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DAY 1 LIMA, PERU - The ‘City of Kings’
Explore museums, pyramids, and culinary delights in Peru’s capital.
Wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, Lima is Peru’s biggest city, a place where traditions converge in an exciting cocktail of culture and cuisine. Lima‘s original name was ‘’, Ciudad de los Reyesthe ‘City of Kings’. The historic center is full of Colonial architecture and reminders of the long-lost Inca civilization.
Enjoy the creative Barranco neighborhood, filled with murals and cafés, and a contemporary art museum. The ultimate Lima experience includes tasting its delicious food, with numerous award-winning restaurants to visit. You’ll spend the night at a centrally located hotel.
Included: Panoramic Tour of Lima
DAY 2 LIMA/CUSCO/SACRED VALLEY - Navel of the World
Stroll among Colonial architecture and ancient Inca ruins
After breakfast, you’ll fly from Lima to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, whose name means ‘Navel of the World’. The city’s original layout is thought to be in the shape of a puma. At the puma’s heart is Plaza de Armas, a site filled with Colonial architecture and colorful carnivals. At the head is the Sacsayhuamán fortress and temple complex, named after the mythical guardian bird of the empire.
Take your time to stroll among the remains of residences, shrines, towers, tunnels, zigzagged walls and trapezoidal doorways. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll continue to the luxurious Tambo del Inka resort in the Sacred Valley, a perfect place to end the day.
DAY 3 SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU / SCARED VALLEY - The ‘Lost City of the Incas’
Stare in wonder at the mysterious ruins of ancient Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
We start in Ollantaytambo, once the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti and a thriving complex of baths, temples, and military barracks. Then we board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu and enjoy a savory brunch along the way. Built around 1450 and abandoned at the time of the Spanish conquest, thick vegetation kept Machu Picchu a secret for centuries.
The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is now one of the greatest destinations in the world. Explore the city’s ruins and admire the famous precision of Incan stonework on display at this mysterious site. After spending an eventful day at these two sites, we’ll return to the Tambo del Inka Resort by train.
DAY 4 SACRED VALLEY/CUSCO/LIMA/CALLAO - Center of the Inca Empire
Explore the Inca past before joining your ship for the next part of the expedition
After breakfast, we’ll explore the splendid Cusco Cathedral, built by the Spaniards in the mid-1500s on the foundation of an Inca palace. Then we’ll visit Koricancha to admire the Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the foundation of the Temple of the Sun, the Inca Empire’s most important temple.
Then, we’ll fly to Lima and head to Callao, where your expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen awaits you to begin the next part of your adventure. After checking in, you can meet the Captain, crew, and Expedition Team at the welcome dinner and raise a glass to the journey ahead!
DAY 5 PARACAS, PERU - Brandy, glyphs, and wildlife
Sample local delicacies and brandy, and visit world-famous geoglyphs.
Known to most as ‘El Chaco’, the sleepy resort town of Paracas has an array of restaurants along the main shorefront and boulevard where you can try local delicacies and wash them down with a glass of pisco (grape brandy). Be careful though, pisco can pack a punch!
Opposite Paracas harbor is a geoglyph of a candelabra that may be related to the ancient and mysterious Nazca Lines. You can visit these in the Pisco Valley as part of an optional excursion. You can also take a boat tour of the nearby Ballestas Islands, which have a wide range of wildlife.
Included: Ballestas Islands
DAY 6 AT SEA - Serenity at Sea
Share a serene and relaxing day as we learn about the region and watch for visiting birds.
Enjoy the serenity of this day at sea. Relax and admire the scenery from the observation deck or from the lounge. Throughout your journey, the Expedition Team will give lectures in the Science Center and share their extensive knowledge of the region with you.
And, not all lectures are confined to indoors! If curious seabirds come fly alongside the ship, the Expedition Team can help you identify them. Our designated expedition photographer will also help you learn the basics of expedition photography, in addition to documenting our journey.
DAY 7 ARICA, CHILE - FULL DAY - City of everlasting spring
Enjoy guaranteed sunshine in this lively city by the sea.
Sunshine is guaranteed in this coastal city, which has one of the driest city climates of the world. Its beaches are ideal for surfing and sunbathing, and the El Morro cliff offers fantastic views. The city offers a plethora of delights, from the glory of San Marcos Cathedral to lively, pedestrian streets and the enticing sights and scents of the El Agro market.
