Rambler Question:

"I was wondering if most women take this trip solo as part of the organized trip or if they tend to travel in groups of friends. I'm just curious about the group dynamics!"

Answer:

Our trips are specifically designed for solo (ish) travelers, and most women who sign up do not know anyone else on the adventure before they arrive.

To help build connections, we host a pre-trip WhatsApp group. In this group we will facilitate introductions, arrange travel plans, and discuss training and preparation.

Intrepid adventures are priced on a twin-share basis. 

If you’re travelling on your own, sharing a room can be a lovely way to get to know a fellow Sole Sister and make a new friend.

Unless you purchase a single supplement, Intrepid will pair you with another solo traveller from the group. You don’t need to find a roommate before booking, and you won’t be charged extra simply because you’re travelling alone.

If you’re travelling with a friend and would like to share a room, both of you should let your Intrepid booking agent know. Intrepid will do its best to honour your request. If you don’t request a specific person, Intrepid will assign your roommate.

Sole Sister Ramblers does not match or assign roommates.

We all have our own habits and routines, and getting to know a roommate is part of the experience. Roommate assignments are based on room availability rather than preferences around bedtime, snoring, room temperature or morning routines. A little flexibility, kindness, open communication and compromise from both travellers can go a long way towards making sharing a room a positive experience.

If you prefer your own space, you can request a single supplement for an additional cost. Single rooms are limited and subject to availability, so it’s best to ask when you book.

Some itineraries or accommodations may not offer private rooms every night, even when you purchase a single supplement. Please review the trip information and confirm the details with your booking agent so you know what to expect.

If you find during the adventure that you’d prefer your own room for any reason, please speak with your local guide. This applies whether you’re sharing with a friend you chose or a roommate Intrepid assigned.

Your guide can check whether a single room is available, but a change cannot be guaranteed, and you’ll be responsible for any additional costs.

Tipping

Tipping is a meaningful way to recognize great service while travelling. Although it may not be customary in your home country, it is an established part of the tourism industry in many destinations and is greatly appreciated by those who help make your trip memorable.

When tipping, avoid using coins or notes that are damaged, dirty or in very small denominations.

Tipping Kitty

On Day 1, your Intrepid local guide may suggest a group tipping kitty. Each traveller contributes an equal amount, which is used to tip drivers, local guides, hotel staff and other service providers throughout the trip.

Participation is optional, and you may manage your own tipping if you prefer.

Your leader will keep a record of the money collected and distributed, which can be reviewed at any time. Any remaining funds will be returned to the group at the end of the trip.

The tipping kitty does not include tips for your local guide or for optional activity providers.

Tipping your group leader or local representative

If you feel your Intrepid local guide has provided outstanding service, you may choose to tip them separately at the end of the trip.

As a guideline, Intrepid recommends USD $5–$10 per person, per day—or the equivalent in the local currency. The amount is entirely your choice and should reflect your experience and the level of service provided.

It is a Sole Sister tradition for our host to collect tips for the local guide from participants and present them as a group on the final day.

Intrepid travel experiences offer the chance to go beyond the typical attractions and discover hidden gems you might otherwise miss. 

Along the way, your knowledgeable local guide will recommend favorite restaurants and special sights, introduce you to Japanese food, drink, and cultural traditions, and assist with translations when needed. 

It’s also comforting to know you’ll be traveling with a group of like-minded women in midlife and beyond - all ages 45+. This shared experience often leads to meaningful connections and lasting friendships — and through the Sole Sister Ramblers community, you can stay in touch long after your adventure ends.

Also, when you book a Sole Sister Ramblers travel adventure, you’ll be invited to join an exclusive Booked Travelers WhatsApp group where you can get to know your fellow travelers, ask questions, share planning tips and coordinate plans.

Our travel crew will be there to offer trip-planning guidance, answer your questions and provide reassurance when those pre-trip jitters kick in. 

You’ll have support as you prepare for your adventure—and familiar faces waiting when you arrive. It’s one of the biggest benefits of traveling with us is that you’re joining a community, and the connections begin long before the journey.

Intrepid and their local guides collaborate with local restaurants and hotels to ensure that travelers enjoy delicious meals showcasing regional cuisines.

Not all meals are included in the trip price, providing maximum flexibility in choosing where, what, and with whom to eat. This arrangement also allows for various budgeting options.

Most nights, the group will dine at a restaurant the guide recommends.

Japan is not a naturally vegetarian culture in the Western sense.

Even dishes that look plant-based often include fish stock (dashi) or bonito flakes.

That said, awareness has grown a lot in the last 5–10 years, and vegans and vegetarians absolutely can eat well in Japan—especially if you know what to look for.

If you’re flexible, curious, and willing to plan ahead, you’ll be fine.

Your local guide will be on hand to assist you in finding menu items that meet your dietary restrictions. However, there may be times when individuals with specific dietary needs will need to shop for their own food in local markets.

Vegans and those following a gluten-free diet might need to supplement their meals with items from local markets. Supermarkets and local markets are widely available throughout this trip.

Please inform the booking agent of any dietary restrictions or food allergies before your departure.

We'll start our journey in Tokyo and end in Kyoto.

You will be accompanied by a local Intrepid tour leader.

The local tour leader’s role is to ensure a hassle-free adventure while introducing you to excellent restaurants, sharing insights about the local culture, and acting as a translator when needed. This guide is also responsible for your safety and will serve as an experienced liaison if you encounter any problems.

