The first ever travel company in the world.
We've been arranging journeys since a year when the Seven Years' War was still being fought; for pioneers, poets, princes and prime ministers. More than two hundred and sixty years on, the one constant we’ve upheld hasn't changed: we're still trying to give people back that curious childhood feeling of a world too interesting to stop exploring.
We are the name millions remember, behind the remarkable journeys they never forget.
Churchill's journeys. Mallory's. Gandhi's. The summit always belonged to the climber; helping them reach it has been our purpose. For over two hundred and sixty years, we've been the silent hand behind the passage of a million travellers across the world, and there is no prouder work in travel than that.
And the way we've always had our place in family albums, heartfelt goodbyes, reunion hugs, and more, shows that travel has been ever-changing. But through every part of it, we've made sure we preserved the one thing that matters most: its soul.
Remember chasing a butterfly as a child; free, curious, and completely in the moment? Our purpose is to recreate that feeling, for you and yours.
260+
Years in travel
100+
Destinations
7
Continents
1758
Established
Our history
More than 260 years in the making
Scroll through more than two centuries, from a regimental agent's ledger in 1758 to the brand we're rebuilding now.
1758
THE BEGINNING
Richard Cox founds the firm
In 1758, Richard Cox founded what became Cox & Kings, a trusted travel and logistics partner to the British Armed Forces and aristocracy. Over the centuries, a legacy was built — one defined by discretion, reliability, and global reach.
1815
ROYAL APPOINTMENT
Trusted by the Crown's forces
By 1815, Cox & Co. had become agents to the Household Brigade, the Royal Artillery, and most of the British Army's cavalry and infantry regiments.
1887
FIRSTS ON THE RECORD
First women typists, and a first summit
Henry S. King & Co., later merged with Cox & Co., employed women as typists as early as 1887, decades ahead of most banks. In the same year, Henry Seymour King became the first to summit Kingspitze.
1914
WARTIME SERVICE
Supporting soldiers through the Great War
Cox & Kings played a crucial role during the First World War, supporting soldiers and facilitating war-time financial and logistical services.
1921
THE CLIMB
Outfitting Mallory's Everest expedition
We supported George Mallory's failed attempt to summit Everest.
1922
IN PRINT AND BUSINESS
Sherlock Holmes, and a new acquisition
Cox & Co., the bank from which we descend, features in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. That same year, Henry S. King acquired Smith, Elder & Co.
1923
A NEW OWNER
Acquired by Lloyds Bank
In 1923, Cox & Kings was acquired by Lloyds Bank, becoming a separate company that continued running tours around the world.
1931
A PASSAGE TO EUROPE
Mahatma Gandhi travels with us
Facilitated Mahatma Gandhi's journey to Europe for the Round Table Conference, overseeing his safe and seamless travel during a pivotal moment in India's freedom movement.
1934
A FIRST OF ITS KIND
The rise of group travel
Pioneered organised group travel, laying the groundwork for international group tours as we know them today.
1947
A NEW INDIA
Serving India's independence transition
Assisted in official travel arrangements during India's post-independence transition, continuing its legacy of serving governments and dignitaries.
1950
POST WAR ERA
Into corporate and leisure travel
Cox & Kings diversified into corporate and leisure travel, setting industry standards for curated, high-end experiences.
1970
GROWING REACH
Expanding across leisure tourism
Expanded its footprint in leisure tourism and international travel, marking a new era of global reach.
1976
NEW VENTURES
A move toward luxury
Cox & Kings pushed into emerging markets, redefining the contours of luxury travel.
2008
INDUSTRY LEADERS
India's top outbound travel brand
Cox & Kings became a global leader in bespoke travel and later, proudly emerged as India's top outbound travel brand.
2019
AN UNEXPECTED PAUSE
A period of transition
Cox & Kings enters insolvency under previous management, which was subsequently resolved through the National Company Law Tribunal.
2024
A NEW CHAPTER
Rebuilt under Wilson & Hughes
Cox & Kings embraced a new chapter under Wilson & Hughes, building on its legacy with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and personalised travel.
Under Wilson & Hughes
In 2024, the Cox & Kings brand was acquired by Wilson & Hughes India Private Limited, a global business and investments conglomerate, with over USD 500 million in annual revenue, a portfolio that includes CRISIL AAA rated companies, more than 2,200 employees, 9 factories, 15 MNC partners and operations across cement, FMCG, mining, construction and logistics, through a court-supervised process under India's National Company Law Tribunal.
The group has also been recognised with multiple awards for financial management by CNBC, ICICI and SP Jain Institute of Management & Research. The new entity carries none of the previous management's liabilities. Since resuming operations in 2025, Cox & Kings has already served over 10,000 travellers under a rebuilt team.
- Owner Wilson & Hughes India Private Limited
- Since2024, acquired via a court-supervised process under India's NCLT
- ProfileUSD 500 Million in annual revenue · more than 2,200 employees · Cement, FMCG, Mining, Construction & Logistics
- MandateIts first venture into travel, rebuilding Cox & Kings for the next hundred years
Time has changed. We haven't.
Back in 1758, the British Armed Forces and the aristocracy first entrusted us with their wages, supplies and passages. What we built then; discretion, reliability, a reach that spanned the globe, is still what we build now. We do it the way we always have.
Discretion
Your journey is yours. We've treated every traveller's plans with care and discretion since 1758.
Reliability
Over 260 years of being there when travellers need us, wherever they are, whatever the hour.
Global reach
Over 100 destinations across all seven continents and ground relationships in each one of them that took decades to build.
Curiosity
Remember chasing a butterfly as a child: free, curious, and completely in the moment? Our purpose is to recreate that feeling, for you and yours.
How we look after you
No surprises on pace
Every itinerary tells you how much walking there is, how many early starts, and how many stairs.
Food that suits you
Indian, Jain and other dietary meals, arranged in advance based on what you tell us at booking.
Travelling with parents
Lifts over stairs, easier transfer times, rooms near the lobby and a tour manager who knows the drill.
Someone there even while you sleep
There’ll always be someone you can reach throughout the trip, in your time zone, and in ours.
Talk to us
Speak to a specialist who's actually walked the route. Message us now, or pick a time and we'll call you. No scripts, no call centres, no obligation.
Travel experts available 9am–9pm IST, every day