Travel the Greek Islands with Adventures in Good Company.
Solo adventure travel is booming, especially among female travelers. This is the core business of Adventures in Good Company (AGC), a women-only adventure travel company that has been around for 25 years but has remained quietly under the radar for much of that time.
It offers trips like On the Camino Santiago, the highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc and the mountains and monasteries of Bulgaria. Closer to home, they have offerings like Hiking Lodge to Lodge in Shenandoah National Park and Slackpacking Georgia, which hikes the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail with backpacks, ditching the carry of a heavy bag and camping for the comfort of a comfortable bed, hot showers. and freshly prepared meals.
Slackpacking Georgia with adventures in good company
Small groups, clever guides, intriguing itineraries and a philosophy aimed at female travelers are the keys to its success. Founded by Marian Marbury, it was acquired by Kelly Kimple in 2020, who did not come from the travel industry but worked for decades in the nonprofit and education sectors. with a background in conservation biology.
“I recognized the opportunity this presented to further promote the mission and belief that travel can be both personally enriching and beneficial to the places we visit,” Kimple said. “There are a multitude of benefits to traveling with a women-only group, but the biggest benefit, in my opinion, is the social connection and support. A small, supportive group of other women creates a safe environment to open up and share your dreams, fears, and perspectives. It also allows women to bond over shared experiences, overcome challenges, and create opportunities to build relationships with each other.
Hiking in Slovenia and the Julian Alps with Adventures in Good Company.
All of this is underlined by the AGC's core message of creating “purpose-driven travel,” which Kimple defines as “one that includes thoughtful preparation, the intention behind the locations, and the activities of the destination.” an itinerary and taking into account what has been experienced. along the way. At AGC, we carefully consider experience design to ensure our trips incorporate elements of connection, reflection and challenge by choice.
In other words, it's about more than just traveling for the sake of traveling.
“I think the growth of women-centric travel reflects a broader societal shift toward personal growth and empowerment, and women's recognition of the importance of taking care of themselves and discovering themselves” , says Kimple. “Our travelers tend to be at a point in their lives where they are ready to take some time for themselves but don't want to vacation solo. They are looking for a group of like-minded adventurers and want the safety and security that comes with an organized, guided experience.
AGC offers a range of travel styles including hiking, boating and horseback riding. Kimple says their hikes are the most popular, especially the Level 3 trips, which offer a moderate level of challenge without being too strenuous. They also tend to do better in groups, especially in unfamiliar places or cultures. Popular trips include one on Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail, which “consistently sells out quickly and generates waiting lists for the current year.” It's a less explored area and incredibly scenic any time of year with beautiful lodging options along the shores of Lake Superior.
Lunch on the pearls of the Croatian coast with adventures in good company
She also cites their hikes along sections of the iconic Appalachian Trail, including those in Vermont, Connecticut and Virginia. AGC has an impressive 79% repeat customer rate, which Kimple attributes to the company's deliberately slow growth over the past quarter century, maintaining many of the same itineraries and guides, and maintaining quality .
“We’re small enough that we can get to know our guests, and they can get to know us,” Kimple says. “This consistency has allowed us to continually improve our offerings and build our community’s confidence in what they will get on an AGC adventure.”
Looking to 2025 and beyond, Kimple says AGC is working with partners in Costa Rica, Peru, Portugal and Italy to offer new perspectives on these familiar places.
“These new itineraries will focus on slow travel and wellness-style experiences, which will allow travelers to immerse themselves more deeply in local culture and prioritize wellness. AGC is also bringing back some destinations we haven't explored in a while, including Cuba, parts of Canada, and areas of the United States like the Pacific Northwest. We'll see where the adventure takes us.
Details about Adventures in good company.
