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, uniting his passion for exploration with a lifelong commitment to humanitarian service. As founder and executive director, he designs and supervises all relief missions, coordinates RRI’s core team, and leads the organization’s marketing and public relations efforts with informed, hands-on leadership.

Prior to RRI, Alexander worked as a producer in theatre, film, and special events, contributing to major projects including The Matrix, X-Men, End of Days, and Back to the Future: The Ride, and directing commercials for Holiday Inn in Beijing as well as industrial films throughout China.

Born in New York City to a French mother and an Indian father, Alexander was educated internationally, attending boarding school in the foothills of the Himalayas, an international school in Sophia Antipolis in southern France, and graduating from Simon’s Rock of Bard College in Massachusetts.

An accomplished aviator and mariner, Alexander has completed four transatlantic crossings in single-engine aircraft and is a commercial yacht captain, with navigational experience throughout Greece, Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica, Italy, and Malta. These experiences directly inform his leadership, decision-making, and expedition logistics in remote and challenging environments.

Alexander has written: "Relief Riders International offers more than an unforgettable journey—it is an opportunity to turn passion into purpose. By sharing our time, skills, and energy, we create positive change for others, and in doing so, discover gifts that transform our own lives in ways we never expected."

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.