Our Journey

In 2010, Emma and James, two passionate travelers with a combined experience of visiting over 80 countries, found themselves discussing the shortcomings of mass tourism during a chance meeting in a small café in Bali. They shared a vision of creating meaningful travel experiences that would connect people with authentic local cultures while preserving the destinations they loved.
What began as a conversation between strangers blossomed into Gentle Balance, a boutique tour operator dedicated to crafting transformative travel experiences. Starting with just three destinations and a handful of trusted local partners, we've grown to offer curated journeys across six continents while maintaining our commitment to responsible tourism and exceptional personal service.
Today, our team of 28 travel specialists continues to uphold Emma and James' original vision: that travel should enrich lives, support communities, and protect the beautiful destinations we're privileged to share with our clients.