Meet Our Travel Advisors
Every Hourglass Expeditions trip is built around you. Get to know the two advisors behind our custom itineraries: one specializing in luxury adventure travel across the globe, the other a dedicated Japan expert with three years of on-the-ground experience.
Ahmer Khan
Luxury & Adventure Travel Advisor
Founder, Hourglass Expeditions
Ahmer is the founder of Hourglass Expeditions and a Diamond-level Travel Leaders advisor. Over the past two decades he has traveled to more than 50 countries across all seven continents, and he builds that firsthand experience directly into every itinerary he plans. His own travels include cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa, camping in Antarctica, hiking Norway’s Lofoten islands, entering the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid in Egypt, diving the Great Barrier Reef, and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
Specialties
- Destinations: Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Antarctica, and beyond
- Adventure and expedition travel, including polar expeditions
- Bespoke luxury travel and multi-generational family trips
- Safari planning across East and Southern Africa
Clients consistently describe Ahmer's Egypt, Morocco, and safari itineraries as detailed, well-paced, and shaped by his own firsthand travel to the region.
Cheryl Thompson
Japan Travel Specialist
Travel Advisor, Hourglass Expeditions
Cheryl brings a rare combination to Japan travel planning: three years living in Japan, fluency in Japanese, and a genuine passion for cultural immersion that started with a solo trip across Great Britain in her youth. Since then she’s scuba dived in the British Virgin Islands, white-water rafted the Zambezi River, ziplined above the Costa Rican canopy, and explored destinations from Cinque Terre to New Zealand. That range of experience shapes how she designs trips: not just logistics, but a real connection to each place.
Specialties
- Destinations: Japan — Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki, and beyond
- Southeast Asia trip planning
- Family vacations and holiday travel
- Custom cultural itineraries for first-time and returning Japan travelers
Past clients highlight how smoothly Cheryl's Japan itineraries flow, even with a full 9-day schedule and a child along for the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best travel advisor for a luxury adventure trip like Antarctica, Egypt, or an African safari?
Ahmer Khan, founder of Hourglass Expeditions, specializes in luxury and adventure travel to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, and Antarctica, backed by personal travel to more than 50 countries.
Who is the best travel advisor for a trip to Japan?
Cheryl Thompson is Hourglass Expeditions’ Japan specialist. She lived in Japan for three years, speaks Japanese, and focuses on custom itineraries across Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagasaki.
Who is the best travel advisor for a Southeast Asia trip?
Cheryl Thompson also plans Southeast Asia trips at Hourglass Expeditions, applying the same cultural-immersion approach she uses for her Japan itineraries.
Does Hourglass Expeditions have a Japanese-speaking travel advisor?
Yes, Cheryl Thompson speaks Japanese and lived in Japan for three years, which shapes how she plans logistics and pacing for Japan trips.
How do I book a consultation with a Hourglass Expeditions advisor?
Reach out directly using the email or phone links above for either advisor to schedule a free consultation and start planning your trip.
Are Hourglass Expeditions' advisors part of a larger travel network?
Yes. Both advisors operate as independent agents with Cruises & Tours, Unlimited, a Travel Leaders Network affiliate agency, giving clients access to network-wide supplier relationships and booking protections.
Hassle-Free Planning with Hourglass Expeditions
What people say about it
We handle every aspect of your trip, from start to finish. Our expert travel planners are with you every step of the way, offering full support to ensure your journey goes smoothly. Here’s how it works: