Our Founder’s Family

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Since 1979, we have transformed our love of maps into the aspirations of others. Ibex Expeditions is among India’s most discerning travel outfitters, crafting award-winning journeys across adventure, wildlife, experiential, and luxury travel.

We design intimate, culturally immersive experiences—from Himalayan camps to Maharaja palaces—grounded in deep respect for local communities and the natural world. Ibex leaves no trace, only lasting wonder.

What began in India has expanded into a global portfolio of carefully curated expeditions across Mongolia, Madagascar, Borneo, Morrocco, Namibia, Peru,Chile, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Greenland, Melanesia, Antarctica, and the Arctic—destinations we know intimately through first-hand exploration.

Inclusivity lies at the heart of our ethos. We welcome every traveller with care and sensitivity, guided by the belief that meaningful travel fosters empathy and deeper human connection.

Our name is inspired by Capra ibex sibirica, the sure-footed mountain goat of the Himalaya—a symbol of resilience, agility, and guided exploration. Like the ibex, we lead travellers on sure footed journeys across the world’s most extraordinary landscapes.

MANDIP SINGH SOIN FRGS

Founder

“Two roads diverged…”

At 15, standing on the slopes of Black Peak in the Himalaya, Mandip chose the road less travelled—and never looked back. Drawn to the mountains and the unknown, that decision shaped the course of his life.

Years later, after earning a Master’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, India, he founded Ibex Expeditions in 1979—a lifelong pursuit of exploration and a way to share the transformative power of the wild with others.

  • Mandip continues to explore and uncover new adventures across India and beyond. Having traveled to over 45 countries and all seven continents, he brings a global perspective to his work, staying attuned to the evolving landscape of tourism and the expectations of the modern, discerning traveler. These insights are thoughtfully woven into every journey curated by Ibex.

    Ibex specializes in organizing and outfitting Himalayan expeditions, wildlife safaris, and tailor-made luxury journeys across India—from the stark beauty of Ladakh in the north to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala in the south.

    A significant part of Ibex’s success lies in its team of highly qualified professionals, dedicated to delivering exceptional travel experiences. Whether it’s selecting the perfect luxury camp or a charming boutique hotel, or crafting a seamless itinerary, the focus remains on creating immersive and transformative journeys.

    The Ibex guides and trip leaders are truly exceptional—well-educated, experienced, and skilled in wilderness environments, all while maintaining a warm and good-humored approach. Supporting them is a committed field team of guides, cooks, and porters who work tirelessly in all conditions to ensure each journey runs smoothly. Behind the scenes, the diligent and sincere office staff play a crucial role in keeping operations efficient and reliable. Their collective enthusiasm, attention to detail, and willingness to go the extra mile are at the heart of Ibex’s excellence.

    Beyond designing world-class adventure and bespoke travel experiences for global travelers, Mandip’s own diverse expedition experiences have continually elevated Ibex’s standards. His deep connection with nature has also inspired a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Today, he actively champions responsible tourism, ecotourism, and sustainable practices—striving to make a meaningful difference for future generations.

  • A Lifetime of Expeditions & Adventures (Since 1973)

    Mandip Singh Soin’s journey in exploration spans over five decades, encompassing expeditions across mountains, rivers, deserts, forests, and polar regions. His experiences reflect not only physical endurance, but also leadership, environmental stewardship, and deep cultural curiosity.

    Early Himalayan Foundations (1973–1979)

    Mandip’s expedition career began in 1973 as a schoolboy, when he participated in an Indian Public Schools expedition to Black Peak (21,000 ft) in the Garhwal Himalaya, reaching 19,000 ft.

    1975 - Completed a month-long Trans-Himalayan trek from Manali over the Shingo La through Padum to Kargil—covering over 400 km.

    Liaison Officer with the American Sierra Club Dunagiri expedition.

    1976 – Liaison Officer with British Sattu Da Par and Polish, KR 1 expedition.

