Cookson Adventures

At a recent client thought leadership event, we were granted rare, private access to Bhutan’s rich heritage and conservation efforts through an intimate interaction with the Executive Director of the Bhutan Foundation.

Alongside conversations on protecting Bhutan’s sacred tiger and snow leopard populations, guests were welcomed to the usually off-limits Wangduechhoeling Palace with a vibrant ceremony of traditional music and masked dances, followed by a bespoke dinner within the royal grounds.

During the trip, guests experienced Bhutan’s healing landscapes – from forest bathing to hikes through the Himalayan wilderness, reaching sacred monasteries for moments of reflection. Private meditation sessions were led by a high spiritual leader, guiding participants toward inner clarity and connection.

Conversations flowed beneath the ancient trees, with thought-provoking discussions taking place in streams and forests, fostering a profound link between nature and self. These shared moments reaffirm our belief that true transformation begins from within, with impacts that ripple far beyond Bhutan’s pristine forests.

Contact us to begin your thought leadership journey today.

Discover one of the finest private lodges in New Zealand – the perfect base for bespoke adventures.

Set on expansive grounds, you can enjoy private rounds of golf on one of the country's top courses or explore the sculpture park, showcasing local and international art. The lodge itself features an extensive private collection of early New Zealand Māori art.

Indulge in afternoons by the infinity pool or with a private outdoor sauna session, and discover locally inspired cuisine prepared by your personal chef. But it’s when you step outside that the adventure truly begins.

We’ll arrange a helicopter at your disposal, allowing you to soar over majestic fjords and dramatic landscapes. We’ll land at secluded waterfalls for a picnic, arrange guided hikes on untouched mountain trails, or even organise heli-biking down alpine slopes. For thrill-seekers, we’ll take you jet boating through narrow canyon walls or to the world’s original bungee-jumping site for an adrenaline rush.

Each activity is expertly curated and tailored to your interests and pace, ensuring a truly personalised adventure.

Take a look at some of our favourite exclusive lodges for this ski season.

Perhaps take your skiing to new heights with heli runs to untouched powder far from the crowds, where world-class instructors tailor your experience to your skill and ambition.

Then, after a day on the slopes, unwind with yoga and wellness treatments before indulging with your private chef’s culinary creations.

📷: Featuring images provided by and Cabane Tortin.

We know that there’s so much to explore beyond the headlines. So, here’s a collection of a few of our favourite lesser-known natural wonders:

Kenya’s Painted Valley – Nigh-on inaccessible without a heli flight, this is a geographical tour-de-force of spindly hoodoos and stunning pastel stratifications.

Iceland’s Drangey Island – The emerald-green contours of this uninhabited island are the perfect backdrop to gourmet pontoon lunches and kayak trips.

Madagascar’s Tsingy Forest – A “forest” of karstic plateaus – this UNESCO-listed jewel is a maze of caverns and fissures, making it a treat to explore.

Son Doong, Vietnam – We were among the very first into the world’s largest cave, where our bespoke camps opened up access to its otherworldly riches, from caverns large enough to accommodate a 747 to towering underground waterfalls.

Chiribiquete, Colombia – Spanning rainforests, rivers and mighty table-top tepui, Chiribiquete is where the Andes and Amazon meet. We’ve taken helicopters into its depths, spotting giant multi-tier waterfalls.

"Of all the numerous magical places on the planet [I’ve] been privileged to visit, Antarctica still remains the most alien, most awe-inspiring and just downright majestic. Given its sheer volume and range of wildlife, the Antarctica Peninsular for me is the Serengeti of the polar regions."
– Henry Cookson for Elite Traveler

Antarctica's awe-inspiring frozen landscape is – by its very nature – a challenge to navigate. That’s why we use yachts, helicopters, and submersibles to provide unrivalled access.

Our multi-asset approach opens up the most remote areas in the utmost isolation, from monolithic glaciers to scientific bases. And, with our contacts, we can see you collaborate with leading researchers to gather data on wildlife or be joined on your sub by a marine biologist as you look out for Antarctic wildlife.

