From Kenya’s newest safari lodge to Peru’s hidden Incan citadel, these are the destinations luxury travellers will be talking about next year.
After years of shifting travel priorities, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of meaningful exploration. According to Abercrombie & Kent, the luxury travel company that pioneered adventure by day and indulgence by night, travellers are looking beyond bucket lists for journeys that connect them more deeply with culture, nature, and purpose.
“Our guests aren’t just seeking beautiful destinations — they want experiences that challenge perspectives and create lasting impact,” says Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group. “This isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about collecting moments that define a lifetime.”
From Africa’s untamed plains to the icy glow of the Arctic north, A&K’s experts have unveiled the destinations that promise the most transformative experiences in 2026.
Kenya: A New Chapter in Safari Luxury
Amboseli National Park, with its views of Mount Kilimanjaro and vast herds of elephants, continues to captivate travellers. In 2026, the debut of Kitirua Plains Lodge — a new A&K Sanctuary property featuring 13 organic suites within a private concession — will elevate Kenya’s safari scene once again. Together with Olonana in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the trio offers a modern circuit for travellers seeking immersive wildlife encounters and hands-on conservation.
Peru: Machu Picchu’s Secret Sister
While Machu Picchu draws the headlines, Choquequirao — accessible only on foot — remains a rarefied destination for those willing to trek. Often called its “sister city,” the archaeological site receives fewer visitors in a year than Machu Picchu does in a single day. A&K’s new Peru: Trek to Choquequirao expedition blends challenge with cultural reward, tracing Incan history from the heights of the Andes to the Sun Gate itself.
Egypt: The Long-Awaited Reveal
Nearly two decades in the making, Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum is finally set to open in November 2025, housing 100,000 artefacts, including all of Tutankhamun’s treasures displayed together for the first time. A&K is marking the moment with the launch of Nile Seray, a sleek 32-suite cruiser offering rooftop pool decks and private access to the Valley of the Kings. For ultimate seclusion, the Zein Nile Chateau, an intimate dahabiya, channels the spirit of Cleopatra.
Lapland: Northern Lights and Nordic Wellness
The aurora borealis will reach its brightest and most frequent peak in over a decade in 2026, making this the year to head north. A&K’s Adventures in Lapland and Christmas in Lapland itineraries combine light-chasing with reindeer sleigh rides, glass cabins, and ice therapy — the kind of coolcation that restores body and spirit beneath a sky ablaze in green and violet.
Madhya Pradesh, India: Tigers Return to the Spotlight
Half a century after Project Tiger began, India’s wild tiger population has soared by more than 160 percent — a conservation success story best experienced in Madhya Pradesh, where new luxury stays such as Oberoi Vindhyavilas await. A&K’s Tailormade Tiger Tracking in India itinerary combines wildlife viewing with visits to tribal communities and rewilding projects, redefining what a modern safari can be.
Mongolia: Life on the Open Steppe
Thanks to new direct flights from Tokyo, Mongolia is finally on the map for cultural explorers. A&K’s small-group journeys — Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Adventure and Golden Eagle Festival — offer a front-row seat to nomadic life, from wrestling tournaments and horse races to the centuries-old bond between Kazakh hunters and their eagles.
Okavango Delta, Botswana: Privacy, Perfected
In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, remoteness itself is the new luxury. The newly rebuilt Baines’ Lodge, with just six suites suspended above the floodplains, provides a front-row seat to the rhythms of the wild — from dawn safaris to starlit baths on private decks. Expect to see more elephants than people during your stay.
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: The Wild Coast
Only accessible by boat, Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula offers one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet. On A&K’s Cruising and Wildlife in Costa Rica itinerary, guests explore this pristine region aboard a nine-suite luxury yacht — combining jungle treks, guided snorkeling, and slow mornings at sea.
Seoul, South Korea: Asia’s Next Capital of Cool
As Virgin Atlantic launches new nonstop flights from London in early 2026, Seoul is poised for a global spotlight. A&K’s South Korea & Japan: Cultural Legacies itinerary uncovers the real city behind the K-wave — from palace architecture and temple stays to cutting-edge design and Michelin-starred dining.
Dolomites, Italy: After the Games
With the 2026 Winter Olympics heading to nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s Dolomites are seeing a luxury renaissance. New openings — including Aman Rosa Alpina, Mandarin Oriental Cortina, and the reimagined Hotel Ancora — will welcome guests long after the medals are awarded. A&K’s Venice and the Dolomites trip offers alpine adventure paired with Italian elegance, from cheese tastings to Prosecco picnics in the highlands.