    1977 - Led an anthropological and deep-sea fishing expedition in the Andaman Islands, combining exploration with cultural study.

    1978 – Liaison Officer with British Kalanka expedition and solo climbing attempt on Bamchu Peak (19,000 ft) in the Nanda Devi sanctuary.

    International Mountaineering & Outdoor Leadership (1979–1980)

    Mandip spent nearly a year in Europe training and climbing across the Alps and the UK:

    Climbed and skied in the French, Swiss, Austrian & Italian Alps and the Dolomites.

    Notable climbs in Chamonix, Zermatt, and the Engadine Valley.

    Climbed in Wales and Scotland, including winter ascents on Ben Nevis & Buachaille Etive Mòr.

    Outdoor Instructor at:

    Plas y Brenin, North Wales

    Outward Bound, Loch Eil, Scotland

     

    First Ascents & Expedition Milestones (1980 – 1990)

    First ascents in Zanskar:

    1980 - Z1 (6400 m)

    Independence Peak (5600 m)

    1981 - Rogue River, USA, rafting expedition.

    1981 - Delhi–Kathmandu cycling expedition (1500 km)

    1984 - All-India rock-climbing expedition.

    1986 - India’s first camel expedition across the Thar Desert.

    First Indo–Swedish light weight Himalayan style ascent of Mt. Meru North (6450 m).

    1988 - Trained in Mountain Rescue in the UK and France under an Inlaks Foundation Grant, contributing to the Himalayan Evacuation and Lifesaving Project (HELP), supported by Edmund Hillary.

    1989 - Arctic Expedition: Instructor with an international environmental expedition near the North Pole under the United Nations Environment Programme.

    1990 - Elephant Expedition: Led India’s first elephant expedition through Kerala forests.

    Youth Expedition (Sikkim): Led an international educational expedition near Kanchenjunga.

    1994 - Ice Trek (Zanskar) - Pioneering winter expedition on the frozen Zanskar River, helping open winter tourism in Ladakh.

    1995 - Angling expeditions for Mahaseer fishing.

    1995 - Adventure mapping in Sri Lanka.

    2000 - Wildlife and ecotourism studies across India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

     

    Global Expeditions & Ecotourism Leadership (2000–2015)

    2002 - Swiss Alps- Indo-Pakistan Friendship Expedition under the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the UIAA.

    2003 - Andaman Volcano Expedition - Climbed Barren Island volcano and submitted an ecotourism policy paper to the Government of India.

    2007 - Tibet Expedition - Journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, including Everest North Base Camp.

    Arunachal & Chambal Expeditions - Promoting ecotourism and conservation-based livelihoods.

    2006 - Bhutan - Druk Path Trek.

    Borneo - Mt. Kinabalu ascent.

    2009 - Mongolia - Gobi Desert expedition.

    2010 - Madagascar – sailing in the Mozambique channel, canoeing down the Tsiribihina River, and trekking through the Tsingy.

    2012 - Peru - Amazon, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu.

    2013 – Rafting the River Zanskar

    Morocco – camel safari in the desert and trekking in the Atlas.

    2014 – Namibia – wildlife safaris through National Parks, rhino tracking on foot, and climbing Big Daddy dune.

    2015 – Chile – exploring rainforests, the Atacama Desert, rafting the Petrohue River, trekking in Patagonia.

    Recent Explorations & Polar Leadership (2016–2026)

    2016 - Trans-Siberian & Mongolia. Expedition across Russia to the Gobi Desert.

    2017 - Antarctica Expedition to the Peninsula, launching the #AntarcticaMatters initiative to promote conservation awareness.

    2018 - Continued expeditions across Argentina and trekking in the Apuane Alps in Italy.

    2019 - Exploration of Rainforests in Costa Rica & Sri Lanka.

    2021 - Overland journey across Ladakh until the remote frontier of Turtuk.

    Expedition river cruise on the Brahmaputra.

