Here at Elite Traveler HQ, we get many an email from tour operators and hotels claiming to offer once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list-worthy ‘adventures.’
But most of the time these supposedly superlative trips fall short. So, how to sift through all the noise and find the bona fide adventure — especially the type that would suit the, well, adventurous, who have likely been there and done that? We present the top adventures on Planet Earth — there’s an experience to entice, whether your style is flying a fighter jet or hiking through a rain forest, or even heading quite literally out of this world.
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To Infinity
SpaceIf you’ve ticked off most bucket-list destinations on Planet Earth, there’s really only one thing left to do: that final frontier, space. A remarkably competitive market, space tourism has been steadily increasing over the years with more and more operators offering an out-of-this-world experience.
Virgin Galactic, however, does things a little differently by focusing on suborbital experiences aboard its spacecraft, VSS Unity. The vessel is carried to a high altitude by a mothership, VMS Eve (a custom-built, four engine, dual-fuselage jet carrier) before igniting its rocket engine to take passengers to the edge of space, where they can experience floating in zero gravity and enjoy a life changing view of Earth below. Prior to the flight, astronauts undertake specialist training at the built-for-purpose spaceport in New Mexico.
Price
From $450,000 per person
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Flying High
South of FranceThe South of France is, obviously, very beautiful, but seeing it from above is something else. And seeing it from above in a fighter jet is in a different league entirely.
In the charming Provence region, head to a private airfield to prepare; under the expert guidance of a former French fighter jet pilot, you’ll learn how to navigate the skies and withstand the intensity of up to 6G forces (Earth’s gravity is a mere 1G). You’ll then board a fighter jet with your copilot, who performs daring acrobatic stunts, to soar among the clouds at 435mph, after which you can take the controls for yourself. This thrilling experience will be filmed by Unforgettable Travel Company’s own film crew so you can star in your own Top Gun.
Back on solid ground, immerse in the chic Provençal life with a delightful picnic in a hidden lavender field (off-limits to the public) before visiting a family-owned vineyard for a tour and a very well-deserved rosé.
Contact Graham Carter, co-founder, graham@unforgettabletravelcompany.com, +1 646 921 2650
Price
From $9,875 per person
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Mongolia Exploration
MongoliaMongolia is often referred to as the ‘Land of the Eternal Blue Sky,’ and the country’s nomadic traditions and striking natural beauty beckon travelers seeking something authentic and raw. Nomadic Expeditions has a 13-day itinerary journeying through Central Mongolia and the Gobi Desert — hosted by former American diplomat Michael Stanley Klecheski, who served as the US Ambassador to Mongolia.
With dates set from August 5 through August 17, 2025, this fascinating journey begins in Ulaanbaatar and journeys to Kharakhorum (the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire); the vast Gobi Desert (including the Moltsog Els sand dunes); Havsgait Valley; and the Flaming Cliffs. You’ll be accompanied by experts — historians, artists and conservationists — along the way, as well as share an evening with local dignitaries and friends of the ambassador. Immersive experiences are bountiful, too, from learning to build a ger (the traditional felt tent used by camel herders) to horseback riding.
Contact info@nomadicexpeditions.com, +1 800 998 6634
Price
From $14,795 per person
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Mission Impossible
NorwayMission Impossible 8 is set for release this May, and adventure travel specialist Pelorus has seen a rise in guests keen to visit locations seen in this and other high-octane movies. The Norway Assignment is an exciting race through Norway where guests must follow and decipher a series of clues inspired by the famous movie series.
Venturing from Stavanger to Svalbard, challenges include rappelling down fjords, parachuting over the spellbinding landscape and trekking across glaciers. Guests will work alongside an ex-special forces team and will navigate across tricky landscapes by helicopter or speedboat, or race across the Atlantic Ocean Road (also seen in the James Bond movie No Time To Die).
Accommodations include a grand private manor — the very same that housed Tom Cruise during the filming of Mission Impossible 8 — or stay on board Polarfront, a luxury expedition yacht.
