2024 with Cookson Adventures

Papua New Guinea is one of the least-explored countries in the world. And New Britain – its second-largest island – holds a particular allure. In 2024, join a team that includes some of the world’s leading scientists and expedition specialists as they begin what is a long-term exploration project in the Nakanai Mountains. From establishing monitoring plots and DNA barcoding systems to exploring into undocumented cave systems, guests will see first-hand how conservation-based research methods are put into place to help establish and support the protection of the region’s rich cultural and ecological identity.

Greenland, the world’s largest and least densely populated island, is our destination of choice for a 2024 glacial wilderness adventure. Solar physicists are predicting that 2024 will be the best time to see the northern lights for the next 11 years as we approach solar maximum. The aurora will be at its most active affording us spectacular and stronger displays in the night’s skies. Spot polar bears, lumbering muskoxen, narwhals, sea eagles and belugas from a custom built solar-powered adventure camp, positioned in a remote fjord, for a world-first destination experience.

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the last remaining areas of unspoiled temperate rainforest in the world and home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife on the planet. Leading specialists in longevity, breathwork and free diving will join guests onboard a historic yacht to create a tailored retreat of wellness experiences in sync with the natural environment. Experiences will range from SUP yoga surrounded by breaching humpback whales to breathwork sessions surrounded by the highly filtered air of the old growth forests.

This high-octane adventure starts with an exhilarating flight over the jungle, before a heli-insertion onto the Potaro river, where guests will kayak alongside an ex-British special forces guide and a Makushi tribesman. They will learn jungle survival skills along the way, staying in a custom expedition camp. The adventure will conclude at Kaieteur Falls - the largest single-drop waterfall on Earth and where only a handful have ever reached by by kayak.

Cookson Adventures can pair clients with ground-breaking conservation projects all round the world. A recent conservation-focused group of guests assisted on a translocation of 14 endangered rhino in northern Kenya. The country's largest to date. Guests can play a vital role in safeguarding some of Africa’s most iconic creatures from poachers in this way. They will track the animals by heli, help monitor the animal’s vitals on the ground and have the rare opportunity to witness these fast-paced operations up-close as they move either rhino or elephant.

Following the success of Netflix documentary, ‘The Deepest Breath’ and a growing awareness of the power of breath, the sport of free diving is hitting the mainstream. Take it to the next level and be marooned on a private island with an expert survival guide. Guests will learn how to build a comfortable camp, spearfish for their dinner and survive overnight. An expert freediving instructor will demonstrate how to hold their breath for longer underwater by using techniques derived from yoga and meditation. This zen-like escape can be organised in the world’s most idyllic tropical private islands, from Fiji to Panama.

This itinerary embraces slow travel and sees families enjoy special access with a series of curated private experiences. Highlights include personalised Samurai sword making with a 15 generation sword-smith, private training in the ways of the Ninja and assisting an inspiring team to help preserve the rare Japanese giant salamander. Encompassing six different regions, with stays in private villas and traditional ryokan inns, it's all brought together by the serene rush of rides on Japan’s famous bullet trains.

This nation has only recently opened up to tourism, meaning our expertise is invaluable in coordinating the ultimate jungle experience in comfort – even building a bespoke canyon camp in a new location. Deep in Gabon's rainforests, around a quarter of the world's gorilla population take shelter. Guests will be immersed into Gabon's culture with mask making and fly by heli over some of the world's oldest human settlements, before exploring white sand beaches where elephants play only metres away from breaching whales.

Deep-rooted in tradition and Buddhist spirituality, Bhutan truly is a land that intrigues unlike anywhere else on earth. The last of the great Himalayan kingdoms, Cookson’s exclusive contacts and special permissions result in a luxury journey that is unrivalled. Guests can look forward to forest bathing, archery matches, private palace dinners and swapping stories with one of Bhutan’s leading environmentalists. Guests can even enjoy a private meditation session with the Head Lama at the country’s most famous monastery after hiking up to it at sunrise.