Wayfairer Travel Unveils Three New Cool-Climate Adventures

Wayfairer Travel has launched three new tailor-made cold-climate adventures across Iceland, New Zealand and the Arctic, responding to a 38% rise in demand for immersive winter travel experiences. Designed for discerning travellers seeking dramatic scenery, outdoor adventure and an alternative to the classic beach holiday, the new itineraries present a fresh take on winter escapes for 2025 and 2026. 

Each itinerary is packed with high-impact experiences designed to immerse guests in the raw beauty and cultural identity of each destination. In Iceland, travellers will embark on whale watching excursions, ride Icelandic horses through scenic countryside beneath a volcano and bathe in remote hot springs. In New Zealand, they’ll explore glowworm caves, heli-hike across glaciersand sip Pinot Noir at boutique vineyards overlooking alpine lakes. In the Arctic, guests will learn to mush their own husky teamacross snow-blanketed fjords and sleep beneath the Northern Lights. 

“Travellers are rethinking what it means to ‘escape’ in winter,” said Jason Stevens, CEO of Wayfairer Travel. “More and more of our clients are chasing the magic of winter rather than escaping it, seeking the silence of the Arctic tundra or the thrill of exploring geothermal Iceland by car. It’s a shift that shows people aren’t just booking holidays, they’re after experiences that connect them to the raw beauty of the planet.”

14-DAY ICELAND SELF-DRIVE HOLIDAY 

OVERVIEW:

This self-drive adventure captures the essence of Iceland’s “Land of Fire and Ice,” revealing waterfalls, black-sand beaches, steaming geysers and glacial lagoons across a 14-day loop of the island. Starting in Reykjavík, guests explore the iconic Golden Circle before heading north into the country’s wild interior and remote fjords. During the winter months, travellers can experience Iceland at its most atmospheric, where snow-dusted volcanoes, frozen waterfalls and icy lava fields create an ethereal landscape and the long, dark nights bring the mesmerising glow of the Northern Lights. 

Guests relax in luxury lodges and boutique hotels between days of adventure, from snorkelling the Silfra fissure between continental plates to whale watching in Eyjafjörður and bathing in geothermal pools. The route weaves through Iceland’s most spectacular geological sites, from Þingvellir National Park to Lake Mývatn and the Diamond Circle, combining freedom, independence and luxury in one unforgettable journey.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• A soak in the Blue Lagoon’s geothermal spa at the exclusive Retreat Hotel
• Icelandic horseriding experience along the South Coast
• An exploration of Geysir, Gullfoss and Þingvellir National Park
• Snorkelling adventures between tectonic plates in the Silfra fissure
• Hiking and bathing in the geothermal valleys of the Highlands
• A discovery of Siglufjörður, Iceland’s northern fishing village
• Whale watching or snorkelling in Eyjafjörður fjord
• A drive of the Diamond Circle, visiting Dettifoss waterfall and Lake Mývatn’s lava fields

14-DAY LUXURY SELF-DRIVE TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

OVERVIEW:

This 14-day luxury self-drive journey spans New Zealand’s North and South Islands, revealing a spectacular contrast of landscapes, from volcanic valleys and geothermal springs to alpine peaks and fjords. Beginning in Auckland, guests explore Waiheke Island’s vineyards, the glowworm caves of Waitomo and Māori cultural traditions in Taupō, before witnessing the bubbling mud pools and vivid geothermal activity at Wai-O-Tapu. With warm, sunlit days between December and March, this itinerary offers the ideal conditions for adventure and exploration.

Crossing to the South Island, the journey continues with a TranzAlpine train ride through Arthur’s Pass and a helicopter flight over the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Guests can unwind in boutique lodges and farm stays, culminating in Queenstown, home to New Zealand’s high-country heritage, fine dining and outdoor thrills such as jet boating through the Shotover River canyons. Every detail has been designed to combine authentic experiences with effortless luxury.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Waiheke Island wine and gourmet tour
• Boat ride through the illuminated Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Private Māori cultural immersion and traditional hāngi feast
• Guided exploration of the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
• Scenic TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps
• Helicopter and guided hike on the Tasman Glacier
• Stargazing in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
• High-country farm visit and Shotover River jetboat experience 

8-DAY ARCTIC WINTER DOG-SLED ADVENTURE

OVERVIEW:

Set deep in Svalbard’s polar wilderness, this 8-day Arctic expedition offers an extraordinary dog-sledding adventure across frozen fjords and tundra. Travellers lead their own husky team through pristine landscapes on a five-day journey from Longyearbyen to Isfjord Radio, a historic outpost turned boutique lodge on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Late winter departures offer clear daylight, manageable temperatures and a chance to witness the Northern Lights.

Each day on the trail brings exhilarating sled runs through endless snowfields, followed by nights camping in heated expedition tents under the Arctic sky. Guests spend two nights at Isfjord Radio, enjoying gourmet Nordic cuisine, a wood-fired sauna and the company of their sled dogs. The adventure concludes with a full-day snowmobile safari to Tempelfjorden, visiting a trapper’s hut surrounded by glaciers, a fitting finale to this once-in-a-lifetime polar journey.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

•        Driving a private husky team through Svalbard’s wilderness
•        Five-day sledding expedition from Longyearbyen to Isfjord Radio
•        Wilderness camping and campfire dinners under Arctic skies
•        A stay at the remote Isfjord Radio Lodge with sauna and fine dining
•        An experience of Svalbard’s untouched glaciers and fjords
•        Snowmobile safari to Tempelfjorden and historic trapper’s cabin
•        Led by expert Arctic guides and husky handlers

Wayfairer’s cool-climate collection reflects its broader ethos: responsible, tailor-made travel that celebrates culture, community and conservation. Each itinerary is crafted by destination specialists who have lived in or extensively travelled through the region, offering local insight and handpicked experiences that would be impossible to replicate via mass-market travel. The result is a deeper connection with people and place, whether it’s staying in a remote Icelandic lodge run by local farmers or learning traditional sledding techniques from Arctic expedition guides.

Wayfairer Travel is an award-winning luxury travel company founded in 2015 with a core commitment to responsible travel. Specialising in tailor made luxury holidays to the world's most exciting destinations, Wayfairer’s bespoke itineraries are individually designed by Luxury Travel Specialists with over 25 years’ industry expertise. From trekking holidays and safaris to honeymoons and family adventures, all Wayfairer trips make a positive contribution towards responsible tourism, benefitting local communities and conservation in the destinations they love.