I began my year-long journey through Asia with a simple plan: one month in India. But India had other ideas. Its vibrant chaos, extraordinary food, rich wildlife and endlessly compelling culture drew me in so completely that six months passed before I even realized it — along with the expiry of my visa. Somewhere outside Hampi, sitting on a warm rock as the sun melted into the boulder-strewn landscape, it struck me just how much travel had changed me. I knew then that helping others experience that same sense of discovery was what I wanted to do.
A year later, I was doing exactly that with Audley Travel. My backpack and I have since wandered through Vietnamese night markets, watched mist drift across Mount Fuji and trekked the glowing gorges leading to Petra. Travel continues to shape my life, and I’m passionate about crafting meaningful, memorable journeys for others.
Q&A with Jack
Where would you love to travel to next?
Next on my list is Africa to see wild mountain gorillas. The idea of trekking through dense jungle, hearing the forest come alive around me, and then suddenly spotting a great, calm mass of black fur among the green has been a dream of mine for a long time.
What tips would you give to people visiting your specialist destination?
Don't be afraid to try something new. We all have our go-to dish when we visit the local curry house, but India has so much incredible food to offer that stepping just slightly outside your comfort zone can open an entirely new world of flavors. Some of the most amazing meals I've had have been things I'd never heard of before I visited. India rewards those who taste a little boldly.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
My most vivid travel moment is the time two friends and I decided — rather unwisely — to drive a tuk-tuk from Goa to Mumbai in three days. What sounded like a mad idea quickly became a chaotic, magical adventure across endless bumpy roads and far-off villages I never would’ve seen otherwise. The journey took us so far off the beaten track that locals were left rubbing their eyes by the sight of three foreigners rattling through in a tuk. In true Indian style, we were met with extraordinary hospitality, welcomed into homes, and cared for like old friends. It still makes me laugh thinking about it.