February 2026 sees the recreation of Qantas’s pioneering 1947 route from Sydney to London, though this version replaces propeller aircraft and wartime austerity with a privately chartered Airbus A330 and access to experiences far beyond typical sightseeing. The 14-day journey stops in Singapore, Colombo, Cairo, and Rome, with small groups and itineraries shaped around passenger preferences rather than rigid schedules. What began as aviation necessity has evolved into something altogether more indulgent.
Rediscover the Iconic Kangaroo Route
The original Kangaroo Route took four days, seven stops, and considerable patience from 29 passengers aboard a Lockheed Constellation. This modern incarnation stretches the journey to two weeks, not from technical need but from the desire to make each stop a destination in its own right.
A privately chartered aircraft removes the constraints of commercial schedules, while curated ground arrangements unlock access that independent travellers rarely enjoy. Groups are capped at 160, subdividing during excursions to preserve intimacy. Every destination balances structured activities with optional programming, so each participant can explore according to their own interests without ever losing the group dynamic.
Singapore’s Botanical Wonders
Singapore offers a striking first glimpse of the journey’s dual nature: past and future. Guests may enjoy trade-day access to the Singapore Airshow, where commercial aviation’s next generation sits on static display, a curious counterpoint to the nostalgic Kangaroo Route. For those less enthused by titanium and composites, the city offers world-class alternatives: the National Gallery Singapore or the ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
Evening gathers the group at Gardens by the Bay, where vertical gardens and climate-controlled biomes showcase Singapore’s signature engineering of nature. Dinner here, among tropical plants thriving in glass and steel, is a stylish send-off before the flight west across the Indian Ocean.
Colombo’s Tailored Adventures
Sri Lanka offers perhaps the most flexible stopover. Activities divide into distinct tracks: some journey south to Galle’s colonial fortifications; others remain in Colombo for a cooking session in a local home or a tea tasting at the Dilmah T-Lounge.
The stilt fishermen along the southern coast perform an iconic balancing act, simultaneously practical and photogenic. Cricket enthusiasts meet a former national player, while the day concludes with a private dinner at the prime minister’s residence, providing a rare, insider glimpse into Sri Lanka’s social tapestry.
Cairo’s Ancient Marvels
Egypt is a study in access. A private dinner overlooking the Pyramids of Giza allows guests to experience these ancient monuments absent the usual throngs and persistent vendors. Special permission grants proximity to the base of the Sphinx, where limestone erosion and meticulous restoration work can be appreciated in detail.
The newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum houses some of the country’s most iconic artefacts. An Egyptologist guides guests through the galleries, translating hieroglyphs and revealing context that turns impressive objects into immersive stories.
Rome’s After-Hours Grandeur
The Vatican Museums welcome the group after hours, a respite from the five million annual visitors who often diminish contemplation. The Sistine Chapel becomes genuinely meditative when viewed without jostling crowds, while Raphael’s frescoes can be admired with quiet reflection.
Vintage cars sweep participants through Rome’s historic quarters, a theatrical gesture in a city built on spectacle. A pasta-making class brings the city’s culinary heritage to life — hands kneading dough, tasting sauces, learning secrets that go beyond demonstration. Optional day trips to Florence reveal the scientific genius of Leonardo and Galileo, balancing Rome’s artistic abundance.
Australia’s Summer Prelude
Before departure, guests may take advantage of a £4,000 flight credit to explore Australia. January positions the journey in the height of the Australian summer: Melbourne hosts the tennis, Sydney’s beaches beckon, and Bondi brims with barbecues and body-surfing. The harbour city itself, with its dramatic skyline and waterway, sets the perfect prelude to the journey ahead.
The main departure on 3rd February 2026 accommodates staggered arrivals, allowing some guests to spend weeks exploring Australia, others to arrive days before departure. This flexibility acknowledges differing appetites for pre-travel planning.
From £26,650, the price encompasses the full journey: transfers, accommodation, meals, beverages, gratuities, valet luggage service, and the support of a tour manager and tour doctor. Twin occupancy is assumed, with single supplements available.