How Small-Group Travel Empowers Women to Explore the World

Not all travel experiences are created equal. The best kind—when you immerse yourself in new cultures and landscapes and make real connections with local communities and fellow travelers—offer immeasurable benefits. You return home with the growth and understanding only available when you leave home. That’s the kind of experience G Adventures is dedicated to creating.

For almost 35 years, G Adventures has been transforming lives through community tourism and small-group travel and today offers more than 800 trips across 100-plus countries and all seven continents. G Adventures has trips to fit every traveler: Classic, Active, Geluxe (premium active adventures), and—new for 2025—Solo-ish, designed for solo travelers who still want connection. These trips provide flexibility, fun, and the reassurance of guaranteed female CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) to guide the way.

Tabitha Lipkin, an avid traveler and journalist, took her first group trip with G Adventures to Peru in 2022. As an experienced solo traveler, Lipkin found herself drawn to G Adventures because of the way it opened up new opportunities for authentic community immersion and building lasting relationships through travel and adventure. Since then, Lipkin has been on six trips with G Adventures, gaining a wealth of experience that she now shares to inspire other women travelers.

Outside: What impact has travel had on your life?

Tabitha Lipkin: When I was 11, I had the incredible opportunity to leave my small town of Texarkana, Texas, and travel to Barcelona, Spain. The experience completely blew my mind. I tried new foods, marveled at breathtaking landscapes, and even made a few friends who didn’t speak the same language as me. That trip sparked my passion for journalism, fueling my desire to share stories about incredible people and the wonders of our planet.

As a solo female traveler, joining small-group tours gives me the chance to connect with locals and fellow travelers while experiencing new places. This kind of intimate travel has opened my eyes to how much more alike we all are than we are different.

Travel has been transformative for me—it’s not just about the places I’ve visited, but the people I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

How does traveling with a supportive community enable women to explore the world with confidence? 

Women know what it’s like and what it means to have a bit of hesitation when exploring new places alone. There’s vulnerability that comes with traveling solo, which is why we often seek out supportive communities.

As a solo female traveler, joining a group tour with G Adventures is a total game-changer. It gives you access to hidden gems recommended by locals while also offering the chance to make new friends along the way. The intimate experience of having a local CEO (Chief Experience Officer)—an expert guide who knows the area inside and out—adds another layer of confidence and empowerment. This kind of guidance allows women to explore the world unhindered, making travel feel both enriching and safe.

I traveled on the eight-day Ecuador Quest during a time of political unrest in the country. Despite the uncertainty, I never felt uneasy or worried because our incredible CEO kept us well-informed throughout the entire trip. She made sure we didn’t just skim the surface of the tourist hot spots but also embraced the realities of life in Ecuador. We had the opportunity to explore both the popular attractions and the country’s hidden gems, like what it truly means to live and work in a village in the Amazon rainforest.

How does traveling with G Adventures empower women in the communities you visit? 

I had never experienced community-based tourism until I traveled with G Adventures. Nearly half of its 800-plus trips around the world incorporate G for Good projects, made possible through the company’s partnership with Planeterra, a nonprofit that connects social enterprises with the tourism industry. This collaboration supports and scales meaningful community projects, many of which directly benefit and empower women. As travelers, we get the unique opportunity to experience these initiatives firsthand, gaining a deeper understanding of the communities we visit and the positive impact we can have.

A great example is the Women’s Weaving Coop, which is visited by dozens of G Adventures’ Peru trips. You get the chance to learn about traditional weaving techniques while directly supporting the local community. G Adventures’ Ripple Score, available on trip pages on the website, shows travelers the percentage of money that stays within the host communities.

Another project that stands out to me is Sheroes Hangout in India, the world’s first and only café run by survivors of acid attacks. These women, once shunned by their communities, now have a platform to rebuild their lives through community tourism. By supporting the café and purchasing handmade goods, travelers directly contribute to the women’s professional development and educational opportunities.

What has been one of your most memorable small-group travel experiences?

The Mount Everest Base Camp Trek was by far my most unforgettable trip. It was unbelievably beautiful in ways words can’t capture. I spent 11 days off-grid, hiking over 100 miles with a group that became lifelong friends.

Bonus: The Everest Base Camp Trek has a Ripple Score of 100 percent, meaning every dollar you spend stays in the local community. Check out my video below to see the journey.

Do you have any advice for women who are interested in travel but nervous to start?

Start small! There are so many amazing trips you can take just an hour or two outside your community, whether for a day or a weekend. From there, you can gradually build up to trips that require a flight.

When you’re ready to board a plane, two of my favorite G Adventures trips to start with are Galápagos Island Hopping (where you get to stay on Isla Floreana) and the Costa Rica Quest.

For women looking to start solo travel, G Adventures’ new Solo-ish trip collection is a great option. It’s designed for solo travelers who still want connection, offering flexibility, fun, and guaranteed female CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) to lead the way.

Founded in 1990, G Adventures is the pioneer of community tourism, offering more than 800 trips on all seven continents. G Adventures’ trips support communities, giving travelers meaningful exchanges with local people, cultures, and wildlife, while offering travelers the freedom and flexibility to explore on their own. For more information, visit gadventures.com.