Unique Experiences

The wide open spaces of Argentina lent themselves to ranching, with charming estancias now dotting the country. Each estancia is different, offering something for everyone. Relax in luxury at La Bamba near Buenos Aires, opt for the authentic experience of the working Los Potreros near Cordoba, or discover the privacy and remoteness of La Palma near Mendoza.

Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, Iguazú Falls straddles the border between Brazil and Argentina. Its 275 cascades tumble over a three-kilometre-long cleft of rock. Take off on a helicopter exploration of Iguazú Falls and the wild tropical forest of Iguazú National Park, enjoying the best possible vantage of this awe- inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Bhutanese hot stone bath dates back to the 17th century — an enduring treatment long touted for its therapeutic benefits. River stones are heated over a fire till they crack, releasing mineral-rich steam. The stones are then added to a wooden chamber that heats your bath and infuses it with minerals, the water massaging your muscles and relaxing your mind.

Upgrade your experience on the Uyuni Salt Flats with a stay in a Deluxe Air Stream Camper which comes complete with electric blankets, private bathroom, air-conditioning, a mini-bar and spacious relaxation area. Enjoy exceptional meals prepared by a gourmet chef in a separate ‘kitchen on wheels’.

Known as the Kallawayas, the natural healers of the Bolivian Andes strive to heal the body by first healing the soul. On a wellness-inspired excursion, meet with one of these direct descendants of Tiwanaku culture as they offer blessings and answer questions by casting sacred coca leaves, just as they have for centuries.

Towering over the floodplains of the spectacular Moremi Game Reserve is the remarkably-designed new luxury treehouse – a striking steel structure shaped like the wild branches of a baobab tree. Open-air roof decks provide the perfect place to safely spy on the wildlife and sleep under the stars; alternatively, retreat to the lush bedroom downstairs for a restorative night’s sleep.

Join the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a captivating bush walk in the Makgadikgadi Pans. Learn about the unique skills they employ to survive in this harsh, arid environment. Observe their hunting techniques, and the native plants used for food and medicinal purposes. Discover their spiritual beliefs, admire their crafts and listen to their unique click greetings.

Get a bird’s-eye view of Rio de Janeiro by helicopter, including the spectacular granite peaks of both Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain, as well as an up-close view of the Christ the Redeemer statue, and panoramic views od Copacabana Beach and Guanabara Bay.

While Angkor Wat takes centre stage among the region’s wonders, a remote series of temples lies hidden deep within the surrounding jungle seldom seen by Western eyes. Take off on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of Angkor’s outlying temples by helicopter. Watch the lush countryside pass beneath, stopping to explore Koh Ker and Beng Mealea, discovering, adjoining galleries and mythological carvings from centuries past.

Skirt the crowds and let your guide position you in the best vantage point for the spectacular sunrise at Angkor Wat. Enjoy an unobstructed view of the magnificent temple as it becomes illuminated by the sun’s first rays. Then an acclaimed archaeologist leads you on a revealing tour of the site followed by a champagne breakfast.

Following an Indigenous tour of Stanley Park, enjoy Insider Access at a First Nations art gallery, where you’ll meet with an Indigenous art expert for a deeper understanding of the collection. Afterwards, meet Klatle-Bhi, a celebrated local Squamish Nation artist, as they share some of their favourite life stories.

Icewalk in wonder along the frozen bottom of Maligne Canyon, only possible in winter. Follow your guide through a rocky maze of sculptures, ice caves and fossils, and past spectacular waterfalls frozen in time. You’ll learn fascinating insights into the karst topography, valley and the mysteries of Medicine Lake.

Take a helicopter through spectacular Cougar Canyon before touching down in an alpine wilderness. Embark on a curated hike with a certified mountain guide – from a gentle meadow walk to a trek along an alpine ridge – learning all about the plants and animals that call the Rockies home.

Embark on an inspiring First Nations Medicine Walk in Banff National Park, learning about the plants and trees traditionally used for healing, food or starting a fire. This experience invites you to relate to the landscape in a more conscious way, and appreciate the sophisticated, ancient knowledge of the Indigenous.

For solitude and seclusion, look no further than A&K’s exclusive and intimate camp in the Atacama Desert. Located 2,400 metres above sea level, the Atacama region is home to a spectacular range of rare sights, from geysers and salt lakes to dramatic mountain ranges and volcanoes. Hike in for sundowners, dinner by the campfire and stargazing in some of the clearest skies on Earth, before a dreamy sleep under canvas.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Colombia’s salt miners endured a hard life, often leading them to seek divine intervention. In a small mining town just outside Bogotá, descend into the subterranean Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá to learn how religious sculptures were hewn from the tunnels of a former salt mine by the miners themselves.

