Sameer believes that the only way is up – the mountain that is. Given a choice he’d live up there, but he draws his calm and peace from them nonetheless. He’s a globe-trotter (lived across US & Europe and travelled across continents), voracious reader, hard-rock fan and language addict. His favourite pass-time is map-watching and wine tasting. Yes, he can team up wine with anything; vada-pau and burgers included, and convince you that it’s fine dining. Up in the air, during a long flight the idea of Maps & Stories was born. Soon after, he gave up his plush job in America to pursue his travel dream. Ever since he’s founded M & S, Sameer has been ‘high and happy’ (don’t blame the wine), because he believes the joy in exploring the world is greater than no other. At Maps & Stories we call him the ‘Mountain Man’, true to his name he’s just the ‘rock’ this place needs.

Jeshal, the other founding member looks at everything through a creative lens. Yes, at heart she’s an artist – and that she will always be. Close to her palette, colours and canvas. Everything from the walls to her wardrobe is arty, with little collectibles from her travels around the world. For this ex-advertising turned travel enthusiast, the world is as much about ‘people’ as ‘places’. Her travelogues are fascinating – full of conversations with people, and insights into their lives and stories. She loves teaching children and draws inspiration from the child-like, fairy-tale wonder of their minds. Also deeply passionate about photography, she can spend hours capturing ancient structures, pillars and even ruins. Jeshal designs trips with as much passion as she paints, making her the creative brain behind Maps & Stories..

To say he’s French is one thing, but Herbert is truly a man of the world (with a world map tattooed on his arm!). His needs are simple – A backpack, and a map. And he’s off on the road, for days, months or even years. So we are perpetually on a Herbert hunt. He’s curious by nature and fascinated by other cultures, traditions and recipes. He believes that only when you open your heart and unlock your imagination, you can experience a world full of surprises and secrets. He’s explored every nook and cranny of Europe, all corners of North America, and almost every land around the Mediterranean Sea. After one year of adventure in India he’s headed for the South East Asia. Herbert is our travel consultant Europe and South East Asia, well, as long as we have a secret agent to track him down.

Born on the Austro-Slovenian border, equipped with a degree in tourism and economics and speaking fluent German, Slovene and English, Mateja knows “what Indians want“. With an infinite reservoir of energy, she does not hesitate to share her life and times with our guests. And with Mateja as guide, we know our groups are always in safe hands. While her travels have taken her to farthest corners of Africa, Europe and Asia, she still feels very strongly about the Balkan region, and hopes to write a book about it one day! And with her go-getter attitude, we know she will!

What happens when an 18-year old Swede leaves her home to travel the World, and after wandering around in different continents, chances upon a tiny island, gets so charmed by it that she simply stays! That is the bond between Petra and Iceland. A trained physiotherapist & a professional tourist guide for over 25 years, Petra takes care of our guests in Iceland. And when she is not chasing Northern Lights, she turns to her other passion – horses. An experienced horse-trainer, Petra works with several farms around the island. But she admits that here true joy lies in showing foreign guests the fascinating country which she so long ago chose as her home.