Small Group Travel for Women 45 and Better
Journeys That Change How You See the World. And Yourself.
Grit & Grace Adventures is a boutique travel company based in Canada, creating intimate, culturally immersive journeys for women 45 and better. Every trip is led by founder Penny Light or a chosen Grit & Grace Ambassador, with ten women, never more. Local guides, long tables, and boutique stays in places like Bhutan, India, Morocco, Botswana, the Galápagos, Bali, Japan and more. Seven in ten women travel with us again, often with someone they met the first time.
Next up - Bhutan
Next up - Bhutan
On November 1st, I am heading to Bhutan with a small group of women, and this journey has me counting the days. There is so much I am looking forward to: mountain valleys strung with prayer flags, the winding paths between ancient temples, and the chance to sit around a family’s table and hear about life in a place so different from home.
Our Bhutan adventure brings together the things that matter most to me about a Grit & Grace journey. A small group where you have time to get to know one another. Local guides who help us understand what we are seeing. Beautiful places to stay, and experiences that bring us closer to the people who call Bhutan home. We will cook in a farmhouse kitchen, celebrate at the Black-Necked Crane Festival, and walk through forests and open valleys. And yes, we will make the climb to Tiger’s Nest, the monastery tucked into a cliffside that you have probably seen in photographs and wondered if you could ever reach yourself.
This is a journey for women in midlife who are curious about the world and ready to make room for a little adventure. There will be time to pause and take it all in, alongside days that ask us to lace up our hiking shoes and try something new. I am looking forward to sharing both: the quiet moments in a temple courtyard and the feeling of looking back down a trail together and realizing how far we have come.
We travel November 6–17, 2026.
Click the link below to get on the waitlist for 2027!
Featured in
[ DESTINATIONS ]Upcoming Women’s
Adventure Retreats
Bhutan: A Himalayan Journey into the Last Shangri-La
Nov 6th - 17th, 2026
A small group journey through Bhutan for women 45 and better, led by Penny. Twelve days in the Paro and Punakha valleys, the climb to Tiger’s Nest, butter lamp ceremonies, and dinners in family farmhouses. Ten women, never more. Sold out, with 2027 opening to the waitlist first.
Sold Out
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Sold Out ✈️
India: A Pilgrimage to the Soul
Feb 2nd - 20th , 2027
A boutique India journey for women 45 and better, with Penny at the head of the table. Sunrise on the Ganges, the Taj Mahal at first light, Jaipur’s markets, and the slow spice country of Kerala. Local guides, heritage stays, long dinners. Ten women, three spots left.
3 Spots Left
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3 Spots Left ✈️
Morocco: From the Ancient Medina to the Saharan Dunes
12 April - 21 April 2027
A small-group Morocco journey for women 45 and better. Ten days overland from the Marrakech medina across the High Atlas to a riad, a kasbah among date palms, and a night under the stars at Erg Chegaga. Private SUVs, every woman a window seat. Ten women, local guides throughout.
SOLD OUT
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SOLD OUT ✈️
Zimbabwe & Botswana: Victoria Falls, Hwange and the Okavango Delta
May 14th to 25th, 2027
A boutique safari for women 45 and better, led by Penny, who once lived in the Okavango. Victoria Falls, elephants in Hwange, and four nights on a mobile safari in Moremi with guides who know this land in their bones. Morning game drives, yoga in the bush. Ten women, eight spots open.
Now Open for 2027: Only 8 Spots Left
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Now Open for 2027: Only 8 Spots Left ✈️
Ecuador & the Galápagos: From the Andes to the Edge of the World
27th June - 08 July 2027
An intergenerational journey for women 45 and better and the daughters, sisters and friends they bring. Quito, two nights in the Amazon, the Otavalo market, then four nights on a private catamaran among the Galápagos Islands. Ten women, hosted by Penny. The trip you kept meaning to take together.
SOLD OUT!
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SOLD OUT! ✈️
Journey Through Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka
September 30th - October 9th, 2027
A small-group Japan journey for women 45 and better who value presence over pace. Sushi at Tsukiji with a master chef, a private onsen as Mount Fuji goes dark, tea in a 600-year-old Kyoto garden, kaiseki and taiko in Osaka. Private guides, ryokan stays, bullet trains. Ten women, sold out.
SOLD OUT
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SOLD OUT ✈️
Bali: Water Temples, Rice Terraces and the Quiet East Coast
9th Sept - 19th sept 2027
A boutique Bali journey for women 45 and better, far from the crowds. Ubud mornings in the mist, traditional blessing ceremonies, heritage villages, open-air yoga, and the quiet shores of the east coast. Gently luxurious stays, local tables. Ten women, registration now open.
Registration Now Open
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Registration Now Open ✈️
Bhutan: A Himalayan Journey into the Last Shangri-La
06 Nov to 16 Nov 2027 | Black Necked Crane Festival
Eleven days in the last Himalayan kingdom with ten women and Penny. Cross three mountain passes, watch the cranes come home to Phobjikha, and climb to the Tiger's Nest. Boutique lodges, local tables, and a pace built for depth over density.
Registration Now Open
✈️
Registration Now Open ✈️
The Grit & Grace Manifesto
This one is for you.
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You have spent years being everything to everyone. You are exceptional at it. But somewhere in the middle of all that showing up, the part of you that is curious, adventurous, and hungry for something more has been quietly waiting.
This stage of life is not a graceful decline. It is a powerful re-negotiation of who you are and what you want next.
