Name: Explorer Chick's 9th Annual Online Bash
Start: 04/12/2024 01:00 AM +00:00
End: 04/12/2024 03:30 AM +00:00

Location: Croatia&nbsp; Time: 8-Days
Activity Level: 3 (Active)&nbsp;
Get ready to have your mind blown multiple times over turquoise waters, frothing waterfalls, badass mountain summits, and medieval towns. Croatia will turn anyone into an annoying romantic. Book your week-long women&rsquo;s multisport adventure trip featuring hiking, e-biking, mountain-summiting, sea kayaking, snorkeling, and plenty of Adriatic Sea swimming.
You&rsquo;ll explore ancient cities tripping through architectural history from ancient Roman, Venetian Gothic, Romanesque, and Medieval. Cycle through stupid-pretty Istrian Peninsula hilltop towns. Bust your booties through Plitvice Lakes and Paklenica National Parks. Climb a freaking Via Ferrata to summit Bojin Kuk. And float through the 80+ islands that make up Kornati National Park. BRB we need to pick our jaw up from off the ground.
You and your Explorer Chick entourage will geek over all the architecture porn &ndash; from medieval stone gates to Gothic cathedrals. We&rsquo;ll visit all the &ldquo;musts&rdquo; and gather for a welcome dinner in the Old Town. Did you just change your Insta handle to Croatia_Cutie? We are obsessed with you!
What could be better than seeing tiny cutie towns? TASTING the wares of those tiny cutie towns! We&rsquo;ll cruise the Parenzana trail on our E-Bikes, stopping in Grožnjan, Oprtalj, and Motovun for coffee, olive oil tastings, and a spectacular lunch. By evening, we&rsquo;ll cycle to the top of Motovun for a stunning gargoyle view of the Adriatic cities. Clear up some storage for all the dog pictures as our local truffle hunter talks fungi to us. You won&rsquo;t leave Istria without loading your bike down with bottles of wine and a tummy full of truffles.
You&rsquo;re gonna see the kind of natural beauty that shows up in the screensavers of Apple products. The Instagram world is stark raving mad over Plitvice Lakes because of its unique system of lakes and waterfalls. A rock climbing and hiking paradise awaits you in Paklenica National Park with views of the Adriatic Sea from your very own mountain summit.
The best views of this gorgeous region are often gleaned from the sea. Across two days, we&rsquo;ll explore the island systems via speedboat and sea-kayak, leaving plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, and floating otter-style on your back. You are basically a mermaid now and have to deal with mermaid things like schools of fish, coral spottings and island lunches. You poor thing.

