Following Peter Hillary Across the Roof of the World: Inside the Himalayan Traverse
Legendary mountaineer Peter Hillary joined us live to introduce one of the most extraordinary journeys World Expeditions has ever put together - a 19-day traverse of the Himalaya, from the high deserts of Ladakh to the mountain kingdom of Bhutan, in support of the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF).
Hosted by Huma Charity Challenge – the charity arm of World Expeditions, established in 2013 to bring travel and fundraising together - the webinar gave attendees a first look at the itinerary, the people behind it, and the AHF programs the trip will support along the way.
Watch the full webinar replay, and find out more about joining Peter Hillary’s Himalaya in support of the Australian Himalayan Foundation:
A relationship 25 years in the making
World Expeditions’ connection to the Australian Himalayan Foundation runs deep. As Megan Harris, the manager of Huma Charity Challenge explained at the start of the evening, the two organisations are approaching a significant milestone:
“World Expeditions has had a long relationship with the Australian Himalayan Foundation. In fact, 25 years next year. We’ve been fortunate to support AHF and its work right across the Himalaya.”
It’s this long-standing partnership that sets the stage for Peter Hillary’s Himalaya - a journey with a purpose well beyond the trekking itself.
Peter Hillary: a life spent in these mountains
Peter needs little introduction. Son of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest, Peter has built his own extraordinary career in the mountains:
“I’m a mountaineer. I’ve been on over 50 expeditions around the world, particularly in the Himalayas. I love this part of the world and I’ve been right across the Himalayas.”
The idea for this journey traces back decades, to an expedition Peter calls the Himalayan Traverse — a punishing crossing of the entire range from Kanchenjunga in Sikkim, through Nepal, the Indian Himalaya, Kashmir and Ladakh, all the way to the foot of K2 in Pakistan.
“We were doing it tough - sleeping outdoors, eating very simple food. I guess as time’s gone by, I’ve started to think there’s got to be a better way of traversing the Himalayas, perhaps in a little more comfort.”
That idea has now become Peter Hillary’s Himalaya: a more comfortable, fully supported version of that same epic crossing - designed to raise funds for the AHF programs he’s supported for decades as a foundation member.
The route: four regions, one extraordinary traverse
The journey begins in New Delhi before flying north into Ladakh — what Peter describes as “a little Tibet.” From there, the group traces a path east across the entire Himalayan range.
Ladakh - Roughly four days exploring the high, arid landscapes around Leh, visiting ancient monasteries and the communities of the Indus and Zanskar regions. A highlight: meeting the team from the Snow Leopard Conservancy and heading out at dawn to track the elusive cats in the high country.
Nepal - After flying back through Delhi to Kathmandu, the group explores the old city and Bhaktapur before flying into Lukla — the airstrip Sir Edmund Hillary himself built in the 1960s — and helicoptering up to Namche Bazaar. From there, walks lead to the villages of Khumjung and Kunde, and to the visitor centre at Khumjung School, the first school Sir Edmund Hillary built in the region.
Darjeeling - Crossing overland into India, the group stays at the historic Windamere Hotel, once a base for British Raj-era mountaineering expeditions. Early mornings bring sunrise views of Kanchenjunga and Everest, and there’s plenty of time to wander the bazaars.
“This is not a trek-heavy experience. The walking we do is not obligatory, and in any case it’s not extensive.”
Bhutan - The final leg takes travellers to Paro and Thimphu, with a visit to the Renew program — supporting women and girls in unsafe circumstances — before a journey to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery, and a celebratory return flight to Kathmandu.
Seeing AHF’s work firsthand
Throughout the journey, the group will meet the people and programs AHF supports - from the Snow Leopard Conservancy in Ladakh, to education programs in the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal, to the Renew program in Bhutan.
“It’s a journey of purpose. It’s about the AHF programs - the very diverse types of programs we run.”
Peter was clear that fundraising is central to the trip:
“Obviously, a key part of it is fundraising. We want to raise money for the programs - the programs that we will be seeing. So your contributions towards the fundraising will be a very important part of the trip.”
The details
- Dates: 25 September – 13 October 2027
- Group size: Small group
- Accommodation: Quality hotels throughout
- Highlights: Snow leopard tracking in Ladakh, Everest region, visit Hillary’s school and hospital, sunrise over Kanchenjunga in Darjeeling, Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan, and AHF program visits in every region
Another way to support AHF: the Manaslu Circuit
For those after a more trek-focused experience, Huma also announced a second AHF-supporting departure for March 2027 - the Manaslu Circuit, led by Paralympian and AHF director Heath Francis OAM.
“Manaslu is the world’s eighth highest peak, at just over 8,000 metres, and the trek traverses around the mountain. I personally think it’s one of the best treks in Nepal.”
The 16-day trip includes 10 days of trekking through remote Buddhist communities, a crossing of the Larkya La Pass at over 5,000m, and a visit to Manaslu Base Camp, before descending into the Annapurna region.
Join the journey
As Peter put it in closing:
“This trip across the Himalayas is an amazing way to see four of the most amazing parts of the Himalayas and support the work of the Australian Himalayan Foundation — and see it in action for yourself.”