The Shortlist
Entries are now closed, and we extend our warmest thanks to everyone who shared their moments with us. The calibre was nothing short of extraordinary, and narrowing it down was no easy task.
Congratulations to those whose entries have made the shortlist. Discover all of the shortlisted moments — and the stories behind them — below. Our judges are now reviewing these remarkable entries, and soon, the winners will be revealed.
Watch this space.
We travelled beyond the crowded sections of Beijing to reach a quieter stretch of the Great Wall, arriving early to find it veiled in morning mist. With the place almost to ourselves, we could truly take in its immense scale and reflect on both its monumental engineering and its darker history. An extraordinary place.
Off the beaten path of the tourist trap, lies a secluded beach where you can just ‘be’ with the penguins. Pure magic. This was taken as part of our Ultimate Travel trip to Cape Town for our wedding.
Finally visiting Teotihuacan on our family trip to Mexico, a dream since childhood.
We watched in awe as a leopard carried an antelope leg high into a tree to feast in peace.
Behind the scenes at a Tokyo sumo stable, I watched Grand Champion Kisenosato train before a major tournament. A once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into Japan’s national sport.
Four watchful heads at sunset, curious about our sundowner, watching us from the water. We kept our distance, quietly aware of how lucky we were to be so close.
I found this very moving, seeing two generations, young and old, dancing together.
On our honeymoon at Singita, we were the first to witness six male lions emerging in the dark. It was an exceptionally rare sighting and the beginning of a potential territorial takeover. It was also my wife’s first lion sighting, making the moment even more unforgettable.
On our long-awaited honeymoon, we snorkelled in Mo’orea alongside a humpback whale and her calf, a moment of pure magic as they glided past and met our gaze. Postponed a year due to the pandemic, the experience felt all the more special. Beneath the surface we were humbled by the beauty of nature, reminded of how small we are in such a vast world, and grateful to have witnessed it together.
Our guides tracked a pride of lionesses into a dense patch of trees where the older mothers rested in the shade while the younger ones climbed high into the branches. One curious teenager peered out from the leaves above our Land Cruiser, a playful and unforgettable sight.
During my stay at Angama Amboseli in the Kimana Sanctuary, I spent a day exploring Amboseli National Park, home to nearly 2,000 elephants. Among the many unforgettable encounters, one stood out: a male in musth chasing a female across the plains before gently rubbing her back with his trunk. A powerful yet tender moment I will always treasure.
The serene, mirror-like ocean reflecting the tracks of a bird taking flight captured the beauty of the Arctic for me.
On our way to the airstrip after leaving Rekero Camp in the Maasai Mara, we rounded a bend and found a group of giraffes beneath an acacia tree. Their long necks mirrored the branches above as if they were posing for us, a breathtaking sight that left us smiling and determined to return to Africa soon.
Wherever I travel, I hope for the perfect sunset shot. This may not be perfect, but it was one of the most beautiful I’ve been lucky enough to witness.
While cruising in the Arctic, the call went up, “polar bears ahead!”. A family of three were resting on the ice after feeding on a seal, and it became the highlight of our holiday. An unforgettable sight.
In the Galápagos we were warned to watch where we put our feet, but as this moment proved, it pays to watch where you sit too.
Unseasonal rains in the Masai Mara brought elephants onto the open grasslands. One ambled up to our vehicle and lingered peacefully in the downpour, its grey skin blending with the overcast skies and slanting rain, a striking moment made for black and white photography.
The Prizes
A Weekend at Villa des Orangers
Step into serenity with our grand prize: a luxurious long weekend (3 nights) for two at the elegant Villa des Orangers, a proud member of Relais & Châteaux. Nestled in the heart of Marrakech, this 1930s private mansion is an oasis of calm – shaded patios, tranquil gardens, and exquisite Moorish architecture await.
Just moments from the Royal Palace and vibrant Jemaa El Fna square, you can explore the city by day and retreat to comfort by night. Your stay includes bed and breakfast, a rejuvenating Hammam ritual in the hotel’s beautiful new spa, return flights and transfers – an unforgettable escape worth over £2,000.
A Midweek Retreat at Thyme
is a family story where a passion for the land, food and entertaining merges with a love of nature, beauty and conservation. Nestled in the rolling Cotswolds hills, it is a place where time slows down.
Winding gravel pathways connect 17th century houses and cottages with charming outbuildings and meticulously-restored, architecturally-significant barns, housing the hotel, the Ox Barn restaurant, the Baa Bar, Meadow Spa, and The Swan pub, all enveloped in a pristine 150-acre estate.
Our winner will enjoy a one-night stay at Thyme, including breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a bottle of wine – a perfect pause in a place made for restoration.
WEEKENDER FROM BENNETT WINCH
is a British brand renowned for crafting timeless pieces that blend understated luxury with uncompromising utility. Handmade in England using the finest materials, their bags are trusted by explorers, creatives, and tastemakers alike—designed to travel well and last a lifetime.
One lucky winner will receive the iconic Weekender in Sand – a beautifully engineered carryall worth £975. Smart, spacious, and built for escape, it’s the perfect companion for your next adventure.
