Road Scholar recently announced its first women-only program in Antarctica, a trip that epitomizes some of the recent trends the nonprofit educational travel company has been tracking. Its arctic programs, for example, have been continuing to grow in popularity, with interest more than quadrupling between 2023 and 2025.
More than 70% of Road Scholar travelers are women, who also represent 85% of the company’s solo travelers. They’re continuing to ask for more women-only trips, and Road Scholar now offers 29 different educational tours around the world just for female travelers.
The new Spirit of Antarctica: Expedition for Women is a 15-day learning adventure designed exclusively for women that will be led by an all-female Expedition Team. This all-female team will not only oversee lectures and activities, but they’ll also drive the Zodiacs, lead landings and hikes, and helm the expedition’s other experiences.
“There’s a special sense of camaraderie and belonging that happens when you have a group of women learning together,” says Eliza Carrera, Road Scholar’s director of program management. “And the opportunity to learn from an all-women expedition team will add an extra layer of depth and connection for all of the passengers onboard the ship.”
The trip begins with two nights in Buenos Aires and one night in Ushuaia before travelers board the Sylvia Earle, named for the pioneering female marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, and writer. After crossing the Drake Passage, the group will explore the Antarctic Peninsula by Zodiac, taking in glaciers, icebergs, and vast arctic landscapes while hopefully spotting some penguins, seals, and whales along the way.
As with all Road Scholar programs, education is woven throughout the journey. The expedition ship boasts a comprehensive onboard library and interactive laboratory, and participants will also hear from female guest speakers who have been trailblazers in their fields.
“Many of our participants are contemporaries of these milestones and witnessed these women making history during their own lifetimes,” says Ines Arditto, Road Scholar’s program operations director. “Having these women sharing their stories and expertise is certain to make the experience particularly meaningful.”
The new adventure for up to 24 participants will be conducted in partnership with Aurora Expeditions, with the first departure scheduled for February 29, 2028. The trip is now open for registration, and roommate options and single rooms are available.
TourScoop takeway: Many women prefer the comfort and camaraderie of traveling in all-female groups, where they feel safe trying new things and just being themselves. This new Road Scholar expedition provides women with an opportunity for a memorable adventure alongside both their peers and women who are leading the way in their fields.
