Travel that touches
the soul
ROUH — the Arabic word for soul — reflects our belief that travel can reach deeper than movement alone. When we move through the world with attention, something begins to shift. Landscapes open, encounters deepen, and travel becomes an experience that stays with us long after we return home.
A DIFFERENT WAY OF TRAVELLING
THE
idea
BEHIND ROUH
ROUH began with a simple idea: that travel can be more than movement across landscapes.
It is not a checklist of destinations, but a relationship — with places, cultures, communities, and the living Earth that holds them.
ROUH is a platform for journeys that connect inner exploration with the world around us.
The people behind ROUH
The people who make ROUH possible
Founders, guides, collaborators — each bringing their own path, perspective, and deep relationship with the world. What unites them is a shared belief: that travel can reach deeper than movement alone.
Jad Sanhaji
Founder & CEO
At 35, after twelve years leading people inside one of Morocco’s largest corporations, Jad Sanhaji walked away. Not from ambition — but toward something he couldn’t yet name. He packed a camera, a notebook, and left alone.
Elena Sophie
Co Founder and Creative Director
Elena Sophie is inspired by a deep love for travel and inner exploration. Rooted in a lifelong connection to nature and ecology, she moves through the world with a commitment to living in harmony with the natural rhythms around her.
Meryem Belkihel
Africa and mountains specialist
Is a Moroccan adventurer, cyclist, and storyteller known for her long-distance expeditions across Africa. She previously cycled over 6,000 km across Morocco, climbed multiple 4,000-meter peaks, and crossed the High Atlas Mountains independently.
Khadija
Yogi and Indian specialist
Khadija Khaldi is an artist, traveler, and curator of transformative journeys. Having explored India, Nepal, and the hidden corners of Morocco, she offers a unique way of traveling—beyond destinations, into experience.
Signe
Rouh Nordic
Signe is devoted to creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, each other, and the living Earth. With a background in leadership and organizational development, she has spent many years guiding people and systems through change — always with a focus on what creates true alignment and sustainable growth.
Martin Müller
Rouh Nordic
Martin is dedicated to creating spaces where people can relax into themselves, connect with others, and experience the natural flow that arises when people and places meet. With a background in hospitality, he has a deep understanding of atmosphere, presence, and what allows people to feel at ease and welcomed.
Ram Silwal
Nepal Specialist and Tour Operator
Ram Silwal was born in the mountains of Dhading, Nepal, and has spent over 30 years navigating them — on foot, on rivers, and in the silence between peaks. Explorer, kayaker, outdoor educator, and founder of Summit Adventure Academy, Ram is one of Nepal’s most respected adventure leaders.
Levi
Mentawai Guide
Levi is Mentawai by birth and by lived experience, shaped by the rhythm of the ocean, the forest, and the island community he belongs to. His way of guiding is not something he performs or adopts for visitors—it is simply an extension of his everyday life.
Agung
Indonesia Specialist
Agung has spent his life reading Indonesia — its volcanoes, its coastlines, its hidden rhythms. Born and rooted in Java, he founded Indo Trip Designer in 2017 with one conviction: that a journey should leave a mark on the soul, not just the passport.
Noaman
Media Production
Born in the 90s, Noaman El Garrab is a creative content producer from El Jadida, raised in Safi and now based in Marrakesh. What started with smartphone photography and short videos evolved into a full-time career in visual storytelling.
Alex
Community Curator
Alex is the founder of Kactus Eco Lodge, an off-grid island sanctuary in Cambodia built around simplicity, nature, and human connection.
Shayma
Travel Explorer & Storyteller
She doesn’t travel to see. She travels to be afraid — and push through it anyway.
You’ll find her on the roof of the Mauritanian iron ore train, alone in the vastness of the Sahara, sitting on raw mineral like others sit on a café terrace. This isn’t recklessness. It’s a way of inhabiting the world.
