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Camino Women: Hiking Adventures for women, that go off-the-beaten-path destinations
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07/04/2025

Sophie here 👋🏻

It seems only a minute ago I was trekking the Soum Son Trail in Laos, and now I am in the Mountains of Albania trekking what I can of the Peaks of the Balkans trail!!

Have you seen that itinerary? If not, you must! 👇🏻

The reason I decided to drag my family across the world to visit Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo, was because I'd heard such incredible feedback from the ladies who trekked here in 2024 😍 I just had to see it for myself!

While it isn't quite the right season to be here, we are having the most surreal experience. The scenery is like nothing we have ever seen, and the food is absolutely delicious (I'm particularly enjoying the smokey kebabs!). And, have you seen the colour of that water? No editing required! It's the most milky blue, but also freezing cold.. I haven't mustered up the strength for a swim yet, but those adventurers travelling with us in June and August will definitely get the chance.

Stay posted guys, we have still to get through Kosovo and Montenegro, and I'll be sure to keep sharing about our adventure.

Happy trails! 🥾 🙌🏻

https://caminowomen.com.au/tour/peaks-of-the-balkans/

03/04/2025

Meet Pippa! ♥️

Pippa is the new addition to our tight-knit Camino Women bookings team. She’s found her place in our hearts almost instantly. One of our team members even said: ‘When I grow up, I want to be Pippa!’

She’s had itchy feet since she was 17 years old when her loving mum encouraged her to set off to Nepal. Today, her travel list counts more than 25 countries.

“I hope I will be able to inspire you to grab your precious life and travel as far and wide as you can”, she says.

Pippa’s recent favourite adventure was walking the Camino de Santiago – all 900 kilometres of it!

On top of that, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the Seven Summits.

Imagine how she felt when she finally reached the 5,895-metre-high Uhuru Peak. Her smiling eyes in the second photo say it all.

And she did it twice! 🤩

That’s double the amount of joy, awe and pride. (Just how we feel about having Pippa with us)

Would you ever dare to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

14/03/2025

It’s a wrap. Our Camino Women crew just returned from a trip in Vietnam ♥️

Some of the highlights they were bragging about – the locals’ kindness blew them all away. The homestay in Nghia Lo was one for the books! Phone galleries overflowing with photos of rice paddies and bellies full of phở.

Is Vietnam on your travel list?

28/02/2025

Alright, our epic trip design is working on a brand new hike and we just had to ask:

On which mountain trek you’d spend 5 out of 13 nights in a hammock in the wilderness under the open skies and love it?

25/02/2025

Sophie here. While I may be physically back behind the computer today.. my mind certainly is still in Laos 🛺💓

I'm thinking about all the wonderful, local people I met.. Our incredible guide, Mr Lee, who had such interesting information on the local cultures, tribes, traditions, history, food... you name it!

I'm thinking about the delicious food, and the smells that would waft out from street vendors from 6am through until 10pm.

I'm thinking about how safe I felt as I wandered around the streets of Luang Prabang & Vientiane, at any time of day or night. Never hassled by the locals to buy anything, or rent their taxi, but always there if I needed anything.

I'm thinking about how hard it will be to pay for a beer in Australia, when I've been used to paying less than 50,000 kip (AUD$2.90) 🍻 Trust me when I say, the beer tastes better at that price!

I'm thinking about the ladies I travelled with, and wonder how they're getting on with their additional travel plans through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand.

I'm thinking back to the quietness of those cities, and the lack of traffic and chaos usually so prominent in South East Asia.

I'm thinking back to seeing Elephants trekking, and paddling in the wild. Such incredible beasts, and we are so proud to support an eco-tourism project who care for Elephants in their natural environment and live in harmony with nature and humans.

And, after all that, I'm also thinking about the Soum Son Trail, and that magical moment where all the local children came to send us on our way ✨It was so, unbelievably special.

I guess I had better get back to my desk, and stop day-dreaming about the past few weeks. But, if anyone fancies a chat about it, please feel free to give me the excuse to tell you all about this magical destination.

24/02/2025

We trekked the first day of the Soum Son trail and it was so special but then…

As we were arriving in the first village of the Soum Son trail the local authorities showed up. They came up with some surprising “bureaucratic requirements” and didn’t let us stay at the local homes.

It was heartbreaking … 💔

for the local team, who were preparing for months and had made sure they’d followed every local rule. It was disappointing for the Camino Women so looking forward to our first-ever experience with the Lowland people. It was really hard for the locals, who had prepared for months and I’ll be completely honest – it took its toll on me.

I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I saw some teary eyes.

Since we couldn’t change the circumstances, we had no choice but to embrace them!

