New women-only adventures around the world

With the adventure tour company Exodus Travels launching a range of women-only tours this week, the trend is set to go mainstream in 2018. Here are some of the best travel companies offering girls-only getaways.

Cycling in Cambodia. Exodus Travels

Asia, Europe, Latin America and South Africa with Exodus

100 years after women won the right to vote in Great Britain, the UK-based company Exodus has launched a range of all-female trips to some of its most popular destinations. The 12 new female-only departures are led by female guides and it is hoped they will tempt some women who have never experienced an adventure holiday to feel more relaxed in a group of women.

“There’s a huge cultural movement in female adventures at the moment, and this is an area that is rapidly growing in our industry. This is such a positive trend, and we’re proud to be a company that is encouraging more women to go on their bucket-list adventures,” said Sam Seward, managing director at Exodus Travels. “The days of the travel industry collectively thinking that women were solely interested in spa weekends and comfortable city breaks are thankfully long gone and we want to play our part in further encouraging women to explore the world.”

Destinations include Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, the French Riviera, cycling in Nicaragua and through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, adventures in Costa Rica and Panama and an overland trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town. The cheapest trip is a week-long walking holiday to the island of Evia in Greece, which costs from £1,079 (Dh5,500) per person. For more information visit www.exodus.co.uk/female-departures.

World Expeditions' new trip to Everest Base Camp

World Expeditions, which already runs women-only trekking trips to Peru, Nepal and Australia, has launched a new Nepal trip departing next month.

Sharon Wood, the first woman in the world to climb Everest by a new route without Sherpa assistance, will be leading a new women-only trip to Everest Base Camp. Sharon Wood reached the summit on Mount Everest on 20 May 1986 and is now a professional climbing guide, public speaker and founder of a private school.

Departing on 22 April, the 17-day trip goes through the village of Namche and monastery of Thyangboche before ascending to Kala Pattar (5,545m). A foray to Everest Base Camp is also included, while all nights on the trek will be spent in World Expeditions' exclusive private eco-campsites and handpicked eco-lodges. The 17-day trip costs from £2,450 (Dh12,600) per person, excluding international flights. For more information visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk.

Intrepid Travel launches women's expeditions in Morocco and Jordan

Limited-edition tours have been launched to Morocco and Jordan, offering women travellers insights into the traditions and routines of local women in both destinations. The itineraries are guided by female tour leaders and aim to offer guests "a deeper understanding of female culture" in each of the two nations. In Morocco, travellers will visit Marrakech, visit Berber families in their homes and artisan's co-ops, as well as experiencing a traditional hammam. Prices start at $1,090 (Dh4,000) per person including taxes, for eight days.

On an eight-day trip to Jordan, travellers will spend a night in Wadi Rum learning the ancient arts of henna and kohl with Bedouin women, an afternoon at a ladies-only beach at the Dead Sea, have an Arabic cooking class and spend time with a female shepherd. Prices start at $2,125 (Dh7,800) per person including taxes. For more information visit www.intrepidtravel.com/womens-expeditions.

Adventure Women and REI

For those who prefer to use American travel companies, several already offer or specialise in women-only trips. Adventure Women offers guided trips to countries including Japan, Mongolia, Ecuador, Madagascar and Iceland.

A week-long trip to Iceland in June costs from $5,990 (Dh22,000) per person excluding flights. Meanwhile, REI has named 2018 the "Year of the Woman" and showcases over 1,000 events for women in the United States and REI Women's Adventures all over the world.

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