Exploring the World

Our Story

We don't sell
holidays. We craft
experiences.

Luxe Isles started in 2013 with one idea: that a trip planned by someone who has actually been there is a fundamentally different thing. We're researchers and travellers first. We know these destinations because we've spent real time in them, and that's what goes into every itinerary we build.

2,400+
Trips Arranged
63
Countries Covered
98%
Client Satisfaction
11
Years in Business
Founder Aminath Ali, Malé, Maldives
How It Began

Founded on a
love of real travel

Luxe Isles began in 2013 when Aminath Ali, a Maldivian hospitality professional who spent over a decade managing guest experiences at island resorts, grew frustrated at what she kept seeing, visitors who had flown halfway around the world and never left the resort jetty. They were missing everything.

She started writing honest guides to the Indian Ocean and beyond for the guests who asked her directly. Those guides became itineraries, the itineraries became trips, and the trips became Luxe Isles. Now based in Pakistan after her marriage, Aminath brings the same island instinct (calm, precise, deeply personal) to destinations across Asia, the Caucasus, and the Indian Ocean.

Today we work with 47 local researchers across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Every trip is still personally overseen by a researcher who has been to the destination themselves. We do not use templates. We do not use scripts. Every itinerary is written from scratch.

Aminath Ali
Founder & Chief Researcher, Luxe Isles
What We Stand For

Six things we believe
about great travel

Place Before Package

We start with the destination, not the deal. Every recommendation exists because we've been there, not because a hotel paid us to recommend it.

Local, Always

Every destination has a local researcher on the ground, someone whose family lives there and who eats at the places they recommend.

Radical Transparency

Our pricing is itemised. Our commissions are disclosed. We are paid by you, not by hotels or airlines. No hidden referral fees, ever.

No Shortcuts on Safety

Every supplier is vetted against our 22-point safety checklist. No exceptions, regardless of how competitive their rate is.

Slow is Better

We build rest days into every itinerary. The best travel moments always happen in the gaps, at a tea house, at a market, by accident.

Community Benefit

We prioritise locally-owned accommodation and independent guides. When you spend money through Luxe Isles, most of it stays in the destination.

The People Behind the Itineraries

Meet the Researchers

Aminath Ali
Founder & Chief Researcher

Grew up in the Maldives, spent over a decade in island resort hospitality. Now based in Pakistan after her marriage. Specialist in the Maldives, Indian Ocean, and South Asia.

DhivehiArabicUrduHindi
YI
Yasmine Ibrahim
Marketing Executive, South East Asia

Leads brand and campaign strategy for our South East Asia desk, working closely with the research team to bring Bali, Malaysia, and Thailand itineraries to life.

EnglishMalay
SI
Sarah Ismail
Marcom & Guest Relations, South Asia

The friendly voice behind every enquiry — manages guest communications and relations across our South Asia portfolio, from first message to final farewell.

EnglishUrdu
EM
Edward Maxwell
Senior Researcher, US & Europe

Connects our boutique Asia and Indian Ocean itineraries with travellers across the US and Europe, drawing on years of researching luxury travel for Western markets.

EnglishFrench
How We Work

From first enquiry
to safe return

We don't use booking engines or automated itinerary builders. Every trip is designed by a human researcher, reviewed by a senior researcher, and supported throughout your journey, including a 24-hour emergency line.

01
You Enquire

Fill in our form or call us. A researcher responds within 24 hours to understand what you actually want.

02
We Research

Your researcher designs a custom itinerary from scratch, drawing on personal knowledge and local contacts.

03
We Refine

You review the proposal, ask questions, and we refine until it's exactly right. No pressure, no deadlines.

04
We Support

20% deposit confirms. Your researcher is on WhatsApp throughout your trip. We handle every problem before it reaches you.

As Seen In

"Luxe Isles operates in the space between luxury travel and genuine adventure, and they do it better than anyone."

Condé Nast Traveller, 2024

"The kind of travel company that actually listens. Rare enough to be remarkable."

The Guardian Travel, 2025

"For destinations off the beaten path (Pakistan, Azerbaijan, the Silk Road) Luxe Isles has no equal."

Travel + Leisure, 2024
Recognition
🏆
Best Specialist Tour Operator
Travel + Leisure Asia Awards 2024
Five Star Excellence
World Travel Awards, Indian Ocean Region 2024
🌍
Responsible Tourism Gold
Travelife Gold Standard, 2023 & 2024
✈️
Top 10 Asia Travel Companies
Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice 2025
Ready to Travel?

Ready to plan your trip?

Tell us where you want to go, or tell us what kind of experience you want to have, and a researcher will be in touch within 24 hours with ideas you haven't considered.