Contact info@pelorusx.com, +1 800 659 0217
Price
From £125,000 (approx. $156,300) per person
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Grandeur of the Mediterranean
Multi-destination, EuropeMaestros of private jet travel for over 30 years, TCS World Travel operates custom-configured private jets, taking guests to popular destinations as well as harder-to-reach spots. In fact, many of the itineraries include ‘Explorer’ destinations — places that are chosen for ‘remote beauty, wildlife access or historical and cultural significance, rather than luxury lodging and dining.’
A new debut, the Grandeur of the Mediterranean itinerary is an excellent addition to the already stellar roster and will be taking place April 2 19, 2026. The 18-day journey will take 52 guests to 10 destinations — Barcelona, Spain; Tunis, Tunisia; Crete, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; Aswan, Egypt; Istria, Croatia; the Turquoise Coast, Turkey; Ephesus, Turkey; Bay of Kotor, Montenegro; and Madrid, Spain.
Traveling between locations on board an Airbus A321, expect highlights such as a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus in Egypt and to a tiny man-made islet in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Joining the trip will be a team to manage anything and everything, as well as a professional photographer.
From $135,000 per person. Contact +1 888 723 4480
Price
From $135,000 per person
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Cool Runnings
The North PoleMaybe you’ve got a few marathons under your belt; maybe some from different cities, or even an ultra or two. If you’re seeking the next endurance challenge, consider a marathon where few people have set foot — the North Pole. Runbuk, which specializes in remote and wild marathons, routinely organizes races in some of the most extreme locales on Earth — from an Ice Ultra in the Antarctic to a Volcano Marathon.
There’s a ‘Grand Slam Club’ too, where membership is earned by completing a marathon on all seven continents, plus one on the North Pole. (There is apparently only one member for every 50 million people on the planet.) Get started with the North Pole Marathon, racing on ice floes among fellow competitors — the Summer Edition takes you to the top of the world on board Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot (an Elite Traveler favorite), so you can prep and recover cocooned in luxury.
From $46,000 per person. Contact info@runbuk.com
Price
From $46,000 per person
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Butterfield & Robinson
BhutanAccording to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness tourism will jump from $830.2 billion in 2023 to over $1.3 trillion in 2028. Quite the leap, but hardly surprising considering health and longevity have long been a priority for many, and wellness-focused itineraries have been steadily rising.
Butterfield & Robinson (whose charming mantra is: ‘slow down to see the world’) has a number of transformative experiences designed to stimulate personal growth and well-being. One such experience is the company’s 11-night hiking trip in Bhutan. Begin at the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, traverse through the Punakha Valley and the Gangtey Valley, then head to Bumthang to visit a sacred temple. Follow the Chamkhar Chu River upstream before coming across a 15th-century temple, and hike to the isolated Zuri Dzong temple while enjoying views of Paro Valley.
Soothe aching legs at some of the best hotels — big names like Aman and Six Senses are stop-offs.
Contact info@butterfield.com, +1 866 551 9090
Price
From $19,995 per person
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Highland Pursuits
ScotlandHead seriously off-grid to The Torridon Hotel in Scotland. The castle-like hotel was first built in 1887 as a private hunting lodge for the first Earl of Lovelace; its Scottish Baronial style, with soaring turrets, is quintessentially stately. The hotel sits on the shores of Loch Torridon, where seals, otters and dolphins are often spotted. It’s no surprise that the hotel more than caters to the adventurous considering its surroundings — custom itineraries can be created for guests to explore the Highlands, from stargazing to wildlife watching. For those made of tougher stuff, consider wild water swimming — brave the serene and icy waters of the loch for an invigorating dip before warming up with one of the 365 whiskies from The Whisky Bar. If you don’t want to get your feet wet, The Torridon has its own ‘Highland Shaman’ who creates individual summit adventures for guests and offers insights into the area’s geology, wildlife and history.
Contact info@thetorridon.com,+44 1463 232 441Price
From $580 per night
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Driving the White Continent
Antarctica The seventh continent routinely makes an appearance in our Top Adventures list with good reason — can you really call yourself a true explorer if you haven’t felt the crunch of the snow beneath your boots as you step onto the vast icy expanse? If you have already been there, consider seeing it in a new way, and one that very few will ever experience — by driving across the terrain in a 6×6 vehicle.