We’ve also arranged ice climbing, kayak paddles and heli rides among this icy expanse – departing directly from your yacht. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to meet everything from vast colonies of penguins to seals resting on the ice and humpback whales breaching the icy waters.

It’s the chance to experience this unique destination in a way that suits you.

As we look forward to Thanksgiving next month, we've curated a selection of private accommodations that are ideal for celebrations with friends and family.

All wonderfully accessible from the States, there’s everything from tropical hideaways in Central America to lodge retreats in Colorado and Utah.

Whatever you choose, you can be sure everything will be tailored to your tastes. That may mean soaking in natural hot springs after a day of ice climbing, or exploring lush rainforests before relaxing by the pool.

With our experience in crafting epic celebrations, you could be sure of some serious fun this holiday season.

Get ahead on this year’s holiday season, with special availability for a South African safari with a difference.

Although just an hour’s helicopter ride from Johannesburg, you’ll be in an untouched wilderness to enjoy an exclusive-use house in its own private reserve.

Here, you can track leopards under the starlit sky. Take in the sunset on a helicopter ride to the hippo deck. Or, simply unwind with a private lunch on a secluded beach.

As night falls, gaze up at the stars from the research-grade observatory, with a private astronomer guiding you through the celestial views above.

Indeed, we can curate bespoke celebrations tailored to your group’s desires. Whether it’s a present treasure hunt for the whole family or a dance floor in the bush, we ensure that every moment is unforgettable.

“If I was allowed just one last adventure in my life, I’d call Henry Cookson. Because compared with every other travel designer out there, Cookson is unique, magical even, with his capacity for out-of-the-box thinking. He searches for the dark spots on the map, sniffs out a piece of history yet to be unearthed, discovers a conservation story needing a benefactor… It’s no wonder that Cookson has earned the moniker ‘The billionaire’s travel whisperer’.”
– Alice BB for WISH magazine

We were honoured to take part in this year's ICONversation, held in the Hotel de Paris during the Monaco Yacht Show.

Launched a year ago, the ICONversation aims to spotlight the impact of collaboration within the yachting world, driving marine research and supporting crucial conservation initiatives. This year’s panel discussion brought together leading voices to explore how yachting can play a pivotal role in ocean exploration and what steps we can take to enhance our understanding and protection of the seas.

Led by Micca Ferrero, Owner of ICON Yachts, the discussion featured notable experts, including Nick Davies (Managing Director of Cookson Adventures), Jay Wade (Chairman of The International SeaKeepers Society), and Fabien Cousteau (aquanaut, ocean explorer, and founder of the Ocean Learning Center and Proteus).

More from ICONversation coming soon…

📷: Taken by Odyssey Films UK

Whether racing across the sand dunes of Morocco in a rage buggy, traversing the icy terrain of Greenland, or cruising your private estate in a classic car in Patagonia, we know that exploration by vehicle offers some serious fun.

Especially when you’re at the wheel yourself.

Bhutan, a land of deep tradition and spirituality, served as the perfect backdrop for a recent thought leadership event – immersing guests in a different way of life.

Centring around a luxury camp set up in a remote forest, our clients engaged with Bhutan’s cultural heritage through curated experiences, from forest meditation and practising dha – Bhutan’s national sport of archery – to discovering the art of handweaving traditional bamboo hats, which are worn by the women of Laya.

As night fell, an expert astronomer guided them through the stars, followed by a personal astrology reading with a Bhutanese monk — a spiritual tradition deeply intertwined with the culture.

Within our bespoke private camps, nature and thought leadership seamlessly intertwined. Guests shared ideas over private-chef dining before stream bathing sessions, guided by a high spiritual leader. These serene, introspective moments fostered a deeper connection to nature and self, creating the perfect environment for meaningful discussions and personal transformation.

Contact us to begin your journey today.

Blending wild adventure with unrivalled luxury is our signature.

After diving for scallops in the clear waters of Scotland, let a private chef prepare your fresh catch, capped with a whisky pairing. Or perhaps after a night safari in search of lions, you'll enjoy an unforgettable party under the stars in the bush.

