What we’re about
Looking for a community of adventure loving, boundary pushing, encouraging women to explore the world with?
You found it!
Explorer Chick is a 2022 Travel and Leisure World’s Best Tour Operator changing the lives of thousands with our supportive community formed organically by the women who have traveled all over the world with us on our small-group adventure travel tours.
What we got here is a happy by-product of Real Women embarking on Real Adventures. Women bonded together by challenging themselves in the outdoors. Women who naturally encouraged one another and connected right away. Women who live to LIVE.
🦸♀️ The friendships are REAL.
🦸♀️ The vulnerability on the trails is REAL.
🦸♀️ The empowerment is REAL.
🦸♀️ The personal growth is REAL.
🦸♀️ The cuss words, inside jokes, and SHE-naningans are REAL.
And we’ve been doing it since 2014! That year, Explorer Chick founder, Nicki Bruckmann was a wife, cat mom and home owner who worked full-time in corporate finance. Instead of feeling fulfilled by ticking all the boxes, she found herself feeling stifled. She made the choice to break away from it all and step out of that life. To figure things out, she needed a vacation reset. But not just any vacation. She wanted something that would feed her adventurous soul and push boundaries. But the thing about divorce? You lose that built-in travel buddy. Believing that other women must also be in the same situation; craving adventure and travel and not wanting to do it all alone, she launched Explorer Chick! Check out the whole story here. Launching in 2015, Explorer Chick ran one trip with three bold ladies looking for adventure. From there, this amazing community of women continues to grow, and in 2022 more than 1100 women traveled with us on 133 trips over 5 continents!
Whether you arrive as a solo traveler or with several of your closest gal pals, you’ll be greeted by a group of like-minded women travelers of all ages who love to go hiking, camping, rafting, backpacking, canyoning, surfing, kayaking, climbing and more. Basically, we’re all in on anything that gets us outdoors and active!
We travel the US National Parks and bucket list destinations like Iceland, Jordan, Galapagos, Croatia, Uganda and so many more.
The best part? You are taken care of by Explorer Chick’s professional, certified guides. They handle all the details: from food to accommodations to gear and extra words of encouragement when you need them the most. Leaving you to simply “mindlessly wander”.
“Okay, so how do I join Explorer Chick?”
It’s easy!
We’re not a club. There are no dues. You can simply engage with us on any of our social media (linked below), send us an email, introduce yourself in our Facebook group, learn what we’re really about on our Google reviews, or go big and book your next adventure on our website.
Say Hello 👋
💻 Website: https://explorerchick.com/
📧 Email: hello@explorerchick.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorerchickadventureco/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorerChickAdventureCo/
👯♀️ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weareexplorerchick
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@explorerchick
What are women saying? Jump down the rabbit hole with our Google Reviews.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Iceland Glaciers and Hot Springs Winter AdventureIceland, Iceland
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, all-inclusive, women’s-only multi-sport adventure 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’s Golden Circle as we board our SHE-nanigan Shuttle for a road trip along the coast. We’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’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’s beamin’, we’ll frolic on the biggest glaciers decked out in crampons and ice axes. You’ll get sendy ice-climbing glacial walls (Yes, you CAN ice climb!). We’ll set off across black sand beaches on ATV searching for the famous plane wreck and zipping through mountain canyons.
Let’s not forget all of those waterfalls! Instagram-worthy moments include Gulfoss, Strokkur’s steamy water geyser, Skógafoss, 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’ll soak with locals at the Secret Lagoon and end our epic winter adventure in the new, swanky Sky Lagoon.
Sound exciting? You’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’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’ll be sure to stop at local favorites too for ice cream, shopping, and craft brews!
Are you ready for this?!
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHTS
- Sensory nirvana––blue glaciers, white waterfalls, black beaches, green landscapes, amber beer
- Hike through hills, canyons and craggy-gorgeous national parks.
- Hunt down Aurora Borealis by simply walking out of the hotel/guesthouse.
- Strap on crampons and a helmet and grab an ice axe to trek across a glacier surrounded by volcanic ash
- Ice Climb on a badass glacier
- Strip down to your skivvies to enjoy the steamy goodness of natural hot springs.