    2022 - Rafting in Arunachal and a river journey in Assam.

    2023 - River journey in Bengal on the Ganges.

                Trekking and Rafting in Hokkaido, Japan.

    2024 - Expedition cruise to Svalbard Arctic

    Overland trans-Himalayan journey.

    Trekking in Malta.

    2025 - River cruise on the Mekong from Cambodia to Vietnam.

    River exploration in Odisha.

    2026 - Expedition cruise to Antarctica.

     

    Legacy of Exploration

    From first ascents in the Himalaya to leading expeditions in Antarctica, Mandip’s journey reflects a rare blend of adventure, leadership, and environmental stewardship. His work has not only pushed the boundaries of exploration but has also contributed meaningfully to the growth of responsible tourism and sustainable travel practices.

     

    • “Himalayan Challenge” to the National Youth Council & Singapore Adventure Club, Singapore.

    • “Responsible Tourism” in Balikpapan, Indonesia at the PATA Adventure & Ecotourism conference & mart.

    • “Future Trends of Eco-Tourism and Adventure Travel” keynote address in Nassau, Bahamas, at the World Congress of Adventure Travel Society.

    • “A High Altitude Perspective” to McKinsey India’s Annual Conference at Cochin, India.

    • “Outward Bound Management Development” at the National Human Resource Development Network conference in Hyderabad.

    • “Considerations in Packaging High-Risk Products” at the PATA Adventure & Eco-tourism conference in Kathmandu, Nepal.

    • “Winter trekking in the Himalaya” at the Annual Symposium of the Alpine Club, in North Wales, UK.

    • “Eco-tourism Vs Adventure Travel” at the Malaysian International Adventure Festival in Kuala Lumpur.

    • “Ice Walk” at the Himalayan Club on the environmental expedition to the Arctic, in India International Centre, Delhi.

    • “Environmental and Sustainable Tourism” – panelist presentation at the PATA Annual Conference in Nagoya, Japan.

    • “Good environmental practices of an award-winning tourism company – Ibex Expeditions” in London at the World Travel Market, London, UK.

    • “A retrospective of 25 years of adventures & explorations in India and overseas” at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

    • Panel Chair for “Sustainable & Eco Tourism ~ Good practices” at the Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators held at Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

    • “Adventure & Ecotourism in India” at the Johannesburg Country Club, South Africa.

    • “Adventure and Character building for the Youth” at the annual Mayo Heritage Society day in New Delhi.

    • “Travel and adventure possibilities in India” in a seven-city tour of the USA coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

    • Presented a paper on “Responsible Tourism” at the Sustainable Resources conference at Colorado University, Colorado.

    • “Three decades retrospective” at the Middlebury College in Vermont, USA.

    • “Wildlife Tourism” at the  International Conference on Sustainable Tourism by the Ecotourism Society of India & Madhya Pradesh Tourism in Bhopal.

    • Presentations to the Eco Development Boards of the Government of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh and the Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh.

    • “Explore with Soin” slide presentation at The Bengal Club, Kolkata.

    • “Tales of an Explorer” slide lecture at the Harvard University, Berkeley & Colorado College, USA.

    • Presentations on India at the Peranakan Museum, SKAL Club, and the Singapore Adventure Club, Singapore.

    • “An India kaleidoscope of travel opportunities” at the Taj Pierre in New York and for the PATA Boston chapter in Boston, USA.

    • “Responsible Tourism practices” at the Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators conference, Mumbai.

    • “Travelling for Good” at TedX, Delhi, and “To the center of the Universe”  at Adventure Stories, Taj Palace, New Delhi.

    • “Tales of an Explorer” presentations at The Nehru Centre & The Travellers Club, London; Cafe Amsterdam in Ulan Bator, Bookworm in Beijing, Hotel ShangriLa in Lima, Indian School in Dubai & University of Woolongong in Abu Dhabi.