Now, this is not a pampered expedition by any means and is certainly not for the faint of heart, as accommodation from base camp is pared back and participants need to be in good physical and mental shape for the whole shebang. You’ll fly in from South Africa and out to South America (or vice versa) and drive right across Antarctica (making pit stops along the way, including at the South Pole) with medically and mechanically qualified polar guides. Conditions dictate when the guides will drive, but you’ll be taking the wheel whenever possible to cruise across the otherworldly landscape.
Contact enquiry@explorationscompany.com, +44 136 785 0566
Price
$1.55m based on six guests
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Wonders of Middle Earth
New ZealandNew Zealand is pure magic — with its emerald-green hills, snowcapped peaks and surreally pristine coastlines. Experience this slice of Middle Earth with Abercrombie & Kent’s exclusive 11-day small-group journey, designed for like-minded travelers. The trip, which allows a maximum of 18 guests, begins in Auckland, where you’ll get an insider’s look at New Zealand’s mighty All Blacks rugby team before indulging in a day of private wine and food tastings at the island’s top vineyards.
The next stop is Rotorua for a private tour of Hobbiton (yes, that Hobbiton), a guided geothermal walk and an immersive visit to a local Māori village including lunch at a local’s home. In Wellington, soak up history and culture at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, home to an incredible collection of indigenous and contemporary treasures. Swap cityscapes for the wild beauty of Kaikōura, where you’ll sip your way through Marlborough’s wine country before heading out on a whale-watching cruise. The journey ends in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. Explore the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, hike along the shores of Lake Wakatipu or simply sit back with a glass of local pinot noir and take in the view.
Contact +1 800 554 7016
Price
From $14,600 per person
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Festival of the Sun
PeruYou might be tempted to visit a certain destination to try a raved-about restaurant, or head to a vibrant city to soak up the atmosphere during a big event. Red Savannah, a firm that creates bespoke itineraries, has recommended a selection of destinations where festivals take center stage, deepening guests’ connection to the culture of the place. Plan a visit to Cusco, Peru for June 24 and the Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun — the most important festival of the Inca Empire.
The festival dates back to the 1430s, when the Incas performed rituals to thank Inti for a good harvest. Today, it is a vibrant celebration with reenactments of the rituals, processions and colorful parades. The Peru in Style itinerary includes three days of cruising along the Amazon River on board Aria Amazon, a custom-built cruise ship; visits to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley; and concludes at Cusco in time for the festivities. The itinerary can be tweaked to your liking, too.
Contact Dineke Verlinden, Latin America specialist, info@redsavannah.com, +44 124 278 7819
Price
From $13,944 per person
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The Spice Islands
IndonesiaDevise your own exotic adventure based aboard storybook- worthy Celestia, a 148-ft hand-built Indonesian vessel that sleeps only 14 guests in seven staterooms. Experts in culturally immersive itineraries that sweep guests magically through Indonesia’s spectacular Coral Triangle, the team behind Celestia can create private, bespoke sailing experiences that can include activities as diverse as world-class diving, private beach dinners and massage treatments.
With a crew that includes a chef trained at a Michelin-star restaurant, Celestia also offers scheduled sails such as an eight-day exploration of the Maluku Islands, steeped in spice and trade history, or five-day journeys that can take guests diving or snorkeling in Komodo National Park.
By Becca Hensley
Price
From $13,500 per night for exclusive use
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Snow Polo
St MoritzThere are few moments in private aviation more fraught than an approach to Samedan Airport. Because it sits 5,600 ft above sea level between towering mountains, 10% of scheduled flights are diverted. High up in the European Alps, weather changes quickly. Pilots have multiple backup airports arranged even on a clear day, all several hours’ drive from the intended destination of St Moritz. But, on a good day, Flexjet’s Embraer Praetor 600s land without so much as a bump, and you can be checked into your hotel within minutes of landing. From here, you’ll be whisked down to the frozen Lake St Moritz to take your seat at the Snow Polo World Cup. Flexjet is one of the title sponsors of the event, the only polo tournament in the world played on ice. The partnership is not so much a branding exercise as a way to grant its fractional owners VIP access to one of the world’s most exclusive sporting events. Flexjet organizes access to the best hotels, restaurants and the weekend’s illustrious events. For the more adventurous, Flexjet offers a polo clinic before the professionals take to the ice. Led by former professional Malcolm Borwick (who counts Prince William and Prince Harry among his alumni), the clinic reveals just how difficult a skill the sport of kings (and princes, apparently) is. Suitably humbled, Flexjet owners can take respite in the VIP area, where fine food and champagne flow continuously throughout the weekend.
