25 YEARS OF EXPEDITIONS · OUR STORY

Some partnerships are built in a boardroom.
Ours began 25 years ago.

Having explored 75+ countries together, Ritika and Shezaan realised that the magic of travel lies not just in where you go, but in how deeply you experience it.

Rare Departures was born from their own journeys, with one belief: travel should be more than ticking destinations off a list. It should be about living moments that become lifelong memories.

25 Years of Friendship
75+ Countries Explored
16+ Shared Expeditions
100% Achievement Journeys
MEET THE FOUNDERS

The Explorers Behind Every Journey

Two distinct disciplines, twenty-five years of shared miles, and a relentless curiosity for off-the-beaten-path horizons.

Ritika — Founder, Rare Departures
FOUNDER Rare Departures
35+ Countries
15+ Thai Islands
RV USA Coast
EXPLORER & FOUNDER

Ritika

Founder, Rare Departures · Visionary Adventurer
“A traveller who seeks extraordinary experiences.”

With more than 35 countries behind her, Ritika has always been drawn to experiencing places differently. Her travels have taken her from living in a cave in Vietnam and tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda, to road tripping across the United States from Florida to Seattle in an RV, skydiving, and exploring the underwater world.

That instinct — to look beyond the obvious and seek out experiences worth travelling for — is at the heart of Rare Departures.
Ritika’s Verified Expeditions & Milestones
🇻🇳 Experienced living in a cave in Vietnam 🦍 Tracked mountain gorillas in Rwanda 🚐 Road tripped across the USA (Florida to Seattle) in an RV 🪂 Skydived and explored the underwater world
Shezaan — Co-Founder, Rare Departures
CO-FOUNDER Rare Departures
30+ Countries
100+ Global Dives
Highest Motorable Road
OPERATIONS & ROUTE ARCHITECT

Shezaan

Co-Founder, Rare Departures · Execution Specialist
“A traveller, builder and storyteller who believes in a more meaningful way to explore the world.”

A traveller, builder and storyteller with travel across 30+ countries, Shezaan has conquered the highest motorable road in the world on a motorcycle, logged over 100+ dives across the globe as a certified scuba diver, and explored the lungs of the world in the Amazon Forest.

Shezaan brings real-world discipline, route mastery, and a relentless curiosity for off-the-beaten-path horizons to every journey Rare Departures designs.
Shezaan’s Verified Expeditions & Milestones
🌍 30+ countries explored 🤿 Certified scuba diver with over 100+ dives across the globe 🏍️ Conquered the highest motorable road on a motorcycle 🌿 Explored and experienced the lungs of the world (AMAZON FOREST)
25 YEARS IN THE MAKING

How Our Shared Miles Shaped Rare Departures

From childhood best friends to high-altitude mountain traverses and global expeditions.

2001

The 25-Year Partnership Begins

Ritika and Shezaan become best friends, laying down a bond of trust, shared curiosity, and a hunger to explore.

2008–2015

Himalayan Motorcycling & Dives

Shezaan begins 18 years of high-altitude riding across the highest motorable passes in Ladakh and Spiti, while logging scuba dives across oceans.

2016–2022

Extreme Global Feats

Ritika lives in Vietnamese caves, tracks gorillas in Rwanda, RVs across the US, and traverses 35+ countries while Shezaan masters execution logistics.

2023–Present

Rare Departures is Born

Crafting unscripted expeditions that turn travel into an achievement, inviting travelers into the very journeys Ritika & Shezaan lived across 75+ countries.

TURN TRAVEL INTO AN ACHIEVEMENT

Experience What We Have Lived.

Join our strictly limited cohorts for 2026–2027. Step off the tour bus and embark on an expedition that becomes a lifelong achievement.

Explore Departures Book Now