We’re introducing something new and snappy! Once a month, we’ll unpack the latest trip news, social highlights, our favourite Wild Women community photos and recent travel blog posts all in one tidy place. Here! This is your Monthly Wild Women Wander!
Wild Women are on the move this month in September.
Field Notes from our Wild Team and Wild Women
If you are a member of our Wild Women community on Facebook, you probably followed the beautiful August stream of images and stories from our energetic Adventure Expert and in-house photographer, Julie-Anne Davies. Below, she shares the gentle yet powerful impact she felt when visiting Salluit on the recent Heart of the Arctic small ship expedition. The village of Salluit had never welcomed more than ten visitors at any given time!
Now, here’s what’s totally different!
“I am almost at a loss for words to describe the sense of celebration, community and shared joy that was felt on this day between our 150 passengers and our local hosts. We were welcomed with such open arms and fed a feast of mattaaq (beluga) and clams. We danced together with clasped hands and laughter, listened to a throat singing performance, local folk songs and offerings of unique pieces of jewelry and art. We just spent time getting to know one another. Through an initiative called Project North, Adventure Canada presented local youth with nine crates of hockey gear as a thank you for allowing us to be part of their world for a brief time. The winters here are long, cold and dark and hockey brings an immense amount of positive benefits to these youth.”
Our community members Karen Louis and Bobette Carpenter have had some great insights recently!
Karen is ramping up the anticipation for her upcoming Japan Pilgrimage Trail journey this October with these two books by Pico Iyer – The Lady and the Monk and A Beginner’s Guide to Japan. Are you reading a destination-related memoir?
Bobette Carpenter is wondering which horse trip to book, Azores or Peru? “I am a new rider, taking lessons for just a few months now. I am looking at the 2025 dates.”
Thoughts from our in-house horse trip expert, Cline
Hi Bobette, either trip would suit you as a novice rider. You would need to consider what type of experience you want to have as these trips couldn’t be more different!
Peru involves a LOT more riding in comparison. The days are longer in the saddle, and the terrain and altitude can be challenging in the mountains. You’re moving from one location to another every day on this trip and will stay in rather rustic (but comfortable!) accommodations. This trip is an amazing cultural immersion, and you get to meet many local people and see the Incan ruins along the way.
The Azores trip is quite laid back. There are just three days of riding, with approximately three hours in the saddle (per day). The trails are generally wide and easy terrain. You can choose if you want to canter or keep things to a walk/trot as the group can be split according to rider abilities and interests. Other trip activities include hiking a volcano rim and whale watching. Each night, you return to the same cozy lodge overlooking the ocean and the horse paddocks. I’d say as a newer rider, you could do either trip, but the Azores would be the easier of the two trips in terms of terrain and hours in the saddle. If you haven’t ridden English style before, we’d recommend you take a couple of English lessons before joining this trip to get used to the tack.
What helps you decide on a Wild Women itinerary?
If you refer to the Is This Trip Right for Me? Tab on our trip pages, you’ll find more details about what to expect. Our Facebook page is the perfect forum to chat and compare notes with your fellow travelers! If you’ve already booked a trip, a private Facebook page will be created for your departure group.
Let us guide you…
Are you thinking about Vietnam in 2025? This Ultimate Guide compares our two Vietnam-based trip itineraries, so all you have to do is pick the one that resonates with you the most! If your checklist includes everything from kayaking to Tai Chi to cooking classes and a desire to learn more about the local tribes, temples and caves, Vietnam delivers more than phở noodles and spring rolls! Learn more about our Northern Vietnam Explorer and Northern Vietnam Hiking Adventure in our latest Ultimate Destination Guide.
If there’s something in particular that you’d like to see in this space, send us an email! We love questions, hearing stories, and seeing photos from your travels with us! Whether it’s an awesome book, documentary, protein bar recipe or cool trail runners you’ve found, let us know!
