Wondering which Adventurous Women tour is right for your fitness level? You don't need to be an athlete to join us, but it's worth choosing an adventure that aligns with your current fitness and giving yourself enough time to prepare if it doesn't quite match yet.
Be realistic about where you're starting from and how much preparation time you have. If a trip looks like a stretch right now, that doesn't necessarily mean it's off the list! You may just need to start preparing sooner. Or maybe you're after a bigger challenge, or something more low-key than your last big adventure.
Whatever it is, being prepared physically and mentally will go a long way. As we often say to our travellers: the more prepared you are, the more you'll enjoy your trip. Every trip has its own details around duration, difficulty and preparation, so always check the individual trip information.
And if you're not sure which trip is right for you, ask us! We're happy to talk through what's involved and whether a particular adventure is a good fit. We want you to feel comfortable, confident and well prepared before you set off.
As a starting point, here's a guide to our tour styles and what they usually involve.
For an Active Adventure, you should be comfortable being on your feet for much of the day. The days usually include sightseeing, walking between activities and then taking part in whatever active experiences are listed on the itinerary, whether that's hiking, cycling or kayaking.
At a minimum, you should be independently mobile and able to lift and carry your own bag.
If you're already active, this may be well within your normal routine. If you're starting from a lower fitness level, give yourself around three months to build your cardio and get used to being active for longer periods.
And don't just train for the big activity! Your feet and legs also need to be ready for full days of sightseeing and exploring.
For a Pack-Free Hike, focus on building up your walking distance and duration gradually. You won't be carrying your main luggage, but you'll still need to be comfortable walking for several hours with a day pack, and then doing it again the next day.
Look closely at the terrain. If there are hills, practise on hills or stairs and add exercises like squats and lunges to your routine. If the route includes uneven ground, work on your balance and stability.
And don't underestimate back-to-back walking days. Being able to complete one long walk is very different from doing it again, and again, over several days.
If you're starting from zero, allow at least six months to build up your distance, duration and confidence, as well as getting used to your footwear and other gear. If you already have a solid baseline of cardio fitness, allow at least three months to train. Our guide to training for a multi-day hike walks you through it.
Our Treks require a more serious commitment to preparation. These aren't trips to get fit on, and they're not designed for first-time hikers. You should arrive ready for the physical demands.
Starting from a solid fitness level, give yourself around six months to train. If you've never done a long-distance hiking trip before, it's best to talk to us before considering one of these trips, as the training will need to start well in advance.
Your preparation should build endurance and strength, with several back-to-back hiking days lined up in the months before the trip. Arriving prepared means you'll have more energy to enjoy the experience, rather than simply trying to keep up.
This one really depends on the individual trip.
Look at exactly what the itinerary involves, how long you'll be active and whether any previous experience is recommended. Some Water-Based Adventures are very accessible to beginners, while others require more physical effort. The commonality is that you need to be able to swim and feel comfortable on the open sea, away from shore.
You don't necessarily need to be an experienced paddler, but you should be comfortable with the level of activity described for your particular adventure. Upper body strength and endurance will help with the paddling, and our simple training tips for kayaking are a good place to start.
Choosing the right trip isn't about being the fittest woman in the group. It's about finding an adventure that feels challenging but achievable.
And remember, if you're unsure whether a trip is right for you, get in touch with the Adventurous Women team. We can help you understand what to expect, what preparation might be useful and whether the adventure is a good fit. We'd love to help you find it 🧡