- Soak in the geothermal waters of three of Iceland’s best hot springs including Sky Lagoon
- Explore the famous Golden Circle trifecta of destinations – Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
- Soak in the iconic sights of Iceland’s southern coast including Skógarfoss Waterfall, Dyrhólaey, Glacier Lagoon, and Seljalandsfoss
- Stay in traditional Icelandic accommodation, including a sheep farm!
- Live it up aboard our private transportation as your local and Explorer - Chick guide make unplanned stops and surprises along the way. It’s your trip! We can do what we want!
- Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes the logistics, transportation, navigation, meal planning, lodging, and everything in-between easy.
- Geek out with supportive and encouraging Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
See the website for full itinerary, details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/iceland-glaciers-and-hotsprings-winter-tour/
Say Hello 👋
💻 Website: https://explorerchick.com/
📧 Email: hello@explorerchick.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorerchickadventureco/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorerChickAdventureCo/
👯♀️ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weareexplorerchick
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@explorerchick - Patagonia W Trek Hut to HutPatagonia, Patagonia, AZ
Chilean Patagonia is a hiker’s Fantasia and we’re bringing you the most famous route to play on. Set those out-of-offices and pack your most reliable ugly bras – our 7-day Women’s W Trek Adventure in Torres Del Paine National Park awaits!
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK’S W TREK
Blaze the most stunning trails in the MOTHER of all National Parks. Torres Del Paine is the terrain hiking boots dream about. You will hike 40 miles on the W Trek over the course of 5 glorious days in this crown jewel of public land. Here, you will watch the light play on the Towers Base, hike in the French Valley surrounded by hanging glaciers and wind-shaped trees, cross suspension bridges with unparalleled views of the forests and glaciers below, and take in panoramic views of the park from the Lago Toros Overlook. This isn’t a dream! It’s the wild and pristine natural wonderland of Chilean Patagonia.
7 DAYS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
You’ll never think of a puffer jacket again when you hear the name Patagonia. This place is otherworldly, home to black granite peaks, ice-blue lagoons, lush pampas grassland and thick beech forests. We will use our full bodies and whole hearts to drink Patagonia up – clambering over boulders, hiking to remote alpine lakes, spying on glaciers from suspension bridges, and constantly asking one another, “Did you just hear a puma?!”
GLACIAL LAKE KAYAKING
It can’t always be legs day. We’ll put our arms to the test while paddling amongst floating giants. Get gorgeous, uninterrupted views of wind-sculpted icebergs, Grey Glacier and the magnificent Paine Massif.
MAX VIEWS, MINIMAL BACK SWEAT
We’ll be staying in Refugios aka hiking hostels all along Torres del Paine’s trails. These Refugios give us the wildness of a tent with the comfort of a cabin. All the heavy essentials are provided, like bedding and meals (and Chilean wine). Have a remote backcountry experience but with a real beds at night and a much lighter backpack (we recommend 35-40L to carry personal belongings and essentials)
See the website for full itinerary, details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/patagonia-w-trek-hut-to-hut/
Say Hello 👋
💻 Website: https://explorerchick.com/
📧 Email: hello@explorerchick.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorerchickadventureco/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorerChickAdventureCo/
👯♀️ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weareexplorerchick
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@explorerchick - Zion and Bryce Hiking and GlampingZion National Park, Utah, UT
Unreal hoodoos? Check. Slot canyons? Majestic overlooks? Check. All this and more (like heated tents with electricity) await you during our Women’s Hiking and Glamping in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon weekend adventure!
