How & Where Do India's Billionaires Travel? Expert Curators Spill the Beans

In today’s well-connected and inspiration-fuelled world, India’s ultra-HNIs and billionaires are choosing moments that reflect their individuality, personal style, and identity over impeccable itineraries. They prefer to travel on their terms. While it is a given that the rich and famous do not make compromises on absolute privacy, complete control, and flawless convenience, they have also moved beyond obvious luxury. Private jets and yachts have become standard, replacing commercial flights and public transport. Entire villas, resorts, and private islands are routinely booked exclusively. These connoisseurs of luxury travel have the money, they are ready to spend, and they are right in demanding rare, insider access and once-in-a-lifetime moments that can’t be replicated.

As per the 2025 Virtuoso Luxe Report, "The findings show a yearning for transformative experiences, fuelled by an adventurous spirit and a desire to forge deeper connections with family, friends and new surroundings.”

The trade insiders reveal that the mega-rich and UHNWIs of India are living up to these findings. They have become more agile, luxury-loving, sporty, and spontaneous and are looking for rare, meaningful, and almost impossible to replicate experiences. Hand-in-hand, luxury brands are creating desire through private previews, limited editions, and bespoke journeys that offer rare access and unmatched distinction. Destinations have expanded beyond traditional luxury locations to include remote, untouched places accessible only by certain means. Technology supports seamless, contactless travel, but personal relationships and trust remain essential to the experience.

Terms like offbeat are passé, and a harmonious balance of adventure, exhilaration, relaxation, cultural depth, and personal significance with an extra layer of customisation is the new trend. And this is not all. Everyone wants the Michelin-starred restaurants booked for them to take a deep dive into the local gastronomy. Culinary experiences are at an all-time high, more than the opulent hotel stays.

Daniel Dsouza, co-founder, DreamSetGo, shares that for India’s ultra-HNIs, it is no longer about what’s available, but about unparalleled access. Whether it’s a private suite at Wimbledon, walking the pit lane at a Grand Prix, or curated interactions with sports legends, travellers are seeking moments that are personal, rare, and emotionally resonant. Passion-led itineraries, athlete-led experiences, and under-the-radar destinations are on the rise.

Hari Ganapathy, co-Founder of Pickyourtrail, observes that the definition of ultra-luxury travel is evolving rapidly. “Today’s billionaires aren’t just chasing five-star amenities; they’re seeking purposeful, transformative travel. It’s more about immersive experiences, experiential stays, and white-glove service that’s intuitive rather than intrusive.”

Where Does the Billionaire Travel Planning Begin?

Thanks to the bespoke Indian travel companies, boutique travel firms, prudent travel designers, and experienced travellers for putting it all together--no demand is too tall for them!

Loveleen Arun, founder-director, Panache World, spills the beans and tells us that she does not prefer to talk to the managers but prefers interacting with the clients directly. “Instead of involving a middle man, it is best to hear it from the travellers themselves as they must talk about their passion, preferences, likes, dislikes, and the experiences they have loved in the past. This helps me to provide top-notch services,” she says.

"Our ultra-HNI clients are heavily involved in shaping their journeys. They prefer flexibility but expect precision. The brief typically revolves around hyper-personalisation, privacy, and access. We often sit down with them well in advance to understand their interests, preferences, and the kind of moments they want to create or relive. We co-create every itinerary, from walk-throughs of the players’ tunnel at Wimbledon to dinners with cricketing legends during the ICC World Cup to off-the-grid wellness retreats in the Himalayas. While there is room for flexibility, our clients expect the journey to be seamless, intuitive, and anticipatory, where every detail, be it hospitality, logistics, or surprise elements, is already taken care of. They may go with the flow on the surface, but the experience must feel effortless and exceptional; that’s the brief, every time," shares Dsouza.

 What Do the Rich and Famous Desire?

“When you work with billionaires every day, you realise their travel choices are never random. They’re deliberate, deeply personal, and closely tied to what matters in their lives at that moment. The people I work with aren’t chasing luxury for the sake of it; they’re looking for curated experiences around what they care about. That might mean a wellness retreat after a hectic quarter, a multi-country art tour to share with their children, or 10 days completely off-the-grid to reset and reflect. Privacy and flexibility are always expected—but so is purpose. Every element is chosen to serve a need, solve a constraint, or create a moment they’ll remember. From the aircraft to the destination, the entire journey is designed to align with their lifestyle, priorities, and mindset. They’re not just consuming luxury—they’re shaping it,” shares aviation entrepreneur and changemaker Kanika Tekriwal, founder and CEO of JetSetGo Aviation.

“With the ultra-rich, no request is really too weird, as they have their own specific way of functioning. From wanting us to ensure that their hotel suite number does not happen to be one of a number they despise, or ensuring that the wet-tissues in their limo for the airport arrival are of a certain specific brand to flying out a famed Indian-chef to accompany a family across their sojourn in the Mara, these are some examples of the level of request we receive and more often than not, we deliver with a strong network of partners," observes Gaurav Punjabi the founder of Cozymoons.

Where do the Billionaires Travel?

