Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll land in Lima and have time to explore the city's different neighborhoods. Head to Barranco if you want to see colorful street art and check out contemporary galleries, or walk through the historic center to look at colonial churches and the Huaca Pucllana ruins. Don't skip trying ceviche, which is Peru's national dish and you can find it at restaurants throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore colorful murals and contemporary art museums in Barranco
- Visit Lima's historical center UNESCO World Heritage Site
- See Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca ceremonial pyramids
- Try ceviche and specialty restaurants
Landmarks Barranco Lima's Historical Center Huaca Pucllana Huaca Huallamarca 
- Day 2
Lima to Juliaca to Puno
After flying to Juliaca, you'll head out to Sillustani to see pre-Inca burial towers called chullas that the Colla people built centuries ago, some reaching up to 39 feet high. The site sits above Lake Umayo and you'll have a picnic lunch by the water. Later you'll travel to Puno, which sits on Lake Titicaca's shore, and check into your hotel for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch by the shores of the lake)
Included Activities
- Visit Sillustani pre-Inca burial site
- Explore chullas (ancient tower tombs)
- Picnic lunch by Lake Umayo
Landmarks Sillustani Lake Umayo - Day 3
Puno
This morning you'll start with a guided kayaking tour on Lake Titicaca from Llachón, paddling on calm waters with nice views around you. After kayaking, you'll walk with a local guide and then have lunch with a family to try traditional food. In the afternoon, a boat takes you out to the Uro floating islands, which are made entirely from lake reeds. You'll return to Puno to rest up.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch with a local family)
Included Activities
- Visit rural community of Llachón
- Guided kayaking tour on Lake Titicaca
- Guided walk
- Traditional lunch with local family
- Boat tour to Uro floating islands
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Llachón Uro Islands 
- Day 4
Puno to Cusco
You'll spend the day traveling by bus across the Altiplano, a high plateau over 12,000 feet up. Along the way you'll pass through Andean scenery and look for wild llamas and alpacas, especially near La Raya Pass. You'll stop at Tinajani to see ancient rock formations and visit Raqch'i, a 15th-century archaeological site. By evening you'll arrive in Cusco and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch by the ancient rock formations of Tinajani)
Included Activities
- Cross the Altiplano by bus
- See Pucara bulls
- Visit Tinajani ancient rock formations
- Watch for wild llamas and alpacas at La Raya Pass
- Visit Raqch'i 15th-century archaeological complex
Landmarks Altiplano La Raya Pass Tinajani Raqch'i 
- Day 5
Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco
You'll travel to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and board the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu, eating brunch as Andean mountains pass by outside. Once there, you'll walk through the Inca ruins built around 1450 and see how precisely the stones fit together. The resident llamas roam freely around the site. You'll return to Cusco for the night.
- Meals
- Brunch (Brunch on the deluxe Hiram Bingham train), Lunch (Set lunch)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo
- Board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu
- Explore Machu Picchu ruins
- Walk the trails around Machu Picchu
- Admire Inca stonework
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Sacred Valley 
- Day 6
Cusco to Lima
A guide will show you around Cusco, starting with Santo Domingo church which was built right on top of an Inca temple called Koricancha. You'll walk up to the Sacsayhuamán fortress for views over the city, visit the Sulca Textiles Museum, and see the Spanish colonial cathedral in the main plaza. After that you'll head to the airport to fly back to Lima and board your ship at Callao port.
- Meals
- Lunch (Set lunch)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cusco Imperial City
- Visit Santo Domingo church
- Explore Sacsayhuamán fortress
- Visit Sulca Textiles Museum
- See cathedral at main square
Landmarks Cusco Santo Domingo Church Koricancha Sacsayhuamán Sulca Textiles Museum Cusco Cathedral - Day 7
Paracas
A boat takes you to the Ballestas Islands where you can spot Humboldt penguins, sea lions, pelicans, and humpback whales if you're lucky. Later you'll explore the Paracas National Reserve with its yellow sand dunes and red beaches. Around El Chaco you'll find restaurants serving jalea, which is fried seafood. If you want, you can book a flight over the Nazca Lines, ancient patterns drawn in the desert.
