Comment: Why we brought back Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions
Erica Kritikides, general manager of global product at Intrepid, says women-only tours encourage female empowerment and offer immersive experiences
What is the concept behind Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions?
Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions are designed to showcase the traditions and routines of women in destinations, and to open up destinations and immersive local experiences that are otherwise off limits for our regular mixed gender group departures – such as visiting a beauty salon in Iran or travelling in a women-only train carriage in India.
These trips also feature some exception female-owned and operated businesses, challenge traditional gender boundaries in tourism and encourage female empowerment.
After initially launching on International Women’s Day in 2018 as a limited-edition range, with tours in Morocco, Jordan and Iran, Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions expanded in 2019 to encompass trips in Kenya, India and Nepal.
The range has been one of Intrepid’s most successful new products to launch in our 30+ year history, garnering significant media attention as well as outstanding feedback from customers.
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, we’re now excited to relaunch some of our most popular Women’s Expeditions in Morocco, Iran, India and Jordan, alongside a new itinerary in Peru.
Why have you brought them back now?
Women in the global travel sector have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. Pre-Covid, 54% of the tourism workforce globally was female.
Many of the inspirational women who lead and provide experiences on our Women’s Expeditions have faced some of the biggest challenges of their lives in the last two years – losing jobs, income, financial security, independence.
Relaunching Women’s Expeditions represents an important step towards getting back on track. They’re eager to welcome our travellers back again, and we’re excited for travellers to meet them.
What can travellers expect on them?
Incredible female guides in India, Jordan, Iran, Morocco and Peru will share the highlights of their home country as well as their own stories and the stories of women in their country.
We then take our female travellers even further on the journey of sharing and understanding the lives of local women through activities that showcase local traditions, women-owned businesses and great initiatives that progress local women’s needs.
Travellers will take an early morning tour of Jaipur in a pink e-rickshaw, driven by local women who are part-owners in the Pink City Rickshaw Company.
In Tehran, they’ll visit a beauty salon, where the headscarves come off and local women catch up over the noise of the hairdryers.
Three young women in Amman will share their grandmother’s secret recipes during a cooking class.
In Morocco they’ll stay with Amazigh (Berber) women who will share wedding traditions, music and centuries-old couscous techniques.
And hiking the Inca Trail, they’ll be supported and guided by brilliant Quechuan female porters.
What are some of the stand-out experiences?
Our Peru Women’s Expedition is brand new and very exciting. Travellers will be joined not only by a female tour leader for the whole trip, but also by some wonderful female Quechuan porters for the Inca Trail hike.
They’ll offer a female perspective on Machu Picchu and the lives of contemporary Peruvian women. When not hiking, meet a woman running a food stall in downtown Lima, the women weavers of the Umasbamba community in the Sacred Valley, and dine at Mama Seledonia in Cusco – it’s a restaurant that supports single Peruvian mothers, offering them jobs and culinary training.
On our Morocco Women’s Expedition travellers will meet and hike with Mama Bia, the most welcoming and knowledgeable Amazigh (Berber) guide, and the first female guide in the M’Goun Valley.
She knows the most scenic hiking routes and has friends and family throughout the valley so it’s never far between mint tea breaks.
Who should agents sell them to?
These trips are designed for women seeking an itinerary that covers destination highlights, in addition to providing some genuinely fascinating female-focussed cultural experiences.
Women’s Expeditions have been popular with women of all ages, and many speak of enjoying the company of their fellow travellers as much as the inspirational experiences they have along the way.
Like all Intrepid trips, Women’s Expeditions are perfect for solo travellers, groups of friends or mums and daughters. All that’s required is an open mind and sense of adventure.
Click here for more information on Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions.
Main picture: Intrepid tour to Sacred Valley, Peru.
