Who are Cookson Adventures?
Cookson Adventures is a leading ultra-luxury experiential travel company specialising in entirely bespoke, pioneering experiences for the world’s most discerning clients. Each trip is crafted from the ground up, blending authentic adventure, cultural immersion, privileged access, and discreet service with world-class safety standards.
What makes Cookson Adventures different from other luxury travel companies?
We combine authentic exploration with luxury and discretion. Unlike conventional luxury holidays, we specialise in pushing geographical and experiential boundaries, drawing on a network of explorers, scientists, conservationists, and world-class logisticians. Our focus is not just on where you go, but how you experience it – safely, meaningfully, and with privileged access. Cookson Adventures also has the track record of having operated some of the most creative and ambitious trips on the planet – just look at our Instagram page to see some more images on our latest projects.
How many trips do you operate each year?
We intentionally limit the number of projects we undertake each year to ensure each client receives the time, focus, and creative attention their project deserves. Typically, we deliver between 30 and 40 bespoke trips per year, allowing us to prioritise quality over volume.
Planning your adventure
What types of trips do you offer?
Our expertise lies in designing trips and adventures that are completely tailored to your interests and ambitions. This could be anything from yacht-based expeditions through Papua New Guinea, heli-skiing untouched slopes in Greenland and muti-family celebrations in beautiful properties to assisting with scientific conservation work alongside experts and behind-the-scenes cultural experiences in places seldom visited.
Can I join one of your adventures?
All our adventures are entirely private and bespoke, designed exclusively for each client and their personal group. We do not offer scheduled group departures or shared trips. Every journey is crafted from the ground up, meaning you set the destination, pace, and purpose – with our team building your experience around you.
How far in advance should I start planning my adventure?
Longer lead times are always useful, especially if you are looking to travel during peak times. Three to six months in advance of your intended departure date usually allows us the necessary time to secure exclusive access, plan complex logistics, and craft a truly personalised itinerary. However, speak to the team if you want to plan something more last minute – while we can’t guarantee it every time, we have managed to turnaround planning to operating within 24 hours.
Who will I be dealing with during the planning process?
From day one, you’ll work directly with our experienced Private Client Managers who will assist in exploring the perfect location, destination or experience that matches what you’re looking for. You’ll then be assigned an expert Project Manager to take the lead to handle every detail of your journey from conception through to execution.
Will somebody from Cookson Adventures accompany me on my trip?
Yes. We will always look to include a dedicated Cookson Adventures Host or Trip Manager to accompany you on your trip. This discreet, highly experienced individual acts as your on-the-ground liaison, ensuring every detail runs smoothly and your plans are adapted in real-time to suit your preferences. Your Cookson Host is there not just to manage logistics, but to enhance your experience through seamless coordination and insider knowledge. Depending on the complexity of your project, there may be multiple personnel from the team who will be on the ground.
Costs and fees
How much will a Cookson Adventures trip cost?
We typically work with a minimum spend of £150,000 per journey, which reflects the bespoke nature of our planning, the calibre of experiences curated, and the level of logistical execution we provide. However, depending on the scope of the trip, and if it’s a project we are passionate about, we do make exceptions to this on a case-by-case basis.
We regularly plan trips with a value of over £1 million and have operated projects in excess of £10 million in value. These complex expeditions included multi-week yacht journeys, custom private camps, scientific collaborations, and helicopter-supported operations.
Do you charge a planning fee?
Yes, we charge a planning fee to reflect the significant research and logistical planning our team undertakes to create your trip. It typically works out at around 5% of the total trip value.
Will I need to pay a planning deposit?
Yes, after our initial consultation we will be more than happy to share ideas and concepts to get a feel of how your trip might look, though before commencing any detailed planning and design work on your project, we will ask for a deposit. The deposit typically starts at £5,000 but can be higher, depending on the scope of the trip. While non-refundable after the work has been carried out, it will come off the final planning fee once confirmed.
What does the planning deposit cover?
Your planning deposit allows us to commit time and resources to detailed research, route design, logistics scouting, securing availability with key partners, and identifying unique opportunities. These might include the chance to go behind the scenes of an archaeological dig or work with the region’s leading conservationist. This early-stage investment ensures every element of your journey is purpose-built for you.
Do you provide a cost breakdown?
Yes. Transparency is key for us, especially when you’re undertaking such an investment. While some costs can be harder to break down due to the bespoke nature of what we do, we will endeavour to itemise as much as possible to provide clarity and transparency.
Accommodation and unique experiences
Do you partner with the best hotels and accommodation?
Absolutely. Depending on your taste and preference we will ensure to look at the best accommodation options for your trip. We also specialise in discovering and securing exclusive properties – off‑market lodges, private islands and family estates – for clients seeking complete privacy and authenticity. Our team manages the entire process, from negotiation to integrated logistics and local relationships.
We also design and execute fully bespoke “pop‑up hotel-style” camps in remote locations where accommodation options are not up to standard, or even non-existent – be it polar landscapes, tropical islands, or mountain glaciers. Every camp is custom-built to your specifications, with world-class logistics, design, lodging, catering, and environmental care.
Do you offer yacht trips?
Yes. We specialise in designing fully bespoke yacht expeditions worldwide – from polar exploration vessels to tropical superyachts – and have delivered some of the more ambitious yachting projects around the world. Our Head of Yachts and in-house team oversee everything to ensure a seamless yachting experience.
Are you a yacht broker?
We are not a yacht broker. Instead, we operate as your full-service expedition partner. We can arrange everything from vessel sourcing and custom outfitting through to expedition support and on-cruise coordination. Our role is to curate and deliver a seamlessly integrated yachting experience – not just to book the charter.
I own a yacht – can you plan our itineraries?
Absolutely. We have excellent experience working as an extension of your crew, working closely with your captain to elevate an experience.
Do you help with yacht builds?
Yes. Our expertise extends beyond expeditions into yacht design advisory. Among others, we collaborated with ICON Yachts on the conceptualisation of Project Master – a 70m+ expedition yacht designed to support true global exploration. Drawing on our real-world expedition experience, we advised on operational features, onboard storage, tender deployment, and scientific capability to ensure the vessel supports both luxury cruising and serious exploration.
Travel style and specialist interests
Do you operate globally?
Yes. Our network of specialists, guides, and local contacts spans the globe, allowing us to open doors where few others can.
Are your trips suitable for families or children?
Absolutely. Many of our experiences are designed with multi-generational families in mind, balancing adventure with safety and a creative educational enrichment. Whether you’re travelling with young children or teenagers, we’ll tailor activities to suit every age group.
Are your trips suitable for solo travellers or couples?
Yes. While the budgets we work with tend to lean more towards private groups of friends or families, if your project meets the criteria of where we can really add value, we’ve built intimate, bespoke experiences that deliver privacy, exclusivity and creativity for personal exploration or a private adventure for two.
Do you offer conservation or philanthropic experiences?
Yes, we specialise in integrating conservation, scientific collaboration, and community engagement into our adventures for clients who wish to travel with purpose. Whether tagging sharks alongside marine biologists or contributing to indigenous community projects, we can build meaningful, impact-driven experiences into your journey.
Is professional photography or media included?
Depending on your interests, we will arrange for a professional photographer or videographer to discreetly accompany you. It’s a great way to capture memories of such a special experience. We manage all aspects, including all post-production editing and collateral. Whether it’s a compilation of photos for personal memories, a beautifully presented photobook for the family archive or impactful social media reels – the level of media production can be tailored to your needs. We’ve even produced documentary-style films to support conservation initiatives with creative storytelling
