If a stunning adventure is on your travel agenda for 2026, then keep on reading. KE Adventure Travel has added three new itineraries for next year – to Svalbard, South Africa and Rwanda – as part of its KE Pioneer Collection. The unique expedition-style trips are limited to just one exclusive departure.
Svalbard Crossing: A self-supported expedition
This extreme Arctic wilderness expedition is a self-supported journey on snowshoes, pulling 15-20kg of survival gear on a pulk. You’ll trek approximately 20km each day and it includes the chance to summit Newtontoppen (1713m), the highest peak in Svalbard. Teamwork is everything on this trip, and you’ll share daily tasks like setting up camp, cooking and keeping watch for polar bears. To prepare, a compulsory UK-based training weekend is included to help with the skills and mental fortitude needed to take on this extreme adventure. This expedition immerses you into the incredible beauty of Svalbard and its bone-chilling, raw and unforgiving landscape. From 13-29 April 2026, costing from US$8,130 per adult. See more at keadventure.com
South Africa: The Western Cape Epic
This bespoke itinerary is an extraordinary gravel cycling expedition, through South Africa’s stunning Western Cape, blending the renowned Cross Cape Ride with the epic Karoo Crossing. Cycling on gravel roads dating from the 1860s, this 886km journey tackles the mountain passes of Swartberg, Rooiberg and Franschhoek – each presenting unique challenges and delivering diverse and breathtaking views as a reward. Wine tasting at Stellenbosch and a night in Cape Town provide a suitably relaxed conclusion to this epic adventure. From 26 April to 9 May 2026, costing from US$2,725 per adult. See more at keadventure.com
Rwanda Rising: Gravel Bikes and Gorillas
This pioneering trip is the first foray for KE into Rwanda on two wheels. The company has created an itinerary that covers some of the best gravel biking routes in the country, providing short but demanding, and incredibly rewarding stages, while also ensuring cultural and wildlife rich experiences when off the bike in two of Rwanda’s finest national parks. From 16-29 May 2026, starting from US$6,775 per adult. See more at keadventure.com