Croatia Hiking National Parks and Multisport Adventure Tour

Location:&nbsp;Slovenia&nbsp;
Time:&nbsp;8-Days
Activity Level:&nbsp;4 (Highly Active)&nbsp;
 Get all the cowbell your heart desires in the undulating Alpine valleys and mountain passes of Slovenia. Slo-what-now? Slovenia is the sweet spot between Austria, Italy, and Croatia. This week-long women&rsquo;s Slovenia trip with hut to hut hiking, rafting, paddle-boarding, and e-biking includes all the good stuff.
Ancient capital city exploration. Hiking hidden paths in the Triglav National Park. Trekking in the heart of the Julian Alps. Wild foraging and picnicking. And a winery bike tour! All in the company of your new BFFs forever. You&rsquo;ll sleep in mountain huts and hotels. You&rsquo;ll eat rich, comforting foods. And you&rsquo;ll go home wishing your partner could talk dirty to you in Slavic.
This capital city is so beautiful &ndash; and so filled with history &ndash; that it doesn&rsquo;t feel real. Wander the older-than-Rome winding paths. Fantasize over which poets strolled along the river banks. Wink at a street busker. Sigh as lovers canoodle by the overlooking castle. Slovenia feels like the place where things happen, and you&rsquo;re here for 8 magical days to see it all.
Clamber through remote mountain passes to the cadence of delightfully foreign moos. You&rsquo;re seeing the hidden splendor of the Alps on a 3-day hut-to-hut hike! Traverse forest paths, wildflower meadows, and rocky trails. Gawk up at Mt. Triglav, Slovenia&rsquo;s highest mountain. Sample fresh dairy from farming pastures near Lake Bohinj. You&rsquo;re living the postcard life, doll, with optional excursions to climb additional summits &ndash; time, weather (and thigh chafe) permitting.
In other words, beauty beauty beauty! Enjoy some mostly downhill walking as you explore the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for marmots before journeying to Lake Bohinj, where you&rsquo;ll stand-up paddle in the morning sun. Next up, is Lake Bled, the ultimate panty-dropper for nature lovers. Take all the photos from the best camera angles, brave a swim, and soak in some history as we explore a scenic drive on a road built by Russian prisoners during WWI.
Wander along verdant gorges, hanging bridges, and turquoise river pools in stunning Soča Valley. (And you thought the Hidden Valley Ranch picture looked pretty.) We&rsquo;ll meet with a local wildflower expert to forage and prepare a meal of wild edibles. We&rsquo;ll then hop a rafting boat down the Soča River to enjoy a leisurely float before preparing for WINE COUNTRY. We&rsquo;ll E-bike, wine and dine in Goriska Brda, weaving through orchards and olive groves, sampling ripe fruit from the tree, and trying the local wine. We&rsquo;ll even stop at a local lavender &amp; herb farm, so get your sniffer ready for all the smells!

Slovenia Alps Hiking Hut to Hut and More

Location: Jordan
Time: 8-days
Activity Level: 3 (Active)&nbsp; Sup, Indiana Jane. Find your bold in The Lost City of Petra and Jordan. Hike portions of the Jordan Trail, ride camels in Wadi Rum, float in the Dead Sea, and glamp under desert stars on this 8 day women&rsquo;s trip to Jordan.
Your adventure begins along the King&rsquo;s Highway, which you&rsquo;ll travel before exploring one of the most beautiful canyons on earth. Swim through milky blue waters beneath towering basalt canyon walls. Then cozy up with your sisters at an eco-lodge within the boundaries of Dana Nature Reserve.
Wake up the next day to a 5-mile trek along a stunning stretch of the Jordan Trail. Welcome to Little Petra, mighty one! Gaze into Israel and learn about the biblical significance of the trail you journey from our local guide.
By nightfall, enjoy a restorative evening under the stars at an authentic Bedouin camp. (It&rsquo;s totally New Testament with a bed and mattress.)
When the sun rises, journey 9 miles on foot to a special back entrance to Petra. It&rsquo;s worth it &ndash; you&rsquo;ll weave through narrow slot canyons and deep caves within a vast Unesco World Heritage site. We&rsquo;ll continue the behind-the-scenes tour on your second day in Petra, as our local guide walks us through a secret hike known only to locals.
After our time in Petra, we&rsquo;ll venture to Wadi Rum &ndash; the Arabic word for &ldquo;dry river bed&rdquo; aka where Matt Damon grew his doo-doo potatoes in The Martian. Protected by the National Park, Wadi Rum is utterly devoid of anything manmade. Its nomadic Bedouin people will welcome us by sharing some of their favorite hiking trails.
Spend two nights under more breathtaking stars in another authentic Bedouin camp. Your home will be a raised canvas tent complete with a bed and local decor. While in Wadi Rum, board a Jeep to safari to Burda Mountain and take on a challenging &nbsp;3-4 hour scramble to reach the famous Burda Rock bridge. If you&rsquo;re feeling intrepid, inch out to the middle of an arch that stands 900 feet high. Catch your last sunset in Wadi Rum on the back of a camel as you enjoy a bucket-list desert experience.
On your final full day, we&rsquo;ll journey to the lowest place on the earth &ndash; The Dead Sea. Sit back, float, slather on some mineral mud, and wonder to yourself how you go to be so brave. In the evening, we&rsquo;ll gather for one last meal. But here&rsquo;s the kicker &ndash; you are going to help prepare it under the leadership of a Jordanian culinary school that is women-owned and operated!

