From designing world-class itineraries to planning trip logistics to unrivaled customer experience,
we make your trip unforgettable.
ABOUT US
Insider Expeditions is a premier travel company that curates and hosts one-of-a-kind experiences for groups and individuals on all seven continents. Our extensive global network — from presidents to poets, prestigious universities to pioneering explorers, superstar artists to high impact non-profits — enables us to create genuinely unparalleled voyages to the most remarkable corners of our planet.
We pride ourselves on providing world-class service to our clients, featuring a breadth and depth of experience that consistently exceeds expectations of groups across all seven continents. Our trips range from educational journeys for leading universities, to business delegations for Fortune 500 companies; from mission-driven expeditions with non-profits to creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs; from wellness and yoga retreats to extraordinary family reunions; from creative workshops with artists, to musical or sports adventures with celebrities.
We pay meticulous attention to the details that make a bespoke journey unforgettable: from early engagement materials to the itineraries themselves, every detail is refined, curated and customized.
We are driven by a mission to share our love of this beautiful and magical world through thoughtfully designed experiences, ethical and responsible travel, and genuinely transformational journeys.
THE INSIDER ADVANTAGE
COMMITMENT TO OUR CLIENTS
Our commitment of providing world-class service to our clients is our highest priority.
From tour conception and marketing strategies to tour implementation and program evaluation, we partner with our clients to make sure they are included at every stage and ensure that their expectations are exceeded.
WORLD-CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE
We pay attention to the little details that make any journey extraordinary. From early engagement materials to the itineraries themselves – every detail is refined and curated.
Our itineraries are filled with exclusive opportunities not feasible through independent travel or with another operator. Our superior network of global contacts—from presidents to poets, prestigious universities to rural communities—helps us to create unparalleled experiences.
We pay attention to the little details that make any journey extraordinary.
From early engagement materials to the itineraries themselves – every detail is refined and curated. Our itineraries are filled with exclusive opportunities not feasible through independent travel or with another operator.
ENGAGING TRAVEL COMMUNITY
We provide travelers with opportunities to meaningfully engage with experts, tour leaders, fellow travelers and communities.
Our “Insiders” participate in relevant discussions and interactive activities, whether on land or at sea, that supplement our programs.
We embrace the growing desire of groups to participate in service learning travel as part of their experiences abroad. Many of our itineraries contain a service component, honoring both our traveler’s interests and our commitment to the communities we visit, or raise funds and awareness for a relevant impact organization.
TRUSTED NETWORKS
As travel professionals, we are plugged-in to global networks that allow us to stay abreast of trends and tricks-of-the-trade to bring to our clients the best experiences possible.
Insider Expeditions is a proud member of IATAN and the Educational Travel Consortium.
We remain engaged with global networks that keep us informed of trends, new hidden gems, and destination updates that allow us to bring our clients the best experiences possible.
Insider Expeditions is a proud member of IATAN and the Educational Travel Consortium.
As the founder of Insider Expeditions, I’m proud to have led curated programs in more than 100 countries. After riding my bicycle across the country as a college senior with a motley crew of 30 riders raising money for Habitat for Humanity, I have dedicated my life to creating group travel experiences which combine the qualities I so enjoyed that summer: a fun, inspiring, curated itinerary, lots of memorable surprises, local community engagement, and a journey that leaves behind a positive impact. Shortly after that trip, I moved to South America with a local tour operator, leading cultural exchanges, service projects, and innovative travel itineraries throughout the region. Honored a few years later with a World Peace Fellowship by Rotary International, I then moved to Japan for my Masters and worked with Peace Boat, whose circumnavigational travel programs focus on meaningful interactions and cultural exchanges with local communities, service efforts, and unique educational and enrichment opportunities for their passengers.
Since founding Insider Expeditions, I’ve had the opportunity to organize business delegations for Fortune 500 companies, trade missions on behalf of the US government, educational trips for alumni from top universities, creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs, extraordinary family reunions and world-class destination weddings, dancing adventures for Daybreaker, and remote wellness retreats for yoga studios.