Jad Sanhaji
Founder & CEO
Elena Sophie
Co-Founder & Creative Direction
Khadjia
Indian specialist
Meryem Belkihel
Africa and Mountains Specialist
Ram Silwal
Nepal Specialist and Tour Operator
Martin
Rouh Nordic
Signe
Rouh Nordic
Levi
Mentawai Guide
Agung
Indonesia Specialist
Noaman
Media Production
Hajar
CEO of Ouie Consulting
Alex
Community Curator
Shayma Lamchiyekh
Community Curator
Jad Sanhaji
Founder & CEO
At 35, after twelve years leading people inside one of Morocco’s largest corporations, Jad Sanhaji walked away. Not from ambition — but toward something he couldn’t yet name. He packed a camera, a notebook, and left alone.
Over two years, he moved through Turkey, Jordan, India, Ladakh, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and the remote Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. He was not looking for beautiful landscapes. He was looking for himself — and finding, everywhere, the same essential human thread.
That journey — Projet 35 — became the founding mythology of ROÛH. Rooted in Sufi philosophy, where روح means soul, breath, and what remains when everything is stripped away, ROÛH was born from a simple conviction: transformation is not a destination. It is what happens on the way.
Today Jad designs and leads expeditions across Indonesia, Nepal, Cambodia, India, and Morocco — not as a tour operator, but as a guide in the original sense of the word: someone who has walked the path before you.
Elena Sophie
Co Founder and Creative Director
Elena Sophie is inspired by a deep love for travel and inner exploration. Rooted in a lifelong connection to nature and ecology, she moves through the world with a commitment to living in harmony with the natural rhythms around her.
Her path began in childcare, where she developed a deep sensitivity for holding space and guiding others — a gift that expanded organically through her travels. Over time, she came to experience travel itself as a practice of yoga: a path of presence, unity, and expansion.
This vision led her to co-found Rouh, a space where travel becomes a tool for awareness and conscious connection. Alongside this, she founded Heartz Journeys — a sound healing platform born from her own inner journey, through which she shares transformative experiences of meditation and sound with others around the world.
She continues to explore the landscapes of both the outer and inner world, channeling these experiences into creative expression and guiding others through practices that awaken, ground, and expand.
Meryem Belkihel
Africa and mountains specialist
Is a Moroccan adventurer, cyclist, and storyteller known for her long-distance expeditions across Africa. She previously cycled over 6,000 km across Morocco, climbed multiple 4,000-meter peaks, and crossed the High Atlas Mountains independently.
Khadjia
Yogi and Indian specialist
Khadija Khaldi is an artist, traveler, and curator of transformative journeys. Having explored India, Nepal, and the hidden corners of Morocco, she offers a unique way of traveling—beyond destinations, into experience. Deeply rooted in spirituality and mystical traditions, her approach is inspired by Indian philosophy and Sufism. Each journey she designs is an invitation to reconnect—with the body, the mind, and something deeper. As a yoga teacher and sound healing practitioner, Khadija creates immersive travel experiences that blend movement, culture, and inner exploration. Guided with intention, her retreats are designed for those seeking more than a trip: a meaningful, grounding, and expansive journey.
Signe
Rouh Nordic
Signe is devoted to creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, each other, and the living
Earth. With a background in leadership and organizational development, she has spent many years guiding
people and systems through change — always with a focus on what creates true alignment and sustainable
growth.
Her path has gradually unfolded into a deeper exploration of consciousness, personal transformation, and our
relationship with the Earth. Through her own journey, she has come to see travel as more than movement across
landscapes — but as a way of listening, learning, and meeting life from a more grounded and aware place.
This perspective led her into ROUH Nordic, where she helps shape journeys that invite reflection, presence, and
meaningful connection. Here, travel becomes a space to slow down and experience places — and oneself —
with greater depth and awareness.
She continues to explore how leadership, inner development, and connection to the living world can come
together, guiding others through experiences that support both personal insight and a deeper relationship with life
itself.
Martin Müller
Rouh Nordic
Martin is dedicated to creating spaces where people can relax into themselves, connect with others, and
experience the natural flow that arises when people and places meet. With a background in hospitality, he has a
deep understanding of atmosphere, presence, and what allows people to feel at ease and welcomed.
His journey has been shaped by both outer travel and inner exploration. From early experiences traveling the
world to more recent journeys with his family, he has come to see travel as a way of learning — not only about
different cultures and landscapes, but about connection, balance, and what it means to be human.
