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Elephants in Front of Mount Kilimanjaro | What to Pack for Safari | Kenya Safari | ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV

ABOUT US

THE ULTIMATE FAMILY

Welcome to a world of experiences.
ABOUT US

THE ULTIMATE FAMILY

Founded in 1991 by Nick Van Gruisen, Rowan Paterson and Martin Thompson, ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV was born from a shared passion for crafting high-end, tailor-made holidays and expert-led Escorted Tours around the globe. That remains at the heart of what we do today.

As our reputation grew, so too did our offering. In the late 1990s, we launched Ultimate Challenges – designing meaningful trekking and cycling expeditions for charities, private groups and corporates. Then in 2010, we welcomed Specialtours into the fold, bringing their decades of expertise in cultural and museum-led tours across Europe to enrich our Escorted Tours division.

In 2025, we brought in SeyExclusive – a specialist in the Indian Ocean – enhancing our knowledge and connections in this ever-popular region. Ultimate Villas will deliver hand-picking exceptional homes in stunning locations for families and friends looking to travel at their own pace.

From tailor-made adventures to curated tours, challenging expeditions and luxurious villa escapes, our family has grown – but our commitment remains the same: to craft unforgettable journeys shaped around you.

Monks with Camera shot by Wahyu Kelsall

Created to make a difference, Ultimate Challenges designs and delivers purposeful trekking and biking expeditions across the globe. Whether it’s summiting Kilimanjaro, cycling through Vietnam or hiking the Inca Trail, each challenge is built to inspire and empower — raising vital funds for charities and creating unforgettable experiences along the way. With expert support and seamless logistics, we make the extraordinary achievable.

Specialtours has been designing cultural journeys for museums, galleries and institutions around the world. From behind-the-scenes access at Europe’s finest collections to private tours led by curators and experts, every itinerary is carefully crafted for those with a passion for art, history and heritage. Specialtours offers enriching, intelligently led group travel — with all the detail taken care of.

Specialists in the Indian Ocean, SeyExclusive curates exceptional holidays across the Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives and beyond. With deep local knowledge, strong partnerships and a focus on personalised service, they open the door to the region’s finest resorts, hidden retreats and barefoot luxury experiences. Now part of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV, SeyExclusive brings added depth to our Indian Ocean offering — and even more ways to escape to paradise.

Launching in 2025, Ultimate Villas offers exclusive access to a handpicked collection of private homes in Tuscany and the Balearics — with more destinations to follow. Whether you’re after a restored farmhouse in the Val d’Orcia or a chic hillside retreat in Mallorca, each villa has been chosen for its character, comfort and setting. With local insight and concierge-level support, Ultimate Villas is your gateway to a new way of holidaying — in beautiful places, on your own terms.

WHY CHOOSE US

TRUSTED BY FELLOW TRAVELLERS

Testimonal 9
“SEAMLESSLY ORGANISED, TRULY UNFORGETTABLE”
The itinerary was spot on. Claire really listened and understood the kind of holiday I wanted – from the hotels to the pace of the trip. The team on the ground were exceptional: friendly, efficient, and always one step ahead, helping with everything from flight check-ins to tax-free procedures at the end. The guides were knowledgeable and genuinely helpful. I had an amazing time. Thank you!
Testimonal 7
“PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL – AND A REAL PLEASURE”
From the moment we got in touch, everything felt smooth and well looked after. The team were not only professional and thorough – providing tailored suggestions with clear costings – but also genuinely friendly. Even after we returned, a follow-up email (and a bottle of wine!) showed just how thoughtful Ultimate Travel really is. Nothing was too much trouble. We already have more trips booked and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Testimonal 10
“WONDERFUL TREK IN NEPAL AND VISIT TO TIGER RESERVE”
From our very first phone call, ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV provided excellent service. We shared our ideas and they came back with a proposal that included everything we wanted – then improved it with thoughtful suggestions. We were especially impressed that our tailor-made holiday was competitively priced. Once on the ground, everything ran smoothly. We were met at each airport, stayed in fantastic hotels, and had a brilliant guide for our trek. A truly enjoyable and well-managed trip from start to finish.

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