Frequently Asked Questions
The Group
Our travelers are women who come from all over the world and crave off-the-beaten path adventure. They are curious about culture and believe in community. Our tours are for experienced solo travelers and also women just getting started on the solo road. Choose tours focused on wildlife, culture, vacation vibes, or a bit of everything. Come with an open mind, open heart, and ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
Am I too old or too young for these tours?
Our tours welcome women of all ages from 18 to 80. Our travelers come together and bond over travel forming their own little travel family. Everyone has a place on our tours.
All women are welcome and should feel comfortable on our tours. Many of our members are part of the LGBTQI community, and it is important to understand the local laws and customs in the country we are visiting, because some discriminate against LGBTQI people. We recommend reading up on the destination on Equaldex and/or Smartraveller before you choose your trip for advice and information about LGBTQI-related laws.
Discrimination, violence (verbal or physical), harassment, either between travellers or involving our leaders, partners or local people. If you feel that someone is behaving inappropriately on our Meetup Tour, please inform your tour leader or local guide immediately.
Our tours are for people who identify as women, no matter what gender was written on their birth certificate.
We aim to make travel accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We ask that you read the itinerary and consider whether you are physically and mentally able to participate. Some trips may require you to carry your own luggage from time to time.
We will make reasonable adjustments to the operation of our trips to ensure that disabled travelers can participate. In most countries, we can book ground floor accommodation or have our guide communicate important directions in writing as well as verbally. Some of our travelers have participated with a friend or companion to assist. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs, so we can find a trip that will give you a safe, comfortable, and amazing experience.
What is a guide?
Our tour guides are experts in the area, history, culture, and are from the country you’re visiting. They are there to make sure the logistics of the tour are in point, teach you about the destination, and point you in the direction of the best places to explore during your solo time.
Are all guides female?
Our guides are often women, but not always. Our local female friends will invite us into their homes, we will have female city guides when available, and we visit women-led organizations. In some cultures, it is still difficult to get experienced female guides for multiple days when they the primary caregiver of their families. Ultimately, we choose the best guides out there, and most of the time, they happen to be women.
How many people will be in my group?
We specialize in small group travel to better foster an environment of positivity, new friendships, and empowerment. Our tours have slightly different maximums depending on the destination, but we rarely have groups larger than 18. Look at each country tour page to see the maximum group size for that trip. For our most popular countries during peak seasons, we may have two groups traveling at the same time with separate transportation, guides, and leaders, and while you will get to meet and experience some activities together, you will have your smaller, core group of travelers.
When will I know how many people are confirmed for my tour?
We will open a WhatsApp (a free, downloadable texting app that works off of wifi) group for all participants and the tour leader 5-7 days before the beginning of the tour. If you have any questions sooner than that, feel free to email us at meetuptours@sofetravel.com.
COVID-19
Effective starting July 1, 2023, SoFe Travel does not require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for most trips. However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
SoFe Travel does not require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for most trips. However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
If a traveler tests positive for COVID-19 and wishes to continue on their trip, they will be required to take additional precautionary measures to prevent transmission, including wearing a mask when in close contact with others.
SoFe Travel will always follow local COVID-19 regulations and protocols where these are stricter than our own.
SoFe travel supports the use of masks as one way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We follow the guidance and requirements of local governments and individual businesses around mask wearing.
SoFe Travel does not have any specific COVID-19 cancellation conditions. Please refer to our standard Terms and Conditions.
Choosing a Tour
I will be coming solo. Will I be the only one?
Nope! 99% of our travelers are coming by themselves. Our tours are specially designed for solo female travelers, giving you solo time, access to experiences difficult to have on your own, and a group of incredible like-minded women.
Can I bring a friend/mom/daughter with me on this tour?
Of course. Let us know when you book that you’re coming together, so we can be sure to put you in the same room. While our tours focus on solo travelers, we also love the energy of family and friends.
Is my tour guaranteed to depart?
Almost all of our tours have a minimum number of 4 participants to depart. On the website, you will see whether the trip is available, guaranteed or sold out. Once we reach the minimum number of participants, we will notify you so you can book your flights. If a tour is cancelled by us because we do not reach the minimum number of participants, we will refund your payment in full or transfer it to another tour, it’s your choice.
How do I know the level of physical activity of a tour?
All of our tours are designed with a balance to appeal to the majority of physical fitness levels. Some tours include hikes, long walking tours, or adrenaline activities. Please read the itinerary and determine if you feel comfortable with all the activities. If you have concerns about your physical fitness level, please contact us for some help choosing a tour.