Then in Oman, abseil down cragged cliffs before retreating to your luxury camp, while in French Polynesia spend an afternoon learning to windsurf with a world champion before returning to your exclusive private island retreat.

However you wish to travel, expect time spent at the limits of luxury and adventure.

Discover three Autumn escapes, hand selected by our Projects Team:

Learn a new way of life with insider's access to the secretive Himalayan nation of Bhutan. From exploring ancient forests on horseback to enjoying a private audience with Buddhist spiritual leaders.

Spotting wildlife from the pool, thrilling heli rides with flamingoes and breakfasts with giraffes – a Kenyan safari has something for everyone.

Then in Egypt, every experience can be brought to life by expert historians and immersive experiences, from freediving in the Red Sea to exclusive after-dark visits to iconic sites.

Have something else in mind? Get in touch.

Some views are best appreciated from above.

Whether that's skydiving above the fjords in the Lofoten archipelago, exploring the secluded coastline of Socotra by gyrocopter or flying over thousands of flamingos by heli in Kenya, with us – the sky’s the limit.

We've been working closely with Space Perspective since 2021 to offer the ultimate in space travel comfort.

With no rockets involved, the climate-controlled capsule will ascend at a gentle 12 mph, revealing philosophy-defining views of Earth's curvature as you sip a cocktail in comfort. What’s more, entirely balloon propelled, it emits nearly zero emissions.

And, whether it’s involving pioneering scientific research or a Michelin-standard menu paired to your flight experience, Cookson Adventures will tailor this experience to you.

In the spacious eight-person cabin, which has floor-to-ceiling windows, we can connect you with the planet’s top authorities to guide you on your journey, from former astronauts to renowned astronomers. We can even put together a headset-based augmented reality experience to allow you to swap between views of Earth today, its Ice Age past, or the age of dinosaurs, complete with asteroid impacts.

However you wish to explore, leave it up to us to elevate this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

When we're not planning the next adventure, we're already on one.

Swipe to discover where the Cookson Adventures team have been running trips recently – from shooting Arctic surfing in Norway and sharing a private audience with Buddhist spiritual leaders, to meeting Kenya’s fearless anti-poaching dogs, key players in the fight against hunters.

Follow to discover where we’re visiting next.

“When advising guests, some already have their philanthropic focus and know where they want to direct their energies, and others are looking for guidance from us, as well as access to unique and incredible projects that are hard to find without the right contacts. Many of our guests are often in a position to use their ingenuity and ability to make genuine change. So I see our role as educators. We are the communicators.”
– Henry Cookson

Our commitment to conservation is at the heart of what we do.

We work closely with our clients to integrate conservation initiatives and philanthropic efforts into their travels, tailoring each experience to their passions. By making these connections, we can leave a lasting impact with both grass-roots organisations and our guests, as they get hands on to experience something they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. That might be as simple as going behind the scenes of a community-run wildlife orphanage, or facilitating a full-on rhino translocation.

Discover our conservation journey so far: https://cooksonadventures.com/trip-types/conservation-travel/

"For me, it was the rare opportunity to immerse myself in something truly authentic and breathe in the clean air of one of Europe’s untouched wildernesses. Riding through the Dolomites, I was able to disconnect, connect with nature, embrace local culture, and forge bonds in a way that felt genuinely transformative. It’s incredible how one can achieve this in the centre of Europe.”

Earlier this summer, our founder Henry Cookson slowed down and embraced the rhythm of nature in the Dolomites. Days were spent on horseback, traversing sweeping mountain vistas, while evenings were filled with homegrown food, warm local hospitality – and more than one glass of homemade grappa. The perfect digital detox.

“I feel strongly that there is a magic and energy in Socotra unlike anywhere else in the world. There is a deep authenticity in the culture and the people. Initially, I was more intrigued and interested in the endemic wildlife and the terrain, the otherworldly landscapes that are unlike anywhere else on the planet, yet it was the people we met, their openness and their generous hospitality which blew me away and won the prize for what is already an unbeatable travel experience".
Henry Cookson in Tempus Magazine

With our network of local contacts and global experts alike, we seek to provide authentic experiences that benefit and respect the communities we visit. And, no more is this true than on the island of Socotra, whether that’s joining locals on traditional fishing trips or enjoying private audiences with sheikhs pioneering biodiversity initiatives.

