Lima’s UNESCO treasures

Your South American adventure begins in Peru

Your expedition cruise starts in Lima, Peru. Offering An exciting cocktail of cosmopolitan cool and ancient heritage, there's plenty to experience and worth arriving a few days early to explore.

Lima's historical centre is a jewel of Spanish architecture, from colonial churches and monasteries to elegant mansions. You'll quickly see why it's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you have time, visit the clay ruins of ceremonial pyramids Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca.

Known as the food capital of South America, choose from gourmet restaurants to unmissable street food. We recommend trying Peru's national dish ceviche, fish marinated in lime juice, onion and chilli.

Cusco - the Sacred Valley

The enigmatic city of the Incas

In the morning, you'll fly from Lima to the mystical former capital of the Inca empire, Cusco. We'll visit Sacsayhuamán, a fortress and temple complex overlooking the city. From here, the views of Cusco and the sacred Inca summits of Ausangate, Pachatusán and Cinca are glorious.

The enormous stones used to build Sacsayhuamán fit together entirely without mortar, and so closely that not even a blade of grass can slip between them. A true feat of masonry!

We'll end the day at the Tambo del Inka Resort in the Sacred Valley for a tasty dinner and a good night's sleep.

Mystical Machu Picchu

Discover the Lost City of the Incas

Our day begins in historic Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, where we'll visit the rose-coloured fortress built by Emperor Pachacuti and Inca ruins. Then we’ll board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu, enjoying brunch while the breathtaking Andean scenery passes by.

Built around 1450, Machu Picchu was abandoned during the Spanish conquest. It was hidden by jungle for centuries, and only rediscovered in 1911. The Incas left no written records, so mystery surrounds this magnificent stronghold.

You’ll enjoy the trails around the city, admire the precision Incan stonework and maybe meet friendly local llamas. After a day at one of the world's truly special destinations, you'll return by train to the comfort of the Tambo del Inka Resort for the night.

Cusco, city of the Incas

Explore the centre of the Incan Empire

After breakfast, we'll head to the splendid Baroque style Cusco Cathedral, built with stones looted from the nearby Sacsayhuamán fortress.

In Koricancha, admire the lovely Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo that was built on the foundations of the Temple of the Sun, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. It houses a curved, mortar-less masonry wall, considered to be one of the greatest existing examples of Inca stonework.

We transfer to the airport and fly to Lima. Once there, we head to Callao where your hybrid-powered expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen is docked, ready and waiting to welcome you to the next part of your expedition.

Trujillo and Chan Chan

Discover Trujillo's ancient kingdoms

Salaverry is the gateway port to discover Peru’s third largest city, Trujillo, and some fascinating archaeological sites. If the weather conditions allow, you'll be in for some fantastic experiences today.

Colourful Trujillo boasts a Baroque cathedral, Colonial churches and Neoclassical mansions, as well as one of the longest mosaic murals in the world.

Nearby are the vast ancient ruins of the Chimu city of Chan Chan, dating back to 900 CE. On the other side of Trujillo, you'll find the Mochican pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, that pre-date Chan Chan.

A leisurely day at sea

Relax and unwind as we cruise towards Ecuador

As we leave Peru, you'll have the chance to enjoy the many onboard facilities, visit the Science Center and join the Expedition Team for lectures on the sights you'll be seeing next.

If you want to unwind, head to the Wellness Centre and indulge in a soothing treatment. If the warm breeze hasn't opened your pores, take some time to enjoy the sauna and outdoor hot tubs.

However you choose to spend your day, you'll be rested and ready for the adventures ahead.

Bountiful Puerto Bolivar

A bustling port with a charming atmosphere

We have a colourful day ahead, exploring Puerto Bolivar, a port in the city of Machala that exports coffee, cocoa, shrimp and bountiful bananas.

Feast on delicious fresh seafood at a harbour restaurant, taking in views of the mangrove swamps of Isla Jambeli – and discover Machala's markets, plazas and Casa de la Cultura Museum on our included tour.

As an optional excursion, you can visit a banana plantation and try to spot hummingbirds, parakeets and howler monkeys in Buenaventura Nature Reserve. Nearby Puyango Petrified Forest is one of the largest areas of fossilised trees in the world.

