THE EXPLORERS CLUB EXCLUSIVES
Embark on one-off expeditions to the Peruvian Amazon, Mekong Delta, East Indonesia and Seychelles’ Outer Islands, enriched by the insights of the regions’ foremost researchers and conservationists
Beyond the horizon
As part of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, we are proud to partner with The Explorers Club — a world-renowned non-profit dedicated to advancing field research, scientific exploration, and conservation — to offer a series of exclusive expeditions, featuring expert perspectives. Through these voyages, we celebrate our shared belief that exploration is more than reaching distant destinations; it is a timeless pursuit of insight, driven by curiosity, wonder, courage, and science. We invite you aboard our award-winning vessels in the Peruvian Amazon, Mekong Delta, East Indonesia, and Seychelles for thought-provoking journeys that inspire fresh perspectives and new ways of seeing the world.
Peruvian Amazon Expedition
November 7 - 14, 2026 | Aqua Nera
Embark on a 7-night journey into the heart of the world’s largest rainforest aboard Aqua Nera, enriched by the knowledge of Andrés Ruzo. Navigate the pristine Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. Explore blackwater lagoons by skiff, spot pink dolphins and macaws, trek rainforest trails alive with wildlife, and visit remote river villages to gain insight into life along the Peruvian Amazon.
Andrés Ruzo is a geothermal scientist, conservationist, and educator, celebrated for his work on Peru’s Boiling River, where he became the first geoscientist to study the sacred site with shamanic blessing. Founder of the Boiling River Project, he explores the intersection of geoscience, culture, and conservation. Andrés has received numerous honors, including being an Explorers Club EC50 Fellow, Rolex Expedition Leader, TED Speaker, and Lowell Thomas Awardee.
Aldabra & Seychelles Expedition
January 23 - February 1, 2027 | Aqua Lares
Embark on a 9-night voyage through Seychelles’ Outer Islands aboard Aqua Lares, gaining perspective from John Heminway. Discover the world’s largest population of giant tortoises at UNESCO-listed Aldabra Atoll, snorkel and dive the iconic Astove Wall, often called the underwater Grand Canyon, and spot rare seabirds including red-footed boobies on Farquhar. Enjoy kayaking and scenic hikes along mangrove forests and pristine beaches. A spectacular journey into the Indian Ocean’s most extraordinary natural marvels.
John Heminway is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and explorer whose career spans decades across Africa, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. An emeritus member of The Explorers Club, he has chronicled ocean voyages, the ivory trade, the ecological and geopolitical importance of the Seychelles, and more. His work reflects a lifelong fascination with the ways geography shapes history, diplomacy, and the natural world.
Komodo National Park & Bali Expedition
April 10 - 17, 2027 | Aqua Blu
Explore the legendary waters of Komodo National Park and East Indonesia’s hidden gems, gaining insights from Dr. Lawrence Blair. Encounter Komodo dragons, swim with whale sharks, and snorkel vibrant reefs. From the volcanic ridges of Padar to the rainforest waterfalls of Moyo, each day aboard Aqua Blu offers unforgettable discoveries. Kayak through calm bays, hike island trails, and witness thousands of fruit bats taking flight at sunset.
Dr. Lawrence Blair is an anthropologist, author, and filmmaker. Having lived, explored, and filmed across the Indonesian archipelago for over 50 years, he is a leading expert on the region’s cultures, geography, and wildlife. With a doctorate in psycho-anthropology, he is the Emmy-winning writer and presenter of Ring of Fire, a celebrated documentary series and bestselling book. His films, Myths, Magic and Monsters and The Coral Triangle, explore the intersections of myth, nature, and human consciousness.
Vietnam & Cambodia Expedition
April 16 - 23, 2027 | Aqua Mekong
Travel in relaxed luxury through the Mekong Delta’s vibrant tapestry of floating markets, artisan villages, and ancient temples, in the company of Andrés Ruzo. Discover daily life along this iconic waterway through explorations by skiff, kayak, and bicycle, while sailing aboard Aqua Mekong — the region’s only expedition ship with a private fleet of skiffs, offering rare access to remote destinations.
“To describe the Mekong in one word: dynamic. This fascinating region offers a voyage of complexity, interconnectedness, and even curious contradictions, making the Mekong one of the most remarkable river basins on our planet,” Ruzo says.
Andrés Ruzo is a geothermal scientist, conservationist, and educator who explores the intersection of geoscience, culture, and conservation. He is the founder of the Boiling River Project, an international nonprofit effort to understand and protect culturally significant geothermal systems across the globe. Andrés has received numerous honors, including being an Explorers Club EC50 Fellow, Rolex Expedition Leader, TED Speaker, and Lowell Thomas Awardee.