BRYCE CANYON HIKING AND BEGINNER-FRIENDLY CANYONEERING
Escape to prehistoric Utah where you’ll hike stupid-pretty trails in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Wade through the Virgin River below 1,500′ canyon walls in the Narrows. Spend an entire day exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. Ghost the tourists as you wander deep into orange hoodoos. Explore areas of Zion so remote, they can only be reached by rappelling, scrambling, and down-climbing on a beginner-friendly canyoneering route.ZION NATIONAL PARK’S SCOUT LOOKOUT
Beastmaster up the West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout and enjoy some of the best views in Zion National Park. You’ll hike through Refrigerator Canyon, and shimmy up all 21 of Walters Wiggles to Scout Lookout with panoramic views of Zion Canyon and Virgin River. Afterward, dry your pits as you descend the trail to an easier hike around the scenic streams of Upper and Lower Emerald Pools.GLAMPING
Every night you’ll rest your head in Insta-worthy glamping tents bordering Zion National Park. Kick it by the campfire under a diamond sky with goddesses who aren’t afraid to get dirty.See the website for full itinerary, details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/hiking-glamping-zion-bryce-canyonSay Hello 👋
💻 Website: https://explorerchick.com/
📧 Email: hello@explorerchick.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorerchickadventureco/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorerChickAdventureCo/
👯♀️ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weareexplorerchick
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@explorerchick - Patagonia Hiking, Kayaking, and Glamping MultisportTorres del Paine National Park, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic
What could be better than eating your crumbly Nature’s Valley bar in THE ACTUAL ENDS OF THE EARTH?! This 9-day Women’s Patagonia Hiking, Kayaking and Glamping Multisport adventure will wake up every cell in your body and uncage the part of your soul that’s been quietly screaming in Zoom meetings.
TORRES DEL PAINE – HIKING AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Torres del Paine National Park spreads across nearly 500,000 acres and is a hiker’s paradise. You will hike 40 miles of trails surrounded by soaring granite peaks, glacial lakes, and pristine rivers over the course of your adventure, including two sections of the famed W Trek: The Towers Base and French Valley along with hikes not often frequented by tourists.
GLACIERS AND KAYAKING
You will kayak amongst bergy bits in Grey Lake and paddle your way down the Grey River to the confluence of the Serrano, surrounded by epic views of Cuernos del Paine along the way. And Glaciers! TNP has loads of them – from the magical hanging glaciers of French Valley, to the face of the Grey Glacier, the largest glacier in the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.
PATAGONIA HORSES + ESTANCIAS
Estancias (ranches) are an integral part of Patagonian Gaucho culture. You’ll ride on a Criollo horse, a Patagonian breed adapted to the terrain across wide-open pampas, sleep for 2 nights in a cozy traditional Estancia, enjoy a traditional Patagonian BBQ (asado), and hike along beautiful trails to overlooks and vistas not seen from the National Park.
YES, WE SAID PUMA
Patagonia is home to the largest puma population in the Americas. We’ll carefully and respectfully drive to these cats’ favorite hot spots and pause for all the photo ops. Other animal encounters on this adventure: the Colocolo cat, Geoffroy’s cat, condors, grey foxes, kestrel, tucúquere, flamingos, wetland fowl, wild horses, grazing cattle and even a sheep shearing demonstration with a working dog!
GLAMP LIKE A LEGEND
Sleep in a living postcard. Our spectacular Riverside Glampsite is deliciously removed from crowded tourist spots with unspoilt views of the Serrano River and iconic Paine Massif. Each Lotus Belle deluxe tent makes you feel like nomadic royalty – complete with an elevated wood platform, comfy bed with down covers, and a mountain-facing dining lodge. Enjoy buffet breakfasts, crazy-tasty packed lunches and nourishing dinners made by private chefs who know their way around a Pisco sour. Worried about next-day boobsweat? Showers and bath houses are a short walk away.
SILENCE YOUR INNER CRITIC
This is a challenging, rigorous adventure that your heart is clambering to experience, but your brain might be a little “WTF.” Remember that easy doesn’t change you. Your body can do incredible things. With your supportive group of Explorer Chicks and our professional guides, we’ll do all the hard things together. It won’t be effortless. There may be some tears. But our Patagonia experience will be with you for the rest of your life.
See the website for full itinerary, details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/patagonia-hiking-kayaking-and-glamping-multisport/
Say Hello 👋
💻 Website: https://explorerchick.com/
📧 Email: hello@explorerchick.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorerchickadventureco/
❤️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorerChickAdventureCo/
👯♀️ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weareexplorerchick
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@explorerchick