This path led him into ROUH Nordic, where he helps bring a sense of warmth, openness, and aliveness into the
journeys. He is especially drawn to the moments where something shifts in the group — when people begin to
open, share, and connect in a way that feels real and unforced.
He continues to explore how meaningful experiences are created between people, places, and presence —
guiding others through journeys where connection, joy, and authenticity can unfold naturally.
Ram Silwal
Nepal Specialist and Tour Operator
Ram Silwal was born in the mountains of Dhading, Nepal, and has spent over 30 years
navigating them — on foot, on rivers, and in the silence between peaks. Explorer, kayaker,
outdoor educator, and founder of Summit Adventure Academy, Ram is one of Nepal’s most
respected adventure leaders.
He has consulted the British Army on expedition training across the Himalayas, the Alps and
Scandinavia. He has led expeditions filmed for National Geographic and the Outdoor Life
Network. He was the first Nepali to paddle the Dudh Koshi — the river that descends from
Everest — and the first to navigate the Mugu Karnali and the Arun Gorge.
But what sets Ram apart is not the records. It is the way he moves through his country —
with the unhurried certainty of someone who has always known that Nepal is not a
destination. It is a teacher.
For ROÛH, Ram is the bridge between itinerary and initiation. He does not guide tours. He
opens doors.
Levi
Mentawai Guide
Levi is Mentawai by birth and by lived experience, shaped by the rhythm of the ocean, the
forest, and the island community he belongs to. His way of guiding is not something he
performs or adopts for visitors—it is simply an extension of his everyday life. He carries the
knowledge of the Mentawai Islands in a natural, unspoken way, through memory, familiarity,
and deep relationship with the land and sea.
Agung
Indonesia Specialist
Agung has spent his life reading Indonesia — its volcanoes, its coastlines, its hidden rhythms. Born
and rooted in Java, he founded Indo Trip Designer in 2017 with one conviction: that a journey should
leave a mark on the soul, not just the passport.
He knows the archipelago the way only locals do — not as a map of attractions, but as a living,
breathing world of culture, wilderness and quiet revelation. From the sacred slopes of Bromo to the
remote shores of the Mentawai Islands, Agung moves through Indonesia with the ease of someone
who has never stopped being curious about his own country.
For ROÛH, Agung is the reason our Indonesia experiences feel less like tours and more like
encounters. He does not show you Indonesia. He lets Indonesia speak.
Noaman
Media Production
Born in the 90s, Noaman El Garrab is a creative content producer from El Jadida, raised in
Safi and now based in Marrakesh. What started with smartphone photography and short
videos evolved into a full-time career in visual storytelling. He specializes in high-quality
video and photography, helping brands connect with their audiences and elevate their
presence through story-driven content.
He has collaborated with artists like Small X and Shayfeen, and worked with brands
including GameBattle Arena, Techspace, Homura, and Marrakesh Kart Racing.
Alex
Community Curator
Alex is the founder of Kactus Eco Lodge, an off-grid island sanctuary in Cambodia built
around simplicity, nature, and human connection.
With a background in engineering and high-level sports, he combines structure with intuition
to create a unique hospitality experience focused on wellness, authenticity, and community.
He leads with vision and resilience, having transformed challenges into a growing,
purpose-driven business.
Shayma Lamchiyekh
Travel Explorer & Storyteller
She doesn’t travel to see. She travels to be afraid — and push through it anyway.
You’ll find her on the roof of the Mauritanian iron ore train, alone in the vastness of the Sahara, sitting on raw mineral like others sit on a café terrace. This isn’t recklessness. It’s a way of inhabiting the world.
What drives her out there is a deep curiosity about the other — how do people actually live on the other side of the world? — and the need to bring something real back to share. Not photographs. Proof. Proof that it exists. That the world is bigger, stranger, more generous than it looks from home.
Shayma is the kind of traveler who comes back changed. And doesn’t keep it to herself.
ROUH works with a growing circle of guides, collaborators, and hosts — each bringing their own perspective. If you feel drawn to what we do, we welcome the conversation.