    • Panelist at “Future of Mountaineering & Mountains” at the 150th-anniversary celebration of the Swiss Alpine Club, Pontresina, Switzerland.

    • Plenary session at the Adventure Travel & Trade Association (ATTA) World Summit on “Adventure Cases worth speaking about – Ibex Expeditions” in Killarney, Ireland.

    • “Tales of an Explorer” at the Diplomatic Club, Muscat, Oman.

    • Plenary session at the PATA Adventure Travel & Responsible Tourism Conference & Mart in Thimphu, Bhutan.

    • “India at Heart” presentation at the India Cultural Centre in Sao Paolo, Brazil in collaboration with the Embassy of India.

    • “Tales of an Explorer” presentations in Sydney, Australia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Colombo in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Embassy of India.

    • “Tales of an Explorer” lectures at the Royal Guwahati University, Guwahati, The Tollygunge Club, Kolkatta, and The India International Centre, New Delhi.

    • Photography exhibitions at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on Mongolia and Saving the Siachen glacier.

    • Radio interviews in Dubai, Oman, Australia & BBC.

    • TEDxKnowledgeCity – Mandip Singh Soin takes the audience on a journey of learning from his life as a traveler.

    • “Championing Sustainability” on The Dope.

    • “Travel to Tomorrow” Ep 7 on Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in this podcast, Mandip Singh Soin keeps us on the edge of the seats through the story of his journey from the Himalayas to Madagascar.

    • Presentation on Responsible Tourism at The Hotel Investment Conference-South Asia. “No Rock & Roll Without Responsible Tourism” on Hotelivate at HICSA 2021, New Delhi.

    • Traveller’s Trunk is a documentary series that peeks inside the lives and travels of some of India’s most interesting wanderers. Journey with Mandip here as he shares snapshots on a life well loved and well travelled. Traveller’s Trunk Episode 02.

    • Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, explorer, mountaineer and founder of Ibex Expeditions, speaks about his adventures around the world. Taj Safaris Presents The Outdoor Journal and Ibex Expeditions Adventure Stories. At Taj Palace, New Delhi.

    • Episode 27 of Coffee With Ashish, Mandip Singh Soin discusses adventure travel on the podcast.

    • East Mojo – Travel responsibly, says international explorer & traveler Mandip Singh Soin at Royal Global University (RGU), Guwahati.

    • Mandip Singh Soin teaches you about mountains, climate change, and more on World Mountain Day, Mashable.

    • 2021 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival – Mandip Singh Soin is featured in this flagship program of Banff Centre that promotes understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain places.

    • Outlook Traveller – The founder of Ibex Expeditions on his upcoming Antarctica trip

    • Professional Affiliations & Leadership Roles

      Mandip’s extensive contributions to adventure travel, conservation, and sustainable tourism are reflected in his associations with leading global and national institutions:

      Leadership & Advisory Roles

      • Founding President, Responsible Tourism Society of India

      • Board Member, Adventure Travel Conservation Foundation

      • Trustee, Himalayan Environment Trust

      • Advisor, The Outdoor Journal

      • Member, Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board

      Fellowships & Honors

      • Fellow International, The Explorers Club

      • Fellow, Royal Geographical Society

      • Honorary Member, Scientific Exploration Society

      Professional Memberships

      • Member, American Alpine Club and Alpine Club

      • Member, Indian Mountaineering Foundation

      • Member, Bombay Natural History Society

      • Member, World Wide Fund for Nature India

      • Member, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage

      • Member, Confederation of Indian Industry (National Tourism Committee)

      • Member, Ecotourism Society of Himachal Pradesh

      Judging, Committees & Global Engagement

      • Jury Member, WWF India – PATA Bagh Mitra Awards

      • Judge, Safariawards.com

      • Ambassador, Sustainable Travel International – ‘10 Million Better’ Campaign

      • Former Judge, World Travel & Tourism Council – Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

      • Former Jury Member, National Tourism Awards (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India), Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Awards & SKAL International Ecotourism Awards

