Lima’s UNESCO treasures 

Start your adventure in style in ‘The City of Kings’

With an exciting cocktail of cosmopolitan cool and ancient heritage, Lima is the perfect place to begin your adventure. See colorful murals, bustling cafés, and contemporary art museums in the bright, bohemian area of Barranco.

Lima’s historical center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a jewel of Spanish architecture, from colonial-era churches and monasteries to elegant mansions. You can also see Lima’s Inca heritage in the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca ceremonial pyramids.

Known as the food capital of South America, you have a range of choices at your fingertips, from specialty restaurants to can’t-miss street food. We recommend trying ceviche, Peru’s national dish. It is fresh fish marinated in lime juice, onion, and chili.

Visit the Sillustani tombs   

Fly to Juliaca and visit the Sillustani tombs

Your day starts with a flight to Juliaca. Once there, we will take you to the Sillustani tombs, a pre-Inca burial place overlooking Lake Umayo.

The tombs (also called chullas) are tower-like structures built by the ancient Colla people, some as tall as 39 feet and big enough to hold entire families. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the shores of the lake in this peaceful and mysterious place.

After exploring this archeological marvel, continue to your hotel in Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca. This will be your home for the next two nights.

Uru community at Lake Titicaca  

See handwoven islands in South America’s largest lake

The sheer beauty of Lake Titicaca will amaze you. Visit the rural community of Llachón, which has spectacular views over the lake. Enjoy a guided kayaking tour on the peaceful, deep blue waters. You will also join a guided walk before joining a local family for a traditional lunch.

Then we will take a boat tour to reach the Uro people on their floating islands, which shimmer golden in the sun. These otherworldly islands are woven from the reeds that grow in the lake.

At the end of the day, you can relax and reflect at your hotel in Puno.

Altiplano Path  

Cross the awe-inspiring Andean Plateau

Take an unforgettable journey by bus across the Northern Andean Plateau, or the Altiplano, as it’s known.

The Altiplano is one of the world’s largest and highest plateaus, sitting over 12,000 ft above sea level. The vast plateau extends into Bolivia, northern Peru, and southern Chile. During this full day of adventure, you’ll pass through breathtaking scenery and be awed by the imposing Andes.

You’ll see the famous Pucara bulls perched on rooftops, enjoy lunch by the ancient rock formations of Tinajani, watch for wild llamas and alpacas on La Raya Pass, and marvel at the 15th-century Raqch’i archeological complex.

Your journey ends with a comfortable overnight stay in Cusco.

Mystical Machu Picchu     

Discover the Lost City of the Incas

Start your day with a transfer to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Then we board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu, enjoying brunch while the breathtaking Andean scenery rolls past.

Estimated to have been built around 1450, Machu Picchu was abandoned during the Spanish conquest. It was hidden by jungle for centuries, rediscovered only in 1911. The Incas left no written records, so mystery surrounds this magnificent stronghold. Enjoy the trails around the ruins, admire the precise Inca stonework, and meet some of the friendly resident llamas.

After the day’s adventures are done, we head back to Cusco for another relaxing overnight stay.

Imperial Cusco 

Explore the center of the Inca Empire.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Imperial City of Cusco, an archeological reference point in South America.

You can admire some of the finest examples of Inca history and architecture – including the Santo Domingo church, built over the Inca temple of Koricancha, and the Sacsayhuamán fortress, a 15th-century ceremonial compound featuring panoramic views of the city. Other tour highlights include a visit to the Sulca Textiles Museum and a stop at the main square to admire the stunning cathedral, which dates back to the Spanish colonial era.

You’ll then transfer to the airport and fly to Lima, where your ship is waiting at the port of Callao to begin the next part of your adventure.

Ballestas and Nazca   

Discover extraordinary wildlife and ancient mysteries

Among Peru’s most notable attractions are the Nazca Lines and the Ballestas Islands, both of which are accessible from Paracas.