And that’s what the adventurous Camino Women spirit is all about 🙂

Our local team were absolute legends in organising an overnight stay for our group within a few minutes. They just came up with such a great plan for the next two days and it all turned out more than perfect.

But then you’d be wondering how did the women on the trip react?

This was exactly when I saw that each of these women are legit adventurers. They all grabbed that unexpected change by the horns, went with the flow, and what’s more, enjoyed the trip until the end! Absolute legends!

While it was sad for our first ever Soum Son Trail to take this unexpected turn, it was truly inspiring to watch our local team and Camino Women team up and have a good time!

I will keep you posted about further updates. Now I’m off to greet the guests and have a sunset dinner on the Mekong River with Mr Salee and his family.

Sophie

19/02/2025

Sophie here. I still can't believe this is real life.

The launch of the Soum Son Trail was absolutely out-of-this-world!

As soon as the Camino Women and I landed on the river bank, we could see the welcome sign.

Wow! The villagers, along with the kids, blew up all the balloons and decorated the trailhead for our arrival. I wish you see then cheering us on (I know you’ll understand why I choose to respect their privacy). They had lots of fun and did such an amazing job decorating and brought tons of excitement to the group.

Then, that special moment came.

Together with the Camino Women, we walked underneath the Soum Son banner. One after another, shoulder by shoulder. As we took the first steps, I felt like this was truly a life-changing experience.

Before we knew it, we were deep in the wilderness, crossing rivers and stopping for a quick bite in the shade.

More pictures coming soon!

16/02/2025

Sophie here - Wow, this is an evening our Camino Women, the local communities, our local team, and certainly myself, will never forget.

A traditional Baci ceremony was held to commemorate the launch of the Soum Son Trail 🙌🏻

After the ceremony (pictures to come), we were treated to some traditional dances, and even got to join in on one or two ✨ After the dancing, and a tipple of Laos Whiskey, we had the most amazing meal together and 'Tham Chok' 🥂 to our journey ahead, and the people who have made this happen.

Tomorrow we begin to hike the Soum Son Trail, and we can't wait. I won't be able to sleep!

15/02/2025

Sophie here from Laos! 😍 Just one more sleep before the launch of the Soum Son Trail - can't wait to share this special moment with you

11/02/2025

Love for our local team in Laos

08/02/2025

Sophie here from the Camino Women team. I was just going through my pictures and videos from our catch up in Melbourne yesterday. I had to share this one before I head out to Laos (tomorrow!!)

Remember Lisa, our awesome trip designer? Yep, she’s the one I interviewed about the Soum Son trail in Laos. Seeing her right before my trip felt like some divine intervention!

I thought I couldn’t get more excited, but I was so wrong!

Can’t wait to meet for the pinch-me moment when I meet the villagers Lisa told me so much about.

I’ll be back soon with more updates!

06/02/2025

Sophie here. You know that saying, ‘Be careful what you wish for’?

‘I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go to Northern Laos.’

I can’t believe I wrote this sentence just over two months ago (proof in the second photo). If you told me then that I’d get to go AND be there at the launch of the Soum Son trail, I probably wouldn’t have believed you…

See you there in 3 days!

04/02/2025

Sophie here. As I’m writing this, our local team in Northern Laos is printing out the banner for our launch of the Soum Son trail!

I really love that we went with this name - ‘Community Trail’. It looks awesome, doesn’t it?

31/01/2025

Sophie here. It looks like I’m not the only one training for the Soum Son Trail!

Thumbs up to our wonderful hosts in Northern Laos – they’ve aced their Homestay and Food Safety Training and they’re super excited to greet the first group to trek the Soum Son Trail.

Two of the villages were particularly keen to get exercise books for the schools. We’ve made a donation for that and threw in some balls, as well. You know what they say – a healthy mind in a healthy body!

The villagers will warmly welcome all of our Camino Women into their homes and help us understand what life is like in rural Laos.

The last picture shows them enjoying the food they helped prepare and chatting about the upcoming Soum Son trail launch. They want to do an excellent job and there’s no doubt they will!

If anyone is counting (I know I am 😊), 9 days left until I join all these beautiful humans!

27/01/2025

Olivia here. Hope you’ve had an amazing Australia Day – I know I did!

This celebratory spirit got me thinking about the brave eight women who (of all things!) decided to take on the Kokoda trail last year.

When they returned, Sophie and I were all ears. Even today, I get goosebumps when I read their thoughts!

“I will never be the same since returning. I learned to slow down and really appreciate life after spending time in PNG.”

“The journey we all took together was massive. That feeling at the end at the finish together, when we linked arms and walked through the arches, was indescribable.”

I shared the story about their journey in a new blog post. Dive in and tell me what you think!

