Discover Valparaíso, the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’

Your expedition ship, MS Fram, awaits you in Valparaíso – nicknamed the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’. Built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean, this UNESCO-listed city is well worth the trip.

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.

If you’d like to explore more of Valparaíso, you can join an optional Pre-Program.

After picking up your expedition jacket and meeting your Expedition Team, locate your cabin and explore the ship before enjoying the first of many delicious meals on board.

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.

Recharge and learn on board

Enjoy the serenity of this day at sea. Relax and admire the scenery from the Observation Deck or over in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

Throughout your journey, the Expedition Team will present lectures in the Science Center and share their extensive knowledge of the region with you. Topics may include periods of pre-Columbian history, the geology of the surrounding mountains and islands, the folklore of the local communities, and much more. Not all of our lectures are indoors, though! If curious seabirds come fly alongside the ship, the Expedition Team might also help you spot and identify them from on deck.

Discover the history of UNESCO-listed Humberstone

Your South American expedition cruise continues on to bustling Iquique, a city whose streets are lined with palm trees.

You can visit the abandoned saltpeter mining town of Humberstone in the Atacama Desert, a UNESCO site with history you can literally walk through.

Back in Iquique, head to the boardwalk along Playa Cavancha. Admire the city skyline on one side of the beach and surfers riding rolling waves on the other. Baquedano Street showcases 19th-century Georgian architecture while in the center of the old town in Plaza Arturo Prat, you can admire historical monuments like the Astoreca Palace and Torre del Reloj.

Enjoy Arica’s history and try the local 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 while exploring the Caves of Anzota.

Go with the flow of the Humboldt Current

As we sail further north toward Peru, 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. The Expedition Team will tell you more about the importance of the Humboldt Current for the marine ecosystem.

You’ll have plenty of time at your leisure throughout this day at sea. You could relax in a hot tub or in the sauna, exercise in the gym, and take in the stunning views and stimulating breezes out on deck.

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 into the Peruvian coastal desert – an experience that’s on many people’s bucket lists.

Inland towards Cusco and the Sacred Valley

After a week cruising the Pacific coast, we will arrive in Callao around noon. We will say goodbye to the expedition ship here and embark on the next exciting stage of our South American adventure.

From Lima, we fly to beautiful Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, situated around 11,100 feet above sea level. While you’re in the so-called ‘Imperial City’, you’ll be able to see some of its most historical monuments, like Santa Domingo church and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Seek out the famed 12-angled stone just off the city plaza.

Your day ends with an overnight stay in Cusco, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner and a restful night before visiting Machu Picchu the next day.

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.

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 plain 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. There will be many opportunities to photograph this remarkable landscape. You will enjoy a picnic lunch en route.

At the end of your journey, rest and prepare yourself for Lake Titicaca with a comfortable overnight stay in Puno.

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. Your included activity is a guided kayaking tour on the peaceful, deep-blue waters. You will also join a guided walk before accompanying 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 aquatic villages are woven from the reeds that grow in the lake.

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

Visit the Sillustani tombs and fly to Lima

Before heading to the airport to catch your flight to Lima, we will take time to stop at the Sillustani tombs, a pre-Inca burial place overlooking Lake Umayo.

The tombs, also called chullpas, are tower-like structures built above ground by the ancient Colla people. Some are 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, we head to the local airport for our flight to Lima. In Lima, your local guide will transfer you to your hotel and you can enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Your expedition ends in Peru’s historic capital

Your expedition by land and sea ends in Lima, once known as ‘The City of Kings’. It’s well worth taking a day or two to explore this exciting city.

Lima’s historical center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It showcases 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. It’s the perfect place to end your adventure.