Tamar Valkenier
Explorer, adventure addict, lover of animals, ancient cultures and remote wilderness
Fulltime Avonturier
Tamar’s first book, Fulltime Avonturier (Dutch), Fulltime Adventurer (English), and Die Vollzeit-Abenteurerin (German), became a bestseller, sold over 50,000 copies and was recognized by National Geographic.
Send her a message to order your autographed copy today!
‘Full-Time Adventurer’ is a riveting tale of leaving everything behind in pursuit of ultimate freedom.
At 28, Tamar Valkenier, an investigative psychologist with the Dutch National Police, stands at a crossroads. Despite a successful career, she deeply yearns for more. She makes the daring decision to leave everything behind and embrace a nomadic existence.
Tamar embarks on a transformative cycling journey from her hometown in the Netherlands to Istanbul, where she pushes her physical and emotional limits. Along the way, she gains confidence and discovers a fulfillment that exceeds her wildest dreams.
From a journey of 1,600 kilometers on horseback in Mongolia to hiking the Jordan Trail with her trusted donkey, and traversing New Zealand’s Southern Alps with fellow nomad Miriam Lancewood relying solely on hunting and fishing for survival – Tamar’s myriad adventures serve as evidence to the power of personal growth, and the rewards it brings.
More than a mere chronicle of Tamar’s experiences, ‘Full-Time Adventurer’ is a powerful testament to her transformation from a conventional life to an extraordinary one. It’s a captivating narrative of personal growth and courage that continues to inspire many others.
Verder dan Vrijheid
Haar tweede boek 'Verder dan Vrijheid' komt in September 2026 uit.
Stuur Tamar een bericht met je adres om vast een gesigneerd boek bij haar te bestellen!
In Verder dan vrijheid deelt Tamar Valkenier niet alleen nieuwe avonturen, maar reflecteert ze ook op haar nomadische bestaan. Ze loopt de Tokai Nature Trail in Japan, brengt winters door met skiën en schaatsen in Scandinavië, doorkruist de ruige binnenlanden van IJsland te voet, wandelt met haar kameel Einstein door Nederland, fietst door Turkije en bezoekt rendierherders, Maasai en opnieuw de adelaarjagers van Mongolië.
Jarenlang jaagt Tamar Valkenier de ultieme vrijheid na: alleen op pad, los van verwachtingen en titels. Maar na duizenden kilometers begint haar perspectief te verschuiven. Verder dan vrijheid is Tamars persoonlijke verhaal over het vinden van de balans tussen vrijheid en verbondenheid, en over de zoektocht naar haar plek in de wereld.
Verder dan vrijheid is een inspirerend en confronterend verhaal voor iedereen die droomt van een vrij leven – en zich afvraagt wat vrijheid uiteindelijk écht betekent.
‘De passie van Tamar Valkenier voor de wereld om ons heen brengt haar tot ver voorbij de horizon en is zowel aanstekelijk als inspirerend.’
— Floortje Dessing
About Tamar
A former michelin-star chef and investigative psychologist with the Dutch National Police, Tamar (1986) traded her succefull, home-based life for one of uncertainty and adventure. She retired at 28, built a bicycle and left Holland. Two years she cycled around the world, sleeping in her tent and living off the land. She got addicted to adventures as they became more extreme and never-ending. Amongst many, she travelled Mongolia with her own horse, camel and dog (1600 km), Jordan with her donkey (650 km), lived of hunting and gathering under the glaciers of New-Zealand (3 months), hiked Japan, learned from the Maasai in Kenya and native tribes in Canada and spent two long winters amazing herself over the Northern Lights from her tent in Swedish Lapland. She loves the unconventional life of a modern nomad, especially when there is remote wilderness, extreme adventure, animals and ancient cultures involved. They all teach her valuable life lessons that she is more than happy to share. Articles have been written, documentaries shot, lectures given and tours organized. While continuing to explore the world, she published books and started a foundation in Mongolia.
Presentations
Tamar loves sharing her stories and in september 2023 she was rewarded with first prize for ‘Best Story’ at the Discovery Days festival in Flims, Switzerland. In 2025 she presented at Mundologia festival in Germany and toured through Europe to share her stories.
Upcoming shows:
16-17.10.26 El Mundo festival, Judenburg, AT
25.10.2026 BILDER DER ERDE, Dresden, DE
31.10.2026 WEITSICHT festival, Darmstadt, DE
02.11.2026 TRAUM und ABENTEUER, Stuttgart, DE
07.11.2026 WUNDERWELTEN festival, Friedrichshafen, DE
15.11.2026 FERNWEH festival, Erlangen, DE
05.12.2026 ANDERSWO festival, Graz, AT
11.12.2026 G10 van de economie, Amsterdam, NL
Please get in touch if you would like Tamar to speak to your audience, in either Dutch, German or English.
Join an adventure?
Only a few weeks of the year it is possible to join Tamar on one of her adventures, for example to Mongolia or Jordan. To trek with the bedouins and nomads and learn about their lifestyles.
Heart for Mongolia
After years of helping out the nomads of Mongolia herself, Tamar now finally has started an official NGO called Heart for Mongolia. All donations go directly to projects requested by the locals of West-Mongolia themselves, including the building of animal shelters, greenhouses and bringing much needed supplies to remote hospitals and schools. Every dollar makes an incredible difference to the people living in the harsh conditions of the mountains.
Tamar’s NGO ‘Heart for Mongolia’ supports the nomads of Mongolia in basic needs:
- Education
- Health care
- Agriculture
- Economy
Sponsors
Tamar is proud to collaborate with outdoor brand Vaude for suitable clothing, panniers, sleeping bag and backpack. They share Tamar’s values of repairing, reusing and recycling, while still offering the quality we need when going out on proper adventures.
Contact Tamar to:
- Help you prepare your own expedition
- Get involved with her NGO-work
- Organize a tailor-made adventure
- Hire her as a guide
- Book a presentation
- INVITE HER ON AN EPIC EXPEDITION!