By Alex Martin.
Contact flexjetdirect@flexjet.com, +44 203 856 8151
Price
Price on request
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Elephant Conservation
TanzaniaDespite their status as one of the continent’s most majestic, iconic species, the African elephant is still endangered. While illegal poachers hunting the animals for their ivory tusks remain the greatest threat, habitat loss as forests and plains are converted to farmlands is a growing concern, and efforts to protect the creatures’ habitat have ramped up accordingly.
For animal-loving explorers concerned with helping save the future of these proud animals, Tully Luxury Travel — a boutique travel agency founded by bona fide Africa expert Mary Jean Tully — can help curate a conservation-focused trip to Tanzania’s Singita Grumeti, where the nonprofit Grumeti Fund is working hard to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region.
One ongoing project involves elephant collaring (the collars are light and painless), which allows the team to not only collect valuable data on their migration but also continuously monitor their whereabouts and intervene if danger is near, be it from suspected poachers or proximity to human settlements. Far beyond just watching as the conservationists carry out vital steps to protect the elephants, guests will be hands-on in the entire process, from administering the injection that wakes the animals back up to covering the sedated creatures with water to ensure they remain cool.
By Kim Ayling.
Contact travel@tullyluxurytravel.com, +1 855 274 2274
Price
Price on request
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Wildlife of the World
Multi-destinationVisiting multiple destinations in one trip is achievable, certainly — but if you want to do it seamlessly, sitting firmly in the lap of luxury while heading to exciting and remote spots, consider one of National Geographic’s private jet tours. For those wanting to see all the big hitters in one swoop, there’s a number of around-the-world trips.
But animal lovers rejoice — the 24-day Wildlife of the World itinerary begins in Singapore before venturing onwards to China; Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya and Rwanda, before finishing off in Rome, all via a private custom-configured Boeing 757.
Accompanied throughout by a biologist, you’ll visit a panda reserve in Chengdu; explore Yala National Park in Sri Lanka to seek out elephants, leopards, sloth bears and hundreds of bird species; go snorkeling in the aquamarine Indian Ocean and look out for dolphins in the Maldives and Mauritius; hike through the rain forests of Madagascar to spot black lemurs and Nosy Be panther chameleons; look out for the Big Five at the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya (and spot crocodiles and hippos alongside the Mara River); and sit among a family of gorillas at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The dates for the trip are July 28 through August 2.
Contact +1 888 227 7265
Price
From $119,995 per person based on double occupancy
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Flashing Lights
Churchill, CanadaNatural Habitat Adventures has been leading the way in sustainable and conservation-focused adventure travel since 1985. Last year, the company saw a rise in guests wanting to book photo expedition trips (bookings for 2025 are already up 21% over 2024) and so have released a new collection of photography-focused trips.
Each trip is led by an expedition leader who is both an accomplished professional photographer and a seasoned naturalist, to ensure guests capture brilliant images. Instruction is provided for all levels on all equipment, from DSLRs to smartphones, as well as workshops to fine-tune editing skills and to improve capturing images in challenging conditions.
Perhaps one of the most captured natural phenomena, this trip’s main subject is the Northern Lights. Head to Churchill, Canada, which has over 300 nights a year of activity from those ethereal dancing lights; the minimal light pollution makes for optimum viewing. Churchill’s position beneath the Auroral Oval means the displays are more vivid than in other places, too. The seven-day trip is limited to 12 travelers — or you can make it private if you prefer.
Contact +1 800 543 8917.
Price
From $9,195 per person
