According to luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for travel, with growing demand for transformative experiences.
For advisors with clients craving adventure, immersion in nature and deep cultural discovery, A&K is pointing toward destinations such as Kenya, Botswana, Costa Rica and India, where escapes in remote wilderness and journeys that uncover ancient secrets await.
"We're witnessing a shift towards intentional travel in 2026," said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K. "Our guests aren't just seeking beautiful destinations — they want experiences that challenge perspectives, forge genuine connections and create lasting impact. Whether it's witnessing the Northern Lights at their most spectacular, exploring newly accessible archaeological wonders or connecting with nomadic cultures, these travelers are choosing journeys that will fundamentally enrich their understanding of our world. This isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about collecting moments that will define a lifetime."
At a recent virtual press conference, A&K product managers looked toward 2026 and highlighted the following options for luxury and active travel around the world.
Egypt
A&K is starting a new chapter in Egypt in 2026 with the debut of the Nile Seray, a brand-new A&K Sanctuary vessel that will set sail with polished interiors, 32 suites and a rooftop deck for admiring temples as they drift by. Every cruise on Nile Seray includes insider access to spectacular tombs in the West Bank, including those of Queen Nefertari and King Tutankhamun. An added bonus: The launch of Nile Seray coincides with the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will welcome its first guests on Nov. 1 and will display all 5,340 treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb for the first time in one place.
Kenya
In Kenya, Amboseli National Park continues to captivate travelers with its extraordinary landscapes, diverse wildlife and cultural richness. Known as one of Africa’s oldest and most iconic parks, Amboseli holds a unique position in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kenya's Amboseli National Park is home to incredible wildlife.
Credit: 2025 Sanctuary RetreatsIn 2026, A&K will open Kitirua Plains Lodge, an all-villa A&K sanctuary property that offers access to Amboseli National Park and is set within a private 128-acre concession. The lodge will feature 11 standalone villas and two, two-bedroom family suites — all designed for a modern and immersive safari experience.
Choquequirao, Peru
Long overshadowed by Machu Picchu, sister city Choquequirao remains one of South America’s most remarkable archaeological treasures. It welcomes fewer visitors in a year than Machu Picchu does in a single day, and can currently only be reached on foot.
A&K says that now is the time to visit Choquequirao, because at the end of 2025, Peru’s government plans to award a tender for a cable car capable of transporting up to 4,000 visitors daily to the site. Clients interested in visiting now might book A&K's Peru: Trek to Choquequirao itinerary; the 12-day journey is limited to just 14 guests.
"We're seeing an increase in 'archaeological adventure' bookings, [or] travelers who want to earn their cultural discoveries through physical challenge,” A&K said in a press release. “Choquequirao represents the perfect storm: untouched Incan heritage, serious trekking credentials and the ticking clock of impending accessibility. It's become the ultimate bragging rights destination for guests who've already conquered other iconic climbs and are seeking the next cultural pinnacle."
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The industry is seeing a rise in demand for remote luxury, or escapes that feel deeply personal while also being an off-grid experience. Botswana’s Okavango Delta, for example, is redefining what a honeymoon destination can be. With private concessions, untamed wilderness and exclusive lodges, it offers newlyweds privacy and luxury at the same time.
Following a complete rebuild, Baines’ Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, now offers six elevated suites overlooking floodplains, plus opportunities for “star baths” under the night sky.
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, home to Corcovado National Park and often called “the most biologically intense place on Earth,” continues to attract travelers seeking authentic adventure and nature.
A view from Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula
Credit: 2025 eelco bohtlingk/UnsplashOne way for clients to experience the destination is on A&K’s Cruising and Wildlife in Costa Rica itinerary; the nine-day journey is limited to 16 guests and features an exclusive charter of the Knotiki Wayra yacht. Guests can also experience excursions in Corcovado’s jungle or along the pristine coast.
