Elen Turner
I'm a writer and editor based at the top of New Zealand's South Island. After previous lives in Nepal, the USA, Australia, Japan, the Czech Republic, Sierra Leone, and the UK I enjoy writing about all kinds of travel destinations and experiences.
I'm the co-author of two recent guidebooks to New Zealand: Lonely Planet New Zealand (2023) and Lonely Planet Experience New Zealand (2022). My travel writing has also featured in "The Best Women's Travel Writing" vol. 11, 2017 (ed. Lavinia Spalding), as well as numerous magazines and websites, including AFAR, the New Zealand Herald, Fodor's, TripSavvy, and more.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Nepal, New Zealand"
How did you get involved in travel?
"I've been travelling all my life, as my parents were keen travellers. But after a foray into a career in academia I knew my real passion lay elsewhere, and so I became a travel writer!"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Many people trek to Everest Base Camp, but the most unforgettable experience of my life was flying over it in a helicopter. "
Elen's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Nepal ranges from very high mountains to jungle-filled plains—which means that, despite being a geographically small country, hopping quickly around the country can be a...
The sparkling, pristine blue and green waters of the Gokyo Lakes are one of Nepal’s most memorable sights. They comprise the highest freshwater lake system in the world, at...
With a full week in Nepal, there’s time to cover a lot of ground on a sightseeing tour—you can easily combine the highlights of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan National Park....