Could you do what they pulled off?

14/01/2025

Sophie here. Can you believe it? We’re just a month away from launching the Soum Son Trail Hike – our first trail exclusive to Camino Women in Laos!
It's our first ever walking trail that we have designed from scratch... and I’m taking you behind the scenes on this project.

I sat down with Lisa from our Trip Design team, who spent a few days in Laos back in May, meeting the locals and getting to know the Lowland, Midland, and Highland communities. She told me about the warmth of the villagers and even shared some funny moments (ask her about the dance with the village chief!).

I’ve shared all of this (and some more) in my latest blog post here. If you’re following our work in Laos and are curious about what makes the Soum Son Trail so special for us – dive in! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

PS: Pictured here are our lovely hosts training and preparing for our very first visit there in February!

23/12/2024

Dear Camino woman, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!🎄

We wish you another year full of adventure, laughter - and of course, awesome hikes!

Your favourite bookings team will be on a short break from 20 December to 1 January. Talk to you in 2025!

In the meanwhile, it’s finally time for your ‘2024 in pictures’!🥾

With your hiking pole in hand, you have:

1️⃣ Got your hands into making a traditional Moroccan dish - tajine
2️⃣ Stopped countless times to snap a photo of the sea in Greece
3️⃣ Tapped glasses with awesome locals deep in Northern Laos
4️⃣ Diven into the traditions of Kosovo - hands-on!
5️⃣ Hiked along the Louro River in Spain
6️⃣ Shared impressions of Vietnamese rural villages over a bonfire
7️⃣ Kept your head in the game while climbing 3000 steps to reach Ulleri in Annapurna
8️⃣ Relaxed with some typical Slovenian mountain views
9️⃣ …and the usual Croatian sea-views
🔟 Lost count of the vibrant colours in Uzbekistan

What's your favourite memory of a trip in 2024? Share in the comments below.

12/12/2024

🤩Let's play a game: "Where in the world is this?"

Take your best guess in the comments - you can guess multiple times 😜
(Ladies in the picture.... shhhh 🤫, lets see how many can get it right)

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Sophie here from Laos! 😍 Just one more sleep before the launch of the Soum Son Trail - can't wait to share this special moment with you #laos #laostravel #caminowomen #caminowomentrips #caminowomenadventures #soumsontrail

Sophie here from the Camino Women team. I was just going through my pictures and videos from our catch up in Melbourne yesterday. I had to share this one before I head out to Laos (tomorrow!!) Remember Lisa, our awesome trip designer? Yep, she’s the one I interviewed about the Soum Son trail in Laos. Seeing her right before my trip felt like some divine intervention! I thought I couldn’t get more excited, but I was so wrong! Can’t wait to meet for the pinch-me moment when I meet the villagers Lisa told me so much about. I’ll be back soon with more updates!

Sophie here, Camino Women. I wanted to say a quick hello from my training hike. I can’t believe it’s only 11 days before I’m off to Laos! After so much time spent creating the trail, talking to the local team and training the villagers, I’m actually going to go and meet them all. And all of you who are joining the first ever Soum Son trek 😊 As Olivia wonderfully put it, ‘We believe in leaving each place better than we found it.’ I expect I won’t be the same person after this trek, either! Meet you at the launch!

Sophie here from the bookings team at Camino Women. I had to share this emotional, yet GRAND achievement for our Portuguese Camino de Santiago guests over the weekend. From the moment I booked each of these nine wonderful ladies on to this trip, I knew they were in for memories that will last a lifetime. Even in this video, you can see how well they've bonded over 116 'undulating' kilometers. It's been so special to follow along. What a journey they've had! I can't wait to hear all about it when they return home :)

Mint tea in Morocco

Well... our Camino Women in Morocco are off to a great start of their adventure 🤣🫖🍯

This gave us goosebumps, and we just had to share it. One of our Camino women guests that is currently on our Peaks of the Balkans trip had her mom turn 80 as they go. Our bookings team in Australia and our groud team in Albania prepared a surprise for her and planted a tree in her mom's honour. Here's what Deb shared with us: "Thank you Sophie and a huge THANK YOU to the Camino Women's team, Adnan, Donika and Feodora for acknowledging my Mum's 80th birthday in Albania. A very special honour to have a tree planted for her at Doberdol and the birthday cake was well received by all. I appreciate all the efforts as getting that cake to Doberdol would take some logistics! Përshëndetje. I know Mum will be so excited to hear about our celebrations and the tree when our timezones align. Thanks again everyone, including all the great travel buddies who joined in. So very special. Big hugs, Deb x" This is exactly why we’re building a community around Camino Women — to support each other through the trek preparations, enjoy the hikes together, and share these special moments with you.

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