenment, mental integrity, dark chocolate and intense physical challenge! The Lost City of the Incas is a surreal landscape of terraces, ruins, hanging valleys and cloud forests painted with bright orchids. You’ll experience the buzz of the local markets, a bean-to-bar chocolate workshop and the comfort of strong tea as we break for a panorama-filled picnic. Did we mention the poofy llamas that frequent the trail, completely unaware of their #trending nature? The scene shifts with our careful, measured steps from the fertile plains of the Sacred Valley to Inca-era cobblestones and rare woodlands to 15th-century citadels and the celebrated Gate of the Sun to Machu Picchu’s marvel. Feel the pulse of the mysterious, religious, ceremonial, agricultural and astronomical powerhouse crisscrossed by stone terraces. You’ll be changed. Your soul will be revived in the buttery sunrise in this most sacred spot and time in your life. Join Wild Women Expeditions on this womens trip to Peru for the experience of a lifetime!

The iconic parks of the American Southwest speak directly to women drawn to the dramatic desert landscape. The red sandstone spires, hoodoos and impossibly balanced boulders and formations of Arches and Canyonlands National Park create an enormous and often unbelievable open-air gallery. We’ll explore the parks in the most intimate ways–rappelling into carved canyons, rafting the mighty Colorado and hiking a network of trails that lead to some of the most famed arches and pinnacles. This Wild Women road trip is designed for adrenaline-junkies, geology nerds and those who ask for “more desert” instead of dessert (but you can certainly have your cake and eat it too on this trip). We’ll experience the natural oddities of Island in the Sky and the Needles district, known for its peculiar potholes, petroglyphs and slickrock. In no time you’ll know your mesas from your buttes and your butt from your legs after a day of canyoneering! This itinerary is jam-packed with activity and challenge with well-deserved pampering at day’s end! We’ll do this Wild Women Southwest road trip in total style and stay in yurts for a ‘soft cowgirl’ kind of experience. Ready to rappel into this one? This trip is a brand new addition to our signature trips line-up–are you ready to rock and roll with us?

The legendary Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage designed to stretch both your mind and hamstrings. “The Way” will stir all your senses as you follow the historic route as it curves through the verdant northwest coast of Spain. In the company of like-minded women, you will explore the final 108 kilometers of the Camino at a pace that encourages leisurely café con leches in the morning sun and restorative stays at welcoming rural hotels en route. The relaxed itinerary allows for complete immersion and soulful meditation in the ever-changing landscape of eucalyptus-perfumed forests, sleepy pastoral villages, imposing churches and limestone architecture that are synonymous with the UNESCO World Heritage site. Fuelled by impromptu tapas and celebrated local wines with new friends, the distance is often forgotten over easy conversation and the rhythm of footfalls. While the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and burial place of apostle Saint James signifies the monumental end of the Camino, the winding journey is where the magic lies. Walking alongside century-old corn cribs and moss-shrouded stone walls buoyed by the tinkle of distant church bells will be felt and heard long after you kick off your dusty hiking boots in Santiago. The completion of the nine-day hike becomes instantly tangible with the official Compostela passport stamp that is awarded to pilgrims who have made the physical, mental and spiritual commitment. Isn’t it time you walked in a brave, new direction? Additional Dates: May 10 - 18, 2023 June 10 - 18, 2023 September 2 - 10, 2023 October 10 - 18, 2023

On our Spirit Of Bhutan tour, your heart will swell in the embrace of a country that covets happiness above all else. Every policy must pass a happiness filter to be enacted. Trekking through the velvet green valleys of a remote Himalayan kingdom, yak herders will greet you with wide smiles. The reverberating chant of monks residing in cliffside monasteries will be felt in your ribcage. This is the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” and the colourful prayer flags and flowering alpine meadows are kindling for spiritual renewal. Over thirteen soul-expansive days, you’ll trek through tidy rice paddy terraces, rural villages, through blue pine forests and sleep in Himalayan valleys peppered with sacred sites. You’ll have the opportunity to visit countless monasteries, nunneries and ancient fortresses. From the fever pitch of the Jakar festival to the fabled “Burning Lake” to the arrival of the rare black-necked cranes returning to their wintering grounds–Bhutan is a diverse, enlightening and panorama-packed destination. It’s an itinerary of surprises at every turn from a 3-storey golden Buddha, the Snowman trek ‘finish line’ and whitewater rafting on the aggressive Pho and Mo rivers! The legendary Tiger’s Nest has its own magnetic pull and on the two-day Bumdra Monastery Trek, you’ll feel the ancient pulse of gurus, tigress legends and tall tales. A trip to Bhutan isn’t complete without an introduction to the “Divine Madman” and his 15th century artwork that centered on giant penises and his encouragement to laugh a lot and have sex whenever possible. Bonus: You’ll spend a night at the 5-star Zhiwa Ling Lodge–dubbed one of National Geographic’s “Unique Lodges of the World!” Zhiwa Ling means “Land of Peace” and this is undeniable. Come experience Bhutan and all its surprises.

