Tour Operators Archives

See Wolves, Whales and Northern Lights on This New Arctic Tour

November 4, 2025

Untold Story Travel’s newest itinerary pairs luxury with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters in Northern Norway.

If the idea of living among wolves and swimming beneath the Northern Lights sounds like a fantasy, Untold Story Travel is turning it into reality. The luxury tour operator—known for its bespoke, boundary-pushing itineraries—has unveiled Wolves, Whales & the Northern Lights, a private six-day journey through the wilds of Northern Norway that blends adventure, comfort and conservation.

Set in the snow-covered valleys of Målselv, deep inside the Arctic Circle, guests spend five nights at Wolf Lodge, an ultra-exclusive retreat that feels more like a secret sanctuary than a hotel. It’s home to a resident pack of socialized Arctic wolves, and under the care of wildlife expert Stig Sletten, travellers can observe and interact with them up close—a rare experience that’s as humbling as it is unforgettable.

The adventure doesn’t stop there. A private whale safari with marine biologist and National Geographic photographer Audun Rikardsen takes guests into icy fjords to spot orcas, humpbacks and sperm whales. For those feeling extra brave, Untold Story can even arrange a guided orca swim beneath the Northern Lights—a moment of pure awe that feels straight out of a dream.

Days are filled with snowmobiling and dogsledding, wood-fired saunas, and chef-prepared lunches served in a traditional lavvu tent. Evenings bring gourmet dinners by Chef Gunnar Jensen, named “Norway’s Best Chef,” with plates of reindeer, Arctic char and king crab. And when the aurora dances above a snow castle and bonfire outside, it’s easy to forget the rest of the world exists.

Rates start at around USD $30,000 per person, including accommodations, private chef and all guided excursions. Every stay supports the Polar Park Wolf Welfare Fund, helping protect the animals that make this part of Norway so extraordinary.

Six Adrenaline Fixes in New Zealand’s Adventure Capital

October 20, 2025

On New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown proudly calls itself the Adventure Capital of the World — and with good reason. This scenic lakeside town has a knack for coaxing even the most sensible travellers into trying things they’d never attempt anywhere else. From carving a jet boat through a narrow canyon to plunging headfirst off a bridge, here’s a taste of Queenstown’s adrenaline buffet.

Bungy Jumping

Inspired by the land divers of Vanuatu’s Pentecost Island, bungy jumping was invented in New Zealand, and Queenstown offered the world’s first commercial jump in 1988. Today, the 134-metre-high Nevis Bungy holds the record as the country’s highest jump, but the 43-metre-high Kawarau Bridge remains the most popular. For extra bragging rights, ask to dip your head into the river below.

Canyon Swinging

Home to the world’s first canyon swing, Queenstown invites you to leap off a cliff, freefall for 60 metres, and then swoop into a 200-metre arc at speeds up to 150 km/h. The Shotover Canyon Swing, just ten minutes from town, offers an à la carte menu of jump styles — from solo or tandem leaps to backwards, seated, or the nerve-shredding “cutaway.”

Jet Boating

The Shotover Jetboat is a Queenstown institution, inviting passengers to skim over as little as 10 cm of water at 85 km/h through the narrow Shotover Canyon. Invented by Kiwi Bill Hamilton to navigate the country’s shallow rivers, the jet boat’s speed and manoeuvrability are extraordinary. The signature Hamilton Turn — a full 360° spin — sends spray flying, which is why complimentary waterproof ponchos are more than a courtesy.

Paragliding

From a launch area atop the Skyline Gondola, it’s clear why Bob’s Peak is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular places to go paragliding. Snow-frosted mountains, the glimmering Lake Wakatipu, and views of Queenstown provide a stunning backdrop to this gentle ride of a lifetime. Tandem pilots do all the work, warm thermal air keeps you afloat, and the soft landing below is surprisingly easy on the nerves.

Skydiving

Few thrills match the rush of freefalling at terminal velocity. NZone, one of the busiest and most experienced skydive operators in the world, is known for helping nervous first-timers embrace the plunge. With the Southern Alps framing the horizon, even the scenic flight up is a thrill. Then the door opens, your tandem instructor signals it’s time, and you’re out in the open sky.

Skyline Lugeing

Another New Zealand first, the luge is a three-wheeled cart with a low centre of gravity and simple steering and braking controls. Push back on the handles to slow down or let gravity take over and race the track as fast as your nerves allow. A modified ski lift whisks you and your luge back to the start. The course is accessed via the Skyline Gondola, which climbs 450 metres above Queenstown — the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.

Abercrombie & Kent Has Released Its List of Where to Go in 2026

October 7, 2025

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.