Arenal Volcano looms large on Costa Rica’s horizon, its foothills dotted with lush rainforest and inviting hot springs. Walk the Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges for a bird’s-eye-view of the rainforest canopy and the volcano’s peak. After your bridge walk, venture into the foothills for a rejuvenating dip in the nearby hot springs.

The magical Siwa Oasis lies isolated in the heart of Egypt’s Western Desert. With a distinctly different cultural heritage from the rest of the country and spectacular landscapes of dramatic rock formations, lush palm groves and salt lakes, you’ll be mesmerised by the unique cultural traditions that have endured here for thousands of years.

Explore the iconic sights of the French capital as the sun sets, cruising about the city in your own piece of French history, a Citroën 2CV. Escorted by an expert local guide, gain an in-depth understanding of the history behind some of the city’s most famous monuments set against a timelessly romantic backdrop, the breeze rustling your hair as a procession of Paris’ brilliantly illuminated landmarks rolls past.

Located not far from Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon is a massive man-made pool filled with steaming hot geothermal seawater drawn from nearly 2,000 metres below the surface. Soak at leisure in its soothing, mineral-rich waters, or ask your guide about other, more secluded springs to privately explore.

Be immersed in the unforgettable spiritual experience of Aarti, a prayer ritual led by saffron-robed gurus at sunset. Set along the banks of the holy Ganges River in Varanasi, hear the prayerful hymns and rhythmic drumming, smell the incense and watch as disciples sway in unison and candles and flowers are set afloat on the river marking the close of another day among their Mother Ganges.

Enter the intoxicating chaos of Chandni Chowk bazaar on an exciting rickshaw ride. An enduring hub of daily life in Old Delhi, the bustling market boasts stalls selling everythng from antique jewellery and colourful textiles to food stalls offering delicious Indian-style omelettes and spicy, crisp samosas.

Sumo is Japan's national sport and a national obsession. Experience it up close on a visit to a sumo stable. Watch a morning training session and gain incredible insight into the centuries’ old sport seeing the athletes’ living and training quarters and understanding the years of strict training and discipline that is demanded.

Bed down in time-honoured Japanese fashion in a ryokan (traditional inn). Follow age-old traditions on entering, removing shoes, sipping tea and changing for dinner into a yukata (robe). Savour an exquisitely plated kaiseki meal on a tatami mat before slipping into your handcrafted futon for a sound night’s sleep.

Visit the AKP philanthropy team at Khaiphaen restaurant in Luang Prabang to learn about their social enterprise helping marginalised youth. Join them in making traditional rice treats as offerings for monks in the morning almsgiving tradition. Find out how you can contribute to this life-changing project at akphilanthropy.org/futures.

Immerse yourself in Mongolia’s time-honoured nomadic way of life when you help construct a ger (traditional yurt) from wood, felt, leather and canvas alongside a local expert. Later, you’ll bed down in one yourself and before turning in admire the starry night skies.

Venture into the vast expanse of the Moroccan Sahara in your own private 4WD. As the sun sets, continue ever deeper into the sprawling sand sea by camel to A&K’s Private Desert Camp, where a crackling fire, tented suite and traditional Moroccan dinner await. Relax by the bonfire, cocktail in hand, as the dusk-painted dunes give way to an endless starlit desert sky.

Join an expert astronomer to experience the wonders of the desert night sky at southern Africa’s largest private nature reserve and designated official Dark Sky Reserve, NamibRand. With little to no impact from light pollution and artificial light, you’ll have no trouble picking out the constellations in the clear southern sky.

The Taonga Maori Tour takes you to the heart of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Your hosted cultural tour will weave you through the Maori exhibition spaces displaying New Zealand's unique history through stories and objects, as well as provide behind-the-scenes access to Maori taonga (treasures) close up.

The Flåm Railway (or Flåmsbana in Norwegian) is a 20-kilometre-long engineering marvel, transporting you from the picturesque mountain plateau at Myrdal Station to the rushing fjord by the village of Flåm. Lose yourself in the magnificent scenery with rivers cutting through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down snow-capped mountains and charming farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes.

Pay an inspirational visit to the Children of the Rainbow School, a vital resource for the Sacred Valley’s least privileged children. See how the community has partnered with A&K Philanthropy to expand the school’s outreach beyond education, growing it into an oasis of nutrition, medical care and hope.

Explore the Andes on South America’s first luxury sleeper train, Belmond Andean Explorer. Pass through ancient kingdoms, natural wonders and rural communities. Spanning Cusco, the high Andean altiplano, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, there are four multi-day routes to choose from, or luxury day trip trains to explore spectacular sites such as Machu Picchu.

Travel with a guide through the ancestral country of the Kuku Yalanji people around Daintree and down to Port Douglas. They will share the stories, history, culture and traditions of their people, show you the way of the land, and take you to many culturally significant sites. A fantastic interactive experience that is perfect for families.

