Beyond Borders: One Woman’s Quest to Inspire Through Wild Places
This week we sat down with Tanin Kayvan — expedition leader, photojournalist, IAJG certified guide, and founder of Rise & Roam Adventures — to learn more about her journey from a wildlife-obsessed child in Vancouver, Canada to becoming one of the most inspiring voices in modern travel. Her company crafts immersive and ethical experiences in some of the world’s most remote corners, prioritizing connection, community, and conservation over tourism. Her story is one of vision, integrity, and a deep-rooted love for the wild — and the people who call it home.
Growing up wild
Tanin’s journey began with a box of VHS tapes — a gift from a neighbor who was moving out of the apartment next door. While most kids her age were watching cartoons, Tanin was glued to wildlife documentaries. “That box changed everything,” she says. “Those documentaries became my inspiration to see the world.”
That early sense of awe never left her. It evolved into a calling — to explore, to connect, and to create opportunities for others to experience the same wonder she felt as a child. Years later, she would found Rise & Roam Adventures — a travel company unlike any other.
A dream realized — with purpose
“I started Rise & Roam because I wanted an outlet to actualize adventures I had dreamed up in my mind while sharing the experience with incredible people,” Tanin explains. She is clear-eyed about the journey, including early criticism that questioned whether “dreaming” was a selfish foundation for a business. But for Tanin, sustainability begins with joy. “If what I do isn't my personal highest joy first, it cannot be sustainable to serve others in the long term.”
Rise & Roam is more than a travel company. It is a conscious platform for building meaningful relationships between travelers, landscapes, and the communities who live there. Every trip is designed to inspire awe, while benefiting local economies and protecting the environment. “We create experiences that people couldn’t otherwise have on their own — whether that’s accessing remote areas, special access to archaeological sites, or truly authentic cultural experiences.”
Tanin’s background in photojournalism opened doors that many operators can’t replicate. From Mongolia to Central America, she’s worked with behind-the-scenes contacts that support filmmakers and journalists. These connections have allowed Rise & Roam to design itineraries that are off the map — literally. She purposefully avoids posting exact locations online to protect pristine sites from going viral. “With social media, destinations can quickly receive an influx of visitors. This can negatively impact land, wildlife, and communities.”
Building something better
Sustainability and ethics are central to everything Tanin does. “We don’t return to the same community over and over again,” she says. “This allows them to focus on other income streams and prevents dependence on tourism. If something disrupts the industry — like a pandemic — they’re not left vulnerable.”
She also prioritizes local leadership, fair wages, and accurate cultural representation. “We work predominantly with locals so the money stays in the local economy,” she explains. “And we ensure they are in a position to guide — so their culture and values are shared authentically.”
Yet, ethical work in remote places isn’t without challenges. Tanin recounts an early experience where funds meant for a local nonprofit were stolen. “Thankfully I got the money back and was able to redistribute it where it was intended to go, but it taught me to be much more rigorous in how I vet and track impact.”
Now, she collaborates with nonprofit professionals to design more effective systems of giving — grounded in transparency, accountability, and real-world outcomes.
Guiding with grace
Tanin recently became a certified Jungle Guide under the instruction of IAJG Director and Instructor Rick Morales. His influence is evident in her guiding philosophy. “We prioritize comfort and ditch the survival mentality,” she says. “Forget what you see on TV. Those are not good representations of how guiding or navigating in the jungle should look.”
Her most powerful moments come not from adrenaline — but from awe. “One night in Tikal, Guatemala, we were stargazing from the top of a pyramid, the only ones in the park. The milky way, Venus, the moon — none of us had ever seen the stars light up like that. We were all deeply touched by the experience.”
Tanin sees travel as a vehicle for transformation. “The right type of travel will change you for the better. It’s an opportunity to step out of familiar cycles and create something new.”
Life beyond borders
Her years on the road have shifted her worldview. “I’ve had predominantly positive and uplifting interactions all over the world,” she says. “There’s so much good out there, but you’ll never see a headline that says ‘5 friends go to Asia and have a great time.’”
Living with families across the globe has changed her definition of home. “Everywhere is home,” she says. “And I’ve learned to love and care for each place with that understanding.”
She surrounds herself with fellow entrepreneurs, friends who challenge and support her. “Community multiplies your joy and divides your sorrow,” she reflects.
Her values? Radical responsibility, toxin-free living, eating with intention. “Life is a mirror to me,” she says. “I am 100% responsible for my life — good and bad.”
And her favorite photo? A five-year-old Dukha girl in Mongolia embracing a reindeer in front of her tipi. “That image will stay with me forever.”
Tanin’s favorite photo
What’s next?
Tanin is passionate about building Rise & Roam into a model of “conscious capitalism” — one where every stakeholder benefits. She’s also steering people toward deeper, more intentional experiences. “Not surface-level consumption,” she explains. “But experiences that give back, transform, and bridge the gap of understanding between people and the environment.”
Her advice to others looking to work in this space? “Talk to people smarter than you. Ask for un-sugarcoated feedback. If the truth hurts — good. And make friends with people who don’t think like you. That ability to hold nuance is one of the greatest superpowers in cross-cultural work.”
Tanin Kayvan is a rare kind of guide — one who leads not just with skill, but with vision, humility, and fierce integrity. In her hands, travel becomes more than an experience — it becomes a way to live with purpose.
If you want to learn more about Tanin, she is very responsive on social media both personal and business- @taninkayvan, @rise.roam -You can also reach out to Rise and Roam Adventures - www.riseandroamadventures.com
To learn more about becoming a certified jungle guide like Tanin: feel free to reach out to her, any of our growing community of certified guides and instructors, or us here at Jungle Guides International. We are always happy to chat!
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