Kensington Expands Into High-Touch Expeditions Across Land, Sea—and Space
The new division blends private jets, yachts, and scientific expertise with rare access from Antarctica to orbit.
Photo: Courtesy of Kensington Expeditions
Kensington Tours has introduced Kensington Expeditions, a new division designed to meet surging demand for ultra-personalized adventure paired with uncompromising comfort. The portfolio stretches from Antarctica to Oman, and even into orbit, reflecting the industry’s growing convergence of expedition travel and luxury hospitality.
Unlike traditional escorted tours or set-departure voyages, the program builds entirely bespoke itineraries anchored by private yachts, charter aircraft, off-market lodges, and mobile camps. Each trip is staffed with scientific and cultural experts—from marine biologists and conservationists to polar researchers—underscoring a shift toward experiences where exclusivity is matched by intellectual depth. Neal Bateman, the company’s head of expeditions, noted: “Kensington Expeditions was born out of conversations with our clients who were seeking more meaningful, hands-on experiences while maintaining the highest standards of service, privacy, and comfort.”
Among the headline offerings is an ambitious equatorial circumnavigation, Chasing Horizons, a 34-day journey by private jet that threads together biodiversity hotspots from Borneo to Brazil. Elsewhere, smaller-scale itineraries strike a balance between wilderness immersion and creature comforts. A 12-day superyacht journey through Antarctica combines submersible dives and research station visits with encounters at penguin colonies, while a British Columbia program pairs a stay at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Lodge with yacht-based access to the Great Bear Rainforest.
The inclusion of space-based travel is especially notable. With the first commercial space station slated for launch in 2026, Kensington plans to offer curated visits once it is operational. It is a big move that positions the company at the forefront of operators poised to expand into the emerging luxury space tourism market.
Sustainability is woven into the brand’s positioning. Programs are developed in collaboration with local researchers and conservation groups, with guests invited to participate in fieldwork ranging from biodiversity monitoring to community-driven ecological projects. While this is increasingly common among expedition cruise lines, applying it across a global land, sea, and air network differentiates Kensington from competitors whose sustainability efforts remain more siloed.
The launch also extends Kensington’s broader diversification push. It follows the recent debut of Kensington Concierge, which aims to service independently booked travelers, and sits alongside Kensington Villas, Cruises, and Yachts. Taken together, the brand is building an ecosystem that allows travelers to toggle between villa stays, yacht charters, and now highly specialized expeditions—an integrated model that few operators have achieved at scale.
For the luxury sector, Kensington Expeditions signals how the definition of “adventure” continues to evolve. What was once niche is now firmly in the crosshairs of high-net-worth travelers, and companies capable of blending access, comfort, and purpose are poised to lead.
