Each year, we celebrate the exceptional KE leaders who go above and beyond to create unforgettable adventures for our travellers. From sharing deep local knowledge to ensuring every detail runs smoothly, our leaders are at the heart of every KE trip.

We’re delighted to announce our Leader of the Year, along with our outstanding runners up, all of whom have received phenomenal feedback from KE customers throughout 2025...

A native of the Hue province in Central Vietnam, Hoang gained a bachelor’s degree in tourism at university in Hanoi. He started working as a tour leader in 2016 and led his first KE group in 2019. In 2025, Hoang led our bestselling and ever-popular Vietnam from North to South trips, which explores the length of Vietnam from the highlands of the north to the Mekong Delta in the south. Hoang’s speciality is taking travellers beyond the usual sights and helping them to see and experience the real Vietnam.

The feedback from KE clients who travelled with Hoang in 2025 was exemplary, with every feedback form submitted scoring him a perfect 10/10 and singing his praises! Congratulations to Hoang for being a well-deserved recipient of this year’s Leader of the Year Award. As a thank you for his great work, we’ll be sending him £250 worth of equipment of his choice from Ellis Brigham.

Here’s a selection of the fantastic feedback that Hoang received in 2025.

“Could not be faulted. Hoang was just the best - always brilliant, informative, friendly and clearly had group (and individual) safety as paramount, whilst providing a wonderful experience. He should be up for "best guide” award. Can't praise him enough.”

“Hoang provided a service above and beyond our expectations. His personality, knowledge, and organisational skills are second to none. He always made sure we were catered for no matter how long and late the day was, before he rested himself.”

“Hoang treated us all very well. He was attentive to any needs that came up, always making sure those with food allergies had quality options. He was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He managed to make sure all our transitions, buses to boats to airplanes, went smoothly. He was very good at making adjustments when there were changes in the schedule (i.e. boat arrived back into Ha Long harbour a bit early so he took us on a tour of a local open market to fill the time before lunch). As one who has worked as a tour manager, I was very impressed.”

“All tour guides on KE trips were excellent but he was the best. Was friendly, helpful and efficient throughout.”

Hailing from Darjeeling in the Sikkim region of north-east India and of Nepalese descent, Uden has worked in adventure travel since 2004. Whilst still at school, he attended a course at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling and this experience led him to pursue a career in leading groups in the mountains. Uden led his first KE group in 2008 and since then he has led many KE groups on a wide variety of trips in the Indian Himalaya including in recent years: Sikkim – Beneath Kanchenjunga Trek, In the Shadow of Nanda Devi and Peaks and Passes of the Nubra Valley. Uden is no stranger to KE Leader of the Year, having won the award in 2014! Passionate, knowledgeable and caring, Uden has been receiving rave reviews from all those who have been in the mountains with him and he remains one of our most popular leaders.

We’ll let Uden’s feedback show why he’s one of this year’s runners up:

“No compliment would be too high for Uden. His professionalism, level of organisation and care were outstanding - and he was also such a nice person. We all related to him and it was like being with someone who had been a friend for a long time. He took the greatest care to maximise our experiences - having books available, printed sheets on Hinduism, maps for us, negotiating tea in villages and many other things that ensured that the trip was 'well oiled' and ran smoothly.”

“Very professional, knowledgeable, friendly and supportive approach. Just the sort of leader that you can have full confidence in.”

“Absolutely fantastic - attention to detail, knowledge of the area including its history, brilliant sense of humour, looking after our medical needs, adapting to conditions (the wrong domestic terminal on the boarding passes, dreadful weather conditions etc), and fostering positive group dynamics. The very best KE group leader I have encountered - and there have been many excellent ones.”

Charlotte is a qualified international mountain leader and professional ski instructor. She’s been leading for KE since 2022 on the bestselling Fjords and Fjells of the Lofoten Islands in Arctic Norway. KE customers who have travelled with Charlotte in the Lofoten Islands rave about her boundless energy, enthusiasm and friendliness. When not leading KE groups in Norway, Charlotte is based in Briancon in the southern French Alps and is a true mountain person. As well as her mountain qualifications, Charlotte is also a Shiatsu therapist and certified Life Coach.

A well-deserved runner up in this year’s award, here’s some of Charlotte’s amazing feedback from 2025:

“By far the best tour guide we have ever had. A perfect combination of competence, inclusivity, fun and infectious enthusiasm. She gave great confidence and reassurance to timid walkers, and judged our abilities very well. She had enormous energy and at the end of the day produced great food. We always felt safe in her hands and would love to do another trip with her.”

“Honestly - I am having a hard time choosing between Charlotte Markus and the famed Lofoten Islands - not sure which was better!!!! She was PERFECT - excellent guide, cook, and helped me so much on the challenging parts of the hikes plus gave me excellent technical instructions and tips to make my experience easier and better.”

“15/10 Can't praise Charlotte high enough! Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, resourceful, great coaching skills, patient, great fun!”

A native of the Everest region of Nepal, Jangbu Sherpa’s journey to tourism began at the Sir Edmund Hillary School in Khumjung, where early encounters with international climbers inspired a career that now spans over 30 years. He has visited Everest Base Camp over 100 times and Annapurna Base Camp over 50 times! Today, he is one of the most experienced trekking professionals in Nepal, bringing an invaluable insider’s perspective to every adventure he leads. Jangbu started leading for KE in 2023 and in 2025 led 3 KE groups on the classic Annapurna Sanctuary and Poon Hill Trek.

All of our Nepali leaders receive excellent feedback, but Jangbu’s feedback stood out, leading to him being a runner up in this year's award.

“We couldn't have asked for anyone better! Jangbu was experienced, completely even-keeled, and very kind. We all thought he was an amazing guide, even those who have done many other guided trips.”

“On a scale of 1 to 10, Jangbu is a 12. He would be a first class leader in any country and any industry. He is thoughtful, a strong leader, has a great personality. KE is very lucky to have him.”

“He was the best tour leader. He is capable and a great communicator. We always knew what to do and when. He accommodates all requests. He is very concerned with everyone's safety. He has a great sense of humour and is very knowledgeable.”

Originally from Belgium, Alice has worked in the adventure travel industry as a mountain leader for 15 years. After travelling the world, Alice settled on the Greek island of Crete where she has lived for 11 years and leads our Walking the White Mountains of Crete holiday. Alice is fluent in Greek and when not leading groups, practises yoga, Qi gong and Tai Chi. When asked why she moved to Crete, Alice says it’s the proximity of the mountains to the sea, the amazing fresh local food and the warmth of Mediterranean people.

Alice’s passion for leading KE groups in Crete shows in the glowing feedback she receives from KE customers.

“Absolutely superb leader. She was informative, able to manage the necessary changes in the itinerary efficiently and communicated easily with all the group. Last but not least Alice became a great friend to all the group whilst still remaining truly professional.”

“Absolutely excellent in every way. One of the best I've experienced but also charming and a good host around the table. Couldn't do better.”

“Alice was a brilliant guide. Helpful, friendly, and she was teaching me Greek.”