Our Team
Marjanna Akhtar
Founder and Owner
Marjanna’s passion for international travel began in the early ‘80s while earning her BA in Biology at the University of Colorado. It was during a holiday in Mexico that she took her first underwater breath on scuba—an experience that would shape the course of her life and career.
With her degree in hand and an insatiable curiosity for the world, Marjanna set out to explore wild places and diverse cultures. In 1990, she launched a travel career specializing in scuba diving and South Pacific destinations. Over the years, her expertise expanded into worldwide adventures, curating immersive journeys that connect travelers with nature, wildlife, and meaningful experiences—perfect for families, friends, and adventurers seeking to explore the world’s most extraordinary destinations.
When she’s not at her desk or traveling, you’ll find Marjanna enjoying the great outdoors—often on horseback, but also hiking, skiing, and embracing the beauty of western Colorado, where she lives with her husband and their four-legged family.
Richard Akhtar
Marketing and Technical Support
Richard’s travel career began with a life-changing holiday to Tanzania. Inspired by the experience, he left behind London’s corporate world and embarked on a year-long journey across Africa, traveling from its northern reaches to its southern tip.
Not long after, Richard and two partners purchased a small lodge on a remote island in Fiji. Over the next two decades, they transformed a simple backpacker retreat into a leading eco-sustainable resort, attracting international travelers with world-class scuba diving, maritime adventures, and immersive cultural and nature experiences.
After selling the resort in 2018, Richard—who grew up in England and spent many years living in Fiji—began a new chapter in Colorado. With his extensive travel and industry background, combined with his technical expertise, he now works behind the scenes, supporting Great Expeditions Travel in bringing extraordinary journeys to life.