This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on five incredible women from the KE Adventure office team who are passionate about adventure. From cycling across continents to trekking impressive peaks, these women have explored some of the most amazing places on Earth. Read on to discover what fuels their wanderlust, their most unforgettable moments and their best advice for fellow adventurers...

Vanessa is one of our seasoned Adventure Travel Consultants, having been at KE for over 13 years. You may have met her at our travel shows or spoken with her about cycling adventures and trips in Nepal, Pakistan and India. If you haven’t already picked her brain for travel tips, now’s the time!

What do you love most about travel?

I love the build-up! The excitement of planning, deciding what to take (and over-packing, of course!), then fine-tuning it all to travel light. Then comes the nervous excitement of what lies ahead. Once I arrive, it’s always the scenery that takes my breath away—whether it’s familiar cycling routes in Gran Canaria or trekking for a 3rd time in Nepal. That first moment of taking it all in never gets old.

Your favourite KE adventure?

The epic adventure of cycling from Victoria Falls to Cape Town has to be my number 1. It’s not all about the cycling of 1,000kms, (although that is brilliant!), it’s the remoteness you feel in the wild camps, the closeness to wild animals and the vast diverse landscapes that you uncover over the 5,000km.

A standout travel highlight?

Camping opposite an active volcano, Volcan Fuego, on Guatemala’s Magnificent Seven holiday and watching lava erupt into the night sky - simply mesmerising!

What’s still on your bucket list?

Pakistan – K2 and Concordia. I would LOVE to trek and stand in one of the greatest landscapes in the world. I’ve been to Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Sanctuary and Dhaulagiri basecamp, and these are just whetting my appetite for the starkness I envisage of the Karakoram.

Your top travel tip?

Never turn down an opportunity to travel and challenge yourself! Travelling solo can be daunting but when you do, the outcome is always a resounding success! It’s amazing the experiences you will encounter, the people you will meet and the satisfaction you will feel upon return. Say yes and don’t look back!

Tav is our Brand and PR Manager with a travel history as diverse as it is exciting! Narrowing down her favourite moments was no easy task, but here’s what she had to say.

What do you love most about travel?

I love the feeling of freedom and discovering new incredible landscapes.

Your favourite KE adventure?

It's impossible to say but probably Volcanoes of Indonesia - it is a true adventure that includes some serious volcano climbing as well as amazing accommodation and cocktails in the pool. I have to also mention Inside the Arctic Circle - Skiing the Kings Trail - a week of skiing in Sweden’s silent, WiFi-free wilderness. Both totally different but equally unforgettable.

A standout travel highlight?

Standing at the top of Gokyo Ri (5,375m) at 8am with this incredible view of Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. I took this pic with my leader Sonam in it admiring the view. Best view in the whole of the Khumbu. This was on The Ultimate Everest Trek back in 2017 and an absolute highlight of my travelling life.

What’s still on your bucket list?

Vietnam is calling me next, but honestly, there are at least 100 places I still want to go!

Your top travel tip?

Always carry a small tub of Vicks - it’s a lifesaver for colds, stuffy noses and, well, less-than-pleasant-smelling places!

Our HR Manager (and KE’s party planner!), Gemma is in her 13th year at KE and has explored everything from Everest Base Camp to the vineyards of Italy.

What do you love most about travel?

There are so many things, but in particular I love learning about different cultures and ways of life of local people and of course, enjoying local food and drinks!

Your favourite KE adventure?

Dolomites Via Ferrata - this was my first experience of Via Ferrata and my first time experiencing the Dolomites and I loved everything about it!

A standout travel highlight?

It has be trekking with Gorillas in Uganda – that truly is a surreal and once in a lifetime experience!

What’s still on your bucket list?

Patagonia and Canada are both high on my list.

Your top travel tip?

Always carry spare clothing in your hand luggage and bring earplugs—essential for both planes and mountain huts!

Jayne has been one of KE’s Adventure Travel Consultants for over 10 years and has experienced an incredible variation of KE trips!

What do you love most about travel?

I love the buzz of arriving somewhere completely new; new sights, sounds & smells. I always think food is a good place to start when it comes to getting to immersing yourself into somewhere new.

Your favourite KE adventure?

Annapurna Sanctuary & Poon Hill Trek. Nepal is unparalleled for mountain views.

A standout travel highlight?

It has to be reaching the summit of Ethiopia’s highest peak, Ras Dashen, which stands at 4,533m. That is the highest altitude I have ever trekked to (thus far!) and it was long day, starting in the very early hours of the morning by the light of our head torches. It felt like I was wading through treacle at times with the effects of high altitude but reaching the summit was extremely rewarding and the welcome we got from our support crew when we arrived back at camp was awesome. We were greeted with a lovely song and popcorn to celebrate.

What’s still on your bucket list?

I would love to go on safari in Botswana.

Your top travel tip?

Try to pack efficiently, especially for a trekking holiday. I’m a self-confessed over-packer so to combat this, I start by packing everything I think I need, then a day or two before travelling, removing 25% of it. It works like a charm every time and you end up with everything you actually need.

Sarah, one of our Adventure Travel Consultants has been with KE almost 9 years and is our go-to expert for polar and self-guided adventures. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Antarctica, she’s the one to ask!

What do you love most about travel?

One of my favourite things is visiting new places and getting to experience new cultures and foods. Travelling to new countries and getting welcomed by local traditions is a very special experience.

Your favourite KE adventure?

It has to be our Antarctica - Weddell Sea and Polar Circle Expedition. This was the ultimate trip of a lifetime, travelling to the very end of the world. Experiencing the rite of passage of the Drake and getting to visit a place that is extremely unique and untouched was unforgettable.

A standout travel highlight?

A standout moment for me from my travels has to be sitting in a zodiac in the serene waters of Antarctica and having humpback whales surround us, with the only sounds being their graceful movements through the water.

What’s still on your bucket list?

For me, a bucket list destination would be to go back to South America and experience more of Peru and extend that into Bolivia. Visiting the Salt flats is somewhere I would love to go to.

Your top travel tip?

Don’t hesitate - just go! Join a group or book self-guided, go out there and experience the world! There’s so much to see and do!