Far and Away

A women-centric travel company reinvents the girls’ trip 

By Kalene McCort

Lauren Bates never lets her passport expire. As founder of women-centric travel company Wild Terrains, the Boulder-based boss catches plenty of flights. Organizing excursions that go beyond basic yoga retreats, Bates has cultivated a global community of women travelers and hosts eager to embark on unforgettable adventures. 

Founded in July 2018, Wild Terrains aims to break from the tourist mold and deliver experiences infused with the flavor and authenticity of faraway regions and a charming U.S. city.

At the center of Wild Terrains is a focus on supporting women-owned businesses and organizations in each destination the group explores. From indulging in a mezcal tasting at a picturesque women-owned distillery in Oaxaca, Mexico to hand-dyeing silk in Provence, France with a female artisan, the variety of Wild Terrains offerings remains unmatched. 

“Our trips uniquely put you in a super intimate setting for multiple days,” Bates says. “Each trip has unexpected experiences that connect you with the culture and the women shaping the region.”

Wild Terrains enlists the help of trip leaders that are oftentimes native to the country. Speaking both English and the language of the region, they become a member of the travel group and take the women to hidden gems that one simply won’t find in a travel brochure. 

After college, Bates embarked on a solo, six-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia that sparked her love of travel and exploration. She survived off of street noodles and took slumber in rustic hostels for a mere $5 a night.

“I was always really interested in women’s rights and women’s issues,” Bates says. “While backpacking, I visited six countries and volunteered with different women’s organizations in each.”

The excursions she thoughtfully curates now offer more elevated accommodations and enriching itinerates. From thoughtfully selected boutique hotels to culinary adventures, Wild Terrains travel-goers are guaranteed unforgettable moments wherever they land. The blueprint for Wild Terrains was fueled by Bates’s desire to travel with fellow women in settings that were stimulating and safe. 

“I traveled alone a lot when I was younger, but I started to crave female friendship and connections while traveling as I got older,” Bates says. “The initial idea for Wild Terrains was a women’s travel company that focused on food, art, culture, design and history.”

From walking the colorful streets of Lisbon, Portugal for a mural tour led by a female graffiti artist to building a handbag with women leathersmiths in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the array of activities remains broad. 

“When we visit local women artists, oftentimes we’re going into their private studios to see their work and process,” Bates says. “Those artists are more open and share a lot with our groups, because they know our travelers are joining our trips because they believe in supporting women.”

Recently, Bates led a trip to New Orleans where her group teamed up with celebrity Chef Melissa M. Martin, the culinary genius behind Mosquito Supper Club. The James Beard winner took the group to her hometown of Chauvin, Louisiana and treated them to a Cajun feast on the bayou.

“Sometimes accommodations and food can be an afterthought for group travel companies,” Bates says. “They book chain hotels or they feed everyone family style because that’s easier in terms of logistics. I believe food is so important to your travel experience, and I wanted the food on our trips to feel elevated, so we partner with local women to design culinary experiences you can’t find as a regular tourist.”

In Reykjavik, Iceland, Wild Terrains collaborates with a female duo—consisting of cheese connoisseur Eirný Sigurðardóttir and food stylist Áslaug Snorradóttir—who designs idyllic picnics near rushing waterfalls. Elongated tables, dressed with mouthwatering dishes, can be found amid green pastures dotted with golden wildflowers. 

Unlike other travel companies, Wild Terrains isn’t geared towards a certain age group. While Bates started the company for women in their 30s and 40s, she pivoted the model when women of older ages expressed interest in being part of the mix. Now, intergenerational connection is an essential element of the magic—with daughters, mothers and grandmothers signing up.

“When you blend ages on a trip, it blends the conversation in a beautiful way,” Bates explains. “Everyone is sharing their life experiences, and there’s wisdom being passed across all the generations.”

Mindfulness is the compass that guides the practices of Wild Terrains, and Bates is very intentional about the way in which Wild Terrains interacts with a country and its residents. With her company now leading over 30 trips a year, she doesn’t get to go on all of them, but she remains active in the curation and socially conscious mission. Wild Terrains is B Corp Certified, meaning it demonstrates high social and environmental performance. 

“We’ve been really intentional about maintaining our culture and our values as we’ve grown,” Bates says. “In the beginning, it didn’t feel so rebellious to support all women-owned businesses. Now we’re shifting millions of dollars into the hands of women-owned businesses, and that feels very powerful.”

Up next, Bates would like to offer a Colorado trip that reflects the wonder of her new-found home state. She is also excited to add Japan and Spain to the roster of destinations.

To learn more, visit wildterrains.com and follow along on Instagram @wildterrains.