The City of Kings

Explore museums, pyramids and culinary delights in Peru’s capital city   

Sat 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. Its original name was La Ciudad de los Reyes, or ‘The City of Kings’. The historic centre is replete with colonial-era architecture, and reminders of the long-lost Inca civilisation.  

You can also enjoy the Barranco area, with its murals, creative cafés and contemporary art museums. But the ultimate Lima experience has got to be the food, and there are numerous award-winning restaurants for you to delight in. You’ll spend the night at a centrally located hotel.

Navel of the World

Stroll among colonial architecture and ancient Inca ruins   

After breakfast we fly from Lima to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire, whose name means ‘Navel of the World’. It’s thought the city’s original layout was in the form of a puma. At the puma’s heart is Plaza de Armas, a site of colonial architecture and colourful carnivals. At the head is 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 in a local restaurant, we continue to Tambo del Inka Resort in the Sacred Valley, a perfect place to end the day.

The Lost City of the Incas

Wonder at the mysterious ruins of ancient Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu   

We start off in Ollantaytambo, once the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti and a thriving complex of baths, temples and military barracks, then board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu, tucking into a savoury brunch on the way. Built around 1450 and abandoned at the time of the Spanish conquest, thick vegetation hid Machu Picchu’s secrets for centuries.  

The ‘Lost City’ of the Incas has now taken centre stage as one of the greatest destinations in the world. You can 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 the two sites, we head back to Tambo del Inka Resort by train.

Centre of the Incan Empire

Explore the Inca past before joining your ship for the next part of the expedition   

After breakfast, we head to the splendid Cusco Cathedral, built by the Spaniards in the mid-1500s on the foundations of an Incan palace. From there, we continue to Koricancha to admire the lovely Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the foundations of the Temple of the Sun, the Inca Empire’s most important temple.  

We then fly to Lima and head to Callao where your expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen is waiting 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!

Birds and brandy

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 tuck into local delicacies, washed down with a glass of pisco – grape brandy. Be careful: pisco can pack quite a punch!  

Opposite Paracas harbour is a geoglyph of a candelabra that could be related to the ancient and mysterious Nazca Lines. These you can visit in the Pisco valley as part of an optional excursion. You can also take a boat tour of the nearby Ballestas Islands, which support a wide range of wildlife.

Picture perfect

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, relaxing and admiring the scenery from the observation deck or over in the lounge. Throughout your journey, the Expedition Team will be running lectures in the Science Center to share their extensive knowledge of the region with you.  

Not all lectures are confined to indoors. If the ship attracts seabirds to fly alongside, the Expedition Team may also help you to identify these feathered followers. There is also a designated photographer on board who, in addition to taking pictures from our journey together, will help you with the basics of expedition photography.

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 fantastic views can be had from El Morro cliff. The city offers a plethora of delights, from the glory of San Marcos Cathedral to lively, pedestrianised streets and the enticing sights and scents of El Agro market.  

In the archaeological museum you can also marvel at mummies that are even older than those of Egypt. To the south of the city, you can also explore rugged Playa Corazones and the caves of Anzota.

Chile’s premier beach resort

Take an excursion to an abandoned mining town and sample the many delights of this historic town 

One of Chile’s top seaside cities, Iquique is a hive of activity all year around. Our main plan here is to visit the nearby abandoned saltpetre mining town of Humberstone in the Atacama Desert. Back in Iquique, you can take a beachside walk, shop duty-free in Zofri Mall, take a tour of museum ship La Esmeralda or head down Baquedano Street, with its Georgian architecture, to Astoreca Palace.  

You’ll also find many a chic café and restaurant where you can savour local specialities such as a variety of seafood dishes and chumbeque, a dessert that blends fried thin dough with fruity caramels.

Relax on board

Make full use of the ship’s excellent facilities and hone your photography skills   

With a full day at sea, you have another opportunity to savour the sumptuous food in our onboard restaurants, make use of our extensive spa and fitness facilities, or simply chill out and sip a beverage as you watch the world go by from the Explorer Lounge.  

You can also consult the Science Center’s library. No doubt you’ll be taking lots of photos, so why not make them top quality? Our professional onboard photographer will be pleased to advise you and give excellent tips on how to make the most of your camera.

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 feeling and appearance. 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, such as the Japanese-inspired Jardín del Corazón, or shop for arts and crafts at Recova Market. The archaeological museum houses pre-colonial artefacts while the hidden lane of Patio Colonial near Balmaceda is the place to go for chilled-out cafés and eateries.

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 funicular lifts, trendy barrios, cobblestone alleys, colourful houses and charming plazas. Cerros Alegre and Concepción have the best views, while the historic port district boasts 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 Concepción Hills 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.

Enlightenment on the waves

Learn, get fit, or simply relax as we cross the waves   

We now have two full days at sea, giving you ample opportunity to enjoy all that the ship has to offer. Your Expedition Team offers fascinating lectures about the areas you’ll be visiting, and you can also swim in the pool, relax in the sauna and hot tubs, or improve your fitness in the gym and on the outdoor running track.  