Gaze skywards through fluttering muslin from the comfort of a cosy star bed on a magical safari ‘sleep-out’. Breathe in the clear night air from your elevated open-air deck surrounded only by twinkling lanterns and the African bush. Search out constellations in the star-filled skies and let the sounds of the savannah lull you to sleep.

Immerse yourself in Buddhist culture when you spend a night at the UNESCO World Heritage Haeinsa Temple, founded in 802. Find your inner serenity with Chahm-Suhn meditation, morning chanting, tea blending meditation and the chance to discuss monastic life with a Sue-Nihm (monk).

All aboard one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys as you travel through the highlands of Sri Lanka, from captivating Kandy to the hill station of Hatton. Roll past emerald green tea estates blanketed in cloud and breathe in the unmistakable aroma of pure Ceylon tea.

The mist-covered mountains of Sri Lanka’s central highlands shelter over 400,000 acres of lush tea plantations. Introduced by the British in 1867, tea remains the country’s major export. Stay in classic colonial bungalows built for British tea planters and visit the factories for an immersive tea experience.

Visit A&K Philanthropy Project - Doffa Bike Shop - in Karatu, gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Established to provide training and employment for women, particularly those living with HIV, this bike shop is now open for business. Sales proceeds and donations empower women to earn an income and dismantle gender stereotypes.

The Serengeti National Park supports one of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife — a vast realm teeming with antelope, hyena, leopard, giraffe, lion, buffalo, cheetah and so much more. Take to the skies by hot air balloon for a bird’s-eye view of the game rich Serengeti plains, and capture once-in-a-lifetime views.

Explore the bustling farming village of Mto Wa Mbu like the locals do - by tuk tuk. Small and manoeuvrable, these little vehicles can be easily taken off the main tracks enabling more in-depth discovery. Your guide will take you to local farms, into homes and schools, working mills, churches and much more.

Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy is proud to support Tasmania's Raptor Refuge. Exclusive to A&K guests, you can enjoy an inspirational behind-the-scenes experience where you are invited to observe how precious, and endangered, birds of prey are being rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

Explore İstanbul’s largest Basilica Cistern, a cavernous underground space with a fascinating history. Its atmosphere and sheer grandeur are breathtaking, and it makes a great retreat in summer. Wander along the 336 columns and spy the Roman Medusa heads, while schools of carp zig zag in the waters below.

Glide peacefully over the extraordinary ‘fairy chimneys’ of Cappadocia on a dawn hot air balloon ride getting a bird’s-eye view of the unique rock formations which punctuate the honeycomb hills of this volcanic region. Marvel at the natural pillars of Monks Valley bathed in an orange hue and float over rock-cut mosques and monasteries and abundant orchards and vineyards.

Visit the Bwindi Women Bicycle Enterprise, a local co-op established in partnership with A&K Philanthropy on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Meet the women who own and operate the shop, repairing and reselling secondhand bikes to support their families, broaden community mobility and sustain a host of community outreach programmes.

Take part in Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy’s effort to provide clean, safe water to children in rural Vietnam. In collaboration with LifeStraw, the project provides community filters to schools in Mai Chau, a rural district where safe water is a scarcity. Learn more about how this initiative has impacted children in Vietnam and get involved at www.akphilanthropy.org

Enjoy a night on the town and a culinary adventure as you explore Ho Chi Minh City from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Buzz through neon-lit streets en route to lively District 4, where you experience the local nightlife, cuisine and café culture rarely glimpsed by other travellers.

Make the most of your time in northern Vietnam with an exciting seaplane ride from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Soaring through the sky above the towering limestone islands, clear waters, shimmering beaches and green rainforests is easily one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the UNESCO-listed landscape.

Take a scenic flight over one of the most fascinating geological landscapes in Western Australia, the stripey beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles. From the air, marvel at the huge rolling ridges of rock and endless expanses of rippled ochre red earth.

Pristine Ningaloo Reef in W.A. offers the chance to snorkel or scuba dive with the dazzling marine life of Australia’s western coast. From mid-March to July, you may even get to swim alongside whale sharks, one of the largest known species of fish. Between August and October, spy humpback whales on their migration south to Antarctica.

Challenged with limited employment opportunities, the women of the Nakatindi village partnered with A&K Philanthropy to launch a successful bike shop and a burgeoning beading studio and boutique. Meet the local artisans of Sishemo Studio, see how they craft traditional beads from recycled glass, and learn how they are empowering their families and community through entrepreneurship.

Get a deeper understanding of the successes, but also the challenges facing wildlife conservationists in the Zambezi National Park on this exciting field trip with the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit. Go behind-the-scenes, helping the scouts to record game sightings, sweep for snares and investigate for signs of illegal poaching.