The Small-Group Travel Company I Always Recommend To Solo Female Travelers: Why I Keep Traveling With Under30Experiences
Paid Partnership & Affiliate Link: Under30Experiences gave me travel credit for this blog post. I’ve traveled with U30X seven times and will be using these credits toward my eighth trip, which says a lot about how much I genuinely enjoy traveling with them. As always, they gave me complete creative freedom to share my honest experience, and all opinions are my own.
Small-group travel with Under30Experiences in India
“I Want To Travel, But I Don’t Know How To Start”
I’ve had the same conversation with so many women around the world. I meet a stranger, get to chatting, and after hearing about my lifestyle, they express interest in traveling. These women all share the same desire to see the world and have incredible experiences, but they don’t know how to start. They don’t have the travel experience to plan an international trip confidently, and they don’t feel comfortable going alone.
There is one company I recommend every single time: Under30Experiences.
U30X is a small-group tour company with a curated catalog of international trips geared towards travelers ages 21-35.
I’ve actually had this conversation so many times that I figured it was a good idea to write down the reasons I always give.
How I Discovered U30X
Taking a cooking class in Marrakesh, Morocco
Let’s rewind to 2022. The world had just opened up after the pandemic, and I was itching to get out of the country.
A friend of a friend recommended Under30Experiences. She had traveled with them once in her twenties and gave a positive review. I barely knew her, though, so I’ll be honest, I was still nervous about what I was getting myself into.
Since I had never heard of U30X before, I decided to research a few of their competitors. I got sticker shock after looking at a few of the big-name tour companies, so U30X quickly became my front-runner. (I know, not exactly the most thorough research, but, like most people in their early twenties, price was a driving factor)
I did wonder if less expensive meant I was getting less included, worse accommodations, or surprise costs, but I was willing to risk it. Looking back, I find it funny how nervous I was for this trip. Morocco seemed so exotic, and I had never done small group travel before, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was worried about all kinds of things: Was it going to be safe? Was I going to get along with the group? Would the guide be good?
Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. U30X’s Morocco itinerary included the iconic experiences that initially drew me to the country, like riding camels through the Sahara Desert and shopping in the souks of Marrakech. But it also included experiences I never would have found on my own, like making tagines in a cooking class, sharing meals with locals, learning from expert guides, and visiting community cooperatives.
I can’t believe how lucky I was to find Under30Experiences on my very first small-group trip. That Morocco adventure introduced me to a style of travel that I’ve come back to again and again.
Why I Signed Up For My Second U30X Trip
Vik, Iceland
My trip to Morocco was so good that, on the flight home, I already knew I was ready to book a second trip with Under30Experiences. Less than a week after the trip ended, I booked a small-group tour to Iceland during U30X’s biggest sale of the year, Black Friday weekend. Easiest decision ever.
Iceland had been on my list for ages, but it’s a country that requires a car to get around, and I don’t drive. So when I saw that U30X’s guided tour through Iceland included a driver who would take us to all the best spots, I was sold.
The Iceland trip was even better than Morocco. Iceland became one of my favorite countries I’ve visited, and it’s still the itinerary I recommend most often. I could write an entire blog about Iceland… actually, I did.
8 Reasons To Take An Iceland Group Trip | My Small Group Travel Review & Recap
After Iceland, I was hooked. I no longer had to choose a tour company and instead had to decide which country I wanted to experience next.
My Favorite Travel Experiences With U30X
Some of my all-time favorite travel memories have been on U30X trips. Looking back, these are a few of the moments that have stayed with me the most.
My Trips With Under30Experiences:
Morocco → Iceland → India → South Korea → Japan → Colombia → Albania
I’m such a big fan of Under30Experiences that I even became a contributing author for the U30X blog. I love sharing my travel stories and helping others feel prepared before their trips.
Hint: If you need any packing lists, I’ve got you covered.
