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Intimate immersion
Access remote communities far beyond traditional travel. You are welcomed as an invited guest into rarely seen spaces.
Small scale · Immersive · Life-changing
Our expeditions
The experience
Karai designs immersive, small-group expeditions into some of the world's most remote and rarely visited places.
Each journey, limited to 6 or 8 participants, is built around genuine access to nomadic families, isolated communities, preserved landscapes, and exclusive experiences.
Booking open
Mongolia · Altai
The Winter Migration
Experience one of the last great migrationsMeet the incredible Kazakh nomads and join their family on their yearly winter migration. We will walk along the herd in astonishing landscapes, take in the raw beauty of the Altai, and discover unique cultural festivals along the way.
Discover the expedition
Now open
Western Mongolia · With Jody MacDonald
The Winter Migration
One of the last great migrations, with Jody MacDonaldJoin a Kazakh family on their yearly winter migration, alongside photographer Jody MacDonald. We will walk with the herd through the raw beauty of the Altai and discover unique cultural festivals along the way.
Discover the expedition
Now open
Madagascar
The Red Island
An epic roadtrip across a biodiversity hotspotMadagascar is one of the last frontiers on earth, a biodiversity hotspot with a culture unlike anywhere else on the planet. Local tribes, endemic species, and unique landscapes await us!
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Now open
India · Himalayas
Intimate Spiti
The last Buddhist paradise of the HimalayasFor centuries, Spiti Valley remained hidden and forbidden to outsiders. We travel from remote villages to mountain monasteries in search of the true Buddhist way of life; staying with local families, attending a mask festival, and wandering deep into the Himalayas.
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Coming soon
Mauritania · Sahel
A Desert Odyssey
Across the vast Sahara and its many secretsMauritania is the Sahara in its most uncompromising form. Join a caravan with dozens of camels, explore oases and enjoy glamping under the stars.
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our philosophy
Travel further than ever before
Rooted in the belief that diversity is the spice of life, we craft our expeditions to take you far from mass tourism and off the beaten track, where the most meaningful journeys unfold.
We spend months on the road connecting with people who keep their traditions alive, convinced that truly immersing yourself in a place and its community is the ultimate way to expand your horizons and unlock life-changing experiences.
Bond beyond cultures
Follow shepherds and their herds
Join a nomadic clan on migration
Accompany buddhist monks on their spiritual quest
Listen to ancestral stories by the fire
Fall asleep under the stars
Travel further than ever
Bond beyond cultures
Follow shepherds and their herds
Join a nomadic clan on migration
Accompany Buddhist monks
Listen to ancestral stories by the fire
Fall asleep under the stars
Travel further than ever
the way we travel
What we never compromise on
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Field mentorship
Learn directly from your guide in a tailored environment, with years of field-proven expertise and a passion for storytelling.
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Refined logistics
Explore demanding environments in peak conditions. Seamless planning lets you stay fully present.
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Small groups
To preserve the authenticity of the experience and minimise our footprint, we cap expeditions at 6 to 8 participants.
Photography
All levels welcome
Thomas, your expedition leader, personally guides you through every aspect of photography: using the camera to build trust with local communities, capturing the human story, and elevating your technical craft.
Whether you're picking up a camera for the first time or refining years of experience, you’ll receive daily personalized coaching tailored to your unique goals.
Each day brings new subjects, from intimate portraiture and sweeping landscapes to action and candid storytelling, and no two days are ever the same.
Included in every expedition
Lectures
Evening talks to reflect on what makes a strong image, and to share the photographers and works that inspire us.
Tailored mentorship
One-to-one guidance in the field, in portrait, landscape and action photography, adapted to your level and your camera.
Post-production workshops
Sessions to select your best images and bring out their full quality, from the first edit to the final file.
They travelled with us
5.0
★★★★★11 reviews on Google
In their own words
“Our 17 day, small group expedition was led and carefully curated by Thomas and Emilie of Karai. Deeply passionate about Madagascar, Thomas and Emilie were endlessly understanding, flexible and accomodating.”
“Above all, what sets Karai apart is its deeply humanistic approach to travel: genuine encounters, cultural sensitivity and a sincere interest in the people and places discovered along the way.”
“This journey was truly meaningful to me and one I will never forget. Thanks to Thomas and Emilie’s excellent organization and flexibility, we were able to discover incredible and often hidden places that I would never have imagined visiting on my own.”
“I recently had the incredible opportunity to join an expedition in Madagascar with Karai Expeditions, and I can’t recommend them enough! Thom and Emi were absolutely amazing from start to finish.”
“To me, the best part was to learn how to communicate with the people that I didn't know and ask permission for taking photo of them. Thomas and Emilie were amazing. We got to know each other and built friendship during the trip.”
“I had a wonderful time with a great group of people, good team spirit with perfect support from Thom and Emi, a well as all the guides and drivers. They all took excellent care of us throughout the journey.”
“I've travelled with Thom and Emi in India and Madagascar. They are excellent leaders, sorting unexpected issues with skill and efficiency. They also guide you to the best photographic opportunities and freely impart their knowledge and guidance.”
“Spiti expedition was incredible photographic, cultural and spiritual experience. Thank you, Thom and Emi!”
Newsletter
Letters from the field
New expeditions before they are announced, field notes and photo stories. A few emails a year, never more.