Jordan and Petra Ultimate Adventure

Location: Iceland
Time: 7-days
Activity Level: 2 (Moderately Active) 
Set your Walter Mitty playlist to SHUFFLE as you hike, ice climb, ATV bike, and hot-spring-hop through a Viking land with a population smaller than Staten Island! This 7-day women&rsquo;s multisport adventure trip to Iceland will slap over-worked fatigue away to make room in your soul for jaw-dropping beauty, badass women, and the most delicious gas station Pylsa you will ever eat. ?
Experience the best of Southern Iceland&rsquo;s Golden Circle as we board our SHE-nanigan Shuttle for a road trip along the coast. We&rsquo;ll chase waterfalls, trek across glaciers, audibly moan in hot springs, and spend each night searching for the perfect Van Gogh sky. (Northern Lights season, baby!)
We&rsquo;ll leave the light pollution of Reykjavik behind to stay in traditional Icelandic Guest Houses and Hotels surrounded by total darkness at night.
When the sun&rsquo;s beamin&rsquo;, we&rsquo;ll frolic on the biggest glaciers decked out in crampons and ice axes. You&rsquo;ll get sendy ice-climbing glacial walls (Yes, you CAN ice climb!). We&rsquo;ll set off across black sand beaches on ATV searching for the famous plane wreck and zipping through mountain canyons.
Let&rsquo;s not forget all of those waterfalls! Instagram-worthy moments include Gulfoss, Strokkur&rsquo;s steamy water geyser, Sk&oacute;gafoss, strolling along the black sands of Diamond Beach, Glacier Lagoon, Reynisdrangar, and Seljalandsfoss.
Do you work for National Geographic now? Probably.
Did we go overboard with three hot springs soaks? After hiking into a river valley, we strip down ducked behind the smallest wall ever in frigid temperatures to take a dip in a natural hot spring in Iceland surrounded by snowy mountains. You&rsquo;ll soak with locals at the Secret Lagoon and end our epic winter adventure in the new, swanky Sky Lagoon.
Sound exciting? You&rsquo;ll also be with a local and an Explorer Chick Guide who will be planning your adventure day by day to take advantage of the weather and the daylight. Hey, it&rsquo;s a road trip where we call the shots! No rigid schedule, but a trip that flexes and flows so you get the best vacation. We&rsquo;ll be sure to stop at local favorites too for ice cream, shopping, and craft brews!

Iceland Glaciers and Hot Springs Winter Adventure

Location: California&nbsp;
Time: 4-Days
Activity Level: 5 (Highly Strenuous)
Hit your bucket list with all the feels on this women&rsquo;s guided hiking and backpacking weekend! During your Yosemite Half Dome Hike adventure, tour Yosemite National Park as you climb the famous cables of Half Dome with ladies who do their own stunts. Live out every last one of those John Muir nature quotes in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park. Mountains calling? Check. Between two pines? Check. Walk with nature? Double-check.
Romp through the backcountry on a demanding, yet epic backpacking trip. Meet your new woman crushes in the Yosemite Valley as the landscape gives way to mountains, waterfalls, and a piney perfume that&rsquo;ll make Yankee Candle totally jelly. Mother Nature swiped ALL THE WAY right. Leave the phone on airplane mode to immerse yourself in stunning national park backcountry over the course of four epic days. Climb steep, challenging trails to look down upon the Valley with a panoramic view that includes Mt. Starr King, Half Dome, Nevada Falls, Illilouette Falls, and plenty of ant-sized tourists with tiny selfie sticks.
Fuel up for the real MVP&mdash;the famous cables of Half Dome! Blast that hiker booty (and bring plenty of water) while ascending 500 feet up a .5 mile of steps carved into the rock. Then, the real fun begins. It&rsquo;s a 400-foot gain up the top of Half Dome with some points at 70%+ grades. Pace your footwork on wooden slabs spaced out on the climb as you get the upper body workout of a lifetime. Worth it? HELL YES!
Don&rsquo;t have backpacking equipment, but can Beastmaster the stairs? Perfect. Explorer Chick has you covered with all the essentials including a women&rsquo;s specific backpack, sleeping bag, pad, and shared tents.
All you need to do is show up for this Yosemite Half Dome Hike to backpack like a boss and get that National Parks bucket list checked.

