The Panache story
About us

Who we are

Most thought it was a crazy idea to set up a travel company soon after 9/11. We thought otherwise.

We conceived and created ‘Panache World’ soon after 9/11 and we haven’t stopped thinking ‘otherwise’ ever since with everything we have done in the past 21 years. Its been an amazing journey of experiences and learnings and we have evolved with time. Somewhere during the journey we stopped thinking of ourselves as Travel ‘Agents’ but more as Travel ‘Advisors’. That confidence came from our own travel pursuits with the intent of discovering the world and building relationships with the locals. Not only do we stand testimony to the fact that ‘travelling and discovering the many places and people in the world is the best education one can get’ but we also feel ourselves to be a part of a large global family.

We started small. We are still small. Our clients, who we owe much gratitude to, have not only become our repeat customers but they have also been generous and gracious in recommending us to their friends. We have thus grown by word of mouth. What we do for our clients is seemingly simple: we listen, we learn, we understand and we custom build a trip for them using our acquired travel intelligence such that its a perfect fit to their interests and budget. What is not as simple is having to invest, learn, establish and build relationships with like-minded ground partners and hotels in various parts of the world. Nonetheless it is an endeavour we enjoy.

One of the most amazing facts about our clientele is that we today have clients in different parts of the world reaching out to us – from the USA wanting to travel to South America (or for that matter in Singapore wanting to travel to Iceland) and yet they book with us in India. All in all it is truly a flat world for us and has given us a global perspective on how we understand and deliver travel experiences.

We believe travel today is more about ‘experiences’ that one has in a foreign destinations. Experiences that transform you within, make you richer in essence and those that become memories and stories that you cherish sharing with your family and friends. We embed these experiences in the trips we design for our clients. Of course, it is equally important to pair the right accommodation to your personality, to pace the trip to your liking and to take care of all travel logistics so that you don’t have to strive and stress over it and we do all this with utmost thought and care.

This website has its limitations on how many destinations we can feature but the fact is that our clients have travelled through us to 73 countries and we pretty much cover the world. So all one has to do is wish a destination and we deliver … with a distinct panache.

What Makes Us Get Out Of Bed

Our Passion

To curate authentic travel experiences that go beyond the ordinary, fostering a deeper connection between travellers and the diverse world we inhabit. We are committed to crafting journeys that celebrate cultures, history, and nature while promoting responsible tourism practices.

Our Founders

With a combined seven decades in travel, hundreds of countries travelled, and billions of miles clocked under their belts, Panache’s Co-Founders, Loveleen Arun and Sanjar Imam are passionate about the idea of travel as a transformative experience.

Sanjar Imam

Co-Founder

As a luxury travel consultant, I hold a deep conviction that travel is the storyteller’s art, and every journey we embark upon is a new chapter in our personal narrative. As a travel designer, I am dedicated to going beyond the ordinary, weaving unique perspectives into every client’s travel experience. I am unwaveringly diligent about re-inventing the way we design trips to unique destinations, ensuring that each itinerary unfolds like a beautifully crafted tale, with every moment becoming a cherished memory. With a commitment to providing unparalleled luxury and authenticity, I invite you to embark on journeys that not only take you to extraordinary places but also make you the storyteller of your own

Loveleen Arun

Co-Founder

I firmly believe that travel has the remarkable power to make us not only richer in experiences but also kinder and more compassionate individuals. It’s in those moments when we immerse ourselves in a new culture, connect with the local people, and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life that our hearts open, and our perspective broadens. My passion lies in crafting meticulously curated itineraries that do more than showcase the beauty of a destination; they bring you closer to it, its people, and its culture. It’s about those authentic encounters, the shared stories over a meal with locals, the awe-inspiring moments that lead to self-reflection, and ultimately, the transformation that happens within us.
In the media

To be featured in such compelling publications about our work in travel curation is an honour. And something we’re so happy to share. Take a look at some of the things we’ve been up to, and how our vision and passion grow every day!

Friends of panache

Our friendly advisory panel comprises a select group of distinguished individuals who bring a wealth of expertise from diverse fields. Their insights help us immensely to curate travel offerings that transcend expectations.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
Sustainability is more than a trend to hop on. We’re committed to helping you travel consciously. As proud members of the Pristine Mood program by the Serandipian Network, we are dedicated to championing responsible travel practices that protect the planet and empower local communities. We believe in creating extraordinary journeys that leave a positive footprint, and our commitment to sustainability is woven into every aspect of our offerings. Loveleen Arun, a founding director in the company, is a certified advocate of transformational travel and has undergone rigorous training in the art of mindful exploration. We endeavour that each experience we craft fosters personal growth, cultural understanding, and environmental stewardship.

