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- Croatia Hiking National Parks and Multisport Adventure TourCroatia, Croatia
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’s multi-sport adventure tour featuring hiking, e-biking, mountain-summiting, sea kayaking, snorkeling, and plenty of Adriatic Sea swimming. You’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.
EXPLORE ZAGREB, CROATIA’S CAPITAL CITY
You and your Explorer Chick entourage will geek over all the architecture porn – from medieval stone gates to Gothic cathedrals. We’ll visit all the “musts” 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!
E-BIKES, WINE, AND TRUFFLES IN THE ISTRIAN COUNTRYSIDE
What could be better than seeing tiny cutie towns? TASTING the wares of those tiny cutie towns! We’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’ll cycle to the top of Motovun for a stunning gargoyle view of the Adriatic cities. You won’t leave Istria without loading your bike down with bottles of wine and a tummy full of truffles.
HIKE PLITVICE LAKES AND PAKLENICA NATIONAL PARKS
You’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.
KORNATI NATIONAL PARK SPEED-BOAT AND SPLIT SEA-KAYAKS
The best views of this gorgeous region are often gleaned from the sea. Across two days, we’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.
Adventure Highlights:
- E-Bike through Croatia’s “Tuscany” tasting Wine, Olive Oil, and Truffles along the way
- Discover charming hilltop medieval towns on the Istria Peninsula
- Truffle Hunt with a local in the forests of Motovun
- Hike the lower and upper falls of the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Soak in sunsets over the Adriatic from beautiful viewpoints
- Climb a Via Ferrata to the summit of Bojin Kuk in Paklenica National Park
- Enjoy the background music of Zadar’s Sea Organ at sunset
- Explore Kornati National Park by speedboat with swimming, snorkeling, and a seafood lunch
- Sea Kayak to a secluded beach off Split with more swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping
- Get lost in the narrow streets of Split while enjoying a cone of gelato or a glass of wine
- Kick back in 3-4 Star boutique hotels throughout your adventure with fabulous views that pair well with a cocktail
- Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes everything in-between easy.
- Geek out with encouraging and supportive Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
See the website for full details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/womens-croatia-hiking-national-parks-and-multisport-adventure-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 - Inca Trail Trek To Machu Picchu AdventureMachu Picchu, Cusco
Hike the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru with a small group of bold women! Your trip is fully-supported with deluxe camping, porters, and chefs. Prior to your hike, spend 3 days acclimatizing and exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Then, hike for 4 days and 3 nights on the classic route to reach Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate with a bonus extra day at Machu Picchu.
CUSCO AND THE SACRED VALLEY
During the first part of your adventure, you’ll explore the ancient ruins, landmarks, and museums of Cusco and the Sacred Valley with Explorer Chick on private tours. Sites to see include Cusco Cathedral, the Inca Museum, and Sacsayhuaman. Our private guide will walk us through each site while revealing the stories of the Incan Culture. Along the way, we’ll have a few surprises and special moments that will leave you moved by the spirituality and kindness of the Quechua culture. You’ll visit the famous Maras Salt Pans and Moray Inca site learning about the experimental agricultural techniques. Be sure to bring some extra cash so you can stock up on the pink salt buying directly from the harvesters.
QUECHUA VILLAGE
Then it’s on to a living Quechua village high in the mountains. The children will melt your heart as they race our bus up to their homes. As you step off our private bus, you’ll be adorned in traditional clothing quickly feeling the warmth of the alpaca wool. It is an honor as the families welcome you to their homes, serve up a traditional lunch cooked in the ground, and demonstrate their weaving techniques. The women of the village will have their hand-made goods available for purchase including intricate tapestries, hats, scarves, and more. Yes, this means you are supporting local, women-owned businesses with a direct injection into the local economy. (Yeah, we feel pretty good about that! 💛).
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU HIKE
Then on Day 4 we will arrive to KM 82 to kick off our four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hike. Our very first night on the Inca Trail is spent at a private campground surrounded by Incan structures that will not be occupied by any other Inca Trail Trekkers.
Over the course of 4 days and 3 nights you will hike up and over three mountain passes with the highest being the ominous Dead Woman’s Pass standing at 13,828 ft. Throughout the 4-day trek, our private guide will also be walking us through and educating us on several of the ancient ruins that remain and can only be accessed by foot.MACHU PICCHU AND THE SUN GATE
On Day 7 your step will quicken as you sense the Sun Gate approaches. Yes, walking through the Sun Gate is an honor that few get to enjoy. You just walked to Machu Picchu! And, close to sunset! Yes, the coveted Golden Hour! And now you get to revel in your accomplishments making your way down to the Citadel proper.
Then upon exiting, we’ll be staying the night in Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes), where you can shower and sleep in a real bed at our hotel. (And if you’re feeling really frisky, grab a beer to celebrate!)
