Arrive in Victoria, and head on to your hotel. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*Pre/Post hotels and flights are always subject to change until the Travel Documents are provided.

In the morning, join the group to be transferred to the port where you will embark on SH Diana for your adventure.

Victoria is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Seychelles, situated on the northeastern side of Mahé Island, the archipelago’s main island. It is a vibrant city with a mix of cultures and traditions, home to many attractions such as Victoria Market (Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market), the Clock Tower and National Museum of History, Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, the colorful house "Jivan Imports," the Botanical Gardens, and more.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Farquhar Atoll, the Seychelles' largest true atoll, consists of ten islands, with Ile du Nord and Ile du Sud making up 97 percent of the landmass. Nearby, Déposés, Ile du Milieu, Lapins, Banc du Sables and Goëlettes islands complete the atoll. Banc Fantala appeared in 2016 after Cyclone Fantala. The atoll is renowned for sooty and black-naped tern colonies, as well as significant sea turtle breeding.

Cosmoledo Atoll in Seychelles comprises islands known for white sand flats, lagoon edges, and channels, home to fish like bonefish, milkfish, permit, triggerfish, trevally, and more. Hawksbill and green turtles nest on beaches. An important bird area, Cosmoledo has the Seychelles' largest colonies of all three booby species, including the last brown booby population, plus many terns, frigatebirds, and other endemic birds.

Aldabra, a massive raised coral atoll consisting of 13 islands encircling a lagoon, is home to the world's largest colony of 100,000 giant tortoises. The isolated archipelago features a protected landscape with hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. Endemic Aldabra drongos and pink flamingos are often seen. The white-throated rail, the last remaining flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, resides in this unique habitat.

Included Excursion

ZODIAC CRUISE WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM

• Zodiac cruise the magnificent coral limestone formations near sandy beaches
• Explore the coastal world of this magic atoll
• Keep a watchful eye out for wading pink flamingos, adding to the magical experience of this unique destination

SNORKELING WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM

• Drift snorkel with your expedition team, from one end of the channel to the other end
• Slowly drift over Aldabra's pristine marine world
• Watch for the possibility of encountering elusive sharks as you snorkel in this captivating paradise

NATURE WALK WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM

• Go ashore at this remote research station and learn about intriguing scientific projects in this untouched wilderness
• Learn about the Giant Tortoise, the living legends of Aldabra Atoll
• Try to spot the Aldabra drongo, a rare and elusive bird found only on the Aldabra Atoll

The kidney-shaped Assumption Island, a part of the Aldabra Group located over 1,000 km southwest of Mahé, is renowned for its diverse butterfly species, such as the belenois aldabrensis. The island is also home to giant tortoises and Assumption Day geckos, and hosts nesting sea turtles near the shoreline. A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea allows you to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island, or Unguja and also known as the Spice Island, features Zanzibar City's UNESCO-listed Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe)—a lively warren of narrow streets with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Highlights include the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and a spice market with stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Nearby, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is home to the red colobus monkey, unique to Zanzibar.

Included Excursion

HIGHLIGHTS OF STONE TOWN

• Visit Stone Town, a fine example of a Swahili Coastal trading town, and delve into its Afro-Asian history
• See the piled-high tropical fruits and inhale the aroma of freshly ground spices neatly packed at the colorful City Market
• Take time to learn about the "dark ages" at the East Africa Slave Exhibition, a collection of photographs that documents the role Zanzibar played in it

Cloaked in lush vegetation, hilly Pemba Island is famed for its clove farms, peaceful islets, and white-sand beaches. The island’s biodiverse forests are a haven for grazing blue duiker (small antelope) and the Pemba flying fox, identifiable by its distinctive rusty-red fur and enormous wingspan stretching over five feet. Offshore, vibrantly colored coral teems with marine life including green turtles, whitetip reef sharks, and nudibranchs.

A Swahili settlement and former trading hub dating back 700 years, Lamu is a storied seafront town on Lamu Island. Clusters of ornate, well-preserved buildings built from coral stone and mangrove timber fill its maze of narrow streets. Tiny alleyways reveal intricately carved wooden doors, arcaded facades, and hidden courtyards. The fort and museum are fantastic places to learn about Swahili culture. Dhow cruises visit neighboring Manda island.

On this day, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Take the group transfer to the airport and catch your flight home.

A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa's rich history comes from a beguiling blend of cultures. Over centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians, and British settlers coexisted in the old town, blending African, European, and Asian architectural styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger, and cardamom.