I have special dietary requirements. Can they be accommodated?
We will do everything we can to accommodate dietary requirements, but in off-the-beaten path destinations, it can be trickier. When you book your spot, let us know of any dietary restrictions, and we will let you know if we have any concerns. Sometimes it’s a good idea to carry some protein bars with you from home for snacks and to carry a card with your restrictions written in the local language for when you are not with the group. Our local guide can help you write this when you arrive. Just ask!
Is the water safe to drink?
In some countries, the tap water is not recommended. We will let you know in our country guide before you depart. Bottled or filtered water will be available at your destination sometimes included and sometimes for purchase.
What’s the food like?
All of our itineraries include a taste of the local cuisine, which is one of the most exciting parts of travel! Sometimes it will be unfamiliar or even adventurous. No matter how daring you are, there is time to venture off solo to cater to any palate and budget.
Rooms & Roommates
Our tours typically offer a twin shared room option, as well as the option to upgrade to a private room.
How can I upgrade to a private room?
A private room upgrade is offered when you book your spot. If you have already booked and would like to upgrade, please emails us to check for availability.
What size is the bed in my rooms?
A twin bed is included, and for some destinations you will sometimes get a larger bed, but this is not guaranteed and can not be promised ahead of time.
Will my bathroom be shared?
Almost all rooms come with a private bathroom shared only between you and your roommate. If there is an exception, it will only be for a night or two because we are camping or staying in a unique accommodation. It will be listed in the trip notes on the tour page.
SoFe has partnered with a professional matchmaker to create an exclusive roommate matching quiz for our Meetup Tours. We’ll ask about sleeping habits, whether you’re a morning person and all sorts of other questions to get you paired with the perfect roomie.
We hope this will be a fun way for you to learn about yourself while also helping us elevate your in-country experience. We hope your roommate will be the first of many lifelong friends you make on our Meetup Tours!
Can I change roommates?
We don’t mind if you switch rooms if other travelers when everyone agrees, just let your group leader know. If you are having an issue with your roommate, we can not guarantee a roommate switch, but we will do our best to make a private room option available to you. It’s very rare that we have issues between roommates, but we understand it can happen and our team will do whatever is possible for you to be comfortable in your room.
Can I choose my roommate if I know someone who is traveling with me?
Of course! Just ask us at least a week before the tour.
Will I have a private bathroom when I upgrade to a private room?
Private rooms almost always come with a private bathroom. If there is an exception, it will only be for a night or two and will be listed in the trip notes on the tour page.
What size bed will I have?
You will get at a double bed or larger for at least the majority of the trip. Some destinations include home stays where bed sizes may vary.
How can I upgrade to a private room?
A private room upgrade is offered when you book your spot. If you have already booked and would like to upgrade, please emails us to check for availability.
Can I upgrade to a private room after the tour starts?
If a private room is available, we will be happy to offer it to you. It is important to note that private room upgrades made closer to the departure date may cause the cost to go up depending on the current rates of the hotel and group size.
Will you give me a list of places we are staying?
We are only able to provide information on your joining and finish point accommodation, which we will share at least 60 days before departure.
We aim to support as many local businesses as possible, and usually have at least a few favorite options in each city that we switch between depending on availability and group size. This is why we can’t give you a full list before you travel. At the welcome orientation on the first day of the tour, your leader may be able to give you more information so you can send your accommodation list back to your friends and family.
What standard of accommodation should I expect?
We pride ourselves in both premium and experience based stays. On every tour page, you can see a couple examples the quality and flavor of accommodation you can expect on that tour. We believe in supporting local businesses and family owned places, and we choose comfortable, clean, and sometimes simple homesteads and guesthouses for the best homemade food and warm hospitality. Hotels are almost always 4 or 5 stars, but to get a more specific idea for the Meetup Tour you are joining, check the webpage under Accommodation.
Is accommodation air-conditioned/heated?
All accommodation offers temperature control in extreme climates with the possible exception of one night camping.
Will I share a room or have my own?
The tour price comes with a twin share room, where we match you with another traveler. If you prefer a private room, you can upgrade at the time of booking or prior to departure depending on availability.
Health & Safety
Travel insurance is mandatory on all our Meetup Tours. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur.
We strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader. You can find all our suggestions for travel insurance on this helpful insurance guide.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Effective July 1, 2023, SoFe Travel no longer requires vaccinations against COVID-19.