Reflections on travel
Below are reflections from the guides behind ROUH. Each theme explores a different aspect of travel — as learning, as connection, and as a way of experiencing both the world and ourselves more deeply.
Every place we visit becomes a teacher — if we allow it. Travel strips away our familiar frameworks and places us in situations where listening, observing, and adapting become essential.
Signe: “Traveling through unfamiliar cultures and landscapes changed how I see the world and my place in it. Since then, I’ve experienced travel as a powerful teacher.”
Martin: “Through years of travel — from backpacking to journeys with my family — I’ve come to see travel as a way of learning about both the world and myself.”
Elly: “Travel became real learning when it began to move not just my body, but also my identity, patterns, and ways of thinking.”
When we leave behind the titles and routines that define us at home, we encounter ourselves differently. Travel creates a kind of spaciousness — a gap between who we’ve been told to be and who we might become.
Signe: “After years in leadership, I felt a deep call to change direction. Today I explore the meeting between inner work, leadership, and our connection to the Earth.”
Martin: “My path has been shaped by hospitality and a life shift that led me to focus more on inner balance, authenticity, and personal growth.”
Elly: “I’ve always been a wandering soul — shaped by curiosity, movement, and learning to walk my path with faith.”
We guide because we believe in the transformative power of shared movement. Guiding is not leading; it is creating conditions for genuine encounter.
Signe: “I’m drawn to creating spaces where people can slow down, reflect, and reconnect — where meaningful experiences can unfold naturally.”
Martin: “For me, it’s about creating a space where people can relax, be themselves, and connect — where something real can grow between people.”
Elly: “I believe in the power of sharing. When held in a safe space, what we share can deepen, expand, and truly bloom.”
Certain landscapes hold a quality of invitation — to slow down, to reflect, to feel part of something larger than ourselves. Place itself becomes a kind of guide.
Signe: “When we truly meet a place, something in us often shifts. Travel becomes a dialogue between the outer landscape and the inner one.”
Martin: “There is a movement between myself and the places I travel through — especially in nature, where reflection and clarity can arise.”
Elly: “The outer places and our inner world are not separate. When we let go of layers, we begin to move in natural connection with both.”
Responsible travel begins before we pack a bag — in the question of why we go, and for whom. When we travel with awareness, we move from extracting to exchanging.
Signe: “Responsible travel begins with respect — for people, cultures, and the Earth. It’s about relationships rather than consumption.”
Martin: “It starts with awareness and meeting places with respect and curiosity — remembering we are part of the same living world.”
Elly: “ROUH itself is the framework — a space that holds and guides how we move with responsibility.”
In a world of constant noise, travel can be a radical act of returning — to our senses, our bodies, the sound of wind and the texture of earth.
Signe: “Nature and stillness bring me back — moments where I slow down and reconnect with what is already here.”
Martin: “Presence returns in quiet moments — when I slow down, find balance, and reconnect with myself.”
Elly: “When I fully allow myself to be — in my body, breath, and connection to others — I return to a sense of wholeness.”
The most significant souvenirs fit in no bag. The best journeys do not end at the airport — they continue to unfold in the months and years that follow.
Signe: “A deeper sense of connection — to themselves and the world — and a renewed curiosity for life.”
Martin: “A feeling of something opening or expanding — a journey that continues to live on within them.”
Elly: “Gratitude, belonging, humility — and a sense that how we move through the world truly matters.”
QUESTIONS &
Answers
Everything you need to know before you begin. If something isn’t covered here, we’re always happy to talk.
Before You Travel Is this journey right for you?
01How do I know if this journey is for me?
You don’t need to be a certain kind of person to come. If something in you feels curious — if you sense that travel could be more than just moving from place to place — that is enough. Participants come from different backgrounds. What they share is a willingness to experience something beyond the expected.
Our itineraries leave space for the unexpected. We believe the most meaningful moments of travel are rarely the ones on the schedule.
02Do I need experience with personal development?
No. You are not expected to have any background in personal development, reflection, or group work. The journeys are designed to meet you where you are. You can engage as deeply or as lightly as feels right for you.
03How personal does the journey get?