Conscious Travel That Supports Local Communities
Taking a Pink City Rickshaw tour of Jaipur, India
One reason I keep signing up for trips with Under30Experiences is their commitment to conscious travel.
When I travel, it’s very important to me to support local communities. Seeing the world is an incredible privilege, and I believe that it’s my responsibility to travel consciously. I want my tourism dollars to support local families, small businesses, and communities instead of simply passing through
U30X shares that belief and builds itineraries that balance the tourist must-sees with authentic experiences that give back to communities.
Something I really love is that U30X finds ways to support women-led businesses within their itineraries (very on brand for me).
It’s so special to meet these incredible women and hear about their lives and their businesses. These are not viral social media attractions, but they offer a much deeper understanding of the local culture, and they are some of my most cherished travel memories.
Colombia: We had the honor of meeting the woman responsible for transforming the world’s most dangerous neighborhood. Read about the women rebuilding Comuna 13.
India: U30X’s India itinerary includes two opportunities to support women-led businesses. Visit Sheroes Hangout, a cafe run by acid attack survivors, and hear their stories of resilience.
We also took a tour of Jaipur with the Pink City Rickshaw Company. This nonprofit employs more than 200 women who are trying to earn an income independently of a man to support their families.
Morocco: We visited a women-led weaving cooperative and a women-led argan oil cooperative. We bought unique souvenirs knowing that the money would directly uplift the local community.
South Korea: We stayed in a traditional Hanok in Jeonju. Hanok guesthouses are commonly owned and operated by women, so staying in one is a meaningful way to support female entrepreneurs in a traditionally patriarchal society.
More Reasons Why I Always Choose U30X Over Other Small Group Travel Companies
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
Shh, don’t tell Under30Experiences, but over the years, I’ve tried other small group travel companies, and… I always come back to U30X. Their trips are hard to beat.
Authentic Local Experiences
The biggest difference between U30X and many group tours is that you’re actually doing things instead of simply checking landmarks off a list. These are not the kind of tours where you get off the bus, take a photo, get back on the bus, drive to your next photo stop…
For example, my trip to Japan with U30X was packed with unique experiences! We meditated with a Buddhist monk in Kyoto, soaked in an onsen in Hakone, bowed to the famous deer in Nara, played around with interactive art at teamLabs Planets in Tokyo, and partied in the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori in Osaka. That still barely scratches the surface of everything we fit into our 10-day Japan trip. Read my Japan Small-Group Trip Recap for a complete list of what we got up to in Japan.
The one and only Maha taking us to all the best spots in New Delhi, India
The Trip Leaders Are Incredible
U30X works very hard to find the best local guides. I can’t even tell you about my favorite guide because I can’t pick just one. Every guide has been knowledgeable, kind, funny, and passionate about sharing their country.
U30X works closely with the guides to build the itineraries. They also give the guide the flexibility to make changes to the itinerary to adapt to weather or group interests. This is unique to U30X, and it's nice knowing that no matter what, I get a great trip.
You Get Your Money’s Worth
Out of all the travel companies I’ve used, U30X gives me the best value for my money. I’ve done the math for every trip I’ve taken. It would be very difficult to plan a similar trip solo (hotels, food, transportation, experiences, local guides, luggage transfers, etc.) for less money. And unlike their competitors, there are no surprise costs. U30X is very transparent with what the cost covers, which makes it so much easier to budget.
Hint: U30X has sales throughout the year and offers discounts on last-minute seats. Plus you can use this code to get an extra $100 off your first trip.
A Curated Catalog of Destinations
Some travel companies are like walking into a diner and seeing that their menu has sushi, tacos, smoothie bowls, pizza, and curries on it. You’re thinking, they can’t possibly do that all well; it’s too broad.
I want a travel company that has personal connections to and expertise in the destinations they are sending people. I love that U30X keeps their catalog of destinations small and that every year they make adjustments based on customer feedback and world events. It means they get the best guides and know the insider spots that most travelers miss.