Yosemite Half Dome Backpacking

Location: Uganda&nbsp; Time: 10-Days&nbsp; Activity Level: 2 (Moderately Active)&nbsp; Ready for a legit trip of a lifetime? Pack your travel journal and sharpen your pencil for our 10-day women&rsquo;s Uganda trip with Gorilla trekking, hiking, and Safari that will *literally* change your soul. Our founder NICKI cannot and will not shut up about it and will send everyone she knows shrieking chimpanzee videos. This is Untouched Uganda.
Enjoy all the fruits of &ldquo;The Pearl of Africa.&rdquo; Gorgeous mountains, dense forests, hazy savannahs. A literal animal kingdom around the watering hole in the remote Kidepo Valley National Park. An intimate visit with one of the most isolated mountain tribes in Africa. All the game drives to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, ostriches and so much more. Chimp tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. A hike through the Rwenzori mountains. And a Bwindi gorilla trekking encounter that will make your ovaries explode.
Fly to Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda&rsquo;s most remote game reserve that sits in the northernmost part of the country. You&rsquo;ll step off the charter plane to an unspoiled, golden savannah to spy on the most spectacular creatures you&rsquo;ve only seen in zoos. Search for lions, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and more on your game drives. Toast the day with a traditional sundowner. Immerse yourself in Karamojong culture while spending time with the Lorokul tribe. Return to your luxury safari cottage where you can wash the day off in your own private outdoor bath while admiring wild zebras. Pinch me.
Walk alongside the Munyambuli River and breathe in the most pristine forests on earth. We&rsquo;ll start our journey through the gates of Queen Elizabeth National Park and hike a little over 7.8 miles to enjoy the quiet, sweeping views keeping our eyes peeled for monkeys. Again, this is a tucked-away region most tourists don&rsquo;t visit, so you&rsquo;ll enjoy both intense beauty and incredible peace.
We&rsquo;ll snag our knowledgeable guides and hike down to the Kyambura Gorge to the splashes and roars of wild hippo! We&rsquo;ll track the calls of chimpanzees who have just finished breakfast, and are thumping to the forest floor to go about their days. Carefully but bravely, we&rsquo;ll follow them through the forest to see how they live.
Hop a 3-hour boat ride down a Channel that contains the world&rsquo;s largest concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffalo, elephants and all kinds of birds. It&rsquo;s like Universal Studios only REAL. Keep your cameras angled at the water!
We&rsquo;ll join up with tracking and research team to learn about their big cat conservation efforts. Scientists jump into our Land Cruisers and using radio-telemetry, we&rsquo;ll track the movements of these predators inside Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Maybe the crown jewel of the trip? Of your life? Of anything? Our guide will machete a path through the impenetrable forest to give us a glorious hour hearing, seeing (and sometimes smelling) the majestic movements of a local gorilla clan. There will be tears. You will leave this tour changed.
One of our homestead stays benefits the fearless women of Ride 4 a Woman &ndash; 50% of our lodging costs goes directly to domestic abuse survivors. We&rsquo;ll stay with the organization leaders and help support job creation, clean water and teaching women new skills. The chance to sit and speak with these she-roes is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We couldn&rsquo;t think of a better place to cook alongside our hosts for our farewell BBQ dinner.
We charter planes to reach the remote, less visited regions and to skip the long drives that can take up entire days. Hey, you didn&rsquo;t come to Uganda to waste time watching the asphalt wiz by from a Land Cruiser window. We fly to Kidepo, Queen Elizabeth, and back to Entebbe from Bwindi.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Safari Adventure

