Women only vacations
Trending, a fad, sexist (groan) – women only vacations have been called plenty of things. And they’re all way off-mark. We’d go more down the lines of enlightening. Empowering. Loads of fun. Because a lot of these vacations are what we at Responsible Travel love: pioneering trips with purpose. They introduce you to women – from Moroccan tour guides and Mongolian eagle hunters to Iranian yoga teachers and Portuguese farmers – who’ll show you a little of their world, a world which is often only open to other women.
Stereotype-smashing, barrier-breaking, cliché-challenging – women only vacations bring together female travelers from worlds apart.![]()
On vacations to the Middle East you’ll meet people and see places that, due to cultural and religious norms, are completely inaccessible to men – women only beach resorts by the Dead Sea, for instance. The freewheeling female Bedouin desert dancers. Beauty parlours in Shiraz, where women can choose to shuck their headscarves. Then there are the wellness vacations in Europe, where discussing menstrual cycles isn’t a ridiculous taboo. These vacations are usually small group tours, so you’ll be traveling with fellow fans of slow, immersive travel. Read our women only vacations travel guide to find out more.
Women only vacations are...
more than just a trend.
Women only vacations aren’t...
anything to do with ‘safety in numbers’.
Our Women only Vacations
Women only tours to Iran
Discover the beauty of Iran and experience its culture.
From
US $2190 to US $2320
12 days
ex flights
Women only tour in Pakistan
Enjoy Trekking, Food & Good female camaraderie in Pakistan
From
£2495
14 days
ex flights
Women only tour in Morocco
Stray from the beaten path in Morocco on an all-female trip
From
US $1050
8 days
ex flights
Women only tour in Mongolia
Exciting female led female only Mongolian adventure
From
US $2975 to US $3640
14 days
ex flights
Womens empowerment volunteering in India
Interact, Engage and Help disadvantaged women in India.
From
US $679
7 days
ex flights
French Pyrenees women only cycling tour
Fully supported women only cycling tour
From
£1450
8 days
ex flights
Mauritius vacation, support and empower local women
Conscious women-led trip to Mauritius
From
€1895 to €2586
10 days
ex flights
Women only kayaking vacation in Sweden
All ladies kayaking journey full of know-how and inspiration
From
€870
5 days
ex flights
Yucatan bike tour in Mexico
Discover the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula by bike
From
US $1985
7 days
ex flights
Women only mountain biking in Slovenia
"Women only" escape to the mountains in Slovenia
From
€1490
8 days
ex flights
Hiking in Greece vacation, Zagori & Meteora
Ultimate hiking adventure in the Greek mountains & beyond!
From
€940
7 days
ex flights
Womens retreat in the French Alps
A Vision Quest Retreat in the French Alps for Women 16+.
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Women only retreat in Portugal
Wonderful Women's retreat on the s/west coast of Portugal.
From
€855
7 days
ex flights
Cycling and yoga training weeks in Spain
Yoga and cycling to increase fitness and wellbeing. All ages
From
€999
7 days
ex flights
Women only wildlife vacation in Norway
Woman only camping wildlife vacation in Norway
From
£720
7 days
ex flights
Womens activity vacation in the Lake District
A multi-activity, female only week with walks in the Lakes
From
£695
8 days
ex flights
Women only tour of Peru
Cultural, active travel through Peruvian highlands
From
US $2386 to US $2669
12 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Romania National Parks
Hike Bucegi Natural Park and Piatra Craiului National Park
From
€290 to €395
4 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka active vacation, rainforest and beach
Fairtrade. Hiking, Culture, Beachlife, Cooking and Surfing.
From
£1350
14 days
ex flights
Women only horse riding vacation in Argentina
Pachamama rituals and riding in the Quebrada de Humahuaca
From
€2940
11 days
ex flights
Carpathian mountains vacation in Romania
Discover the real life in the mountain villages of Romania.
From
€949
8 days
ex flights
Why go on a women only vacation?
We all know that travel is a vehicle for creating connections, empathy and tolerance. It’s the ultimate myth debunker – which is especially important now, when many Western visions of Middle East are practically a caricature. Spend five minutes in Iran, and any assumptions you have about the women who live here will go up in smoke.
Many of the activities – especially on Middle Eastern tours – are only accessible to women. Culturally, it’s just not possible for men to enter women’s spaces or talk to an unaccompanied woman. For instance, there’s no way a group with men in it would be allowed to sit down and break bread with Bedouin women, so it’s a real privilege to have the chance to meet women who might not otherwise get a voice.
