Relief Riders International is a humanitarian based expedition company that has been leading relief missions on horseback in India, Turkey and Ecuador since 2004. We currently have Relief Rides planned in Mongolia and are currently working with the Royal Family of Bhutan on a few new projects, notably the first professional ride offering in Bhutan’s history.

During the last 18 years, we have offered a variety of free medical and social care, in the form of cataract surgeries, dentistry, gynaecology and paediatrics, as well as educational, livestock, hygiene and young women’s empowerment programs to over 38,000 patients, 19,000 of whom were children. For more information on our humanitarian programs please visit our Purpose page.

We serve rural populations without regard to religion or background. Equally important, is the spiritual work we do introducing our riders to another less prosperous reality. We are committed to inspiring, and educating those who join us. Many of our alumni riders have continued to affect positive change in the world such as Alumni rider Andrew Mersmann’s book Frommer’s 500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference or this beautiful film made by one of our riders captures the transformative experiences we offer on our Indian Relief Rides.

Our work has come to the attention of others. In 2006, President A.P.J Kalam of India invited our team to give him a personal presentation of our Gift of Sight program, and our rural HIV AIDS Awareness program designed to educate migrant labor forces and their communities in rural Rajasthan. Additionally, Relief Riders International has been showcased as a business model case study for both Harvard business school and Washington University.

In 2010, Relief Riders International was awarded the United Nations Positive Peace Award for excellence in environmental stewardship, community involvement and humanitarian service.

Alexander Souri – Founder & Executive Director

Alexander Souri founded Relief Riders International in 2004. He designs and supervises the relief missions, coordinates the work of the core team, and directs marketing and public relations efforts for RRI.

Prior to founding Relief Riders International Mr. Souri worked as a producer in both theatre, film and special events. He has worked on successful projects such as The Matrix”, X-Men, End of days and Back to The Future: The ride, as well as directed commercials for the Holiday Inn in Beijing, and other industrial films in China.

Born in New York City to a French mother and an Indian father, Mr. Souri has always had a global perspective on life. As a young boy he was educated at a boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayas in India; he attended an international high school at Sophia Antipolis in the south of France , and later graduated from Simon's Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington, MA.

Alexander Souri has written: "Relief Riders International is designed to offer individuals not only an exhilarating journey but the chance to use their skills, enthusiasm and experience to promote positive change. I know from my own travels to Rajasthan that for every gift I have given I have received gifts that have changed my life."

Dr. Mahesh Arora – Executive Medical Director

Dr. Arora is a Physician and Administrative Director and holds an Master of Philosophy in "Hospitals and Health Systems Management" from the country's premier institute of Science and Technology – The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan in collaboration with CMC Vellore and Tulane University, USA.

Dr. Arora has vast field experience in various disaster situations. With a rich experience of over 25 years in the Indian Red Cross Society, ranging from national to international assignments, Dr. Arora has spearheaded and led critical assignments for disaster response during the earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat and has headed the Red Cross International delegation for needs assessment in the tsunami hit coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Vinoy Vighneswar BAMS – Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Vinoy graduated in Ayurvedic Medicine from the University of Kerala in 1997. He started Ayurvaidya health and wellness centre at Kovalam that same year.

He has conducted seminars and workshops on the Basic Principles of Ayurveda in Helsinki, Murrla and Tampere in Finland.

Dr. Vinoy is President of the Kovalam Unit of Ayurvedic Medical Association of India. He has been Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Physician to Relief Riders International since 2004.