Included Activities
- Boat tour to Ballestas Islands
- Explore Paracas National Reserve
Optional Activities
- Fly over the Nazca Lines
Landmarks Ballestas Islands Paracas National Reserve Nazca Lines El Chaco 
- Day 8
At Sea
Your ship travels north toward Chile through the Humboldt Current, which brings cold water that supports tons of fish like anchovies and mackerel. The Expedition Team gives talks at the Science Center about how this current works and why it's important. You can relax in the hot tub, use the gym, or spend time on deck watching the ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Science Center for lectures on Humboldt Current
- Use hot tub
- Work out in gym
- Enjoy deck views
Landmarks Humboldt Current - Day 9
Arica
You'll dock in Arica, one of the driest cities in the world even though it sits right on the coast. Walk around streets like Calle 21 de Mayo and Bolognesi to sample local food and check out El Agro market. For views, you can hike up El Morro cliff which takes about 15 minutes. The San Marcos Cathedral was designed by Gustave Eiffel and stands out in the city center. Optional activities include hiking or exploring caves.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Calle 21 de Mayo and Bolognesi
- Visit El Agro market
- Hike up El Morro cliff
Optional Activities
- Visit San Marcos Cathedral
- Visit archeological museum to see mummies and learn about Chinchorro culture
- Trek along Playa Corazones
- Explore Caves of Anzota
Landmarks Arica El Morro San Marcos Cathedral El Agro Market Playa Corazones Caves of Anzota - Day 10
Iquique
Iquique is a flat city on the coast with palm trees lining the streets. From there you can visit the ghost towns of Santa Laura and Humberstone in the nearby Atacama Desert, which used to be saltpeter mining centers. Back in Iquique you can walk around and try local treats like mango sour or chumbeque, a regional sweet. If interested, La Esmeralda is a historic 19th-century ship you can tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit abandoned saltpeter mining towns of Santa Laura
- Visit UNESCO-listed Humberstone
Optional Activities
- Explore Iquique on foot
- Enjoy coffee or traditional mango sour and chumbeque
- Visit La Esmeralda four-masted corvette
Landmarks Iquique Santa Laura Humberstone Atacama Desert La Esmeralda - Day 11
At Sea
As the ship heads toward La Serena, you'll have a relaxed day to think back on what you've seen so far. You can meet other travelers in the Explorer Lounge and share stories, or attend lectures from the Expedition Team at the Science Center. The onboard library has books if you want to read more about Peru, Chile, or the wildlife you've encountered.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Relax in Explorer Lounge and Bar
- Attend Expedition Team lectures at Science Center
- Browse onboard library
- Day 12
La Serena
The ship docks at Coquimbo and you'll explore La Serena, Chile's second-oldest city and known for having about 30 restored stone churches scattered throughout. You can relax on sandy beaches along Avenida del Mar or visit the Archeological Museum to see pre-colonial artifacts. Walk through manicured gardens like the Japanese-inspired Jardín del Corazón, browse handicrafts at La Recova market, and grab coffee at cafes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore La Serena beaches
- Visit stone churches
- Visit Archeological Museum
Optional Activities
- Stroll through public gardens including Jardín del Corazón
- Shop at La Recova market
- Explore Coquimbo
- Visit cafés in Patio Colonial
Landmarks La Serena Coquimbo Avenida del Mar Jardín del Corazón La Recova Market Patio Colonial Archeological Museum - Day 13
Valparaíso
Your expedition ends in Valparaíso, a UNESCO-listed port city built on steep hillsides with colorful homes and winding alleyways. Take a funicular up to Cerro Alegre and Concepción for views over the city and ocean. Walk through the markets and neighborhoods to soak in the atmosphere before you fly home. This is your last chance to enjoy the sights and character of South America's Pacific coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Valparaíso winding alleyways and barrios
- Visit mercados with local produce
- Funicular ride to Cerro Alegre and Concepción
Optional Activities
- Join optional Post-Program
Landmarks Valparaíso Cerro Alegre Cerro Concepción 
