Panama Canal, Indigenous Communities and Cultures with Machu Picchu
Panama Canal, Indigenous Communities and Cultures with Machu Picchu
Board the expedition ship and enter the Panama Canal to experience one of man’s greatest feats of engineering. Then venture deep into the jungle of Darién National Park to meet the Emberá people, and head south to visit charming communities along the Pacific Coast. Explore Incan and Colonial sites in the Sacred Valley, including magnificent Machu Picchu.
Canal Transit and National Parks
Set off on your expedition cruise in Colón as you sail into the Panama Canal’s ingenious lock system. Once we’re through the canal, we’ll head to Darién National Park, where you’ll travel up river through the jungle to visit the indigenous Emberá community. Tour the Afro-Colombian community in Bahía Solano, before continuing to Montecristi (via Manta), the true home of the Panama hat. Then visit Isla de la Plata, home to Ecuador’s only coastal national park, Parque Nacional Machalilla, filled with the squawks of brimming birdlife.
Archeological highlights
At the port in Puerto Bolivar, visit a banana plantation or see exotic wildlife in Buenaventura Nature Reserve on optional excursions. Challenging currents could make landing at Salaverry impossible. If we do go ashore, however, you may visit the ruins of Chan Chan city or the Mochican temple pyramids on optional excursions, You’ll disembark in Lima and fly to Cusco in the Sacred Valley. There, you’ll explore the remains of Incan fortresses, a Colonial cathedral and convent, and the mysteries of Machu Picchu.
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Day 1Colón, Panama
Gateway to the Panama Canal
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Day 2Panama Canal
Connecting two oceans
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Day 3Bahía Solano, Colombia
Afro-Colombian vibes
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Day 4At Sea
Crossing the Equator
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Day 5Manta, Ecuador
Made in Montecristi
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Day 6Isla del la Plata
Ecuador’s other Galápagos
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Day 7Puerto Bolivar (Machala), Ecuador
Growing green gold
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Day 8At Sea
At your leisure
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Day 9Salaverry, Peru
Ancient kingdoms
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Day 10Callao/Lima/Cusco/Sacred Valley
Voyage to the Sacred Valley
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Day 11Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Scared Valley
‘The Lost City of the Incas’
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Day 12Sacred Valley/Cusco/Lima
Center of the Incan Empire
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Day 13Lima
‘The City of Kings’
Departures
What’s included
Peru/Machu Picchu Land-Program after the expedition cruise
- Two nights at Tambo del Inka Resort, including half board
- One night in Lima, including breakfast
- 3-course set lunch on Days 12 and 13 and packed lunch on Day 11
- Economy flight from Lima to Cusco, and Cusco to Lima
- All transfers and train rides as described in the itinerary, including an English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary
Expedition Cruise
- Expedition cruise in the cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurant Aune.
- Fine-dining À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm is included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
- English-speaking Expedition Team who organizes and guides activities, both on board and ashore
- Range of included activities
Onboard activities
- Experts from the Expedition Team present detailed lectures on a variety of topics
- Use of the ship’s Science Center, which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
- The Citizen Science program, which allows guests to contribute to current scientific research projects
- The onboard professional photographer will give tips and tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
- The ship has hot tubs, an infinity pool, a sauna, an outdoor and indoor gym, and an outdoor running track
- Participate in informal gatherings with the crew, such as daily recaps and the next day’s preparations
Landing activities
- Escorted landings with small boats (RIBs)
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment needed for the activities
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
- Expedition photographers will help configure your camera settings before landings
Not included in your voyage
- International flights
- Travel protection
- Baggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
- Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area
- All planned activities are subject to weather conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please ensure you can meet all entry and boarding requirements
- No gratuities are expected
- The Land-Program in Peru takes place at high altitudes (the city of Cuzco’s altitude is at 11,000 feet) and may require a certain level of physical fitness. The order of sights visited may vary.
MS Fram
Year built | 2007 |
Year of refurbishment | 2022 |
Shipyard | Fincantieri, Italy |
Passenger capacity | 318 (200 in Antarctica) |
Beds | 276 |
Car capacity | 0 |
Gross tonnage | 11,647 T |
Length | 374 ft |
Beam | 66.3 ft |
Speed | 13 knots |
The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of her time, and the achievements of her Arctic and Antarctic expeditions are the stuff of legend. In this spirit, the comfortable surroundings and advanced technology on today’s MS Fram – which was fully upgraded in summer 2022 – make her exceptionally well suited for modern expedition cruising.
Practical Information
Sailing with MS Fram
Before you travel with MS Fram
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