The next morning, your private tour continues as our local guide takes us through Machu Picchu pointing out areas of significance. Oh, and you bet we will be stopping at the BEST spots to snag those Glamour Shots! 📸 Afterward, we’ll make our way back to Cusco!RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (OPTIONAL EXTENSION)
Check another Peruvian natural wonder off your bucket list! Embark on this challenging trek to see the vibrant colors of Rainbow Mountain with our optional excursion.
**See the website for full details and to book.**
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/inca-trail-machu-picchu/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 - Moab Hiking, Rappelling, And Off Road WeekendMoab, Moab, UT
Your salt lamp is trying its best to inspire but sometimes, you need the real thing. Escape into the russet vistas and sublime arches of this 4-day women’s multisport adventure in stunning Moab, Utah.
This is your golden ticket to lace up those hiking boots and leave real life behind as we explore both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Marvel at the colossal swoops of sandstone that frame the breathtaking landscapes like a picture. Summon your inner mountain goat as you scramble up slick rock and skip across sand dunes. Escape the crowds to discover an otherworldly quiet no meditation app can inspire.Slip into a realm that seems plucked from another dimension, brimming with rock dunes, fins, and hidden slot canyons. Suit up, tie in, and prepare to rappel over 100 feet to the secret canyon floor below. Then do it all over again (AND AGAIN) on a beginner-friendly canyoneering adventure. You’ll scramble, downclimb, and maybe even wade through gorgeous, remote slot canyons. End the day with a stunning sunset hike to the most iconic spot in all of Utah.
Show off those sick carpool skills as you climb into the driver’s seat of an off-road vehicle. Let the sand slap your face and the wind tangle your hair as you become one with ancient desert lore. Unearth ancient relics and dinosaur bones while navigating tunnels, ravines, hills, and arches.
We’ll explore the unique town of Moab and check out the funky shops, food truck park, and restaurants all tucked in between two National Parks. Every day is a new adventure followed by the promise of the best night’s sleep of your life.
Your unforgettable Moab Multisport Weekend starts with a breezy rendezvous at an airport hotel in Salt Lake City followed by a 3 night stay in our private Explorer Chick House. Hop in the SHE-nanigan Shuttle and let your guides handle the rest.
See the website for full itinerary, details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/trip/womens-moab-national-parks-multisport-weekend/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 - Smoky Mountain Boots and Roots HikingGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
OVERVIEW
Are you into endless views? Old-growth forests? Mist bouncing off a 100-foot waterfall hitting your face? Then spend a long weekend with a small group of women hiking the best trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (including parts of the Appalachian Trail).
Channel your inner goat girl as you stroll through iconic scenery and listen to stories of the women who helped shape the Smokies. Take a brief break from the trail living out your pottery fantasies throwing clay on the wheel and sculpting your very own mug. Then kick back like a queen with nightly glamping near Gatlinburg, TN.
BOOTS = HIKING
Get your blues and greens in on three stunning hikes that don’t even look real. The views from Charlies Bunion and Ramsay Cascades are complete madness. Wind your way through pine trees and over classic creek crossings that make you momentarily consider a coonskin hat. (But not really, because animals ♥️)
ROOTS = HER-STORY
Did you know a woman was the first settler to move to the Smoky Mountains? You didn’t? That’s because Martha Jane Huskey Ogle’s husband called dibs on the fame. Learn about the deliciously woman-heavy history of a wilderness that man tried real hard to claim as his own. Your Explorer Chick guide will drop all the juicy gossip, connecting you to the goosebumpy sisterhood who walked before you.
Deep dive into Appalachian crafts straddling a wheel and molding a coffee mug with your very own hands. Local artists will guide you through the entire pottery process and only help when needed. After 10 weeks of drying, firing, and glazing, your mug will show up at your doorstep. Surprise! Relive the SHE-nanigans of your Smokies trip.YOU FEELING MAX COMFY WHILE GLAMPING
Put your feet up in total Insta-worthy digs at our adorable glamping site minutes from Gatlinburg. You will sleep in a tent that has been tastefully decorated and luxuriously appointed with WiFi and temperature control – with meals freshly prepared at camp by your Explorer Chick guides. You only have one task after hiking: RELAX.
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hike the Appalachian Trail to the sweeping panaromic views from Charlies Bunion
- Get up close and personal with the Smokies tallest waterfall, Ramsey Cascades
- Learn how to work clay on a wheel as you create your one of a kind glazed coffee mug
- Kick back at camp with breakfasts and dinners cooked by your Explorer Chick guides.
- Sleep easy at our Glamping site with canvas tents outfitted with all the creature comforts.
- Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes the logistics, transportation, navigation, meal planning, lodging, and everything between easy.
- Geek out with supportive and encouraging Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
See the website for full details and to book.
https://explorerchick.com/adventures/womens-smoky-mountain-boots-and-roots-hiking-trip/
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