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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!


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[ DESTINATIONS ]

Upcoming Women’s

Adventure Retreats

Bhutan: A Himalayan Journey into the Last Shangri-La

Nov 6th - 17th, 2026

Group of people performing a traditional dance in front of a white wall with ornate wooden windows, with a large tree partially visible at the top.

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

Three women dressed in traditional Indian and Western clothing walking in front of the Taj Mahal during sunset.

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

People sitting in chairs watching a sunset over a marshland, some wearing hats, during a group outdoor gathering.

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

Group of people relaxing in a natural infinity pool in a lush jungle.

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

Group of people performing a traditional dance in front of a white wall with ornate wooden windows, with a large tree partially visible at the top.

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 ✈️

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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

Woman in a brown dress with tattoos, sunglasses, and jewelry standing in front of a painting of an older woman making ice cream on a seaside terrace with yellow shutters.
  • This retreat was a deeply meaningful experience. Thailand gave me the chance to step away from everyday life and immerse myself in a new culture, learning about Buddhism and a different way of living. Moments like visiting the elephant sanctuary and walking through the national park were powerful and grounding. But what made it truly special was the group of women. Their stories and conversations inspired me to reflect on my own next chapter.

    - Tanya

  • "I came for the wildlife, but I left with a deeper sense of who I am. From sunrise yoga overlooking the Okavango Delta to connecting with incredible women from around the world, every moment felt intentional. I was nervous to join solo, but by day two, I had a tribe. Penny creates magic. If you're hesitating, don’t. This is the trip that changes everything."

    – Norma, Ontario, Canada

  • I was nervous to join as a solo traveller, but I felt so supported through the whole process with Penny. This group of women became family. I never felt alone, only inspired, and free to be exactly who I was. I am now leaving with a new group of sisters. If you’re on the fence, let this be your sign: do it.

    –Natasha, Australia

  • "This retreat went above and beyond my expectations with every detail thoughtfully planned to perfection. The friendships forged on this journey will last a lifetime and I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to any woman looking to connect, explore, and grow."

    —Marlene

  • This is not your average retreat. Penny blends adventure with mindfulness in a way that feels seamless. One day I was watching elephants by boat, the next I was meditating overlooking the African Savanna - It’s real, raw, and transformative. You won't find this anywhere else.

    – Gayle Ann, Ontario, Canada

  • "Penny has an incredible gift for bringing women together and creating a space where you feel safe to step outside your comfort zone. I returned home feeling more like myself than I have in years with a renewed sense of wonder and a heart full of stories."

    —Tracy

  • "The balance of movement, culture, and high end comfort was exactly what I was looking for in this season of my life. It was a soulful adventure that felt deeply personal and expertly handled from start to finish."

    —Sarah

  • Penny is the real deal. Her love for Botswana, her presence as a teacher, and the intention behind every detail made this trip unforgettable. I came hoping to disconnect, and instead, I reconnected with everything that matters. It’s not just a trip, it’s an awakening

    – Elizabeth, Ontario, Canada

  • We came for the safari and scenery, but left feeling completely changed. This trip somehow blends introspection and play. Imagine waking to lions calling in the distance, then flowing through yoga as the sun rises. Every detail was intentional. Worth every cent.

    – Marie, United States

  • "I arrived as a solo traveler and left as part of a sisterhood of remarkable women who truly understand the beauty of this midlife transition. This was not just a trip but a meaningful return to my own strength and grace."

    —Karen

  • "This was a life changing experience that combined adventure with deep soul work in a way I never expected. Penny is a master at creating a safe and sacred container for women to truly let go and rediscover their own light."

    - Mindy

  • What surprised me most wasn’t the wildlife (which was breathtaking), but the deep connection I felt with the women on this journey and with myself. Penny creates space for truth, for healing and a TON of laughter. The best YES I have made.

    – Arlene, Ontario, Canada

  • "I have never felt so well looked after while also being challenged to grow and explore. The intimacy of the group allowed for conversations that were as rich and beautiful as the landscapes we were traveling through."

    - Jane

  • "Penny has a profound gift for weaving together culture, movement, and a sense of belonging for women in our wisdom years. I returned home with a clearer sense of who I am and a heart full of beautiful new friendships."

    - Susan

  • The grit of the adventure and the grace of the hospitality made for a perfect balance that fed my spirit. This journey is an absolute must for any woman looking to reclaim her sense of wonder and adventure in midlife."

    - Snooks

  • The itinerary flows like a story from the majesty of Victoria Falls to the quiet mystery of the Okavango Delta. But what sets it apart is Penny’s thoughtful care. Every lodge, every practice, every pause had purpose. You’ll feel it. You’ll remember it forever.

    – Michelle, United States


[ FAQ ]

Common Questions

[ 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.

Let’s Start the Conversation