Madhya Pradesh, India
Madhya Pradesh is India’s second largest state and home to 12 national parks. The region is also known for tiger spotting — since Project Tiger launched in 1973, the India's wild tiger population has rebounded to just under 4,000 (which is roughly 75% of the world’s Bengal tigers, according to the project).
A&K’s Tiger Tracking India trip takes guests through three national parks, combining luxury stays and encounters with India’s legendary wildlife.
Mongolia
Home to one of the world’s last surviving nomadic cultures, Mongolia is finally within easier reach thanks to United Airlines’ new nonstop service from Tokyo International Airport. Clients can fully immerse in local cultures and traditions on A&K’s Golden Eagle Festival and Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Adventure trips, which highlight traditional activities such as archery, horse racing and wrestling. The journeys offer authentic access to the land of the “eternal blue sky,” according to A&K.
A&K’s Tiger Tracking India itinerary takes guests through three national parks.
Credit: 2025 Tom GriffithsSeoul, South Korea
While Japan has dominated Asian tourism headlines, South Korea is rapidly emerging as its cosmopolitan counterpart. In Seoul, cutting-edge technology and fashion seamlessly mingle with centuries-old places, vibrant neighborhoods and a food scene rivaling other bustling Asian hubs.
The surging global appeal of Korean culture, including K-pop, K-dramas and Korean beauty trends, is also driving travelers to South Korea. And, the destination will soon become even more accessible with Virgin Atlantic’s new nonstop service from London Heathrow Airport to Seoul, which is set to launch mid-2026.
Have clients who want to experience both South Korea and Japan? Look into A&K’s Small Group Journey South Korea and Japan: Cultural Legacies trip, which combines two vastly different and evolving nations steeped in rich heritage and tradition.
Iceland
As Europe solidifies its position as the top destination for North American travelers, Iceland is emerging as a hot vacation choice. In August 2026, the island will lie directly beneath a total solar eclipse, coinciding with the peak of the 11-year solar activity cycle and ensuring that visitors will see the northern lights.
Sophisticated hotels, Michelin star restaurants, pristine wilderness, volcanic and geothermal landscapes are also things that draw people to Iceland.
A&K's Iceland Winter Adventure 2026 allows guests to explore the volcanic and glacial wonders of Iceland in the quieter winter season, soak in the waters of Hvammsvik's thermal sea baths and explore the lava tube of Vidgelmir, Iceland's largest volcanic cave.
The northern lights are expected to be their brightest in an 11-year solar cycle in 2026.
Credit: 2025 Vincent Guth/UnsplashLapland
This Nordic region is set for a banner year in 2026 as the northern lights reach their brightest phase during the aforementioned solar maximum. A&K’s Finland and Sweden: Adventures in Lapland tour and the Christmas in Lapland trip combine celestial viewing with indigenous Sami culture, sleigh rides and wellness practices.
Relatedly, A&K announced the opening of A&K Nordics last August; this is the newest addition to the brand’s global network of offices, which allows for deep-rooted connections with Indigenous communities and unmatched access to remote locations.
"The Nordic region is experiencing unprecedented demand as travelers chase the 'peak aurora' moment of the solar maximum,” A&K said in a press release. “But we're also seeing a shift towards wellness-focused Arctic experiences — ice therapy retreats, midnight sun meditation and biophilic design hotels. It's wellness tourism meets celestial theatre, [which appeals] to guests seeking both physical and spiritual transformation."
Dolomites, Italy
The Italian Dolomites are a trending destination for many reasons, including the fact that the region will host the Winter Olympics in 2026. New developments are emerging in the area, too, such as the opening of Aman Rose Alpina, Hotel Ancora and Mandarin Oriental Cortina. Additionally, direct flights to Venice from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on American Airlines and Washington Dulles International Airport on United Airlines make the region even more accessible.
Clients looking for a taste of this destination might try A&K’s Venice and the Dolomites journey, which brings guests to Italy’s Prosecco region and through the Dolomites, allowing them to take in mountain landscapes and sample local specialties.
