Which small group tour operators are owned by women?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 11 November 2026
These 14 tour companies were founded by, or are owned or run by, women on their own websites, read 11 November 2026. Each card gives what the company says about it, with the trip, place, group size, age band or price where it names one, then what it sells, why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.
Which small group tour operators are owned by women?
14 tour companies in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they were founded by, or are owned or run by, women; Explorer Chick, Solo Female Travelers and Gutsy Girls have the most Google reviews under their own name.
Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel solo and small-group tour operators table holds 110 companies: the small-group operators, solo-only, women-only and age-banded companies and group surf, yoga and sailing weeks ChatGPT names most often when asked about solo and small-group travel. Their own websites were read on 11 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries the 14 companies in the table that, on their own websites, were founded by, or are owned or run by, women, where that can be shown in their own words with any price dated; a line that rests only on a price with no year is left out. For companies that also sell private or tailor-made trips, the cards speak of their group departures only. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 666 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.
A Solo Woman Traveling
- Best for
- Women-only small-group tours in Europe
- Founded or run by
- Describes itself as a women-owned travel company founded by Melissa Byron in 2019.
- What it sells
- Women-only small-group tour operator for Europe based in Seattle, Washington, USA, which also plans custom boutique itineraries and runs a travel media brand.
- Why choose them
- Says it was founded by Melissa Byron in 2019 as a women-owned travel company and media brand. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 46 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 14 reviews, newest 23 October 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Northern Italy tour with its included hotels, daily breakfasts, airport transfers, guides and key activities and for the full price shown at checkout.
- Not the fit if
- you need flexibility: within 125 days of departure all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Enquiry
- asinglewomantraveling.com
Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: about-4, small-group-trip-terms-conditions.
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Adventures in Good Company
- Best for
- Women who want active small-group trips
- Founded or run by
- Says Marian Marbury founded it and that Kelly Kimple is owner and CEO.
- What it sells
- Is a women-only small-group active travel operator based in Fort Collins, Colorado, founded in 1999, that also plans private and custom trips.
- Group size
- Says it typically runs trips with 10 to 14 participants and limits domestic trips to 12 or fewer with up to 14 in certain cases.
- Why choose them
- Says about 75% of its travellers join its trips on their own.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Trip Summary and the 1 to 5 fitness rating of the trip you are considering and for a roommate in a standard double.
- Not the fit if
- you want a room to yourself without paying extra: you pay a single supplement if you want to be assured of a room of your own.
Is this your company? See how a listing works
AdventureWomen
- Best for
- Women aged 45 and over
- Founded or run by
- Says it is a women-owned and women-run company. Judi Wineland and her daughters Nicole and Erica bought it in 2016. Travel pioneer Susan Eckert founded it.
- What it sells
- Women-only small-group operator based in Watertown, Massachusetts, running scheduled all-women departures for 8 to 15 travellers; it also arranges private trips for small groups.
- Group size
- Says its small groups range from 8 to 15 travellers.
- Why choose them
- Says its small groups range from 8 to 15 travellers on all-women trips.
- Ask for
- Ask for one of the trips listed with no single supplement (Galapagos Wildlife Encounters, Utah Zion & Bryce, Croatia, Slovakia or Poland) or for a roommate pairing.
- Not the fit if
- you may need to cancel late: 60 days or less before departure, 100% of the package price is non-refundable.
- Published price
- Costa Rica: An Active Exploration of Jungles and Wildlife, 10 days, from $6,595 per person in double occupancy (US dollars), departing 5 January 2027. Read 11 November 2026.
- Enquiry
- adventurewomen.com/contact
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Bold Spirit Travel
- Best for
- Women travelling solo in small groups
- Founded or run by
- Says it is woman-owned and run.
- What it sells
- Woman-owned women-only small-group tour operator based in the Pacific Northwest (mailing address in Vancouver, Washington, USA) with women tour leaders, which also offers private and custom trips.