Sanjar Imam

Ambitions ‘to travel the world & learn’ lead him into entering the world of travel and Cox & Kings 33 years ago. Today, not only does he still travel extensively & learn but through his own enterprise, ‘Panache World’ he also designs & orchestrates trips for others with a certain passion and a distinct panache. The stint with Cox & Kings, a DMC specialist, made him head operations in The Indian Subcontinent. Later he set up a Business Development Division to start offices and scale up business from other parts of the world. He was specifically responsible for growth from the American & British Markets. His experiences range from having organized spiritual journeys to Tibet & Egypt to Round The World Trip on a chartered jet and from managing logistics for the Royal Family in Britain to organizing elaborate weddings. In 2001, he turned entrepreneur and set up Panache World and dedicated himself to providing customized solutions to keen travelers seeking experiential travel. From having started as ‘India for Indians’, Panache World today organizes curated trips to 80 countries across the world. The company has been recognized as a niche outfit and is a part of several luxury consortiums such as Traveler Made. Sanjar currently serves as the President of Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF), a non-profit tourism body that works towards increasing tourism into the state of Karnataka

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Loveleen Arun

Loveleen Arun has had diversified experience in the hotel and travel industry. She started her career with the Taj Group of Hotels, which was followed by three years tenure at The Imperial in New Delhi and finally she moved to Bangalore with Cox & Kings, where she was Area Manager for South India. She co-founded Panache in 2001. She has diligently reinvented herself over the years to remain relevant in the very fast changing travel industry. Her strong points are immensely intimate & first-hand destination knowledge and long-term bonds & relationships with industry colleagues around the world. She travels frequently and keeps herself up to date with the latest trends in the global Luxury Travel Industry by attending the major cutting-edge events. Recognized by several global networks like Traveller Made, she is one the premier Luxury Travel advisors in India today. Loveleen currently serves on the Travel Advisory Board of Travel + Leisure Magazine, India & South Asia

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Shoba Rudra

Shoba Rudra is a storyteller, marketing and communications professional who runs a hospitality marketing platform called RARE India which promotes hotels and experiences which are boutique and experiential. Run by owner / hosts, these hotels and experiences are chosen on the basis of their key ethos – that are community inclusive and planet sensitive. To relearn our relationship with mother earth and to show gratitude for her benevolence is her singular motivation and defines her life and work. A graduate in Zoology and Post Graduate in Mass Communications, Shoba has travelled extensively in India and has a personal interest in nature and wildlife conservation, cuisine, handicrafts, performing and esoteric arts. She has been accompanying small groups and interested couples who have specific interests in India and wish to understand the social, religious contexts as well as enduring traditions as cuisine, artforms and crafts still prevalent and practised in the country.

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Arati Kumar Rao

Arati Kumar-Rao is a South Asia-based independent photographer, writer, and National Geographic Explorer documenting environmental degradation. Her work covers depleting groundwater, habitat destruction, and industrial land acquisition impacts on biodiversity and communities. Named one of BBC’s 100 Influential & Inspiring Women of 2023, her book “Marginlands: India’s Landscapes on the Brink” was published in June 2023 and awarded Book of the Year by PublishingNext in 2024. Her work appears in National Geographic Magazine, Emergence Magazine, BBC, and leading Indian newspapers. She splits her time between the Western Ghats and Bangalore, caring for her three rescued cats.

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CB Ramkumar

CB Ramkumar is a sustainability expert, author, and entrepreneur. He is Vice Chairman of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and a Certified Lead Trainer. In 2015, he developed policy dialogue for South Asia with UN Environment. He founded Our Native Village, an eco-resort near Bangalore, in 2006 and authored “Green Dreams,” a book on sustainability, in 2018. Ram has written over 100 articles on climate change and is a trained Climate Leader by Al Gore, a certified Sustainable Tourism trainer with GSTC, and a Project Management for Sustainability specialist with APMG International.

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George Dominic

George Dominic, popularly known as GD is the second of the Dominic Brothers and a Founder Director of CGH Earth which has become a leading boutique luxury hospitality brand in India. GD’s passion is traveling and telling the world The CGH story and their passion to re-write the definition of luxury and travel. His love is the company of wonderful friends, Single Malt and seafood.

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