Women Overlanding the World offers a unique take on the guided overland adventure.
In the Overlanding community, we tend to hear about solo and couple travelers taking on expeditions spanning months or even years abroad. Even the most spontaneous of these incredible trips take a great deal of planning. Between procuring and outfitting a comfortable vehicle, navigating border crossings and learning to live and camp in a small space, not to mention even being able to take time off, it can be a daunting and even seemingly impossible task. However, the growing number of online resources, workshops, gear, and active guiding companies are making it easier every year to travel more. The founders of Women Overlanding the World have started a unique venture that seeks to cater to busy travel enthusiasts and beginner travelers alike. Women Overlanding the World, Overland Retreats have created a 10-day all-inclusive trip experience blending adventure, luxury, and camaraderie. No experience, vehicle or logistical planning is necessary, as this vehicle-based excursion through Costa Rica is led by experienced guides.
As a women’s retreat, and not just an expedition, WOtW Retreats includes indulgent experiences. These ladies really know what they’re talking about when it comes to enjoying life on the road. There will be cocktails on the beach, delicious local food, and local culture, not to mention exciting opportunities to drive on dirt roads, hike, and see hidden waterfalls and wildlife. You will alternate between camping in comfortable roof-top tents and nights in lovely hotels, one of which affords the opportunity to partake in some spa treatments. You will get to meet other like-minded women. WOtW Retreats first trip is happening now and it will prove that they are the exciting new way to experience travel abroad. A way that is so much more accessible and convenient, without sacrificing quality and authenticity.
This is an adventure created for women, by women. The founders of Women Overlanding the World Retreats are experienced travelers who have spent extended periods on the road in Central and South America. When I met Taylor Pawley, Sunny Eaton, Karin Balsley, and Ashley Giordano, the stories and photographs of where they had gone precedes them and really speak for themselves. These women are leaders in the vehicle based global travel community, having created the Women Overlanding the World community that includes a Facebook group and a book highlighting many of these amazing ladies with diverse adventure experiences. They have also moderated many expert panels at Overlanding events around the US and Canada on the subject.
Women Overlanding the World came to be when Taylor, Karin, and Sunny noticed that, unfortunately, discussing many women-specific issues was extremely unwelcome in the general, co-ed overland travel groups. However, there wasn’t a good dedicated space for women to go and feel comfortable talking about all aspects of overlanding travel. They set out to fix that by creating the Women Overlanding the World Facebook group: a place where no topic was taboo, and all women could help and encourage each other to make their traveling experience better. The Facebook group proved a huge hit and the inspiring stories of capable and successful women traveling the world, along with their accumulated wisdom, flooded in. The group now boasts nearly two thousand members today. Women Overlanding the World’s motto, “I Can. I Will.,” is a counter to the message that women can’t or shouldn’t. It is a celebration of the triumphs of many women who have gone on incredible adventures and proven just what they are capable of. The retreats are another way of growing the community and bringing it together by making overlanding and international travel more accessible than it has ever been.
The ladies who created this Overlanding Retreat have made it even simpler and more stress-free than most vacation packages: they even send you a duffel bag for you to fill (no guessing how much to bring!) A suggested packing list is also provided, to ensure you are equipped with the essentials. All you have to do is book your flight to get there and hop on the plane. Absolutely everything else is taken care of for you. Never camped or traveled abroad before? No problem. You will be guided every step of the way, from the moment you book to the last wave goodbye when you leave at the end of the trip. There won’t be a dull moment as you drive through Costa Rica’s beautiful jungles, seeing an abundance of incredible wildlife, and stopping for some downtime at gorgeous beaches. The vehicles provided are fully equipped expedition vehicles including but not limited to the Toyota Hilux, Land Rover Defender, Toyota Prado, and Toyota FJ Cruiser, all totally at ease on and off the beaten track. Each vehicle is outfitted with a spacious roof-top tent with a thick foam mattress.
You can fully expect that you’ll spend at least a bit of time in the driver’s seat to get the full experience and learn some new skills. However, you do not need to be an experienced driver! These retreats are an incredible way to get your feet wet in the world of vehicle-based adventure. With a diverse group of women with an age spread of 29-68 and a broad range of experience on the first trip in happening now, the founders have proven that their retreat is genuinely meant for anyone.
To create even more opportunity for deserving women, Southern Xpeditions has recently teamed up with Women Overlanding the World. They are donating ticket proceeds from the 2019 Overland Challenge to send 2 female veterans on the November 2019 trip. Women Overlanding the World is accepting both applications for future trip award nominees, as well as donations to help sponsor female veterans on future trips. The public has the additional opportunity to assist in this community outreach effort by participating in the final vote to determine the winners.
If you are curious about what overlanding is really all about, want an authentic international overlanding experience that takes full advantage of your short and hard-earned time and dollars without the guesswork, and want to meet like-minded women who love travel and adventure, I highly recommend Women Overlanding the World Retreats and letting your guides Sunny, Karin, Taylor, and Ashley take you on an amazing, refreshing and empowering adventure.
The first trip sold out; however, there are still a few spots left on the second trip inNovember. You can read more about the Women Overlanding the World community, order the book, or sign up to receive updates on future trip dates at WomenOverlandingtheWorld.com
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