Wild style: Luxury access to the world's natural wonders

last updated 15 August 2017

From bustling cities to beautiful beaches, spiritual retreats to mountain peaks, pick a holiday that has it all with this once-in-a-lifetime adventure that takes in nine countries across 22 days. The main mode of transport to whisk you from the starting point, Tokyo, to the final destination, Venice, is an Airbus ACJ319; originally intended for 126 passengers, here the capacious jet has been redesigned for just 16, allowing ample room for on-board bedrooms, bathrooms and luxurious living spaces.

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After two days in Shanghai, including a stay at the nearby Amanyangyun resort set in acres of historic camphor forest, head to the crystal-clear waters of Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam, before hopping over to Thailand for more coastal exploration. A change of scenery comes after boarding a smaller private jet to the snow-capped peaks of Bhutan to hike among its ancient temples and fortresses, before a whistle-stop tour of Rajasthan, India, taking in the capital of Jaipur and the surrounding villages.

The European leg takes in sites of equal historical significance, starting with Athens, Greece, and moving along the Adriatic coast to the idyllic resort of Sveti Stefan in Montenegro. Formerly the summer residence of Montenegrin royalty, it's the ideal vantage point from which to discover the region's attractions including the Unesco World Heritage Site of Kotor, one of the area's best preserved medieval towns. The trip concludes with a chance to explore Venice at your leisure, with a final farewell dinner at the impressive Aman Venice hotel, located in the regal 16th-century Papadopoli palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal.

The all-encompassing 20-night itinerary takes off in Madrid, with the first stop in Ethiopia. From here you will move on to spotting the Big Five in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, taking in spectacular views from the top of Cape Town's Table Mountain and exploring Zimbabwe's famous Victoria Falls by helicopter. Before leaving for the final destination, Morocco, spend a night stargazing in the Sahara Desert and be waved off in style with a lavish Berber finale feast.

When heading to some of the most extreme climates on earth it's always reassuring to feel that you're in the hands of experts. White Desert, Antarctica's 'only luxury camp', was founded by record-breaking polar explorer Patrick Woodhead and his wife Robyn – who have used their considerable experience to create a number of once-in-a-lifetime trips to explore this breathtaking and remote region. This year, access to the area is even easier as the company has launched a private jet service from Cape Town, South Africa that will whisk you off to the Whichaway Camp, which counts Buzz Aldrin, Bear Grylls and Prince Harry among its past residents.

From this cosy base there's the opportunity to take a private charter into the very heart of Antarctica. If time allows, opt for the signature eight-day experience, Emperors and South Pole Adventure; flying along the dramatic coastline, it allows you to see the area's 6,000-strong emperor penguin colony up-close with pit stops in places of note including the American science station at the South Pole. The tours are operated with environmental impact in mind and both the flights and camp are carbon neutral,, the latter running predominantly on renewable energy.

Beat the crowds and gain a privileged insight into three of America's most notable national parks with this tailor-made holiday from Steppes Travel. Flying out from London, the first glimpse of nature comes at the entrance to Yosemite, where you’ll walk among the impressive giant sequoia trees, thought to be the largest living organisms on earth. The following day is spent with a local naturalist guide for an insider's tour of where to find the best views and spot wildlife in the Californian park.

A private flight takes you to the Grand Canyon South Rim, where a number of activities will enhance your experience of this natural wonder. Spend a day hiking and driving around the region, float down some of the most dramatic stretches of the Colorado river and take a guided tour of one of the slot canyons before learning more about the area at a reception hosted by a Navajo tribal elder. The final journey takes you to scenic Jackson Hole, where you can enjoy incredible vistas with flightseeing over the Teton Range and Yellowstone National Park, before taking a closer look at the latter on the ground by foot.

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