Grit & Grace Adventures was built for exactly this moment. We create intimate, culturally immersive journeys for women who are ready to step outside their familiar world and into something that reminds them of their own depth. Small groups. Real conversations. Destinations that matter. And the kind of connection that only happens when the right women share the same extraordinary experience.
We do not measure success in itineraries ticked off. We measure it in the shift you feel on the flight home. In the conversation over dinner that surprised you. In the version of yourself you rediscover when the noise of everyday life goes quiet.
This is not escape. It is perspective. And it is waiting for you.
Our Founder
My journey to founding Grit & Grace Adventures was not a straight line but a series of meaningful pivots. Before the world slowed down in recent years, I led exhilarating global retreats and ran a marketing firm in Costa Rica. When life brought me back to Canada, I opened three successful women’s boutiques where I spent my days listening to the stories of remarkable women. I heard a common yearning for more than just a vacation. I heard a longing for deep cultural immersion and profound connection with others, navigating the unique experience of midlife.
I created this company to be the sanctuary I knew we all needed. As a certified yoga instructor, life coach, and lifelong explorer, I have trekked the Himalayas, lived in a tent in the African Bush, sailed a tall ship up the coast of Brazil, and slept under the Saharan stars. I have learned that stepping outside our comfort zones is the fastest way to raise our tolerance for uncertainty and rediscover our own hidden capabilities.
I lead our journeys personally because I believe the true magic lies in the connections forged between fellow travellers. I am here to share a new way of seeing the world and yourself as you exist within it. I invite you to join our circle as we explore the depths of our own souls through the beauty of the unknown.
Penny Light
[ FAQ ]Common Questions
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At Grit & Grace Adventures, we favour depth over density. Our retreats are intentionally kept small, usually with a maximum of 10 participants (Plus our founder, Penny). This ensures a boutique feel where the movement is fluid, the conversations are rich, and the focus remains entirely on your experience.
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Our community is typically made up of women in their wisdom years, generally between the ages of 45 and 70+. We find that this shared stage of life, navigating career shifts, empty nests, or new beginnings—creates a beautiful and immediate common ground.
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Most of the women in our circle arrive solo. We curate our journeys to ensure you feel a sense of belonging from the moment you land. You will find yourself surrounded by like-minded women who are also seeking meaningful connection and shared adventure.
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Absolutely. Our journeys are not about physical "perfection" or advanced poses. We view yoga as a movement toward yourself. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or have never stepped onto a mat, our small group sizes allow us to honour your individual rhythm. It is about presence, not performance. If you are open to moving your body and breathing with intention, you are ready.
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It means I am with you every step of the way. I personally curate the itineraries and lead the groups to ensure the high standards of Grit & Grace are met. This allow us to remain flexible, intimate, and deeply focused on the individual experience of every woman in the circle.
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We focus our expertise on the ground by curating every detail of your sanctuary and local journey. While we do not book your international flights, we are happy to provide guidance on the best arrival times and airports to ensure your transition into the group is seamless. Once you land, we take care of everything else so you can simply arrive and be present.
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Yes. Once you have reserved your place in the circle, you will receive a comprehensive preparation package tailored to your specific destination. This includes a curated packing list to help you balance comfort and style, as well as cultural etiquette tips and any necessary travel requirements. We ensure you feel fully prepared and confident long before your journey begins.
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Absolutely. If you have a circle of six or more women, we can curate a private sanctuary designed specifically for your group. Whether you are celebrating a milestone birthday, honoring a new chapter after a divorce, or simply reuniting with your closest friends, we handle every detail from luxurious accommodations to soulful itineraries. This allows you to focus entirely on connection and shared memories while we manage the logistics of your private adventure.
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We frequently witness the magic of multi-generational connection on our adventures. While our retreats are primarily designed for women in their wisdom years, we warmly welcome the daughters and granddaughters who wish to walk beside them. Whether it is a mother and daughter duo or three generations of women traveling together, these shared experiences offer a rare and beautiful opportunity to bridge the gap between generations through adventure and stillness.
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Grit & Grace Adventures was founded on the belief that when women gather in a dedicated space, the energy shifts. In midlife, we are often defined by our roles, mother, partner, career professional. Our boutique journeys provide a sanctuary for you to shed those labels. In the company of other women navigating similar transitions, there is a unique safety that allows for true reflection, deep laughter, and the "unbecoming" of who you thought you had to be. We create a gender-affirming environment that celebrates the diverse stories and resilience of all women.
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While our heartbeat is women’s travel, we occasionally open specific expeditions to partners and friends of all genders. These are rare, once in a lifetime opportunities where sharing the wonder with a loved one adds a different layer of joy. In these instances, we communicate with the group well in advance to ensure everyone feels comfortable and the boutique atmosphere remains intact.
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We do. Whether we are in the heart of the Sacred Valley or the wilds of Botswana, we work closely with our local chefs to honour your needs. Please share your requirements with us during the registration process so we can ensure every meal is a nourishing part of your adventure.
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To maintain the integrity of our small group journeys, all deposits are non refundable. Final balances are generally due 90 days prior to departure. We have a tiered refund schedule based on how close we are to the departure date. For full details on timelines and processing fees, please visit our dedicated Terms and Conditions page.
[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]If you are ready to swap the routine for something a bit more visceral, you are in the right place. Whether you have a specific destination in mind or you are just beginning to navigate what comes next, I am here to help you find the right path. No automated systems or generic responses. Just an honest conversation about where you want to go.

