President’s Picks

“When you see a regular India itinerary, it usually encompasses the same cities and sites repeatedly. You only get to see what everyone else sees. Would you believe that represents less than 10% of India’s history? That is not nearly good enough. This journey represents Big Five’s India, which means that you go into the interior, into the heart, where the legacy of India was born.”

“You know that feeling you have after doing something so amazing that you want to tell the world about It, yet you can’t seem to find the right words? Well, this program encompasses that kind of feeling. I came back from an incredible adventure in Colombia, and just couldn’t find the words so we did what we do best – created an adventure around it. ”

“There are plenty of safaris, then there are world-class, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. When your stay is so singularly focused on the best in conservation as it is here, your over the top transforms into over the moon.”

“When most people think of Japan, what comes to mind the most are images of shrines and the Geisha. Yet, there is much undiscovered unique culture, dramatic natural landscapes and mythic places you can find on the hidden trails in the remote regions beyond Nagoya and Osaka. Here you walk in the very footsteps of emperors. I love the phrase ‘Walk a mile in their shoes.’ Well now you can.”

"This adventure goes in search of some of the largest land animals left on Earth - from the rare mountain gorilla to the African elephant - both highly threatened species. It also travels into an indigenous pygmy village of the Batwa, who have been known historically as the keepers of the forest, the original dwellers of Uganda’s Bwindi Forest. I am impressed by their amazing knowledge of the plants and animals that has been gained over millennia. Search for the big cats and the tiny bush babes in two stunning Kenya locations. This is a traditional safari that will go beyond your Africa expectations."

For a long time now, Egypt and Jordan have relied on tried and true itineraries that are long on history and short on innovation. That may be easy but it’s not creative. Of course, history is key to this region, but that doesn’t rule out doing something more. This adventure encompasses experiences that you might likely associate with Martians!

"Southern Ethiopia offers an amazing look into a wide range of traditional indigenous communities whose lifestyles remain closely linked to the past. We introduce you to the Dimeka women’s market as well as Key Afer, one of the most outstanding markets of the Lower Omo Valley tribes. You meet the Konso people, known for the carved totems placed on their graves, and the Mursi villagers, with their fierce warrior disposition and women who wear large circular clay labrets in the lower lip. I think you'll find that in this rapidly changing world, this adventure into the past is truly a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"I am a big fan of Peru because of its variety of experiences. In this program, I love the opportunities to hike spectacular mountains, and walking into the archeological sites like Kuelap is like walking straight into the past. This is one of the largest ancient stone complexes in the western hemisphere, and Caral-Supe is another – a 5000-year-old site that is oldest center of civilization in all the Americas. Journeys like this offer us the chance to experience a bit of what the early explorers might have felt."

"The dynamics of Africa are always changing, evolving, and never more than in 2019. The concept of the safari is expanding far beyond classic routes and activities to more authentic, personal and closer encounters. This program was designed with one of our best travel advisor partners and represents the exciting new frontiers to be experienced in Africa."

"Every year I visit Morocco and I am amazed by two things: how much the country has to offer, and how little of it is really being done right. Morocco has long been known for its riads, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara desert and the excruciatingly long drives. This is reflected in nearly every itinerary across the board. This journey is designed to focus more on the adventure side plus the luxury aspect of Morocco and minimize some of those long desert drives. It takes you inside a Berber home, camping on the great sand dunes and into the dramatic gorges of Todra."