Here, we have the proven expertise where others do not – get in touch to begin your immersive journey to this unique island with us today.

The Lofotens’ winding fjords and idyllic beaches beckon to be explored.

So, on a recent summer trip, our clients kayaked together through secret inlets, experienced the thrill of a jet ski safari through stilted villages and, come the evening, flew by heli to a remote beach to catch cold-water breaks with a world-champion surfer.

Their day of adventure called for sundowners underneath the glow of the midnight sun, and freshly-caught seafood prepared by a private chef.

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On a recent trip, our clients enjoyed a private stay at a historic lodge set in the Scottish wildlands. Here, they indulged in restorative cold water plunges and outdoor saunas, along with fine dining featuring foraged and locally sourced food from the estate.

After unwinding in nature, we flew them by heli to a renowned atelier to view textiles being handwoven on vintage floor looms. Here they had the unique opportunity to create bespoke designs in tweed or tartan, celebrating Scotland’s storied craftsmanship.

Of course, the rest of the trip called for adventure. From off-roading in breathtaking landscapes to wild swimming and exploring Loch Ness by e-foil, we ensured a variety of outdoor pursuits, culminating in wild cooking dinner setups and sundowners by the shore.

The trip concluded with the exclusive use of a grand 300-year-old castle, complete with a michelin-standard private chef and traditional bagpiper – and more than enough single malt.

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We like to think that we know a thing or two about living on the edge.

These images were taken in Norway’s Lofoten Islands – an Arctic archipelago where kilometre-high granite peaks gaze out over the otherworldly blue of its fjord network.

They’re views that demand to be savoured. That’s why, on a recent summer trip, we set up a portaledge camp on a cliff face, so our clients could wake up to an epic vision of their surroundings. Of course, that’s after a day adventuring, exploring by heli before enjoying a wilderness dinner prepared over the campfire by a private chef.

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Hiking allows you to fully immerse yourself in your surroundings, taking in the rugged beauty of mountain peaks and tranquil oceans, remote landscapes or icy terrain.

From challenging ascents in Kilimanjaro to epic heli hikes in Chile, we can plan hiking adventures that culminate in breathtaking views. Each outdoor excursion culminates with wild camping under the stars, or returning to your private lodge or luxury yacht for some well earned rest – and a masseuse on hand.

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We recently visited Lower Mustang, a remote locale in Nepal known as the 'forbidden kingdom', which was only opened to Westerners in 1992. Encompassed by the Himalayas with its sinuous landscape and snow-capped peaks, this sparsely populated village is home to Kamala Lalchan, a renowned Thakali chef. She prepared us an authentic lunch of dal with black lentils and spices, stir-fried cabbage and pureed pumpkin, and homemade apple jam from her orchard.

"We sat in her courtyard, right by the open kitchen, as she walked us through the ingredients she uses. She is a true storyteller, having lived an incredibly enriching life. I was so impressed with her cooking that I asked if she would take the opportunity to work elsewhere and see the world if she had the chance. She replied that she never wanted to leave Marpha as she continues to meet the most interesting people by welcoming them into her home." – Natasha Piedra

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From the power of impassioning people through storytelling to the complicated realities of conservation, this week at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) saw Henry Cookson come together in conversation with National Geographic explorer Dr Niall McCann, conservationist Jamie Gaymer and filmmaker Matt Pycroft to celebrate the launch of our public premiere 'Keystone: How to Move a Rhino'.

This expert panel offered thought-provoking insights into environmentalism, such as how effective high-end tourism can support the financial deficit of governments, why preserving the landscape should prioritise communities, and what we can all do collectively to help shift our mindset to better support our natural world.

Watch here: https://www.rgs.org/how-to-move-a-rhino-live