Being a guest in someone else’s home ground asks something of you. We spend our time on the part most trips skip: helping you understand the how and the why of what you are seeing, so you arrive prepared rather than merely present.
Experiences run by the local guides, hosts and families whose tradition it is.
Context and preparation first — respectful participation, not spectating.
Fair pay for the people involved, and a share of every sale that goes back to their community.
My friends and I had an amazing experience with Sue and Ajarn Yod! Sue reached out the day before to let me know we'd be meeting Ajarn Yod and shared great recommendations about Phuket and Rawai on the way. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and made…
2% of all gross sales is pledged to local projects and charities in the destinations we visit — vetted by us, in the countries you travel to. It is our own backyard to look after, so we do not pass the cost on to you.
Born from a search for meaning, guided by human connection
Every journey begins with a reason. Ours began with a family trying to find its way through a moment that changed everything.
In 2012, while founder Ian Ord was living in Thailand, his father suffered a heart attack during a family visit. His brother flew to Bangkok on an emergency passport, and the family spent nearly two months between hope and mourning. During that time, the brothers turned to sak yant, an ancestral Thai tradition of tattooing and blessing, and received matching Paed Tidt designs associated with protection from the eight directions. The experience gave them a way to honour their family and carry what was happening together.
After the family lost him, Ian shared their story on Where Sidewalks End, the travel blog he had started the year before. It reached people facing loss, recovery, displacement and major transitions. They wanted more than directions. They were seeking meaning and connection.
Ian also saw how quickly sharing access to a tradition could affect the people and places behind it. Together, those lessons became WSE’s compass: help travellers find meaningful human connection, while honouring the responsibility that comes with being welcomed.
Today, local guides, artisans, healers, families and communities shape and share WSE experiences, offering their knowledge and stories on their own terms. We prepare travellers thoughtfully, pay partners fairly, respect the cultures that welcome us and support social and environmental projects through the TRIP Foundation.
The journeys that change us begin in many ways: through challenge, curiosity, celebration, food, art or a conversation around a shared table. Wherever yours begins, we would be honoured to connect you with the people who make a destination special, and to be part of your journey, as you become part of ours.
Where Sidewalks End Connecting you with a disconnected planet.
I had an amazing experience with Ajarn Pom. And Noi was my guide. I had some ideas and Noi was a great help explaining and giving me some feedback. When I met with Ajarn Pom I already had…
Such a beautiful Experience with Ajarn Ton. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting a machine done Sak Yan. Ajarn Ton was Incredibly hospitable and tended to my every need. 🙏🏽
Such an amazing day with Carlos, he showed us around to some amazing spots and we had the best conversations. It really didn’t feel like a tour it felt like walking with a family member. Don’t hesitate to…
We’ve just come back from a wonderful few days visiting an Iban longhouse and trekking / camping in the jungle with WSE. Everything about this company is great. Wonderful communication throughout from Ian along with handy tips too.…
Customisable multi-city trips, private departures and experiences built around what you actually want to do. Tell us what you have in mind and we will talk it through with you.
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