The Judges
Chris Caldicott
Since travelling to some of the most remote parts of the world as Photographer-in-Residence to the Royal Geographical Society, Chris Caldicott has continued his globetrotting lifestyle as a freelance photographer, writer and lecturer specialising in food and travel. He has had several books published about food, travel and the spice trade and visited 118 countries on assignments to capture evocative images and write about memorable experiences for publications such as Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, The Sunday Times, Harpers Bazaar, Tatler, House and Garden and The Telegraph.
Madeline Lu
Madeline Lu is a self-taught freelance photographer and social media creative. Her work has been featured in Condé Nast Traveller, Vogue Paris, Die Zeit Magazin, and other publications, while her social media collaborations span luxury lifestyle, hospitality, and travel brands. A global adventurer, she has explored destinations across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia – including some of the world’s most exclusive experiences curated by ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV
Nick Van Gruisen
Raised in Northumberland, in the 1970s Nick spent five years as a professional guide in Botswana and southern Africa. He then joined the Tiger Mountain group, pioneering cultural, trekking and wildlife holidays throughout the Indian subcontinent. He founded Worldwide Journeys and Expeditions in 1991, from which ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV emerged in 1998.
Our Team’s Ultimate Moments
We asked our team to share a few of their own Ultimate moments — photographs from past travels that meant something personal.
Below, you’ll find their images and the stories behind them. Each one captures a feeling, a memory or a fleeting moment that stayed with us long after the journey ended.
A Balloon’s Eye View of Sossusvlei
It was my first hot air balloon flight, and what a place to experience it. As we soared over the Sossusvlei dunes, the rising sun painted the landscape in shades of gold and orange. The sight of the vast desert below, dotted with other balloons floating alongside, was nothing short of surreal. It felt like I was suspended in time, taking in the beauty of one of the world’s most iconic landscapes from a completely new perspective.
TAKING A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
We’d been following this little group for a while when they finally drifted off slowly, purposefully, into the open. I took this just before they disappeared into the long grass. There was something grounding about the way they moved together, completely in sync. It reminded me that some of the most powerful travel moments are the ones where you simply observe, and let the wild set the pace.
Step into History
I stood at the edge of the Drino River, gazing at the Ali Pasha Bridge in Gjirokastër. The stone arch, weathered yet steadfast, spanned the river, its presence commanding respect. Built centuries ago during the Ottoman era, the bridge seemed to quietly carry the weight of history.
As I took in the scene, I was struck by how naturally the bridge blended with its surroundings. The hills rose gently on either side, the river meandered calmly below, and the bridge stood at the intersection of nature and heritage.
The Monks of Bhutan
Living in Bhutan for a few months was truly the experience of a lifetime. As a newcomer to this remote and mystical land, often referred to as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” I was immediately drawn to its people, culture, and way of life. The moment I arrived, I felt an irresistible pull to understand the profound, quiet beauty that defines Bhutan. Before long, it felt like I had found a second home.
One of the most impactful moments of my time here was visiting a revered monastery in Punakha. The stillness of the place was overwhelming. It was here I learned about a remarkable project led by Six Senses Bhutan, in partnership with their guests, to build a library within the monastery grounds. This initiative, dedicated to sharing knowledge, preserving history, and connecting to the future, spoke to Bhutan’s deeper commitment to nurturing its cultural heritage while embracing progress.
While at the monastery, I had the privilege of meeting two monks who shared a deep passion for English literature. Their faces lit up as they spoke about their love for books, a love that transcended their remote and spiritual setting. It was a humbling reminder that learning, culture, and community can thrive in the most unexpected places and that education has the power to shape the future, no matter the environment.
Breaking Dawn
Taken at Cristalino Lodge in the Brazilian Amazon, this photograph captures a moment before dawn, from a 30-meter viewing tower.
As the first light touched the horizon, I watched the dense humidity rise, forming a mist that shrouded the rainforest canopy. The eerie screeches of howler monkeys echoed through the trees, filling the air with an unsettling energy. It was a hauntingly beautiful moment, where the jungle seemed to come alive in a way that felt both ancient and primal.
Sacred in the Storm
I’ll never forget the time I witnessed a ceremony in Bali, where the spirit truly had to prevail. The rain was relentless, yet the ritual unfolded as if nothing had changed. Standing there, soaked to the bone, I watched as the chants echoed through the air, blending with the sound of the downpour. The incense wafted through the mist, and despite the storm, there was an unmistakable sense of reverence in the air. The Balinese continued without hesitation, their resilience turning the heavy rain into something that only added to the power of the ceremony. It was a raw, atmospheric moment that left me with a deep sense of respect for their spiritual strength.
The Scale of Nature
This image was taken during a hike to the viewpoint in Danum Valley Conservation Area, Borneo, which overlooks one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most well-preserved rainforests.
The scale of the environment was striking. From the immense Alocasia leaves to the Menara trees towering over 100 meters in the canopy, everything felt vast and untouched. Equally notable were the creatures that inhabit this space: the tarantulas, the size of dinner plates, the proboscis monkeys, and the Bornean orangutans. Each encounter was a reminder of the raw, unspoiled nature of this remarkable place.
Reflections of Patagonia
I stood by Laguna Azul in El Chaltén, Argentine Patagonia, taking in the view. The water was a striking blue, reflecting the surrounding peaks perfectly. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt still and in place, a reminder of Patagonia’s rugged, untouched beauty.
The Golden Hour Guest
Had to share this moment. We took this from our house, which overlooks the fields — and somehow, this little guy turned golden just as the sun dipped. No title needed really… it says everything on its own.