There is always an invitation to reflect — but never a requirement to share. You are free to choose how much you want to open, speak, or simply observe. Many meaningful moments arise naturally, without being structured or forced.
04What if I am more introverted?
You are very welcome. There is space for both connection and solitude throughout the journey. You are not expected to be social at all times. Often, connection happens quietly — through shared experiences rather than conversation.
The experienceWhat the days look like
01What do the days actually look like?
Each day follows a gentle rhythm. We move through landscapes, visit places, and take part in shared experiences. There are pauses for rest, reflection, and personal time. Some moments are guided, others are left open — allowing you to arrive more fully into the place and into yourself.
02How much is planned vs. free time?
There is a balance between structure and openness. Key elements of the journey are thoughtfully designed and guided. At the same time, there is always space to rest, explore, or step back when needed.
03Will I have time alone?
Yes. Time alone is a natural part of the journey. There are intentional pauses in the program, as well as space within each day to be by yourself.
Solo Travel & SupportTraveling on your own
01I'm traveling alone — will I feel supported?
Yes. Many participants join on their own. The small group setting allows connection to form naturally over time. There is no pressure to be social — but most people find a sense of belonging through the shared experience.
02What if I feel overwhelmed or need space?
That is completely okay. You are always free to take space, rest, or step back from any activity. The journey is designed to support you — not to push you.
03Can I opt out of activities?
Yes. All activities are invitations, not obligations. You are encouraged to listen to your own needs throughout the journey.
Accommodation & ComfortWhere and how you will rest
01Where will we stay?
We carefully select places that are aligned with the spirit of each journey — local guesthouses, nature-based stays, or small boutique accommodations that reflect the character of the region.
02What is the standard of accommodation?
We focus on comfort, atmosphere, and connection to place. The emphasis is not on luxury in a conventional sense, but on quality, simplicity, and authenticity. Each journey description provides specific details.
03Will I have my own room?
This depends on the journey. Some journeys offer private rooms, while others include shared accommodation. All options are clearly communicated before booking.
04What kind of food is included?
Meals are often shared and reflect the local culture. Selected meals are included as part of the journey, with time and flexibility for individual preferences. Dietary needs can usually be accommodated with prior notice.
Booking & LogisticsSecuring your place
01How do I join a journey?
The process begins with an application. After you apply, we invite you to a consultation call — a space to answer your questions, understand your intentions, and ensure the journey is the right fit for you.
02When is my spot confirmed?
Your place is secured once your deposit has been received.
03What happens after I am confirmed?
After confirmation, you will receive all necessary information, including: Travel details, Preparation guidelines, Practical information for the journey. Some journeys may also include an online introduction before departure.
04What payment options are available?
A deposit is required to secure your place. Further payment details — including timelines and options — are shared during the booking process.
05What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation details are shared clearly during the booking process. Please reach out to us directly for current information.
06Can I reschedule my journey?
Rescheduling options are shared during the booking process. Please reach out to us directly for current information.
Travel Preparation Getting ready for departure
01Are flights included?
Flights are not included. However, we are happy to offer guidance and support when booking your travel.
02Is airport pick-up included?
Yes. We arrange airport pick-up to ensure a smooth and supported arrival.
03Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. All participants are required to have valid travel insurance.
04Do I need a visa or vaccinations?
Requirements vary depending on the destination. You are responsible for checking entry requirements, but we provide guidance where needed.
05What should I pack?
You will receive a detailed packing list before the journey, adapted to the destination and conditions.
Safety & ResponsibilityYour wellbeing on the road
01How do you ensure safety during the journey?
We work with experienced local partners and guides, and carefully plan each journey in advance. At the same time, traveling in natural and cultural environments requires awareness and shared responsibility.
02What happens in case of emergency?
Our guides are prepared to respond and coordinate support if needed, working closely with local services and infrastructure.
03Why travel at all?
Because something changes when we move. Not only across the Earth — but in how we see, listen, and understand. And sometimes, what we find along the way is not only the world — but a different way of being in it.
“Every journey invites you to slow down, listen more deeply, and experience the world — and yourself — with greater awareness.”
Begin your journey with ROUH.