TORONTO — After seeing its women’s only expedition range grow 116% in 2019, Intrepid Travel has launched new expeditions to Pakistan and Israel & The Palestine Territories in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8.

The two new destinations add to the existing portfolio of Women’s Expeditions, which already includes Iran, Jordan, Nepal, Kenya, Morocco, Turkey and India. Now in its third year, Women’s Expeditions are led by local female leaders who offer insight into cultural and religious values in destination. Special focus is put on female-owned accommodations, restaurants, suppliers and businesses.

This focus is in line with Intrepid’s new gender equality goals. Last year, it met its target of doubling female tour leaders to increase opportunities for women in tourism. There were 154 female leaders in 2017, in January 2020 this number increased to 342.

This year, Intrepid plans on increasing employment opportunities for women the travel industry, which includes doubling the number of female porters globally who assist travellers on mountain hikes in Tanzania, Peru and Nepal, to name a few. It will perform a rigorous audit to assess how many suppliers are women-owned or women-led in 2020. In 2021, Intrepid will work with its biggest suppliers to maximize opportunities for women and reduce gender inequality.

“It’s crucial for us to enable women in all levels of the business, from our leaders on the ground all the way to gender parity on our board,” said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel.

The two new women’s only expeditions are:

• Pakistan: Women’s Expedition. Priced from $4,095, this 15-day expedition visits Pakistan’s remote northern mountains and the Hunza and Yasim valleys. Guests will meet local women working on empowerment projects such as cooking schools, carpet weaving and cafes throughout the region. Other highlights include a drive along the world-famous Karakoram Highway to Khunjerab National Park in search of yaks, a trek to alpine lakes, and a visit to the country’s capital of Islamabad.

• Israel and The Palestinian Territories. Women’s Expedition: Priced from $3,065, this eight-day expedition includes meet-and-greets with Palestinian peace activities, a visit to an artist’s village in Arad, an exploration of the West Bank city of Ramallah with a local peace activist, and a homecooked meal with activities from the Women Wage Peace organization. Along the way, guests will see Jerusalem’s top historical sites on a dual-narrative tour, and meet local women involved in grassroots activities in tourism and agriculture.

For more information go to https://www.intrepidtravel.com/womens-expeditions.