SoulTrips was born from a deeply personal belief: that travel, done with intention, is one of the most transformative things a human being can do. We didn't build a travel agency. We built a reason to go.
In 2009, our founder, Joni Herison, travelled to Bhutan for the first time. What began as a trip became something much deeper.
Even after returning home, he couldn’t shake the feeling Bhutan had given him. The pace of life, the connection to culture, the way people measured happiness differently, it shifted how he saw the world and how he wanted to live within it.
That journey transformed his life.
When he came home to Singapore, he couldn’t stop thinking about one question:
"Why weren’t more people experiencing places like this in a meaningful way?"
That belief led to the birth of Druk Asia, with a simple mission, to help more travellers discover Bhutan with care, depth and cultural understanding. Over the years, thousands of travellers experienced Bhutan through Druk Asia. Many returned home changed by the experience, calmer, clearer and more connected to themselves and the world around them.
Then, in 2023, a new idea emerged.
If travel could transform people in Bhutan, could it do the same elsewhere?
That belief became SoulTrips.
SoulTrips was created to bring travellers to soulful destinations beyond Bhutan. Places that invite reflection, connection and a different pace of living. Journeys designed not around ticking off landmarks, but around how you want to feel when you return home.
Today, SoulTrips curates meaningful journeys across destinations such as Japan, Israel, Palau, Kazakhstan, Nepal and Timor-Leste, with the same philosophy that started it all in 2009: travel has the power to transform the soul.
We believe the most meaningful journeys aren't reserved for the ultra-wealthy or the fearlessly spontaneous. With the right guidance, everyone can experience travel that genuinely changes them.
When you share tea with a local family in Bhutan, wander through a quiet temple town in Japan, or listen to stories from a community in Timor-Leste, you begin to see the world, and yourself, differently. That difference ripples outward. That's what we're building.
We never recommend somewhere we haven't been. We never sell a tour we wouldn't take ourselves. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing someone return home with a new perspective, a renewed sense of purpose, or a deeper connection to the world around them.
Each specialist on our team has lived in or made repeated extended trips to their regions. We don't sell destinations we've only read about — we sell places we've been changed by.
Asia Specialist
With over a decade of experience in Bhutan’s tourism industry and a strong commitment to community-based travel, Ugyen takes pride in sharing her homeland in a way that is both meaningful and authentic. Having lived in Singapore for nearly a decade, she understands the expectations and travel preferences of international visitors while remaining deeply connected to Bhutan’s culture, traditions, and people. From cultural festivals and spiritual encounters to cultural immersions, she enjoys helping travellers discover the many different sides of Bhutan beyond the well-known highlights. Her deep local insight, trusted relationships across the country, and unmatched operational precision allow travellers to experience Bhutan with greater confidence, cultural understanding, and genuine connection to the Kingdom and its people.
Asia Specialist
With over 15 years in the travel industry and more than 45 countries explored, Jason specialises in creating journeys that are thoughtfully designed and deeply personal. Japan is the destination closest to his heart and one he visits regularly. His firsthand knowledge of its culture, cuisine, landscapes and lesser-known regions allows him to help travellers experience the country with greater depth, confidence and authenticity. Beyond Japan, Jason's passion for travel continues to take him around the world in search of meaningful experiences and unique perspectives. Next on his list is South America, a region that captivates him with its vibrant cultures, dramatic landscapes, rich history, and boundless opportunities for adventure.
Europe Specialist
With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, Canny has built a reputation for delivering seamless travel experiences through her expertise in operations, sales, and tour leadership. Throughout her career, she has guided travellers across a diverse range of destinations, including China, Japan, Turkey, Bhutan, Morocco, and many others, gaining valuable firsthand knowledge of different cultures, travel styles, and customer needs. Her extensive destination knowledge, combined with a practical understanding of travel logistics, enables her to create journeys that are both well-organised and deeply rewarding for travellers. Canny also serves as Europamundo's sales representative in Singapore, helping travellers discover expertly curated journeys across Europe and beyond.