Intrepid local leaders do more than just show you the destination; they help you connect with the soul of the place. You can expect them to have a broad understanding of the locations visited, including their historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

Accommodations are two twin beds with double occupancy in local guest houses and small local hotels.

Ramblers can also purchase a single occupancy add-on. If you pay for a single occupancy, you will have a single room throughout.

All rooms will have en-suite bathrooms and all essential amenities.

Japan's high-speed trains (Shinkansen) have different luggage rules than many travelers are used to.

Instead of measuring just the height of your suitcase, Japan measures the total size by adding together the length + width + height of your suitcase, including the wheels and handles.

For example:

• Height: 70 cm
• Width: 45 cm
• Depth: 30 cm

70 + 45 + 30 = 145 cm

In this example, the suitcase measures 145 cm, so it is well within the allowed size.

If the total measurement of your suitcase is 159 cm (63 inches) or less, you can bring it on the train without making any special arrangements. This is the maximum size we recommend for this trip.

If your suitcase measures 160–250 cm (63–98 inches), you can still bring it on the train, but you may need to reserve oversized luggage space in advance. Some train routes also charge an additional fee. Because these spaces are limited and trains can be very busy, oversized luggage can make travel more complicated.

Suitcases larger than 250 cm (98 inches) are not permitted on Shinkansen trains. If your luggage exceeds this limit, you will need to use Japan's luggage forwarding service to have it transported separately to your next destination. Additional charges will apply.

As a general guide, most medium-sized suitcases are under the 159 cm limit, while many extra-large suitcases require an oversized luggage reservation.

Japanese trains have limited luggage storage, and a smaller suitcase makes it much easier to board trains, navigate busy stations, and move comfortably between hotels.

You must be able to carry and manage your own luggage through airports and between hotel lobbies and your room.

A small number of hotels may not have an elevator, so you may need to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs.

Intrepid partners with locally owned hotels that showcase the character of each destination whenever possible.

These hotels are sometimes located in historic neighbourhoods with narrow streets.

Occasionally, a van may not be able to stop directly in front of the hotel, which means you may need to carry or wheel your luggage a short distance.

If this is not physically possible for you to transport your luggage up stairs or short distances, please notify your Intrepid booking agent in advance and remind your local guide when the trip begins so they can help find a solution.

Our recommendation is to pack as lightly as possible.

There are no arrival or departure transfers for this adventure. The group will meet in Tokyo, Japan on the day the trip begins.

Tokyo has two main international airports: Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). Haneda is closer to the city center, making it the more convenient option for quick access to central Tokyo. Narita is farther out but well connected by express trains and buses.

You can ask Intrepid to help you plan travel and chat about options in the dedicated trip WhatsApp Group.

When you book, Intrepid will ask for a deposit. If you cancel your spot, that deposit can be applied to any future Intrepid trip. The final balance is due 70 days before departure — January 11, 2027.

You’ll receive access to your own personal Intrepid portal, where you can log in anytime and make payments toward your balance whenever it suits you before the final due date.

Intrepid will also send a payment link, but if you prefer to pay directly through an in-person agent, you’re welcome to choose that option instead.

Intrepid Travel is focused on balancing purpose with profit. In 2018, they formalized this commitment by becoming a certified B Corporation.

Certified B Corporations prioritize their employees, strive for a more inclusive supply chain, and elevate corporate social responsibility. This certification signifies their dedication to creating benefits for everyone.

Intrepid's official pledge is to utilize travel as a force for good in the world.

The following is not included in the price: international flights, required visas, services not mentioned in the itinerary, late check-out at hotels, meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks with included lunches and dinners, tips for leaders, guide and driver, expenditure of personal nature, personal insurance and optional activities.

Most travelers are required to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses while traveling with Intrepid, including emergency medical treatment and emergency repatriation—getting you home if medically necessary. 

For U.S. citizens, the purchase of travel health insurance is not mandatory. If you choose to travel without insurance, you may be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that decision. The tour leader will provide the appropriate form on Day One of your trip.

Trip cancellation insurance is not mandatory, but Intrepid recommends it.Whether you purchase it is entirely up to you. 

Intrepid also recommends choosing a policy that covers trip interruption or curtailment, lost or delayed baggage, and personal liability.

Before the trip begins, your Intrepid tour leader will ask to see proof of your insurance policy and your insurer’s 24-hour emergency assistance number.

To travel internationally, you will need a valid passport. Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months, so be sure to check its expiry date before your trip.

Intrepid will need your passport information to prepare for your journey, so the details on your booking must match your passport exactly. Please ensure that you provide accurate information.

We also recommend that you carry a copy of the photo page of your passport while traveling and leave an additional copy at home with family or friends.

You are responsible for checking and addressing visa requirements from your country of origin.

Intrepid will share the specific cancellation terms when you book your trip, as these can vary slightly depending on the adventure.

In most cases, a $400 deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 70–90 days before departure.

If something comes up and you need to cancel before making your final payment, that $400 deposit can usually be applied toward another Intrepid adventure — so it doesn’t have to go to waste.

Once full payment has been made, trips are generally non-refundable.

Intrepid is committed to ensuring that all its trips are safe for everyone involved, including travelers, local leaders, and the communities they visit.

Their health and safety policies align with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.

Each itinerary undergoes a thorough risk assessment and audit, and both leaders and suppliers complete extensive health and safety training.