Valparaíso, a UNESCO gem

Begin your adventure in this vibrant hilltop city

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

The city is 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 as we set sail.

Stunning La Serena

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.

Relax at sea

Relax and prepare for adventure

Enjoy the serenity of this day at sea. Relax and admire the scenery from the Observation Deck or inside from 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.

Iquique and the Atacama Desert

Discover the history of UNESCO-listed Humberstone

Our cruise continues to bustling Iquique, a flat city of promenades lined with palm trees.

We’ll visit the abandoned saltpeter mining towns of Santa Laura and UNESCO-listed Humberstone in the arid Atacama Desert. Back in Iquique, explore this cosmopolitan oceanside city on foot, or simply pull up a chair in a café and do some people watching.

While you’re there, enjoy a delicious coffee or a traditional mango sour and chumbeque, a beloved regional sweet. Pay a visit to La Esmeralda, a four-masted corvette from the 19th century with historical significance.

Sunny Arica

Get to know Arica’s history and try the local food

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.

Clear skies, cool climate

Go with the flow in the Humboldt Current

As we sail further north towards 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. Your Expedition Team will tell you more about the Humboldt Current’s importance to the marine ecosystem.

You’ll have plenty of time at your leisure throughout this day at sea. You can relax in the heated infinity pool, go for a run on the outdoor running track, and take in stunning views and stimulating breezes from on deck.

Ballestas and Nazca

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.

Ancient and modern Lima

Immerse yourself in Peru’s historic capital

Lima’s historical center is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a jewel of Spanish-era architecture, from colonial churches and monasteries to elegant mansions. Go further back in time and learn about the city’s pre-Hispanic heritage at the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid.

Known as the food capital of South America, Lima has everything 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.

Science and leisure

Enjoy relaxation, research, or a bit of both

Your Pacific coast cruise continues as we head toward Ecuador. As we sail, you might want to soak up scenery from on deck, read a book by a window, or simply enjoy the onboard facilities.

By this stage of your journey, you’ll have struck up friendships with your fellow explorers after finding interests in common and sharing a passion for nature. Chat the day away in the Explorer Lounge & Bar and recall the best parts of your expedition cruise so far.

Of course, the Expedition Team will continue to deliver insightful lectures in the Science Center. You can also delve into the books in the onboard library if you want to learn more about a particular subject.

Bountiful Puerto Bolívar

A bustling port with a charming atmosphere

We have a fruitful day ahead exploring Puerto Bolívar, a port in the city of Machala that exports coffee, cocoa, shrimp, and masses of bananas. Puerto Bolívar is dubbed the ‘Banana Capital of the World,’ as it ships more of Ecuador’s ‘green gold’ than anywhere else in the country.

Machala itself has all the charm you’d expect from a small coastal city, including friendly locals, quaint plazas, and striking monuments. You can try delicious fresh seafood at the harbor restaurants while taking in views of the mangrove swamps of Isla Jambeli. If you have time, stroll through the local markets, plazas, and the Casa de la Cultura museum.

Made in Montecristi

Discover the birthplace of Panama hats in... Ecuador?

We’ll dock at the port of Manta and set foot on South American soil as we visit the town of Montecristi. Known for its handicrafts, you can buy a stylish, genuine Panama hat here, expertly handwoven using the leaves of the jipijapa tree.

Wander around this interesting town and take a look at the imposing white church, or take in the colorful street art and murals. Returning to Manta, we’ll stop at the archeological museum.

Relax at sea

Serenity at sea

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to seek Neptune’s blessing. That’s just what we’ll do in a traditional – and somewhat quirky – ceremony as we cross the Equator in the early morning.

Enjoy onboard adventures as we spend the day cruising to Colombia. Go on deck and scan for wildlife – whales can often be seen in these waters. You can find the Expedition Team in the Science Center.

While you’re there, ask about the Citizen Science projects we’re running. If you’d simply like to relax and enjoy the journey, try out a hot tub or settle into the comfort of the Explorer Lounge & Bar and watch the world pass by. Later, stargazing from the deck is a lovely way to end your day.

Afro-Colombian culture

Music, dancing, and rainforest walks at Bahía Solano

Your day in Bahía Solano begins with a walk around town hosted by members of the local Afro-Colombian community.

Students will greet you with a traditional song and later perform unique Afro-Colombian music and dance. In between, they’ll tell you about the town and their culture.

Consider taking a hike through a tropical rainforest in the botanical gardens. At this 170-acre reserve, you can enjoy a guided walk and learn about the local flora and fauna, along with the important conservation projects launched to protect it.

Travel through the Panama Canal

Navigate one of the world’s greatest engineering feats

Early in the morning, we’ll enter the Panama Canal, an impressive and complex network of ingenious locks stretching 50 miles through natural and man-made waterways. Weather permitting, the Expedition Team will invite you on deck and recount the story of this ambitious project.

Halfway through our transit, we’ll enter the Gatun Lake section, surrounded by verdant rainforest and one of the world’s largest artificial lakes. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, alligators, monkeys, and even sloths.

After around 12 hours, we’ll emerge into the Atlantic, having passed from one great ocean to another.

Disembarking in Colón

Bright city lights amid a lush rainforest landscape

Your South American expedition cruise ends in Colón, which stands beside the portal to the Panama Canal on the Atlantic coast. It’s a bustling cosmopolitan center with hot springs, a thriving handicraft industry, and wonderful local restaurants.

Your cruise may have come to an end, but not necessarily your adventure. If you’re hungry for more, join an optional Post-Program.

Whatever’s next for you, we wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you on your next adventure.