Through Insider, it’s my mission to share our team’s love of this beautiful and magical world through travel and thoughtfully curated experiences, no matter your group, interest, or mission. It’s our own mission to have you look back and say, “wow, that was one of the best trips of my entire life.” On behalf of our fabulous, dedicated, and experienced team, we can’t wait to travel with you.
CARL SHEPHARD
Founder, Insider Expeditions
PARTNERS WHO
TRUST US
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chairwoman of the Board
As Chairwoman of Insider’s Board of Adventurers, with unparalleled connections at home and abroad, Jordan leads some of our most strategic partnerships around the world. She has a special place in her heart for Cuba, crafting new adventures across the island where we lead more groups than any other destination. She is fluent in Spanish and French, conversational in Arabic and Italian, and proficient in Cuban cooking.
Jordan Valdés
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Trip Director
Julia is a Swiss-American travel ninja, and passionate experience architect, creative strategist, and magnetic leader. As COO, she is the master magician behind Insider’s operations and global travel calendar, and oversees our exceptional staff. She has proudly conquered all seven continents, once in a single year with one of our top clients, and continues to seek inspiration through travel and community.
Julia Sommer
Director of Operations
Megan is a firm believer in the transformational power of travel, having spent her entire professional career researching, crafting, and managing bespoke travel experiences to destinations around the globe. After a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Madagascar, she jumped head first into the travel industry and hasn’t looked back. For over eight years Megan has thrived on planning unique, amazing adventures to any destination one can imagine and relishes the chance to get our of the office and on the road with her travelers. To that effect she has traveled to over 50 countries and is determined to join the Travelers’ Century Club one day.
MEGAN BURDEN
Director of Event Programs
& Marketing
Rachel is a passionate marketer and creative designer of unique experiences with expertise working alongside events and celebrity talent across travel, sports, music, and culinary. During her time in the entertainment industry, she curated VIP experiences that gave fans the opportunity to learn from legendary artists, athletes, and chefs all over the world. She fell in love with the magic of travel and bringing people together to create unforgettable moments in new places.
Rachel Wisler
Chief Explorer
Ben is one of the world’s leading polar explorers, and a record-breaking long-distance skier who has covered more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) on foot in the Polar Regions since 2001. His accomplishments include leading The Scott Expedition, the longest human-powered polar journey in history, and the first completion of the expedition that defeated Captain Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton, a 105-day round-trip from Ross Island on the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back again. Ben is the third person in history to ski solo to the North and South poles, and holds the record for the longest solo Arctic journey by a Briton. He is a global brand ambassador for Land Rover and Canada Goose, an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, a patron and fellow of British Exploring, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and an acclaimed keynote speaker, described by TED (where he has spoken three times) as ‘a master storyteller'
BEN SAUNDERS
Creative Genius
Alex is a PhD nuclear physicist, data scientist, accomplished author, and pretty much the smartest guy we know. As an expert in oceans and ocean technologies, he has traveled extensively both above and below the waves throughout the Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. Alex has a passion for technology from all eras, from modern neural networks to medieval astrolabes, and is the mastermind behind our total solar eclipse trips and other adventures which require the perfect geolocation and celestial timing.
ALEX BOXER
Legal Wizard
Jeff has been representing companies and individuals in the travel industry since 1992. His clients, located around the world, have included tour operators, travel agencies, trade associations, technology based travel platform companies, travel insurers, and executives. Prior to law school, Jeff worked as a travel agent, tour guide and sales manager for two airlines. A graduate of the University of Connecticut and the University of Miami School of Law, Jeff is always ready for the next unique travel program.
JEFF MENT
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are always looking for exceptional people who share our passion for transformational travel, world-class events, meaningful impact, and authentic community. If this sounds like you, please send us a resume and cover letter telling us what magic you can bring to our dynamic team.