      Past Leadership & Institutional Roles

      • Former Chair, The Explorers Club South Asia Chapter

      • Former Honorary Local Secretary, The Himalayan Club

      • Former Senior Vice President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India

      • Former Member, International Committee of Pacific Asia Travel Association (Sustainable Tourism)

      • Former Expert Member, Mountain Protection Commission, UIAA

      • Former Member, Access Commission, UIAA

      • Former Member, Executive Committee, The Himalayan Club

      • Former Member, Governing Council, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering

      Summary

      Mandip’s affiliations reflect a lifetime commitment not just to exploration, but to shaping the future of responsible tourism, conservation policy, and global adventure travel standards.

    • Publications, Editorial Work & Contributions

      Mandip’s thought leadership in ecotourism, adventure travel, and environmental stewardship is reflected in his extensive editorial and writing work across books, journals, and leading publications.

      Editorial Roles

      • Editor–in–Chief of Ecotourism and Environment Handbook — a comprehensive guide for the tourism industry, published by the Ecotourism Society of India in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (2014)

      • Editor of the previous three editions of Environment & Ecotourism Handbooks, published by the Government of India

      Books & Literary Contributions

      • Wrote the foreword for Hammer Menschen by Richard Kienberger

      • Contributed chapters on trekking and rafting to driving holiday guides by Koko Singh (Zanskar & Uttarakhand editions)

      • Contributed a chapter to Incredible Himalayas by M. S. Kohli

      • Contributed to Guide to Rock Climbing in and around Delhi by Mohit Oberoi

      Articles & Features

      • Featured article: “India’s Top 30 EcoHotels” in Condé Nast Traveller India

      • Authored “Towards the Centre of the Universe” in The Outdoor Journal

      His writing has also appeared in respected publications such as:

      • Himalayan Journal

      • Indian Mountaineer

      • The Stephanian

      • Go Now

      • The Times of India

      • Hindustan Times

      Overview

      Through his editorial leadership and writing, Mandip has helped shape conversations around sustainable tourism, adventure travel, and environmental responsibility—both in India and internationally.

  • Awards & Recognitions

    Mandip’s pioneering contributions to adventure, exploration, and sustainable tourism have been widely recognised, both in India and internationally.

     

    2015 - Citation of Merit by The Explorers Club.

    2013 - Lifetime Achievement Award by Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.

    Achievement Award by the Global Punjabi Society.

    2012- Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (Lifetime Achievement) conferred by the President of India.

    1992 & 2008 - Recognised in the Limca Book of Records as Man of the Year and India’s Most Versatile Adventure Sportsperson.

    2003 - Achievement Award by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism, Leysin, Switzerland.

    Himalayan Environment Award by Sir Edmund Hillary.

    2000 - Best Green Leader by Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association, London.

    1992 - Ness Award by the Royal Geographical Society.

    1979 - Gold Award by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, New Delhi.

    1979 - College & University Colours (Rifle Shooting) — St. Stephen’s College and University of Delhi, India.

    1973 - ‘Rock Gibbon’ Award for rock climbing at The Air Force School.

     

     

     

ANITA SINGH SOIN

FOUNDER

An artist at heart, Anita has always viewed the world through a deeply observant and creative lens. After earning her degree in Fine Art, she continued to nurture her artistic vision, transforming travel experiences into journeys that feel like living works of art.

Her educational journey began at Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun, India and was followed by five years of dedicated study in the arts, laying the foundation for a successful career in design and creative writing. It was here that her expressive voice and eye for detail truly flourished.

Together with her husband, Mandip, and their two children, Himali and Himraj, Anita has embraced a life of travel, discovery, and cultural exploration. Her journeys across all seven continents have inspired evocative travel narratives that capture the spirit of each destination, inviting others not merely to visit a place, but to experience it with the same curiosity, wonder, and artistry through which she sees the world.

