Some Of Our Partners
From designing world-class itineraries to planning trip logistics to unrivaled customer experience, we make your trip unforgettable.
About Us
Welcome to Insider Expeditions, where extraordinary journeys come to life and dreams become unforgettable realities. Our passion lies in crafting one-of-a-kind adventures that are as unique as you are, guiding you through uncharted territories and opening doors to breathtaking moments.
We are not your ordinary travel company. Our dedicated team of creative experience designers are true masters of their craft, obsessed with the tiniest details, weaving together bespoke trips that shatter the mold of traditional itineraries. For more than 16 years, we have offered people the chance to host community or brand or board meetings all over the world, led fundraising trips and non-profit donor experiences, creative brainstorming adventures for entrepreneurs, epic birthday celebrations, university alumni gatherings, and remote wellness and longevity retreats.
We also take sustainable travel seriously, making a continual conscious commitment to responsible tourism. Experience a journey that not only enriches your soul but also uplifts the well-being of local communities and raises awareness for global causes. We are the number #1 tour operator raising funds for climate change through our epic, carbon neutral, and leave-no-trace trips to Antarctica, just as one example. Together we can explore the world while preserving its beauty for generations to come.
With over 500 awe-inspiring experiences spanning all seven continents, Insider Expeditions stands as a beacon of trust and reliability in the boutique travel space. Our carefully designed itineraries, guided by experienced hosts, promise seamless logistics and renown experiences that keep our travelers and clients coming back year after year.
Join us on an adventure of a lifetime – a journey that awakens curiosity, ignites hope, and fills your heart with joy. We can’t wait to explore the world together with you.
We are not your ordinary travel company. Our dedicated team of creative experience designers are true masters of their craft, obsessed with the tiniest details, weaving together bespoke trips that shatter the mold of traditional itineraries. For more than 16 years, we have offered people the chance to host community or brand or board meetings all over the world, led fundraising trips and non-profit donor experiences, creative brainstorming adventures for entrepreneurs, epic birthday celebrations, university alumni gatherings, and remote wellness and longevity retreats.
We also take sustainable travel seriously, making a continual conscious commitment to responsible tourism. Experience a journey that not only enriches your soul but also uplifts the well-being of local communities and raises awareness for global causes. We are the number #1 tour operator raising funds for climate change through our epic, carbon neutral, and leave-no-trace trips to Antarctica, just as one example. Together we can explore the world while preserving its beauty for generations to come.
With over 500 awe-inspiring experiences spanning all seven continents, Insider Expeditions stands as a beacon of trust and reliability in the boutique travel space. Our carefully designed itineraries, guided by experienced hosts, promise seamless logistics and renown experiences that keep our travelers and clients coming back year after year.
Join us on an adventure of a lifetime – a journey that awakens curiosity, ignites hope, and fills your heart with joy. We can’t wait to explore the world together with you.
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.
Planning Once-In-A-Lifetime Itineraries
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.
Executing With Ease While You Enjoy
We provide opportunities to engage with industry experts, renowned artists, and local communities. Enjoy relevant discussions and interactive activities that enhance every program. Most of our itineraries also contain an impact component, honoring both our traveler’s interests and our commitment to the communities we visit and the planet we love.
Our Leadership Team
As the founder of Insider Expeditions, I’m proud to have led travel 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 voyages 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, donor experiences for international non-profits, trade missions on behalf of the US government, educational trips for top universities, creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs, extraordinary family reunions, world-class destination weddings, epic birthday celebrations, wild dancing adventures, and remote wellness retreats.
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 & CEO
Our
Leadership Team
jimmy buffett musical adventure to Antarctica
As the founder of Insider Expeditions, I’m proud to have led travel 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 voyages 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, donor experiences for international non-profits, trade missions on behalf of the US government, educational trips for top universities, creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs, extraordinary family reunions, world-class destination weddings, epic birthday celebrations, wild dancing adventures, and remote wellness retreats. 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.
Since founding Insider Expeditions, I’ve had the opportunity to organize business delegations for Fortune 500 companies, donor experiences for international non-profits, trade missions on behalf of the US government, educational trips for top universities, creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs, extraordinary family reunions, world-class destination weddings, epic birthday celebrations, wild dancing adventures, and remote wellness retreats. 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 & CEO
Photo Location: Melbourne, Australia
Favorite Insider Trip: Antarctica
Dream Destination: Nepal and also India (and the moon!)
Fun Fact: I have 5 kids and a series of successful side hustles, I’m a design thinking expert and have a diploma in neuropsychology
Favorite Insider Trip: Antarctica
Dream Destination: Nepal and also India (and the moon!)
Fun Fact: I have 5 kids and a series of successful side hustles, I’m a design thinking expert and have a diploma in neuropsychology
SARAH PIRIE-NALLY
Photo Location: Solar Eclipse Trip
Favorite Insider Trip: Virgin Galactic Solar Eclipse Western Australia
Dream Destination: India
Fun Fact: Commercial Pilot by trade
Dream Destination: India
Fun Fact: Commercial Pilot by trade
STEVE PIRIE-NALLY
LIV ROGERS
CAMILA ARCAS
AMBER KNOWSLEY
PAULA SUDDY
Photo Location: Antarctica
Favorite Insider Trip: Yachting in Croatia
Dream Destination: Norway
Fun Fact: I’m the oldest of 5 and a musician!
Favorite Insider Trip: Yachting in Croatia
Dream Destination: Norway
Fun Fact: I’m the oldest of 5 and a musician!
JULES SCHROEDER
Photo Location: Aqua Resort in Nicaragua
Favorite Insider Trip: Antarctica with Wow It's Now/Daybreaker!
Dream Destination: New Zealand
Fun Fact: I am a certified instructor of Yoga Sculpt (yoga with weights!)
Favorite Insider Trip: Antarctica with Wow It's Now/Daybreaker!
Dream Destination: New Zealand
Fun Fact: I am a certified instructor of Yoga Sculpt (yoga with weights!)
HANNAH FITZMAURICE
HAPPIE HOFFMAN
Abbey Wilkin
Alejandra RODRÍGUEZ
MATT BILLINGTON (CONSULTANT)
Photo Location: Lake Kawaguchiko, Japan
Favorite Insider Trip: WIN Egypt
Dream Destination: Spain
Fun Fact: I volunteered as a teaching assistant in Cambodia
Favorite Insider Trip: WIN Egypt
Dream Destination: Spain
Fun Fact: I volunteered as a teaching assistant in Cambodia
CHRISTINE ARAGON
Photo Location: Shibuya Sky, Japan
Favorite Insider Trip: Sardinia with Dr. Hyman
Dream Destination: Hokkaido, Japan
Fun Fact: I'm a certified coffee master by a renowned coffee brand!
Favorite Insider Trip: Sardinia with Dr. Hyman
Dream Destination: Hokkaido, Japan
Fun Fact: I'm a certified coffee master by a renowned coffee brand!
DARYLL ROBLES
Photo Location: Asakusa, Japan
Favorite Insider Trip: Tanzania with Tennis Legends 2023
Dream Destination: Iceland
Fun Fact: I once took voice lesson classes so I could skip swimming lessons!
Favorite Insider Trip: Tanzania with Tennis Legends 2023
Dream Destination: Iceland
Fun Fact: I once took voice lesson classes so I could skip swimming lessons!
KEI NAKAJIMA
Trusted Networks
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.
Insider Expeditions is a proud member of IATAN and the Educational Travel Consortium.
