Native New Zealander Malcolm Campbell is a professional naturalist and birder who worked for 20 years on conservation and environmental issues in his country's national parks, forests, and coastal marine environments. Malcolm has led National Geographic Expeditions for the past three years and will share his in-depth knowledge of his country's people, political history, flora and fauna, and indigenous Maori culture. Malcolm will accompany the expedition shown below.

Anthropologist and botanical explorer Wade Davis is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and an honorary member of the Explorer's Club, one of 20 so named in the 100-year history of the club. Author of ten books, including the international best seller The Serpent and the Rainbow, which later was released as a motion picture, Wade has worked among dozens of indigenous cultures around the world for nearly 30 years. He is currently studying Polynesian navigation history. Wade will accompany the expedition shown below.

Medical anthropologist Carroll Dunham has lived in the Himalaya for more than 20 years. She is currently the director of Wild Earth, an organization that works with rural women to create handcrafted products to generate income. An expert in Himalayan cultures, Carroll is passionate about sacred geography, pilgrimage, and indigenous medicinal plants. She is the author of two books and has worked on films for National Geographic, PBS, and the BBC.

Elvira Hammond, a professor of Chinese cultural history at New Mexico State University, has been working, traveling, and studying in China since 1983. She studied Chinese language and modern theater in Beijing and worked for many years developing and leading academic and cultural programs for students of all ages visiting China. She loves introducing families to the sights, sounds, and especially the flavors of China. Elvira will accompany the expedition shown below.