It also makes booking so much easier because I’m confident every itinerary has been carefully developed, rather than having to sort through hundreds of trips hoping to find a good one.
Free Time vs. Structured Itinerary
Even though these are guided tours with lots of built in activities and group meals, you still get free time to explore on your own. In South Korea, I used my free time to indulge in many Korean beauty and wellness habits and eat my way through the many food markets. Check out my recommendations below:
As A Solo Female Traveler, Why Do I Still Go On Small-Group Trips
I’ve been traveling full-time for the past three years. I’ve become a very confident, self-sufficient solo female traveler. So why do I still love going on small-group trips with U30X?
U30X Handles All The Logistics
A common misconception about me is that I like being in charge of logistics. This is not true at all. Because I travel alone, I’m forced to handle everything, but I’m much happier as a passenger princess. You’re telling me a U30X guide picks me up from the airport and handles everything from there? Yes, please!
Added Safety Of A Group
While I’m a big advocate of solo female travel, there are some countries where the added safety of a group and a local guide gives you peace of mind. While U30X trips are coed travel groups, many of my trips have been all-women groups because of our shared desire for added safety. India was one of the countries where I didn’t feel confident going alone. I was nervous about the safety, the cleanliness, the food, and standing out as a blonde-haired woman. Turns out, I wasn’t alone in my apprehension. My group ended up being all women who shared my initial trepidations.
Side note: This group of ladies was the very best! We laughed, danced, and ate our way through India!
Not only was the India itinerary phenomenal, but our local guide helped break down some of the preconceived notions foreigners might have around India.
Farewell dinner in Delhi, India
Travel With Like-Minded People
Speaking about how great my India group was, I need to mention that I’ve made friends with every group I’ve traveled with. They are the easiest friendships because everyone shares a love of travel, an adventurous attitude, and open minds. Shared travel has a way of forming strong bonds between strangers. You arrive alone, but always leave with friends.
The U30X Community
An unexpected surprise of traveling with Under30Experiences was the friendships that continued after the trips. That’s something I never expected when I booked my first trip. I thought I would have a week in Morocco with strangers and that would be it. Instead, I ended up joining a community of world travelers. I have stayed in touch with so many people from my trips and have traveled with them again outside of U30X.
You also join the U30X community group chat after your first trip. This connects you with thousands of other travelers. I love the camaraderie and the shared knowledge of this group chat. People ask questions, schedule group meetups, and give suggestions for future itineraries.
I’ve also gotten to travel with members of the U30X team themselves. I’ve shared trips with Matt, the co-founder, Tim, one of the regional managers, and Diana (or “Big D” as I call her), head of admin. They don’t just create itineraries behind a computer. They jump right in alongside everyone else. I think that’s a huge part of what makes U30X special. The team sees firsthand how the trips run, how the group connects, and where they can continue making an already great experience even better.
One thing I’ve always appreciated is how seriously U30X takes feedback. I’ve shared suggestions after trips and have actually seen them reflected in future itineraries. It’s the only travel company I’ve experienced where travelers can message the founder directly and genuinely feel heard.
Seven Trips Later
Cartagena, Colombia
Seven trips later, I’m still choosing Under30Experiences. Every tour has looked completely different, but they’ve all shared thoughtful itineraries, incredible people, and exciting travel moments. They’ve helped me see parts of the world I never would have experienced on my own.
So when I meet women who are looking for ways to solo travel, I always recommend Under30Experiences. There are trip types for everyone from storybook Europe to South American high-adventure and futuristic city explorations in Asia. Take a look at their upcoming trips here.
It makes me so happy to see women I’ve met go on U30X trips and tell me how much they loved it.
I genuinely hope after reading this article that you’re going to book a trip. To help you get started, here is $100 off your first U30X trip.
Maybe your first trip will be the beginning of a lifelong love of travel, just like it was for me.
