Happy International Women's Day 

To celebrate International Women's Day, we reached out to five of our incredible female leaders from all over the world. We were eager to hear what encouraged them to become an adventure leader and how they feel adventure travel can empower women. We also seek some invaluable advice for overcoming anxieties that female travellers may face. Read on to meet our leaders!

Val Pitkethly 

Val is one of our most experienced leaders and organises our operations in Peru’s Huayhuash Mountains.

What inspired you to become an adventure travel leader?

Primarily, it was my love of the mountains - from small ranges to the Himalayas and Andes. I have always enjoyed a physical challenge and I found I did well at altitude and loved being up high and in remote places. I like building relationships and I thrive on helping people. I love showing the mountains, the countries and the different cultures in each place. I’d read books by Dervla Murphy, Isabella Bird, Junko Tabei, Gwen Moffat, Alexandra David-Neel and always thought that if they could do the trips and be in wild places of the world, then I could too.
Once I started, I loved immersing myself into different cultures, namely of Peru and Nepal, and getting to understand a different way of looking at life and different way of thinking. I love the pace of life in these countries and you can live simply, whilst getting to see wonderful mountain scenery and learning about how locals manage and think.

In what ways do you think adventure travel can empower women?

The confidence that comes from realising you can achieve things, be it summiting peaks, coping with rough ground, being at altitude or appreciating your own capacity to survive without life’s daily comforts! A lot of clients over the years began their trip very worried about their ability and whether they could keep up with the men, then were amazed at their ability to manage the tough conditions and particularly the altitude. Often by the end of a trip, they were totally hooked and couldn’t wait to go again.
Travelling and joining a trip as a single female is often empowering as you realise you don’t need to be with a partner, you can rely on yourself to make friends, bond, have a laugh in a group and go to exciting places in the mountains. Many people make lifelong friends from trips! 
Many women who have been on trips feel empowered when they realise they can actually go anywhere they choose on a trekking holiday! Their self worth improves and that’s very empowering. Many realise they might have skills that they can pass on to local people, for example - basic medical health skills to local women. Some of them form bonds with locals that they maintain for years and stay involved with projects such as helping with children’s education, particularly girls, which is incredibly empowering. 

What advice do you have for women who may be apprehensive about embarking on their first adventure holiday?

Book the trip. 
Most people on a trip want to make friends and it opens up the world for you! Make sure you’ve read the trip notes, you know what to expect, you train for the trip that you’ve signed up for (don’t just rely on your base fitness!) and don’t expect to compete with anyone to prove something - just enjoy the whole experience.

Johanna Dahlqvist

Johanna is based in the Abisko region of northern Sweden and leads the KE Kungsleden ‘Kings Trail’ Trek.

What inspired you to become an adventure travel leader?

I'd like to give an inspiring answer that motivates women to crush the norms but to be perfectly honest it just kind of happened. I was fortunate enough to be trained by people who value hard work, skill and take pride in their craft. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman, as long as you're a good person who wants to guide for the right reasons. The love for mountains, nature and people is essential.

In what ways do you think adventure travel can empower women?

How can it not? The forces of nature, the physical and mental challenges, unfamiliar environments, being forced to adapt, witnessing the grandeur and beauty of mother earth. I think all of this can empower anyone to reach outside of their comfort zones and maybe also in your daily life too - you'll be more prone to challenge societal norms and expectations. If you respect nature, you will respect yourself.

What advice do you have for women who may be apprehensive about embarking on their first adventure holiday?

If the idea has entered you mind, why hesitate? Don't rob yourself of the possibility of doing something that may be the greatest experience of your life just because you are a bit hesitant! How hard can it be, boys do it?!

Natalia 'Naty' Grande 

Naty is a qualified mountain leader who specialises in southern Patagonia and was a runner up for this years' KE Leader of the Year award.

What inspired you to become an adventure travel leader?

My passion and love for the mountains that I had from a young age became my profession, and now is my lifestyle too :)

In what ways do you think adventure travel can empower women?

There are many ways! Overcoming your own limits allows you to trust yourself more and build self-esteem! Knowing yourself in all circumstances makes you a stronger person.

What advice do you have for women who may be apprehensive about embarking on their first adventure holiday?

The adventure ruffles your hair!! It awakens your senses and shows you how wonderful our nature is and gives you unforgettable moments, full of emotion!

Rosana Laguia

Rosana has led KE groups in the Picos de Europa of Spain since 2013 and was the winner of the KE Leader of the Year award in 2019!

What inspired you to become an adventure travel leader?

I am a biologist so I already had an inner love for nature and the outdoors before I began guiding. I am also an environmental educator and a teacher so I decided that I just needed to improve my mountaineering skills to bring together my passion for nature, mountains and teaching. I love being able to guide people through the mountains and show them all that nature and the mountains can offer us. Besides... my surname translated into English means "the guide" !!!

In what ways do you think adventure travel can empower women?

I think it´s two ways - women have found a challenging career path in nature and mountains that breaks stereotypes! It helps personal growth and achieving different sports goals and at the same time. Women add a different view and way of living in nature and mountains and by sharing their experiences, they make adventures more exciting and enriching for others.

What advice do you have for women who may be apprehensive about embarking on their first adventure holiday?

We only have one life. I think the best way to enjoy it is knowing other people, discovering different cultures and enjoying the essence of mountains and nature. These travelling experiences can offer women all those! Besides, adventure holidays are guided by highly professional guides whose job it is to make their guest´s holiday a safe, enriching and challenging experience so they go back home with the feeling it was "their best trip ever"!

Masa Odar

Masa is an incredibly popular leader and receives excellent feedback. As well as being a tour leader for KE groups in Slovenia, Masa is also a sport climbing instructor and ski instructor!

What inspired you to become an adventure travel leader?

I am not really sure what inspired me. It was my aunt that was doing something similar when I was little and I remember watching her and to me she seemed so "important", strong, independent and happy with what she was doing (even though I didn't even know what exactly she was doing!). I wanted to become like her, not doing the same job necessarily but the same vibe, presence and attitude that she had. Just last year I realised I am doing almost the same job that she was doing, even for the same company! Also, I wanted to do a job that is exciting, changeable, diverse and FUN for me. An adventure is always fun and always slightly different, even if you do the same trips.

In what ways do you think adventure travel can empower women?

Adventure travel can make one feel more confident and capable, it broadens our horizons and makes us more resourceful and flexible. It brings out the child in us, always looks for something new! It pulls us out of our comfort zone and all of that can really help us in our everyday lives, especially when/if we get to a problem in our life. It gives us different perspectives and during adventure travel, we often find ourselves in different situations and we can see how we respond or react in them.

What advice do you have for women who may be apprehensive about embarking on their first adventure holiday?

To all the women who are hesitant about these kind of holidays I would say, just "pull the card" and sit on the plane. All the rest is taken care of. You can gain so much from a holiday like this and if you plan to go by yourself, don't worry, you will met many amazing people along the way.

If you would you like to know more about KE holidays, then give us a call on +44 (0) 17687 73966 or USA/Canada toll-free 1888 630 4415. We offer trusted holidays with financial protection and flexible booking conditions.