- Group size
- Says its tour groups have a minimum of 6 guests and a maximum of 15.
- Why choose them
- Says its all-women groups are intentionally small, with a minimum of 6 guests and a maximum of 15. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 41 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask to be paired with a roommate if you want to share: it needs two women requesting this to make a pair.
- Not the fit if
- you are under 21: guests must be 21 or older.
- Published price
- Costa Rica small group tour, 22 February to 1 March 2027, from $4,895 per person. Read 11 November 2026.
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Chica Brava
- Best for
- Women learning to surf, many travelling alone
- Founded or run by
- Names Ashley Blaylock as its founder and owner and says it has worked only with women since 2007.
- What it sells
- Is a women-only surf and yoga retreat operator running its own week-long camps in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, with an all-female coaching team.
- Why choose them
- Says it has worked only with women since 2007.
- Ask for
- Ask for one of its 40+ surf retreats, available at all locations and for a shared room of 2 to 3 guests.
- Not the fit if
- you want a private room at no extra cost: private rooms are subject to availability and carry an additional cost.
- Enquiry
- chicabrava.com/contact
Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: working-with-chica-brava/join-our-team, its own page, nicaragua-travel/faq.
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Explorer Chick
- Best for
- Women joining active group adventures solo
- Founded or run by
- Was founded by Nicki Bruckmann, who launched it in 2014.
- What it sells
- Women-only operator of its own scheduled small-group adventure trips (hiking, multisport, safari and treks), with private trips on request. Its World HQ is in Cincinnati, OH.
- Why choose them
- Says 80% of its guests come solo on its women-only small-group trips. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 575 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Italian Dolomites Hiking and Multisport trip (8 days, up to 15 women) and for the limited single-room upgrade where it is offered.
- Not the fit if
- you are 21 or younger or want a mixed-gender departure: its trips are for women over the age of 21.
- Enquiry
- explorerchick.com
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Good Trip Adventures
- Best for
- Small-group national park trips across the US
- Founded or run by
- Describes itself as a queer- and women-led organization.
- What it sells
- Runs small-group and private guided trips in US national parks: multi-day group departures, small group day tours, private day tours and custom itineraries. It describes itself as a luxury destination management company and bespoke tour operator and sells direct and through travel agents.
- Group size
- Says its multi-day adventures are designed for 6 to 10 guests and its small group day tours are limited to 8 guests.
- Why choose them
- Says its multi-day adventures are designed for 6 to 10 guests and that it operates in over 30 national parks. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 150 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Not the fit if
- you are under 18 and want a public multi-day departure: those have a minimum age of 18 and small group day tours are 8+.
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Gutsy Girls
- Best for
- Women wanting active small-group holidays solo
- Founded or run by
- Says it is proudly women-owned and operated; Nat started it after moving back to London from Portugal.
- What it sells
- Women-only organiser of small-group active holidays, a UK company registered in England that acts as agent, with the contract held by the local supplier. It also runs one-day UK adventures and private group tours.
- Group size
- Says its day hikes have a maximum group size of 12 participants and a minimum of 5. It gives no group size for its multi-day trips.
- Why choose them
- Says over 95% of its guests join its adventure holidays on their own. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 235 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 589 reviews, newest 20 October 2026. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a beginner trip in a sport you want to learn from scratch, or a private group tour if you have a larger group of friends.
- Not the fit if
- you cannot manage consecutive days of all-day activity: guests must be over 18 and have a good level of fitness.
- Enquiry
- gutsygirls.co.uk
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Solo Female Travelers
- Best for
- Women travelling solo on small-group tours
- Founded or run by
- Was founded by Mar Pages and Meg Jerrard and describes its tours as by women, for women.
- What it sells
- Women-only small-group tour company created in 2015 as a Facebook group, with tours since 2021, running sailing, trekking, safari, cultural and food trips led by local female guides.
- Group size
- Says its trips are for between 6 and 14 guests only.
