5 Best women-only trips to book for your next escape

Imagine setting off on a women-only trip with your mom, sister, closest friends, or a group of women you've never met but feel instantly comfortable around—a chance to travel and make meaningful connections along the way. 

More Canadian women are embracing this style of travel, as a JourneyWoman survey found that 60 per cent of Canadian women over 50 prefer to travel solo, often in women-only groups for that added sense of safety, connection and community. 

And with International Women's Day (March 8) approaching, there's no better time to celebrate the joy of women travelling together. Guided by a female Travel Director and designed specifically for women, here are five unforgettable women-only tours you'll want to experience for yourself.   

Hand-paint tiles with a local artisan in Portugal

Bite into a warm Pastéis de Belém and visit the São Bento Railway Station, renowned for the hand-painted azulejo tilework depicting scenes of Portugal’s past on the Country Roads of Portugal. On this journey, you will spend 11 days exploring Portugal’s food traditions, local crafts and coastal towns. Lisbon, a city washed in soft pastels and coastal light, invites you to wander its streets, steeped in centuries of history, and explore UNESCO‑listed monasteries, watching those iconic blue‑and‑white patterns take shape right in front of you.

The Douro Valley is where terraced hills roll down to the river, offering sweeping, cinematic views. This region is rich with stories, expressed through its landscapes, wine traditions, and the villages that have stood the test of time.

You can spend your days in Portugal connecting with a small group of women travellers — learning to make Pastéis de Belém, hearing stories from a boat captain on Lake Alqueva and soaking in the country's gentle rhythm.

Sailing the Nile at sunset in Egypt

Drift along the Nile at sunset on the 12-day Splendours of Egypt women-only tour. Cairo mixes modern life with its ancient past, where you can see the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx and explore museums filled with pharaonic treasures. Nearby markets are overflowing with spices, textiles, and handmade goods, giving you a colourful glimpse into daily life. 

The pace slows aboard a Nile cruise, where mornings reveal fishermen along village‑lined shores and evenings glow as the sun sets over the water. In Luxor, explore the towering columns of Karnak before crossing to the West Bank to descend into the vividly frescoed tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, their colours remarkably preserved after millennia.

A meaningful women‑centred moment unfolds as you meet a local women's artisan group and learn how everyday materials are transformed into beautiful handmade pieces.

Farther south, visit the mystical Temple of Isis on Philae Island, before gliding by felucca around Elephantine Island for a tranquil view of the Nile.

You can also try your hand at papyrus crafting or join your onboard chef for a cooking class, learning to make Egyptian vegetable Moussaka—a warm, generous expression of the country's culinary heart.

Watch the sunrise over the Saharan Dunes in Morocco

Step onto cool sand as the sun edges over the Saharan dunes — a simple, quiet moment that sets the tone for this 11-day Treasures of Morocco women-only journey. 

Casablanca blends modern boulevards with French‑colonial history, while Fes draws you into its famed medina, alive with the scents of spices and leather. You'll also see the Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest, before travelling through olive‑dotted hills into the rugged Atlas Mountains. 

One of the journey's standout moments unfolds in Fes with Chef Najat Kaanache. Blending bold technique with Moroccan tradition, she guides you through a refined tasting menu while sharing her story, adding depth and meaning to every dish.

In Dades Valley, you’ll find a quiet pause from the cities, sharing wild‑herb tea with Berber nomads for an intimate glimpse into their way of life. There’s also time to wander lively souks, taste regional dishes and enjoy a captivating belly‑dancing performance that adds colour and energy to the journey.

Cooking in a Rajasthani Palace in India

Walk through Kathmandu’s sacred sites, artisan lanes and pottery workshops on your 11‑day Classical India with Nepal trip. Flying into Delhi, the journey shifts into India's vibrant pulse. A female chef leads you through the city's hidden kitchens and markets, sharing the flavours, stories, and rituals that shape daily life—exploring both Old and New Delhi's landmarks, cycle rickshaws, bustling bazaars, stately boulevards, and the uplifting community kitchen of a local Sikh temple.

In Jaipur, the Pink City comes alive through a women‑centred experience: the Pink City Rickshaw tour, an uplifting initiative run entirely by local women. Rolling through Jaipur's old lanes, you'll hear neighbourhood stories, discover artisan workshops, and see the city through the eyes of the women who call it home. 

Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru

Stand among the Sacred Valley’s terraced hills on this 10-day Peru with Machu Picchu adventure. Lima's vibrant mix of colonial charm and cutting-edge cuisine sets the scene as local experts share the often-untold stories of Peruvian women, from Andean textile traditions to museum-kept histories. 

In the Sacred Valley, bustling markets, terraced fields, and ancient sites like Ollantaytambo offer a vivid window into Andean culture and tradition. Guests can visit a traditional Quechua weaver to learn how textiles shape personal and regional identities, then head to Laguna Piuray for a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast.

A scenic train ride along the Urubamba River leads to cloud‑wrapped Machu Picchu, where the iconic terraces glow gold as guided walks reveal Inca engineering and spiritual insight. Travellers then visit Cusco, a city that offers a lively blend of Incan and colonial heritage, music-filled plazas, and colourful markets.

Plan with an expert

Plan your women-only adventure with a CAA Travel consultant and explore Member savings with Insight Vacations.