Expert Leader - Valerie Parkinson

Introducing Valerie

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

Valerie was born by the seaside in Blackpool and spent much of her younger days walking with her parents in the Lake District. After finishing her studies, Valerie worked in Germany and Switzerland, until 1984 when she took a break that would change her life forever. She travelled to India for a three-week trek through Kashmir and Ladakh and found her spiritual home in the high Himalaya and developed her passion for this part of the world. Valerie has spent the rest of her life leading treks (and bike 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 will share some of her mountaineering stories as well as cultural insights into Nepal and its people along the way.

Expert Knowledge In:

• High-altitude trekking
• Leader training
• Himalayan culture
• Sustainable tourism and community projects
• Wilderness first aid

August 09, 2018 How to Conquer Your Fears: Advice from Valerie Parkinson

Read time – 2 minutes Exodus’ leader extraordinaire Valerie Parkinson knows a thing or two about facing your fears and achieving great things. After all, this is someone who chose to celebrate her 50th by leaving several frozen toes on Everest’s Hillary Step during an epic summit attempt. With over three incredible decades of exploring...

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September 25, 2013 Leader in the Limelight: Valerie Parkinson

Read time – 2 minutes Many people dream of trekking in the magnificent Himalaya. When it comes to turning that dream into a reality you want to be sure that you are in the hands of experts. Exodus is very fortunate to have many experienced leaders in the Himalaya, including Valerie Parkinson, who often trains newer leaders...

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