Built for the way we wish travel worked.
Excurze exists because the best experiences in Asia are rarely the ones you find first.
We started as a collection of handwritten notes — the kind you pass to a trusted friend. The tea master in Uji who doesn't have a website. The family in Rajasthan who still cook over clay. The junk captain who knows every cove in Ha Long Bay by name.
Over time, those notes became a platform. Not a marketplace — a curated guide. Every experience on Excurze is one we believe in, from an operator we trust, in a place we know deeply.
We don't chase scale. We chase depth.
2019
Excurze founded in London
Elise Moreau launched Excurze with a single collection of Japan itineraries, built from fifteen years of on-the-ground experience across Kyoto, Bali and Rajasthan.
2020
First 50 curated experiences listed
We grew slowly by design — only adding experiences our own team had tested and trusted. By the end of the year, 50 experiences across 8 destinations.
2021
Singapore office opened
To better serve travellers across Asia and the Pacific, we opened a second base in Singapore, adding Southeast Asia specialists and deepening our operator network.
2022
Responsible Travel Policy launched
We formalised our commitment: 110% carbon offsetting on all trips, a hard no on exploitative wildlife experiences, and a minimum 60% spend through locally-owned operators.
2023
100+ experiences. 4.97★ average.
Excurze reached 100 curated private experiences across 15 destinations — and maintained a 4.97-star average across 600+ verified reviews. We haven't chased growth since.
2025
Bespoke itinerary service launched
After years of one-off concierge requests, we formalised our bespoke service: full day-by-day itinerary design for travellers who want a trip built around them, not a template.
Curation over volume
We list only experiences personally vetted by our team on the ground — every one researched and tested before it appears. If we haven't done it ourselves, it doesn't appear.
Private by design
All our experiences are private or small-group. No joining a tour bus, no strangers at your table. Your time, your pace, your story.
Operators as partners
We work exclusively with local operators who share our values: fair wages, community respect, and a love for the craft of travel.
No algorithmic filler
Our editorial content is written by people who live and travel in Asia — not SEO machines. Every article reflects a place we know, not a keyword we chased.
Every Excurze journey is designed by someone who has lived in your destination — not someone who has read about it.
Founder & Head of Curation
Elise Moreau
Former boutique hotel GM with fifteen years across Kyoto, Bali and Rajasthan. Elise built Excurze after one too many "luxury" experiences that weren't.
"The best trip is the one that still surprises you on day seven."
Editorial Director
James Whitfield
Travel writer and former Condé Nast Traveller contributor. James has slept in a Mongolian ger, navigated Ha Long Bay by kayak, and breakfasted at Tsukiji more times than he can count.
"I write about places the way I'd describe them to a friend — honestly."
Asia Operations
Priya Anand
Based between Mumbai and Chiang Mai, Priya manages our network of local operators across South and Southeast Asia, ensuring every experience lives up to its promise.
"Operators who love what they do are worth every extra hour finding."
East Asia Specialist
Marco Setti
Based in Tokyo for a decade before joining Excurze, Marco designs our Japan, South Korea and Taiwan itineraries. He speaks Japanese and has more local contacts in Kyoto than most residents.
"Japan rewards the curious. Every neighbourhood has a story no guidebook tells."
Wellness & Culture Specialist
Ananya Krishnan
A certified yoga teacher and former cultural anthropologist, Ananya designs transformative journeys across Bali, India and Nepal — from silent ashram retreats to private temple ceremonies.
"Slow down enough and every culture reveals itself."
Southeast Asia Specialist
David Ng
Raised in Singapore, David has lived in Hanoi and Chiang Mai and has sailed every major island group in the Philippines. He builds the kind of itineraries locals envy.
"Southeast Asia's beauty is in the details — the ones you only find off-season."
Ready to plan something extraordinary?
Speak to our concierge team. We'll design a journey that exists nowhere else.
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