After all that activity, you can take a drink in the bar and get to know your travelling companions. Out to sea, you may glimpse the occasional wandering albatross, so have your binoculars ready!

Capital of Chiloé Island

Sample museums, seafood and classic architecture in this cosmopolitan city   

Tucked away by a fjord on Chiloé Island, Castro has evolved into a cosmopolitan capital that still manages to be classic Chilote in 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 is a masterpiece of carpentry, made entirely of wood in a Neo-Gothic style. Other attractions include the Plaza de Armas, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Regional Museum. You can also sample the wide range of high-quality restaurants for their fresh seafood and views of the fjord.

Sailing south

Sit back and reconnect as we sail past untouched islands and tall, green mountains   

We continue our voyage, setting course for Puerto Edén and passing by the many islands of Aysén, Chile’s most sparsely populated region. Part of being on an expedition cruise is knowing how to enjoy the moment; taking time out to reconnect with nature and the world around you.  

From the panoramic Explorer Lounge or in a hot tub out on deck, sit back and simply take in the serene scenery as untouched isles and green mountains roll quietly by. The Expedition Team will also continue to enthral you in the Science Center with details about the local geography, climate and birdlife.

Portal to paradise

Watch for rare wildlife in the spectacular country surrounding this inaccessible village   

This tiny hamlet gives access 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 on the lookout for South Andean deer on the nearby slopes, marine otters in the water, and cormorants up above.  

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, and only boardwalks and footpaths connect the homes of its few inhabitants, a dozen of whom are the last known community of the indigenous Kawéskar people.

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 a launch pad for Torres del Paine National Park. Aside from a full-day optional excursion to the national park, you can also spend some time exploring Puerto Natales, with its Bohemian bars, shops, corrugated tin houses, and eateries.  

Visit the artisan village at Etherh Aike for 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 also be on alert for Andean Condors, Chilean Flamingos, and many other bird species.

Going with the flow

Scan the shores and seas for wildlife as we sail along the rugged coastline   

Our journey down the coast continues past the many islands and fjords of Chile’s rugged Magallenes Province. We will be in the western part of the Strait of Magellan, named after the famous Portuguese explorer who first traversed it.  

The day’s activities will be decided by the Expedition Team, drawing on their knowledge of the area to select the most interesting sites for you to explore based on the prevailing weather that day. Remember to scan the shores for picturesque waterfalls, birdlife, colonies of Magellanic Penguins and, if fortunate, elephant seals. You may also glimpse whales in the surrounding waters.

Cape Horn and the Drake Passage

Sail through rugged Tierra del Fuego and past Cape Horn as we head for the Antarctic   

Looping around glacier-carved Alberto de Agostini National Park, we enter the Beagle Channel and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago Depending on the weather, we may be able to visit historic Cape Horn - the point where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans collide.  

The sea here is notoriously turbulent, but if it is calm enough you may have the opportunity to go ashore at this famous landmark. After that, you will be heading southward across the unbounded waters of Drake Passage, and your Expedition Team will prepare you for your Antarctic adventure as the first icebergs come into view.

The fabled frozen continent

Explore an other-worldly landscape of snow and ice   

At last you arrive in Antarctica, a unique environment of glaciers, ice shelves and gigantic icebergs. For four days, we’ll be exploring the vast, frozen territories of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Carefully coordinating activities to match the prevailing conditions, your Expedition Team will guide you to ice cruises in smaller expedition boats and 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 world’s knowledge of this region.

Back from the bottom of the world

Pamper yourself and wind down after all the excitement of Antarctica   

Unfortunately, it’s now time to turn around and head north. No matter how long you spend in this inspirational place, it never quite feels enough. Over the next two days, as our ship crosses back towards South America, it’s the ideal time to wind down from all the excitement of Antarctica.  

Pamper yourself in the Wellness Spa with a few soothing treatments. Reminisce about the trip’s special memories. Proudly compare your best photographs, and swap stories of the different excursions. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to take stock of all you have seen and learned along the way.

A fond farewell

Bid a fond farewell to your Expedition Cruise Ship before flying to Buenos Aires   

After arriving in Ushuaia, you’ll catch a transfer to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires. From there, you can either fly home or stay for a few days to explore the city. You can also opt to add on a post-programme to the magnificent Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian border.  

Sadly, you’ll have to say goodbye to your expedition ship, the crew and your amazing Expedition Team, who have worked very hard to make your adventure a joyful and unforgettable one. We aim to inspire everyone to cherish our wonderful planet. Here’s to seeing you on your next adventure!   

Post-Programme 

Perhaps you’re not quite ready for your adventure to end just yet. Seeing as you’re in the area, why not add on a Post-Programme to see the magnificent Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian border. You’ll visit Iguazu´s cascades and viewpoints, seeing them from the Argentinian and Brazilian side. The trip includes a scenic train ride to the upper falls.