Are other vaccinations required?
We recommend consulting your doctor, as we are not medical practitioners and can not give medical advice. Some destinations, such as our safari tours, may require certain vaccines in order to enter the country.
What if I get sick or injured on the trip and can no longer participate?
Our guides and leaders are well-trained to deal with these situations and get you the appropriate help as soon as possible and our offices will be sure your emergency contact is contacted. We will do everything we can to ensure you get your travel home arranged. The travel insurance that was mandatory in order to participate on the trip should cover any costs incurred because of illness or injury.
Will refrigeration be available for medicines that require it?
Many of our hotels located in cities provide access to mini-fridges or can refrigerate in the main kitchen, but sometimes we will be unable to guarantee refrigeration when we are in homesteads, camping, or on longer road trips. Please let us know if you will be traveling with medication that requires refrigeration, and we will do out best to accommodate you.
Will my valuables be safe?
Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables. We recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
Before, During & After Tours
How do I find out about the visa requirements?
We recommend checking with your local embassy as visa requirements and applications can change without warning. Embassy websites in your home country will have information about requirements, costs, and will provide application form nd instructions. If you are uncomfortable with the visa process, you can visit a travel agent who can arrange these for you at a cost.
Do you help with visas?
We can’t assist in the actual application of any visa. If you do not feel comfortable doing it on your own, you can get the support of the embassy or with the support of a travel agent.
Are airport transfers included in the trip price?
Airport pickups on day one of the trip are always included. You can arrive anytime on day one and our driver will be waiting for you at the airport. Our team is always checking flight statuses, so if your flight is late, we will still be there when you land. If you miss a connecting flight, please let us know via email, phone, or WhatsApp.Â
Departure airport transfers are usually not included so that you can stay a little longer or share a taxi with a friend. However, our team on the ground is happy to help you organize transportation.Â
What time can I check in at my arrival hotel?Once you book your tour, we will give you the specific check-in time for your tour. Normally, check-in is between 12pm and 2pm, and you are welcome to arrive any time after check in.Â
Can I request an early check-in?
We are unable to organize and guarantee an early check-in for the tour, but if the hotel has the room ready, we are happy to check you in early. Otherwise, we can hold your luggage while you explore the city or hang out by the pool or at the hotel restaurant.
Will I get any solo time on this tour?
Absolutely. We completely understand the need to wander solo and get a little lost or just relax on the beach with a good book. While some countries make solo time whenever you want it a little more difficult, all of our itineraries will have it built into the itinerary.
Can I choose to skip certain activities?
Of course. We understand more than anyone how important solo time is. The only exception to this is when we are traveling between destinations. If you do opt out of an included activity, there will be no reimbursement.
Tipping is never mandatory, but if you are happy with the service provided, it shows appreciation and goes a long way to supporting local people. If you are happy with your guide at the end of the tour, you may choose to thank her with a tip. The amount recommended depends on the country and will be provided in your country guide before departure.
Your leader will explain local customs and what is respectful and appropriate at restaurants, in taxis, other services, and tipping the local guide.
It’s hard to put into words how incredible my experience with SoFe in Morocco was. SoFe found the best guides to show us every facet of each city we visited. To see life in Morocco through a female's eyes was unique and something I will never forget.
Ramona said:
Elizabeth Said:
This Egypt tour was my first group travel experience. I normally travel solo. I was so nervous about it, but it ended up being absolutely amazing. The 6 of us women got along so well! A true sisterhood.
Michelle said:
Jenni Said:
Megan Said:
Jennifer Said:
My experience traveling with SoFe to Bali was phenomenal and I’m so glad I invested in it. I felt well taken care of and safe, which is so important as a female traveler. I enjoyed the diversity of the group, and I never thought I’d be dancing at a beach club in Canggu with women of all ages.
Jordynn Said:
Megan F Said:
This was my third tour with SoFe, and I would rate this tour a 10/10. The group of Goddess I was with were AWESOMENESS. We all interacted together like we were friends for years. If you are open minded and have no expectations walking in, you will have the time of you life."
I met 12 amazing women on this trip that looked out for each other. I made new friends from all over the world by going on one trip! I keep in touch with them still. I would recommend taking a SoFe trip if you are looking for some adventure, relaxation, knowledge, and like minded women to travel with!
Silva Said:
Kirsten Said:
Our guide was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and approachable. I felt safe and taken care of. I knew I could trust them. I would definitely take another tour with SoFe”