About Wanderlust
Pioneering extraordinary travel experiences since 2010
At Wanderlust, we believe that travel is more than just visiting new places—it's about creating meaningful connections, discovering diverse cultures, and experiencing the world in its most authentic form.
Our Story
How It All Began
Wanderlust was born in 2010 when two passionate travelers, Sarah Morgan and Michael Chen, met during a trek in the Himalayas. After spending weeks exchanging stories of their adventures and mishaps around the globe, they realized there was a gap in the market for authentic, immersive travel experiences that went beyond typical tourist attractions.
Starting with just a small blog and organizing trips for friends and family, Sarah and Michael slowly built a community of like-minded travelers seeking deeper connections with the places they visited. Their philosophy was simple yet revolutionary: travel should transform, educate, and inspire.
Growing Our Vision
By 2015, Wanderlust had evolved from a passion project into a full-fledged travel company with a team of experienced guides and destination experts. We opened our first office in San Francisco and expanded our offerings to cover over 30 countries across six continents.
Throughout our growth, we've remained committed to our founding principles: creating sustainable travel experiences, supporting local communities, and helping travelers forge genuine connections with the places they visit. Today, Wanderlust is proud to have helped over 15,000 travelers experience the world in meaningful ways.
Our Mission & Values
We're on a mission to transform how people experience the world through thoughtful, immersive, and sustainable travel.
Authentic Experiences
We believe in going beyond tourist attractions to discover the true essence of each destination. Our journeys include meaningful interactions with local communities, traditional homestays, and off-the-beaten-path explorations that reveal the authentic character of a place.
Responsible Tourism
Environmental and cultural sustainability guides every decision we make. We partner with eco-conscious accommodations, support conservation initiatives, and ensure that tourism benefits local communities. Our goal is to leave each destination better than we found it.
Meaningful Connections
Travel is most transformative when it fosters connections – with nature, cultures, and fellow travelers. We create opportunities for our guests to engage deeply with each destination, whether through cultural workshops, community projects, or shared adventures with like-minded explorers.
Meet Our Team
Our diverse team of travel experts brings passion, knowledge, and experience to craft unforgettable journeys
Sarah Morgan
Co-Founder & CEO
With over 80 countries under her belt, Sarah brings her background in anthropology and sustainable development to lead Wanderlust's vision of transformative travel. She specializes in creating meaningful cultural exchange opportunities.
Michael Chen
Co-Founder & Head of Experiences
A former adventure photographer, Michael combines his visual storytelling skills with his passion for outdoor exploration. He oversees our expedition design team and leads our photography workshops around the world.
Elena Rodriguez
Director of Sustainable Tourism
With a PhD in Environmental Science and experience working with conservation projects across Latin America, Elena ensures our journeys meet the highest standards of sustainability and create positive impact in local communities.
James Okafor
Head of Expedition Guides
A certified wilderness first responder with experience leading expeditions on six continents, James trains our global network of guides and ensures the highest standards of safety, knowledge and storytelling on all our adventures.
Our Achievements
Milestones that mark our journey and commitment to exceptional travel experiences
Recognition & Awards
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Sustainable Tourism Award 2022
Recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council for our commitment to environmental and cultural preservation
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Travel + Leisure "World's Best Tour Operator" 2021
Ranked in the top 5 specialty tour operators worldwide by reader choice awards
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Condé Nast Traveler "Readers' Choice" 2020
Selected as one of the top adventure travel companies by discerning travelers
Impact & Reach
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Global Presence
Active operations in 85+ countries across 6 continents with a network of 320+ local partners
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Community Support
$1.2 million contributed to community development and conservation projects in destination countries
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Carbon Commitment
100% of trip emissions offset through verified carbon projects, with 25,000+ trees planted through our reforestation initiatives
What Our Travelers Say
Authentic stories from the Wanderlust community
Rebecca Anderson
Peru Expedition, 2022
"My journey through Peru with Wanderlust completely transformed my perspective on travel. Our guide, Carlos, shared intimate knowledge of Incan history that you'd never find in guidebooks. The homestay with a local family in the Sacred Valley was particularly special—I learned to make traditional Peruvian dishes and formed connections that will last a lifetime. This wasn't just a vacation; it was a deeply enriching cultural immersion."
David Ogunleye
Japan Cultural Tour, 2021
"As someone who's typically skeptical of group tours, Wanderlust completely exceeded my expectations in Japan. The small group size allowed us to access places large tours can't go, including a private tea ceremony with a master in Kyoto and staying at a traditional ryokan. Elena, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and responsive to the group's interests. The thoughtful itinerary balanced iconic highlights with hidden gems only locals would know."
Maria & Thomas Lindgren
Tanzania Safari, 2025
"Our Tanzania safari with Wanderlust was meticulously planned yet felt spontaneous and magical. What set this experience apart was the company's commitment to sustainability—from our eco-lodge accommodations to supporting wildlife conservation efforts. Our guide James had an uncanny ability to spot wildlife and shared fascinating insights about ecosystem preservation. We particularly appreciated the opportunity to visit a Maasai village where we learned about their conservation partnerships."
Journey Highlights
Glimpses of the extraordinary experiences we create around the world
Culinary Workshops
Bangkok, Thailand
Wildlife Encounters
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Cultural Immersion
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Mountain Expeditions
Annapurna Region, Nepal
Desert Adventures
Sahara Desert, Morocco
Conservation Projects
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Ready to Embark on Your Journey?
Let us help you create your next unforgettable travel experience. Whether you're dreaming of ancient temples, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, or vibrant cities, our team is here to craft the perfect adventure tailored to your interests.