  • Anita brings a unique creative sensibility to every journey she designs. She has an exceptional talent for weaving unexpected and memorable elements into cultural and luxury travel experiences, while adding touches of comfort and sophistication to even the most adventurous expeditions. Whether selecting the perfect resort for a discerning traveller, arranging a candlelit dinner beneath the stars at a remote camp, or curating an exquisite dining experience in a royal palace, Anita's attention to detail elevates every moment.

    With the panache and precision of an artist’s palette, she conceives extraordinary surprises that leave lasting impressions—be it a meaningful humanitarian encounter, an audience with a Maharaja, or a deeply personal experience crafted exclusively for a guest.

    Over the years, many guests have become lifelong friends, drawn to the warmth, hospitality, and graciousness that Anita and Mandip extend to everyone they meet. That same passion and dedication continue to inspire the Ibex team, for whom every journey—whether planned behind the scenes or delivered in the field—is approached with the commitment to make it their very best.

HIMALI SINGH SOIN

Founder

Himali is a writer and artist & explorer based between London and Delhi. She uses metaphors from outer space and the natural environment to construct imaginary cosmologies of interferences, entanglements, deep voids, debris, delays, alienation, distance and intimacy. In doing this, she thinks through ecological loss, and the loss of home, seeking shelter somewhere in the radicality of love. Her speculations are performed in audio-visual, immersive environments.

Himali was educated at UWC India, Middlebury College (USA), and Goldsmiths, University of London (UK).

She makes Guest appearances on special Ibex journeys

  • Lectures and Interviews:

    • The artist traces a lost Cold War relic in India for the Serpentine – After years spent exploring the Earth’s polar regions, Himali Singh Soin returned to India for a different type of expedition. She talks to Ravi Ghosh about mountains, myths, and the nuclear sublime.

    • We Remember Everything – On Saturday 5 June, poets, writers and artists came together in solidarity, in grief and in love with the people of India, organised by Ignota, the87Press and The White Review

    • In Conversation – GCC interviews Himali Singh Soin, writer, artist and GCC member who deals with questions of the natural environment and ecological loss in her work.

    • ‘We are opposite like that’ at The World Around – Part of a pluralistic practice working across text, performance and moving image, Himali Singh Soin’s ongoing research utilizes metaphors from the natural environment to construct speculative cosmologies that reveal non-linear entanglements between human and non-human life.

    Publications

HIMRAJ SOIN

FOUNDER

Having grown up in a family of mountaineers, explorers, and artists, Himraj’s childhood was surrounded by adventure—even at home, climbing ropes and rappelling devices hung from his crib, carabiners filled kitchen drawers, and maps were scattered in each room. Born and raised between New Delhi, India, and a small mountain town in the Himalayas, he did his schooling at The Shri Ram School, India and later studied at Colorado College, USA, where his love for the outdoors blossomed in the rarefied air.

He went on to co-found The Outdoor Journal, an independent publication covering outdoor sports, adventure travel, and environmental news. As a writer and photographer, Himraj covered international destinations, conservation issues, extreme adventure sports, athletes, gear, maps, and more. His work has appeared in Vogue, Vice, Runner’s World, National Geographic Traveller India, Reader’s Digest UK, Condé Nast Traveller India, and The Outdoor Journal.

Himraj is a Director at Ibex Expeditions, an award-winning adventure travel company based in India, where he plans and guides mountain, safari, and cultural journeys. His expeditions have taken him to Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, Borneo, Madagascar, Peru, Morocco, Namibia, Argentina, Chile, Siberia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Iceland, Croatia, Tanzania, Ecuador, and the Galápagos, and Svalbard, among others. He was part of the International Antarctic Expedition led by explorer Robert Swan, studying climate change and sustainability.

In remote locations, he has subjected people from all walks of life to his Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Christopher Walken impressions. As a Baret Fellow, he will be a mentor to scholars, as well as a seasoned guide and wilderness expert.