Our Story
We believe travel
changes everything.
Wanderlust was built by travellers, for travellers — a team of destination specialists who've spent their careers in the places they plan for.
Founded 2015
How we started
Wanderlust began in a small Bali villa in 2015, when founder Elena Vasquez returned from a decade working in luxury hospitality convinced that the travel industry was failing its customers — prioritising volume over meaning, commission over craft.
She assembled a team of seven destination specialists — people who had lived, worked, and built deep expertise in the places they were recommending. The rule from day one: you only sell what you've personally experienced.
Ten years and 2,400 travellers later, that rule still stands. We haven't grown fast. We've grown carefully — adding destinations only when we find the right specialist, accepting clients only when we can genuinely serve them well.
2,400+
Travellers served since 2015
47
Countries covered in our catalog
100%
Trip carbon offset programme
12
Conservation partnerships active
The People
Meet the team
Eleven specialists. Seven regions. Over 100 years of combined field experience.
Elena Vasquez
Founder & CEO
Mediterranean & Luxury Travel
Elena spent a decade working for five-star properties across Europe before founding Wanderlust on a single conviction: travel should change you.
18 years experience
James Okafor
Head of Experiences
Africa & Safari
A former park ranger turned destination designer, James has personally scouted every safari property in our catalog — often more than once.
14 years experience
Yuki Nakashima
Asia Pacific Director
Japan, Bali & Southeast Asia
Yuki was born in Kyoto and trained as a traditional inn host before joining Wanderlust. She knows where the brochures end and real Japan begins.
11 years experience
Lucas Ferretti
Client Experience Lead
Europe & Custom Journeys
Lucas has been planning European itineraries for a decade. His record: 48 hours from enquiry to confirmed 14-day custom journey.
9 years experience
Amara Osei
Wellness & Retreat Curator
Asia & Wellness Travel
Amara is a certified yoga teacher and wellness travel writer. She's personally completed every retreat program we recommend.
7 years experience
Diego Vásquez
Americas Specialist
Latin America & Patagonia
Diego has trekked every major trail in South America and led conservation research in the Galápagos. His network in the region is unmatched.
10 years experience
What We Stand For
Our four pillars
Curation over Volume
We list fewer than 100 experiences total — and we reject more than we accept. Every property, guide, and itinerary has been visited by our team.
Authentic Local Partnerships
Our guides are not hired for the season. They're specialists who have spent years building deep knowledge of their regions. We work with the same people, year after year.
Sustainable by Design
We offset 100% of estimated trip emissions, partner only with operators who meet our responsible tourism standards, and invest 2% of revenue into conservation programs.
Care as a Standard
From first enquiry to safe return, our specialists are available around the clock. We're not a booking platform — we're your travel partner.
Our commitments
- ✓
100% carbon offset on all Wanderlust-booked travel, powered by Gold Standard certified projects
- ✓
Only partner with accommodation that has a documented environmental management programme
- ✓
2% of annual revenue donated to conservation and community development in destination regions
- ✓
All guides are permanent employees or long-term partners — not season hires
- ✓
Zero single-use plastic policy across all client welcome packs and in-trip materials
Responsible Tourism
Travel that
gives back
The places we love most are the places most threatened by irresponsible tourism. We've structured our entire business model around the simple conviction that travel should strengthen the places it passes through.
We report annually on our conservation partnerships, carbon offset purchases, and community investment — because accountability is non-negotiable.
Recognition
Awards & recognition
Top 20 Specialist Travel Agencies
Condé Nast Traveller · 2024
Sustainable Tourism Award
National Geographic Traveler · 2023
Best Bespoke Safari Operator
Travel + Leisure · 2023
Adventure Travel Trade Association Member
ATTA · Since 2017
Trusted Network
Our global partners
Six Senses Resorts
Singita Lodges
Aman Resorts
Belmond
Four Seasons
Wilderness Safaris
Travel with people who care.
When you travel with Wanderlust, you're not booking through a platform — you're working with a specialist who has been there, knows the right people, and cares about getting it right.