OTHERWORLDLY ADVENTURES

Life-affirming adventures make for cherished memories. Set your imagination free with Navigator’s pick of the most exclusive land (and space) adventures for 2023.

Whether you want unique isolation or an all-out adventure, it’s the experience that makes up the fabric of our most treasured memories. From a trip that pushes you out of your comfort zone or a profound experience in unique isolation – disconnecting from the routine and connecting with new people, cultures and ideas is what luxury travel is all about. Added to this is a conscious mindset to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the destination. Fortunately, all of these experiences have an underpinning of responsible luxury.

Space

1 Space Perspective spaceperspective.com

Journey to the edge of space with Space Perspective. Launched from the deck of the MS Voyager, a 295’ spaceport mothership, the Spaceship Neptune is a high-performance, biofuel SpaceBalloon™ with a pressurized capsule that can carry eight passengers in absolute luxury into the stratosphere. Featuring a plush interior, including reclining seats, a bar and even WiFi, the spaceship gently glides to some 20 miles (or 100,000 feet) above the Earth over the course of six hours, culminating in a gentle water landing. With its home port in Florida, the spaceship can navigate to other destinations while the time of launch can be set to coincide with a breathtaking sunrise or a sunset stargazing experience.

02 Spaceship Neptune can be launched from the deck of MS Voyager

03 The first-of-its-kind Space Lounge has been designed for comfort

04 Experience a gentle, environmentally-conscious trip to the edge of space

Namibia

As Astrotourism enjoys a surge in popularity, the experts are finding ever-inventive ways to ensure exclusivity and unique experiences. Staring out into the mind-bending vastness of space accompanied only by the distant calling of the Namibian desert’s nocturnal residents makes for the most sublime feeling of peace and tranquility. Combining otherworldly stargazing with luxury safari, the southwest Namib Desert boasts rolling red sand dunes and golden plains surrounded by a rugged mountain backdrop. Home to the NamibRand – one of the few Dark Sky Reserves in the world – here, one can spend a night in the wilderness on a custom-built Land Cruiser and witness the clearest and darkest of night skies or discover the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, complete with its own observatory and resident astronomer. andbeyond.com

Bhutan

3 A Spiritual Experience

The magical Kingdom of Bhutan is often regarded as the happiest country on Earth. Certainly, it is one of the most spiritual, boasting rich traditions and Buddhist temples in the midst of the Himalayan mountains. Discover all it has to offer with an enriching and exciting adventure that will take you out of your comfort zone. Welcomed into this culture, meet nomadic tribes and locals in their remote villages. Sleeping on a mattress on the floor of a hut might not seem like luxury but the enriching and incomparable experience is the absolute luxury. Added to this private meditation in Buddhist temples, white water rafting and even wildlife tracking –these are memories of a lifetime. You might even spot an endangered Royal Bengal tiger along the way. cooksonadventures.com

08 The magical Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

09 Bhutan is known to be one of the most spiritual countries on Earth

Alaska

4 Sheldon Chalet

Luxury in its traditional form of extravagance has been redefined as travelers’ priorities shift toward meaningful experiences. Incorporating climate-conscious options into travel is also a priority for many, combined with a growing sense of urgency to not only undo some of the damage done to the planet, but to also witness places of outstanding natural beauty that could one day be gone forever. One such authentic adventure that allows guests to fully immerse with nature and truly disconnect is a descent into the depths of the magnificent Don Sheldon Amphitheater in the Alaska Range. Hands down the crown jewel of the Alaskan wilderness, the Sheldon Chalet has to be one of the most exclusive properties in the world. Sitting on a private 4.9-acre rock and ice-covered outcrop on the mighty Ruth Glacier, the Sheldon Chalet experience includes private chefs, guides and a concierge. Designed to showcase the stunning views from its 5,800ft elevation, it is the perfect location to experience the aurora borealis, to launch across the Ruth Glacier, ski or sled, or simply relax in the sauna perched above the glacier. With the nearest paved road almost 30 miles away, access to the Sheldon Chalet is limited to helicopter, and there is no WiFi or phone service. The sense of utter isolation is the most luxurious of experiences that few have the chance to experience in the all-too-connected 21st century. sheldonchalet.com