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If you love exploring new places, you might have considered a solo trip. With the freedom to explore a destination exactly as you wish, solo travel can unlock a whole new world of opportunities.
However, for many people, the idea of travelling alone can feel daunting – particularly to far-flung places where everything from the food to the culture and language feels unfamiliar. And unfortunately, for women, worries around safety are often heightened, posing further barriers.
No matter how beautiful or intriguing a destination is, it won’t be truly enjoyable unless you feel at ease. So, booking an expert-led group tour can offer the perfect solution.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with travel company Intrepid to explore three women-led trips to inspire your next adventure. Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions bring together female travellers of all ages from across the world, allowing you to explore with confidence. Led by trailblazing local women and packed with immersive activities that support women-owned businesses, you’ll see some of the world’s most beautiful countries from a uniquely female perspective.
Plus, capped at 12 travellers per group and founded on an ethos that purpose-led travel can be a force for good, Intrepid tours support local people and places through the Intrepid Foundation.
1. Bhutan
Perched on the eastern edge of the Himalayas between China and India, the tiny, beautiful country of Bhutan is shrouded in mystery. Having maintained a cautious approach to tourism, Bhutan only opened its doors to the public in 1974. The result? A fascinating country lost in time and relatively unaffected by the outside world.
Bhutan’s dedication to ‘Gross National Happiness’ is reflected in its wonderfully preserved culture, living traditions, and some of the most pristine natural landscapes in Asia. As the only carbon-negative country in the world, the last Buddhist kingdom on Earth, and with over 70% of land covered in lush woodland, exploring this utterly unique country is an unforgettable experience.
Intrepid’s 11-day Bhutan Women’s Expedition tour begins in Thimphu, where a female-owned hotel empowering local girls and single mothers will be your base. Take a light hike towards the Wangditse Monastery, passing beautiful pine forests and bronze Buddha statues, and send unique postcards home from Bhutan’s Postal Office Headquarters. Then, watch local artisans make their wares at Gagyel Weaving Centre before browsing the 80 stalls of the Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar overflowing with homemade treasures.
On day three, it’s onto Gangtey, a picturesque, high-altitude village and valley where you’ll spend two days exploring, starting with Gangtey Valley, known for its lush forests and rolling meadows. At Gangtey Goemba, a significant 17th-century monastery, friendly monks will lead you in a prayer and offer insight into monastic life, and on the Gangtey Nature Trail, you can spot local flora and wildlife, including black-necked cranes and the ancient rhododendron. Come evening, a female-led cooking class will introduce you to the art of Bhutan’s national dish, ema datshi (a chilli and cheese stew), which you’ll feast on while hearing more about Bhutanese life.
Day five starts with a scenic drive east to the region of Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland. Browse textiles woven by local women at Yathra Factory, wander the bustling markets of Chamkhar Town, and explore Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples. Then, on a short, easy hike through the beautiful Bumthang Valley, your leader will guide you in a sound bath amongst pine forests – an ancient stress-relieving practice.
Two days later, in Bhutan’s former capital, Punakha, you can walk along one of the country’s longest suspension bridges (if you dare!) before hiking to Khamsum Yulley Mamgyal Chorten temple, to soak up breathtaking views across the Punakha Valley. Then, after a relaxing riverbank picnic, exchange stories with the nuns of the hilltop Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery before traversing vast paddy fields towards Chimi Lhakhang – known as the Fertility Temple.
Heading east to Paro on day nine, you’ll settle in for a traditional Bhutanese cultural performance at a female-led farmhouse before making your own ara (Bhutan’s national drink) and unwinding with a herbal hot stone bath. Then, after a bright and early rise, a hike through enchanting pine forests draped with colourful prayer flags will lead you to Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous temple. Perched dramatically on the side of a cliff, this stunning complex, featuring four main temples connected by white staircases, is an engineering masterpiece. The tour ends with a free afternoon to explore Rinpung Dzong, a 17th-century fortress in the Paro Valley, at your own pace.
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Intrepid Bhutan: Women's Expedition*
Bhutan | 11 days
Feeling spontaneous? Grab a last-minute travel deal and save on upcoming trips.
Includes taxes and fees
2. Peru
From the awe-inspiring Andes to the mighty Amazon rainforest, Peru is arguably one of the world’s most captivating countries – and on Intrepid’s eight-day Peru Women’s Expedition tour, you’ll experience the very best of it. Peru is famously defined by three distinct regions (the coast, the highlands, and the jungle). Your journey begins high in the stunning Andes mountains, in the historic city of Cusco.
As the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is jam-packed with architectural treasures. A guided tour will allow you to explore its traditional markets, breathtaking Incan temples, and grand cathedral, as you head towards the impressive Sacsayhuaman fortress, where panoramic views across the city will blow you away. Then, feast on mouthwatering Andean flavours like ceviche, lomo saltado (stir-fried beef), and pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken) at award-winning, female-owned restaurant, Nuna Raymi, washed down with a refreshing Pisco sour (Peru’s national drink).
