Sameer Londhe - Founder
Sameer believes that the only way is up, the mountains that is. Given a choice he’d live up there, but he draws his calm and peace from them nonetheless, getting only perturbed by the sounds and sights of city-life. An avid traveler, voracious reader and language addict, his favourite pass-time is staring at maps and sipping fine wines. Yes, he can team up wine with vada-pau too and convince you that it’s fine dining.
He gave up a plush job in America, to start Maps & Stories, because he believes the joy in seeing the world is greater than no other.
Sameer Londhe - Founder
Sameer believes that the only way is up, the mountains that is. Given a choice he’d live up there, but he draws his calm and peace from them nonetheless, getting only perturbed by the sounds and sights of city-life. An avid traveler, voracious reader and language addict, his favourite pass-time is staring at maps and sipping fine wines. Yes, he can team up wine with vada-pau too and convince you that it’s fine dining.
He gave up a plush job in America, to start Maps & Stories, because he believes the joy in seeing the world is greater than no other.
Jeshal Jaiswal - Co Founder
It was an organic and a gradual addiction I would say.
My journey in travel grew over the years, slowly and steadily. Starting with short journeys around home followed by our yearly sojourns, meticulously planned by my dad. I looked forward to end of exams and start of a new expedition. The more I got out of confines of my house, my city, my country, the more rooted I felt.
After studying design, as it came naturally to me, I worked as a graphic designer for a few years…and I thought that is it.
Then one ordinary day in 2012, Sameer walked in and informed that he had quit his lucrative corporate job, switched gears and proposed we start a travel outfit.
While we had travelled together a few times and were aware of how different our travel ideas were from most around us, this came as a surprise to me.
It is one thing to plan your own holiday but quite another to do pursue it as a profession. At first I just laughed it off but as days went by, unwittingly the prospect made home in me.
Like a kaleidoscope or jigsaw puzzle, little oddly shaped fragments came slowly together to make a pattern. ‘Maps and Stories’ was born.
Our journey over the past decade has been bumpy at times, especially in the initial years when the learning curve was greater but precious lessons learnt have enabled us in fine tuning our what I may say ‘art of designing experiential journeys.
Jeshal Jaiswal - Co Founder
It was an organic and a gradual addiction I would say.
My journey in travel grew over the years, slowly and steadily. Starting with short journeys around home followed by our yearly sojourns, meticulously planned by my dad. I looked forward to end of exams and start of a new expedition. The more I got out of confines of my house, my city, my country, the more rooted I felt.
After studying design, as it came naturally to me, I worked as a graphic designer for a few years…and I thought that is it.
Then one ordinary day in 2012, Sameer walked in and informed that he had quit his lucrative corporate job, switched gears and proposed we start a travel outfit.
While we had travelled together a few times and were aware of how different our travel ideas were from most around us, this came as a surprise to me.
It is one thing to plan your own holiday but quite another to do pursue it as a profession. At first I just laughed it off but as days went by, unwittingly the prospect made home in me.
Like a kaleidoscope or jigsaw puzzle, little oddly shaped fragments came slowly together to make a pattern. ‘Maps and Stories’ was born.
Our journey over the past decade has been bumpy at times, especially in the initial years when the learning curve was greater but precious lessons learnt have enabled us in fine tuning our what I may say ‘art of designing experiential journeys.
Tejal Sanghvi
From the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland experienced firsthand with Maps and Stories as a traveler, my wandering boots have now found a new path. Working alongside the travel experts here, has truly shifted my perspective as a traveler. Seeing the behind-the-scenes dedication to crafting meaningful experiences has made me appreciate the planning and passion that goes into each journey.
Now, I look beyond just the sights and help others create lifelong memories. Balancing the joys of raising two boys and a love for teaching toddlers as well as trekking in the Himalayas fuels my adventures and imagination.
Tejal Sanghvi
From the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland experienced firsthand with Maps and Stories as a traveler, my wandering boots have now found a new path. Working alongside the travel experts here, has truly shifted my perspective as a traveler. Seeing the behind-the-scenes dedication to crafting meaningful experiences has made me appreciate the planning and passion that goes into each journey.
Now, I look beyond just the sights and help others create lifelong memories. Balancing the joys of raising two boys and a love for teaching toddlers as well as trekking in the Himalayas fuels my adventures and imagination.
Mahima Karnani
A benevolent spirit and a natural altruist, Mahima has a genuine desire to accommodate every traveler’s wishes. Armed with an IATA-UFTAA diploma and enriched by years of expertise in leisure travel, Mahima brings her passion for exploring diverse geographies and embracing local cultures into every itinerary she crafts. Her decade-long commitment to philanthropy has instilled in her a rare warmth and empathy that reflect in the personalized, offbeat, and thoughtfully curated ``travel bouquets`` she designs.
Mahima Karnani
A benevolent spirit and a natural altruist, Mahima has a genuine desire to accommodate every traveler’s wishes. Armed with an IATA-UFTAA diploma and enriched by years of expertise in leisure travel, Mahima brings her passion for exploring diverse geographies and embracing local cultures into every itinerary she crafts. Her decade-long commitment to philanthropy has instilled in her a rare warmth and empathy that reflect in the personalized, offbeat, and thoughtfully curated ``travel bouquets`` she designs.
Mateja Keffer
Born to Explore, powered by Curiosity.
Traveling used to be all: ``Here's another church. Here's another museum. Please admire this 700-year-old spoon. I wanted life, I wanted chaos, I wanted to know why that goat was standing on a roof and how that old guy in the village just knew my name.
Through my travels I discovered that true travel goes beyond sightseeing — it’s about life-seeing. I strive to offer my guests experiences that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful and fulfilling. Real adventure isn’t behind velvet ropes—it’s in the random moments, the weird food, the people you meet,...
My background as a scout taught me a deep respect for nature, teamwork, and resourcefulness — values I bring into every travel experience.
Native Slovenian, EU, fan of art n history coupled with art of life – seeing
has enriched my craft as a guide.
Yes, i have traveled to India also.
Mateja Keffer
Born to Explore, powered by Curiosity.
Traveling used to be all: ``Here's another church. Here's another museum. Please admire this 700-year-old spoon. I wanted life, I wanted chaos, I wanted to know why that goat was standing on a roof and how that old guy in the village just knew my name.
Through my travels I discovered that true travel goes beyond sightseeing — it’s about life-seeing. I strive to offer my guests experiences that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful and fulfilling. Real adventure isn’t behind velvet ropes—it’s in the random moments, the weird food, the people you meet,...
My background as a scout taught me a deep respect for nature, teamwork, and resourcefulness — values I bring into every travel experience.
Native Slovenian, EU, fan of art n history coupled with art of life – seeing
has enriched my craft as a guide.
Yes, i have traveled to India also.