"Once-in-a-lifetime isn’t a phrase. It’s an expectation. Privacy is non-negotiable. Billionaires have long preferred private yacht charters through the Ionian, Tahitian and Caribbean waters, complete with onboard sommeliers and chefs. Fashion maisons now host closed-door previews with lead fashion designers. Heli-led access to hidden ski slopes, desert dinners with Michelin-starred chefs, and villa takeovers on private islands are curated with precision. Private museum openings, buyouts of heritage palaces, and after-hours shopping at global luxury houses shape their itineraries. Heli-access to remote wilderness, secret concerts, underwater dining, and more. Exclusivity is key," says Yasmin Ikrami, founder and CEO of JourneyLabel - A Luxury Travel Company.

Wellness getaways are at an all-time high for the super-rich travellers. Ananda in the Himalayas, Kairali in Kerala, Swastik Wellbeing in Pune are some of the places where they enjoy their spa and wellness appointments. The staff is trained for expectations that may be otherworldly. Luxury hotels (like The Khyber in Gulmarg) and stand-alone villas (like Coco Shambhala in Sindhudurg) have hosted Anil Ambani and Sachin Tendulkar, among other celebrities. The teams share that while some UHNWIs like to stay-put for weeks and relax, there are many who like to indulge in local food, art, and craft with their families, and also give back to the community, but they seek utmost privacy at all times.

The 2025 Itinerary For The Ultra Affluent

“Within India, destinations like Rajasthan, Goa, and the Himalayan retreats are picking up, especially when paired with private sporting events, wellness getaways, or heritage-led storytelling. Internationally, we’ve seen strong demand for events like the Paris Olympics 2024. There’s also growing interest in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan in February 2026. Similarly, Wimbledon continues to be a favourite. Formula 1 is another big draw, especially our Dream Lounge at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which combines luxury paddock access with networking opportunities and celebrity interactions in a private setting," says Dsouza from DreamSetGo.

According to Tekriwal, from JetSetGo Aviation, "The trends this year have been very different; the standard making London base in the summer and hopping around Europe is passé. Safety and weather are now key deciders with newer destinations like South America and Eastern Europe getting hotter. Indians increasingly love the privacy and safety offered by private yacht charter."

Top Brands and Experiences For Ultra HNIs

"Internationally, Tahiti remains iconic with The Brando’s private island luxury. In Canada, Fogo Island offers remote brilliance. New Zealand’s Eagle’s Nest in Russell is a multi-award-winning boutique villa retreat nestled above the Bay of Islands, with five private villas and resident chefs. In the Maldives, Velaa Private Island, Cheval Blanc Randheli, and JOALI are among the world’s most exclusive private island escapes. In the Seychelles, North Island is an ultra-private resort with just 11 villas and a guest history including Prince William and Kate Middleton, George and Amal Clooney, and the Beckhams. In the Caribbean, Guana Island, St Barts, and Thanda Island are being explored via private charters and superyachts," says Ikrami from JourneyLabel, A Luxury Travel Company.

She adds, "The Mediterranean attracts bespoke anchoring in Greece’s Ionian isles and Croatia’s hidden coves. Mexico’s Rosewood Mayakoba and Four Seasons resorts lead among ultra-luxury hotel stays. Japan charms during the cherry blossom season, and Morocco’s riads deliver curated cultural immersion. Australia draws interest with remote lodges in the Daintree and yacht-led reef escapes from the Whitsundays. In the United States, wellness sanctuaries such as Amangiri in Utah, Sensei Lanai in Hawaii, and Six Senses New York are favoured for reflection and recalibration. In India, palace buyouts in Rajasthan and heli-accessed escapes in Ladakh are curated with precision. Across the board, billionaires from the region show steadfast loyalty to brands like Rosewood, Four Seasons, Aman, Six Senses, One&Only, and Cheval Blanc for their discretion and unwavering global consistency."

Top Picks For 2026

Ikrami says, "The Red Sea coastline is emerging as the new luxury frontier. Shebara Island Resort, AMAALA, and Sindalah promise architectural brilliance, world-class privacy, and untouched marine beauty, and they will thrive. The Arctic will be reimagined as there will be heli-skiing across untouched peaks to private yacht safaris among icebergs. Greenland is where billionaires will chase the purest air on earth. Those seeking space and silence will head to Namibia. They will fly into private desert lodges like Zannier Sonop, dine under the Milky Way, walk with conservationists, and will see nobody else for days. Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, 2026 will shine a light on Yakushima’s ancient forests and the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima. These are cultural sanctuaries wrapped in design and discretion. Still at the top, even in 2026, private island buyouts in the Maldives and Seychelles will become even more customised with underwater dining, spa sanctuaries, and invisible service that defines modern luxury.”

Punjabi from Cozymoons believes that cruising is on a high. The advent of ultra-luxury yachts have replaced traditional high-end cruises for the wealthy. This is primarily because the rich don't fancy just large ships and dozens of restaurants --they prefer more intimately sized ships, extremely personalised service, and spacious cabins that even come fitted with their own terraces and bathtubs. The high-end resort brands are also foraying into the yacht space as we see new announcements made by Ritz-Carlton, Orient Express, Four Seasons, Aman, and more.

The luxury travel space is really having its heydays. Now, we know that extravagant amenities, opulence, and rewarding bespoke itineraries exist for a reason. A bewildering set of itineraries is made to serve the whims and fancies of the ultra-wealthy. However, the key is always about providing unforgettable, unique, and heartfelt experiences that resonate at a personal level.