Going up the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia and the Amazon River between thePeruvian Amazon and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve or skirt the Komodo National Park, the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat… Travels with Aqua Expeditions and its designer motorboats have for years embodied true exploration in a context of refinement and care for nature.
Aqua Expeditions is a luxury cruise company consisting of 2 motoryachts and 3 river ships, founded 16 years ago by Francesco Galli Zugaro, an Italian-American entrepreneur living in Singapore.
His idea of sailing traces the concept of exploration and extremely intimate contact with nature, in an exclusive hospitality setting, for up to 40 passengers and aboard luxury motorboats with excellent facilities. The crew-to-guest ratio is 1:1, meaning that there is one staff member for every single person.
As of today, the tour operator Going becomes the exclusive representative on the Italian market for Aqua Expeditions, guaranteeing top-level travel experiences that are also custom-designed in the pre- and post-cruise to complement Aqua’s already unique itineraries.
The destinations sailed by the Aqua Mare, Aria Amazon, Aqua Nera, Aqua Mekong and Aqua Blu ships are inherent in the naming and carry within them the discovery of remote and often unexplored geographies by organized tourism. Here are the routes:
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador with Aqua Mare
It is the first super yacht in the Aqua Expeditions fleet, built in Italy by the CRN shipyard and customized by Zuretti Design: there are 7 elegant suites for 16 passengers. Life on board features exclusive service, and the kitchen is directed by award-winning Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. The crew consists of 16 people including two naturalist guides to explore the archipelago where Charles Darwin inspired his studies on the theory of evolution.
Amazon River and Peru with Aria Amazon
Custom-built to explore the Peruvian Amazon and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve with minimal impact on the delicate natural environment, Aria Amazon has 16 luxurious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows for stunning views of the river and rainforest. The upper deck houses the common areas, including a jacuzzi, a lounge and a bar. The cuisine favors local foods while excursions are led in small groups by experienced staff and nature guides.
Amazon River and Peru with Aqua Nera
This 205-foot vessel has set a new standard for luxury river travel in the Amazon: the 20 suites are furnished with impeccable elegance and, likewise, the rooms where people spend time relaxing and socializing while cruising are inspired by the pristine nature of this most important river route for the planet. As with the other units in the fleet, excursions are always led by natural ecosystem specialists. Four low-emission twin-engine auxiliary lances accompany small groups of passengers on focused explorations.
Mekong River, Cambodia and Vietnam with Aqua Mekong
Tracing its path along Southeast Asia’s longest river through Cambodia and Vietnam, Aqua Mekong: 205 feet long for a spa, gym, and even a children’s pool overlooking the river. There are 20 spacious suites with panoramic sky-to-land windows while morning breakfast is served on the upper deck, both fore and aft. The highest point of the boat is also ideal for spotting wildlife on the river and, in particular, while sailing alongside the shore.
Indonesia, Komodo National Park, Spice Islands and Raja Ampat with Aqua Blu
At nearly 200 feet, it is the first long-range ocean explorer with year-round departures and a permanent base in Bali. Aqua Blu has 15 suites and provides water sports equipment in an incredibly remote region of the world with an unspoiled landscape. Also on board is a spa and fitness space, for working out. So does a hot tub. Interior styling and catering are, as with every unit in the fleet, refined and quality.
Side note: to give you an idea of the uniqueness of the voyages, know that Francis, the founder, personally chooses the routes and experiences for his guests by spending six months in potential destinations and then devotes three years to building the ships down to the smallest detail with collectible art pieces and custom-made furniture and 'one in a lifetime' experiences.