We know these trips are about avoiding clichés... but it’s all pretty inspirational, to be honest. You’ll get the chance to chat with Iranian business owners and some of the first female guides in Morocco. Women who have packed in their nine to five and set up a wellness retreat designed to improve others’ lives. These are women who have worked hard to get where they are, inching back the boundaries imposed on them by cultural expectations.
Many of the activities – especially on Middle Eastern tours – are only accessible to women. Culturally, it’s just not possible for men to enter women’s spaces or talk to an unaccompanied woman. For instance, there’s no way a group with men in it would be allowed to sit down and break bread with Bedouin women, so it’s a real privilege to have the chance to meet women who might not otherwise get a voice.
We know these trips are about avoiding clichés... but it’s all pretty inspirational, to be honest. You’ll get the chance to chat with Iranian business owners and some of the first female guides in Morocco. Women who have packed in their nine to five and set up a wellness retreat designed to improve others’ lives. These are women who have worked hard to get where they are, inching back the boundaries imposed on them by cultural expectations.
It’s a challenge to other travel companies to get in on the act. When tour operators say ‘women only vacations’, many really mean it – most of the guides are female, too. This wouldn’t have been possible a decade ago, in destinations where women faced too many barriers to getting independent employment. The more demand there is for female guides, the more jobs will be created – it’s as simple as that. And, of course, a great female guide is your bridge between you and the sometimes closed communities you’ll come across.
On that theme, you’re investing in women. By supporting female-run businesses and tour guides, you’re empowering women who might otherwise struggle to find long-term employment in an environment where they’re expected to take on more traditional roles in the household.
These vacations are honest. You’ll get a firsthand look at the challenges often swept under the rug (or simply not recognised) by male tour guides. This isn’t sugar-coated tourist board speak. You’ll be with women who will share the country they love with frank enthusiasm – and often frank criticism.
Our top Women only Vacation
Women only tours to Iran
Discover the beauty of Iran and experience its culture.
From
US $2190 to US $2320
12 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 10 Apr, 24 Apr
2021: 10 Apr, 24 Apr
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Women only or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Why can’t men go?
In an ideal world, all travelers would have the privilege of being invited to cook with Jordanian sisters or singing with Berber women. But realistically, it’s just not socially responsible to impose men into spaces traditionally reserved for women. And the beauty of women only vacations is that they’re immersive; you don’t watch and learn from afar.
In the Middle East, there are many instances where women would have to modify their behaviour – or even leave the room – in the presence of a male visitor. Women only vacations offer the best chance of getting a complete understanding of the lives of little-heard women, while respecting often conservative, traditional values.
In the Middle East, there are many instances where women would have to modify their behaviour – or even leave the room – in the presence of a male visitor. Women only vacations offer the best chance of getting a complete understanding of the lives of little-heard women, while respecting often conservative, traditional values.
Some of these trips have been created after feedback from travelers, who felt that mixed gender groups were a barrier to talking to women. In countries where men can’t be alone with women, interaction is limited from the get-go. The women only parks and beaches in Iran and Jordan, for example, were created as a space for women to jog and sunbathe without having to cover up, as demanded by the country’s interpretation of Islamic law.
Other women only vacations focus on women’s health. It’s a safe space where women can freely share information and stories about their menstrual cycle or fertility without fear of judgement.
I’m transgender or transsexual. Can I travel?
The tour operators we work with offer trips that are as inclusive as possible. But women only vacations largely work within strict and often regressive local laws. That's why they exist. Some countries recognise transgender identities; some, like Morocco, don’t. These trips do their best with the social constraints imposed on them, falling on the side of respecting and providing insight into local customs rather than regaling against them.
That said, each vacation is different. The tour operators will know whether a trip is able to accommodate transgender or transsexual travelers, so do inquire. Read our LGBT vacation guide to find out more about LGBT travel.
That said, each vacation is different. The tour operators will know whether a trip is able to accommodate transgender or transsexual travelers, so do inquire. Read our LGBT vacation guide to find out more about LGBT travel.
More about Women only
The best women only vacations give you a pass into places off limits to mixed gender groups.
Remember that old traveling adage of don’t judge a country by its government? That’s what women only vacations to Iran are all about.
Petra, Wadi Rum, Bedouin camps – travelers often think they know Jordan before they see it.
Women only vacations to Morocco are about as ambitious as the people you’ll meet along the way.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Flying Kiwi Tours] [Thumbnail icon: Jorge Flores]
[Topbox (Mongolian archery): Scott Presly]
[Is/isn't (Jordan woman): David Stanley]
[Why go (Berber woman): David Rosen]
[Iranian women: Ninara]
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