Middle East and Africa Specialist
With 27 years of experience creating meaningful travel experiences across diverse destinations, Glenda has built a distinguished career connecting people, cultures, and communities through travel. She spent 18 years leading EL AL Israel Airlines in Singapore, where she developed deep expertise in Israel's tourism landscape, business travel, and cultural exchanges. Her extensive network and insider knowledge allow travellers to discover Israel beyond the usual attractions, from authentic culinary experiences to unique local encounters and meaningful cultural connections. Glenda has also played a key role in developing tourism programmes for Bhutan, Palau, and Timor-Leste, bringing her wealth of industry experience, strategic insight, and passion for destination development to emerging travel markets.
Asia Specialist
With over a decade of experience in Bhutan’s tourism industry, Sonam Younten combines deep destination expertise with a strong understanding of international traveller expectations. He spent over ten years playing an instrumental role in promoting Bhutan to global markets and helping travellers discover the Kingdom through thoughtfully curated journeys. Having worked closely with guests, travel partners, and industry stakeholders from around the world, Sonam brings extensive knowledge in destination management, travel operations, and customer engagement. His passion for sharing Bhutan’s culture, landscapes, and way of life, together with his commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences, enables visitors to explore Bhutan with confidence, authenticity, and a deeper appreciation of the country and its people.
Asia Specialist
After joining the Singapore office in 2013, Sangay Dorji spent over a decade helping travelers discover the beauty, culture, and spirit of Bhutan. Having since returned home to the picturesque valley of Paro, he continues to share his passion for the Kingdom with visitors from around the world. Originally from eastern Bhutan, with family roots and connections across Trongsa, Gelephu, Punakha, and Paro, Sangay brings a deep understanding of Bhutan's diverse landscapes, traditions, and local way of life. His firsthand knowledge allows him to help travelers experience not only Bhutan's iconic highlights but also its lesser-known treasures. Sangay combines professional expertise with a genuine passion for showcasing Bhutan. His commitment to thoughtful service and authentic travel experiences helps visitors connect with the Kingdom in a way that is unforgettable.
Asia Specialist
Inspired by a life-changing journey to Bhutan while living in Singapore, Inez developed a deep appreciation for the Kingdom’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique philosophy of happiness. What began as a personal connection soon became a passion for helping others discover Bhutan’s many wonders. As Druk Asia and SoulTrips’s representative in Indonesia for more than six years, she has guided countless travellers in planning meaningful and personalised journeys to Bhutan, drawing on her firsthand experiences and deep understanding of the destination. Her passion for sharing Bhutan’s culture and way of life, combined with her commitment to attentive service, helps travellers experience the Kingdom in a way that is memorable, and deeply enriching.
These aren't marketing words. They're the standards we hold ourselves to in every conversation, every itinerary, every single trip.
We'll always tell you what we genuinely think. If a destination isn't at its best when you want to travel, we'll say so. If there's a better option for your interests or budget, we'll recommend it. Our role is to help you make the right decision, not simply sell you a trip.
We partner only with operators that contribute meaningfully to local communities and conservation. A portion of every Bhutan booking goes directly to our charity partners to support various causes — youth, culture, animals welfare, education, artisan support.
The difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one is often a single detail — the right guide, the perfect restaurant table, the sunrise you almost missed. We obsess over details so you don't have to.
Most of our travellers come back, often bringing friends and family with them. We believe that's a reflection of the relationships we've built and the care we put into every journey.
We take our impact seriously. Not because it's fashionable, but because the places we love — from the monasteries of Bhutan and the forests of Japan to the reefs of Palau and the communities of Timor-Leste, deserve to be protected for generations to come.
Every supplier, guide, lodge, and operator in our network is vetted not just for quality, but for their commitment to the communities and ecosystems they work within.
We design itineraries that favour slower travel, smaller groups and deeper cultural experiences, reducing impact while creating more meaningful journeys.
We offset land transport emissions for all our tours through tree planting programmes in Bhutan.
100% of our recommended guides are local to their destination. The money stays in the community.
We encourage responsible travel practices that respect local cultures, traditions and environments.
Every extraordinary journey starts with one conversation. Tell us where your soul wants to go — and we'll take care of everything else.