Known as El Chaco, the town has an array of restaurants along the main shorefront where you can enjoy traditional jalea – fried seafood with salsa criolla (Creole sauce) and yuca root. Just offshore are the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands. On today’s boat tour, look for Humboldt penguins, turtles, pelicans, sea lions, Inca terns, and humpback whales as you cruise around the islands.

You can also explore the Paracas National Reserve, with its otherworldly yellow sand dunes and red beaches. Another option is to fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, etched in the Peruvian coastal desert – an experience on many people’s bucket lists.

Clear skies, cool climate   

Rich marine life produced by the Humboldt Current

As we cruise towards Chile, we’ll sail through the Humboldt Current. The cold-water climate here creates conditions that sustain an incredible abundance of marine life, including vast shoals of anchovies, mackerel, and sardines. Your Expedition Team will tell you more about the Humboldt Current’s importance to the marine ecosystem.

Visit the Science Center to find out more. Your Expedition Team will tell you more about its importance and impact on the marine ecosystem.

You’ll also have plenty of time to relax in the hot tub, work out in the gym, and take in stunning views and stimulating breezes from out on deck.

Sunny Arica 

Enjoy Arica’s hikes, history, and cuisine

Arica experiences a year-round desert climate and is classed as one of the driest cities in the world, unusual for a place by the ocean. No wonder the city is popular with sunbathers and surfers.

On the lively streets Calle 21 de Mayo and Bolognesi, you can try local treats and peruse the El Agro market. Take a 15-minute hike up the remarkable El Morro cliff for glorious views, or visit San Marcos Cathedral, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

See mummies and learn about Chinchorro culture at the archeological museum. You could also stretch your legs on a trek along Playa Corazones or explore the Caves of Anzota.

Iquique and the Atacama Desert   

Discover the history of UNESCO-listed Humberstone

Our cruise continues to bustling Iquique, a flat city of promenades lined with palm trees.

We’ll visit the abandoned saltpeter mining towns of Santa Laura and UNESCO-listed Humberstone in the arid Atacama Desert. Back in Iquique, explore this cosmopolitan oceanside city on foot, or simply pull up a chair in a café and do some people watching.

While you’re there, enjoy a delicious coffee or a traditional mango sour and chumbeque, a beloved regional sweet. You can also pay a visit to La Esmeralda, a four-masted corvette from the 19th century that has historical significance.

Relax at sea    

Relax and reflect on your journey so far

Your expedition cruise down South America’s Pacific coast continues towards La Serena in Chile.

By this stage of your journey, you’ll have struck up friendships with your fellow explorers after finding interests in common and sharing a passion for nature. Chat the day away in the Explorer Lounge and Bar and recall the best parts of your expedition cruise so far.

Of course, the Expedition Team will continue to deliver insightful lectures in the Science Center. You can also delve into the books in the onboard library if you want to learn more about a particular subject.

Stunning La Serena 

Explore the ‘City of Churches’ and Serena Beach.

Docking at the port of Coquimbo, we’ll head to Chile’s second-oldest city, La Serena.

La Serena is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches all along Avenida del Mar and beyond. Bursting with classical architecture, there are around 30 carefully restored stone churches to discover, and you can visit the Archeological Museum to marvel at pre-colonial artifacts.

Take a stroll through the city’s manicured public gardens, like the Japanese-inspired Jardín del Corazón. You can also shop for handicrafts at La Recova market. Down the picturesque lane of Patio Colonial, near Balmaceda, you’ll find relaxed cafés and eateries. Before boarding the ship, leave some time to explore Coquimbo.

Valparaíso, a UNESCO gem    

Valparaíso is the glorious finale to your expedition.

Your South American Pacific coast expedition cruise ends in Valparaíso. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Pacific,’ this UNESCO-listed city is built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean. It’s well worth spending time exploring before you fly home.

It’s an exhilarating maze of winding alleyways and barrios, colorful houses, and mercados packed with local produce. It is intriguing and sure to leave an impression. We recommend taking it all in on a funicular ride up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción.

Your cruise may have come to an end, but not necessarily your adventure. If you’re hungry for more, join an optional Post-Program.