Expert Leader - Valerie Parkinson

Introducing Valerie

During a three-week trek through Kashmir and Ladakh, Valerie found her spiritual home in the high Himalaya. She has spent the rest of her life leading treks (and cycling trips) in the Himalayan Region and her knowledge of the culture, religion, art and wildlife of the area is second to none. Her enthusiasm for trekking developed into climbing and in 2008 Valerie became the first British woman to summit Mount Manaslu at 8,163m, without the use of supplementary oxygen, and in 2009 she attempted Everest.

Over the years Valerie has been instrumental in setting up and running Himalayan Community Projects which now operate through the Exodus Travels Foundation. She enjoys sharing some of her mountaineering stories as well as cultural insights into Nepal and its people with Exodus groups.

Valerie won Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021.

“The most knowledgeable tour guide I have ever been with. Her deep knowledge, love, and appreciation of the Himalaya was truly inspiring. We also greatly enjoyed her stories in the evening of her mountaineering and explanations of Buddhism. We learnt so much from her” – Malcolm 

“Valerie was simply the best tour leader I have ever had (and I have travelled a lot). She is incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the culture, religion, wildlife. She is clearly highly respected by local people. She was pro-active in ensuring members of the group were involved, and kept healthy. She was interesting and fun” – Caroline

“Never travelled with Valerie before but had heard of her and her reputation. She didn’t disappoint! Valerie was great and much enriched the trip – in particular with her local knowledge of Ladakh, the mountains, culture and language” – Leslie