- Why choose them
- Says its trips are for between 6 and 14 guests only. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 257 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for your destination from its list of current women-only trips and for the pairing with another woman that avoids the single supplement.
- Not the fit if
- you want a mixed-gender group: it runs women-only tours.
Is this your company? See how a listing works
The Next Chapter Travel
- Best for
- Women wanting five-star small-group trips
- Founded or run by
- Is run by its founder, Martha Stockhausen, who leads its all-women trips.
- What it sells
- Women-only luxury small-group tour operator whose founder, Martha Stockhausen, leads 8 to 11 day departures with local guides; it sells direct to travellers.
- Group size
- Says the majority of its small-group tours accommodate up to 13 guests, with some tours at a maximum of 8 or 10.
- Why choose them
- Says the majority of its small-group tours accommodate up to 13 guests.
- Ask for
- Ask for single occupancy if you want a room of your own: for Morocco in April 2027 it is US$13,800 against US$9,100 for double occupancy.
- Not the fit if
- you want to avoid a single supplement: it charges more for single occupancy, which for Morocco in April 2027 is US$13,800 against US$9,100 per person in a double.
- Published price
- Magic & Medinas in Morocco, 10 days, 15 to 24 April 2027, US$9,100 per person in a double room, flights not included. Read 11 November 2026.
Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: faqs, morocco-2027.
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The Women's Travel Group
- Best for
- Women travelling solo in small groups
- Founded or run by
- Was founded by Phyllis Stoller, who left an executive banking position to create a safe, fun way for solo women to travel.
- What it sells
- Is a women-only tour operator, founded in 1992, that runs its own small group departures for women and arranges private trips for groups of 6 or more.
- Group size
- Says its tour groups average 10-15 women; no maximum is given.
- Why choose them
- Says it has offered tours for women since 1992, with groups averaging 10-15 women.
- Ask for
- Ask for a room share on the trip you choose, since it arranges shares on some trips to avoid single charges.
- Not the fit if
- you need your own room: it says a limited number of single rooms are available.
- Enquiry
- thewomenstravelgroup.com
Read on its own website, 11 November 2026: about-us-and-our-trips-for-women, faq.
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Untethered Expeditions
- Best for
- Women new to hiking and paddling
- Founded or run by
- Describes itself as a women-owned, concierge-style adventure travel company founded by Stephanie Rosario.
- What it sells
- Women-owned, women-only adventure travel company running small-group hiking, backpacking and sea kayak trips in Washington state and Florida, plus private custom trips open to all genders.
- Why choose them
- Says it provides only female guides and women-specific gear. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the inn-based multi-sport trip (hiking and whitewater rafting, no experience required) or the Olympic National Park trip built for beginners.
- Not the fit if
- you want a mixed-gender group trip: its trips are for women only; only private trips are open to all genders.
Is this your company? See how a listing works
Women Travel Abroad
- Best for
- Solo women wanting their own room
- Founded or run by
- Says it is a woman and minority-owned business.
- What it sells
- Is a women-only small-group operator founded in 2014, with single-occupancy rooms by default, that is also an IATA-certified agency.
- Group size
- Caps all its trips at a maximum of 10 travellers and describes groups of 6 to 10 women.
- Why choose them
- Says it caps all its trips at a maximum of 10 travellers. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 24 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a place on one of its 2027 small group, women-only departures and for the weekly Saturday community call at 12pm ET.
- Not the fit if
- you want a lower price per person by default: all published prices are for single occupancy.
- Published price
- Egypt New Year Celebration, 8 days (7 nights), US$6,495 per person single occupancy, Dec 29, 2026 to Jan 5, 2027. Read 11 November 2026.
- Enquiry
- womentravelabroad.com
Is this your company? See how a listing works
Women Who Explore
- Best for
- Women-only adventure trips with a host
- Founded or run by
- Calls itself a small women owned business, run by co-owners Lindsey Egan and Melissa Wright.
