More women than ever are embracing the freedom, adventure and personal growth that come with solo travel. In fact, women account for the majority of solo travelers today, and that number continues to grow in the U.S. and around the world.
Many choose group experiences that provide both independence and community while exploring new destinations.
But what if travel could offer something more?
What if your journey not only took you somewhere remarkable but also allowed you to contribute to something meaningful while you were there?
That’s exactly what Earthwatch offers.
For adventurous, curious women looking to travel with purpose, Earthwatch expeditions provide opportunities to step beyond traditional tourism and experience wildlife, ecosystems and conservation research firsthand. Participants work alongside scientists, contribute to ongoing studies and gain a deeper understanding of the places they visit.
It’s immersive, meaningful travel shared with a community of like-minded people—ideal for solo travelers seeking more than a typical vacation.
Just ask Ashley Junger.
The Solo Traveler: Facing Fears, Finding Rhinos
Ashley had long dreamed of visiting South Africa. When the opportunity arose to join an Earthwatch expedition studying endangered rhinos, she faced a challenge familiar to many travelers: going alone.
“People warn that it can be dangerous, boring and lonely,” she said. “And there’s always that pressing question of who will take my travel photos.”
Ashley had always preferred remote trails and wildlife encounters to crowded tourist attractions, but coordinating schedules and budgets with friends and family had become increasingly difficult.
“It seemed like if I waited for the perfect time for everyone’s schedules and finances to align, I’d never get to visit the places I wanted to see.”
So she stopped waiting.
“Earthwatch solves many of the common concerns I—and many women—have about traveling alone.”
One of Ashley’s biggest concerns was safety.
“While I definitely view myself as a fully capable woman, dealing with safety concerns, especially in an unfamiliar place, can feel daunting.”
She was relieved to learn that Earthwatch expeditions undergo comprehensive safety reviews and that logistics are coordinated in advance.
“I didn’t have to worry about planning every day, evaluating destinations or arranging transportation,” she said.
Once she arrived, Ashley joined a team of scientists and participants studying endangered rhinos and the ecosystems they help shape.
She wasn’t simply observing wildlife. She was helping collect data.
Participants assisted with wildlife surveys, vegetation monitoring and conservation research designed to better understand the effects of rhino declines caused by poaching.
Ashley found a supportive community of scientists and fellow participants who encouraged her curiosity and shared her passion for conservation. She learned new field skills, experienced life off the grid and slept beneath a sky full of stars.
Most importantly, she gained confidence.
“Through this experience, I’ve overcome my fears of solo travel while supporting scientists and helping conserve an endangered species.”
Five Reasons Women Love Solo Travel With Earthwatch
1. Build Confidence Through New Challenges
Traveling alone encourages you to step beyond familiar routines and discover what you’re capable of.
Earthwatch expeditions take that experience further by placing participants in real-world research settings where every contribution matters.
2. Grow Through Meaningful Experiences
Solo travel creates space for reflection and personal growth.
Working alongside scientists deepens that experience by connecting participants with important conservation challenges and giving them a chance to contribute to solutions.
3. Enjoy Freedom Without the Logistics
One of the benefits of an Earthwatch expedition is the balance between independence and support.
Participants can focus on learning, exploring and engaging with the experience without managing every logistical detail.
4. Form Lasting Connections
Traveling alone often makes it easier to connect with others.
Earthwatch expeditions bring together people with shared interests and common goals. Participants work alongside scientists, local experts and fellow travelers, creating friendships rooted in curiosity and purpose.
As participant Judy Wieske explains:
“You have similar mindsets and interests, and you have so many things in common that it’s like you’ve been friends forever. And then you become friends forever. I have friends all over the world now that I met on Earthwatch projects.”
5. Be Part of Something Bigger
With Earthwatch, solo doesn’t mean alone.
Participants join a global community supporting scientific research, wildlife conservation and ecosystem protection.
As participant and author Jan Boal puts it:
“Be a piece of the puzzle that helps solve the problem and save our home we call Earth.”
Ready to Wander?
For women seeking a meaningful way to travel independently while contributing to something larger than themselves, Earthwatch offers the best of both worlds: the empowerment of solo travel and the camaraderie of a shared mission.
Whether you’re interested in tracking turtles in Costa Rica, surveying wildlife in the Amazon, studying owls in Arizona or monitoring marine life in Baja, there’s an expedition that can match your interests.
Explore Earthwatch expeditions and join a community of women discovering new places, supporting science and making a positive impact along the way.
