As interest in women-focused adventure travel continues to grow, female-founded Traverse Journeys is expanding its 2027 small-group offerings with experiences that bring together female-focused outdoor exploration, cultural connection and opportunities to engage with local communities.
Founded by Ashley Blake, Traverse Journeys designs small-group trips, retreats and custom itineraries in more than 40 countries, with an emphasis on working with locally owned businesses, independent guides, women-led enterprises and community partners. Its approach balances active exploration with opportunities to slow down, connect with a destination and experience the people and culture that make each place distinctive.
“Women are looking for more than simply checking destinations off a list. They're looking for experiences that challenge them, introduce them to new perspectives and create opportunities for genuine connection,” says Blake. “We/re seeing that across our adventure trips and retreats, whether that's trekking in Patagonia, exploring the landscapes of Jordan or immersing in the cultural traditions of Mexico. While not every trip is designed exclusively for women, the women we work in each destination with play an integral role in shaping these experiences and it’s a noticeable distinction for clients on-the-ground.”
Adventure with a Deeper Sense of Place
Traverse's 2027 collection extends beyond traditional trekking and outdoor pursuits to integrate active retreat elements with personal development work and experiences rooted in local communities.
Among the upcoming departures:
- Monarch Butterfly Retreat | Michoacán, Mexico | February 20–24, 2027 & February 19-23, 2028: An opportunity to witness the extraordinary winter migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico's oyamel forests, with guided sanctuary excursions alongside local conservationists. The experience also includes daily yoga, locally sourced meals and time in Macheros, where community livelihoods and local businesses are closely connected to the health of the butterfly reserves.
- Egypt Reimagined | Egypt | March 14–22, 2027: A journey that looks beyond Egypt's ancient monuments to explore its living culture. Travelers meet local artisans and women entrepreneurs, cycle through the Dahshour countryside to explore lesser-visited pyramids, share tea in a Nubian village, discover Cairo's creative scene and visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The itinerary also includes a three-night journey aboard a women-owned dahabiya sailing vessel along the Nile.
- Patagonia W-Trek Women's Retreat | Chile | April 18–24, 2027: Led by longtime Traverse retreat leader Kim Jeffs, a licensed therapist and somatic coach, this experience takes travelers across approximately 45 miles of the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. Alongside certified local trekking guides, participants explore the region's dramatic granite peaks, turquoise lakes and Grey Glacier, with guided reflection and leadership practices woven into the journey. The experience also includes time at a working Patagonian estancia and a stay at a boutique fjord lodge.
Traverse is also highlighting its Taste & Trails of Jordan journeys in May and October 2027, following a successful 2026 departure. The company has seen renewed interest in the destination, with past travelers highlighting the hospitality and warm welcome they
experienced throughout the journey.
Beyond Group Travel: The Growing Interest in Custom Experiences
Alongside its scheduled small-group departures, Traverse is seeing increased demand for private and customized itineraries. Nearly all of the company's journeys can be adapted for private groups of two or more, allowing travelers to choose their own dates, pace and
experiences.
Recent custom travel requests have included Morocco, Jordan and Montenegro, as well as private retreats, business leadership retreats and destinations outside the company's traditional group offerings, including Alaska.
“I think people are looking for new ways of how they want to experience a place,” says Blake. “For example, we’re working on a private Morocco departure right now that is rooted in textiles and interior design, which inherently makes it a female-focused tour with due to the cultural landscape, which is incredibly exciting to be able to showcase!”
Through its purposeful travel approach, Traverse also directs 1% of trip sales to a community or nonprofit partner connected to each journey, supporting organizations and initiatives in the destinations where it operates.
For more information about Traverse Journeys' 2027 departures, private group travel and custom itineraries, visit www.traversejourneys.com.