- What it sells
- Women-owned company (Women that Adventure LLC, an Oregon LLC) running small-group adventure trips with a trip host, mostly women-only (about 10% of Getaways are coed), alongside free local chapters and events.
- Group size
- Says groups average 8 to 12 attendees, with maximums such as 9 women in the Maldives and 7 in Mallorca; the coed Egypt trip allows up to 20 people.
- Why choose them
- Says its group sizes average 8 to 12 attendees. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 112 reviews. Read 11 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a roommate on request, the pre-trip Q&A Zoom call and the private WhatsApp or Facebook group for your trip.
- Not the fit if
- you are under 21: you must be at least 21 to use its trip services.
- Published price
- Northern Vietnam adventure, 8 days, 15 to 22 August 2027, $3,495 USD per person double occupancy ($4,495 single). Read 11 November 2026.
- Website
- womenwhoexplore.com
Is this your company? See how a listing works
Which of these show a dated price on this page?
5 of the 14 cards show a published trip price with its year, in the currency the company writes it. Ask every company for a written quote for your departure, with the single supplement if you travel alone.
Who to contact first
Start with the 7 companies on this page that publish their prices and cancellation charges, then add any other card that fits your dates and budget.
- A Solo Woman Traveling
- Adventures in Good Company
- AdventureWomen
- Bold Spirit Travel
- Gutsy Girls
- The Next Chapter Travel
- Women Who Explore
What to ask each one to set out in writing:
- The total price per person in writing and what it includes: hotels, meals, transport, activities, entrance fees and any internal flights.
- The single supplement on your departure, or whether the company will pair you with a roommate and what happens if no roommate is found.
- The largest group on your departure, how many are booked so far and whether the departure is guaranteed to run.
- The deposit, when the balance is due, the cancellation charges by date and how your payment is protected (ATOL, ABTA, USTOA or a trust account).
Women-owned small-group tour operators: the questions people ask
What should I ask a tour company before booking?
The total price per person and what it includes; the single supplement or whether it will pair you with a roommate; the largest group on your departure and whether it is guaranteed to run; the deposit, the cancellation charges and how your payment is protected.
Can I book with these companies directly?
Yes. Each card links the company's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote for your departure that lists what the price includes and the cancellation charges.
Do these companies all sell the same kind of trip?
No. Some run small-group departures open to everyone; some run trips only for solo travellers, women or an age band; others run surf, yoga or sailing weeks. Each card says what the company sells, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.
What is a single supplement?
The extra a solo traveller pays for a room alone. Some companies charge none on some departures; others pair solo travellers with a roommate instead; ask each company for its figure on your departure.
Which of these have the most Google reviews?
Explorer Chick, Solo Female Travelers and Gutsy Girls, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a company, not whether it fits your trip; each card gives the rating and count, read 11 November 2026.
Which of these publish their single supplement?
5 of the 14: Adventures in Good Company, AdventureWomen, Good Trip Adventures, The Next Chapter Travel and The Women's Travel Group. Ask each for the figure on your departure.
Which of these publish their cancellation charges?
10 of the 14: A Solo Woman Traveling, Adventures in Good Company, AdventureWomen, Bold Spirit Travel, Chica Brava, Good Trip Adventures, Gutsy Girls, The Next Chapter Travel, The Women's Travel Group and Women Who Explore. Ask each for the full terms in writing before you pay a deposit.
Which of these say how your payment is protected?
1 of the 14: Gutsy Girls. Check each scheme or licence with its issuer before you book.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Each card links the pages of the company's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.
How were these companies chosen?
Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel solo and small-group tour operators table, built from the companies ChatGPT names most often when asked about solo and small-group travel. On its own website it was founded by, or is owned or run by, women. A company is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each company published on its own website, read on 11 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the company's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel solo and small-group tour operators table. Cards are in alphabetical order. Photos show the places named in their captions, not any company's trips. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.