Machalilla National Park

Dry forests, wonderful wildlife and archeological sites

Machalilla National Park is a truly special place. With its beautiful dry forests and protected wetlands, this stretch of coastline is home to more than 270 bird and 81 mammal species.

We plan to anchor off the long sandy beach at the fishing village of Puerto López, using our small expedition boats to land.

The park is also something of an outdoor museum of pre-Columbian history, thanks to the ancient Machalilla culture that used to thrive here. On our included excursion, we'll visit the Agua Blanca archeological site, taking in spectactular wildlife and scenery along the way.

Manta and Montecristi

Discover the birthplace of Panama hats... in Ecuador

Your expedition cruise stops at Manta – a lively port city with a long history of fishing that has brought the city prosperity. You'll find wild shrimp, black clams, and red snapper. Manta is most famous for its tuna, which we recommend trying in the encebollado broth.

Head to Playa el Murcielago for the lively shops and eateries of Malencón Escénico, or learn about pre-Colombian civilisation at the Museo Municipal Etnografico Cancebi.

The handicraft centre of Montecristi is also nearby. Perhaps surprisingly, this Ecuadorian town where the Panama hat was first created, and is still hand woven here to this day.

Crossing the Equator

Enjoy a quirky seafaring tradition

As our expedition cruise continues towards Panama, you'll have time to enjoy more lectures from the Expedition Team, and brush up on your photography or art skills. You can also take samples gathered on our cruise to analyse under our Science Center microscopes.

As we cross the Equator, you can seek Neptune's blessing in a short ceremony. Don't be shy, it's a Norwegian sailors’ tradition.

After spending time out on deck, you can join fellow explorers, bonding over common interests and a passion for nature in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, or enjoy some fine dining in our onboard restaurants.

Island idyll of Cebaco

Traditional island life off the beaten track

We continue our cruise to Cebaco, a hidden gem of an island. The only way here is by sea, but with no regular ferries, it's untouched by development or mass tourism. The only human settlement is the small village of El Jobo in the north.

Wind your way round miles of pristine beaches, like Playa Grande to the south, with its soft white sands and coconut trees. Or hike through rainforest trails and enjoy the peace while looking out for wildlife.

The Gulf of Montijo, surrounding the island, is a nationally protected marine zone. You can enjoy exceptional snorkelling here, spotting colourful fish among the coral reefs.

Wildlife of Golfito

Abundant nature in Piedras Blancas National Park

Our expedition cruise reaches Costa Rica. Here in relaxed, blissful Golfito is the gateway to Piedras Blancas National Park. Follow the rainforest trails through the wildlife refuge to the park. You’ll discover waterfalls, and spy toucans, macaws, blue morpho butterflies, anteaters, sloths and mantled howler monkeys.

The calm waters here are perfect for a kayaking tour, exploring local mangroves and isolated beaches as part of an optional excursion. Or go shopping in the town's duty free centre. Then enjoy views from the marinas, where anglers head out in pursuit of the prized Pacific Sailfish.

Quepos and Manuel Antonio

Gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park

Quepos is popular with visitors, offering everything from water sports and big game fishing to eateries and shopping. Its biggest attraction by far is the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. One of Costa Rica’s most popular parks, it ranks 12 in the Forbes list of most beautiful national parks in the world. 

With spectacular views of mountains, mangroves, lagoons, beaches, and forest, this ‘outdoor zoo’ is home to 350 bird and 109 mammal species. Follow the breathtaking Perezoso trail and you might see Scarlet Macaws, toucans, hawks, four species of monkey, sloths, iguanas and armadillos.

Arrival in Puntarenas

Enjoy Costa Rican coastal life before heading home

Your South American expedition cruise concludes in Puntarenas, a Costa Rican city on a needle of land jutting into the Pacific Ocean. If you have time, stroll down the palm-lined Paseo de los Turistas and soak up the sights and sounds of the promenade.

Before returning home, why not join one of our Post-Programmes. You can visit the magnificent Arenal Volcano Area where you’ll see more of Costa Rica’s beautiful flora and fauna. Or enjoy a jungle boat tour and discover the Costa Rican capital of San José.