Travel Expert - Valerie Parkinson

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High altitude trekker and one of Exodus' most renowned leaders, Valerie Parkinson is known rightly as an "Exodus Legend." She has spent more than 50% of her life amongst the most magnificent mountains on Earth, and has more than 30 years experience leading in the Himalaya.

The first British woman to summit Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth tallest peak in the world, without supplementary oxygen, to say Valerie is an experienced trekker is an understatement. She has led the ascent of Stok Kangri more than 20 times and spent at least 14 Christmas days trekking to Everest Base Camp.

In 2009 (as a 50th birthday present to herself!) she attempted to summit Everest and (despite running out of oxygen and getting frostbite) successfully reached the South Summit at 8,761m.

She has been instrumental in setting up and managing Exodus' various Responsible Travel projects in the Himalaya.

View Exodus tours that Valerie leads below.