By day four, you’ll travel towards Peru’s iconic Sacred Valley on the outskirts of Cusco, where you’ll stay with a local Andean community for an authentic taste of rural life. Learn all about traditional textile techniques, connect with local women at a bracelet-making workshop, and immerse yourself in an Andean healing ceremony performed by a female shaman, before exploring some of the Sacred Valley’s lesser-known trails from a comfortable hotel base.
In the Sacred Valley’s off-the-beaten-track town of Chinchero, known for its 17th-century colonial church, you’ll also hike towards the rural town of Urquillos, passing Inca terraces, eucalyptus groves, and snow-capped peaks along the way, offering some amazing photo opportunities. Then, after a good night’s rest, refuel at a chocolate-making workshop led by AMA, a social enterprise that trains and employs vulnerable local women, and spot hummingbirds at the Ensifera Camp Hummingbird Garden.
On day six, at the mighty hillside fortress of Pumamarca, once the entrance to the Sacred Valley, you’ll toast with a traditional chicha (Inca beer) before taking a scenic train along the Urubamba River – on day seven – towards the town of Aguas Calientes – your base for exploring mighty Machu Picchu.
Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent collection of 150 buildings, including sanctuaries, baths, houses, and temples, that make up this mysterious landmark. Hike to the top of the two peaks at either side of the ruins for panoramic views across steep, emerald-green Andean peaks and plunging river valleys. Then, returning to Aguas Calientes by bus, you’ll have time to explore at your own pace before heading back to Cusco, where the tour ends.
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Intrepid Peru: Women's Expedition*
Peru | 8 days
Feeling spontaneous? Grab a last-minute travel deal and save on upcoming trips.
Includes taxes and fees
3. Cambodia
Once the home of the powerful Khmer Empire, the Southeast Asian paradise of Cambodia is known for its rich history, remarkable temples, and irresistible tropical climate. And on Intrepid’s eight-day Cambodia Women’s Expedition, you’ll get right to its beating heart.
Your tour begins in the sprawling capital of Phnom Penh, where ancient Khmer temples sit beside modern high-rises. Explore the beautifully ornate Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Cambodia’s most sacred temple, before perusing street food and handicraft stalls at the Central Market. Then, come face to face with Cambodia’s troubled past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where guides will expose you to the lesser-known experiences of the women living under the Khmer Rouge – a sobering yet truly valuable experience.
On day three, guests can unwind with relaxing spa treatments and a cocktail-making class hosted by two social enterprise organisations: Daughters of Cambodia and Friends-International. Both providing training and job support for marginalised children, families, communities, and female survivors of human trafficking, you’ll hear from inspiring women who’ve turned their lives around.
After a taste of city life, on day four, you’ll head north for a rural homestay at Sambor Prei Kuk – a tranquil, forested UNESCO collection of 7th-century Chenla Kingdom temples. Live like a local exploring the village by bike, watching the sun set over the rice fields, and feasting on traditional, home-cooked meals prepared by your host family.
The next morning, you’ll journey east to the charming, floating village of Kampong Khleang for a private boat tour on Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Here, self-built stilted houses tower over 10 metres high, and local families go about their days among the mangroves and waterways. Come evening, hop on a tuk-tuk with a female driver for a street food tour of Siem Reap. Track down the best lort cha (stir-fried rice noodles), num pang (similar to a Vietnamese banh mi), or indulge in num plae ai (coconut sticky rice dumplings filled with molten palm sugar) if you fancy something sweet.
But, no trip to Cambodia is complete without a visit to the Angkor temple complex, the country’s most popular attraction. Most famously, the iconic temple of Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex on the planet and is considered one of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. On day six, watch speechless as the sun rises over its three-tiered pyramids, intricate sculptures, and central lotus-tower spires. Enjoy free time to explore the 71 other temples of Angkor Archaeological Park and receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk before savouring your final Cambodian dinner at a restaurant employing local youth.
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Intrepid Cambodia: Women's Expedition*
Cambodia | 8 days
Feeling spontaneous? Grab a last-minute travel deal and save on upcoming trips.
Includes taxes and fees
Final thoughts…
Solo travel can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. But, it’s natural to feel anxious. That’s why travelling with an expert-led group tour can offer the perfect solution, helping you travel with confidence.
For the ultimate female experience, Intrepid’s Women’s Expedition tours champion and support local women. Led by trailblazing leaders and packed with immersive experiences that open the door to everyday life for women worldwide, these trips roll adventure travel and female empowerment into one, allowing you to explore with confidence.
To explore all of Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions, head over to their website.