Marvel at mummies in the archeological museum that are even older than those of Egypt. South of the city, you can also explore rugged Playa Corazones and the Cuevas de Anzota (Caves of Anzota)
Included: Atacama Coastal Walk
DAY 8 IQUIQUE, CHILE - HALF DAY - Chile’s premier beach resort
Take an excursion to an abandoned mining town and sample its many delights.
As one of Chile’s top seaside cities, Iquique is buzzing with activity all year round. We’ll visit the nearby abandoned saltpeter mining town of Humberstone in the Atacama Desert. Back in Iquique, you can take a beachside walk, take a tour of museum ship La Esmeralda, or admire Georgian architecture as you head down Baquedano Street toward Astoreca Palace.
You’ll also find many chic cafés and restaurants where you can savor local specialties, including seafood dishes and chumbeque, a traditional tasty dessert.
Included: Humberstone and Santa Laura
DAY 9 AT SEA - Relax on board
Make full use of the ship’s excellent amenities and hone your photography skills.
A full day at sea gives you more opportunities to savor the sumptuous food in our onboard restaurants, make use of our extensive spa and fitness facilities, or simply relax and sip a drink as you watch the world go by from the Explorer lounge & bar.
You can also consult the library in the Science Center. You’ll no doubt be taking plenty of photos, so why not make them top quality? Our professional onboard photographer will be happy to help you take the best pictures with your camera possible.
DAY 10 - LA SERENA, CHILE - ANCHORED - FULL DAY - The ‘City of Churches’
Visit historic churches and stroll through beautiful gardens in this neo-colonial city.
Perched on ocean terraces and blessed with beautiful sandy beaches all along Avenida del Mar and beyond, Chile’s second-oldest city has a distinct neo-colonial look and feel. Modern buildings mingle with classic architecture, such as the 30 or so carefully restored stone churches, some of which are 350 years old.
Stroll through manicured public gardens, the Japanese-inspired Jardín del Corazón or shop for handicrafts at La Recova market. The archeological museum houses pre-colonial artifacts, while the hidden streets of Patio Colonial is the place to go for cafés and restaurants.
Included: Coquimbo and La Serena
DAY 11 VALPARAÍSO, CHILE - UNESCO’s `Jewel of the Pacific´
Take time to admire historic architecture and magnificent views
Built on steep hillsides overlooking a picturesque bay, Valparaíso is a maze of monuments, churches, historical funiculars (cable cars), trendy neighborhoods, cobblestone alleys, colorful houses, and charming plazas. Cerros Alegre and Concepción have the best views, while the historic port district has Colonial architecture, bustling mercados, and the maritime and modern art museums.
Take time to admire the architecture and spot ships in the nearby port, then head into the hills of Concepción for panoramic viewpoints, trendy cafés, and a maze of narrow streets. Baburizza Palace, near Paseo Yugoslavo, is home to the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts, as well as a string of eateries.
DAY 12-13 - AT SEA - Enlightenment on the waves
Learn, get fit, or simply relax as we cross the waves
We have two full days at sea, giving so take advantage of all the ship has to offer. The Expedition Team offers fascinating lectures about the areas you’ll visit. Or, swim in the pool, relax in the sauna or in a hot tub, work out in the gym, or run on the outdoor running track.
Then, grab a drink in the Explorer bar and get to know your travel companions. At sea, you may glimpse the occasional wandering albatross, so have your binoculars ready!
DAY 14 CASTRO, CHILE - ANCHORED - FULL DAY - Capital of Chiloé Island
Visit museums, sample seafood, and enjoy classic architecture in this cosmopolitan city.
Tucked away off a fjord on Chiloé Island, Castro has slowly evolved into a cosmopolitan capital with a classic Chilote character. You will want to see for yourself the brightly painted, wooden stilt houses lining the edges of the fjord at Gamboa wharf.
The nearby Church of San Francisco, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a masterpiece of carpentry, made entirely of wood in Neo-Gothic style. Other attractions include the Plaza de Armas, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Regional Museum. Or sample fresh seafood in one of the many quality restaurants featuring views of the fjord.
DAY 15 AT SEA - Sailing south
Sit back and reconnect with nature as we sail past untouched islands and tall, green mountains
Our ship’s course is set for Puerto Edén, so we’ll pass by the numerous islands of the Aysén region, Chile’s most sparsely populated region. An important part of an expedition cruise is living in the moment. Remember to take time to reconnect with nature and the world around you.
So take a seat in the panoramic Explorer lounge or soak in one of the hot tubs out on deck. Sit back and feast your eyes on the serene scenery as you sail by untouched isles and green mountains. The Expedition Team will continue inspire you in the Science Center with presentations about the local geography, climate, and birdlife.