Northwest Wyoming has huge bragging rights. It’s home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (and the skiing mecca, Jackson Hole). The landscape is classic Wild West: frontier towns, powder-puffed peaks, grazing bison, elk and pronghorn antelope. Glacier-scraped valleys and volcanic plateaus, fossil forests and eroded basaltic lava flows create an otherworldly region that transitions to serene lakes and fierce rivers that cascade into mighty falls. Rainbow-hued canyons backdrop the powerful geothermal forces that fuel more than 10,000 natural hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles in Yellowstone. On the Yellowstone Multisport Adventure we’ll explore Lamar Valley in the northeastern pocket of Yellowstone. It’s often referred to as the “Serengeti of North America” due to its abundance of bison, elk and antelope. And, wolves! Floating down the snaking Snake River in Grand Teton National Park, we’ll learn about the park’s 200 miles of trails, alpine history and “mountains of the imagination.” After setting up camp together, we’ll sleep under the constellations in tents for four nights at Canyon Campground inside Yellowstone National Park. High-quality camping gear will be provided to ensure a comfortable and authentic experience. Expect an impressive menu of fireside cuisine–it won’t be wieners on a stick and a can of cowboy beans (though, those are great too). The highlight of this itinerary is the horseback ride up into the Absaroka Mountains and an al fresco lunch overlooking Paradise Valley. Later, we will visit the local hot spring where we can soak our muscles after a week of big-sky outdoor exploration. We know, we had you at “hot spring."

This trip is all about stopping to smell the wildflowers and getting deeply steeped in the American wilderness. It’s a carefully curated balance of rustic cabin life and backcountry camping with a spoiled stay at the end of our expedition at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite.

Navigating in the luxury of the Ocean Endeavour from historic Aberdeen, Scotland to jazzy Reykjavik, Iceland, this North Atlantic Saga adventure offers an intimate introduction to the 18 volcanic Faroe Islands scattered in the sea in between.

Your five day adventure begins at Snug Harbour on iconic Georgian Bay! On this Georgian Bay trip, there will be a private boat shuttle to our secret island which will serve as our basecamp for four nights. This beloved region is full of panoramas, bird life and quintessential Canadian landscape. The dramatic east side of Georgian Bay is home to the world’s largest freshwater archipelago and is a designated UNESCO site. The UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere consists of more than 30,000 islands that create puzzle-piece channels, sheltered inlets and deep lagoons to explore. It’s designed for the slow and serene pace of a kayak! To add extra flavour, we’ll be joined by Chef Laurie Tester, an enormously talented, classically-trained chef. Born on the east coast of Canada, she studied in both Canada and France. Her specialties are endless, especially when it comes to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free cooking. Push aside any notion of traditional camping fare like a tin of beans and wieners for dinner! The food prepared by Chef Laurie will be as fresh as the Georgian Bay breeze and plentiful! As an integral part of this all-natural, wild culinary experience, you will be treated to carefully curated meals created with your dietary needs at the forefront. The opportunity to cook outdoors for five days with the open-kitchen backdrop of Georgian Bay in the company of Wild Women is a true bucket list item for Chef Laurie. On this trip, our guides Heather and Joedy, will take care of all of our needs on land and water–from the fully-equipped campsite to the kayak cockpit. Both women are skilled Paddle Canada instructors. Heather is also a yoga instructor and each day will begin with a yawn-and-stretch yoga class before breakfast. After leisurely breakfasts and second cups of coffee our days will be spent out on the water. Depending on the group’s collective experience and confidence, we can head out for a paddle to explore another nearby island or stay closer to learn and trial new skills. If we experience a day when the weather doesn’t cooperate (this is Georgian Bay afterall and Mother Nature often has her own agenda), we can learn how to make our own mala necklaces under Heather and Joedy’s artistic guidance. Heather is also a watercolour painter and practices meditation. If you’re intrigued, she can help you discover a meditation that may resonate with you. There will also be an opportunity to learn the fluid nature of watercolour and create your own truly indelible memory of the area.

The Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre have some of the most arresting stretches of coastline in the world. Steeped in history (and steep cliffs) the five tiny villages that Cinque Terre’s name is derived from, appear like a child’s whimsical drawing. Pastel-coloured buildings and houses are neatly stacked along the harbours and hills. The uninterrupted seascape of vivid Mediterranean indigo blues rolls out into unmatched sunsets. To explore this area by kayak is to experience the undisputed “dolce vita” that is at the pounding heart and soul of this dramatic region on the west coast of Italy. Warm water, sunbaked beaches, sumptuous regional food and the relaxed vibe of life at the sea’s edge have attracted artists, poets, and writers for over two centuries. Byron, Shelley, D.H. Lawrence, Hans Christian Andersen and Virginia Woolf all came here to distill and write. Suspended along an 18km stretch of serrated cliffs between Levanto and La Spezia, Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most precious natural treasures. The designated UNESCO World Heritage and national park of the “five lands” (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) also has a secret sixth! These villages are hugged by mountains, olive groves, lemon trees and terraced vineyards. You will feel the embrace immediately. Whether in the cockpit of the kayak or following the winding alleyways of the ancient cities, surprises lie in wait. Expect an authentic taste of the area’s best wines and menus. The Riviera and Cinque Terre by paddle is an unforgettable way to feel, taste and move through the spirit of Italy.

There are over a dozen ways to Santiago and the spaghetti trails run from Italy, France and Portugal with a sacred union in Santiago where apostle Saint James lies in wait. This Camino Portuguese pilgrimage is 114km long and threads through verdant tunnels of eucalyptus trees, tangles of kiwi orchards, century-old vineyards, cerulean estuaries and fishing harbours humming with activity. Cross over smooth cobblestones pushed by coastal Atlantic winds, soak in the rejuvenating waters of Calads de Reis’ natural hot springs and be sure to pull up a seat to oysters served every which way in Arcade (Galicia’s oyster capital). Marinated, drizzled with lemon or stuffed in a savoury empanada (Galician pie), the “truffles of the sea” are a prerequisite for the miles ahead as is the celebrated local Albariño white wine. Along “The Way” you will collect Camino passport stamps in your “credencial” at several landmarks (churches, hostels, bars, cafes) that will entitle you to receive the official Compostela in Santiago. Pilgrims who are awarded the Compostela must travel at least 100km on foot (or in the saddle of a horse or bike!). The unique ink stamps will remain in your heart like a tattoo (that you won’t regret!). Expect Romanesque architecture, savoury Padrón pepper lunches, knock-out views of the Cíes Islands and the reliable Camino camaraderie that makes the pilgrimage route a rare and coveted experience.

At the edge of the world, this storm-battered area is an ecologically and archaeologically significant landscape of 100 islands, old-growth forest, rugged headlands, and protected passageways sandwiched between towering mountains. Setting sail with the Wild Women on our Haida Gwaii Sailing Adventure is the perfect way to reset and feel restored in the west coast wilderness. Haida Gwaii is home to the resilient Haida, whose name for the southern islands, Gwaii Haanas, appropriately translates as “islands of beauty” or “place of wonder”. The archipelago is also known as ‘Canada’s Galapagos’ as the islands are bursting with life above and below the giant Sitkas and cedars. More than 500 archaeological sites are found here–the longhouse remains and ghostly carved poles wooed celebrated Canadian artist Emily Carr long ago. Guided by Haida Watchmen who play an instrumental role in the stewardship of the Coastal First Nations (ensuring sustainable tourism and protection of precious natural resources), we’ll journey into the mystical wilderness and remarkable history of the ancient Haida villages that dot the shoreline of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. Small ship travel through this unforgettable landscape allows us to voyage to intimate places only accessible by boat or charter float plane. Theories suggest that parts of Haida Gwaii escaped the last ice age, creating a glacial sanctuary for plants and animals. This enlightened thinking helps explain the presence of plant species and subspecies of birds, fish and mammals found nowhere else in the world. We will have eight beautifully suspended days to explore the evolution, oddities and marvels of Haida Gwaii. These islands are an isolated archipelago, difficult to reach and rarely visited. We will anchor in secluded bays and via inflatable Zodiacs, pull up to the shoreline to walk on footprint-less beaches. We might find a few Japanese glass fishing floats that have washed ashore after years of drifting. If you’re seeking a powerfully educational, spiritual, cultural, biodiverse experience, the Haida Gwaii Sailing Adventure is custom designed for you. Don’t let this ship sail without you!

Experience the raw and wild power of undiluted nature on our Canadian Rockies Hiking Adventure! Under the famed bluebird skies, experience the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Canadian Rockies on foot and by Cataraft!