There&rsquo;s no one-size-fits-all for badassery. Being adventurous isn&rsquo;t about keeping up with anyone else&mdash;it&rsquo;s about understanding your body and choosing the adventure that fits.
Every woman is a masterpiece of complexity (duh). We all define adventure differently, and that&rsquo;s why Explorer Chick trips are designed with an obsessive range of activity levels. Whether you&rsquo;re dipping your toes in or ready to conquer mountains, we&rsquo;re here to nudge you out of your comfort zone and into something extraordinary.
Each trip page has a detailed &ldquo;Activity Level&rdquo; section to help you know what to expect. But first, here&rsquo;s a quick guide to our activity levels: 
Level 1 - Easy Active For women new to adventure travel or learning a new skill, these trips offer single-day activities with minimal physical demands. While rare, some trips may include a Level 1-style activity.
<a href="https://explorerchick.com/trip-search/?demands=2%20-%20Moderately%20Active" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Level 2 - Moderate Active</a> Designed for women who enjoy hiking and are ready for consecutive days on the trail. Expect hikes averaging 4&ndash;7 miles with elevation gains up to 2,000 feet. Trails may include beginner-level rock scrambles. Pre-trip prep? Start an exercise routine 2&ndash;3 months in advance.
<a href="https://explorerchick.com/trip-search/?demands=3%20-%20Active" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Level 3 - Active</a> These trips are for those ready to spend most of the day in motion. Think hikes of 5&ndash;9 miles and elevation gains of up to 2,500 feet. Training 3 months ahead with endurance, strength, and cardio will help you tackle these adventures with confidence.
<a href="https://explorerchick.com/trip-search/?demands=4%20-%20Highly%20Active" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Level 4 - Highly Active</a> Geared for experienced adventurers seeking a challenge. Expect hikes of 6&ndash;11 miles with elevations up to 3,500 feet. Trails are rocky and may have exposed sections. Training 4&ndash;6 months prior is recommended, focusing on endurance, strength, and flexibility.
<a href="https://explorerchick.com/trip-search/?demands=5%20-%20Highly%20Strenuous" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Level 5 - Highly Strenuous</a> Our toughest level, requiring endurance, strength, and mental grit. Hikes average 7&ndash;13+ miles with elevation gains of up to 4,000 feet. Trails are steep, rocky, and exposed. Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended. Prepare with a rigorous 6-month training plan including cardio, strength, and hiking on rugged terrain.
When in doubt, consult your doctor, put on your compression socks, and hit the stair climber to Rihanna&mdash;it&rsquo;s always a vibe!

Explore Our Activity Levels

Join our Q&amp;A session with Amy, our expert Destination Manager, and get all your questions answered!&nbsp;
Whether you're curious about trip details, logistics, activity levels, or what to pack, Amy&rsquo;s got you covered.&nbsp;
This is your chance to get the insider scoop and feel confident about your next adventure.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t miss out on this opportunity to connect and plan your perfect trip!

Amy  Mixell

Q&A Session With Destination Manager Amy

Join our South Africa &amp; Uganda Trip Info Session for an exclusive look at our brand new South Africa adventure and a comparison with our beloved Uganda trip! Led by destination expert Johnna, this session will give you an in-depth overview of what each bucket-list experience offers, from breathtaking landscapes to unforgettable cultural encounters. Learn about the unique highlights, itineraries, and what sets these two epic trips apart. Get ready to plan your dream African adventure with insights straight from the expert!

Johnna Guernsey

South Africa & Uganda Trip Info Session

THIS is where it's all going down LIVE at 9pm EST.
Join us for our 9th annual online party right here.
We&rsquo;re bringing the fun, the laughs, games, and the she-nanigans you love.
PLUS the chance to win a dream $5,000 trip giveaway!&nbsp;
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