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Experiences that change your perspective.

It all begins with a wild idea.

At Thoughtful, we organize trips for some of the most interesting and life changing experiences in the world.

We want to help you better understand the wild world we live in and experience things you never thought were possible.

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Our guiding principles

We strive to share incredible experiences with you.

Many of these experiences take place in spectacular wild areas.

This means that we also have a responsibility for how we care for these places.

We seek to meet wildlife on their terms. We strive to minimize invasiveness and value quality over quantity.

With luck, we believe this trust built with our wild hosts can create truly life changing moments.

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Expeditions & Experiences

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Orcas and Winter Whales in Norway

2025

January 12th - 18th, 2025 (Completed)

January 17th - 23rd, 2025 (Completed)

Lofoten Extension: January 23rd - 26th, 2025 (Completed)

2026

January 10th - 18th, 2026

January 17th - 25th, 2026

Lofoten Extension: January 25th - 29th, 2026

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Sperm Whale families and culture in Dominica

2025

April 29th - May 5th, 2025 (Completed)

May 4th - May 10th, 2025 (Completed)

2026

April 29th - May 5th, 2026

May 4th - May 10th, 2026

May 10th - May 16th, 2026

May 15th - May 21st, 2026

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Amazonian River Dolphins in the flooded forests of Brazil

2025

June 9th - 13th, 2025 (Completed)

2026

June 15th - 21st, 2026

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Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Safaris in Uganda

2025

July 5th - 13th, 2025 (Completed)

2026

July 12th - 23rd, 2026

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Humpback Whales in spectacular, remote Niue

2025

September 6th - 13th, 2025 (Sold Out)

2026

August 28th - September 5th, 2026

September 10th - 18th, 2026

New Zealand North Island Add-On: September 5th - 10th, 2026

What people are saying about Thoughtful

  • “Alex is an inspirational and professional leader, passionate with a truly wide and deep knowledge of the animals he encounters.”

  • "The whales came first, which meant we got fantastic interaction on the whales’ terms. Alex is my go-to choice of any cetacean trip."

  • "If you have the opportunity to embark on a Thoughtful adventure with Alex, seize it! He will take you on an unforgettable journey of epic proportions."

  • "He is beyond kind, shares his knowledge with passion and could not have named Thoughtful Expeditions more aptly. Alex creates perfect, tailored experiences; travel elevated, everything taken care of, unforgettable start to finish. Pure magic. "

  • "Alex is more than just a guide. Since he lived in the country and built genuine connections with the local communities, he can really deliver the best possible experience to his guests."

  • "Alex has gone out of his way to build relationships with the local community to bring together a trip that is exciting, intentional, considerate of the island and its inhabitants (by land and sea), and he has created an environment that has cultivated my love for the whales."

  • “From start to finish, Alex was professional, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable about the whales and the island. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I can't recommend Alex and Thoughtful highly enough.”

  • "Of course the whales are why you come on this trip, but all the other details such as the afternoon excursions (shout out to Mr. Gregory!), accommodations, the other travelers, and the advocacy of the sperm whales make this trip everything that it is. No wonder I come back year after year!"

  • "From start to finish, Alex was professional, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable about the whales and the island. He made sure we were prepared and respectful of the whales."

  • "Exploring with Alex is life changing — I have never felt so close to nature. He thinks of every detail and our trips are seamless. We experience culture, history and beauty wherever we go with Alex."

  • "The trip was extremely well organised and Alex always had options for land based activities if we wanted to explore more. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I can't recommend Alex and Thoughtful highly enough. If you're thinking of doing this adventure, do it - you won’t regret it!"

  • "Alex is obsessed and knows everything single thing about whales. His sense of adventure is unmatched and seeing him so excited about everything he does, makes you just as enthralled."

  • "Everything is so incredibly thought out and meticulously accomplished. I always have so much fun and meet amazing people everywhere we go... cant wait for more amazing moments following him around the world."

  • "One word perfectly captures the essence of Alex: Thoughtful. So it’s no coincidence that this is the name he chose for his travel company."

  • "Every experience was carefully curated, considering both guests an local environment. In an era where many prioritize social media clout, Alex's genuine passion and commitment to responsible travel shine through."

  • "Our trip was a dream come true, with each experience uniquely special, making it impossible to pick a favorite."

  • "Alex ensured our safety and well-being throughout, demonstrating exceptional client focus and professionalism. Before the trip, I shared my concerns about traveling to a remote and unfamiliar destination. Alex reassured me and regularly checked in, putting my mind at ease."

  • "He made sure we were prepared and respectful of the whales. The trip was extremely well organised and Alex always had options for land based activities if we wanted to explore more."

  • "When we are on a trip with Alex, we are already planning our next trip with him. We have experienced wildlife in ways we never thought were possible and I have recommended Alex to all of my friends."

  • "Never in my life have experienced the embodiment of a word such as Thoughtful but that's truly what this trip is, you can feel the passion Alex has for this itinerary."

  • "Thoughtful Expeditions is the epitome of characterful, authentic travel. Off the beaten path, small group adventures, anchored in connection to people and the incredible animals that are encountered."

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We take you farther

My name is Alex Pham.

I started Thoughtful to help people experience incredible, perspective-changing moments, while going deeper in each destination that we visit.

I want to help you find more of what makes the world such a joyful place.

If you want to learn a bit more about me — well, it’s a long story.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have led incredible wildlife experiences from Argentina to Norway to Uganda. I have a particular love for whales and the ocean.

Before Thoughtful, I advised government policymakers, invested in social impact businesses in Africa and Asia, and lived in 10 countries.

And now I get to meet incredible, inspiring people (like you) and help you do things you never thought were possible before.

Person with a camera housing and snorkeling gear on a boat, near the ocean.