DAY 16 ANCHORED - HALF DAY - Portal to paradise
Watch for rare wildlife in the spectacular land surrounding this hard-to-reach, remote village.
This tiny village is the gateway to the exceptional landscapes of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, the largest protected area in Chile, made up of a stunning network of fjords and beautiful mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for South Andean deer on the slopes nearby. Watch for marine otters in the water and keep an eye on the sky to spot cormorants.
Puerto Edén is only accessible by sea and one of Chile’s most hard-to-reach inhabited places. No roads lead to this isolated village. Only boardwalks and footpaths connect the homes of its few inhabitants, a dozen of whom are the last known community of the Indigenous Kawésqar people.
DAY 17-18 PUERTO NATALES, CHILE - FULL DAY - Bohemian bars with Andean views
Take a trip to see magnificent Andean scenery and explore the quaint delights of Puerto Natales.
Blessed with gorgeous views of the southern Andes, this city is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. You could take a full-day optional excursion to the national park, or spend some time exploring the Bohemian bars, shops, corrugated tin houses, and eateries of Puerto Natales.
Visit the artisan village of Etherh Aike to see a range of souvenirs. Or drop in for drinks at the Last Hope Bar, which also claims to be the southernmost distillery in the world. Bird watchers should be on alert for Andean condors, Chilean flamingos, and many other bird species.
DAY 19 CHILEAN FJORDS - Going with the flow
Scan the shores and seas for wildlife as we sail along the rugged coastline.
We continue our southward journey down the coast through the many islands and fjords of Chile’s rugged Magallanes Province. We will pass through the western part of the Strait of Magellan, named after the famous Portuguese explorer who first traversed it.
The Expedition Team will choose the day’s activities, based on their knowledge of the area and that day’s weather, in order to offer the most interesting sites for you to explore. Remember to scan the shores for picturesque waterfalls, birdlife, colonies of Magellanic Penguins, and, if fortunate, elephant seals. You may also spot whales in the surrounding waters.
DAY 20-21 AT SEA - Cape Horn and the Drake Passage
We’ll sail through rugged Tierra del Fuego and past Cape Horn as we head for the Antarctic.
We’ll enter the Beagle Channel and the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago after looping around glacier-carved Alberto de Agostini National Park. Weather permitting, we’ll visit historic Cape Horn, where the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans collide.
The sea here is notoriously turbulent, but if it is calm enough, you may have the opportunity to land at this famous landmark. Then, we’ll head southward across the waters of the Drake Passage. The Expedition Team will prepare you for your Antarctic adventure as the first icebergs come into view.
DAY 22-25 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA - The fabled frozen continent
Explore an otherworldly landscape of snow and ice
At last, Antarctica! Welcome to a unique environment of glaciers, ice shelves, and gigantic icebergs. For four days, we’ll explore the vast, frozen territories of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. The Expedition Team will carefully coordinate activities according to the weather and ice conditions and guide you on ice cruises in our small boats (RIBs), with opportunities to go ashore.
Watch out for teeming colonies of penguins and other wildlife, and relics of the whaling era. On board, you can also participate in Citizen Science projects and contribute your own observations to the scientific knowledge of this region.
DAY 26-27 AT SEA - Back from the bottom of the world
Pamper yourself and wind down after all the excitement you experienced in Antarctica.
Now, it’s time to head north. No matter how long you spend in this inspirational place, it never quite feels enough. We understand! Over the next two days, as our ship crosses back toward South America, it’s the ideal time to wind down from all the excitement of Antarctica.
Pamper yourself in the Wellness Spa with a soothing treatment. Reminisce about the trip’s special memories. Proudly show your best photographs, and swap stories of your different experiences. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to take a look back at everything you’ve seen and learned along the way.
DAY 28 USHUAIA / BUENOS AIRES - A fond farewell
Bid a fond farewell to the ship before flying to Buenos Aires
After arriving in Ushuaia, transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. It’s up to you whether you fly home directly or spend a few extra days exploring the city. Ready for more? Add on a Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian border.
Sadly, you must say goodbye to your expedition ship, the crew, and your amazing Expedition Team, who have worked tirelessly to make your adventure joyful and unforgettable. We aim to inspire everyone to cherish our wonderful planet. Here’s to seeing you on your next adventure!
Post-Program:
Not ready for your adventure to end? Since you’re in the area, sign up for our Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian border. Visit Iguaz´s cascades and viewpoints, seeing them from the Argentinian and Brazilian side. The trip includes a scenic train ride to the upper falls.